Cooking Classes

Published January 3, 2015

Pierogis- My Mother’s Polish Kitchen Class

I finally finished updating my schedule for cooking classes for this winter. If you are looking to take a class or two here is the information you need. We always have a good time and there is plenty to taste and recipes to take home. There are some daytime classes being offered at both the Mentor location and at The Wellness Center in Rocky River. These were very popular last fall so we decided to offer some again. Most classes are held in the evening.

2015 Schedule

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

I am happy to announce that there will be some daytime classes at both the Wellness Center and at Wildwood In Mentor.

Mentor

Mentor classes are held at Wildwood Center at 7645 Little Mountain Road. Unless otherwise noted all Mentor classes are held on Tuesdays. You can register online at CityofMentor.com/play or by phone at 440 974 5720 from Cleveland call 440 942 8796.

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.

Winter/Spring 2015

Evening Classes

Jan. 20: Chili: Chili is almost as American as apple pie. You can’t believe how many types there are. There are some with tons of meat and some with none. There is lentil chili and even white chili. In class you’ll get to sample several and take home the recipes for many more. Food Fee $9.00.

Jan. 27: Cooking with Bacon: There is almost no finer smell than that of bacon cooking. In this class you’ll learn how to add the flavor and crunch of bacon to all sorts of dishes. Recipes include Bacon Cornbread, Bacon Yorkshire Pudding, Bacon Buttermilk Waffles and many more. Bacon- it’s not just for Breakfast anymore. Plenty to taste in class and recipes for home. Food Fee $10.00

Feb. 3: 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

Feb. 10: Quick and Easy Meals: With busy lifestyles many of us just don’t have much time to cook. Still, all fast food does not have to come from a drive-thru window. In class you’ll learn how to make plenty of tasty, fast meals that the whole family will enjoy. In class you will also learn how to save time in many ways and how to freeze your own convenience foods. There will be samples to taste in class and recipes to take home. Food Fee $8.00

Feb. 24: 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.3: Citrus Cuisine: Winter is citrus season and it makes sense to take advantage of that fact. Well beyond making juice in class you will learn how to use a variety of citrus fruits in main dishes, side dishes, salads, desserts and more. You will get a chance to taste several dishes in class and will get a lot of recipes to take home. Food Fee $9.00.

Mar. 10: Hors d’oeuvres: 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

Mar. 24: Easter Baking: Baking is very much a part of our holiday traditions. Some breads are associated with springtime and Easter. In class you’ll taste breads and other baked treats from different cultures. You’ll get recipes from hot cross buns and Easter bunny rolls to Bird’s Nest Biscotti plus you’ll have the chance to do some hands on work. You’ll also get tips on how to bake better bread. Food Fee $8.00

Mar. 31: My Mother’s Polish Kitchen: You don’t have to be Polish to love Polish food! This class will be a sharing of recipes and cooking tips from the instructor’s Polish Mother. You’ll get recipes for all the traditional favorites from Kielbasa to Pierogis as well as recipes for soups, salads, main dishes and desserts. There will be several dishes for tasting so come hungry. Food Fee: $9.00

Apr. 7: Sushi for All: Sushi is fun to eat and is not hard to make, with a little practice. . In this class you’ll get a hands-on chance to roll your own using some typical and untypical ingredients. From the California Roll to Sweet and Sour Sushi (made with chicken!) you will get a chance to have some fun and see sushi in a whole new way. Food Fee: $10.00 Note: There is no raw fish served in this class.

Apr. 14: Power Lunches, Solutions for Brown Baggers: If you pack your lunch and are tired of the same old same old why not expand your horizons? Take lunch beyond the peanut butter and jelly to fun, easy and different ideas. From seasonal salads to make ahead and freeze dishes you will learn how to make lunchtime fun and still save money over eating out. You will learn how to make some convenience foods, too. There will be dishes to sample in class and recipes and ideas to take home. Food Fee $8.00.

Apr. 21: Gourmet Vegetarian: Cooking without meat does not mean your food has to be tasteless or boring. In fact you can create terrific gourmet meals and your guests will never miss the meat. In class you will learn how to make nutritious foods elegant, too. There will be plenty of foods to try in class and recipes to take home. Food Fee $8.00.

