Truffles - Home Economics

 Today in Home Economics, we made Truffles. In my group is Axle, Miah and Jaxon. It was a fun, quick lesson and my group cooperated and communicated really well and got the food made on time. In our Truffles we had cranberries, apricot, sultanas, wine biscuits, Coconut and Cocoa. 

Today I finally got to try the food we made today which was exciting. In my opinion they were sweet, moist and very tasty. You could really taste the cocoa and the bits of coconut which gave it a little crunch. You can taste the apricots but not much of the cranberries and sultanas. I love how it melted in my mouth once you bite into it. My favourite  part of them were the scrambled coconut covering the outside. But overall I really loved and enjoyed the truffles. The appearance of the truffles were messy but looked pretty.

Just to inform you guys that I just found out I was wrong about thinking it was our last lesson last week but today is actually our last. The end of today's cooking was great and I have had a lot of fun. I'm glad I picked a group that was fun and collaborative. I enjoyed working together with them. It was cool to have Miss Devy's with us, teaching us for a couple of lessons. She was a awesome teacher. But at the end of the day I'm grateful for picking Home Economics this year.  

Ingredients: 

2T Cocoa (sifted)

100g soft butter (at room teperture)

2T coconut

8T icing sugar (sifted if lumpy)

12 wine biscuits (crushed)

1/4 c sultanas / dried apricots / cranberries (chopped)

1/4 vanilla essence 

Extra coconut (rolling truffles in)

Method:

1. Cream butter and icing sugar together.

2. Add vanilla essence, cocoa and coconut. Mix.

3. add crushed biscuits and chopped sultanas. Mix.

4. Roll mixture into 14g (approx) balls and roll in the extra coconut.

5. place truffles onto a plate.

6. Chill in refrigerator.

7. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Can be frozen.

Pictures

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

 Today in Home Economics, we made Carrot Cake Cupcakes. In my group is Axle, Miah and Jaxon. It was a fun, quick lesson and my group cooperated and communicated really well and got the food made on time. In our cupcake we had carrot and cinnamon with cream cheese vanilla frosting. 

Sadly I couldn't try today's food again because my allergy condition, but I got my mum's thoughts on them. Her response to the cupcakes was tasty, she enjoyed it. It was very moist and soft when you bite into it. You could really taste the cinnamon and a bit of crunch of carrot. This time we added less of the salt and it made a really big difference. The appearance of the cupcakes looked great, neat and craving.  

This was our final practical cooking lesson today and I have really enjoyed doing this subject. Overall I'm happy that we ended off with a great lesson and good food, and I'm glad I chose Home Economics for one of my options.

Ingredients: 

- 1c Flour

- 3/4 c sugar

- 1 t cinnamon

- 1 t baking soda

- 1/2 t baking powder

- 1/4 t salt

- 1 1/2 c grated carrots

- 2/3 c oil

- 2 eggs, beaten

Method:

1. Preheat, oven to 180c

2. Sift flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Add sugar.

3. In a separate large bowl, combine grated carrot and oil.

4. Slowly add the flour mixture to the carrot / oil mixture, folding gently until just combined. Add beaten eggs and gently stir through.

5. Line muffin tins with paper cases. Spoon mixture evenly into the 12 paper cases. 

6. Bake 13 minutes until golden brown and tops of cupcakes are springy.

7. Allow cupcakes to cool before icing.

8. Once they're cooled down, ice them and enjoy.

Pictures:

Savoury Muffins

  Today in Home Economics, we made Savoury muffins. In my group is Axle, Miah and Jaxon. It was a fun, quick lesson and my group cooperated and communicated really well and got the food made on time. In our muffins we had cheese, spinach, tomato and corn. 

Sadly I couldn't try the muffins because of my allergy condition, but I got my family's thoughts on them. They're response to the muffins was okay, it was moist but needed more flavor. They could taste the cheese considering there was to much salt, so maybe next time we could add less of the salt. One of my group members suggested onions.  The appearance looked great and neat. 

