Well, we’re just about finished with January and if you were in the Phoenix area this year, you know that it was cold, cold, cold.  Our oranges and vegetables have suffered some losses, but we are almost through with this nasty weather.  And, of course, as cold as it was here, think about our friends elsewhere in the country.  They would have been happy with our ‘cold’ weather. 

For February, we are again offering classes on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Our Thursday evening classes are from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and our Saturday classes are from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Since we made these changes at your request, please let us know if they work for you.  We have added additional class dates on a few occasions where requested.  Be sure to check out our website for any classes added after our brochure was mailed.    

Special Offers – We are offering $10 off your next class when you refer a friend to Simply Impressive.  We will apply $10 to your next class with their paid enrollment.  Don’t forget to cash in your $5 discount.  Check your brochure in the mail for details.  Remember, only one discount can be applied to any class.

Gift Certificates – We offer gift certificates year round, so keep us in mind when trying to buy something for the person with everything.  They make a great Valentines Day, birthday, anniversary or ‘just because’ gifts.  We have some great classes coming up in 2007.  Call or e-mail us for details on gift certificates. 

February Classes – It’s almost Valentines Day and love is in the air.  We’ve spent all of January eating healthy, but with all that love, we just can’t help thinking about chocolate. 

To get you in the mood for a great Valentines Day (or any special occasion, for that matter), we offer our Romantic Menu class on Tue 2/6, Thurs 2/8 and have added a class on Sat 2/10 to satisfy those wanting to cook with your significant other.  We have both a carnivore’s delight entrée as well as a vegetarian entrée in this class.  Our menu is fancy enough to be from a ‘white tablecloth restaurant’ but easy enough for even a novice cook to prepare.  I can just about guarantee high praise from those for whom you make this meal.  Cost - $63 per person.

In our Chow Mein class on Tues 2/13 and Sat 2/17, we will make meal featuring chicken chow mein.  Of course we will also have some great appetizers and side dishes to go along with it.  Cost - $58 per person.

Whether you eat meat or not, you will enjoy our Lighter Dinner Soups class on Tue 2/20 and Thurs 2/22.  We will feature our (not so) world famous tortellini con brodo as well as other soups that can be great starters for a meal, or a meal all by themselves.  Cost- $58 per person

As promised, we will have our monthly Eating Healthy in February class on Tues 2/27 and Sat 3/3.  We will feature a stuffed chicken roulade which is very tasty, fancy and healthy.  Cost- $58 per person

Upcoming classes – March will feature our Afternoon Tea class (held on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday).  This class is great for simple make-ahead entertaining and the recipes we make are dainty enough for the ladies and satisfying enough for the guys.  We also have three International classes – Italian Night, Mexican Fiesta and Polish Pierogi.  If you are tired of eating the same old thing, try these three classes which will add a lot of variety to your everyday menus. 

Kids classes – we are in the process of developing a few week-long sessions for kids this summer.  We will be holding two different sessions…..the first is planned for the week of July 10 for kids 13-18.  The second will be the week of July 24 for kids 8-12.  We have been keeping track of people requesting kids’ classes, but please feel free to let me know if you want to be put on the list.  Once details of each session are available, we will make sure to get them to you. 

Private groups – If you are looking to hold a private class for your group, we can hold classes at your place or ours.  For private groups we are able to customize the menu so that we make exactly what your group wants to make.  We have had great feedback on our private group parties held previously, and we would love to hold one for you, too.   

Simply Impressive Cooking School – On TV –We will be on Good Morning Arizona on Thursday, 2/15 at 7:50 a.m.  This segment is going to feature couples cooking together.  Shelia and Ken Vergari will be our students cooking on the show.  Watch for them, and me, of course.

We will also be featured on a CBS 5 segment as an activity hosted by the Blue Thong Society.  No date is set for this, but watch our website for details. 

We will be on AZ TV (Channel 13 in Phoenix) again later this month.  We are still working on a date for that show.  Again, we will put a note on our website when a date is finalized. 

Simply Impressive Cooking School – In Print – We are being published in various newspapers, magazines and TV websites.  We strive to add links to the locations on our website, when possible, but will also try to place all the recipes under our recipes page on our site.  See our new monthly recipe in The Groves Report and The View.  These newspapers are both available in North East Mesa and online at www.nearbynews.com.  Just click on ‘Recipe Corner’. 

Our website – Refer to our website often at www.simplyimpressive.com.  We will be adding May and June classes in the next few days. 

Mailing List – If you know anyone who would like to be on our mailing list, please forward this newsletter to him or her and let us know so that we can add him or her to the list.

This Month’s Recipe – as we said before, February is the month of love.  And I can’t think of anything that evokes love as much as chocolate, strawberries and champagne.  I can’t do much about the champagne….you’re on your own for that.  However, I can give you my favorite chocolate dipped strawberry recipe.  These are very simple to make and you can customize them with whatever add-ons you like.  I hope you enjoy my favorite dessert.  Let’s just hope the frost did not totally destroy the crop or we just might have to resort to store bought chocolates.  Have a great February!!!

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries©

24-30 med	Strawberries, green caps intact
6 oz	Chocolate chips OR coarsely chopped chocolate (sweet, semi sweet, bittersweet, or white)
2 tsp	Crisco
	Toothpicks for dipping (optional)
	Add-ons:  chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or coconut

Rinse strawberries, dry thoroughly on paper towels.  Melt the chocolate in a glass bowl in the microwave (full power for 30 second intervals) or on the top of a double boiler.  Regardless of the method used to melt chocolate, stir it as it starts to soften.  Stir in Crisco until melted.  (NOTE:  DO NOT USE BUTTER OR ANY COLD LIQUID OR YOUR CHOCOLATE WILL SEIZE!) 

Gently hold the top of the strawberry for dipping.  Optionally, insert a toothpick into the stem end of each strawberry.  Dip the strawberry into the chocolate, coating 3/4 of the berry. (Leave the green cap and some of the red berry showing for a more decorative finished product.)  When you dip the strawberry into the melted chocolate, give it a little shake as you withdraw it.  This will fill in all the cracks and leave a nice, even line of chocolate at the base.  If the chocolate becomes too thick to work with, re-heat gently.

For simple chocolate berries, place the dipped strawberry on waxed paper.  If you want to be really fancy, spear the free end of the toothpick into a piece of Styrofoam to allow the strawberry to dry upside down.

For decorated berries, dip the strawberry into mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, sprinkles or coconut while the chocolate is still wet.  Then place on waxed paper or Styrofoam to harden. 

After the chocolate hardens, remove the strawberries from the toothpicks, if used.  The chocolate dipped strawberries are best if eaten within 24 hours - refrigerate for longer storage, but serve at room temperature for greatest flavor.  Note that they if refrigerated, the chocolate may bloom, but it will not impact the flavor.