December 2008 Newsletter

Hi, everyone.  Happy holidays to you….or should I say ‘Merry Christmas’, ‘Happy Hanukkah’ or ‘Happy Kwanzaa’?  Whatever holidays you celebrate, this is a great time of year.  It’s full of parties and friends and…..food.

I do listen to your suggestions and have added another session of our 2008 Appetizers class in December.  People attending it last month said it was the best one yet!!!

Our class calendar is now updated thru mid-March.  We also made some changes to our website calendar that will make it easier to get the information you need.  Check it out.

Last year I published my top 10 list of favorite gadgets.  I did another list this year.  There are some repeats from our previous list, but several new items, too.  See the link to our list in the ‘In the Media’ section of this newsletter.

December seems to fly, so make sure to take some time to smell the roses and enjoy your family and friends. 

Saving Money with Gifts from the Kitchen– Usually we talk about saving money on your food budget.  This month we will talk about gifts from the kitchen to help you through the holiday season.  If you are out of ideas, check out our ‘Gifts from the Kitchen class’ coming up the first week of December.

There are always so many people on my holiday gift list, but there are times when it is not possible to buy each and every person something special.  To me, sharing gifts I make with friends is a great way to show how much I really care about them.  That’s why I often give gifts from the kitchen.  If you’re thinking that you don’t have the time to make gifts, let’s think about a few gifts that take no time at all.

There are unusual gifts such as flavored mustards, vinegars and oils.  Or how about flavored salts?  You can make a very simple citrus salt that takes about 10 minutes to make.  Gourmet items can be very expensive to purchase from a gourmet store but can be pennies to make yourself.  You can always type up a few recipes using your gift so that the recipient will have some idea of how to use it. 

Don’t forget that if you do have some time, there are always cookies and candies so popular this time of the year.  Candies such as bark make great gifts and can take just a few minutes to prepare.

Other items such as ‘in a jar’ gifts can be popular, too.  There’s soup in a jar, cookies in a jar, cakes in a jar and even things such as snowman soup.  These gifts are fun to make and receive and can be great to make with your kids.

So don’t fret about your long holiday gift list….give a gift from the kitchen. 

December Adult Classes –December classes are all about the holidays.  We are offering classes on Tuesday 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Thursday morning quick classes from 10:00 a.m. to Noon, Thursday evening classes from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and our Saturday classes are from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

On Tue 12/2 & Sat 12/6 , we will hold our Holiday Gifts from the Kitchen class where we will make mustards, vinegars, cakes, candies and more.  $63/person

On Thur 12/4 we are offering our Candy Quick Class.  In this 2 hour class we will make truffles and bark for the holidays.  $49 per person.

On Tue 12/9 we are offering a repeat of our 2008 Holiday Appetizer class.  We will make five new appetizers which are sure to please your guests during this holiday season.   $63/person

Once again we are offering our Caramel and Turtles class.  This year it is on Thur 12/11 in the evening.  We will make homemade caramels, turtles and more for the holidays.  This is a ‘don’t miss’ class that people always talk about.  $63/person.

Our final adult class for the year will be held on Tue 12/16 and Sat 12/20.  It is our Holiday Dinner class.  You will make a perfect dinner for the holidays.   $63/person

December Kids and Teen Classes – We are offering Teen classes on Friday 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Our Monday Kids 8-12 class is from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

On Fri 12/12 we are offering our Teen Cookies and Candy class where your teens will make cookies and candy for the holidays.  $47 per person.

You asked for it….kids classes over the long holiday.  On Mon 12/29 we are offering our Kids 8-12 Italian class.  This is a brand new class where we will be featuring lasagna.  $47/person

Upcoming Classes for January 2009 – We have Tuesday and Saturday morning classes this month as well as a Thursday evening class.

On Tue 1/6/2009 & Sat 1/10 we are offering our Healthy Cooking— Fish class where we will make a wonderful seafood menu that tastes great and is so good for you.  $63/person. 

On Tue 1/13 & Sat 1/17 attend our Healthy Cooking— Beef class.  We will make a healthy yet tasty menu featuring beef.   $63 per person. 

On Tue 1/20 & Sat 1/24 try our Healthy Cooking— Salmon class.  We will make a Moroccan-inspired meal that is healthy and tasty.   $63 per person. 

Just in time, our Chinese New Year class is being offered Tue 1/27.  Make a great meal that is perfect to bring in Chinese New Year.   $63 per person.

Whatever team you are rooting for, come to our Super Bowl Entertaining class on Thur 1/29.  Prepare dishes that are just right to cheer your favorite team on.  You'll score BIG with this one!   $63 per person

Special Offers – Our specials for the month of December are below.  One discount per person, please.

If you spend at least $275 on gift certificates, you will receive a personalized apron.  Offer is valid until 12/15/2008.

In December, sign up and pay for two classes taken between December 2008 and January 2009 and receive $10 off your next class fee for any class in January or February.

Also, if you recommend a friend who has never taken a class here before, you will receive $10 off your next class when we receive their payment.

Methods of Payment and Cancellation Policy – See Registration and Cancellation Policy for further information. 

In the media – It was hard to turn on the TV or radio without catching us on the air.  We were on TV, radio and the web.  We will include both upcoming segments and a few recent segments that you may have missed.

Media segments coming up this month –

Monday 12/1, 1:00 p.m. on Channel 12, we will be on Arizona Midday where we will be making gifts from the kitchen simple enough for your kids to help.

Monday 12/8, 9:00 a.m. on Channel 15, we will be on Sonoran Living featuring our 2008 Kitchen Gadgets Favorites.  We will demo a few so you can share in the fun.  If you are unable to watch, I’ll include the link in our next newsletter. 

Media segments from the past few weeks – While we do not have all the segments listed, here were some that we think you will enjoy.

We were on Channel 12 news a few days ago talking about how to stock your pantry.  It was on very early in the morning so if you missed it, see their website Stocking your pantry for some great hints. 

In case you missed our Southwestern salad on Sonoran Living, see the video and recipe at Southwestern Salad.

Our favorite smart shopper, Daphne Munro from Channel 15 hosted a wonderful segment on store brands versus name brands.  Watch for some pretty amazing results.  I can’t put the link in here, but go to ABC15 Smart Shopper and click on Smart Shopper – Brand Names vs. generic names Thanksgiving test in the list.  

For a simple way to make a unique stuffing, watch last week’s AZ Midday segment -- Save time for Thanksgiving.

I am a monthly contributor to the website VibrantNation.com.  I recently posted my 2008 gadget list there.  To see it, go to Favorite Kitchen Gadgets 2008.  Gadgets range in price from pennies to about $30-$50 dollars.  Most are under $10.  Perfect for stocking stuffers.

I would like to Thank You for your continued support of Simply Impressive Cooking School.  Have a great holiday season.  I hope to see you in a class soon. 

Recipe of the Month -- If you would like to make our double dipped pretzel rods, please see the recipe Double Dipped Pretzel Rods.