My mom used to sing that to me for some reason when I was a kid. I do love to cook but I've always loved to get inspired by what others cook. When we come back from vacations, I like to try to recreate some of our favorite dishes and if I'm able to, make them healthier. I've also liked the idea of taking a cooking class.
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| (via Sur La Table.com) |
I always see a calendar if we happen to be at a Sur La Table but I'm too cheap to pay $150 (give or take) for the two of us to go. I'm trying to talk myself into it some time but looking for the right class.
Here are some that look fun. (All class descriptions from Sur La Table's website)
Date Night: Summer in Nantucket
Menu: Crab Cakes with Old Bay Aioli - New England Lemon-Shallot Crusted Cod - Summer House Salad - Crustless Blueberry Pie
Class Description: Try a new twist on date night—join us for this fun, hands-on class featuring incredible flavors from the New England island of Nantucket. Our instructor will walk you through the steps for creating traditional seafood favorites, including techniques for breading fish and pan frying crab cakes. You’ll love working alongside your date and other couples honing knife skills as you create a classic summer salad. Plus, we’ll show you how to make aioli from scratch and satisfy your sweet tooth with a fruity dessert.
(I think that would totally remind me of our trip to New England!)
French Macaron Workshop
Menu: Green Tea Macaron with Chocolate Ganache - Lemon Macarons with Poppy Seed Buttercream
Class Description: Talk about love at first bite! From the moment a macaron's crisp meringue crunch gives way to a smooth, delectable filling, you may forget all other cookies exist. These colorful French confections can be tricky to make, but after you master techniques form meringue making to macaronage, you'll love creating your own macarons at home. Our instructor will share secrets for incorporating food colors, piping with precision and even achieving the perfect pied (foot). We'll celebrate summer by creating a delightfully fruity macaron with buttercream filling along with a fancy take on a traditional campfire favorite. When you present these scrumptious and spectacular treats to friends and family, they're sure to say "Ooh la la!"
(I have always wanted to learn how to make them but have been intimidated by getting the foot correct and all of that fun stuff.)
Croissant Workshop
Menu: Croissant Dough - Classic Croissant - Parisian Ham and Cheese Croissants - Morning Buns (Croissant Dough Rolled with Cinnamon and Sugar)
Class Description: Who can resist a flaky, buttery fresh-baked croissant? Not us, that's for sure! Join us for this 3-hour intensive workshop and learn the surprisingly simple techniques for making the quintessential French treat. Our instructor will walk you through all the steps—from mixing the dough and preparing the butter block to the turning and folding process. You'll enjoy working alongside classmates learning to shape dough and crafting three varieties of croissants, including classic, sweet and savory.
(Just ONCE in my life I'd love to bake something that beautiful!)
Homemade Ravioli Workshop
Menu: Basic Pasta Dough - Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli with Tomato-Pancetta Sauce - Gorgonzola Ravioli with Wild Mushroom Cream Sauce
Class Description: If you love fresh ravioli but think you could never make it yourself, this class will change your mind. Our instructor demystifies the process, sharing secrets for making perfect pasta dough every time. We’ll walk you step by step through ravioli making—from rolling and cutting dough to filling and cooking ravioli. You’ll enjoy working alongside other students learning to transform seasonal ingredients into some of the best fillings you’ve ever tasted. Plus, we’ll show you how to prepare two amazing sauces to complement your homemade ravioli.
(Ever since having the amazing pimiento cheese ravioli at Poogan's Porch in Charleston, I've wanted to learn how to make ravioli from scratch.)
I'll have to bite the bullet sometime and actually book a class for the Mr and I when the schedule allows. We see their date nights set up and it looks fun and the store always smells amazing after they're done. Plus I think you get a 10% off coupon to spend that night should you be inspired to take home that skillet you used in class. LOL
Have you ever taken a cooking class? What cuisine would you like to learn to make?
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I'm game for any of those so go ahead and book one if you want to. I'll especially look forward to getting to eat what we make after class is over so it will be very enjoyable for me!
ReplyDeleteMy mom signed my sister and I up for a kids cooking class long ago. The two things I remember making were pizza (we made the crust and the pizza sauce from scratch) and a pavlova. I enjoyed it thoroughly and still use the pizza crust recipe that she taught us.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I have not taken a cooking class as an adult, but I've also wanted to. I took a freezer cooking class, but I'm not sure that counts.
I think it would be fun to sign up for one where I live but it would also be fun to schedule one while vacationing.
I took cooking classes a hundred years ago when I first moved out and had to make my own meals. I would love to take another now that I've been around the block a time or two. I think the Date Night: Summer in Nantucket sounds scrumptious! Do it!!!
ReplyDeleteI have not taken a cooking class but have looked at some in the college catalog we get a few times a year. I used to say that I'd love to take an Italian cooking class (mostly to learn how to make a really good spaghetti sauce), but nowadays I think I'll like a class that isn't a specific cuisine, but more how to cook meat. I'd love to learn all the different ways to cook beef, chicken, and pork,anywhere from the grill to the oven to the stovetop. Along with different ways to prep and season. I tend to get stuck in the same rut, so learning new ways would be uber cool. My grandmother used to make these amazing roasts on the stove, but with mean being so much leaner than in her day, that's not as feasible. Or maybe it is, and that's what I'd like to learn.
ReplyDeleteMy Mr. and I went to a sushi-making class last year and it was a hoot! We learned the basics of making sushi as well as how to make several of the topping sauces (eel sauce, sriracha mayo, etc.) We actually still use the skills that we learned in that class - sushi is now in our regular meal rotation. It's perfect for the summer when it is too freaking hot to cook - we just fire up the rice cooker and prep the veggies and meat (usually shrimp or crab.)
ReplyDeleteCheck Groupon or Living Social for discounts on cooking classes - they may not be Sur La Table classes, but often local restaurants will offer "date night" packages that include the cooking class + alcohol or other treats. Our class included all of the food we made, an appetizer (edamame), lots of Sake (got us properly liquored up before we started cooking!) and we got to keep some of the cooking tools from the class (the bamboo mats, etc.)
Completely unrelated...
ReplyDeleteI remember you posting about blue light somewhat recently. Do you remember when so I can re-read it?? Sorry for being needy and thank you in advance =]
Hmm, the only thing I can find on blue light is this post in the last 2-3 sentences: http://successalongtheweigh.blogspot.com/2016/02/yawn.html
DeleteThat's what I was looking for! Thank you =]
DeleteI took a diabetes cooking class a few years ago. It was through the county extension office and funded with a grant from some diabetes advocacy group. It was a series of Mondays, a lesson and a recipe each week. The food wasn't fancy, but I learned a lot and got a great but simple cookbook out of the deal. I'd use those recipes often, but many of them rely heavily on bell peppers and onion and the boy won't touch either.
ReplyDeleteThose cooking classes sound like a lot of fun, but it does seem expensive for one night, but croissants, macarons, ravioli - yum. I'm sure it would be worth it.