Meredith Ludwig Curtis
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Learning Everything is More Fun in the Kitchen

3/7/2012

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Everybody knows that cooking is a fun way to become proficient in reading instructions by reading recipes! 

Every  homeschooling child's favorite way to learn math is by measuring in the kitchen with mom.

If your family is large like ours, you are always doubling and tripling recipes.

​In addition, our family has enjoyed using cooking as a way to learn history, geography, and science.

​We've had a blast learning in the kitchen!


Cooking Around the World

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Geography is more than maps. The student of geography studies the unique culture of each country around the world. Part of that culture is the nation’s delicious food. Exotic dishes often result from the areas native plants and climate. In the hot muggy deep south of the United States everyone drinks iced tea. Rice, an abundant crop in Asia, finds its way into most oriental dishes.

One year when we studied geography, joining with another homeschooling family each Thursday to learn more about the world. One of the things that we did was to plan, prepare and enjoy a meal from a foreign country. This required us to find out more about the country and its culture. Switzerland is filled with dairy farms so naturally cheese and chocolate would be popular foods. Our Swiss meal consistented of cheese fondue and chocolate fondue. We also encouraged yodeling that evening.

Here are some ideas to eat your way around the world.
  • Antarctica - Fried Penguin (tastes like chicken!)
  • India - Curried Chicken
  • Germany - Bratwurst
  • Spain - Paella
  • Japan - Sushi
  • China - Egg Fu Yung
  • Greece - Gyros
  • Middle East - Lentil Soup
  • Africa -Peanut butter & Yams
  • South America -Fried Bananas & Tapioca
  • United Kingdom -Hot Tea, Scones with Clotted Cream
  • Mexico -Tacos, Burritos
  • Australia -Fried Kangeroo (tastes like chicken!)
  • Polynesia -Roasted Pig, Pineapple & Poi

​When we studied Geography, we collected all kinds of recipes from around the world. We had so much fun cooking up dishes from other lands We've included all those recipes in our Travel God's World Cookbook.

​Cooking Through Time

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When studying history it is interesting what they ate and how they ate. The Mongolians who conquered much of Asia and some of Europe had terrible table manners. They cooked food on their shields and today we enjoy Mongolian barbecue which is cooked in a similar way. The Vikings upon returning home from plundering and pillaging the rest of Europe would bring back food samples from their travels. There wasn't enough of each food item to make a complete meal to serve everyone so they began the practice of the smorgasbord. This Scandinavian tradition is similar to a buffet.

Here are some food ideas as you study history.

  • Creation - Fresh fruit and vegetables
  • Nation of Israel - Passover Feast
  • Ancient Egypt - Leak, Onion and Barley Soup
  • Ancient Greece -Lamb, Olives, Feta Cheese
  • Ancient Rome -Italian Food
  • Middle Ages -Bountiful Feast eaten with hands--Jugglers for entertainment
  • Victoria Times -Hot Tea, Cucumber Sandwiches, Trifle
  • World War II -find WWII Rations cookbooks--make eggless cakes & other alternatives

​When we studied Ancient History, we collected all kinds of recipes based on foods and meals people in these ancient civilizations ate. Onion and leeks are mentioned in Scripture as foods the Israelites ate in Egypt, so we included those foods in some of our recipes. We learned that the Persians loved desserts, so we had to find some Persian dessert recipes. We've included all those recipes in our Ancient History Cookbook.

​We loved studying American History in the kitchen. We discovered all kinds of recipes from Native Americans, Founding Fathers, inns, and old cookbooks. What fun! You can enjoy the fruit of all our research in 
American History Cookbook. You can purchase American History Cookbook at Amazon. The E-book is available at PayHip or Currclick.

​Cook and Bake to Learn Chemistry

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Solutions (lemonade), oxidation (apple slices browning), evaporation (cooking anything without a lid), and absorption (making rice) all happen in the “funnest” lab of all, your kitchen! 

How does heat affect protein? It coagulates--make hard-boiled eggs and see for yourself. 

How does heat affect cellulose found in plants? When you cook vegetables, they soften. 

Leavening is what makes bread and cake batter rise. Yeast is a single-celled organism that lies dormant when dry or frozen. Warm water and sugar cause yeast cells to grow and reproduce rapidly. My bread recipe calls for the yeast to be dissolved in sugar and warm water—a fun chemistry experiment to watch.

Now, you are armed with a few simple ideas. Bet you can think of many more! Be blessed in all you do!  And bless your children by teaching them a little history, geography, and chemistry in the kitchen!

​Happy Cooking!
Merey (Meredith Ludwig Curtis)

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    Meredith Curtis, homeschooling mom & worship leader, is married to her college sweetheart. She is blessed with 5 amazing children, 3 adorable grandchildren, and an awesome church family!
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