Cross-Culinary Kits & Classes
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.
Once a 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!
Once a 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!
December Kit & Class
December Class - Venezuelan Cooking with Lila
Virtual Cooking Class: Saturday, December 5th, 5:00pm-7:00pm
Kit Order Deadline: November 30th, or when sold out! (whichever comes first!)
Recipe: Arepas with Pollo Guisado, Tajadas Venezolanas
Kit Pick-up Dates/Times: There will be no local delivery for this kit.
Kits must be picked up at designated Boise location on Friday, December 4th from 8:00am-6:00pm. Boise pick-up location to be determined.
Cooking Instructor: Lila Cabrera
Hola! My name is Lila Cabrera and I was born in Naiguata, Venezuela. Although my family immigrated to the United States when I was a little girl, as with most immigrant families we stayed very connected to our native country. In addition to living in a Latino community in New York City, we always spoke Spanish at home, traveled to Venezuela often and of course ALWAYS ate Venezuelan food at home.
My very traditional Venezuelan mother would pack up my brother and I every summer and send us to stay with relatives in Venezuela for the summer. It was during those summers when I learned how to cook traditional food. At that time, it was difficult to find the right ingredients in the United States, and many times our extra suitcases at the end of summer, were packed with traditional ingredients. Maybe that was the REAL reason we had to go there every summer.
The one food that is the most common of all are arepas. What are arepas? Arepas are corn meal pockets that can be made in varying sizes and thickness, depending on the traditions of the region. Similar to the pita in shape and function, this traditional food can be baked, fried or grilled.
The arepa originated hundreds of years ago, and was a staple in the diet of various indigenous tribes across the areas that are now Venezuela and Colombia. Arepas are eaten across various socio-economic groups, at all times of the day.
Although I now live in Boise, Idaho very far away from Venezuela, I continue to make them for my family here in the United States. I am proud and happy to share this unique dish with you all and hope you will add it to your cooking repertoire. So gather up your materials and let’s have some fun.( Note: Large glass of wine, always makes everything taste better)
Virtual Cooking Class: Saturday, December 5th, 5:00pm-7:00pm
Kit Order Deadline: November 30th, or when sold out! (whichever comes first!)
Recipe: Arepas with Pollo Guisado, Tajadas Venezolanas
Kit Pick-up Dates/Times: There will be no local delivery for this kit.
Kits must be picked up at designated Boise location on Friday, December 4th from 8:00am-6:00pm. Boise pick-up location to be determined.
Cooking Instructor: Lila Cabrera
Hola! My name is Lila Cabrera and I was born in Naiguata, Venezuela. Although my family immigrated to the United States when I was a little girl, as with most immigrant families we stayed very connected to our native country. In addition to living in a Latino community in New York City, we always spoke Spanish at home, traveled to Venezuela often and of course ALWAYS ate Venezuelan food at home.
My very traditional Venezuelan mother would pack up my brother and I every summer and send us to stay with relatives in Venezuela for the summer. It was during those summers when I learned how to cook traditional food. At that time, it was difficult to find the right ingredients in the United States, and many times our extra suitcases at the end of summer, were packed with traditional ingredients. Maybe that was the REAL reason we had to go there every summer.
The one food that is the most common of all are arepas. What are arepas? Arepas are corn meal pockets that can be made in varying sizes and thickness, depending on the traditions of the region. Similar to the pita in shape and function, this traditional food can be baked, fried or grilled.
The arepa originated hundreds of years ago, and was a staple in the diet of various indigenous tribes across the areas that are now Venezuela and Colombia. Arepas are eaten across various socio-economic groups, at all times of the day.
Although I now live in Boise, Idaho very far away from Venezuela, I continue to make them for my family here in the United States. I am proud and happy to share this unique dish with you all and hope you will add it to your cooking repertoire. So gather up your materials and let’s have some fun.( Note: Large glass of wine, always makes everything taste better)
Your Kit will include dry ingredients from Global Gardens, local farm stands, & ethnic markets.
Kit & Class Cost: $25
Your Kit Includes:
- 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
Your Kit Includes:
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You will have to provide your own: 2 chicken breasts, olive oil, queso cojita, salt, cumin, canola or other high heat oil
Class is sold out, fill out the form above to be added to the waitlist
Upcoming Classes:
Details will be updated when available.
January:
January:
- Iraqi Cooking with Mohammed Ali
- Kenyan Cooking with Salome (repeat class from November!)
- Chinese Cooking with Marcus
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.
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.
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!
I have a question that isn't answered here!
No problem! If you have additional questions, email them to kfink@idahorefugees.org
Thanks to our Welcoming Kits & Classes Supporters
