2012 Cooking Classes

Here is the schedule of upcoming cooking classes.  I'll be teaching a few at the Kitchen Studio, in addition to the Parks & Rec program.  Check out Frederick County Government cable channel 19 in January for a new program profiling specific programs.  Mommy & Me was one of the first classes chosen!

Frederick County Parks & Recreation

Jan 13 - Date Night Comfort Food
Jan 14 - Daddy & Me Pizza Pizza! (full)

Jan 27 - Date Night Scrumptious Soups
Jan 28 - Daddy & Me Scrumptious Soups (full)

Feb 10 - Date Night Four Stars at Home
Feb 11 - Mommy & Me Very Yummy Valentine (full)

Feb 24 - Date Night Soups n Sandwiches
Feb 25 - Daddy & Me Soups n Sandwiches
Feb 25 - T'ween Time Cupcakes

Mar 16 - Date Night Irish Feast
Mar 17 - Mommy & Me Goin' Green

Mar 30 - Spring Feast
Mar 31 - Mommy & Me Easter Treats
Mar 31 - T'ween Time Lasagna


The Kitchen Studio

Feb 3 - Spring Rolls
Feb 4 - Kinklings

Nut Brittle

This is a basic, no frills recipe but still delicious.  It can be made in the microwave, and doesn't need to go in the fridge to chill, so it's also easy to fit in with your other Christmas baking.  Use your favorite mixed nuts, or just one variety.  Use a silicone spatula sprayed with cooking spray for easy cleanup.

• Nonstick cooking spray 
• 1 1/2 c sugar 
• 1/2 c light corn syrup 
• 3/4 tsp salt 
• 2 T butter 
• 1 1/2 c mixed nuts, such as pecan halves, cashews, pistachios, coarsely chopped if large 
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 
• 1/4 tsp baking soda 

Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick spray; set aside.

In a 2-quart glass measuring c, combine sugar, corn syrup, and salt, stirring until sugar is moistened. Microwave on high for 4 minutes. Stir in butter and nuts; return to microwave for about 5 minutes, until the sugar mixture is thick, bubbly, and very pale brown in color. Mixture is very hot; use handle when holding and pouring.

Remove from microwave, stir in vanilla and baking soda (mixture may foam up). Immediately pour onto prepared baking sheet, spreading mixture as thinly as possible with a heatproof spatula. Let stand 20 minutes until hardened, then lift off sheet, and break brittle into bite-size pieces.

Cooking Classes @ the Middletown Cooking Studio

Jenn & Megan showing off their seared shrimp & scallops at last week's Date Night: Seafood.

We also made fish in parchment packets, shrimp & fennel pot pie, and lemon bars - yum!

 

Visit the Frederick County Parks and Recreation website for more upcoming classes!  Click on Registration to browse programs.  While you're there, check out the new page just for Cooking Classes.  We've got links to cooking videos & recipes, including my newest one featuring Butternut Squash Bisque.  You can also email the cooking program directly with any questions.

Winter Cooking Classes

The Winter Cooking Class Schedule is live on Recreator.com.  You can't register yet, but you can pick out your classes now to be ready - they fill up fast!  We'll be continuing the Date Night series on Friday's through the spring - if you have any ideas for themes, email them to our new email address just for cooking classes: cooking @ frederickcountymd dot gov - we're always looking for new ideas.  New this season are themes for Mommy & Me/Daddy & Me - we'll make something different each time.

We also have a new page just for cooking classes on the Parks & Rec website.  You can see instructor videos, get recipes, and email us. Look for a FAQs page coming soon with tips on how to get the most out of our cooking program.

Don't forget - bring to-go containers to class so you can make sure to take home lots of delicious food!

Date Night: Farmer's Market

Had a great time at the Date Night cooking class Friday night.  The theme was Farmer's Market, and we had lots of beautiful local produce, meats, eggs, and some fresh herbs from home.  Pictured are an Eggplant Napoleon with Fresh Mozzarella and Cherry Tomato Chutney; Spaghetti with Squash Ribbons, Parmesan, and Fresh Herbs; and Fritatta with Spaghetti, Sweet & Hot Peppers, and Bacon.

Our three couples did a great job - just some fresh ingredients and inspiration, no recipes - Yum!

Friday night classes are full for the fall session, but look for the Winter Recreater with old favorites and exciting new classes.

Cooking Classes Featured in News-Post

Frederick County Parks & Rec Cooking Classes are featured in the Food section of today's Frederick News-Post!   Author Susan Guynn and photographer Travis Pratt joined us last week for Couples Cuisine, featuring avocados.  Visit the Parks & Rec website for more information and class registration.   Winter classes are available now - I'll let you know when Spring registration begins.

Cooking Classes

I will be teaching cooking classes for the Frederick County Parks and Recreation Department starting in January.  My classes are:

• 10 Meals for $10


• 3 Meals in 3 Hours


• Couples Cuisine


• Dinner and a Movie

Registration starts November 30th, and each class is limited to 8 participants, so mark your calendar!  I've been busy planning and testing recipes over the last few months, and I'm looking forward to good food and fun.  The classes are held at the Cooking Studio in the Middletown Park.  Click on the link above for more info. 

Also check out the classes that chefs Carla Lemons and Buck Reed are teaching.  I visited Chef Buck's Spanish Tapas class tonight, and the food was great - my favorite was the Chickpeas in Onions Sauce - look for a post soon if I can successfully recreate the recipe at home!