Overall I enjoyed today's lesson and can't wait for the following more. 

Nutrients

Cheese - Calcium, Fat, Protein, Vitamin A and B12, zinc, phosphorus, riboflavin.

Corn - Vitamin C, iron, vitamin B-6, magnesium, potassium, sodium.  

Spinach - Vitamin A and K, manganese, folate, copper, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin E, vitamin B6, vitamin E, vitamin c and calcium.  

Tomatoes - Vitamin C, folate, potassium and vitamin K.

Ingredients:

- Eggs

- Vegetable oil

- Milk

- Corn

- Cheese

- Spinach

- Tomatoes

- White flour

- Wholemeal flour

- Baking powder

Cooking Method:

1. Heat oven to 180

2. Mix together eggs, oil, milk, corn and cheese.

3. Fold though spinach and tomatoes

4. Sift flours and baking powder and gently mix into wet ingredients

5. Spoon into greased muffin cups

6. Bake in oven for approximately 15-20 minutes or until cooked through and golden brown.

Pictures:

Before

After

Crispy Chicken Tacos

  Today in Home Economics, we made Crispy Chicken Tacos. In my group is Axle, Miah and Jaxon. It was a fun, quick lesson and my group cooperated and communicated really well and got the food made on time. In our tacos we had chicken breast, lettuce, cheese, carrots, sour cream and salsa. My thoughts on the Taco was good, the chicken was well cooked and moist but I expected it to be crispy, the lettuce and carrots were fresh and the whole thing together was nice and healthy. I could really taste the sour cream because I might of added to much of it. The appearance looked great and neat. 

Overall I enjoyed today's lesson and can't wait for the following more. 

Nutrients/Ingredients

Chicken breast - Protein, Vitamin B, Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, Zinc and trace amounts of Vitamin A and C. 

Carrots - Biotin, potassium, vitamin A, K1, B6 and Beta carotene.

Lettuce - Calcium, potassuim, vitamin C and folate. 

Cheese - Calcium, fat and protein, vitamin A, B12, zinc, phosphorus and riboflavin.

Cooking Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180

2. Slice chicken into strips 4cm wide. These may be cut into 6cm lengths.

3. Place chicken into a bowl.

4. Drizzle with oil and mix to cover all chicken surfaces.

5. Add crispy chicken spice mix and stir to coat chicken evenly.

6. Place coated chicken on an oven tray lined with baking paper. 

7. Bake for 10-12 mins until crispy ans golden.

8. warm tortillas in microwave for 30 sec.

9. Build your taco with chicken, lettuce, carrot, cheese, avocado, red onion and top with sour cream and salsa.

Pictures:

Healthy smoothies

 Today in Home Economics, we made Healthy Smoothies. In my group is Axle, Miah and Jaxon. It was a fun, quick lesson and my group cooperated and communicated really well and got the food made on time. There were varieties of choices of what kind of smoothie we wanted to make, each group got a different type. At the end we got to try each others smoothies and give our own opinions on them. My group decided to make a Tango Mango smoothie. 

In our smoothie, we had Banana, Mango, weetbix and Milk. My thoughts on the Smoothie was sweet, thick, a bit lumpy but nice and smooth. I could really taste the fresh mango and the crumbled weetbix. The appearance didn't look very good but when we tasted it, it surprised us.  

Thoughts on the other groups smoothies:

Banana/Mango - Sweet, light and sour.

Frozen fruit yogurt - Sweet, a bit sour, lumpy and thick.

Super berry - Plain, light, bland and dull. 

Chocolate banana - Sweet, smooth and light. (Could only taste chocolate)

Banana ice cream - Sweet, light and smooth.

Overall I really enjoyed today's lesson and I'm looking forward for the following lessons.

Nutrients/Ingredients:

Tango Mango:

Milk - Calcium, protein, iodine, potassium, phosphorus, vitamin B2 and B12, Fat etc. 

