Kid Chef Eliana Cooks and Signs Books at Barnes & Noble, Metairie, LA – Saturday, December 10, 2011

12-10-11 Kid Chef Eliana demonstrates 2X2 Chicken Fajita Soup from her cookbook

Hey Young Chefs!

This past Saturday, I had a cooking demonstration and book signing at Barnes & Noble in Metairie, Louisiana. I demonstrated by 2X2 Chicken Fajita Soup from my cookbook, Eliana Cooks! Recipes for Creative Kids.

12-10-11 Kid Chef Eliana pours cumin into her soup

When I served my soup, everyone said it tasted “delicioso!” Some people even lined up for seconds and thirds! Even kids who are normally picky, loved it! I met a sweet 15 year old girl named Savannah. She bought my cookbook and said that she is going to try several of my recipes. Yay, Savannah!

12-10-11 Kid Chef Eliana takes a picture with fan, Savannah

This recipe is called 2X2 Chicken Fajita Soup because the amounts of each ingredient equals 2. For example, 2 cups, 2 tablespoons, 2 cans, etc. It’s a super simple recipe that takes 20 minutes to cook. It’s great for kids and college kids, and perfect as a weeknight meal for busy moms. Here is the recipe:

2X2 Chicken Fajita Soup

Ingredients
2 qts. water
2 pkts. taco seasoning
2 cans corn, drained
2 cans sliced new potatoes, drained
2 c. Fajita, Southwest or Mesquite chicken strips
2 tbsp. cumin
2 tbsp. garlic salt
2 cups fresh salsa (I like to use my “Fresh from the Garden Salsa” recipe)

Directions
Combine all ingredients in a large sauce pot over medium heat. Cook for 20 minutes. Optional: Top with cheese and serve with tortilla chips. Serves 8 to 12.

Cool kids Cook and Get Creative in the Kitchen!
Bon Appetit, Kid Chef Eliana

Cooking Demonstration at Southern Food and Beverage Museum – Saturday, July 23, 2011

7-23-11 Kid Chef Eliana shows her Perfect Pesto Pasta at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum

Hey Young Chefs!

On Saturday I had a cooking demo at SOFAB. I made Perfect Pesto, Perfect Pesto Pasta, Perfect Pesto Cream Cheese Dip, and Sparkling Pomegranate Punch. I made everything with pesto to show how many different kinds of dishes you can create. Pesto is very versatile.

Everybody raved over the Perfect Pesto Cream Cheese Dip! The Perfect Pesto Pasta was all gone too. Here is a picture of me chopping herbs for my chicken.

7-23-11 Kid Chef Eliana chops herbs for her Italian marinated chicken

I had an awesome time at SOFAB! I am so glad everyone liked my food.

Cool Kids Cook and Go to SOFAB!

Bon Appetit, Kid Chef Eliana

Cherry Books Cooking Demonstration – Saturday, July 9, 2011

7-9-11 I sing my song to the audience

Hey Young Chefs!

Yesterday I had a cooking demonstration and book signing at Cherry Books in Thibodeaux, LA. Before I start the demo, I sing my song “Cool Kids Cook” to the audience.

Then I cut the tomatoes.

7-9-11 I cut the tomatoes for my salsa

After I added more ingredients to the Ninja, I poured in the salt.

7-9-11 I pour salt into the blender

Next, I served “Fresh from the Garden Salsa” to everybody. They ate ALL of the salsa. I’m glad they liked it!

Finally, I signed my cookbooks. I took take a picture with two of my fans.

7-9-11 My two fans take a picture with me.

I had an awesome time at Cherry Books! Everyone was so nice.

Cool Kids Cook and Go to Cherry Books!

Bon Appetit, Kid Chef Eliana

Southern Food and Beverage Museum Fresh from the Garden Salsa Demonstration – Friday, June 17, 2011

6-17-11 The SOFAB Summer Camp young chefs

Hey Young Chefs!

On Friday, I demonstrated my Fresh from the Garden Salsa for a group of summer campers. Here I am talking to them about what will go into the salsa and what these ingredients are.

6-17-11 Kid Chef Eliana demonstrates Fresh from the Garden Salsa at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum in New Orleans

After I finished making my regular salsa, I made a pineapple salsa, inspired by my recent trip to Hawaii, that everyone raved about. It was so good.

