Kennow Academy — Home Economics (Cooking Fridays)

Intermediate skills for Max & Eli • Teacher-friendly for Kelly • 2025–26

Core Habits (repeat every Friday):
Biblical: “All things should be done decently and in order.” — 1 Cor. 14:40 • Peterson: Set your house in perfect order…

Lesson 1 — Bake a Simple Loaf of Bread

Theme: Patience & Provision · John 6:35 · Responsibility

Objective

Make a basic yeast bread and practice kneading, proofing, and accurate measuring.

Serves: 1 loaf Time: ~2 hrs (mostly rising)

Ingredients & Tools

  • All-purpose flour — 3 cups (spoon & level)
  • Warm water (105–115°F) — 1 cup (liquid cup)
  • Active dry yeast — 1 packet (2¼ tsp)
  • Sugar — 1 Tbsp · Salt — 1 tsp · Oil — 1 Tbsp
  • Large bowl, spoon, loaf pan, clean towel, oven

Teacher’s Script (read-aloud)

1
“Wash hands. Wipe counters. Measure exactly. Dry ingredients in dry cups (level the top). Water in a liquid cup.”
2
“In a bowl: add warm water + sugar + yeast. Wait 5 minutes for bubbles. That proves the yeast is alive.”
3
“Add 2½ cups flour, salt, oil. Stir to a shaggy dough. Knead on a lightly floured counter 8 minutes: push, fold, turn. Add the last ½ cup flour only if sticky.”
4
“Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with towel. Rise ~60 minutes until doubled. This teaches patience: good things take time.”
5
“Punch down gently, shape into a loaf, set into greased pan. Cover 30 minutes for second rise.”
6
“Bake at 375°F for 30–35 minutes until golden and hollow-sounding. Cool 10 minutes, slice.”
Cleanup & Stewardship
  • Wipe floury surfaces with a dry towel first, then damp sanitize.
  • Wash bowl and pan; dry and put away — finish the job.
  • Reflect: Simple inputs → valuable output. “Taste and see…” (Ps. 34:8)

Lesson 2 — Homemade Pizza

Theme: Order & Creativity · Acts 2:46 · Chaos → Order

Objective

Make dough, stretch it, build a simple sauce, and assemble toppings with restraint.

Serves: 2 small or 1 large Time: ~75–90 min

Ingredients & Tools

  • Flour — 2½ cups · Warm water — 1 cup
  • Yeast — 1 tsp · Salt — 1 tsp · Olive oil — 2 Tbsp
  • Tomato sauce — 1 cup (or crushed tomatoes + pinch sugar + salt)
  • Mozzarella — 2 cups shredded; toppings as desired
  • Bowl, sheet pan, parchment (optional), oven

Teacher’s Script

1
“Sanitize. Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine warm water + yeast + 1 tsp sugar; sit 5 minutes.”
2
“Stir in flour, salt, oil. Knead 8–10 minutes until smooth. Rest covered 30–40 minutes.”
3
“Sauce: season tomato sauce lightly (salt/pepper, pinch sugar). Don’t drench the dough.”
4
“Stretch dough on oiled sheet. Thin sauce layer → cheese → toppings. Less is more.”
5
“Bake 12–15 minutes until browned. Rest 3 minutes. Slice. Serve.”
Cleanup & Hospitality
  • Put toppings back in labeled containers; wipe handles/knobs.
  • Offer guests water/plates; set a tidy table. “Do not neglect to show hospitality.” (Heb. 13:2)

Lesson 3 — The Perfect Omelette

Theme: Skill & Precision · Prov. 22:29 · Excellence in the small

Objective

Control heat, time, and technique: whisking, setting, folding.

Serves: 1 per person Time: 15–20 min

Ingredients & Tools

  • Eggs — 3 · Butter — 1 Tbsp · Salt & pepper
  • Fillings (optional): cheese, ham, peppers, onion (pre-sauté crunchy veg)
  • 8–10" nonstick or well-seasoned skillet; rubber spatula

Teacher’s Script

1
“Whisk eggs thoroughly until uniform color (air = tender). Medium heat pan; melt butter until foamy.”
2
“Pour eggs; tilt pan to spread thin. When edges set, gently lift with spatula and let raw egg flow under.”
3
“Add modest fillings on one half. Fold other half over. 30–60 seconds more. Slide to plate.”
4
“Season at the end. Discuss: mastery in small tasks builds confidence.”
Cleanup & Order
  • Cool pan slightly; wash with soft sponge (preserve nonstick). Dry and put away.
  • Wipe stove knobs and counter splatters — leave no trace.

Lesson 4 — Fresh Pasta (No Special Tools)

Theme: Effort → Reward · Gen. 3:19 · Meaning over expedience

Objective

Mix, knead, rest, roll with a bottle or pin, cut by hand; cook and dress simply.

