Plymouth High School students in Susan Kuckie’s culinary classes and students in Chinese teacher Mei Guan’s classes were hoping Mother Nature wouldn’t sabotage the culinary labs on Thursday, Feb. 6th that they have been looking forward to all year long. Guan said the lab is in honor of the Chinese New Year which started Jan. 25. On the menu for this year’s celebration was sweet-sour chicken during the fifth period, dumplings during the sixth period and chicken fried rice during the 7th and 8th periods. Guan said dumplings are a popular food in northern China and she wanted her students to experience the process of how to make the popular Chinese cuisine.
Students in both Kuckie’s and Guan’s classes listened carefully to the instructions provided by both teachers. Students were excited to work collaboratively to make the recipes as both teachers guided them through the processes. Students gathered all ingredients, stuffed dumplings with chicken, beef, or pork, and worked them into a crescent-moon-shape, and then cooked dumplings by steaming them.
This is the second year for the collaborative lab and both times it has been a hit with students in both classes.
Each Chinese New Year is characterized by one of 12 animals that appear in the Chinese zodiac. 2020 is the Year of the Rat. The Lunar New Year is celebrated during the second new moon after the winter solstice, usually between January 21 and February 20 on the Gregorian calendar.
Last week Mrs. Kuckie’s classes continued making Chinese themed food and the Plymouth High School staff could place their order and purchase ready-to-heat meals for home. Proceeds raised over cost for the food ingredients go right back into the program’s budget.
Photos captured by Radio and TV PHS senior Reine Eira and sophomore Bradey Pittman.
