[Jaki Vampyler]

The next day, Tania arrived with her full basket once again. She looked at Jaki and smiled, then started emptying out the basket on the kitchen table Now, today we are going to make vegetable stew and roast vegetables. So, I would like you to help me prepare both dishes, as this will help you both learn how to prepare the vegetables, but also will show you a lot about how to cook them. We will talk about each vegetable and as we do we will prepare it, and how to cut it and so on

Jaki looked at the range of vegetables, and her teacher told her what they were, each one. She nodded, knowing some of them, and not being aware of others. Then, they did each vegetable one at a time, simply peeling, washing and preparing one of each. When they had finished. Tanya asked Jaki to tell her what they had done, and the process they had undertaken. Jaki looked at the remaining uncut vegetables, and pointed to them in turn.

This is a potatoe she said, starting with the most obvious These are very versatile and are a staple of soup as they give texture and are very filling. They have to be washed and peeled and then cut into chunks of the appropriate size. They can be boiled or roasted. Next is the cabbage, which is washed, the outer leaves removed and then the leaves are pulled off and ripped away from the stem. They are boiled only. These are carrots, again a versatile vegetable, perhaps moreso than the potatoe, as they can also be eaten raw. They are peeled and chopped or sliced and can be boiled or roasted. She looked up at her teacher, who merely nodded and Jaki moved on, to the next one.

This is a tomato, which is actually a fruit but is usually used in savoury dishes. This kind of firm tomatoe can be roasted, but they are also often chopped small and put into soups and as the basis for sauces with other dishes

She continued on through the other vegetables, and finally her teacher nodded Good. You have the basis of how to prepare vegetables now. So now that you have the theory, show me.

Jaki nodded, and began to prepare the vegetables which she placed into two containers. One was for the soup that they were going to make and the others she placed on a baking sheet, for roasting. She cut and chopped carefully, feeling a growing sense of frustration as she found that she could not make the vegetables exactly the same shapes as each other. As she peeled the last potatoe, she slipped slightly and cut a slice across her thumb, causing the blood to flow just a little. She looked at it quite calmly and moved to pour water over it from a jug at the side of the sink. As she did so, Tania came over and looked at her washing her thumb, checking that it was alright. She nodded A valuable lesson. Always peel away from you, not towards you she said, stating a point that Jaki considered was rather unecessary, but then was worth making. So she continued on, washing, peeling and cutting each vegetable. When she was done, Tania nodded and smiled That's fine, a goodly amount indeed. Now then, lets get these in the stove, shall we?

Jaki nodded and set about the very meticulous job of cleaning up. By the time she finished doing that the vegetables were ready and Tania helped her get them out . Well, I suggest you keep them warm, they seem fine. I will be on my way. Tomorrow we will look at fruit and fruit salad. Now, we have not done the stew because that is your homework. I want you to follow the written instructions I have left you and tomorrow, I expect to have some stew at mid-brightening when I arrive. she smiled, picking up her basked and turning back to Jaki with a slight nod, then leaving.

Jaki looked at the piece of paper and sighed. This was likely to ruin her only good pot.