Lowcountry Cuisine July 2018

www.LowcountryCuisineMag.com | www.MountPleasantRestaurant.com | www.CharlestonRecipes.com lowcountry cuisine LC 7 Why It’s Important “There are several reasons why children need to learn how to cook, but, first and foremost, it’s for health reasons. Cooking real food is the best way to stay healthy and protect our bodies. Plus, cooking teaches kids other life skills such as math, patience and staying focused,” said Chef Laurie, who has led classes in the past for kids throughout Charleston at places such as Le Creuset, Southern Seasons, Charleston Cooks and the Coastal Cupboard. For Kathy, her passion began after reading an article outlining the dire health concerns for the current generation. “I read a report about how today’s children will likely not live as long as their parents because of food-related medical issues such as diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. The more research I did, the more I was convinced. Finally, after listening to Jamie Oliver’s stand on the relationship between food and children’s health, I was given the final boost I needed to start my own cooking program.” Kids Cooking 101 Breathe, parents. This is a start to a slow journey – and no one expects little Johnny to start cooking duck a l’Orange by the weekend. Instead, kids can build over time with the fundamentals as their anchor, slowly learning new flavor profiles and techniques. Palmetto Kids Cooking emphasizes the importance of reading labels and, specifically, the impact sugar can have on the body. “I know it’s hard for kids to not consume any sugar, so if they can adhere to the 80/20 rule they will be so much better for it. We teach them how to take some of their favorite treats and make them healthier,” Kathy explained. “One of my favorite classes is when kids recreate their favorite fast food meals without the added fats and sugars – and, yet, they still love it!” “Kids are more capable than we give them credit for, and, with the right recipes and basic skills, they can start preparing dinner for the whole family by age 10,” said Chef Laurie, who pointed out that some of the easiest recipes to get started with, like baked chicken fingers and broccoli, quickly become a family favorite. Join the Foodie Fun If your kids have expressed an interest in cooking, or you see the obvious benefits of planting those culinary seeds, Chef Laurie offers semi-private, in-home cooking lessons for kids ages 10 and up. For more information, you can visit her site at www.cheflaurie. com. To sign up for one of Palmetto Kids Cooking eight- or 16-week programs, or to schedule a private birthday party lesson, you can visit www. palmettokidscooking.com . Looking to get your toes wet with the little ones in the kitchen? Here’s my go-to sleepover recipe for personal pizzas that any kid can make with a little help from Mom or Dad. Little Chef’s No-Fuss Personal Pizzas Dough: 1 package active dry yeast 1 teaspoon white sugar 1 cup warm water 2 1/2 cups bread flour (we have used all-purpose as well) 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon salt Directions: Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water, then let it stand for about 10 minutes, until you notice a foam beginning. Stir in flour, salt and oil and mix until smooth. Let the dough rest for five minutes. Portion the dough equally and form into small balls on a floured surface. For older kids, you can let them roll out the dough to the desired thickness themselves, or you can prepare the dough for the kids before handing it off. Set up small bowls with preferred toppings such as: cheese, pepperoni or veggies and an additional bowl with sauce. Let the kids design their own pies before popping them into the oven for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of each pizza. Pull from oven and let stand for three to five minutes – then enjoy! Photo by Krysta Chapman. Photo courtesy of Kathy Trill.