Cooking   

As we go back to school and work, and the days get busier, it becomes more difficult to throw a delicious and nutritious meal on the table in a short amount of time. These recipes come together quickly and require minimal clean up.  We will make a stovetop chicken lasagna using a store-bought roast chicken; hearty sausage and eggplant pita sandwiches; a delicious curry pepper pork; and to top it all off, French onion rice that is always a crowd-pleaser. You will definitely want to add these dishes to your weekly rotation!

Let's roll up our sleeves and make some pasta! In this hands-on pasta-making class, we will be making fresh pasta dough using water and semolina flour.  Water-based pasta dough lends itself very well to various shapes, and we will learn how to shape the dough in order to make cavatelli, orecchiette and trofie.  In addition, we will prepare a simple sauce to dress the pasta.  Everyone will leave class with fresh pasta to make at home.

Are you overwhelmed at the thought of making a new meal every night? In this hands-on class, we will work with roasted chicken to learn how to make enough meals for the entire week. We will make chicken fried rice, chicken and broccolini quesadillas, chicken and quinoa bowls, shredded chicken tacos, and chicken soup. There will be substantial samples during the class, and possibly some leftovers to take home as well.

Join us for a holiday soirée in Wendy's kitchen. We will make delicious, festive appetizers perfect for a cocktail party or an intimate gathering, and just in time for the busy holiday season.  The menu includes savory bacon nuts, pesto bread using premade refrigerated pizza dough, a cheesy bread bowl, and to top it all off, a cheery cherry cheese ball that comes together in minutes and looks pretty on any holiday table. 

Raw fish might be its classic centerpiece, but did you know you can roll practically anything into a sushi roll? If it tastes good together, it will taste great wrapped up in sushi rice and nori. In this part-demonstration, part hands-on class, you will learn how to make the perfect pot of sushi rice, discuss and brainstorm myriad fillings for sushi rolls, including vegetarian options, seasonal produce, and even leftovers. You will practice the proper technique for rolling maki rolls, inside out rolls and hand rolls. No sushi mat required, but after this class, you will know how to use one! At the end of class, you'll enjoy your own creative sushi roll that you rolled yourself. Please note: there will be no raw fish in this class.

During this hands-on class, you'll learn techniques to make perfect, creamy, main-dish risotto, including saffron, mushroom and butternut squash.  We will discuss techniques for both pressure cooker and microwave risotto.  Then, we will turn the leftovers into arancini, cheese-stuffed rice balls that are breaded and then fried. There will be substantial samples during class, and possibly some leftovers to take home as well.

In Italian, there is a saying that translates to “Smile, smile, Mamma made the gnocchi!” You will be all smiles with sticky hands as you learn how to make gnocchi from scratch. In this part-demonstration, part hands-on class, you will learn about four different variations (sweet potato, pumpkin or squash, potato, broccoli stem) that open up endless possibilities for gnocchi. You will also understand the difference between gnocchi and pasta and practice proper handling of the dough for the ultimate pillowy texture. Chef Laura will also cook up a batch of sweet potato gnocchi with sage brown butter for tasting, demonstrating proper technique. You will make your own batch of dough, roll it and shape it into gnocchi to take home and cook yourself. 

Just in time for the gift-giving season, Wendy will teach you to make easy, delicious, homemade presents that can be given to family, friends, teachers, or anyone else on your holiday list.  You will make Irish cream liqueur poured into pretty bottles, cinnamon applesauce in reindeer-decorated mason jars, and a powdered cappuccino mix.  You will also decorate a pre-made, mini gingerbread house.  Each student will take home one of each of the creations, as well as the recipes and instructions to make everything at home.  Light snacks and refreshments will be served to put you in the holiday spirit.