cooking

cooking - 1EXPLORERS

Chop, slice, mix, blend, a pinch here, and pour it in the bowl. There are many skills used in cooking, but once you have them mastered, your skills can possibly take you to master chef status! At some point, you will be responsible for making meals. This emblem will help you become confident in the kitchen and ready to lend a hand in food preparation.

To earn the Cooking emblem, you must complete FOUR tasks.

Task 1: kitchen appliances and equipment

It’s time to head to the kitchen. While you are looking around the area, examine all of the large appliances and other kitchen equipment.

Make a list of the appliances and equipment you see, and discuss with your troop leader what each one is used for in the kitchen.

List of Kitchen Appliances List of Kitchen Equipment

1. Refrigerator 1. Coffee Pot

2. 2.

3. 3.

4. 4.

5. 5.

6. 6.

7. 7.

cooking - 2EXPLORERS

Task 2: utensils

Every profession comes with tools of the trade. In the kitchen, a cook has many tools and utensils to choose from for prep and cooking tasks. While touring the kitchen, learn to use at least five of the utensils listed below, and demonstrate your knowledge to your troop leader.

SpatulaTongsRicerPastry blender Rolling pin

Slotted spoon KnivesGrater Skimmer Peeler

ColanderGarlic press Potato masher Measuring cups Rubber spatula

Pot holder Pizza cutter Ladle Whisk Sifter

Many accidents that happen in the kitchen can be prevented. With a little bit of planning and attention, you can have your kitchen in good shape in no time at all.

Review the following tips with your troop about kitchen safety. Then, find a way to share this information with another group. You can make a book for the nursery class, create posters to hang in the halls, make a video to show, or write and perform a song about being safe in the kitchen!

Kitchen Safety Tips• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

• In case of grease fire, salt or baking soda will help if you do not have the extinguisher.

• Make sure you turn pot handles away from the front of the stove.

• Do not use appliances that have frayed cords or broken parts.

• Do not leave pots unattended on the stove.

• When using a knife always cut away from your body.

• Use a cutting board on a flat surface when cutting.

• Never stick metal utensils or items in toasters.

• Always unplug the blender before cleaning.

• Clean up wet floors immediately to prevent slipping.

• Always use a step stool instead of climbing on counters.

• Store cleaning supplies and chemicals in a safe place and out of the reach of little children.

Task 3: kitchen safety

cooking - 3EXPLORERS

Baking and cooking are sometimes an exact science. If you don’t add just the right amount of leavening or flour, you may get something that is supposed to be soft and fluffy turn out to be as hard as a rock. It is important to know what abbreviations mean in recipes and how to measure that amount using your tools.

Fill in the abbreviations below:C

t or tsp

T or tbsp.

# or lb

oz

Now, it is time to use these measurements and make a batch of cookies. Try this recipe below or use one that your troop leader provides.

Task 4: measuring

Ingredients• 1/2 C unsalted butter

• 2 C granulated sugar

• 1/2 C milk

• 4 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1/4 t salt

• 1/2 C peanut butter

• 2 t vanilla extract

• 3 C quick-cooking oats

Directions1. Mix butter, sugar, milk, cocoa, and salt in a saucepan over medium/high heat.

2. Bring to a rapid boil for one minute.

3. Remove from heat.

4. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla until mix is a smooth consistency. Stir in oats.

5. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper or parchment paper.

6. Scoop cookie dough on sheet, and cool for about 30 minutes.

cooking - 4EXPLORERS

Task 5: recipe book

Task 6: entree

When you find a recipe or create a recipe while you are cooking that you enjoy, it is important to write it down or print it out so you can make it again. To complete this task, collect 10 recipes that you think you would enjoy making. Print them out on separate pages, or handwrite them out. Make a cover for your recipe book. Staple or bind them together in book form. Your leader has a form you could use. Share your new book with your troop leader.

Now that you have learned basic kitchen information, it is time to put it to use. As a troop, select one dish from each column and cook a meal!

Mac and cheese

Hot dogs

Spaghetti and sauce

Chicken and noodles

Corn

Steamed carrots

Salad

Peas

Frozen french fries

Rice side dish

Garlic bread

Biscuits

This is the meal I made:

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

bible time

Leader’s or Resource Person’s Signature

Date Completed

Emblem Completion

cooking - 5EXPLORERS

ON TARGET!Name some things that you can do at home, school, or church that will help make that place a better place to be.

Matthew 5:13 NIV

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

reach for the stars

cooking - 6EXPLORERS

Star Completion

Date Completed

Leader’s or Resource Person’s Signature

To complete the Reach for the Stars project, finish one of the choices below.

Prepare a monthly dinner menu. Then, review the items, and make a grocery shopping list for those meals.

– OR –

Have a cooking contest!

1. Find an opponent.

2. Select a host to pick three secret items from the kitchen (tell them you need to know what they are) that must be added into your meal.

3. Select two or three judges.

4. Set a time limit of one hour.

5. Have your host reveal the items to you and your opponent.

6. Each of you should make a dish using the three items plus whatever other ingredients are available.

7. When time is up, the judges can taste your meals, and choose which meal is the best.

leader resource

cooking - 7EXPLORERS

Task 1: kitchen appliances and equipment

The kitchen is filled with large and small appliances. For this task, take your Explorers on a kitchen tour. Point out the appliances that are used everyday, and pull out ones that are stored in the cabinets.