Weetbix - Wholegrain, iron, vitamin B1,B2,B3 and fibre. 

Banana - Vitamin B6 and B12, magnesium, potassium, fibre and protein. 

Mango - Fibre, vitamin A and C, folate, B6, iron, little calcium, zinc and vitamin E.

Banana/Mango: 

Mango - Fibre, vitamin A and C, folate, B6, iron, little calcium, zinc and vitamin E.

Banana - Vitamin B6 and B12, magnesium, potassium, fibre and protein.

Orange Juice - Vitamin C, folate, potassuim, Calories, Protein, Carbs, magnesium.

Apples - Calories, carbs, fibre, vitamin C, potassuim, vitamin K. 

Frozen fruit yogurt:

Mango - Fibre, vitamin A and C, folate, B6, iron, little calcium, zinc and vitamin E.

Banana - Vitamin B6 and B12, magnesium, potassium, fibre and protein.

Berries - Antioxidants, vitamin C, potassuim, protein, fibre, carbs, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B6 etc. 

Greek Yogurt - Calcuim, potassium, protein, zinc, vitamins B6 and B12.

Honey -  Ascorbic acid, pantothenic acid, niacin and riboflavin, along with minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.

Super berry:

Berries - Antioxidants, vitamin C, potassuim, protein, fibre, carbs, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B6 etc. 

Rolled Oats - Manganese, Phosphorus, Copper, Vitamin B1, Iron, Selenium, Magnesium and Zinc.

Yogurt - Calcium, protein, potassium, phosphorus and, sometimes, vitamin D

Milk - Calcium, protein, iodine, potassium, phosphorus, vitamin B2 and B12, Fat etc. 

Honey - Ascorbic acid, pantothenic acid, niacin and riboflavin, along with minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.

Chocolate banana:

Milk - Calcium, protein, iodine, potassium, phosphorus, vitamin B2 and B12, Fat etc. 

Banana - Vitamin B6 and B12, magnesium, potassium, fibre and protein.

Honey - Ascorbic acid, pantothenic acid, niacin and riboflavin, along with minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.

Cocoa powder - Calcium, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.

Ice cream - Fats, calcium, riboflavin, niacin, phosphorus, zinc, potassium and magnesium etc.

Banana ice cream:

Banana - Vitamin B6 and B12, magnesium, potassium, fibre and protein.

Ice cream -  Fats, calcium, riboflavin, niacin, phosphorus, zinc, potassium and magnesium etc.

Berries - Antioxidants, vitamin C, potassuim, protein, fibre, carbs, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B6 etc. 

Honey - Ascorbic acid, pantothenic acid, niacin and riboflavin, along with minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.

Cooking Method:

1. Place all ingredients into blender, and blend until smooth. Pour into serving glasses and enjoy. 

Pictures:

Rice Paper Spring Rolls

  Today in Term 4 of Home Economics, we made Rice Paper Spring Rolls. In my group is Axle, Miah and Jaxon. It was a fun, quick lesson and my group cooperated and communicated really well and got the food made on time. In the Spring Rolls, there were vermicelli, carrots, capsicum, cucumber, lettuce and bean sprouts. My thoughts on the Spring roll was okay. I thought everything tasted plain, so there wasn't any flavor, but overall it was healthy. In my opinion I think the spring rolls could of been better if we baked them or added some meat into it, or if there were other sauces to eat it with. It was a alright lesson today and I'm looking forward for the following lessons.

Nutrients/Ingredients:

Vermicelli - Carbs, Copper, Fiber, Zinc, Calories, Calcium, Iron and Magnesium.

Carrots - Biotin, potassium, vitamin A, K1, B6.

Capsicum - Vitamin A and C, Dietray Fibre, Vitamin E, B6 and Folate. 

Cucumber - Vitamin K, Vitamin B and C, Copper, Phosphorus, Potassium and Magnesium.

