Building bridges through cross-culinary adventures! As part of Welcoming America's Welcoming Week campaign, we are partnering with individuals and organizations to do monthly cooking kits and classes, all taught by our neighbors with refugee and immigrant backgrounds.
Every month, residents of the Treasure Valley can order a recipe kit with the dry and garden ingredients needed to make a dish inspired by a local chef from around the world (we'll ask you to provide the perishables and a few staple items!). In addition to the kit, you can then go online for a live, interactive cooking class with the chef, where you can learn the skills to make the dish as well as the history and culture surrounding it. The goal of this program is to build bridges across our community, so please invite friends and family to sign up with you!
January Classes: Gambian Cooking with Rama Deen
Virtual Cooking Classes: Saturday, January 16th, 5:00-7:00pm - SOLD OUT Saturday, January 30th, 5:00-7:00pm - SOLD OUT Note to participants: Check your spam folder if you haven't received the link and kit details!
Recipe: Gambian Benachin & Rangha Bissap
Kit Pick-up Dates/Times: Kits for the January 30th class must be picked up Friday, January 29th 8:30am-6:00pm at the Jannus Building (1607 W. Jefferson St.). Please see your email for details (check your spam folder!). Cooking Instructor: Rama Deen I was born and raised in the Gambia, West Africa. The Gambia is a strip of land 15 to 30 miles (25 to 50 km) wide on either side of the Gambia River and extends almost 300 miles (480 km) into the interior; except for a 50-mile coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, it is entirely surrounded by Senegal. It is the smallest country on mainland Africa and is said to be slightly less than twice the size of Delaware. I immigrated to the United States 20yrs ago and have lived in Boise, ID since 2006. I’m married with two children and currently work as a Clinical Social Worker.
Your Kit will include dry ingredients and produce.
Note for winter classes: Our produce suppliers are on hiatus so produce will be sourced from grocery stores until the local farm stands and Global Gardens are available again.
You will have to provide perishables and kitchen staples.
Kit & Class Cost: $25
Final kit ingredients will be dependent on recipe and are subject to change. Final ingredients and recipe will be emailed and included in the box so you can prepare for the class.
Recipe/Kit Serves 4 (only one registration needed per household)
Your kit includes
You need to provide:
Broken or long grain rice
Jumbo stock cubes
Tomato paste
Fresh tomatoes, onions, spinach, garlic, and other vegetables
Lime
Tamarind Soup Mix
Chicken Broth
Seasoned salt
Bay leaves (3)
Canola oil (2 cups +3 tbsp)
1 package of frozen sliced Okra
Chicken, beef, or mutton (mutton is chef's preference). Amount varies depending on how much meat you eat (1-3lbs.)
Black pepper
Salt
February Classes: Chinese Cooking with Ouxi
More details will be available soon! Virtual Cooking Classes: Saturday, February 13th, 5:00-7:00pm - SOLD OUT. Emails will come out the first week of January. Check your spam folder! **A second class will be posted at the end of January**
Kit Order Deadline: 1 week before class, or when sold out!
Recipe:TBD. We're excited to explore Chinese cuisine as we celebrate the Chinese New Year!
Kit Pick-up Dates/Times: Kits must be picked up at designated Boise location on the Friday before each class (exact location and times tbd). Cooking Instructor: Ouxi Zhu Bio will be updated soon!
FAQ
What is in a cooking kit?
Residents in the Treasure Valley can purchase a cooking kit that has the dry/pantry and garden ingredients needed to make the featured cross-culinary dish of the month. Dry ingredients will be factory sealed and purchased from a local ethnic grocery store. Included produce will be supplied from refugee farmers at Global Gardens (while in season) and from local farm stands. All you'll have to get separately is any meat needed for the recipe.
How is the class taught?
This will be a (virtual) live, interactive class with a cooking instructor, taught through Zoom. You'll receive your ingredients, list of cooking supplies and other things you might need, and the recipe before the class date so you all can cook together! It will be a fun chance to learn about the history and culture of the dish as well as ask questions of the chef. These will be recorded so you can watch them later, and an abridged version will be available on YouTube for the general public.
How will I get my cooking kit?
We are not able to provide local delivery of kits during the winter months. All kits will have to be picked up at a designated location in Boise. Pick-up dates, times, and location be outlined for each class.
What are the recipes we'll be using?
Each month we'll have a different chef and a different meal. You'll receive the recipe and equipment list via email before the class.
Where can I find out about allergens and vegetarian/vegan options?
The ingredients for each recipe will be posted as they are finalized, but if you have an allergy or food sensitivity please reach out to us before you buy the box so we can check the contents of any pre-packaged food items (kfink@idahorefugees.org). Our chefs can offer ideas for meat alternatives, though the original recipe and class will follow their most authentic version.
How is this only $25?!
Generous partners like Welcoming America and the Doris Duke Foundation have made it possible to provide classes with culinary ambassadors and ingredient kits at the subsidized price of $25. Our goal is to reach new people across the Treasure Valley and make it as affordable as possible to try something new and learn about our neighbors!
How can I help further? How can I get involved?
Please consider buying a kit for a friend or family member who hasn't participated in an event with a refugee or immigrant. The goal of this program is to build bridges, and we'd love your help doing that! If you are interested in attending a storytelling event or having a speaker at your office, please visit the Refugee Speakers Bureau page. For more information on donations and volunteering, click here.
Can I get a refund?
Unfortunately, we aren't able to offer refunds as we are purchasing ingredients as your order comes in. If you can no longer use your box, please share it with a friend so you help build bridges in our community!