Join us on an educational adventure through each state in the USA! Each post in this series focuses on one state, and includes a regional recipe from that state. This is a fun way to get your kids involved in cooking, as well as learn a bit about United States geography! The post also includes a link to the featured state’s website, where you can learn more about the state. We also include free forms that you can download and print to use along the journey. Geography has never been so delicious!

Make sure to check back each week for the next post!

Did you know that Iowa’s most prominent crop is corn? On summer nights, Iowa farmers say you can hear the corn growing! During peak growing time, corn stalks can actually grow 3 to 5 inches a day.

This recipe uses the sweet corn from Iowa in a vegetable dish that kids can’t get enough of! This recipe has been in our family for generations – and it’s still an all-time favorite!

IOWA Cheesy Corn

What You Will Need:

• 1/3 cup All Purpose Flour


• 1 16 ounce can Cream-Style Corn


• 1 8 ounce package Cream Cheese, cubed


• 1/2 teaspoon Onion Salt


• 1 16 ounce can Whole Kernel Corn


• 1 cup Shredded Swiss Cheese


• Large Saucepan


• Oven-proof Glass Casserole Dish

What You Do:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  
• In a a large saucepan, stir the flour into the cream style corn.


• Add cream cheese and onion salt to the corn and flour mixture, stir well.


• Heat the mixture on low heat, stiring until the cheese melts, then remove from heat.


• Add the remaining ingredients to the saucepan and mix together well.


• Pour mixture into a casserole dish.


• Top with buttered breadcrumbs, if desired.


• Bake uncovered at 400 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes.

Iowa State Information – Click this link to learn more about Iowa attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more!

US Geography Journal Pages – Use these journal pages to create a geography journal as you collect information about each state.

Iowa Outline Map – Use this state map to label capitals, major rivers and lakes, and other areas of interest. Draw a star on the place you would most like to visit in this state!

United States Outline Map – Use this USA map to track your journey as you “eat your way across the USA”! Color in each state that you’ve tried one of recipes for.

• The United States Cook Book – Take a Tasty Tour of America’s 50 States, and learn a lot of United States geography along the way! (PLEASE NOTE: The recipe featured above is not included in this book.)


• US History Cook Book – Serve up a heaping lesson of history with delicious recipes from our nation’s past… from the pilgrims’ first feast to today’s high-tech, low-fat fare.


• Maps of the United States – This reproducible book contains geopolitical maps of each of the fifty states; political maps of the six regions; and political, physical, and thematic maps of the United States. You’ll also find fun facts, geography bee-type questions, and review pages.


• DK State-by-State Atlas – More than an atlas, this book shows and tells young geographers who, what, when, where, and why.


• The Geography Book – From finding directions by the stars, to mapping your neighborhood, to making an earthquake in a box, you’ll have a great time learning about the world with The Geography Book.


• Professor Noggins USA Geography Game – From rural farming communities to urban cities, from snow-capped mountains to tropical islands, this game covers both the natural and political geography of the United States. Learn about the states, cities, and natural geographical wonders that make this country such an interesting place to visit.


• State by State Card Game – Learning about United States geography is made fun and memorable with this unique deck of cards!


• GeoPuzzle USA Puzzle – GeoPuzzles provide a hands-on approach to learning geography.

Make sure to check back next week for the next state in this series!

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