6-17-11 Kid Chef Eliana demonstrates puts lime juice into her blender

When I finished, I signed autographs for the campers. They were so amazed that I had my own cookbook.

6-17-11 Kid Chef Eliana signs autographs at SOFAB

The campers said that they never would have thought to put pineapple in salsa. Did you know that tomato is a fruit? It grows like a fruit, but people treat it like a veggie. I had such a great time talking to the campers.

Here is a cool picture of me with some mardi gras bead art done by elementary school students at a local school. Wow!

6-17-11 Kid Chef Eliana with a giant king cake made out of mardi gras beads!

Cool Kids Cook and Make Salsa!

Bon Appetit, Kid Chef Eliana

Oahu, Hawaii – KCC Farmers Market, Polynesian Cultural Center, and Sunset Beach – Saturday, June 11, 2011

6-11-11 Ms.Kaiulani and I at the KCC Farmer's Market

Hey Young Chefs!

At the KCC Farmers Market I met Chef Kaiulani. She has a whole line of spices that we bought. She even showed us how to make her Curry Fried Rice. Mmmm!

Chef Kaiulani's Curry Fried Rice

For lunch, I ate fresh Bruschetta Pizza. I want some right now.

6-11-11 Me eating Fresh Bruschetta Pizza

After KCC Farmers Market, we go back to The Polynesian Cultural Center to tour the the rest of what we didn’t see. First, we saw the people in Samoa make fire out of sticks and dry coconut husks.

6-11-11 Making fire at the PCC

Then we saw a man climb a coconut tree with his bare feet. That was awesome!!!

6-11-11 A man from Samoa climbs a coconut tree

After Samoa, we went to Aoetearoa to learn how to use poi balls and play a Maori stick game. It was fun playing the stick game.

6-11-11 I am trying to learn poi balls

Then, we saw a wonderful canoe pageant with all of the Polynesian islands taking their turns dancing. My favorite was Tahiti. I loved watching them do their fast hip-shaking dance.

6-11-11 Tahitian dancers at the canoe pageant

When the canoe pageant was over, we went to Tonga to learn how to make an angel fish out of palm frond and reed. In this picture, you can see me holding it in front of my shirt.

6-11-11 I am holding up my angel fish in Tonga

I had a great time at the PCC. Finally, we drove to Sunset Beach. Here I am admiring the gorgeous sunset.

6-11-11 I am admiring the sunset

I had so much fun that day!

Cool Kids Cook and Go to KCC Farmers Market, Polynesian Cultural Center, and Sunset Beach!

Bon Appetit, Kid Chef Eliana

Eliana Cooks! Cookbook debuts at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum in New Orleans – Saturday, October 9, 2010

10-9-10 Close-up of Kid Chef Eliana at SOFAB

Hey Young Chefs!

Earlier this month, I had a cooking demonstration at the Southern Food And Beverage Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was part of the “New Orleans Con Sabor Latino” exhibit, which I was a part of! I was one of 13 Latinos in the New Orleans area chosen to be photographed for the exhibit. It’s quite an honor.

New Orleans Con Sabor Latino exhibit - Eliana's profile

During the demonstration, I made Cajun Cuban Sandwiches. I talked about my family’s influence on my cooking, especially my Papi, who inspired the sandwich.

10-9-10 Eliana Cooks! at Southern Food and Beverage Museum (SOFAB) in New Orleans

We had a large crowd and I sold a bunch of cookbooks. Yay!

10-9-10 Kid Chef Eliana talks about her new cookbook, Eliana Cooks!

Then I autographed!

10-9-10 Kid Chef Eliana signs her cookbook

My family was so proud of me! My mom and dad even wore uniforms with my logo embroidered on their shirts. Too cool!

10-9-10 Kid Chef Eliana with her mom and dad

If you would like to order my cookbook, you may order autographed copies from Octavia Books. http://www.octaviabooks.com/book/9780615411958

Check my website for dates of upcoming events. I have several demonstrations and book signings coming up before the holidays.

Cool kids cook and get creative in the kitchen!

Bon Appetit,
Kid Chef Eliana