Lettuce - Folate, Vitamin B, Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Potassium, Calcium and Iron.    

Bean Sprouts - Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Calories, Protein, Carbohydrates, Fiber, Potassium, and Sugar. 

Cooking Method:

1. Place all the ingredients into separate bowls.

2. Half fill a shallow dish with water. The dish needs to be big enough to fit the rice paper sheets. 

3. Dip the rice paper sheets into the cold water and lay them out on a clean chopping board or bench top and let them soften for a minute.

4. Place your selection of fillings in the middle of the softened sheets.

5. Fold the two sides of the rice paper sheet towards the middle.

6. Roll carefully into a cylinder shape. Repeat for the other sheets.

7. Using a wet knife cut into 2cm slices.

8. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Important to remember:

• Rice paper sheets don't need to be soaked, just wet them, they will soften after a minute.
• Use predominantly vegetables and soft herbs as fillings.
• Try to use a combination of ingredients that balance flavor, texture and nutrients.

Mini Apple Sauce Muffins - Home Economics

Today in Home Economics, we made Mini Apple Sauce Muffins. It was once again another fun and quick lesson, my group cooperated and communicated really well. This time in cooking it was a little different, because each groups recipe was different to everyone else's, so our muffins didn't have similar tastes. Each group got to taste each others muffins and give their own opinions on them. Unfortunately I didnt get to try any because there were eggs inside of them, but I still had a good time.

My groups opinions on other groups muffins:

Group 1 : Original muffins - It was okay. It was creamy, nice blend, could use sweeter flavor and cinnamon.

Group 2 : Butter & Wholemeal flour - It was okay. It was quite soft in texture and could be more structured.

Group 3 : Canola & Wholemeal flour - It was okay. It was rough on the outside but the texture was soft in the inside. The blends were nice.

My Group : Butter & Soy -  My group thought the muffins were okay. They thought the muffins could of been better if it was more creamier, more flavor, sweetness and not too strong. 

Ingredients:
1 c Apple sauce
2 T Butter, melted & slightly cooled, or canola, a neutral oil
1 Egg, lightly beaten
1/2 c milk or soy milk
1 t vanilla essence
1 c wholemeal flour or white flour
1/2 c rolled oats
1/4 c sugar
1 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1 t cinnamon

Cooking Method:
1. Preheat oven to 180°C and grease mini muffin tins or line with paper cases.

2. In a small bowl, use a fork to whisk together the apple sauce, melted butter, milk, egg and vanilla (liquid ingredients)

3. Add liquid ingredients to the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and sugar - gently fold together.

4. Fill the muffin tins / paper cases (mini ones) to 3/4 full.

5. Bake about 10 minutes or until cooked.

6. Remove from oven. Let cool for 2 minutes before removing from muffin tins.

Here are some photos of the cooking process and the finished result:
Hope you enjoy.

Apple Crumble - Home Economics

Today in Home Economics, we made Apple Crumble. In my group is Axle, Miah and Tai. It was a fun, quick lesson and my group once again cooperated and communicated really well and got the food made on time.  

My thoughts on the Apple Crumble was delicious. The apples were well cooked and soft, the crumble was really good, you could taste the cinnamon which gave the whole thing flavor and made it enjoyable. 
This might be my favourite dish out of all of the other ones.
Overall I enjoyed cooking again, and I can't wait for the following lessons.

Ingredients:
- 1/2 C Flour
- 1/2 - 3/4 t Cinnamon
- 1/2 c brown sugar
- 75g cold butter
-3/4 c rolled oats 
- 2 - 3 medium sized Apples
- 1 D White Sugar
- 1 T water
 
Cooking Method:
Pre heat oven to 180°C

1. Put flour, cinnamon and brown sugar into a medium bowl.
2. Rub butter lightly into the flour mixture.
3. Add rolled oats and mix with a fork.
4. Peel and quarter the apples. Cut core out and slice each quarter into thin slices.
5. Divide evenly and place into 2 greased pie dishes.
6. Sprinkle with white sugar and water.
7. Spoon this mixture evenly over the apples to cover them.
8. Bake on Fan bake for 10-15 min or until edge is going brown.

