RECREATIONAL

ARE YOU ARE A BEGINNER? YOU CAN COOK!
Let Chef Eric show you how.
***Great for Newlyweds, Couples, Students, Young Adults***
***(and anyone who never learned to cook)***

“The Classroom is a warm environment to learn the basics of cooking. The staff is friendly and supportive and took away my fears of cooking..”
Alia Ascha, Culinary Basics’ Graduate

4-WEEK CULINARY BASICS COOKING SERIES - $350

• Classes are designed for the novice cook with little or no culinary experience
• Meets once weekly - 2 1/2hours - 4 weeks
• Easy-to-prepare Meals and Basic Cooking Techniques - Roasting, Sautéing, Grilling, Baking
• Preparation is key as steps are done in advance to save time
• Many ingredients can be purchased ready-to-cook for ease in the kitchen
• Knife Skills Instruction and Practice  
Due to the popular nature of this series, we cannot allow any class make ups – we are sorry. 

Class #1 - Basic knife skills and meal preparation.  Learn how to Chop, Slice, Julienne and Dice vegetables quickly and efficiently. Explore the more complicated Brunoise, Paysanne, Batonnet and Tourne knife cuts to get more confident and create variety for your dishes. Learn many cooking techniques for easily-prepared meals with chicken and beef: Risotto-Style Orzo Pasta with Parmesan Cheese, Latin-Style Strip Loin Steak with Chayote Squash flavored with Oregano and Lime, flavorful Ajieco Stew (Chicken, Potato and Corn Stew), and Spiced Peruvian Chickpea Cakes ease us into cooking with these delicious recipes.  

Class #2 – This class shows students how quickly and easily International Meals can be prepared from start to finish using organizational techniques, knife skills, and cooking techniques learned during the previous class. Pan-Seared Chicken with Fresh Tomato-Herb Sauce, Lemon Orzo Pasta with Kalamata Olives, Asian Five-Spice Chicken Skewers with Spicy Peanut Sauce and Thai-Style Rice Noodles, Grilled and Spiced Carne Asada with home made Guacamole Sauce, Sour Cream, Olives and Tortillas, Mom’s Mouthwatering Meatloaf with Mashed Carrots and Potatoes, and Flavorful Chicken and Chile Stew with Pilaf-Style Rice – these recipes will quickly become favorites and will impress your friends with your cooking style. 

Class #3 – Hearty Potatoes and Light Home Made Pastas and Sauces are added to the menu with delicious accompanying Sauces: Fresh Home Made Pasta with House-Dried Herbs and Bolognese-Style Spaghetti Sauce, Traditional Herb and Cheese Spaetzle with Cream Sauce, Roasted Potatoes with Olive Oil, Garlic and Rosemary, Home Made Tagliatelle with Bolognese Meat Sauce, mouth-watering Fettuccine Alfredo, and the creamiest Potatoes au Gratin with Roasted Red Bell Pepper Puree - lighter versions of these hearty dishes are discussed. 

Class #4 – Final class covers basic sanitation, safety and cooking techniques with Fish and Shellfish recipes: Seared and Spice-Crusted Ahi Tuna drizzled with Sesame Dressing on Julienned Lettuce, Brown Rice and Edamame Beans with Soy Sauce, Salmon Steamed in Wine and Spices on Mixed Greens with Balsamic Vinaigrette, Grilled Chipotle-Spiced Shrimp and Grilled Portobello Mushrooms with Brown Derby French Dressing, Succulent Bass and Mixed Vegetable Packets with Mint and Basil Pesto, and Sole Vin Blanc with Ginger-Lime-Scallion Butter with Shiitake Mushroom and Asparagus Sauté. Lots of great food and conversation as we dine to our hearts delight on our last class together with our newfound foodie friends. Feel free to bring some wine for the end of the last class.

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4-WEEK HEALTHY COOKING SERIES
$350 - Includes Logo Apron

Class #1 - Vegetables, Whole Grains and Vegetable Entrees - Here students will focus solely on vegetables and grains and how to prepare satisfying meals from them.
• Grilled Portobello Mushrooms stuffed with Black Beans, Tomatoes, Roasted Corn and Chilies
• Wheat Crepes with Wild Mushrooms and Chile Cream Sauce
• Roasted Eggplant stuffed with Beluga Lentils with Garlic, Ginger, Curry Leaves, and Turmeric Root
• Home Made Whole Wheat Fettuccine with Roasted Corn, Chiles and Cilantro

Class #2 - Dry Heat Cooking and Sauces; Roasting/Grilling - Students learn Grilling and Roasting of Meats and Fish. Procuring, storing, marinating and serving are also covered.
• Herb-Coated Pan-Roasted Chicken with Champagne Swiss Chard and Scallion-Cilantro Barley Pilaf
• Whole Roasted Fish, Bombay Style with Stir-Fried Cauliflower with Green Peas and Ginger
• Roasted Tomatoes with Garlic and Basil Oil
• Oaxacan-Style Grilled Chicken Breasts with Rice Pilaf with Pico De Gallo
• Roasted Corn with Jalapenos, Garlic, Lime and Cilantro  