Apr. 28: 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

Daytime Classes (11am-1 pm)

Feb.11: 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.

March.11: Sugar-Less: If you are trying to eliminate or at least reduce the amount of refined sugar in your diet this class can show you how. We will discuss sugar alternatives from artificial sweeteners to fruit-based sweetening. While most of the recipes will involve desserts there will also be recipes for main dishes and side dishes, too. Food Fee $9.00

Apr. 22: One Pot Meals: You can create tasty meals for your family without creating chaos in your kitchen. This class is all about making meals that cook in one dish for easy preparation and easy clean up. From casseroles to soups you’ll get to sample a wide array of dishes and you’ll get plenty of time saving tips as well as recipes to take home. Food Fee $9.00.

Fairview Hospital Wellness Center

Located at 3035 Wooster Rd., in Rocky River, the Wellness Center is operated by Fairview Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic hospital. Unless otherwise noted classes here are on Mondays. For more information, or to register for classes, visit fairviewhospital.org/wellnesscenter or call 440-356-0670.

Evening Classes Winter 2015

Jan. 19: Cooking with Grains: Rich sources of fiber, vitamins and minerals grains have sustained the world for years. In class we’ll explore the array of grains out there and how to make them a part of our diets. From rice to millet, quinoa to teff you will get a chance to taste many dishes using these important foods. There will also be recipes to take home. Food Fee $9.00.

Jan. 26: 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

Feb. 2: 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.

Feb. 9: 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

Feb. 16: Gourmet Vegetarian: Cooking without meat does not mean your food has to be tasteless or boring. In fact you can create terrific gourmet meals and your guests will never miss the meat. In class you will learn how to make nutritious foods elegant, too. There will be plenty of foods to try in class and recipes to take home. Food Fee $8.00.

Feb. 23: One Pot Meals: You can create tasty meals for your family without creating chaos in your kitchen. This class is all about making meals that cook in one dish for easy preparation and easy clean up. From casseroles to soups you’ll get to sample a wide array of dishes and you’ll get plenty of time saving tips as well as recipes to take home. Food Fee $9.00.

Mar. 2: 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.

Mar. 9: Foods of Italy: A country of diverse regions, people and cuisine, Italy has long been the home of great cooking. From classics like polenta, risotto and tiaramisu to earthy country dishes this class will expose you the foods of Italy in all their many forms. There will of course be much sampling to do and recipes to help you bring a little bit of Italy home with you. Food Fee $9.00.

Mar. 23: My Mother’s Polish Kitchen: You don’t have to be Polish to love Polish food! This class will be a sharing of recipes and cooking tips from the instructor’s Polish Mother. You’ll get recipes for all the traditional favorites from Kielbasa to Pierogis as well as recipes for soups, salads, main dishes and desserts. There will be several dishes for tasting so come hungry. Food Fee: $9.00

Mar. 30: Easter Baking: Baking is very much a part of our holiday traditions. Some breads are associated with springtime and Easter. In class you’ll taste breads and other baked treats from different cultures. You’ll get recipes from hot cross buns and Easter bunny rolls to Bird’s Nest Biscotti plus you’ll have the chance to do some hands on work. You’ll also get tips on how to bake better bread. Food Fee $8.00

Apr. 13: 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

Apr. 20: Breakfast in Bed: Pamper the ones you love as well as yourself with picture perfect breakfast foods. Besides learning the basics of preparing eggs and omelets you will also learn how to make fun foods like chocolate waffles, peanut butter pancakes and even homemade granola. There will plenty to taste in class and recipes to take home. Food Fee $8.00

Apr. 27: 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.

Daytime Classes at The Wellness Center

All classes listed below are held from 11am-1 pm.

Jan. 29: More One- Pot Meals: One- pot meals can be casseroles, crock pot meals, stews, soups and skillet dinners. Most are easy to prepare and leave behind a minimum of dishes. They are also comfort foods everybody loves. In this follow-up class the instructor will share even more of her favorite one-pot dinners including both meat-based and vegetarian meals. There will also be hints on getting the most from a crock pot. Food Fee: $9.00.