Here are some photos of the cooking process and the finished result:
Hope you enjoy.

Potato Frittata - Home Economics

Today in Home Economics, we made Frittata. This time I changed groups and worked together with Axle, Jaxon and Miah. It was a better lesson and my group cooperated and communicated really well and got the food made on time.  

In our Frittata we had beaten eggs, cheese, potatoes, vegetables such as, peas, corn, broccoli and spinach, and more. Unfortunately I am allergic to eggs so I didn't get to try out the Frittata. My groups thoughts on the cooking was alright and they suggested next time to add more garlic, vegetables and salt and pepper, for more flavor and taste. 

Overall I enjoyed cooking again, and I can't wait for the following lessons.

Ingredients:

- 2c cold cooked potatoes - cut into 15mm cubes
- 3-4 Eggs
- Vegetables oil
- Seasonings - Salt and ground Black Pepper
- 3/4 c grated cheese
- 1 T finely chopped Parsley
- 1/2 c vegetables - cooked peas, finely chopped red capsicum, blanched broccoli, diced onion (sauteed), spinach leaves, cooked corn, chopped spring onion, left over roasted vegetables etc.

Cooking Method:

1. Heat 2T oil in frying pan on a meduim heat. Add diced potatoes and cook for 5 minutes, turning carefully until potato cubes begin to lightly brown. Do not over cook. Remove pan from heat.

2. In a medium sized bowl whisk the eggs and the seasonings. Add the hot cooked potato cubes, the other (warmed if possible) cooked vegetables, parsley and 1/4 c of the cheese and gently stir to combine.

3. Put pan back on to a medium heat with 1-2t of oil. Once heated, pour in the egg, potato and vegetables mixture, shaking pan gently to avoid mixture sticking.

4. Turn heat to medium low and cook for  5-7 minutes until mixture is golden underneath and nearly set. 

5. Sprinkle with remaining grated cheese.

6. Place pan under hot grill (Do not burn handle of pan) for 2-3 minutes until top is golden.

7. Cut into wedges or how you like, serve and enjoy.

Here are some photos of the cooking process and the finished result:
Hope you enjoy.

Mac n Cheese - Home Economics

Today in Home Economics, we made Mac n Cheese. This time in my group I had Toni and Abbagale. Our Mac n Cheese had Ham, Elbows Pasta, Tomatoes, Cheese and more. My group did well today with not many arguments, so today was better. The taste results was actually good but it was too salty. It was salty because we added the salt into the sauce instead of the pasta. 

Overall I enjoyed cooking again, and I can't wait for the following lessons.

Ingredients:

- 2L Water
- 2 t salt
- 1 1/2 c Pasta
- 3 T Butter
- 3 T Cornflour
- 2 c Milk
- 1c Cheese - Grated
- 1 Tomato - Sliced

Cooking Method:

1. Bring water to boil. Add salt and pasta. Boil for 12-15 minutes then drain.

2. Pre heat oven to 180°C fan bake.

3. Melt butter in saucepan. Gently saute onion and Garlic (optional). Stir in cornflour and cook, stirring, until bubbles appear on surface (cooking the roux)

4. Remove from heat and gradually add milk and grainy mustard (optional), stirring constantly.

5. Return to heat and cook stirring constantly until it boil and thickens.

6. Remove sauce from heat, gently stir in cheese and parsley (optional), season with salt and ground black pepper (optional).

7.Stir cooked pasta gently into sauce and pour into a greased ovenproof dish.

8. Put tomato slices on top, sprinkle over some breadcrumbs (optional) and some extra cheese.

9. Bake for 15-20 minutes until well heated through.


Here are some photos of the cooking process:
Hope you enjoy.