Class #3 - Moist Heat Techniques and Combinations; Steaming, Poaching, Braising, Stewing - The benefits of poaching and steaming are practiced. Stews and other braised dishes are also covered in this session.
• Tagine of Fish with Preserved Lemons, Olives and Chermoula
• Quinoa Pilaf
• Citrus-Braised Flank Steak
• Wheat Polenta
• Hot and Spicy Vegetables with Ginger, Garlic, Chili Sauce and Sesame Oil
• Stir-Fried Barley Pilaf with Red Bell Pepper, Shallot, Carrot, Celery, and Olive Oil

Class #4 - Frying Techniques; Stir Frying, Deep Frying, Pan-Frying - In this session, students will prepare recipes using a Wok. Practical application of Healthy Fried Foods and Oils will also be taught.
• Thai-Style Stir-Fried Chicken with Basil and Chiles
• Sugar Snap Peas with Mixed Wild Mushrooms
• Brown Rice Pilaf with Oyster Mushrooms
• Whole Fish - Deep Fried (Trout, Rock Cod or Catfish) with Ginger, Sake, Soy Sauce and Lemon Juice
• Roasted Asparagus with Lime Ponzu Sauce
• Phyllo Dough Spring Rolls with Mushrooms and Chile-Peanut Coconut Sauce  

4-WEEK Vegan/Vegetarian Cooking Series - $350

Everyone has been told to eat more Vegetables and to simplify their diets by eating Meatless Meals more often for their Health and Well-Being.  Chef Eric has spent years working on some VEGAN / Vegetarian Recipes that are tasty and use unique ingredients for extra FLAVOR!  Come join us for this exciting Series that will have you loving to cook and eat Healthier AT HOME! 

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TRY ONE OF OUR INDIVIDUAL CLASSES
Feel free to bring some wine or beer
Register for 3 recreational classes
(Get $20 off!)

This is a Party Class ONLY - the Instruction is in the kitchen and you are NOT lectured on all of the recipes
ALL PARTIES INCLUDE A GOURMET CHEESE TRAY TO START

Want to make a special dinner with your friend or spouse? Celebrating a special occasion? We've created a Cooking Party Atmosphere – there is a brief lecture and more instruction is in the kitchen as you prepare your shared meals. Bring a nice bottle of wine to enjoy at the end of class to make this a true romantic night out as an alternative to the predictable dinner and a movie.

Ah, Romance!  The hottest date is at Chef Eric’s Culinary Classroom
as you dine on:

"Thank you so much for the wonderful cooking class, Manny and I had so much fun-and we even got Manny to eat (AND enjoy fish!) He's still raving about the Ahi Tuna! And I plan on making
the Molten Chocolate Cake!"

Experts say we should eat fish 2 times a week; we have created some great recipes to entice you. CHEF ERIC will teach you how to safely shop for, store and cook your fish for delicious results - Butter Poaching, Stovetop Smoking, Steaming, Frying and more – all Sauces, Aiolis, Pestos and Glazes are made in class. Take your fish cooking abilities to a new level and expand your repertoire for this healthy menu item. Featured are:
• Sesame-Crusted White Fish Filets with Lemon Cilantro Sauce
• Indian Pastry-Wrapped Tilapia with Herbs and Cooked Tomato,
Turmeric, Clove, Ginger, and Cardamom Chutney
• Rosemary, Dill and Thyme-Smoked Salmon Filets with Spicy Garlic Aioli
• Sautéed Teriyaki-Style Fish Filets with Homemade Teriyaki-Sake Glaze
•Panko-Crusted Cod Filets with Lemon Zest, Oregano, Red Pepper Flakes, Old Bay Seasoning and Chile Powder

Learn to please yourself with lighter menus and eat healthier with these fantastic recipes:
• Sautéed Sole Filets with Wilted Lettuce and Cilantro, Parsley and Pepita Pesto
• Oven-Baked French Fries with Old Bay Seasoning (and Variations) Beef Tenderloin Steaks with Rosemary, Garlic, Shallots and Red Wine Sauce
• Portobello Mushroom "Pizzas" Pesto, Tomatoes, Thyme, Prosciutto, Parmesan Cheese
• Roasted Lamb Chops w/Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Red Wine, Thyme, Garlic, Juniper Berries
• Sautéed Mushrooms, Zucchini, Carrots, Celery and Onions
• Egg White Frittata w/Roasted Red Bell Peppers, Haricot Vert, Salt, Pepper, Turmeric

