Learn to feel comfortable cooking, whether for yourself, your family, or a table full of friends. With close guidance you’ll develop key cooking techniques that will enable you to confidently make many more dishes from the recipes you leave class with.
BUILDING BASICS
Hone your skills in specific areas, so they are great whether you’re a beginner, or just want to refresh your knowledge.
KNIFE SKILLS
BREAD
The fundamentals of both yeasted and quick breads.
The nature of yeast – start a starter
Focaccia/flat breads
Seeded Baguette
Irish Soda Bread
THE SPICE ROUTE
Tips on using herbs, spices and marinades. You will learn to put together a range of spices so you’re ready on a whim to make anything you like! Start with the basics, as if you just moved into your first pad. Then we’ll add
U.S. Regional
Mexican
Italian
Thai
Indian
etc.
WINE, BEVERAGES
COMPONENTS OF WINE
Deconstructs the scents in your wine glass. It is great fun and one of the most popular courses.
The better you can describe what you like, the easier it is to get what you’d like in a restaurant or wine shop.
MAKING GREAT COCKTAILS
In these days of amazing cocktails, both classic and innovative, there are a few tricks to know so yours are always well-balanced and tasty.
Bitters, simple syrups, liquor combinations, etc.
FOCUS
Based on a single food (say, shrimp), region, or ethnicity. Perhaps we will celebrate the foods of a special day or event. Some examples:
SOUTHWEST
Piñon Fideo (Noodles) in Broth
Ancho Chile Glazed Chicken
Orange/Achiote Pork Tacos
Posole
Mexican Cole Slaw
Bizcochitos (Anise seed cookies)
CIAO, CAESAR!
AN ITALIAN MENU
Porcini Focaccia
Insalata Mista with Roman Spring Vinaigrette
Gambero Rosso (Red Shrimp) on Herbed Orzo
Pork Chops with Fennel
Raspberry Tiramisú
Cioccolato “Salami” with Orange Sorbetto
POULTRY
Chicken Paillards on Herbed Waffles with Lime Butter
Perfect Roast Chicken
Game Hens with Coconut-Cilantro Sauce
Quail with Grilled Polenta
Chicken Liver Mousse
TERRIFIC THAI
Fragrant Chicken Soup
Beef Salad w/Green Papaya
Yellow Curry
Coconut Cream Pie
NATIONAL CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL DAY
Soft Vanilla Caramels
Cho-mato Bruschetta
Chocolate-flecked chèvre under blistered, sweet-spiced cherry tomatoes
Caramel-Marinated New Yorks
Caramel Cake with Chocolate Drizzle
SUPER SIDES & STARTERS
Spinach Dip with Chipotle & Lime
LomiLomi Salmon Cups
Radish Pesto Crostini
Oven-Crisped Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Vegetable Bread Pudding
Quinoa Pilaf
Asparagus with Chèvre and Fleur de Sel