The Rubber Egg: Science for Kids in the Kitchen

The three women who raised me all had their own special recipes for the children in their home. These were not recipes for eating but ones for playing. As I think about it now I am surprised and very grateful for the effort put into making playtime supplies instead of just going out and buying similar toys or commercialized substitutes.

Now that I am a father with four children of my own I find myself recalling the fun and imagination these recipes brought me and I want to pass the experience on to my little ones. So I have decided to revisit the recipes (or experiments) shared with me as a child while researching some new kitchen science to pass on to you. This is not in the normal scope of this blog, but it has been so much fun!

The Rubber Egg 

Making Playdough: Science for Kids in the Kitchen

Never underestimate your power of creativity as a parent; 

To create an opportunity for a child will be your greatest work. 

The aroma of homemade play dough cooking on the stove takes me back to the first time my grandmother made a batch. The smell was as curious as the idea that my grandmother could make her very own play dough. To think that my grandmother knew the secrets to one of the most fun and imaginative toys would surely mean that she possessed supernatural or divine  knowledge. I am sure my image of her changed from that day forward. An exhibition of pure wizardry.

Homemade Playdough 

Ocean in a Bottle: Science for Kids in the Kitchen

I am a professional chef however as a father of four children I am frequently reminded of how much energy can be put into feeding and entertaining my young ones. While researching and drawing from my own childhood memories to present new activities for their play I thought that it might be fun and useful to share these "recipes" with you. As a professional chef I have to admit that my toughest yet most loyal patrons are my family.

In my youth my sister and I would spend lengthy visits with my father and stepmother on the east coast. My stepmother, Lisa was rather unconventional when it came to toys and activities. More than anything I can remember her playtime projects and suggestions for curing boredom always sparked my imagination. To this day her creativity has left me with fond memories far exceeding the instant gratification of store bought popular toys (of which I had plenty).

One summer while on a regular stay on Fire Island, Lisa introduced me to the Ocean in a Bottle. What now might seem like a simple science project in a glass jar was such a treasured object that it followed me back to Manhattan where I admired it till the day I had to fly home to California. I had kept it sealed all  summer but apparently the thought of a 6 year old on a plane with a jar full of oil and blue water didn't settle well with the airline.

On that note be aware that this project could end up in a terrible mess somewhere in your home should the container be opened or damaged allowing the liquids to leak out or spill. So use your discretion in supervising the creating and play of the magical object.

Ocean in a Bottle

Honey Tasting

"Bee Good, Bee Well, Bee Healthy."
Cottage Industries.

For Christmas 2012 my stepmother, Lisa, who lives back east, sent me a precious surprise; two jars of her own cultivated wild honey. One jar still holds a chunk of the comb, which has a delicious chew to it. I was thrilled when I opened the small hay packed box, and as soon a I touched the nectar to my lips I was very excited to find ways to fully enjoy this honey.

With my work in kitchens I have encountered my share of wild honey from various pollen; lavender, clover, apple, etc. My all time favorite until this experience has been an orange blossom honey which is available at The Orange Store in Fresno, Ca. No commercial or artisan orange blossom honey has come close to this honey's distinct flavor. Although Lisa's honey does not possess a specific blossom flavor, it has a complexity all it's own; light, floral and clean. It dances on my tongue as it melts.

After my initial taste straight from a spoon I realized that a tasting was in order. To pair and contrast Lisa's honey with other sweet syrups, fruit, nuts and cheese would be a fun way to enjoy and experience subtle nuances of her and her bees hard work. After all, this was her first bulk harvest, and from what I understand, processing the honey was no easy task. I was a lucky recipient of a rare substance.

Small Steps in the Kitchen #1: Shaken Vinaigrette

During this first month of the new year when those of you who have made resolutions find yourself faltering or wishing you hadn't chosen such a ridiculous task why not take a this moment to substitute or add a simple new project in which you can become more involved with your food. Topics like proposition 37, eating locally & organic, farm to table, humane and sustainable are all very hot right now being a concern of lifestyle and morality if not just a healthy trend. If you would like to become more involved with your food but are overwhelmed or intimidated with an approach do me a quick favor; go to your fridge or pantry and take a look at that bottle of commercially made vinaigrette or salad dressing. It should be the last one you want to buy.

A Change Or Two In Plans

 Entropy the cat by Cherie.
Image for our kitchen labels.

Quite a few developments began to materialize for Entropy Kitchen in the late months of 2012. Some sad farewells would be said while some new ground gained and support rallied. We are expecting 2013 to be an exciting and productive year in our kitchen. Hopefully you will follow along.

While on the path to incorporating our kitchen items and protecting the name(s) it came to our attention that we would no longer be able to use the beloved name Shadow Creek. We are so connected to the name, the place. Suddenly we would have to let go of the namesake of where we live, work and play. On a less sentimental note what would we be able or want to rename our kitchen and products?

Hachiya Persimmon

Along Cull Canyon Road.

There are a couple of very special winding roads in the hills where we live. Studded along are farm-style houses accompanied by orchards and stables. There is an odd nursery too, occupied by a quiet, bearded, hobbit-looking fellow.

With winter approaching, the leaves had all turned and fallen and the scenery was all shaded gray. These persimmons hung in their dark cold trees like rosy orange glowing paper lanterns. Several trips were made past the fruit trees and a sign reading "$1 a bag" before we actually stopped and bought some for ourselves.