Creative Cooking (students)

[Megan Sims]

Students:
Cortney Smit
Miranda Floren
Bethany Ritchie
Lucy Davis

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“I wish my stove came with a Save As button like Word has. That way I could experiment with my cooking and not fear ruining my dinner.
”
― Jarod Kintz

Megs walked into the home economics room, the place that she would call her classroom for the next however long she was here. She looked around and smiled, liking the way that she had decorated it. The walls were a soft pastel yellow with poster's of cooking quotes spread over the walls, and a picture of Julia Child.

She walked up to her work space, much like the rest of the work areas around the room, a small kitchenette with a bench that had a sink and work space and a bench behind her with the oven and microwave and a ceramic stove top. She opened her folder and took out a pile of purple sheets of paper, on which was written today's recipe.

Prep Time: 7 minutes
Cook Time: 33 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: Serves 4 to 6

[/b]
[li]8 ounces elbow macaroni, about 2 cups
[/li][li]salt and pepper (about 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper)
[/li][li]8 ounces Cheddar cheese blend or similar blend of cheeses
[/li][li]1 1/4 cups milk
[/li][li]4 tablespoons butter, cut in small pieces
[/li][li]2 tablespoons cornflour
[/li][li]1 cup grated cheese[/li][/ul]

[/b]
[li]Heat the oven to 350°.
[/li][li]Cook macaroni following package directions. Drain in a colander and rinse with hot water.
[/li][li]Melt butter in microwave safe bowl
[/li][li]Mix flour into melted butter to form a smooth paste
[/li][li]Slowly add milk while stirring
[/li][li]Heat in microwave for two minutes, stir and heat for further two minutes
[/li][li]Add cheese to milk, flour and butter mixture and stir
[/li][li]Drain pasta and add to sauce
[/li][li]Carefully pour into dish, sprinkle cheese over top and place in oven until golden.[/li][/ul][/blockquote][/color]
The woman placed two recipes on each bench top, and checked the fridge, freezer and pantry of each work section to make sure that they were fully stocked, as she was a firm believer on adapting recipes and she would let the children know that she had no problems with them adding things to their recipes as they went along.

She walked back to her kitchen and placed the maroon coloured apron over her head and tied a bow behind her back so that the apron was now covering her Onyx Skinny jeans and her sweetpea Skylar shirt. The toes of her black Fatbaby II shoes poked out from under the slightly too long jeans

[Miranda Florin]

Miranda slipped into a bathroom after her class and washed her hands, unsure of what would be expected of them in Creative Cooking class, so she would rather be prepared, although she was sure that there would be sinks there. It gave her a moment to breathe, though, so it worked out. After drying her hands, she headed back out into the halls and walked towards the Home Ec classroom. As she entered, she noticed that she was the first student there. She smiled at the teacher, then glanced around at the workplaces, "Can we choose anywhere to work?"

After she had chosen a desk and glanced at the recipe that was printed on the purple sheet in front of her, she watched the teacher and the door, wanting to know who else would be in the class, hoping that someone would walk in that she already knew. This was an area that she was totally unsure in, and it would be cool to have a friend in the class, although she knew better than to talk during the class... Especially if it was important that she hear what the heck was going on.

[Cortney Smit]

Cortney stood in the girl's bathroom between classes. She had left her hair down that morning but knew that it would need to be tied back for cooking class so she was standing in front of the mirror with a hair-tie around her wrist and both of her hands working with her fine brown hair, working out the best way to have it up and out of her face. Finally settling on a high ponytail, but only pulled her hair half way through when she pulled it through the tie for the last time.

After washing her hands and brushing down her red skinny jeans, she headed toward the Home Ec room, excited about this class as she loved cooking, she just wasn't always so good at following a recipe to the letter, so she was hoping that the teacher wasn't going to be some old-school type person where everything had to be done by the book.

Walking in, she looked around the room and noticed that there were two sheets of paper on the benches which was a give away that they would be working in pairs. Her eyes then landed on Miranda, the girl she had met on the trails with the injured mare. "Would you like to work together?" She asked as she walked up. giving the girl a bright smile.

[Lucy Davis]

Lucy had been at her dorm for about an hour, as she had a break in between some of her classes, before Creative Cooking. Seeming that she should place her hair into a pony, Lucy walked into the bathroom, beign followed by Everest, her dog.

