“Especially nowadays”?? Getting high hasn’t changed much in the last umpty-ump years!
If the project does not have to be sweet, how about “Arepas”.
The kids can mix the masa with warm water using their hands (which is traditional), then form them into a patty. You will need a hotplate to fry them a little (first) and then bake them the rest of the way.
It might also be an interesting teaching subject, as well – You could discuss Columbia and Venezuela (where arepas originated).
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I like the making the snack item for after school idea. I know my students loved the English muffin pizzas we’d make sometimes.
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I think this is a great idea.
Additionally @NJChicaa since you’re a science teacher, why not incorporate some basic food science as well? Such as the difference between baking powder and baking soda and why one needs an acid like buttermilk, or how the gluten forms in doughs when it’s kneaded? This could be a great opportunity to give them practical applications of what they learn in their other classes.
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Something else just occurred to me. If the last club advisor is still around, ask what kinds of things they did, which seemed popular, and especially which were duds. While you’re probably going to want to put your own mark on the club, you don’t want to repeat other people’s mistakes.
As for fundraising, an obvious idea is a bake sale, if such things are still allowed.
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I don’t suppose you have any kind of ball park figure as to how many kids will be signing up for this club? That would help a little too.
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I plan to reach out to her when we return to work in September.
I don’t know. I do know it is a very popular club though which is why the position is paid and not volunteer.
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Just like a good teacher: relax, clear your head, then think of the possibilities. The biggest issue might be refrigeration, since you only have an hour each session, so you could store rising bread and the like. Basic bread is how I got started in the kitchen. Might want to have some education about flour and health. Which flours have more nutrients and fiber in them. Being a baking club, might be the time you teach them the magic of braising i an oven. Also, things like enchiladas are baked. My kids love the heck out of enchiladas. Brownies from scratch. Teach them that the box imparts its own flavor. Don’t be afraid of to-be-continued projects, if you have refrigeration at your fingers. We have a food lab that is decked out. Kids process their game, can all the veggies, etc. All Dexter Russell knives we teach them to sharpen. I love subbing when the teacher isn’t there. Kids see how jacked I get over food. I’ll give you the admin’ to teacher guilt trip. “This is an opportunity for growth we’d hate to see our kids miss out on.”
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Dorie Greenspan’s Salted Butter Breakups Lottie + Doof » Dorie’s Salted Butter Break-Ups could be fun, I know for a fact they’re delicious!
One big cookie to break into pieces to share.
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Snacks like Chex Mix or granola
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I would focus on teaching skills and build from there - one example: teach them how to brown butter, why it browns, water evaporates, etc and then make the brown butter RK treats from Smitten Kitchen
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That actually was one of my ideas. Those brown butter krispie treats are delish!
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Maybe also teaching them how to make homemade marshmallows for something easy like smores.
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What equipment to you have? Are there enough stand mixers for every student or will it be you demo-ing while they watch? Do you have a fridge and/or freezer?
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I’ve made Peanut Brittle – very easy. You just have to be extra careful when heating up the sugar. It’s just three ingredients… Sugar, butter and peanuts.
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I will have to get a good look when I go back to work in September. I know there is a stove/oven, fridge/freezer, and dishwasher in the life skills class. I wouldn’t have an issue bringing in my KitchenAid. I could probably get the 2nd one that I left at the house with my ex because I’d bet my life he hasn’t used it in 6 years. There definitely aren’t multiple stand mixers for the students as the home ec and food science classes were terminated 20+ years ago.
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This sounds so fun and would be my dream class! Things like scones, grilled cheese, naan, squares, pancakes, French toast and crepes, cheese dip, pizza on premade crust or English muffins, tuna melts, pasta dishes, loaded nachos, egg dishes, sweet and savoury tarts in premade shells. Is there a school garden? Could serve the veggies and make a series of dips.
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What about pizza?? You could show them how to make the pizza dough, then have a spare you made 24 hours prior to the class. Have them add the toppings they like and bake it on a pizza screen. I got this screen at Walmart for $6, it should work well for teens making their first homemade pizza… And you know teens love pizza!!
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Nuts are usually a no-no in a school setting because of possible allergies. My kid’s school in the UK has a ‘no nuts on the premises’ policy that is very strict.
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