Cowpoke Cooking Co.

Saturday, June 30, 2012

July...we have a wonderful new 'cookie' to bake! Stay-tuned for the recipe!

The cookie has no sugar, no flour, no eggs, no butter! It is made with finely ground seeds, dried berries(that classes have been learning to do with fresh-picked fruit here on the farm!), oats...with the only 'sweet' being dark chocolate pieces : ). It is very tasty, high protein, and carbs, excellent brain/muscle food for long days playing outside, camping, hikes.

Once every three monhs we celebrate student birthdays! All girls this time...Fairy Theme Party in the Barn!

The classes have about ten themes to choose from for birthday celebration Saturday once a month! The class has no charge/fee, it is part of being a student here! It is two hours long, enough time to create a craft, Fairies this time : ), put snacks together, cook something easy for the theme, sing, and even have a bit of fun with a few barn games : ). Just sign up on the calendar if you are able to come in that Saturday! Open for ALL ages! 'Oldies help Youngies'!

Badge Fun again this Summer!

We have a list of instructions that explain how each 'family' badge is earned! Bring it in with a phone photo, or a drawing of it, with a short paragraph, and the chart here will be stamped next to your name! We have a wall to display these fun family activities as well, choose if you want to display your family fun idea! Earn all badges here plus some new surprises : )!

Monday, June 25, 2012

JULY SATURDAY(EARLY MORNING!) PANCAKE FEED! STUDENTS WILL BE COOKING UP FIVE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PANCAKES FOR FAMILIES!

We are going to get creative here, past the basic pancake, although we will serve that up too!
Here is a 'sample' photo...lookin' tasty!

We will be also be using apples, strawberries, oranges, and a few other naturally sweet ingredients!

So, we want you all here before all the kiddos are off to their baseball or soccer games! More info coming your way!

August End of Summer Family Luau! Food, music, firepits, contests, games!

All students and their families are invited to ONE BIG END OF SUMMER PARTY at the farm! Invites are going home in next few weeks via classes, emails, blog, snail mail, we want you all here!

DAD'S...we need you...we will need help setting an in ground pit for...a PIG ROAST! I will have a list of 'jobs', digging the pit, lining the pit, building the fire, wrapping the meat, loading the pit, and a crew to help in two-three hour time blocks to 'watch' the pig from 2am through 4pm!!

More info to follow, as well as deadline to RSVP! Get your flowered shirts, flip flops, straw hats, and join all of us for a great early evening!

Strawberry Mojito Sorbet (Fruit-Juice Sweetened, Vegan, Raw, Paleo)

Is this the best use of fresh strawberries or what?! FOUR ingredients, easy for the students...we made plenty in each class...with no leftovers! Yum!

Icy cool and refreshing! We sat outside the barn(kitchen!)and enjoyed the summer sounds while enjoying our 'dessert'! Remember...all our recipes are sent home in a cute booklet the students make over the course of the month!

1 c Pineapple Juice
1 Tbs Lime Juice
1 lb Frozen Strawberries
1 c Fresh Mint

Friday, June 22, 2012

Our 'family' of alpacas have been 'shorn'! Surprise 'wooly' classes coming in the Fall!

We loved these guys so much last year, that we added several more! I do have to say that six are using our property as temporary 'renters', but we love them just the same! See our new baby? : )

Canastitas Caprese (Open-faced Empanadas with Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella)

My Mexican heritage had me introducing some of the most delicious dishes possible! The students loved these! They are fairly easy to make, they all did a great job, and for most it was the first time using empanada shells : ).
ANOTHER FIVE INGREDIENT DISH! Cherry tomatoes coming in from our student gardens, mozarella cheese, empanada shells, salt, and plenty of basil...from our garden!

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Always teaching our little students about HEALTHY CHOICES! This is our main motto, as well as snacks in moderation!

Our students are beginning to understand what a 'Healthy Choice' means. They are learning to make substitutions here then take this knowledge back home with them!

Posters of this were given to all students. Yes, we do occasionally bake desserts and teach about "AGAVE", honey, and prune substitutions without affecting the sweetness/taste. In fact some groups in each class bake/cook with 'subs', then we do the Taste Test!

Picked Strawberries in our patch...then made an EASY Five-Ingredient Dessert!

We have been cooking quite healthy lately...thought we should add strawberries to a dessert this time! FIVE, I repeat, FIVE ingredients is all that is needed, and most all ages can create this dessert...with mom being the 'helper' :)

No-Bake Strawberry Icebox Cake

serves 8 to 12

2 pounds fresh strawberries, washed
3 1/4 cups whipping cream, divided
1/3 cup confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 sleeves (about 19 ounces, or 24 to 28 whole crackers) graham crackers
2 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped

Some of our veggies are starting to come up!

We pan roasted carrots, zucchini, potatoes, garlic, onions. Sprinkled with Parmesan before putting in the oven!
The students really enjoy harvesting what they planted, AND creating a meal with these tasty healthy easy-to-grow vegetables : ).

Option to a Beef Burger!...SWEET TATER BLACK BEAN BURGERS!

yum. plain and simple!

AS THE STUDENTS LEARN BACKYARD GARDENING, WE ALSO WANT THEM TO BE CREATIVE IN LEARNING TO COOK FAMILY MEALS WITH WHAT IS HARVESTED!

THIS RECIPE WAS ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS, AND WELL-LIKED BY 95% OF THE COWPOKE COOKS! (WE DID SUBSTITUTIONS OR REMOVED A VEGGIE HERE AND THERE, ONE GROUP ALSO OPTED TO PUT THE 'LESS-LIKED' VEGGIES IN A BLENDER SO THEY COULD 'NOT SEE IT', IN THE FOOD! IT WORKED, AND THANKS TEAM FOR STILL GIVING SOMETHING NEW A TRY : ).

Ingredients ~~~