Year 5 and 6 Cooking Workshops

We were lucky enough today to welcome Dr Moussa, local GP to the school to speak to Year 5 and 6 about the importance of healthy eating, how affordable and accessible this can be and to give the children the chance to cook and create something in school. 

The children loved creating a healthy and balances Lentil Traybake which they took home and enjoyed with their families. This was funded by local charity funding and we are hoping might be the first of many similar events. 

For anyone interested, see the recipe and instructions below:

Lentil Tray Bake Recipe
Ingredients (serves 2)
· 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks or wedges
· 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
· 2 bell peppers (any colour), sliced into squares
(Note: cut all the vegetables roughly the same size)
· 1 medium red onion, roughly chopped
· 3 gloves of garlic (or more dependent on taste)
· 3 tbsp olive oil
· 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika
· ½ tsp ground coriander
· ½ tsp turmeric
· Salt and black pepper to taste
· 1 x 400g can green or brown lentils, drained and rinsed (or 250 g cooked lentils)
· 1 x 400g can chopped tomatoes
· ½ tsp sugar
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan 180°C) / 400°F.
2. Prepare the vegetables: In a large bowl, toss the sweet potatoes, carrots, peppers, garlic and onion with:
o Olive oil
o Paprika, coriander, turmeric
o Salt and black pepper
3. Prepare the lentil mix: In a bowl, mix the lentils (if using cans) and the chopped tomatoes. Season with salt, pepper, and a little paprika. If using dried lentils – wash the lentils and then cook these first in boiling water for 25 minutes. Add the sugar to reduce the acidity of the tomatoes.
4. Combine and bake: Place vegetables and lentil mix in an aluminium tray. Cover with aluminium foil and then place in the oven to cook for 40-45minutes until all the vegetables are cooked through. Uncover and let it cook for a further 5 minutes.
5. Finish and serve: Serve with couscous, rice, or warm flatbread. Add crumbled feta, yogurt, or tahini drizzle for a creamy touch. For extra protein, eat with meat, or top with toasted nuts or a poached egg.