2021  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.

March 2:  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

March 9: Vegetarian Cooking: Watching your cholesterol? Looking for an alternative to meat and potatoes? In this class you will learn the basics of eating meatless meals including ‘protein pairing’ and how to make food the family will enjoy, too. Whether you are already a vegetarian or just want a change of pace this class will give you a lot of information and plenty of good food. There will recipes to take home and samples to taste in class. Food Fee $8.00.

March 16: Scones and Muffins: The smell of fresh baked scones or muffins is a great way to start any day. In class you’ll learn how to make scones, muffins, quick breads and biscuits. From choosing the right flour to mixing the right way you’ll learn how to make fast and easy home-baked treats. Lots of food to taste in class and recipes for home. Food fee $8.00

March 30: Marvelous Mushrooms: Mushrooms are available in a wide array these days and are very versatile. If you are unsure how to maximize them in cooking this class is for you. Learn how to cook with all sorts of mushrooms and get a chance to taste several dishes that focus on using them. You will also get recipes for home. Food Fee $8.00.

April 6: Salads: 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.

April 13:  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

April 20: Onions and Garlic: While these aromatic foods are a staple in most cuisines some people are hesitant to use them. Both onions and garlic are more than just tasty, they are good for you. In class you will learn how to roast, grill, caramelize and much more. Plenty to taste in class and to recipes to take home, too. Food Fee $8.00

April 27: 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.

May 4: Chicken: If you are eating more chicken, but enjoying it less you may just need some new preparation ideas. In class you’ll learn about the types of chicken on the market and how to cook it to juicy perfection. Pacific Rim Stir-Fry, Lemon Chicken and Chicken Marsala are just a few of the recipes you’ll get in class along with samples for tasting. Many recipes for home, too. Food Fee $10.00.

May 11: Picnic: The classic summertime feast will be planned and enjoyed in this class. From a family reunion to an intimate meal for two you will learn how to have perfect picnics every time. From classic dishes to fun new ideas you will get plenty of samples to take in class and recipes to take home. There will also be information on food safety. Food Fee: $8.00.

May 18: 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 25: Strawberries and Blueberries: These fruits are the ultimate taste of summer. In class, you get to try several recipes using these berries. You will have even more recipes to take home. Muffins, shortcakes, salads and more. Information on freezing them, too.  Food Fee: $9.00

June 8: 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.

June 15: 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.

June 22: Liqueurs: Learn about the history of liqueurs and how their combination of fruit, herbs and spices can enhance your cooking. Sample recipes that, through the addition of liqueurs, go from ordinary to extraordinary. You’ll learn how to make your own liqueurs and how to use them in cooking. You will also get recipes to take home. No one under 21 is permitted to take this class. Food Fee: $10.00

June 29: 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

Aug. 10: Canning 101: This class will give you the information you need to get the most out of your garden and summer produce specials. From canning basics to freezing you’ll learn how to safely store many fruits and vegetables. You’ll also get recipes using fresh, frozen and canned produce. Learn how to make super salsa and pie fillings and much more. There will be plenty to sample in class and recipes for home. Food Fee $8.00

Aug. 17: 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

Aug. 24 :Root Vegetables: Tasty, but often overlooked, root vegetables are versatile and fun to cook with. From beets to rutabagas we will explore how to use root vegetables in all kinds of fun ways. Recipes will include roasted beets, parsnip cake, carrot pasta sauce and a whole lot more. Lots to sample in class and recipes for home. Food Fee $9.00

Sep14: 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 a cooking demo and plenty of food to taste and recipes to take home. Instructor’s cookbook will also be available. Food Fee $8.00.

Sep. 21: Cheesecakes: America’s favorite dessert. At least by some accounts. In class you’ll learn how to make perfect cheesecake every time. There will sample to enjoy in class and plenty of recipes to take home including cheesecake from the Russian Tearoom, Frozen Mocha Cheesecake and even a reduced fat recipe. Food Fee $9.00.