Pulling her hair back with an Orange scrunchie, Lucy tried to get it as neat as possible, as she had time to do so, instead of being all rushed. Then washing her hands in the sink, Lucy reluctantly headed out the door, leaving her dorm, and dog, behind her.

Having got to the building quiet fast, Lucy then walked inside, quickly finding the Hoem Ec. classroom, needing to wash her hands again most likely before she began to cook, so passing the door she headed to the bathroom, and was back in a matter of minutes.

Walking inside, Lucy smiled at the teacher, and then found a place at a working space, with two other girls, knowing they would most likely be split up, but saying "Hi" anyways, since noone else was at the other station. Hey, I'm Lucy Davis. she casually introduced herself to them.

[bubbles2]

Bethany walked through the place, wondering where the classroom would be. She had always enjoyed cooking. while wandering through the school, Bethany double checked that she had her apron. Then, she had finally found the classroom she was supposed to be in. She walked in the classroom nevorusly, and went up to her teacher. "Hello, Miss, could I use a sink to wash my hands? Bethany said while she put her lovely, clean, Ibiza printed apron on. She went to a sink and washed her hands with warm, soapy water and put her hair in a bobble. "Hi" Bethany simply said to the girls, but she moved to the work station next to them. She looked at the recipe and took a little frown, she hated any food to do with cheese, oh well. Bethany didn't know any of the girls, and she had walked in when a girl had introduced her name. "I'm Bethany Ritchie" She had said in a friendly voice. She then double checked her recipe and waited her Home Economics teacher to speak. Again, Bethany triple checked that her apron was clean.

[Megan Sims]

Megs smiled as the first student walked through the door. "Take your pick." She said as she gestured to the classroom with a sweeping motion of her hand. "You will be working two to a station today." She fell silent again as the girl got herself situated.

She watched as another girl walked in and walked straight up to the first, followed quickly by another girl who walked up to the already full workstation. "There will only be two people per station when you are working in groups, you will need to find your own bench, please." She said warmly to the girl who had introduced herself as Lucy.

When the fourth, and last girl had arrived she asked for a place to wash her hands. "You possibly should have done that before you came to class if they need to be washed. Each workstation has a bottle of hand sanitiser on bench."

She waited until the two girls, Lucy and Bethany, were at a station together before she addressed the class as a whole. She knew that the first two girls who arrived were Miranda and Cortney, now just to workout who was who. "Welcome to creative cooking." She said. "First off I would like you to find an apron that is hanging on the hook on the side of your pantry and then clean your hands with the sanitiser."

Once the girls had followed her instructions and were each wearing a black apron, she continued. "Today you are going to cook macarroni cheese." Her eyes swept over the girls, gauging their reactions, and she could see that one wasn't keen on something to do with the recipe. "The reason I chose this because it's a fool-proof recipe and there are so many way you can add your own style to it." She picked up the paper with the recipe on it that was on her bench. "This is your recipe, all I ask is that you follow the amounts of each thing. However, you may want to add onions to it and if so put the sliced onion into the water when you put the pasta in." She opened her pantry. "If you open your pantry, you will see that it is fully stocked, as is your fridge and freezer. You are welcome to use anything that is in them."

She closed her pantry and put the paper down again. "Rightio ladies, you have thirty minutes to have your food completed. This isn't a pass or fail thing, all I really want is for you to work together."

[Miranda Florin]

Miranda looked up as she heard a familiar voice and grinned as she saw Cortney, "Of course!" She smiled at the other girl, "Hopefully you have some more experience cooking than I do, or else the room may go up in flames." As another girl joined them, Miranda glanced at her, smiling, "Hey there." She was about to introduce herself when the teacher called that they would be working two in a group. She listened as class started, looking to the aprons that were at their pantry. She took both off of their hook and held one out to Cortney before putting hers on and tying it behind her back. She looked back to the teacher, listening as she told them what would be going on.

After the teacher had released them to work on their project of the day, Miranda turned to Cortney, "So, do we want to add onions to the spaghetti?" She picked up the recipe card and glanced over it, noting that the recipe didn't sound too difficult, although she was glad to have a friend around to work with. She glanced at Cortney, "And how would you like to split up the work?"

[Cortney Smit]

Cortney laughed at Miranda's comment about her cooking. "The room wouldn't go up in flames!" She protested with a straight face. "The school is well equipped with smoke alarms and sprinklers." She gave the girl a bright smile and a hug. "It won't be that bad. Have faith in yourself." Ever since their encounter on the trails, Miranda was the only person who was graced with the person the Cortney used to be before her sister died, the person that was slowly resurfacing now that she had had the chance to voice her fears.

