Blog

Learn to cook in the new year

Did you make a resolution to yourself to learn to cook, or to sharpen your cooking skills?  Let Nina help you!  The Learning Center offers a variety of cooking demonstrations and hands-on classes all year long.

Here are just a few of the classes being offered in January to kick off the year.

Exotic Curry: Spice It Up, Thursday January 6, 5:30-7:30pm Mid winter got you feeling a little lackluster in the dinner department? Well, we’ve got a class to spice things up and inspire all your senses! This class is both educational and instructional–you’ll learn a bit about the spice trade, its history and the influence of flavor on cultural cuisine. We’ll discuss the regional differences in curry, preparation techniques and serving basics. Together, we’ll be making a Red Curry Paste from whole spices and aromatics, Thai Chicken Panang Curry, Yellow Curry Aloo Gobi, and traditional Sweet and Hot Apple Chutney. Once the curries are finished, it’s time for an after-class feast!

This hands-on class costs $45. Click here to register.

Couples’ Cooking: Vegetarian Dinner for Two, Please! Friday, January 7, 5:30-8:00pm This class, a Vegetarian Couples Cooking Class, is a fresh, fun way for you to connect with that special someone while learning how to prepare a delicious, vegetarian feast. Chef-Couple, Nina Lesser- Goldsmith and her husband, Zach Minot, will show you how to work as a dynamic duo in the kitchen while boosting your vegetarian recipe repertoire.  The menu includes: Caramelized Onion, Zucchini and Parmesan Terrine; Roasted Root Vegetable and Goat Cheese Galette; Green Salad with Farro, Cherries, Walnuts and Pomegranate Vinaigrette; and Indian Pudding.

This class costs $75/couple and is hands-on!  Click here to register.

Pintxos: A Spanish Tapas Eating Bonanza, Friday, January 14, 5:30-7:30pm This exciting class is inspired by Nina Lesser-Goldsmith’s recent trip to Spain, where she found a love of Pintxos, or Spanish Tapas native to the Basque region. She will delight you with stories of cultural and culinary tradition as well as recipes for a variety of authentic Pintxos. Pintxos literally means “toothpick” and these Tapas were traditionally served at bars, on toothpicks, between 5-9:30 PM (before the late meals) in what she calls a Basque-style eating bonanza. She’ll also discuss other ingredients native to the Basque region, including an effervescent wine called Txakolina. If you’d like some Spanish flavor in your life, join Nina for this truly unique cooking class!

This demonstration class costs $20.  Click here to register.

Sauce is Boss: Learn the Secrets of a Saucier, Friday, January 21, 5:30-8:00pm Making a fine sauce is an art In this class, you will learn the secrets that go into making the perfect sauce. We will discuss the importance of stock, types of stock and techniques for making them deeply flavorful, perfectly clear and just the right consistency. We will cover thickening, serving and uses on the plate. In addition, we’ll go over the five “French Mother Sauces,” and make a few in class! Be prepared to wow some taste buds and answer the question: “What’s in this sauce?”  Sauces will include a classic Red Wine Reduction, Hollandaise Sauce, Bechamel Sauce (and Mornay), and a Roasted Tomato Buerre Blanc.

This hands-on class costs $45.  Click here to register.