Learn to make perfect Pastas every time and then accompany them with a variety of Sauces, Meats and Vegetables. We discuss and demo various pastas, as you learn how to easily make light and delicious varieties; you’ll never buy dried pasta again! We make dough, roll and cut it into various shapes and sizes to use in a myriad of dishes:
• Fresh Linguine with Sautéed Turkey Medallions with Herbs and Fried Garlic Sauce
• Wild Mushroom and Ricotta Cheese Raviolis with Creamy Garlic White Sauce
• Tagliatelle with Spicy Sausage and Red Wine Ragu Sauce
• Homemade Bowtie Pasta with Sautéed Garlic and Mushrooms
• Angel Hair Pasta with Homemade Marinara Sauce

We have been told to eat more vegetables and here are delicious recipes that will have you eating them often and enjoying them much more.  These recipes are great for side dishes or entrees. Experience some flavorful:
• Mallorcan Vegetable Stew Baked in Bowls on Crusty French Bread
• Stir-Fried Tofu, Shiitake Mushrooms, Peas, Garlic, Ginger, Soy Sauce, Rice Wine, Chili Sauce
• Grilled Vegetable Ratatouille with Roasted Red Pepper, Yellow/Green Zucchini, Japanese
Eggplant, Tomatoes, Basil, Italian Parsley, Rosemary, Thyme, Garlic and Red Onion
• Spicy Black Bean Chili, Onions, Red Bell Peppers, Cumin, Chipotle Chilies, Tomatoes
• Peruvian Chickpea Cakes with Onion, Jalapeno Pepper, Garlic, Cumin and Turmeric
• Lepuy Lentil Soup with Leeks, Onions, Garlic, Turmeric Root and Cumin

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DEMYSTIFYING DESSERTS
BAKING & PASTRY CLASSES

Say goodbye to Bakery Cakes with Basic Decorating Skills and Techniques. Learn to Frost Cakes, Write Script and Make Leaves, Flowers, Bows and Shells. Each person gets their own cake to work on and TAKE HOME we make Frostings.
• Classic Buttercakes
• Chocolate Buttercakes
• Italian Meringue Buttercream
• Swiss Meringue Buttercream
• Chocolate Ganache Filling
• Chocolate Ganache Frosting

Do you LOVE sweets like I love sweets? Learn about cooking sugar and the variety of candy you can make in your own kitchen-holiday staples for your family! Recipes include delicious treats for special occasions:
• Chocolate Truffles rolled in Cocoa Powder
• Delightful Hazelnut Divinity Fudge
• Home Made Marshmallows – great with Hot Cocoa
•Traditional Chocolate Nut Fudge
• Feuilletine Pralines
• Old Fashioned Peanut Brittle
• Mom's special Cuttlefish Toffee Almond Brittle Dipped in Chocolate

Decadence is right – come and create this decadence with us and create delicious entertainment! We start with:
• Ancho Chile Devil’s Food Cake with Milk Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting
• Citrus Cheesecake with Cookie Crumb Crust
• Chocolate Torte Caprese
• Milk Chocolate and Cherry Soufflé with Crème Anglaise
• Banana and Rum Crepes
• Traditional Tiramisu

Craving yummy Dessert? Need a spectacular Cake for entertaining or for dinner? Have a dessert party for your friends with these new and delightful recipes. Learn to make:
• Devil’s Food Cake with Milk Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting
• Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Marjolaine Almond Cake with Espresso Cream Filling
• Whipped Cream Pound Cake with Tangy Citrus Icing
• Elegant Chocolate Torte Caprese dusted with Powdered Sugar
• Fallen Chocolate Soufflé Cake (perfect to make ahead)

Regardless of age, all of us love cookies and this class is perfect any time of the year! Join us as our team teaches you the art of creative cookie making. Come join us for the best cookie feast in town and spread the joy among your friends and family when you bake a dozen of their favorites! Cookie Recipes include:
• Toasted Pecan Cookies
• Delicious Piped Cookies
• Sandwich Cookies
• Linzer Cookies with Jelly Center
• Chocolate Dipped “Pretzel” Cookies
• Florentines
• Gingerbread Cookies

Delicious Cupcakes are all the rage for desserts and snacks! Learn to Bake, Frost and Fill Cupcakes for parties, the holidays, and just everyday eating! We teach you easy ways to vary Flavors and Fillings for the most discerning palate in your family. Receive Cupcake, Frosting and Filling Recipes similar to today’s popular bakeries. We make popular styles:
• Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Devil's Food Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
• Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Chocolate Cupcakes with Mocha Buttercream Frosting
• Coconut Cream Cupcakes with Coconut Frosting
• Vanilla Cupcakes with Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting
• Various Frostings and Fillings

Learn how to make the oldest food known to mankind. We cover techniques to produce quick baked goods for everyday meals and special dinners. At the end of class, sample your breads right out of the oven, watch the steam rise and the butter slowly melt as we pair with jellies and jams. The recipes include:
• Pain de Ménage (Country Bread)
• Brioche-Style Bread
• Traditional Baguettes
• Focaccia Bread
• Cheese and Garlic Flatbread
• Hamburger Buns
• Easy White/Wheat Bread
• Blue Cheese Shortbread
• Cheddar Cheese Cornbread

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