September 2007 Newsletter

Wow!  September is here already.  This year just is flying!  It’s hard to believe that we have less than 3 months until Christmas!!!  Where is this year going?  It has been an awful hot summer here in Phoenix, but as they say ‘it’s a dry heat’.  As we prepare for our last holiday of the summer, and hopefully our weather breaking soon, let’s keep cooling thoughts on our minds. 

This month, we have a great main dish recipe that is perfect for a potluck or a quick meal.  It is hearty and reminds us that cooler weather is coming.  Try our recipe featuring basic staple items from your grocery store to make our Inside Out Ravioli Casserole.  It might be a little heavy for our 100 degree days, but it won’t be 100 forever. 

September Classes – We are getting back to our ‘normal’ class schedule for the fall, with adult classes every week.  We’re also back to holding many weekend and evening classes. 

Our Tuesday classes are all from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and our Saturday classes are all held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  For September, there are not any evening classes scheduled.

On Tuesday 9/11 And Saturday 9/15 we are featuring Hearty Dinner Salads I.  In this class we will make four (yes I did say four!) main dish salads along with several salad dressings.  These meals are hearty enough for the guys or perfect for ‘ladies who lunch’.  The price for this class is $58.  See the menu at Hearty Dinner Salad Menu.

On Tuesday 9/18 and Saturday 9/22 we are pleased to offer our Do You Fondue? class.  We will be making an appetizer, main dish and dessert fondue in this class, all for the price of $58.  The menu is at Fondue Menu.

On Tuesday 9/25 only, we will offer our Tofu for Meat Lovers Class.  Now if the word ‘tofu’ doesn’t appeal to you, you really want to try this class.  When developing our recipes, we took it from the point of view of ‘I’m not going to eat those nasty tofu squares’.  We didn’t add a menu item until we (we being the steak lovers in our family) really liked them.  You will be surprised that tofu can taste so delicious, and you will not find any little tofu squares in this class either.  Cost for the class is $63.  The menu is found at Tofu for Meat Lovers.  Note that we have had several requests to hold this class on a weekend or evening, so if Tuesday morning is not convenient for you, let us know so we can schedule another session on an evening or weekend. 

Upcoming Classes for October – October brings cooler weather here in Phoenix and our October schedule prepares us for the cooler weather meals. 

On 10/2 & 10/6 we will hold our Pasta Party class where we will make 3 types of homemade pasta and 3 sauces.  Class is $63 per person.  Then on 10/9 we will hold our Apples Galore class where we make breakfast, lunch/dinner and dessert featuring apples - all for $63 per person.

On 10/16 & 10/20 we will feature our Fall Casseroles class where we will make one dish meals perfect for the cooling weather.  Cost is $63 per person. 

Our Hearty Dinner Soups class scheduled on 10/23 & 10/25 offers several great soups.  $63 per person. 

Finally we will wrap up October with our Healthy Eating – Vegetarian class where we will feature two vegetarian main dishes along with several great vegetarian sides.  Cost is $63 per person. 

Holiday Classes – As you may have noticed from our website, our holiday classes are coming up really soon.  One class to pay special attention to is our Thanksgiving Sides class.  We have had so many requests for parent/child classes that we are including this class to fill that need.  Holidays are for making memories and what better way to make memories than to spend time together in the kitchen.  Be sure to reserve your space for this special class now. See Thanksgiving Sides for details.  Just so you know, you do not have to have attend with your kids…adults are welcome even without kids.  If you have an old brochure, the date on the brochure has been changed.  The class will be on Sunday 11/18….before Thanksgiving.

Special Offers – For the month of September, refer a friend to any of our classes and receive $10 off of your next class with their paid registration.  Only one discount may be applied to any class.

Summer Drawing – The winner for our summer drawing is Vanessa Smith.  Vanessa is the recipient of a free class this fall with Simply Impressive.  Congratulations, Vanessa and I look forward to seeing you soon.

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.  

Post Your Picture – We have quite a few pictures we will be putting on our website.  Keep watching our site for pictures sent in by students.  (Hopefully) they will be on the site shortly. 

Our Website – Speaking of websites, refer to ours often at www.simplyimpressive.com for the latest in class information. 

In the Media – If you didn’t get a chance to see us making Roasted Red Pepper Gazpacho with Parmesan Croutons, watch our appearance from AM Arizona Live in the cool pines of Prescott.  Roasted Red Pepper Gazpacho Part 1 and Roasted Red Pepper Gazpacho Part 2. 

The East Valley Tribune At Home section featured an article on potlucks.  They requested a casserole recipe from us.  It was in the Saturday, August 25 paper.  The recipe they used is shown at the end of the newsletter.  It is our Inside Out Ravioli Casserole.  This one is so easy that we have made this recipe in our younger kids classes.  See East Valley Tribune - Potlucks for the article.

Don’t forget to check out our recipes in The Groves Report and The View.   If you get either of those newspapers, our recipes are in the ‘Recipe Corner’ column. 

Artwork – Reminder…..Last few days to buy artwork.  If you were interested in purchasing any of the artwork displayed throughout the house, please let me know.  The artist’s showing will be over shortly and all art will be returned to the artist. 

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.  We have some great classes scheduled.  Call or e-mail us for details on gift certificates. 

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.

Summer is just about over.  With September comes the light at the end of the tunnel as it relates to cooler weather.  Enjoy your last few days of hot weather before we are in the middle of the best part of the year.  Have a great September and I hope to see you in a class soon.  Don’t forget to bring a friend.

Monthly Recipe
This recipe is one of those ‘go to’ quick and easy meals that works well for your family or a pot luck.  It can be doubled easily, reheated, freezes well and is simple enough for kids to make.  I often keep one in the freezer so that when I have unexpected company, I can easily put together dinner without any fuss.  It has all the components of ravioli with none of the work.  I know you will enjoy our now ‘world famous’ inside out ravioli casserole. 

Inside Out Ravioli Casserole

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

1/2 pound medium-sized noodles
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced
15 ounces ricotta cheese
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon dried minced onions
Dash garlic powder
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
Dash black pepper
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
12 ounces frozen spinach, squeezed dry (optional)
26 ounces spaghetti sauce (for a quick meal use prepared sauce such as Prego)
1/2 pound mozzarella, shredded
Cooking spray 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain but do not rinse.

While the noodles are cooking, sauté the ground beef in a frying pan. While it is cooking, add the oregano, kosher salt, pepper and garlic to the beef. Cook until it is browned. Drain fat, if necessary.

In a small bowl, stir together ricotta cheese, egg and dried onions, garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. If using spinach, add to this mixture. Set aside.

To prepare ravioli casserole, spray a large casserole dish or a 9-by-13-inch pan with cooking spray.

Mix together spaghetti sauce, noodles. Place a layer of noodles on the bottom. Top with a layer of meat, then dollops of ricotta then mozzarella cheese. Repeat this until all your ingredients are gone. Make sure you have enough mozzarella cheese to cover the entire top since this will get hot and bubbly.