Now We're Cooking 2010 Culinary Classes and Special Events
Last Updated on Friday, 04 June 2010 17:18
Now We're Cookin'
1601 Payne St. Unit C, Evanston
2010 Calendar of Culinary Classes and Special Events
Classes are Hands-On, unless otherwise noted. One week advance registration is required. Please visit our website (http://www.nwcookin.com) or call (847) 570-4140 to register.
June & July Classes
Back to Better Basics: Chicken Salad Updated
Wednesday, June 2, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Price: $60
Menu : Chicken Salad with Asparagus, Thai Style Chicken Salad, Spanish Style Chicken Salad
It’s as predictable as Spring flowers – this time of year everyone trots out chicken salad for their picnics and back yeard parties. Why? Does it reminds us of Grandmothers, our childhood, - - -whatever it is, we want it now. So let’s up our game this year and update this classic. We’re adding ingredients and taking the flavors international while staying true to the essence we all love. Join us and you’ll get a jump on your neighbors for the back yard festivities!
Strawberry Short Cakes
Thursday, June 3, 6:30 - 8:30 pm Price: $55
Menu: Shortcake Biscuits, Sponge Cake, Strawberry Topping, Whipped Cream
Come celebrate National Shortcake Day with Now We’re Cookin’ chefs and friends. We’ll show you how to whip up killer shortcakes in no time – topped with the freshest berries from the Market and a dollop of fresh cream, who can resist?
Green Up Your Plate
Monday, June 7, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Price $65
Menu: Chilled Fresh Pea and Mint Soup with Crème Fraiche, White Fish Florentine, Parsley and Purslane Salad
Do you often return from the Farmers’ Market with a basket of greens and then run short of ideas to cook with them? We’re here to help: with some simple techniques and flexible recipes you can spend the summer creating your own endless variety of great dishes. Healthy, simple, and beautiful - everything you want on your plate!
Girls’ Night Out: Bastille Day Celebration
Friday, June 11, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Price: $60
Menu: French White Wines and Appetizers (including Gougères, Zucchini-Wrapped Shrimp, Chocolate Dipped Fruits)
Vive la France! They’ll be celebrating up and down the Champs-Élysées on the 14th, so we wanted to get ready by sampling some new French white wines and creating appetizers to pair with them. It’s hands-on this month Ladies; come roll up your sleeves and join in as we prepare a selection of quick appetizers – and then kick back as we enjoy the wines our Chefs have paired with your creations. Bon Appétit!
Ice Cream Sodas & Summer Coolers
Tuesday, June 15, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Price: $50
Menu: Blackberry Lime-ade, Rootbeer Floats, Sparkling Raspberry Coolers, Milk Shakes and Chocolate Sodas
Travel back with us to the time of The Fonz, when the soda fountain reigned as the hang-out of choice. Let’s revive the art of the great summer soda fountain treat – easy to make, endless choices, and the basis of a really good time for all ages. Let Now We’re Cookin’s own “mixologist” Chef Mary help you stir up summer fun, then take the ideas home to the kids (of all ages!).
Get Ready to Celebrate Dad!
Thursday, June 17, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Price: $50 (+$10/child)
Menu: Grilling: Beer Brats with Grilled Onions, Vegetable Kabobs, Grilled Stone Fruits with Blue Cheese
Dad’s our man . . .and his Day is coming up fast so you want to be prepared. We’ll help: our Dad-friendly menu is quick and easy to pull together, and by joining in the class you get to practice just enough to really be able to put on a show when Father’s Day arrives. Kids are welcome – make it a family affair just like your Sunday celebration will be.
Back to Better Basics: Chicken Salads Updated
Monday, June 21, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Price: $60
Menu : Chicken Salad with Asparagus, Thai Style Chicken Salad, Spanish Style
Chicken Salad
It’s as predictable as Spring flowers – this time of year everyone trots out chicken salad for their picnics and back yard parties. Why? Does it reminds us of Grandmothers, our childhood - - - whatever it is, we want it now. So let’s up our game this year and update this classic. We’re adding ingredients and taking the flavors international while staying true to the essence we all love. Join us and you’ll get a jump on your neighbors for the back yard festivities!
Strawberry Short Cakes
Thursday, June 24, 6:30 - 8:30 pm Price: $55
Menu: Shortcake Biscuits, Sponge Cake, Strawberry Topping, Whipped Cream
Come celebrate National Shortcake Day with Now We’re Cookin’ chefs and friends. We’ll show you how to whip up killer shortcakes in no time – topped with the freshest berries from the Market and a dollop of fresh cream, who can resist?
