Kids, learn to cook!

The UK Department for Children, Schools and Families has just announced that children aged 11-14 must learn how to cook.

CAMPAIGN TO PAVE THE WAY FOR COMPULSORY COOKING CLASSES FROM 2011
11 September 2008

Everyone should be able to prepare basic, nutritious dishes from scratch instead of taking ‘pride’ in not being able to cook properly, Children, Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls said today.

Announcing a package paving the way for compulsory practical cooking lessons in secondary schools from 2011, he urged parents to get their children, particularly boys, cooking at home because it was one of the keys to fighting obesity.

The new funding includes £150 million ringfenced capital investment to build food technology teaching areas in secondary schools currently without facilities and £750,000 specifically to recruit and train 800 new food technology teachers.

The Government is also publishing a new, free cookbook for all 11-year-olds today, to help them learn healthy versions of old favourites – including spaghetti bolognese; risotto; lamb hot pot; lamb rogan josh; roast chicken legs; chow mein; and apple crumble.

The Real Meals cookbook contains 32 classic recipes and was chosen after the public was asked to nominate the basic dishes every child should learn how to cook – and is endorsed by Michelin Star chef Phil Vickery.

The cookbook is available online and secondary heads will be able to order copies for all their Year 7 pupils.

The Real Meals cookbook has some good recipes.

* Apple crumble
* Beef and veggie stew
* Beef curry
* Cheese sauce
* Chicken casserole
* Chicken pasta salad
* Chicken tikka
* Chilli con carne
* Chow mein
* Coleslaw
* Cottage pie
* Crispy potatoes
* Custard
* Fajitas
* Fruit pie
* Hotpot
* Lamb rogan josh
* Leek and potato soup
* Minestrone
* Mushroom risotto
* Paella
* Ragu
* Roast chicken legs
* Savoury rice
* Sizzling stir-fry
* Spaghetti Bolognese
* Speedy potato salad
* Spicy tomato soup
* Summer pudding
* Vegetable curry
* Vegetables
* Vegetarian lasagne

Quite impressive that risotto is included. I didn't learn to cook risotto until watching my friend Mary cook it a few years ago. Hopefully as part of cooking classes, these kids will learn how to fry an egg, scramble it, or make frittata; cook a steak medium rare; and make a roast dinner.

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Emily came over for dinner tonight, which was beef madras curry, rice and broccolini. What every child should be able to cook.