Mango Lassi – an Indian Smoothie for Summer!
It’s Mango Season! When I found mangoes 4 for $1 at my local Von’s store, I knew it was time for Mango Lassis at our Indian Cooking Class. Then I went to Camp Blogaway, where the Mango Board was one of the sponsors and I came home with six more mangoes just in time for my Cooking Class. We went through all but one. Yesterday I received seven more mangoes in a nice package from the Mango Board. What to do with all these mangoes? Well – I am planning to test a Mango Chili Ginger Cobbler for my June 14 Knife Skills Cooking Class, so bring it on! (more…)
Knife Skills Cooking Class – June 14, 2012
Learn how to cut open a mango + More at Knife Skills Class
Knife Skills are the single most important cooking class I have ever taken. Years ago when I was in Culinary School, this class changed everything about the way I cooked, since I could accomplish all my food prep in half the time or even less!
Come hone your knife skills and learn why the Kingly Knife is your best friend in the kitchen on Thursday, June 14, 6:00 – 9:00 at the Holy Nativity Community Hall in Westchester. Here’s what you will learn in class:
- You will have a hands-on knife skills experience.
- The importance of keeping your knives sharp. Bring your knives for sharpening!
- Experience the difference between slicing and dicing with a dull knife vs a sharp one.
- The Bridge and Chiffonade techniques.
- How to mince herbs and garlic – quickly and finely.
- How to Julienne a carrot or zucchini.
- One knife has three uses - the tip, the center and the heel – learn what each is used for. (more…)
Camp Blogaway Inspires 100 Food Bloggers
Chef Patricia
One hundred campers in the Big Bear Mountains - The super moon – Threat of bears & critters – Camp Blogaway this year lived up to my expectations. This camp designed by Patti Londre of Worth the Whisk is a haven for food bloggers and foodies like me. This is where we come to learn about what’s new and how to hone our craft. A photography session and how to navigate through the social media landscape were my choices at the breakaway sessions. I learned a thing or two. Hopefully my photos keep improving! After last year’s Camp, I entered the Facebook era. I’m still working on Twitter and now there’s Pinterest – a lot for my brain to compute! (more…)
A Tamale Party – Fresh Food in a Flash Style!
May 5 is Cinco de Mayo – a Mexican Celebration Day here in Southern California. Here’s an idea! Have a Tamale Party! A Tamale Making Party is so much fun! Start with freshly prepared masa and some margaritas! You can’t go wrong! (more…)
Foods of India Cooking Class – May 9, 2012
Indian spices in elegant silver tins.
I had the fabulous pleasure of cooking with my Indian neighbor, Zenith in October. Zenith has a natural touch when it comes to cooking. She has a silver tin containing all her precious spices. The beautiful presentation makes me think of how I imagined Christopher Columbus and the spice traders of old treating their valuable spices with such care. (more…)
5-Minute Red Pepper-Tomato Tapenade
Roasted Red Pepper and Sun-Dried Tomato Tapenade
Looking for appetizer ideas for your spring party? This Tapenade will take you five minutes to whip up in your food processor. It’s delicious and it’s different. The ingredients are items you can have on hand to make at a moment’s notice. You can serve it on fresh baguette slices, crostini toasts, crackers, chips or as a dip for fresh veggies. (more…)
Chicken with Oranges, Leeks and Olives – Dinner in a Flash!
Chicken with Oranges, Leeks & Olives
Our 30-Minute Meals Cooking Class accidentally took on an Italian flair. Maybe its the fresh fennel and oranges growing outside my door that are at their peak in March…or could it be my love of Italian cuisine or the fact that I now work for La Cucina Italiana magazine. Years ago when I worked for McCall’s magazine, I discovered this recipe for Chicken with Oranges, Leeks and Olives in the McCall’s Best One-Dish Meals cookbook. (more…)
Compare this Tequila Chicken Fettuccine to CPK’s
Tequila Chicken Fettuccine
Who doesn’t love the idea of Tequila Chicken Fettuccine. California Pizza Kitchen has this dish on their menu and I think my version is lighter, tangy and ultra delicious. (more…)
30 Minutes to Polenta with Tomato-Sausage Sauce
Tomato-Sausage Sauce simmering on stovetop.
The meals we made at our 30-Minute Meals Cooking Class are some of my very favorites…some I’ve been making since I worked for McCall’s Magazine many years ago. The Polenta with the Tomato-Sausage sauce is adapted from an old McCall’s recipe. (more…)
Italian Farro Salad uses fresh Fava or Soy Beans
Italian Farro Salad with Soy Beans and Manchego Cheese
For those who dream of getting a delicious meal on the table in less than 30 minutes, Fresh Food in a Flash lived up to its name at this month’s cooking class! Students created amazing dishes from Baked Polenta with Tomato-Sausage Sauce to Tequila Chicken Fettucine in rapid order. Today I’m posting the Italian Farro Salad with Fava or Soy Beans. Look for more postings this week of more 30-Minute Meals. (more…)