Date Night: Ode to Summer
Saturday, June 26, 7:00- 9:30 pm Price: $120 per couple, BYO
Menu: Arugula Salad with Market Radishes, Baked Whitefish with Strawberry Avocado Relish, Wild Rice Pilaf, Berry Parfaits
Time to gather around the harvest table once again, this time cooking up a summer menu that is sure to please! Our light yet flavorful menu takes advantage of just-opened farmers’ market products, with which you will turn out dishes to savor with your “date”. Bring friends, bring wine, and join in the fun.
Ice Cream Sodas & Summer Coolers
Wednesday, June 30, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Price: $40
Menu: Blackberry Lime-ade, Rootbeer Floats, Sparkling Raspberry Coolers, Milk Shakes and Chocolate Sodas
Travel back with us to the time of The Fonz, when the soda fountain reigned as the hang-out of choice. Let’s revive the art of the great summer soda fountain treat – easy to make, endless choices, and the basis of a really good time for all ages. Let Now We’re Cookin’s own “mixologist” Chef Mary help you stir up summer fun, then take the ideas home to the kids (of all ages!). Better yet – bring the kids and let them stir up their own sodas!
July Classes
Put Your Best Fruit Forward!
Thursday, July 1, 6:30 – 8:30 Price:$65
Menu : Peach Salsa, Blueberry BBQ Sauce, Plum Sauce to pair with Grilled Meats/Seafood
We love the pairing of summer fruit with grilled meats, and in this class we share the love! Come try your hand at incorporating the freshest local fruit in salsas and sauces designed to compliment your summer menus. When you’re done, you will be able to broaden out from traditional BBQ sauce to a wide range of new options.
It’s a Cherry Jubilee
Tuesday, July 6, 6:30 - 8:30 pm Price: $55
Menu: Cherry Chutney, Cherry Jam, Red Wine Cherry Sauce
Did you know that there are approximately 4 million cherry trees in Michigan alone? With all those cherries coming to market, what are we to do? In this Jubilee (celebration) of local cherries, we learn ways to preserve these great flavors by canning/preserving the fruit in different versions.
Welcome in the Blues (Berries, that is)
Thursday, July 8, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Price: $60
Menu: Wild Summer Greens with Blueberries and Blue Cheese; Grilled
Salmon with Blueberry Sauce; Red, White and Blueberry Parfaits
Don’t get bogged down worrying about summer menus! July is national blueberry month (because that is the peak of the harvest season) so we’ve planned a delicious meal for you spotlighting local blueberries. High in antioxidents, those little beauties are every nutritionist’s dream food – and when added to the fact that they taste fabulous in almost any preparation, we say – grab them by the handful and get cookin’!
It’s a Cherry Jubilee
Monday, July 12, 6:30 - 8:30 pm Price: $55
Menu: Cherry Chutney, Cherry Jam, Red Wine Cherry Sauce
Did you know that there are approximately 4 million cherry trees in Michigan alone? With all those cherries coming to market, what are we to do? In this Jubilee (celebration) of local cherries, we learn ways to preserve these great flavors by canning/preserving the fruit in different versions.
Green Up Your Gnocchi
Tuesday, July 13, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Price: $55
Menu: Niçois – Style Green Gnocchi, Brown Butter, Market Vegetables
You’re greening up everying else, so why not! Everyone seems to love these little Italian pasta “pillows”, and they are fun to make. Now that it is summer, we are adding greens to the mix – to create a light, colorful main/side dish. Roll up your sleeves and come try your hand at this classic – it isn’t as hard as it might seem!
Girls’ Night Out: Bastille Day Celebration
Friday, July 9, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Price: $60
Menu: French White Wines and Appetizers (including Gougères, Zucchini-Wrapped Shrimp, Chocolate Dipped Fruits)
Vive la France! They’ll be celebrating up and down the Champs-Élysées on the 14th, so we wanted to get ready by sampling a new selection of French white wines. Maggie Noonan, owner of WineStyles Evanston, will be joining us with her summer French whites – and of course Now We’re Cookin’ chefs will be serving up delicious appetizers to pair with them. So gather your friends and come kick back with us for another fun ladies-only event. Bon Appétit!
