Happy New Year everyone.  It certainly is difficult to believe that the holidays are over and we are already in the new year.  I do not know about you, but I am definitely ready to get life back to normal.  No more parties or sweet treats for me… at least for now.   

As you will see from the calendar in January, we have changed the dates for our classes.  Our weekday morning classes are now on Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  And we are adding some evening classes to the schedule.  Watch for our classes on Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.  We will still be holding classes on Saturday afternoons, but not every week.  Please let us know if these changes are convenient for you.  If not, we can always look at adding more Saturday classes. 

Also, we received some calls and e-mails for something I said while on TV in Prescott last month.  I mentioned that we were going to be moving to Prescott.  Don’t worry.  That won’t happen for a while, and when we do move there, we plan to hold classes in the valley, too. 

Fall Drawing Winner -- Congratulations to Leila Bugenhagen who was the winner of our Fall survey drawing.  She wins a personalized Simply Impressive apron.  She won’t be able to wear it to class too often since she lives in Florida.  But it will allow her to remember the fun she had while here in Arizona. 

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. 

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. 

January Classes – It is now time to ‘pay the piper’.  If you are like everybody I know, you ate way too much in December.  January often brings resolutions to eat healthier.  To help those of you wanting to keep those resolutions, we feature healthy eating classes in January.  But do not think we will be making diet food.  Our classes provide a variety of foods, flavors and textures.  In our healthy classes, we work very hard to make meals that are healthful and delicious.  We try to include items that you may not have tried, such as different whole grains or unusual vegetables. 

First, we have our Eating Healthy – Beef class on Tue 1/9 and Sat 1/13.  If you thought you had to give up beef when eating healthy, think again.  We will learn about smart choices to make when selecting cuts of beef.  Cost - $58 per person.

In our Eating Healthy – Chicken class on Tues 1/16 and Thurs 1/18, we will make a chicken meal that you would never guess is good for you, too.  And we even have a dessert that is both sweet and crunchy.  Cost - $58 per person.

We have a special encore presentation of our Chili 3 Ways class on Saturday, 1/20 at 1:00 p.m.   If you who missed it the first time we held it, now is your chance to sign up.  The cost is $58 per person. 

Our Eating Healthy – Seafood class will feature salmon…one of the best foods for you.  Our menu will include some whole grains and a dessert…..can’t you just feel yourself getting healthier with this one!  This class is available on Tue 1/23 and Sat 1/27.  Cost - $58 per person.

Whether you eat meat or not, you will enjoy our Eating Healthy – Vegetarian class on Tue 1/30 and Thur 2/1.  We will feature lots of vegetarian options that are good enough that you will not miss the meat.  Cost- $58 per person

Upcoming classes – February is the month of love and we have a great Romantic Valentines menu.  We will be offering that class 3 times, Tuesday morning, Thursday evening and a special Saturday class, which is great for couples.  Of course we will continue to offer healthy classes in February and even a Chinese class to change things up a bit.

Simply Impressive Cooking School on TV – Watch for us on AZ TV (Channel 13 in Phoenix) on 1/17 at 10:00 a.m. for a segment on whole grains.  We will be showing you some great recipes using whole grains and will even surprise the host with a tasty whole grain dessert.  Shhhh, don’t tell him.

We will also be on Sonoran Living on 1/15 From 9:00-10:00 a.m. to cook chili.  Sonoran Living is on ABC 15 in Phoenix.  If you miss it, see www.sonoranliving.com where you can view the show and see the recipes.

We will be featured on Channel 3 on Saturday, 1/13 at 8:50 a.m.  We will be preparing a healthy recipe in this segment.  So get up early and join in on the fun.

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 just implemented an improved calendar on the site along with a better description of the contents of each class.  Let us know how you like it.  We will use the site to inform you about changes and to update class information.  Make sure to check it often.

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 – We try to give you a recipe each month.  This month we are featuring a dessert.  Oftentimes we feel that desserts are out of the question when are trying to watch our diets.  That is not true.  While you may not want to make a double fudge brownie drenched in caramel sauce, there are a lot of wonderful desserts that are tasty while still being healthy.  For our healthy dessert this month, I would like to share with you my recipe for Apple Tart Roll-ups.  

Apple Tart Roll-Ups
Serves 4 

2	Golden Delicious apples
2 tbsp	Brown sugar, packed
1 tsp	Fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp	Ground cinnamon
8 sheets	Phyllo dough, thawed
	Butter flavored cooking spray
	Topping
1/2 tsp	Ground cinnamon
1 tsp	Granulated sugar
	Powdered sugar

 

Preheat oven to 350°.  Place the rack in the center of the oven.

Line a baking sheet with parchment baking paper or spray a baking pan with cooking spray. 

Peel, quarter and core the apples.  Cut the apple quarters into 1/2 inch thick slices and combine in a bowl with the brown sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon. 

Take one phyllo dough sheet and place on a work surface.  Keep the remaining sheets covered with plastic wrap and a damp cloth or they will dry out quickly.  Spray the sheet with cooking spray.  Quickly place a second sheet on top of the first and spray it

Place one quarter of the apple mixture near the bottom center of each phyllo sheet.  Fold the edges in and roll up ‘egg-roll’ style.  Make 2 slits in each tart to allow steam to escape during cooking.  Spray the top with cooking spray. 

For the topping, mix together the cinnamon and sugar; sprinkle it evenly over the tops.

Bake the tarts until slightly golden brown and hot in the center, about 30-35 minutes.  Serve hot or at room temperature.  Sprinkle tops with powdered sugar, if desired, before serving.