But They Make It Look So Easy...

All last week we were filming a series of cooking shows for PCTV. I wanted to write about it as it was happening, but I was just too exhausted. Making a TV show is hard work, especially when the entire crew is made up of only three people. I was doing the cooking and talking, Mike Coulter (from PCTV) was the entire film crew, and Jane Valentine (the Dietetic Technician program director) was providing nutritional information and some much needed advice about plate presentation (as well as helping with prep work and dishwashing).

We are calling the show What’s in Your Pantry, because each episode of the show highlights a common pantry ingredient, like pasta or canned beans. The idea is to present a few recipes that combine the main ingredient with other pantry staples to create an inexpensive, simple, healthy, and tasty meal. We are also trying to sneak in some nutrition education along the way.

We have filmed six episodes so far, with plans for filming more later this summer. They will appear on PCTV and online in the fall. I will post links as soon as they are available. Here is a photo of a slice of tasty chocolate cake from the first episode on beans. That’s right, beans. One can of garbanzo beans (drained and rinsed) + 3eggs + ¾ cup of sugar + ½ teaspoon baking powder + 1 teaspoon of vanilla + 1 ½ cups of melted chocolate chips, whirled together in a blender and baked for 45 minutes at 350° F = surprisingly dense, chocolate-y goodness.