Cooking for a Large Family, and Home Education

Now, cooking for 12 needn't be any more difficult than cooking for 2. The noticeable difference being the amount of food needed. Now, from a home education point of view, cooking can become a curriculum subject;0) In my opinion, the best skills children will learn in home education, are those which enable them to save money, and look after themselves.
After teaching basic food safety, (this can be found on the food standards website, or there are even dedicated books on it) and let's face it, with the food poisoning figures running into the millions, in Britain alone every year. This is something which CAN be prevented, and before you think dodgy Chinese retaurant, most cases are found in the home.
If you are not a confident cook yourself, you could take time to learn along with the children! I have taught myself over the years, but due to time, and lack of expertise I like simple!!
There are plenty of ways to save money, by cooking from scratch, especially in a large family. For example, cakes, soups, sauces, and puddings, just to name a few. Google is your friend, when it comes to looking for recipes online, and trying new things. I will be posting a few of our favourite recipes, and of course all of them economical, and easy to make.
Here are a few things it will help you to keep stocked in the cupboard, so you don't have to go rushing out to the shops:
herbs, such as sage, thyme, basil, and oregano.
stock cubes.
pepper, chilli, and curry powder.
vanilla, almond, natural flavour.
Cocoa powder.
Custard powder.
Plain flour, bread flour, and s. raising flour.
baking powder, and biacarbonate of soda.
Dried fruit.
butter.
eggs.
caster sugar.
icing sugar.
You will find that with just these few ingredients, you can make pies, cakes, pastries, stews...etc.