Sep. 28: Apples and Pears: While available throughout the year these tasty fruits are certainly at there best in autumn. They are very versatile and can be used in desserts, baked goods and even in main dishes. In class you’ll learn about many of the varieties on the market and about many ways to use them. There will also be a section on freezing for later use. Plenty to sample in class and recipes for home. Food Fee $8.00

Oct. 5: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

Oct. 12: Cooking With Tortillas: If the only time you eat a tortilla is at a Mexican restaurant be prepared to be pleasantly surprised. The flour and corn tortillas in the dairy counter at your grocery store can be used for everything from appetizers to breakfast, sandwiches to desserts. You’ll learn how to make Mexican and non-Mexican dishes including a baked egg roll! Tortillas are easy to use and can make cooking easier. Recipes to take home and plenty of samples to taste in class. Food Fee $9.00

Oct. 19: Soups of the World: Soup seems to be the universal comfort food. From hearty to light, piping hot to icy cold soup recipes are as different as the places they come from. This class will explore many cultural soup traditions. From Eastern Asia to Eastern Europe, South America to West Africa you will get a chance to sample soup from all over the globe. Recipes will also be provided. Food Fee $9.00   

Oct. 26: Bread Baking: Nothing beats the aroma of fresh baked bread. In this class you’ll learn how to bake a perfect loaf of bread every time. There will be a demonstration of braiding bread and shaping dinner rolls. You’ll also see a loaf of yeast bread that can be made in one hour! Plenty to taste in class and recipes to take home. Food Fee $8.00.

Nov 2: Coffeehouse Treats: We all love to eat them and we all pay outrageous prices for them. Why not learn how to make some of these tasty treats at home? From bear claws to biscotti, coffeecakes and much more you will earn how to make them all. You will get plenty of recipes and a lot of samples in class. Food Fee $9.00    

Nov. 9: Classic Appetizers : Good appetizers can set the mood for the whole evening. They can be fast and easy or quite complex. In this class they will be generally easy to make. Recipes include Crab Mousse, Brie with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Pesto, Rueben Dip and more. You’ll also get party planning tips and plenty of samples to taste in class. There will also be recipes to take home. Food Fee $9.00

Nov. 16: Turkey 101: If making Thanksgiving dinner makes you nervous this could be the class for you. From making a timeline and cooking the perfect turkey to mouth-watering side dishes and desserts you will be taught how to make a dinner that would make a pilgrim proud. There will be plenty to taste and take home (come hungry) and recipes for all the dishes. Food Fee: $10.00

Nov. 30: Holiday Baking: Create that home for the holiday feeling by learning how to bake some traditional favorites. You’ll also learn how to bake some less-traditional foods, too. There will be several treats to sample in class including tree-shaped sweet rolls and cheese puffs. Use of these goodies as gifts will also be discussed. Many recipes to take home. Food Fee $9.00

Dec. 7: Cookies, Cookies, Cookies: What could be friendlier than a plate of fresh baked cookies? In class you’ll get hands-on experience making both traditional and innovative cookies including Holiday Fans, Ginger Cookies, Snow People and many more. Bring an apron and baking sheet and be prepared to have a sweet time. There will be cookies to take home and recipes, too. Food Fee $9.00

 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.

Fall 2021

Sep. 16: Comfort Soups: Soups are foods that bring back memories of childhood and warming up on a chilly day. In class you’ll learn how to make soups for everyday and soups for special occasions. Recipes will include Mesclun Soup, Lentil Soup, Potato and Leek Soup, Polish Mushroom Soup and Sweet and Sour Duck Soup among others. There will be plenty to sample in class so come hungry. Food Fee $9.00.

Oct 21: Onions and Garlic: While these aromatic foods are a staple in most cuisines some people are hesitant to use them. Both onions and garlic are more than just tasty, they are good for you. In class you will learn how to roast, grill, caramelize and much more. Plenty to taste in class and to recipes to take home, too. Food Fee $8.00

Nov. 18: Gifts From the Kitchen: Homemade gifts are always appreciated. They are also more personal than store bought gifts. In class you’ll get lots and lots of ideas on easy homemade gifts from food. You will also work on a hands-on project and will have samples to taste in class. Lots of recipes to take home. Materials Fee $9.00 

Dec. 16: Holiday Baking: Create that home for the holiday feeling by learning how to bake some traditional favorites. You’ll also learn how to bake some less-traditional foods, too. There will be several treats to sample in class including tree-shaped sweet rolls and cheese puffs. Use of these goodies as gifts will also be discussed. Many recipes to take home. Food Fee $9.00

University of Mount Union

New classes coming in 2022

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