Barbara K. Smith
The Colonial Kitchen and Food Preparation
The student will recognize:
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1. the kitchen was the most used and occupied room in the house.
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2. order and safety around the hearth was imperative.
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3. many individuals had to share the same space for their daily activities, and there were more people inside during the winter months.
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4. behavior, movement and noise had to be respectful of others sharing the same room.
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5. furnishings were often rearranged during the course of the day depending upon the activities.
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6. a great variety of tools and utensils, which are not obsolete, were needed to prepare food.
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7. different foods and recipes were prepared during varying times of the year.
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8. many foods were preserved for later use.
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9. most food prepared had to be consumed on the same day as there was no refrigeration.
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10. standards for cleanliness were less than we expect today but routine orderliness was more important.
Methods of Instruction
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- Discussions with many illustrations of kitchens, furnishings and tools.
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- Examples of kitchen utensils with accompanying demonstrations. Students should handle the utensils and imagine they are using them.
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- Create a kitchen map.
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- List activities that would be done in a kitchen.
Demonstration (include student helpers)
Prepare recipes common to the colonial period. Describe how they would have used the colonial equipment and cooking methods. If cooking is required in the preparation it will have to be done with a contemporary range and/or oven.
Foods to be prepared and sampled:
- Cornbread (prepared during or before the class)
- Cranberry Sauce (prepared during or before the class)
- Apple Cider (purchased)
Project – Dried Apple Ring
Demonstrate how to slice apples for drying. Thread slices of previously dried apples onto twine.
Take Home Packet
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- A map of a colonial kitchen.
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- A diagram of a hearth with tools, cooking utensils and related items.
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- Illustrations of kitchen utensils – names and uses to be filled in.
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- Recipes for Cornbread and Cranberry Sauce.
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- Directions for drying apples and recipes for their use.
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- Related vocabulary words – to be defined.