Well, it sure didn’t take long for the hot weather to show up.  It seems like I was just complaining about how chilly it was and now, I’m hunting for my sunscreen.  Those of you who know me, know that I’m checking the pool temperature every day.  The minute the pool starts to boil, I’m jumping in!!

Speaking of boiling, let’s get back to the purpose of this newsletter….let’s talk about cooking.  We have lots of class information here.  Also, make sure to read the information about Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) at the end of this newsletter.  Many people have MSG sensitivities (me included) and we may be ingesting it in more ways than we thought imaginable. 

For May, we are again offering classes on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Thursday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday afternoons from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Some of you have expressed ‘disappointment’ with the limited Thursday and Saturday schedules.  If you want a class that is not offered on an evening or weekend, just request that it be added.  I can put it on the calendar and see what happens.  The more notice, the better, so I can advertise the additional dates.

May Classes – In May we really turn up the heat on ‘cool’ cooking.  Back by popular demand is our Grilling Basics class (Tues 5/1 & Sat 5/5) where we will teach you how to get the most out of your backyard grill by focusing on the various grilling methods.  If you’re tired of chicken that’s raw on the inside and burned on the outside, this class is for you.  This is also a great ‘early’ Father’s Day gift for the man in your life.  Cost for this class is $58 per person. 

Our Sandwich and Salad class (5/8 & 5/10) features grilled sandwiches (also called panini) that are perfect for a lighter dinner during the hot summer months.  To go along with our panini, we will make a pasta salad that works perfectly with sandwiches or any picnic you may attend.  Price per person is $58.

On Tues 5/15 and Thurs 5/19 we will have our Pool Party Appetizers class where we will make several appetizers that work well in our warm summer weather.  Some of the appetizers even work well as a light meal.  Price per person is $58.

If you are too tired to cook, but don’t want to eat out….look no further than your grocery store’s deli for creative meals as taught in our Dinner From The Deli class (Tues 5/22 and Thurs 5/24).  Assemble simple meals using foods straight from the deli.  We will make breakfast, lunch and dinner items.  Price per person is $58.

Upcoming classes – Mark your calendar for our upcoming classes for June.  Our Simple Dinner Salads (Tues 6/5 and Thurs 6/7) features 3 great salads to enjoy on a hot summer evening.  Try our Kabobs class (Tues 6/1) to learn the basics of kabob-making.  In our Summer Grilling (6/19 & 6/23) we will learn to grill salmon in a unique way.  And for Healthy Summer Cooking (Tues 6/26 & Thurs 6/28) we will make a flavorful and tender flank steak along with some great, yet healthy, side dishes.

Kids Boot Camps – there is still room in our summer kids boot camp sessions.  Our advertising is just getting started so if you want to guarantee your spot, let me know. 

The kids boot camp menus and information is available on our website.  We do a lot to prepare our kids for life as adults but oftentimes forget that cooking is a skill that will prepare them for the rest of their lives.  If you or anyone you know has kids, please pass along our boot camp information.  Class sizes are limited and registration is on a first come, first serve basis. 

We are holding two different sessions…..the first is scheduled for the week of July 9-13 for kids 8-12 from 10:00 to 12:30 p.m.  See Class Info - 8-12 Year Olds for menu details.  The price for the ‘tweens’ session is $180 per week.

The second boot camp will be the week of July 23-27 for kids 13-18.  These sessions run from 10:00 to 1:00 p.m. and cost $195 per week.  See Class Info - 12-8 Year Olds for menu details. 

I have also been getting requests from parents for a class or two for kids 6 and 7 years old.  I am looking at scheduling a class during the summer.  If you are interested, please let me know.

Private groups – If you want to schedule a private class for your group, we can hold classes at your place or ours.  For private groups we can customize a menu perfectly suited for your group.  We have had great feedback on our private group parties held previously, and we would love to hold one for you, too.  

Dress code reminder -- The first time someone books a class, I always inform people to dress comfortably.  For your own personal safety, I am also requesting that you wear closed toe shoes to class.  I sure would hate for a knife to drop and cut off your toe! 

Payment reminder – It has always been our policy to require class payment up front.  Please remember to send your check prior to class.  Also, remember that we have a 72 hour cancellation policy, so if you need to cancel, please do so more than 72 hours before class whenever possible. 

Special Offers – For the month of May, book and pay for three classes at the same time and receive $10 off your third class.   These classes must be attended from May through August and apply to adult classes.  Only one discount may be applied to any class.

Our website – Refer to our website often at www.simplyimpressive.com for the latest in class information.  In case you haven’t noticed, class schedules are available through mid-October.  And if you can believe it, we are finalizing our holiday schedule now.  So if there is something you absolutely want to learn regarding holiday baking or candy making, make sure you tell me right away so we can schedule them, if possible. 

In the media – Did you catch the article in the East Valley Tribune recently?  We talked about salads and published several of my favorite salad dressing recipes.  We are going to have another article in the Trib in the next few weeks with all things picnics.  No date yet, but I’m thinking it will be on a Saturday.  We will have recipes for a salad and sandwich in the article. 

We’re still posting recipes in The Groves Report and The View.   If you get either of those newspapers, be sure to check ‘Recipe Corner’ column for our recipes.

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.

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 shower, birthday, anniversary or ‘just because’ gifts.  Don’t forget Mothers Day and Fathers Day coming up.  We have some great classes scheduled.  Call or e-mail us for details on gift certificates. 

Food Additives - Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

Those of you who have attended classes here at Simply Impressive have probably heard me talk (more than once) about the dangers of chemical additives to our foods.  I know many people personally who become very ill whenever they eat something containing MSG.  Many of us read labels just to make sure that we do not accidentally purchase items containing MSG.  But did you know that MSG may be found in foods, even when the label does not state it specifically?  Well, it can.  The reason for that is that MSG can be an additive in foods while being called by some other name. 

While doing some research, I ran across this list of food additives that ALWAYS contain MSG.  While I do not claim to be an expert on the subject of MSG, I do know that just asking a restaurant if they use MSG in their foods may not be enough since they may use products that contain MSG and not even know it.  Take a look at this list of food items that you need to avoid if you or anyone in your family is MSG sensitive. 

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein

Hydrolyzed Protein

Hydrolyzed Plant Protein

Plant Protein Extract

Sodium Caseinate

Calcium Caseinate

Yeast Extract

Textured Protein (Including TVP)

Autolyzed Yeast

Hydrolyzed Oat Flour

Corn Oil

While there is conflicting research dealing with the dangers of MSG as a food additive, you may want to watch for it in the foods you eat.  I am not telling you to avoid it….I am just taking this opportunity to make you aware that MSG just might not be easy to spot when reading food labels.

As I always say, I would much rather eat something that I prepared using ingredients that I know rather than buy prepared foods that might just make me sick.  Hopefully this information will help you in preparing foods that are healthier for you and your family.

Have a great May and I hope to see you soon.