She fell silent as another girl joined their table and turned as the teacher began speaking, slightly amused that the teacher didn't introduce herself even though she knew that the woman was Ms Sims. She smiled as she took the proffered apron and slipping it over her head, she tied it in a snug bow behind her back before she picked up the recipe card and read through it, didn't seem too hard.

She turned to Miranda with her eyebrows lifted as the other girl spoke. She pressed her lips together and shrugged. "Sure, let's add onion to the pasta." She screwed her nose up at the thought of making macaroni cheese with spaghetti. "How about you dice the onion and put it into the water for the pasta and bring that up to the boil, and I'll make a start on the sauce? That is, unless you want to make the sauce?" She knew her was around a kitchen, but didn't want to see that she was taking over.

She found a bowl in the cupboard that would be a good size for the sauce and then found the better, milk and cheese out of the fridge. "Ooh, there's lost in here that we could add to give flavour!" She announced as she looked in the fridge, seeing the mushrooms, bacon, tomatoes, bell peppers. "Is there anything you don't eat?" She asked over her shoulder.

[Lucy Davis]

Lucy then listened as the teacher noticfied her that there would only be allowed two people in a group together. Nodding her head, Lucy said, Yes, Ms.Sims., and then she collected her own station together.

As another student walked in, and the insturctor reminded her of washing hands before entering, Lucy then smiled as she introduced herself to them all. Seeming that they would be working together, LUcy walked to get a black apron and then tied it around herself. Collecting a recipe from Ms.Sims, Lucy brought it back to their station together.

Reading over the recipe, which consist of the usual of Mac n' Cheese, Lucy then smiled at Bethany. I'm Lucy, I wasn't sure if you heard me introduce myself or not. Hopefully your better at cooking than me, I have not a clue. Lucy said to her, chuckling a bit. She knew that they would need pasta, a pot with water, set to boil, the cheese, and a few more ingredients to make it taste just right. So how would you like to split the jobs up? Lucy asked her.

[Megan Sims]

I asked for Bubbles to post, then I waited I asked again and again I waited. Sick of waiting now. LJ just take it as that you have split the jobs up or Lucy has done it all I don't care.

Megs watched the two groups as they sorted out the different jobs that needed to be done and discussed what how and what they were going to cook with the dish.

Just watching Cortney and Miranda, she could see that Cortney was more confident in the kitchen than her partner, but the girl didn't seem to be lording this over her friend - the teacher also hadn't missed the joke before the girls started working, so she got the idea that the girls knew each other well outside of the classroom.

Her attention went to the other pair and she watched how Lucy seemed to be taking the job of the stern-master of their ship and was handing out the jobs.

"Remember ladies, that you have full use of the pantry and fridge/freezer. You can add things to the sauce to give it extra kick. There's mustard powder, chilli powder, chilli sauce if you like your sauce spicy." Personally, the woman loved adding both mustard powder and chilli powder to her sauce, as she liked her food to have a decent kick to it.

She went back to observing the students, simply there to supervise and observe. Only there if she was really needed.

[Miranda Florin]

Miranda grinned and giggled at Cortney's joke, "Well, I guess that's a relief, then." She glanced up at the fire alarms, still smiling. As the other girl hugged her, Miranda returned the embrace, "If it's not as bad as I'm imagining it to be, then it's only because I have you to keep me from completely embarrassing myself."

She grimaced at her mistake and mocked a bow, "See, I told you I'm hopeless." She reminded herself that they were working with pasta, though, not spaghetti. She listened as Cortney told her what to do, "Okay, I can do that." Boiling water was not beyond her skills, at the least, and cutting things up wasn't too hard, right? She picked up one of the onions and used a knife to peel off the outer three layers, then scrubbed the rest under water. Realizing that she didn't have a pot yet, she put the onion on the cutting board and looked around until she found one. She filled it with water and set it aside, turning to the onion first.

As Cortney exclaimed about the pantry, she turned away from where she had just cleaved the layered vegetable in two and looked at the refrigerator, "Wow!" She shook her head, "I don't mind anything, as long as it's not too spicy." She couldn't stand very hot foods, but a mild flavor was always nice. After dicing half of the onion, she wrapped the other half and scooped the dice into the pot. She picked up the pot and set it onto the stove before turning the dial to light the stove, then turning it to the 'high' setting. She heard the teacher and nodded slightly, notifying that she had heard, but it didn't help her a lot, since Cortney was the one making the sauce.