Ratatouille’s Ratatouille Price:$60
Wednesday, July 14, 6:30 – 8:30
Menu: Ratatouille, Socca (Chickpea Flour) Crepes, and Goat Cheese
Not the Rat . . . what are you thinking! Just one of his dishes – Ratatouille. We are going French in the kitchen this evening, stirring up this wonderful Provençal dish that is a staple during late summer. When paired with Socca Crepes – a twist on the traditional sweet crepes – and smooth goat cheese, you have a feast worthy of a glowing review from the food critic Anton Ego.
Welcome in the Blues (Blueberries, that is)
Monday, July 19, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Price: $60
Menu: Wild Summer Greens with Blueberries and Blue Cheese; Grilled
Salmon with Blueberry Sauce; Red, White and Blueberry Parfaits
Don’t get bogged down worrying about summer menus! July is national blueberry month (because that is the peak of the harvest season) so we’ve planned a delicious meal for you spotlighting local blueberries. High in antioxidents, those little beauties are every nutritionist’s dream food – and when added to the fact that they taste fabulous in almost any preparation, we say – grab them by the handful and get cookin’
I Scream, You Scream – It’s Ice Cream Day!
Wednesday, July 21, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Price: $60
Menu : “you-pick-the-flavor” ice cream
Just in time for the really hot summer weather, we’re taking lessons from Chef Mary on how to make killer ice cream. When you reserve your place, tell us your favorite flavor and we’ll let you crank it up! Let Chef Mary give you guidance on the best ways to bring out your favorite flavor, or what can be combined with it – and you will have a special treat to take home to friends and family.
Ratatouille’s Ratatouille Price: $60
Thursday, July 22, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Menu: Ratatouille, Socca (Chickpea Flour) Crepes, and Goat Cheese
Not the Rat . . . what are you thinking! Just one of his dishes – Ratatouille. We are going French in the kitchen this evening, stirring up this wonderful Provincal dish that is a staple during late summer. Paired with Socca Crepes – a twist on the traditional sweet crepes – and smooth goat cheese, you have a feast worthy of a glowing review from the food critic Anton Ego.
Date Night: The Kingdom of Siam
Saturday, July 24, 7:00- 9:30 pm Price: $120/couple BYO
Menu: Thai Soft Spring Rolls, Crying Tiger Steak with Tomato Chili Sauce, Green Papaya Salad, Fried Rice Noodles
Thai cuisine - a fascinating blend of Chinese technique and Indian spices, with influences from around the world, has developed into a refined, sophisticated buffet of dishes. We’ll spend the evening exploring some of Thailand’s more popular dishes which you will assemble then dine on with your Date Night friends.
Green Up Your Gnocchi
Monday, July 26, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Price: $55
Menu: Niçois – Style Green Gnocchi, Brown Butter, Market Vegetables
Everyone seems to love these little Italian pasta “pillows”, and they are fun to make. Since it is summer, we are adding greens to the mix – to create a light, colorful main or side dish. Roll up your sleeves and come try your hand at this classic dish – it isn’t as hard as it might seem!
Put Your Best Fruit Forward!
Wednesday, July 28, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Price: $65
Menu : Peach Salsa, Blueberry BBQ Sauce, Plum Sauce to pair with Grilled Meats/Seafood
We love the pairing of summer fruit with grilled meats, and in this class we share the love! Come try your hand at incorporating the freshest local fruit in salsas and sauces designed to compliment your summer menus. When you’re done, you will be able to broaden out from traditional BBQ sauce to a wide range of new options.
I Scream, You Scream – It’s Ice Cream Day!
Thursday, July 29, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Price: $60
Menu : “You-pick-the-flavor” Ice Cream
Just in time for the really hot summer weather, we’re taking lessons from Chef Mary on how to make killer ice cream. When you reserve your place, tell us your favorite flavor and we’ll let you crank it up! Let Chef Mary give you guidance on the best ways to bring out your favorite flavor, or what can be combined with it – and you will have a special treat to take home to friends and family.
About Now We’re Cookin’
Now We’re Cookin’ is a unique culinary center with a state-of-the-art demonstration/ event studio for cooking classes and private events. It hosts a wide variety of corporate and not-for-profit meetings, team-building activities, and private parties – with the dramatic space creating an energizing environment for cooking, learning and celebrating. In addition, the center promotes entrepreneurs by making available rentable commercial kitchen space in which small businesses produce and package their products. For more information about the commercial kitchens and demonstration studio, or to view the class schedule, visit http://www.nwcookin.com. Now We’re Cookin’ is located at 1601 Payne Street in Evanston, IL;
phone (847) 570-4140.
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