Cooking like a champion: Try the K12 Cook-Off winner’s recipe!

Ever heard the famous saying by Hippocrates, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”? It’s a powerful reminder that what we eat can nourish us or harm us. With every ingredient we choose, we’re making a choice for our health.

Cooking with this in mind is easier than you might think! Take, for example, the delicious and nutritious “Salmon Serenade and Pea Pizzaz,” the winning recipe from this year’s K12 Cook-Off. This tasty dish was created by the talented Nadi, a 9th grade student from Insight School of Washington, who earned the 2024 K12 Cook-Off Champion title with her unique, health-focused recipe.

The K12 Cook-Off is a fun, annual student cooking competition for grades 6–12, where finalists showcase their skills and creativity in a live cooking event at the Kitchen of Purpose in Arlington, Virginia. Six student finalists competed in two rounds of intense culinary action, and Nadi’s winning recipe stood out to the panel of expert judges: Chefs Isabell Coss, David Ho, and Daniela Hurtado.

Let’s dive into Nadi’s prize-winning recipe! It’s simple enough for young chefs to make at home, and uses common ingredients packed with benefits for brain, heart, immune system, and vision health.

Meet Nadi, the K12 Cook-Off National Champion

Nadi’s winning recipe is more than a tasty dish; it’s a powerhouse of health benefits! She explains, “I chose this dish because of all the health benefits. The coconut on top of the salmon supports brain health, mashed potatoes are great for the heart, and kale boosts the immune system and eye health. The sprouts are antioxidant-rich, the salmon supports brain function, and the tomatoes help reduce inflammation. Plus, it looks amazing on the plate!”

It’s clear that Nadi loves creating delicious, healthy meals for her family, and her passion shines through this recipe.

Ready to cook? Here’s Nadi’s recipe for “Salmon Serenade and Pea Pizzaz”

Time to Cook: 2 hours
Cooking Equipment: Baking sheet, oven, potato peeler, pot, colander, spoon, masher

Ingredients:

• Salmon
• Butter
• Sour cream
• Peas
• Purple potatoes
• Fresh spinach
• Cherry tomatoes
• Coconut oil
• Olive oil
• Paprika
• Pepper
• Turmeric

Let’s get cooking!

Step 1:
Season the salmon with cayenne pepper, turmeric, and paprika, then drizzle coconut oil on top. Place on a baking sheet and set aside.

Step 2:
Wash and peel purple potatoes, cut them into quarters, and put them in a pot of water. Bring to a boil, then simmer until tender, about 10–15 minutes.

Step 3:
While the potatoes are cooking, place the salmon in the oven for 15–20 minutes. Wash the spinach, add a little olive oil to a small pan, and cook it until it darkens.

Step 4:
As the spinach cooks, wash the tomatoes, cut them in half, and cook in a small pan with olive oil until soft. When the spinach and tomatoes are done, set them aside.

Step 5:
Cook peas in a pot of water until tender. Drain the peas and blend with a little water until smooth, reaching a drizzle consistency.

Step 6:

Drain and mash the potatoes. Add butter and sour cream until creamy.

Plating Your Dish

Drizzle the pea sauce in a circle on the plate. Place two small piles of spinach on each side of the pea sauce circle. Add three tomatoes on one side and a scoop of mashed potatoes in the center, shaping as desired. Add a small pile of spinach on top of the mashed potatoes, then place the salmon on top. Finish by adding some fresh sprouts to garnish, and you’re ready to serve!

A Recipe for Success

Nadi’s “Salmon Serenade and Pea Pizzaz” shows us how cooking can be healthy and delicious! Her K12 Cook-Off victory is proof that anyone—whether a budding chef or an experienced home cook—can create dishes that taste amazing and support our health.

Feeling inspired? Head to K12 Cook-Off for more tasty recipes from student finalists in the 2024 K12 Cook-Off—and to learn how your student can enter the 2025 K12 National Cook-Off!