Cook | Carrie Fehr

Butternut Squash Muffins

When the first brisk days of autumn come calling, I head to my kitchen with thoughts of squash and spice. Butternut squash muffins are a great way to bring out the best of the season.

The bright orange flesh of butternut squash, with its thin rind, makes it easy to peel, plus it’s rich in fiber and loaded with nutrients that can help make your skin shimmer and hair shine.

Butternut squash muffins are full of fall flavor and have an irresistible soft moist crumb with a sprinkling of a pumpkin seed topping that add a nice crunch. These cake-like delights are habit-forming, so be forewarned! Click here for the recipe.

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August 30, 2012

Confetti Spaghetti

Bold colorful peppers and vine-ripened tomatoes always welcome me back to the kitchen classroom in the late summer, where I teach elementary school children how to cook real food inspired by the garden.

We kick off the season with the recipe, Confetti Spaghetti, highlighting the harvest’s bounty of bright jewel tones that look like the fireworks sky on the Fourth of July– a party on a plate that tastes like a celebration in your mouth.

And, oh so healthy too, these vibrant colored fruits and vegetables have a generous infusion of beneficial vitamins and minerals that nourish both the mind and body.

It’s no wonder that students eagerly swarm like bees to honey, to the cooking lesson. Excited fingers slice, dice, and roll fresh leaves of basil into cylinders that are thinly cut into a chiffonade. This early hands-on nutrition lesson is not only fun and engaging for children, but will have a positive impact on the choices they make about food for many years into the future.

Confetti Spaghetti is one of the most versatile recipes you can have in your repertoire. Feel free to choose your favorite seasonal vegetables, red, orange, even purple, and experiment with different flavors and textures or whatever is available to you. Click here for the Confetti Spaghetti recipe.

August 24, 2012

Zucchini Cupcake with Cream Cheese Swirl

Baking from the garden is a wonderful way to use up the generous supply of zucchini that is so easy to grow. With the cream cheese swirl, this cupcake is fancy enough to serve for company, or indulge in all by yourself for an afternoon treat, midnight snack, or whatever— you don’t need an excuse to enjoy it any time of the day. Click here for the recipe.

August 19, 2012

Roasted Peach Crêpes with Blueberry Compote

Is there anything better than savoring the sweet taste of summer with luscious, tree-ripened peaches that are oozing in flavor, all wrapped up in a French crêpe like a present, at a lingering pace over breakfast? S’il vous plait!

Peach trees are the Chinese symbol for longevity.

Still in season, peaches are brimming with nutrients that make them a healthy snack, breakfast, or treat. It’s no coincidence that peach trees are the Chinese symbol for longevity.

Even better, roasted peach crêpes are easy to prepare, and with minimal effort, crêpes can dress up any occasion from simple to luxurious with an endless variety of sweet or savory combinations. This classic dish is a true gift from the heart, enjoyed best with the ones you love, to set off a leisurely weekend day. Click here for the recipe.

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November 27, 2011

The Art Of Storytelling: Connecting Literacy in the Cooking Classroom

In cooking class, students discover the historical significance of the Three Sisters–corn, beans, and squash, and their important relationship to each other in the garden through the art of storytelling. Storytelling is a fun and meaningful teaching technique that not only supports literacy efforts in the classroom, but also allows students to apply their knowledge into a different context of learning. It benefits students of all learning styles, encourages imagination, and develops their listening skills. Additionally, the story helps to reinforce a positive attitude towards healthy food, since the underlying theme skillfully integrates the nutritional benefits of the Three Sisters, along with a cooking lab activity that follows.