Making Math Fun and Easy to Understand by Chef Pharrell

How to Measure Ingredients

Using Math Skills in the Kichen

by Chef Pharrell

My Cool Kid Cooks, San Diego CA

Jr. Chefs practicing measuring skills and kitchen math

I have found that showing kids how to use their fractions and ratio skills when they are in the kitchen is a fun way to encourage even those with math anxiety. Something about holding a tangible measuring cup of sugar and doubling or creating 3/4 cup equivalents is easier when you are in the kitchen and you’re making something that tastes wonderful.

Here are some helpful tips for measuring correctly:

• Measure out all ingredients before you begin your recipe. This is the best way to make sure you have everything your need before you start your recipe. Measuring first will also keep you from making a common mistake of doubling or leaving out something from the recipe.
• Use separate measuring cups and spoons or dry and wet ingredients.This prevents things from getting “gooey” when measuring.
• When measuring liquid ingredients use glass or plastic measuring cups with pour spouts .Read the measurement at eye level.
• When measuring solids, fill a flat sided measuring cup then level off with the flat side of a table knife.
• When measuring flour it is important not to “pack” to cup. Gently spoon the flour into the measuring cup first and then level off, do not press the flour into the cup. This will prevent too much flour from being put into the cup.
• For shortening or butter, pack a flat measuring cup with a spatula and level off the top with a knife. Or, to use the lines on the packaging keep in mind that there are 8 tablespoons in each ½ cup block and each block weighs 4 ounces.
• When measuring salt, pepper or granular spices, do not measure over the mixing bowl. Measure first then pour into your mixture.

My Cool Kid Cooks is located in North San Diego County, minutes from Carlsbad, Fallbrook, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Vista, Oceanside, Del Mar, Encinitas, La Costa, Escondido, Rancho Santa Fe, Fair Banks Ranch, Solana Beach and Leucadia. Though we are located in the north county we travel to Orange County and most of San Diego County,

call for more information.

Contact Chef Pharrell at 760-703-1582

or email:

chef@MyCoolKidCooks.com

To view more onsite cooking classes this month, go to our NC San Diego Cooking Classes website and click the Onsite Classes tab:

http://ncsandiegocookingclasses.com/Onsite-Classes.html

and then click the current month's calendar button cooking classes...

For more information about how you can book a birthday party with us contact Chef Pharrell at 760-703-1582