Wednesday, April 28, 2021

TDSB Newcomer Services Youth Cook-Along Program...


Second week into my partnership with TDSB Newcomer Services to teach a weekly After-School Virtual Cook Along program to high school students new to Canada until end of school year. The goal is to impart kitchen skills and food literacy, while honouring multicultural cuisines using both pantry and fresh produce to get dishes prepared in time to serve dinner for families in 1-1/2 hours πŸ‘©‍πŸ³πŸ‘¨‍πŸ³πŸ€—πŸ’₯! 

About last night... Happy Sikh Heritage Month with Indian Chicken Tikka Masala, Fluffy Basmati Rice and Wilted Spinach Raita!

Our first after school cooking class with youths last week was with a North African origin dish Skillet Egg Shakshouka (tomato sauce based with garlic, onions and spices), triple protein enhanced with chickpeas and beef meatballs, and homemade garlic bread for tomato sauce sopping🌷! 


This very shakshouka recipe made its first debut in a demo cooking video I produced for St.Philip's Lutheran church as part of my most recent collaboration in their successful Winter program. 


From North African origin egg shakshouka for Pantry Cooking to salmon cakes in Healthy Foods For Less to Italian lasagna in Big Batch Cooking to Korean rice balls Jumeokbap in Creative Leftovers to carrot orange yogurt cake in Immunity Boosting Foods to sheet pan Greek-style chicken and vegetables in One Pot Cooking, it has been a tasty cultural adventure in our 6 weeks Neighbourhood Table at Home winter program. Addressing food insecurity with food produce boxes from @foodshareto and cooking skills via demo videos to 45 newcomer families and 25 seniors, it's been a pleasure working with you all πŸ’–! 


St. Philip's Lutheran Church, your regular efforts in community building is inspiring with great volunteers and organizers-- Pastor Tuula, Eunice, Raija, Chef Sandy and Meranda- we did good!! I look forward to supporting you again in a future partnership 🌱.


The age of independence should come equipped with skills to fend for oneself and thrive. Cooking skills is a life skill. Knowing how to Shop Smart is an important skill to have. I look forward to share everything I know to help youths learn to cook and eat better for a healthier tomorrow πŸ”ͺπŸ₯¦πŸ₯•πŸ₯”πŸ„.

Can't wait to celebrate Asian and Jewish heritage month of May with more deliciousness!



Sunday, April 18, 2021

Cook For A Cause Part Three-- Food Security in Chinatown...


Happy International Heritage Day with some E.P.I.C. Asian dishes! #cookforacause


In light of the conversations and awareness of the rise in Anti-Asian Racism, the proceeds raised through the 3rd event in this Cook For A Cause series will go to support the food insecure in the Chinese Community. I am looking at you Friends of Chinatown Toronto - FOCT  in collaboration with Community Fridge Toronto CFTO recently added a new fridge on 138 D'Arcy Street / Spadina Avenue. An honour system of 'Take what you need, Leave what you can' with no questions asked, takes away the stigma associated with food insecurity πŸŒ»πŸ™.



Spring is here 🌱! How lovely it was to invite sunshine into our kitchens this greyish Sunday afternoon with fresh herbs and colourful produce. We made Chinese Bang Bang Chicken Noodles, Korean Chapchae Noodles and Vietnamese Green Papaya Salad with Shrimps (see recipe as follows).


Goi Du Du- Vietnamese Green Papaya Salad with Shrimps
Adapted by girlcooksworld.com
Serves 4 to 6


3 Tbsp. fish sauce
1/4 cup lime juice
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 Thai red chilli, minced or sambal oelek
6 to 8 cups shredded green papaya (about 2 lbs. whole papaya)
3/4 lb. medium cooked shrimps, peeled, deveined and tails removed
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
1/4 cup chopped mint
1/4 cup chopped rau ram (Vietnamese cilantro)
1/4 cup Thai basil
3 Tbsp. roasted, salted peanuts, roughly chopped

NOTE: if you can’t find some of the herbs, just mix what is listed to yield one cup.

In a small bowl combine the fish sauce, lime juice, garlic, sugar and chilli. Stir well and set aside.

In a large bowl combine the green papaya, shrimps, and fresh herbs; toss. Pour on the dressing and toss again to coat. Sprinkle with the peanuts and serve immediately or let the flavours meld for 10-15 minutes, and then serve. Serve room temperature or chilled.

Well done to those who cooked along πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘!

Thank you once again for your support in my classes to help advance food security πŸ’–πŸ™!



May is Asian Heritage Month! How about a Thai Cooking Workshop? Stay Tuned!

#susanssavourit #internationalheritageday #asiancuisines #asiancooking #cookingclass #bangbangchicken #chapchae #goidudu #endfoodinsecurity #endhunger #foodforall #freshfoodaccess #eatmoreproduce #♥️forthecommunity #chinatownfridge

 

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Celebrate International Heritage Day with An Asian Cuisines Cooking Workshop...

 

Did you know Sunday, April 18th is International Heritage Day?

Join me to celebrate Asian cuisines and cultures with a virtual hands-on cooking workshop.

This is the third event in my Cook For A Cause series. In light of the conversations and awareness of the rise in Anti-Asian Racism, the proceeds raised will go to support the food insecure in the Chinese and Asian Communities.

Spring is here ! How lovely to invite sunshine into our kitchens with fresh herbs and produce. We will be making Korean Chapchae, Chinese Bang Bang Chicken Noodles and Vietnamese Green Papaya Salad with Shrimps.


Date: Sunday, April 18th from 1 to 3 pm EST
Cost: $25 Cdn per person, $5 for each additional adult member of your household joining.

Check out the link:
https://paypal.me/pools/c/8yqqsk5tcD for registration and payment details.