Tag: cooking classes

Easy Eclairs Recipe

eclairs

My mom used to take me to our local bakery when I was little, and eclairs were always my top dessert pick. Last night, my sister Julie, invited my daughter and I (along with my niece and several other friends) to learn how to make homemade eclairs. Her dear friend, Orli, a French baking expert, taught us how to make these Easy Eclairs Recipe from scratch. The recipe instructions may appear to be a long process, but they truly are easy! Be sure to have a few Ziploc bags on hand for piping. They make piping the dough and filing even easier. Enjoy and Bon Appetit!

Southern Inspired Culinary Classes at the Ritz Carlton Atlanta (Downtown)

If your are in or near Atlanta this week, check this out at the Ritz Carlton Atlanta! Explore regional southern cooking in all its diversity and eccentricity with Brian Jones, chef de cuisine of Atlanta Grill, as he presents a series of demonstration-style culinary classes this fall at The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta. Chef Jones will sprinkle an entertaining dose of southern lore with the preparation of regional specialties in a casual setting beginning September 20th with “Low Country Deconstructed”.  I want to go!

“History, culture and foods from low-elevation land and the seacoast are the cornerstones of Low Country cuisine,” said Chef Jones. “We’ll think about the origins of the ingredients and flavors, the revival of heritage grains today, then bring it all together in great regional dishes that guests can easily make at home for friends and family.”

Guests will taste small plates from a three-course menu paired with traditional cocktails and selections from regional wineries and breweries.  The Downtown hotel Sommelier Brian White hosts special guest Brian “Spike” Buckowski, brewmaster and co-founder of Athens, GA-based Terrapin Beer Company, who will bring six craft beers to sample with Chef Jones’ menu. Yum!!

Low Country Deconstructed

Cocktails

St. Cecelia Punch or Plantation Punch

Appetizers

Pâté of the South: Pimento Cheese Three Ways, Cheese Straws, Pickled Shrimp

Terrapin Golden Ale, Rye Pale Ale and All American Pilsner

Main Course

Savannah-style Purloo, Carolina Gold Rice and Coastal Seafood  (pictured above)

Cracklin’ Cornbread

Terrapin Hopsecutioner, Monk’s Revenge and Pumpkin Fest

Dessert

Muscadine and Port Syllabub, Benne Seed Cookies

Classes are $75 per person inclusive of taxes and gratuities (what a deal!).
“Low Country Deconstructed” is presented on September 20 followed by Foraging through the Great Smoky Mountains on October 18 and Holiday Dining at Chef Brian’s House on November 15. All classes start at 6 p.m. and are limited to 16 guests. Early reservations are encouraged and may be made by calling Atlanta Grill at (404) 221-6550 or visiting www.opentable.com and typing “Cooking Class” in the comments section of the reservation form.

 

About Chef Brian Jones

Chef Brian Jones’ obsession for regional ingredients and their origins is based in strong Southern roots. A native of Chamblee, GA, Chef Jones grew up cooking alongside his grandmother and aunts, appreciating authentic Southern dishes made from daily harvests of the family gardens. He brings that wonderful heritage to his menus at Atlanta Grill, which brim with plentiful varieties of local and regional produce.

Kids Cook it Up: Sausage-Vegetable Pizza

My kids are already out of school for the summer, and they are so excited. They love having friends over, of course, and I like to ask them if they want to help out in the kitchen. My kids (and their friends) love being in the kitchen. It’s the center of our home. Most of their friends know that I’m a Recipe Developer and Cookbook Author and that I’m always taking pictures in the kitchen. We made these Sausage-Vegetable Pizzas the other day, and they had a blast. Making pizzas is a fun kid’s activity. I love to set up an array of toppings, and I let them create their own. Try this for an awesome summer activity.


St. Patrick’s Day Herb Dip & Kid’s Cooking Class

Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17th, and I am so excited that I will be spending my Saint Patrick’s Day teaching a Kid’s Cooking Class at the Park City Mountain Resort in Park City, Utah. We we will be making kid-friendly apres ski snacks to make in the condo. See more information about this fun class on the“Snowmama” website. One of the recipes I’ll be making in the class is this healthy, easy and very simple Saint Patrick’s Day Fresh Herb Dip. It’s a great way to get the kids to try fresh herbs such as basil and dill and to eat fresh vegetables. I like to use reduced-fat Greek yogurt in this recipe because it has so may health benefits and is filled with protein which is perfect after a long day of skiing. Enjoy this recipe on Saint Patrick’s Day or any time of the year.