It's a Party in my Mouth!

No, I'm not talking about the latest junk food craze. I'm talking about beets! At least that is what one Haldane 4th grader said after trying the beet soup his class made with the chefs from the Culinary Institute of America yesterday. 

 

Beets are the featured vegetable for January at Haldane and The Garrison School's Chef in the Classroom programs.

Last week, chefs Matt Sporer and Sarah Garcia, students and Slow Food members from the Culinary Institute of America visited Haldane's 4th and 5th graders to make a creamy beet soup with homemade croutons. 

Students donned plastic gloves before peeling and grating the dark red beets purchased from a local farmers' market. 

Others chopped onions and garlic and tore fresh sage and thyme into small pieces. 

Everyone got a chance to mix the ingredients in the saucepan. 

To finish the soup, Matt added local Hudson Valley Fresh cream and used a hand blender to puree until smooth.

While the soup was cooking, students took turns grating gruyere cheese and Chef Matt cut up a freshly baked baguette from the Apple Pie Bakery at the CIA into small slices. 

Next, the the baguette slices went in a pan and students drizzled olive oil and grated gruyere on the toasting bread.

And when it was time to try their creation, what was the response?

It's a party in my mouth!

I want to make it every day!

I'm in heaven it's so good!

These are 4th and 5th graders talking about beets!

Parents, you can't beet that!