Class 1.1 have enjoyed their experience of Interdiscipinary Learning, employing
the lessons they have learned in both Home Economics and Art & Design.
The group have been learning about colour theory, exploring the various groups of
colours that all artists and designers work with. Primary, secondary and opposite
colour groups have been examined, along with hot, cold, advancing and receding colours.
The challenge set 1.1 was to create a colour composition that was balanced. Not
too hot, not too cold, with the colours balanced out across the artwork and with
no single colour or group of colours dominating the whole effect. This is a challenge
that even the most accomplished professionals find difficult!
As if that was not hard enough, the class were not using ‘traditional’ artistic
materials. Instead they were given their coloured elements in the form of food.
- Red Peppers
- Yellow Sweet Corn
- Green Peppers
- Purple Onions
- Orange Cheese
(Oh, and Blue paper to serve on – well, you would not want to eat something blue,
would you?).
The class were also given opened wholemeal pitta breads
1.1 were challenged to create an edible food picture, in a balanced composition,
in the form of a pizza. Using their knowledge of food preparation, hygiene considerations,
and kitchen health and safety, the class created their own individual responses
to the challenge. Working in groups of four they shared out the ingredients and
cooperated to ensure that each individual ‘painting’ met the needs of the challenge.
While the Pizzas cooked each group cleared and cleaned their equipment and workspaces.
Then each group shared their understanding of the nutritional value of the food
they had prepared. We learned that: The more colours you have in a meal the better
balanced it is nutritionally; What we had prepared was equal to about half of our
five-a-day recommendation;
The more attractive we make a plate of food, the more tempted we are to eat it.
This kind of pizza, with good portion control, is very healthy We also learned that
ovens are very hot, (Sorry, Andrew – hope your arm is okay now!!). The best bit
of this lesson was when we got to eat the art!! If you fancy trying it for yourself,
download our recipe.
Buon Appetito
“You Gotta Pitta Pocket or Two”
Recipe (Serves 4)
You will need:
Ingredients
- 2 x Large Wholemeal Pitta-bread ‘Pockets’, (Lightly toasted and opened up to use
each half separately)
- 1 x Tin of Chopped Tomatoes • 4 x Talblespoon of Tomato Puree
- 1x Red Onion, (Sliced)
- ½ Tin of Sweetcorn
- 1 x Red Pepper, (Sliced)
- 1 x Green Pepper, (Sliced)
- 200g Cheddar Cheese, (or Mozzarella if you absolutely MUST be authentic!) Grated
- 4 x 20cm sheets of Tin Foil
Method
- Place each of your opened Pitta-breads onto a tin foil sheet.
- Using the back of a tablespoon, spread 1 Tbsp Tomato Puree out over each of the
Pitta bases.
- Add 3 Tbsp of Chopped Tomatoes to each base and spread out evenly across the whole
thing.
- Add equal amounts of Red Onion, Sweetcorn, Red and Green Peppers to all bases, spreading
out evenly.
- Sprinkle Cheese over the top.
- Very carefully lift the tin foil and place directly onto the shelf of the oven.
- Cook for 7-8 minutes, (or until the cheese is nicely melted), then serve immediately.
Experiment with different fresh toppings and try sprinkling some herbs on top. Basil
and Oregano are my favourites. Enjoy!