Feb. 19: 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 $8.00

Mar. 19: 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

Apr. 16: Quick and Easy Meals: With busy lifestyles many of us just don’t have much time to cook. Still, all fast food does not have to come from a drive-thru window. In class you’ll learn how to make plenty of tasty, fast meals that the whole family will enjoy. In class you will also learn how to save time in many ways and how to freeze your own convenience foods. There will be samples to taste in class and recipes to take home. Food Fee $8.00

SELREC/ Adult

South Euclid/ Lyndhurst Recreation Department classes are held in the cooking room in Beachwood Middle School. To register for classes you can call 216 382 4300. You can also request a brochure for all SELREC classes when you call.

Winter 2015

Jan: 15: 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

Jan. 28: Chili: Chili is almost as American as apple pie. You can’t believe how many types there are. There are some with tons of meat and some with none. There is lentil chili and even white chili. In class you’ll get to sample several and take home the recipes for many more. Food Fee $9.00.

Feb. 11: Chowders and Stews: This class is all about the ultimate comfort foods. Learn how to make all kinds of warm, thick and creamy dishes for chilly nights You will get a chance to sample several dishes in class and will have plenty of recipes for home. You will also learn how to thicken chowders and stews without flour or cornstarch. Food Fee $9.00

Feb. 25: Brownies: From moist and chewy to cherry studded or kissed with mint you will get to sample a wide array of the classic chocolate treat. Blondies, fudge and even recipes using box mixes that have been tweaked to make them better. If you love brownies try this class for the recipes, the tasting and the smells! Food Fee $9.00

March 11: One Pot Meals: You can create tasty meals for your family without creating chaos in your kitchen. This class is all about making meals that cook in one dish for easy preparation and easy clean up. From casseroles to soups you’ll get to sample a wide array of dishes and you’ll get plenty of time saving tips as well as recipes to take home. Food Fee $9.00.

Mar. 25: More One- Pot Meals: One- pot meals can be casseroles, crock pot meals, stews, soups and skillet dinners. Most are easy to prepare and leave behind a minimum of dishes. They are also comfort foods everybody loves. In this follow-up class the instructor will share even more of her favorite one-pot dinners including both meat-based and vegetarian meals. There will also be hints on getting the most from a crock pot. Food Fee: $9.00.

Beachwood Recreation

Cooking classes for Beachwood Recreation are held at the Beachwood Middle School in the home ec room. The School is located on Richmond Road behind the library. You can register by calling 216 292 1970.

All classes listed in Selrec schedule can also be registered through Beachwood Rec.

Winter 2015

Concord

Students may enroll in classes directly at the Concord Community Center, at 7671 Auburn Road, Concord Township OH 44077. They can call to inquire about classes at 440-639-4650. They can register in person or send in registration to the above address. A registration form is available on our website at concordtwp.com, under Current Happenings/Township Newsletter. Or, in place of a registration form, they can just write a note stating their name, address, phone, the class they are enrolling in, dates, times and payment – and send it in with their check.

Winter/ Spring 2015

Feb. 19: Mardi Gras: This class is for anyone who has enjoyed the food of New Orleans or always wanted to. With a rich ethnic heritage New Orleans cooking is like no where else. From earthy Cajun dishes to classy Creole you’ll learn how to make everything from savory Gumbo to melt in your mouth pralines. Food Fee $9.00

Mar. 4: Gourmet Vegetarian: Cooking without meat does not mean your food has to be tasteless or boring. In fact you can create terrific gourmet meals and your guests will never miss the meat. In class you will learn how to make nutritious foods elegant, too. There will be plenty of foods to try in class and recipes to take home. Food Fee $8.00.

Mar. 18: 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

Apr. 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.

Apr. 23: Cinco Di Mayo: Mexican and Tex-Mex foods are really hot! Popular and spicy these are foods that always make the party. If you don’t know your ancho from your poblano its time to take the toro by the horns. Class will include a glossary of ingredients as well as sources. There will be plenty of food for tasting in class and recipes for home. Ole! Food Fee $9.00.

May 14: 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.

Posted in Cooking