Class Party

I (Jodi) was invited back to my Elementary school by the third grade teachers to join in with their class (all 3 classes) party. By "Class Party" they actually mean, "let's cook some awesome food and eat all day!". Bring it on!

First up...Shiratama Dango

1. Mix flour and water. Kneed into a dough.

2. Roll the dough into a sausage and then break it up into little pieces.

3. Roll each piece into a ball and place it on a tray.

4. Place the balls in a pot and boil until they float to the top.

5. Remove the balls from the pot and place on the tray again.

6. Roll the balls in a mixture of flour and sugar.

7. Eat it!

It was just like eating dough. At first it had an almost peanut butter flavour but then I was just left with mooshy goo.

Second up...Dorayaki

1. Empty 3 tubes of maple into a bowl of flour.

2. Add 3 tablespoons of milk and mix.

3. Fold whipped eggs into the flour mixture and continue to stir until smooth.

4. Fill a ladle with mixture and spoon onto a hot plate.

5. Remove from the hot plate when the top is dry and bubbled.

6. Fold the Dorayaki in half so the brown side is on the inside.

7. Add strawberry jam filling.

8. Eat it!

This was just delicious. Tasted like strawberry pancakes. Mmmmmmm.

Third up...Traditional Yam Potato Chip

1. Stoke up a traditional stove by starting a small fire using wooden chopsticks and adding charcoal.

2. When the flames have died down, place a grill on top.

3. Place the pre-cut potato chip on the grill.

4. Grill until brown on all sides.

5. Eat it!

This type of potato was very sweet and soft.

Fourth up (and final course)...Gohei Mochi

1. Mash a bowl full of rice with a stick until it is all squashed together.

2. Wet your hands and mould a small, flat ball of rice. Place it on a tray.

3. Place the Gohei Mochi on a hot plate.

4. When brown, turn it over and brush the top with miso paste.

5. Repeat with other side.

6. Eat it!

This was a delicious savoury dish. The miso paste gave an otherwise plain rice cake some sweet flavour. I was so impressed I made it for tea that night.

All of this cooking was done in a Home Economics type room, kids in their cute colourful aprons, head scarves and face masks. There were 9 benches where students worked. Each ingredient was already measured and pre-prepared which helped the process run really smoothly. Students had to sit patiently in a line on the floor to wait for their turn to join in each stage of cooking. I was most impressed at the lack of behaviour management issues. They just seemed to occupy themselves quite happily. After a fun and filling day I 'rolled' home!