World Blessings

Understanding the cultures and religions of the world through cooking.

Rice Balls: Everyone Cooks Rice

From Haiti to Viet Nam, everybody cooks rice. This story connects cultures from around the world in a neighborhood of the United States. Then make a tasty puffed rice treat.

Microwave Apple Pie: Bring me some Apples and I’ll make you a Pie

Hear the story of Edna Lewis, an African American chef from Virginia who championed regional cuisine and farm to table eating.

DIY Pasta Salad: Prayer of St. Francis

Learn about St. Francis of Assisi and his prayer. Enjoy a taste of Italy with DIY pasta salad.

Peas Porridge: John Murray Day

Hear the story of Universalist John Murray. Then cook a traditional dish that might have been eaten during his time–peas porridge.

Vegetable Biryani: One Grain of Rice

In this Indian folktale a clever girl tricks an unjust ruler to help feed her people. Then make a delicious vegetable biryani rice dish to share.

Squash Soup: Is it Sukkot Yet? 

Learn about the Jewish fall holiday Sukkot and make squash soup.

Carob Pudding: The Magic Bean Trees

Hear this legend from Argentina explaining why the carob tree brings good luck, then make a tasty and healthy carob treat.

Rainbow Dip: Pride–The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag

Learn about LGBTQ+ activist Harvey Milk and the origin of the Pride flag.  Then make a colorful treat.

Sopapillas: A Gift for Abuelita

Learn about the Mexican/Catholic holiday Day of the Dead and make tasty sopapillas.

Coconut Ladoo: Ganesha’s Sweet Tooth

This book introduces children to the Hindu god Ganesha, who has an elephant head. After the story, satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth with a yummy coconut ladoo.

Mama Panya’s Pancakes

Share this Kenyan story of generosity and community. Then make savory pancakes using the recipe from the book.

Wojapi and Fry Bread: The First Strawberries

This Cherokee story tells of how the first strawberries came to be. It’s moral–be kind and loving to each other. Then make strawberry wojapi and fry bread.

Wintercake

Share a cute holiday story and make a microwave wintercake.

Tacos and Tortillas: The Story of 3 Wise Kings

Learn about Three Kings day, celebrated in many spanish speaking countries. Then make tortillas and tacos.

Collard Greens: Seven Candles for Kwanzaa

Share a story about the meaning of the African American holiday Kwanzaa, and make and eat collard greens.

Freedom Soup

Every year, Haitians all over the world ring in the New Year by eating a special soup, a tradition dating back to the Haitian Revolution.  Hear the story, then make soup.

Festive Stir Fry Rice: The Runaway Wok

Learn about Chinese New Year, the importance of generosity, and make a festive stir-fried rice dish to share.

Caprese Salad Skewers: Imbolc

Learn about the pagan holiday Imbolc, which celebrates the coming of spring and new life.

Three Sisters Succtash: Giving Thanks

Share a thanksgiving message from the Iroquois and then make Three Sisters Succotash.

Irio: Wangari’s Trees of Peace

Read this true story of a Kenyan environmental activist. Then make the Kenyan dish Irio–featuring mashed sweet potato, peas and corn.

Gator Gumbo

Enjoy a spicy story set in the Louisiana Bayou and then make a healthy vegetable gumbo.

Easy Hammentaschen: The Sneaky Tricky Hamantash, a Purim Story

Learn about the Jewish holiday, Purim, and Esther, the wife of a Persian king who hid the fact that she was Jewish and saved her people. Then we’ll make a traditional Jewish cookie in the shape of a triangle.

Festival of Colors: Mango Lassi

Learn about the Hindu holiday, Holi, and make delicious Mango Lassis.

Irish Pancakes: Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland

Learn about St. Patrick and make Irish potato pancakes to share.

Domaj: Seven Special Smethings, a Nowruz Story

Learn about Nowruz, the Persian New Year, and make domaaj, a traditional herb and bread salad.

Devilled Eggs: Balance Dance: A Spring Equinox Tale

Learn about the pagan celebration, Ostara, and make deviled eggs to share.

Matzo Ball Soup: Matzo Ball Moon

Read the story Matzo Ball Moon and learn about the Jewish celebration of Passover. Then make tasty matzo ball soup.

Berry Parfait: Berry Song

As we celebrate Earth Day, enjoy a book that shows gratitude for the bounties of the Earth. Then make Berry Parfait, a dessert that celebrates the bounty of berries.

Papaya Salad: The Life of the Buddah

Learn about Buddha and the celebration of Buddha’s birthday, and enjoy papaya salad together.

Bolani: The Stranger’s Farewell–This story is set in Afghanistan and shares an important message about giving and receiving. Then make Bolani–a stuffed fried bread from the middle east.

Sushi: Hiromi’s Hands

Hear the true story of Hiromi, a Japanese American girl who learns how to make sushi from her father, and becomes one of the first female sushi chefs in New York. Then, make vegetable sushi rolls.

No Bake Birthday Cake: The Birthday of the World–A Story About Finding Light in Everyone and Everything

According to today’s story, each of us – and everyone in the world – is born to bring light into the world. Today, we celebrate the birthday of the world and all of her children with a special story and a special dessert.