Teaching Ayi how to cook
Posted 8:08am Thu Dec 6th, 2007 by admin
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Several people have come to me to suggest that we publish a book bilingual for families aimed at teaching Ayi how to cook different dishes. Bilingual so both family and Ayi can understand. Sounds like an interesting idea but no idea if it would be compelling enough to generate the sales that would justify its production cost.
Anyone like this idea?
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Re: Teaching Ayi how to cook
YES!!
Bilingual, with photos.
Baby, Toddler and Family friendly recipes.
Healthy - no/low salt, sugar, no msg, low oil, etc...
Educational sections (short):
hygeine in the kitchen - cleaning, storing food (covering, fridge, freezer), when to throw away food
List of dangerous food for babies toddlers - popcorn, nuts, etc...
List of high allergy foods for babies
Suggested list of when to introduce which foods to babies month by month for months 6-12.
WHY cook healthy?
WHY whole grains, brown rice, organic, etc... ?
WHY not give babies/toddlers/children sugar/sweets?
list of healthy snacks to keep in the house - carrot sticks, raisins, apples, etc...
How to make quick snacks - cheese on toast, quesadillas
a few ideas of how a toddler can help in the kitchen that is SAFE (mixing, pouring, etc... not going near hot/dangerous things)
How to make and store batches of home made baby food
This would be a FABULOUS book !!
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Re: Teaching Ayi how to cook
I agree with crj that this is a great idea. There is somebody out in Shunyi who is charging 150 RMB/session for classes to teach ayis to cook a basic western meal -- I told my ayi about it and she thought it was outrageously overpriced. She is really interested in learning to cook more non-Chinese food, and a book like this would be a great resource for families in BJ.
A diverse range of international recipes would be nice -- including kid-friendly foods from all over the world.
Another idea would be to add a resource list where some of the non-Chinese foods can be purchased, maybe a bilingual shopping list?
lhamo
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Re: Teaching Ayi how to cook western
A bilingual shopping list would be good. I have my doubts about a recipe book only because most ayis do not eat western food so I don't think we can expect them to know how it should taste and look.
Someone has shown my ayi how to make a couple of western dishes and she does them well but we have had a couple of weird chinese-meets-western too and we prefer that she sticks to her excellent Chinese cooking.
The recipe book would have to have photos so the ayi knows what the food should look like and perhaps suggestions of how it might be served, e.g. salad with the pasta dish, potatoes to go with the casserole.
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Re: Teaching Ayi how to cook
It definitely has potential as long as it is bilingual. I'd expect some locals to buy it as well just to learn how to cook western food and maybe learn the names in English to impress their friends.
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Re: Teaching Ayi how to cook
I think it doesn't even need to include complicated western food, I would be happy with Chinese food, some other Asian food and a smattering of easy western dishes- just HEALTHY and simple recipes.
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