Hi everyone,

Here is the first instalment from the Writers’ Club! I’m going to try this recipe as I really love spicy, Asian food and love cooking (plus I’m trying to eat less meat and reduce my carbon footprint). Well done Chloe in 6B!!! More to follow shortly.

On The Stove

My passion for cooking

Is there really anything better than the feeling of waking up in the morning, and eating something home-made? To feel proud about a lovely dish you made yourself? The wonderful aromas make you feel a level of content you never thought possible.

The Old Stuff

Human ancestors may have invented cooking as far back as 1.8 to 2.3 million years ago. Analysis of burnt bone fragments and plant ashes, from Wonderwerk cave in South Africa, has provided evidence supporting control of fire by early humans over a million years ago..

My History

I have had personal experience with cooking. When I was three, I was taught with guidance how to make a cake. By age six, I had been taught how to make pancakes, eggs and by the time I was 8 I could make spaghetti bolognese. I am now independent enough to cook by myself and I am always striving to work hard and learn more about different foods.

Why should you be interested?

There are multiple reasons  why you should cook. One – Knowledge. Not surprisingly, cooking involves mathematics and science, for instance, to boil the water you need to know the amount, which you measure in millilitres (usually) and you need to know the temperature it should be boiled at. (Again, surprise, surprise maths.) Whilst water is boiling, it is going through the scientific process of the states of matter. Solid, liquid and gas. So you are using science and maths knowledge even when just boiling water!

Two – Responsibility. When you are coming to the age of leaving your parents to head off to university  you will need to know how to take care of yourself, including how to make good, nutritious food.. Yes, restaurants are an option, but are more expensive, and as stated already, do not broaden your knowledge. In addition, when you cook, you are in charge of everything. 

Three – Enjoyment. Cooking can help you to  relax. For me, sometimes cooking is how I convey emotions. Whenever I am feeling upset, I go and cook myself something warm and filling, and it always helps me relax and makes me feel better.

Right, how do I start then?

Grab your aprons and start cooking! Here is a recipe to start:

Vegan Thai green curry

Ingredients

200g baby potatoes, halved

100g green beans, trimmed and halved

1 tbsp rapeseed oil

1 garlic clove, finely sliced

1 tbsp Thai green curry paste (check the label to make sure it’s vegetarian/ vegan)

400g can light coconut milk

1 lime, zest pared in thick strips

80g sugar snap peas, halved lengthways

150g cherry tomatoes, halved

100g firm tofu, chopped into small cubes

small bunch coriander, chopped

200g jasmine rice, cooked following pack instructions

Method

STEP 1: Cook the potatoes in boiling water for 8 mins. Add the green beans and cook for a further 3 mins, then drain.


STEP 2 : Heat the oil in a wok or pan, fry the garlic for 1 min, add the curry paste and cook for 1 min, or until it starts to darken a little and smell fragrant. Stir in the coconut milk and bring to a simmer, drop in the lime zest and gently bubble for 5 mins to thicken the sauce a little.


STEP 3 : Add the potatoes and beans followed by the sugar snap peas and cook for 1 min before stirring in the cherry tomatoes and tofu.


STEP 4 : Cut the lime in half and squeeze the juice into the pan, then stir in the coriander and serve over the rice

by Chloe 6B