Kitchen Appliance Examples1. Refrigerator

2. Stove

3. Microwave oven

4. Ice machine

5. Dishwasher

6. Freezer

Kitchen Equipment Examples1. Coffee pot

2. Blender

3. Toaster

4. Food processor

5. Crock pot

6. Waffle maker

Task 2: utensils

Utensils in the kitchen make our jobs so much easier. Review the utensils in the kitchen with the boys. Show them how to use the item, and give them a chance to explain at least five of them back to you.

Spatula: used for turning over food and removing food from pots and pans.

Slotted spoon: used to stir and to remove food that needs to have liquid drained before serving.

Colander: bowl with drainage holes used to remove water or broth from foods.

Pot holder: glove or towel used to remove hot items from stove or oven while protecting your hand.

Tongs: tool that pinches food item to remove and serve.

cookingTo earn the Cooking emblem, Explorers must complete FOUR tasks.

cooking - 8EXPLORERS

Knives: utensils with a sharp blade used to cut, slice, chop, and more.

Garlic press: tool with pouch for garlic cloves and other items, when the handle is pressed down, the clove is smashed and pressed through small openings.

Pizza cutter: wheel shaped tool with a sharp blade for cutting dough and more.

Ricer: tool with small holes to press or smash foods into fine materials.

Grater: metal or plastic tool with holes for fine slicing and grating.

Potato masher: hand tool used to smash potatoes.

Ladle: a large spoon with a bent end used to dish out liquid foods, such as soup or chili.

Pastry blender/cutter: tool used to cut butter into flour to make pastry.

Skimmer: netted or slotted tool used to remove fat from food.

Measuring cups: cups in exact sizes, used to portion out an exact amount of ingredient.

Whisk: wire or plastic tool used to mix air into ingredients.

Rolling pin: tool used to smooth and flatten doughs and other foods.

Peeler: tool with a blade used to remove skin from fruits and veggies.

Rubber spatula: used to scrape food from sides of vessels and to stir.

Sifter: used to separate large chunks from finer ingredients.

Task 3: kitchen safety

Kitchen safety cannot be overlooked. So many accidents happen in the kitchen. By spending just a short amount of time going over some common sense items and more, your Explorers will be able to prevent many future accidents from happening. Review the list in the Explorer Handbook, and add more that you come across in the kitchen.

There are many videos available online that can help teach this topic. If you choose one, make sure that it is reviewed ahead of time for proper content.

cooking - 9EXPLORERS

C cupt or tsp teaspoonT or tbsp tablespoon# or lb poundoz ounce

Ingredients• 1/2 C unsalted butter

• 2 C granulated sugar

• 1/2 C milk

• 4 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1/4 t salt

• 1/2 C peanut butter

• 2 t vanilla extract

• 3 C quick-cooking oats

DirectionsIf any of your Explorers have a peanut allergy, change the recipe.

1. Mix butter, sugar, milk, cocoa, and salt in a saucepan over medium/high heat.

2. Bring to a rapid boil for one minute.

3. Remove from heat.

4. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla until mix is a smooth consistency. Stir in oats.

5. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper or parchment paper.

6. Scoop cookie dough on sheet, and cool for about 30 minutes.

7. If any of your Explorers have a peanut allergy, choose a different recipe.

Task 4: measuring

cooking - 10EXPLORERS

Feel free to mix the items up for your meal or add additional components. In working through this task, the boys need to prepare a variety of items and have fun using the knowledge they learned.

Task 5: recipe book

Task 6: entrée

Make copies for each Explorer who wants to use this form.

cooking - 11

bible time

EXPLORERS

Matthew 5:13 NIV“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness,

how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

Supplies:• Two slices of lemon for each boy

• Two or three filled saltshakers

Introduction: Have you ever heard the expression, “Just add a pinch of salt!”? Salt is an important ingredient that helps to bring the flavor out in foods. We are going to do an experiment today. I want everyone to take a slice of lemon. (Pass around the tray of lemons.) Now taste your lemons! (Give boys time to squeal or enjoy the sourness of the lemon slices.) So, tell me about the taste of your lemon. (Listen to responses.) Yes, lemons are sour. Now, we are going to put just a small amount of salt on a slice of lemon and try it. (Pass around lemon slices and the saltshaker.) Now, try the lemon with salt, and see if the sour is so strong this time. (Give time for tasting.) Can you see how the salt enhances the flavor of the lemon so the sour is not so overpowering? Salt helps recipes taste even better.

Scripture: The Bible talks about salt in the book of Matthew. Let’s read it. (Read Matthew 5:13.) The Bible compares us to salt. We are useful, and our job is to enhance the world around us — to make it better! If we stop doing that, then we are not being useful. God has a job and plan for each and every one of us, so we need to do our best to make things better around us.

ON TARGET!Name some things that you can do at home, school, or church that will help make that place a better place to be.

(Invite boys to repeat the prayer after you.)

PRAYERDear Jesus, I want to be useful. Help me see ways that I can help others and spread Your joy. Forgive me of the wrong things I do. I never want to stop serving you!.Amen.

Leader Resource: cooking - Bible Study