2020  Schedule

My classes are held in a number of different venues. It is important to register early so you won’t be shut out. Most classes are demonstrations with plenty of food for tasting and recipes to take home. Some are hands-on. Registration fees vary from one location to the next. Food fees are payable to me the night of the class. Unless otherwise noted, all evening classes are from 7-9 pm. Please bring containers along so you can take leftovers home with you.

Mentor

Mentor classes are held at Wildwood Cultural Center at 7645 Little Mountain Road. Unless otherwise noted all Mentor classes are held on Tuesdays. You can register online at CityofMentor/play or by phone at 440 974 5720 or 440 974 5735.

Classes in Mentor sell out quickly. Please be sure to ask to go on the waiting list if the class you want to attend is full. We do get openings and if there are enough people on the waiting list we can always schedule an additional session. Cost to residents is $14, non-resident fee is $17. That does not include the food fee paid to me the night of the class. Unless noted- all evening Mentor classes are on Tuesdays.

Jan. 21:  Taste Of Asia: In this class you’ll get an introduction to Asian cooking from appetizers to desserts and everything in between. You’ll get to try several dishes in class and will get recipes to take home. Besides cooking techniques there will be a discussion of various Asian ingredients and where to find them. Food Fee $8.00

Jan. 28: Soup’s On: What could be nicer than a simmering pot of homemade soup? In this class you’ll learn how to make wonderful soups staring with how to make stock from scratch. You’ll get to taste Tomato Bisque and Cabbage Soup along with Bean and Barley. There will plenty of recipes to take home, too. Food Fee $9.00

Feb. 4: Winter Salads: When the weather is cold outside the idea of a salad might not be the first idea that pops into your mind. Winter salads can be a way to beat those wintertime blues. Full of greens, citrus and some unexpected ingredients, these salads are a great first course. Some are a meal in themselves. You’ll get a chance to sample several salads in class and there are plenty of recipes to take home. Food Fee $9.00.

Feb. 11: For Chocolate Lover’s Only: For many people consuming chocolate is one of life’s great joys. Cooking with chocolate can be enjoyable, too. From the basics of handling and working with chocolate to baked treats this class will give you plenty of ways to indulge. You will get a chance to taste plenty of chocolate treats and will have recipes to take home. Food Fee: $9.00

Feb. 18: Eat Better for Less: In today’s economic environment every penny counts. Food prices are making it harder to feed your family on a budget. This class will focus on strategies for eating good food and saving money, too. Seasonal shopping, food storage, preservation and where to shop are among the topics. There will recipes to sample in class and many recipes for home. Food Fee $8.00

Feb. 25: Seafood Made Easy: Do you enjoy seafood when dining out but face disappointment when preparing it at home? If you know a few basics cooking seafood need not be difficult. From Salmon Quiche to Creole Jambalaya you will get a chance to taste several seafood dishes and learn how to make it right every time. Recipes will be handed out to take home. Food Fee $10.00.

Mar. 3: Spring Holiday Baking: This is a class to celebrate the holidays of Spring. Easter, St. Patrick’s Day, Passover, Cinco de Mayo and even recipes to welcome the coming of Spring itself!!!  Breads, scones, desserts and more. Some traditional recipes, and some recipes that might just become classics in your house. Food Fee $9.00

Mar. 10: 5 or Fewer: If you are tired of recipes with long ingredient lists try this class. All the recipes use 5 or fewer ingredients. Mostly main dishes and sides there are also some delectable desserts. Learn to make dinner simply, often using items you can have on hand and by using some convenience foods. Food Fee $9.00.

Mar. 24: Morocco and North Africa: Treat yourself to something a little different in this class. You’ll learn how to make rich savory dishes with spices that will be certain to expand your cooking skills. Both the meat-based and vegetarian dishes of this part of the world will delight you with both their flavor and simplicity. There will be several dishes to try in class and many recipes to take home. Food Fee $9.00.

Mar. 31: Mediterranean: With a beautiful climate and access to the sea the foods of the Mediterranean will awake your senses. From the Grecian Isles to foods of the Middle East you will get a chance to try some tasty, simple dishes that you can easily duplicate at home. Plenty of recipes for home, too. Food Fee: $9.00.

Apr. 7: Go Green, Cooking with Leafy Green Vegetables:  We know we should eat them but many of us just aren’t sure what to do with leafy green vegetables. This class will give plenty of tasty recipes using all sorts of greens. From delicate salad greens to the hearty winter greens you will learn how to prepare them all. Collards, beet greens, kale, broccoli rabe, spinach, chard, dandelion greens and many more. There will recipes to sample in class and recipes for home. Food Fee: $8.00

Apr. 14: Pierogi Making:  If you want to learn to make your own pierogi- this is the class!! They take a little time, but aren’t hard to make at all. Pierogi, filled dumplings, are a traditional Polish dish.They are often filled with potatoes, but they can be filled with any number of ingredients. In class you will get hands-on experience making your own pierogi. Various fillings will be available. Food Fee $9.00 * this class is already full, but we have scheduled a second one on Wed. April 29th.