Serves: 3–4 Time: ~60–75 min

Ingredients & Tools

  • Flour — 2 cups · Eggs — 2 large · Salt — ½ tsp
  • Water as needed (1–3 Tbsp) · Rolling pin or clean bottle · Sharp knife

Teacher’s Script

1
“On a clean counter, mound flour; make a well. Crack eggs into well; add salt.”
2
“With a fork, gently beat eggs and pull in flour gradually. When thick, switch to hands. If crumbly, add teaspoons of water.”
3
“Knead 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Rest covered 20 minutes (gluten relaxes).”
4
“Roll thin (aim for ~1–2 mm). Dust lightly with flour. Fold loosely and cut into ¼–½" strips.”
5
“Boil in salted water 2–3 minutes until tender. Dress with butter/olive oil, garlic, or simple tomato.”
Cleanup & Frugality
  • Let flour bits dry, then brush into trash before wiping with damp cloth.
  • Discuss unit price vs. homemade cost; plan leftovers wisely.

Lesson 5 — Soup from Scratch (Chicken or Veg)

Theme: Nurture through Discipline · Prov. 31:14–15 · Humble & sustaining

Objective

Practice knife skills, sautéing, simmering, seasoning, and timing starches.

Serves: 4–6 Time: 45–60 min

Ingredients & Tools

  • Onion — 1 · Carrots — 2 · Celery — 2
  • Chicken (thighs or breast) — 1 lb or more vegetables
  • Broth or water — 6 cups · Noodles or rice — 1 cup
  • Oil, salt, pepper; large pot

Teacher’s Script

1
“Dice onion, carrots, celery to even sizes (safety: tuck fingers, use a stable board).”
2
“Sauté veggies in 1–2 Tbsp oil with a pinch of salt until softened (5–7 min).”
3
“Add chicken and broth; simmer 20–25 minutes. Skim foam; taste for salt.”
4
“Add noodles (8–10 min) or rice (15–18 min) until tender. Adjust seasoning.”
5
“Serve with Lesson 1 bread if available. Give thanks; note how scraps become a meal.”
Cleanup & Leftovers
  • Cool before refrigerating; label with date. Freeze portions if needed.
  • Plan lunch for tomorrow — stewardship avoids waste (Prov. 21:20).

Lesson 6 — Simple Dessert (Cookies or Banana Bread)

Theme: Precision in Small Things · Ps. 34:8 · Discipline

Objective

Practice accurate measuring, mixing order, and baking times for consistent results.

Serves: ~18 cookies / 1 loaf Time: 30–60 min

Cookie Ingredients

  • Butter (soft) — ½ cup · Sugar — ½ cup
  • Egg — 1 · Vanilla — 1 tsp
  • Flour — 1½ cups (spoon & level)
  • Baking soda — ½ tsp · Salt — ¼ tsp
  • Chocolate chips — ¾–1 cup

Teacher’s Script (Cookies)

1
“Heat oven to 350°F. Cream butter + sugar until pale/fluffy (2–3 min).”
2
“Beat in egg + vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk flour + baking soda + salt (dry mix first = even rise).”
3
“Fold dry into wet just until combined. Stir in chips. Scoop tablespoons on sheet.”
4
“Bake 8–10 min until edges set and centers soft. Cool on sheet 2 min, then rack.”
Banana Bread Option
  • Mash 3 very ripe bananas; mix with ½ cup sugar, ⅓ cup oil or melted butter, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla.
  • Whisk 1½ cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, ½ tsp salt; fold into banana mix. Optional: ½ cup nuts or chips.
  • Bake in greased loaf pan at 350°F for 55–65 minutes; cool 10 minutes before slicing.
Cleanup & Gratitude
  • Soak bowls and beaters right away; wipe counters; sweep crumbs.
  • Share with a neighbor or guest — practice generosity and hospitality.

Standards of Living, Budgeting & What Your Home Says About You

Stewardship · Self-control · Presentation & Respect

Talking Points

  • Your space tells your story: clean ≈ disciplined; chaotic ≈ careless.
  • Biblical: Faithful in little → trusted with more (Matt. 25:23).
  • Peterson: Start with your room; order invites responsibility.

Grocery & Cleaning Budget (Quick Drill)

  • Make a 3-day meal plan. List ingredients. Estimate cost.
  • Add core cleaning supplies: dish soap, vinegar, baking soda, sponges, trash bags.
  • Compare unit prices. Choose at least one generic item to save.
Weekly Reset Checklist
  • Bed made daily; laundry sorted; floors (high-traffic) swept.
  • Bathroom: wipe sink/mirror, disinfect toilet, replace towels.
  • Kitchen: dishes done, counters cleared, stove wiped, trash out.