Ask Away??

What would you like to know in regards to cooking?
Is there anything you've always wanted to know how to cook?
How about that unique grocery item that you are curious about, but just don't know what to do with?
Anything,Just Ask Away.

Taste of Home Cooking Class

I realize this post comes very late, but with summer holidays being just around the corner from this class, and moving in the process, it's better late than never :)
This class is one of my favourites.I am a true believer of supporting local growers.In Calgary, there are so many. Too many to mention, and I'd feel bad leaving anyone out.But that was the purpose of this particular class. To educate people of the many wonderful, colourful, organic and beautifully grown fresh produce right here in our own backyard.
The group loved learning about where the best Local Farmer's Markets are located, and who some of my favourite growers are.
Enjoy the pictures from the gorgeous produce and food, as well as some of the dishes created from the very same produce :)

(fiddleheads-not too common here in alberta, but with some extensive looking around, you can find them) Delicious sauteed in butter and fresh garlic with a sprinkle of sea salt and cracked black pepper

(Purple and Yellow carrots-absolutely gorgeous on a plate next to any protein of your choice)

(Baby Heirloom Tomatoes-these have got to be some of my favourite colors) When I look at all these amazingly stunning colors...nothing says SUMMER and FRESH more than these :)

(Just some of the local ingredients used for this great cooking class)

(Locally grown Fresh Herbs-the smells are hard to walk away from. A sprinkle on a salad adds a whole new dimension of freshness)

Roasted baby Heirloom Tomatoes, with garlic, fresh oregano, parsley and finely diced red onion, served over Angel Hair Pasta.

is your mouth watering yet? mine is :)

Beet Salad. Stem the beets or roast them, add some thinly sliced onion, a fresh earthy vinaigrette and some fresh dill and you have one of the best Summer Salads ever!

Pulled local Pork and Chorizo Crostini and garlic butter sauteed crimini, oyster and shitakie mushrooms with a sprinkle of fresh chives.

mouth watering isn't it?

There is always fresh locally grown produce and ingredients to be found. It may take a bit of an effort to find it, but once you do...I promise you you'll never want to go back. Nothing compares to the feeling of supporting all that is locally grown.

Fresh Beet Salad Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 3 or 4 fresh beets
• 1 small onion
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Wine vinegar
• Fresh lemon juice
• Salt and black pepper

Preparation:

1. Slice greens from one bunch of 3 or 4 beets (I make another salad with the greens.), or use trimmed beets. Scrub beets well with a vegetable brush and water, but don’t peel.
2. Put in a pot with plenty of water, bring to a boil, and simmer 30 to 45 minutes, or until just easily pierced with a fork or knife tip. Drain (if you save some of the bright red water, it adds great flavor to soups.)
3. Meanwhile, finely dice one small yellow, white or red onion. Make a dressing of ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 T (tablespoons) red wine vinegar (cider vinegar will do if necessary), 2 T lemon juice (at least partly fresh), ½ t (teaspoon) kosher or other salt, and a few grinds of black pepper.
4. Let beets cool enough to handle gingerly—they must still be warm when you dress them. Wear rubber gloves if you don’t want dyed hands. The skins will come off easily. Cut off the ends and slice thinly (for ease, cut in half and then slice flat side down).
5. Put beets, diced onions and dressing in a pretty bowl. Refrigerate, but take out a little early so it won’t be icy cold. Taste and correct for salt.

Until we cook again :)

Stayed tuned in the following posts for cooking class schedule for fall of 2010

Tapas Cooking Class

This class was fantastic!! Thanks to all who attended.

In every class there is a 'class clown', in this particular class I think the 'class clown' was me

:) After introductions, getting everyone comfortable and started on the first of 5 tapas...we were all laughing before long.

Everyone was willing to get their hands right into everything. Especially the men!

So YUMMY, so DELICIOUS, and so MUCH FUN!

Can't wait for our next class.

Julie and Julia. Stay tuned for pictures and update on that class.

A special Thank you goes out to Vanessa Ross Photography for the great images from this great class. Thanks V.
Until we cook again:)

Chef Lynn Crawford

I sometimes get asked which chef do I get my inspiration from.

Chef Lynn Crawford Canadian BornExecutive Chef of the Four Season'sRestaurant MakeoverPitchin' In
I've been a long time watcher of the FOOD NETWORK! It's on 24/7 in our home. I have wonderful memories of watching it with each of my children and watching as they too get excited for the dishes that are being prepared by the various chefs. My husband has also been found watching a couple of episodes with me too.
As with any show on tv, I have my favorites on food network, but Chef Lynn is...well, I guess you can say my mentor in the industry, even though she has no idea that through her career, she has been my mentor. :)
I remember clearly the episode that I feel in love with her love, style of food and appreciation for food. It was an episode of A Restaurant Makeover. She was revamping the current restaurant's menu, and working with someone who didn't really have the "schooling" behind being a chef, but clearly had a love for food and of food. Helping them see that taking fresh ingredients and a passion for them, can help you create that amazing dish. "I will take anyone who has a true passion and love for food and teach them"...ever since I heard her share that statement, I secretly wish she'd somehow find me and take me under her wing. Wow!!! Learning from her would be a dream come true!
She, as I do, believes that "the creation of a delicious meal requires passion and quality ingredients...". Local farmer's markets is where she has built an appreciation for the difference that fresh makes. Walking the farmer's markets is where my creativity takes place.
Her philosophy "food needs to be celebrated and shared with family and friends...not kept to oneself but shared amongst many as a means of enjoyment".
I truly believe that food has a way of bringing people together. Growing up I had the best conversations with my family and friends around the dinner table. And that's where it all begins! Sharing, laughing and enjoying one's company around great food!!
Thanks Chef Lynn for being such an inspiration in the way I view, share, create, and love food :)
Until we cook again :)

In Celebration of my Newest Service - GIVEAWAY!!

To all of my followers, I just want to say thank you!!
My business mostly thrives on word of mouth, which is why I would like to draw for a GIVEAWAY. Yes...another Giveaway. I love giveaways. :)
My Personal Chef Service is a fairly new Service, so therefore I would like as many people to find out about it. Especially through word of mouth.
Before I tell you what I am drawing for, I'll explain what you have to do to get your name in the draw.
It may get a bit confusing, especially for those who already officially follow me on my blog. Here goes:
If you already follow me, all you have to do is recommend my blog to someone who doesn't and have them follow my blog. Leave me a comment of the person's name you are recommending my blog to, and all they have to do is follow me, and your name along with their name (if they officially follow) will be put in the draw.
If you are new to the blog, and want your name in the draw, all you have to do is officially follow. So easy!
Now...here's where it may get confusing. Word of mouth really is the best form of advertising and this is where everyone in the draw comes in. If you post a blog, or post on your wall on facebook about the company's new service (Personal Chef, Menu Planning, and Kitchen/Pantry Organizing) then your name goes in the draw again. So in total, you can have your name put in twice for the draw. Again, let me know that you've done this by leaving me a comment on this blog post.
Hope that makes sense.
Okay...What is the draw for? It's a big one this time!!
2 Family Meals Prepared for your freezer, consultation and menu-planning session, and some tips on organizing your kitchen so it makes sense. Along with the recipe's in a folder of the freezer meal I've specifically prepared for you and your family.
There it is, the dets on the draw. Help me spread the word...