[Cortney Smit]

Cortney pulled the butter of of the fridge and cut some off the end before she popped that in a microwave-proof bowl and placed it in the microwave for 40 seconds while she put the butter away and took the milk out. Turing to the pantry she pulled out the box of cornflower. When the machine beeped, she took the bowl out and stirred the mostly melted butter around with whisk to break the rest of it up before she shook an approximate 2 tablespoons of cornflower into the butter and mixed it all together into a nice paste. She knew that Ms. Sims said to keep the measurements to the paper, but Cortney had done enough cooking to have a goof eye for measurements - unless of course she was baking, then she did use the measuring spoons - then then began slowly adding milk to the paste, stirring the whole time. She then placed the bowl into the microwave and put it on for two minutes.

"Not too spicy?" She asked as she gave Miranda a wicked grin. "So only one jalapeño?" She shuddered at her own joke as she turned back to the fridge and pulled out the chicken, mushrooms, tomatoes and capsicum and then set to chopping them up to go into the macaroni cheese. "Can you get a pan out and fry up the mushrooms and capsicum?" She turned back to the microwave as it beeped. Giving the sauce a quick stir, she put it back in the microwave for another two minutes.

She then took the cheese out of the fridge and the grater out of the cupboard under the bench and started to grate the cheese.

[Lucy Davis]

Lucy then nodded at her partner, Bethany, and started on her job. She preheated the oven up to 350F, as the directions stated. She wanted to get a head start on that; why they got the other ingredients.

Lucy then took the 1 cup, and headed over to get elbow macaroni. As she brought it back to the pot over the oven and added it in. Then going to get more; Lucy brought it over again and added it inside. She continued to stir the macaroni; not wanting it to burn.

As her partner gathered the colander and other ingredients needed next, Lucy stayed stirring and then drianed the water over the sinki, making sure the noodles were firm, but not too firm.

Bethany already had the butter melted in the microwave and ready to go, so Lucy got a mixing bowl out, and then had the flour in it in seconds, which is where Bethany then came and started to stir. Taking the milk, Lucy then added it inside the bowl while still stirring.

As it was said to heat in the microwave, her partner did as they were told, adn why they were awaiting the macaroni; Lucy asked, Any extra ingredients you'd perfer, or nothing at all?

[Megan Sims]

Megs was silently observing the class, sitting on a bar stood behind her bench as she wrote down everything that she was watching. She had a strict no cell phone rule in her class - as no doubt did every other teacher - and she cringed when her own started up with the William Tell Overture. Pulling it out of her bag, she swiped her finger across the screen and the text message came up. A new student, and a boy. She mused silently as she read it, Carlos was obviously a boy's name.

She looked up at the girls who were busily working. She didn't like anyone working by themselves, so she would just put him in with one of the groups. But which one? Her eyes went from one pair to the other until she finally settled on Bethany and Lucy, he could work with them until she managed to pick up another student.

"Ok ladies, remember that whatever you add to the mixture will continue cooking once it is in the oven so if you are adding things that require needing to be fired first, just half fry them. And if you are adding the likes of mushrooms, don't forget to pat them dry before you add them to the macaroni and cheese sauce."

[Annabelle Archer]

Having been the last one to arrive Belle joined a brunette. A slight flick of her hand she noticed Miranda with her partner. Getting to work quickly, the eighteen year old pulled her hair back and slipped on a black apron an tied it behind her back. "Hi, I'm Belle and I have a slight idea of how to do simple things." Gesturing towards the plain mac n' cheese. She wasn't good at adding things, although may be little, she just wasn't good. Making peanutbutter and jelly and grilled cheese should could do, but cooking a chicken well wasn't exactly her thing. "Well what can you do? I could boil the water and cook the pasta if you dont." as her eyebrow raised so did the corners of her mouth. Lucy seemed to be a pretty good partner or at least from what Belle could tell from the few minutes they had been standing here. Glancing down at the recipe and then back at Lucy noticing she had turned the oven on. As Ms. Sims talked about how much time they had to make their dish, Belle thought, What would be good to add to Mac 'n Cheese?

OOC- LJ Belle can be your partner, if that's okay. I'm just gonna reply to your questions towards Bethany as if they were for Belle.