Apr. 21: Cupcakes: Get in on the hottest trend in baking. Cupcakes are loved by young and old and can be the right dessert for casual and formal events alike. In class you will get recipes for a variety of cupcakes and frostings including chocolate mint, very vanilla, lemon, strawberry, pumpkin and many more. This will be a hands-on class with a chance to bake and decorate cupcakes. Food Fee $8.00.

Apr. 28: Cooking with Maple Syrup: This natural sweetener provides both sweetness and unique flavor to everything. From desserts to salads to main dishes. Learn how to cook with maple syrup in ways you never thought of before. It’s more than just a topping for pancakes. Plenty to sample in class and recipes for home.  Food Fee $9.00.

May 5: Sunday Brunch: Whether it’s for a few friends or the whole neighborhood, brunches can be a fun way to entertain. Brunch enchiladas, easy Danish and stuffed French toast are just a few of the recipes you will receive in class. You will get plenty to try in class and recipes to take home. Food Fee $9.00.

May 12: Tea Time: Serving tea in an English tradition that is gaining popularity here. Learn how to make proper tea and how to make all the tasty treats that are part of a proper tea party.  From scones to lemon cake and cucumber sandwiches to crumpets you will get a chance to taste several tea party foods and you will receive plenty of recipes to take home. Food Fee $9.00

May 26: Jams and Jelly: Making homemade jams and jellies can be very rewarding and fun, too. You’ll learn the basics of jams, jellies, preserves, conserves and marmalades. There will be food to sample in class and everyone will have a jar of preserves to take home. Recipes included. Food Fee $9.00.

Jun. 2: Cool Summer Dining: Summer is a time of year when we like to entertain family and friends at picnics, parties and cookouts, but still want time to relax. You can do both. In class you’ll get plenty of recipes and tips for preparing meals requiring little or no cooking that still taste great. You might even have time for the beach. Food Fee $8.00.

Jun. 9: Salad: Salads can be side dishes or main dishes and nothing quite matches a properly tossed salad. Still, salads can be so much more than lettuce. In class you’ll learn how to make salads of all types and you’ll learn how to make salad dressings, too. There will be plenty to taste in class and recipes to take home. Food Fee $8.00.

Aug. 25: Totally Terrific Tomatoes: They are powerhouses of nutrition and very versatile. Fresh, cooked or dried they can be used in salads, sauces, soups and more. In class we will learn how to make the most of this tasty food. You will also learn how to preserve fresh tomatoes by dehydrating, freezing and canning. Plenty to sample in class and recipes for home. Food Fee $8.00

 Independence

Classes in Independence are held at the High School. To register you can go online at www.IndependenceOhio.org or call the front desk at 216-524-7373 and they can register you and give you information directions to the room.

Jan. 23:Wok This Way: Stir-frying can be a fun and fast way to prep dinner. With wok cooking vegetables are still crisp and colorful and you haven’t spent the whole evening in the kitchen. It also does not need to be only Asian-style dishes. In class you’ll learn to cook like a pro with a wok in dishes from all over the world. There will be plenty to taste in class and recipes for home. Food Fee: $9.00

Feb.20: Soup’s On: What could be nicer than a simmering pot of homemade soup? In this class you’ll learn how to make wonderful soups staring with how to make stock from scratch. You’ll get to taste Tomato Bisque and Cabbage Soup along with Bean and Barley. There will plenty of recipes to take home, too. Food Fee $9.00

Mar.26: Focaccia, Bruschetta & Bread Sticks  Simple Italian Breads: Tell your family you’re serving Focaccia Bread or Bruschetta or and they may look at you funny.  But watch their faces change once they take their first bite!  Learn how to prepare Focaccia, a dimpled, Italian flat bread that is a “cousin” to pizza, Bruschetta, a classic Italian appetizer, and Bread Sticks that will compliment any Italian meal. Recipes include Herbed Focaccia and Fennel Breadsticks. There will plenty to taste in class and recipes for home. Food Fee $8.00.

Apr. 30: Sunday Brunch: Whether it’s for a few friends or the whole neighborhood, brunches can be a fun way to entertain. Brunch enchiladas, easy Danish and stuffed French toast are just a few of the recipes you will receive in class. You will get plenty to try in class and recipes to take home. Food Fee $9.00.

May 21: Cooking with Herbs: Cooking with herbs (and spices) can enhance even the simplest of foods. It can also be a way to reduce the use of salt in cooking. In this class you’ll learn the basics of cooking with herbs, both fresh and dried. Buying, preserving and storing herbs will be discussed as well as extending their shelf life. There will be plenty of food to taste and recipes to take home. Instructor’s cookbook will also be available. Food Fee $8.00.

University of Mount Union

New classes coming in 2020

Registration information

The John T. Huston-Dr. John D. Brumbaugh Nature Center
of the University of Mount Union
Mailing address – 1972 Clark Ave., Alliance, OH  44601
Location address – 16146 Daniel St. NE, Minerva, OH  44657
330-823-7487

twaddlb@mountunion.edu
For more information about our facility visit www.mountunion.edu/nature-center
Find us on Facebook @ HustonBrumbaughNatureCenter