A different kind of learning!

It all started with Vaibhav's class spending the last few weeks learning about the food groups, hygiene and health. It was part of their unit of inquiry, where they usually take on a new subject every few weeks and basically juice it up till they've got the essence of all they need to know in that area. The class has been very busy getting first hand information from direct sources regarding food. They first visited the Hakkaniemi market hall and then it was off to the Fruit and Vegetable Packaging Centre and finally it all culminated in a Lunch sharing session this morning.

The kids put up a fantastic show and each of them spoke about their 'food experiences' these past few weeks and gave us tips and ideas on how to stay healthy. The parents had a bit of homework too! We had to send in a healthy recipe that our little ones enjoyed making with us along with some tasty samples to show and share.

The minute Vaibhav heard this, he said he wanted to make Chocolate Walnut Banana cupcakes. A recipe that he and his sister almost know by heart. We made a batch and I took the customary picture that had to be sent to his teacher and then Vaibhav told me that we could not use the recipe! " I just remembered that my friend is allergic to nuts and I want everybody to be able to eat the dish we take to share" !

Sigh, I loved his empathy for his friend but just wished it had come on a little sooner. Anyway, the Dad and sister were happy to have warm cupcakes for dessert and Vaibhs and I finally decided to take along Oats Potato Burgers. No dairy, no nuts and super healthy!


Vaibhav tells me that his friends loved the burgers. I was too busy to notice what was happening to our burgers as I was happily concentrating on the Korean Chap Jae (glass noodles) and Argentinian Cheese balls!

What a double treat it was- listening to all those sweet little second graders talk and laugh

while feasting on an array of delicious International delicacies. Eagerly looking forward to the second Food sharing session ...in March 2013!

Chocolate Banana Walnut Cupcakes
Ingredients
• ½ cup flour
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup of sugar
• ¾ cup cocoa powder
• ½ cup melted butter
• ½ tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 ripe banana
• A handful of chopped walnuts
• ½ cup of Chocolate pieces


Method
• Heat the oven to 250
• Melt the butter, stir in the sugar and keep aside
• Whisk the eggs and add in the remaining ingredients
• Mash the banana and add it in to the above
• Add in the cooled butter+sugar mixture
• Grease a muffin tray and pour in the mixture. Bake for 20 minutes.

Tastes great warm along with a scoop of vanilla icecream

Potato Oats Burgers (big thanks to my mom for sharing this recipe and a lot more on oats)
Ingredients:
1. 4 mashed potatoes
2. 2 cups of oats
3.1 tbsp grated garlic
4. 1 egg
5. Oregano or any other spice
6. Oil for frying
7. Salt & pepper
8. Onions (optional)
Method:
Mix ingredients 1, 2 and 3 in a large bowl along with some oregano, salt and pepper to taste. Fry some onions and add to the above when cooled. Shape the mixture like patties, dip them in the egg and shallow fry in the heated oil or grill them.
You can arrange the patties on hamburger buns and add in condiments like mayo, mustard and an assortment of salad veggies.