Sunday's Plate

I was talking to one of our young mothers at school this past week, and she told me that she simply doesn't cook. She simply does not know how. It is all foreign to her, and everything, even the simplest thing, seems like a monstrous chore. She said her child would eat nothing she made, so I am guessing she spends a lot on fast food or pre-made foods at the grocery store. That's a shame because when parents rely on junk food as a steady diet, they are not helping their child get the best start.

I had a neighbor, a doctor, who told me that there were six year old children in Evansville with 80% blockage of the arteries because of a steady diet of fast food.

Food is a natural investment in our own bodies and the bodies of our children. It is important to increase a child's health and welfare and not damage it because of our own bad habits. In today's world obesity is a chronic problem, and obesity leads to life shortening diseases like diabetes. Type II diabetes is a gift from fast food and too much white flour, sugar, and junk. When bland is the thing we are striving for in food, an adjustment needs to be made for the sake of our health.

In the past months, I've been doing a cooking gig here on Sundays for women learning to cook. I didn't realize that cooking was so hard for some young women. So beginning today, I'm going to present the simplest recipes and cooking tips I can to help moms who are struggling to learn to make food their children will eat, enjoy the health they bring.

If you are a veteran cook, please leave your comments that are helpful and make these little lessons better for the reader.

First things first:

Square away the kitchen:

Every kitchen that is functional needs certain equipment that is easy to use, to clean and left out so that it will be used. If I had a limited budget, I would buy the following equipment:

One large heavy frying pan. This can double for many many jobs. Heavy is best because your food will not burn.

A glass 9X9 inch baker. Glass because it will last. Never put cold water in a hot glass baker.

One sturdy flat, thin, square bottomed wooden palate for cooking and stirring.

A big big whisk. That's the thing with the metal loops.

A one gallon sauce pot. This too can double for many jobs.

One good knife of medium length.

One thin, thin, thin, spatula. This can be gotten at the Dollar Store for 50 cents.

A cutting board.

A non handled rolling pin. Costs about $4.00 at Schnucks.

One glass measuring cup that measures one cup.

I don't think this will break the bank.

If you have the cash, the best piece of plug in equipment is a Cuisinart or a food processor, but you can do most things by hand if you know how.

Arrange your kitchen so that you can get to your equipment easily. This makes the desire to cook a lot broader.

Second Step: groceries.

In order to be able to cook without having to run to the store means having certain things on hand as a matter of routine. These are:

Butter - much better than margarine for your health. Buy a pound in sticks.

Oil - buy canola oil because it is good for you.

Salt - buy any kind.

Sugar - white and light brown are always good to have on hand.n These should be kept in an air tight container and placed within easy reach. Keeping sugar in the original bag is not a sanitary thing to do. Powdered sugar is nice to have if you like to bake.

Flour - buy a bag of whole wheat pastry flour and a good white flour. These flours should also be kept in an air tight container and also within easy reach.

Baking soda - Arm and Hammer.

Baking powder - any kind.

Eggs. I like brown, but any kind will do.

Milk.

Extras are always nice to have like chocolate chips, spices, nuts, flavorings, but to cook, it is not necessary if it breaks the bank.

Once your kitchen is clean, and your equipment is in place, and you have purchased your basics, it's time to cook.

Next week: easy spaghetti, salad with homemade dressing, and lightening cake.