Heather Alexander - Easy Main Dishes From Around the World

Cook yummy main dishes from around the worldits easy!

Have you ever tried jollof rice? How about swedish meatballs? Make main dishes from all over the world with this cookbook.

Not only will young readers enjoy reading the books in this series, but they will also want to make some of the recipes that fill the pages.

Cooking for me isnt just a career, its my passion. Every day I learn something newits about having fun and being creative.

About the Author

Heather Alexander is an award-winning author of over twenty books for children. She loves her role as official taste tester when her two daughters take to the kitchen to cook, bake, and create.

Warning: The recipes in this book contain ingredients to which people may be allergic, such as peanuts and milk.

Have you ever met a kid from another country? Maybe youve seen photos or movies of kids from around the world. They probably seem very different from you. They may speak a different language, wear different clothes, or live in a different kind of house. But no matter what part of the world kids live in, they all get hungry and they all like to eat a delicious dinner. Even though dinner seems like a big meal, there are many easy dishes that you can cook that will have your family asking for seconds.

Food brings the world together. It tells a story about each country. Food can tell you about how people live as well as about the climate, the history, and the ingredients that are grown in each country. Cookingand eatingare a fun and yummy way to learn about other cultures.

So tie on an apron and lets cook easy main courses from all over the world.

Whenever you are in the kitchen, there are important safety rules to follow.

1. Always ask a responsible adult for permission to cook. Always have an adult by your side when you use the oven, the stove, knives, or any appliance.

2. If you have long hair, tie it back. Remove dangling jewelry and tuck in any loose clothing.

3. Always use pot holders or oven mitts when handling anything on the stove or in the oven.

4. Never rush while cutting ingredients. You dont want the knife to slip.

5. If you are cooking something in the oven, stay in the house. Always use a timerand stay where you can hear it.

6. If you are cooking something on the stove, stay in the kitchen.

7. ALLERGY ALERT ! If you are cooking for someone else, let him or her know what ingredients you are using. Some people have life-threatening allergies to such foods as peanuts and shellfish.

• Wash your hands before you start. Make sure to also wash your hands after touching raw poultry, meat, or seafood and after cracking eggs. These ingredients may have harmful germs that can make you very sick. Wash knives and cutting boards well with soap and water after theyve touched these ingredients.
• Rinse all fruits and vegetables under cool water before you use them.
• Make sure your work space is clean before you start.
• Clean up as you cook.

• Read the recipe from beginning to end before you start cooking. Make sure you have all the ingredients and tools you will need before you start.
• If you dont understand something in a recipe, ask an adult for help.

• To measure dry ingredients, such as flour and sugar, dip the correct size measuring cup into the ingredient until it is full. Then level off the top of the cup with the flat side of a butter knife. Brown sugar is the only dry ingredient that should be tightly packed into a measuring cup.
• To measure the liquid ingredients, such as oil and milk, use a clear glass or plastic measuring cup. Make sure it is on a flat surface. Pour the liquid into the cup until it reaches the correct level. Check the measurement at eye level.
• Keep in mind that measuring spoons come in different sizes. Be sure you are using a teaspoon if the recipe asks for it and not a tablespoon .

• Beat Mix ingredients together fast with a wooden spoon, a whisk, or an electric mixer.
• Mix Blend ingredients together with a wooden spoon, an electric mixer, or a whisk.
• Stir Combine ingredients together with a wooden or metal spoon.

• Cooling foodAfter food has been baked in the oven, place it on a wire rack until it is no longer hot.
• Cracking an eggHold the egg in one hand. Crack the eggshell against the side of a bowl. Using both hands, pull the eggshell apart over the bowl so the yolk and the white drop into the bowl.
• JuicingTo get the juice from a lemon, lime, or orange, cut the fruit in half and press it against the top of a juicer until all the juice is out. The juicer will strain out the seeds and leave you with the juice. For most recipes, you can use ready-made juice instead.
• PreheatingTurn the oven on at least 15 minutes before you need to use it.

Cooking has its own vocabulary. Here are some terms you should be familiar with:

bread (verb) To coat with breadcrumbs or flour before frying.

chop (verb) To cut into bite-sized pieces.

dice (verb) To cut into small pieces (smaller than chopped).

drizzle (verb) To pour a small amount of liquid in a stream over a dish.

mince (verb) To cut into very small pieces.

saut (verb) To cook quickly in a pan over high heat using a small amount of oil or butter, stirring all the time.

shred (verb) To tear into small pieces.

simmer (verb) To boil slowly at a low temperature.