We’re busy working on our holiday classes.  With appetizers, cookies, candies, gifts and brunches, you would think that the holidays are here already.  But they’re not here … yet.

The economy seems to be on the top of everyone’s mind so we will take this opportunity to show you ways to save money on your food budget.  This month we will talk about a few great coupon sites.  Also, several local businesses are offering Election Day specials.  Ours can be found in our ‘specials’ section of the newsletter.  See www.themediapush.wordpress.com for other specials, which include items from massages to car stuff! 

We also have a favor to ask (or at least a reminder for you).  We are working on our website yet again and realized that the same testimonials have been out there for a while.  We’d like to keep things fresh for you.  If you have attended our classes, we would appreciate your taking the time to write a testimonial for us.  If yours appears on our website, you will receive a gift. 

Our recipe for the month is a great switch from pumpkin pie.  See our recipe later in this newsletter.

Saving Money at the Grocery Store – Last month we talked about online grocery store ads.  This month, I want to tell you about a few great sites I found for getting coupons. 

For lots of different types of coupons, go to www.couponmom.com.  Her site is free, but does require you to sign up for access.  If you buy the newspaper each week you have probably seen the coupons on Sunday.  If you want more, go to www.smartsource.com.  This site allows you to select the coupons you want and print them off yourself.  Finally, check out www.mygrocerydeals.com.  This site lets you know about deals at your favorite grocery store.  Keep watching our newsletters for other ways to save money.

November Adult Classes – Our November classes will help you prepare for the holiday season.  We are offering classes on Tuesday 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., our Thursday morning quick classes are from 10:00 a.m. to Noon, our Thursday evening classes are 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and our Saturday classes are from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for our adult classes and 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for our kids classes. 

On Tue 11/4 we will feature Fancy Cakes from a Box.  If you think the only way you can make an impressive cake is to bake it from scratch….think again.  We will make several cakes that will not look or taste ordinary.  $63/person

On Sat 11/8 we will feature our Uptown Brunch class.  Brunch is a great way to entertain while getting you out of the kitchen quickly.  See our menu at Uptown Brunch.  $63/person

Holiday Appetizers class is on Tue 11/11 and Sat 11/15.  We will prepare make-ahead appetizers for your holiday guests.  This is a new class for 2008 so if you have taken one of our previous appetizer classes, you know how great this one will be.  $63/person

On Thur 11/13 we will feature our Mini Desserts Quick Class.  We will make desserts that are perfect for entertaining this season such as cream puffs and mini tarts.  $49/person

On Tue 11/18 and Thur 11/20 we will feature our Fancy Cookies class.  This brand new class for 2008 will include several of my favorite holiday cookes.  You will make cookies that are simple yet look very fancy.  $63/person

For all of you who have asked us for classes that you can take with your kids….this class is for you.  On Sat 11/22 we are offering our Thanksgiving Sides For Families.  You will prepare simple and delicious accompaniments to your Thanksgiving meal.  $63/adult; $47/child

November Kids Classes – We also added a cookie class for kids.  On Sat 11/29 we will be holding our Kids 8-12 Cookie baking class.  Your kids will learn the basics of cookie baking and come home with some great cookies to share.  $47 per child.

Upcoming Classes for December (Kids and Adults) – We have both 3 hour and ‘quick’ 2 hour classes as well as several Saturday and evening classes for adults.  Our kids and teen classes are on Friday evenings and daytime classes are at 10:00 a.m.

On Tue 12/2 & Sat 12/6 , we will hold our Holiday Gifts from the Kitchen class where we will make several gift items from your own kitchen.   $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 and Sat 12/13 we are offering our Simple Candies class.  We will make several kinds of candy which are great gifts from your kitchen.   $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.

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.

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

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

Special Offers – ONE DAY ONLY – on Election Day (11/4/2008), if you sign up for a class, you will receive $10 off that class.  Class can be any adult class on our calendar that you were not already registered for.  All you have to do is bring in your “I voted” sticker to receive your discount.  If you voted early (or lost your sticker like I would probably do), just let me know. 

Our special for the month of November is sign up and pay for two classes for the remainder of 2008 and receive $10 off your class fee for a 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.  One discount per person, please.

We are going to be offering holiday specials again this year, so if you are planning on giving a gift certificate to someone, keep in mind that if you spend $275 on a gift certificate, you will receive a personalized apron.  We will keep this offer open until 12/15/2008. 

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.  

Methods of Payment – Remember that payment is due up front for classes.  While we prefer checks, we also take PayPal as an alternative payment method.  If you absolutely must pay with credit cards, let us know so that we can send you a PayPal invoice via e-mail. 

Cancellation Policy – For our adult classes, we must have at least 72 hour notice before class in order to apply a full credit towards another class.  Cancellations made less than 72 hours before class will NOT receive a credit.  Of course, if WE cancel a class, you are entitled to a full refund.  For our kids classes, no refunds will be issued unless we can fill the spot.

Cookware Discounts – This is the last month we can offer this discount.  Andrews Restaurant Supply & Equip. is offering Simply Impressive friends a 10% discount.   Andrews is located at 1719 E. Southern Ave in Tempe.  Call them at 480-496-4755.  The offer excludes equipment, glass and special orders.  Tell them that you are from Simply Impressive.  Offer expires 12/31/2008.

In the Media – I was on Sonoran Living twice in October.  The first one talked about planning your meals using grocery ads.  The video interview is at Money Saving Tips at the Grocery Store. 

The second visit shared one of my dinner salads recipes.  The story is at Southwestern Salad.  

We are doing a taste testing on store brands versus name brands for your Thanksgiving dinner with Daphne Munro, ABC15’s Smart Shopper.  It should be airing on November 20 during the 10 o’clock news.  Be sure to check it out!

We will also be on Channel 12 morning news on November 13 at 5:40 a.m. and 6:40 a.m.  I don’t have additional details on this one yet so you will have to tune in to find out. 

Sonoran Living will have us on again on November 24 (9 a.m. Channel 15) to talk about gifts from the kitchen.  I’ll include the tape in our next newsletter if you miss it.

A while back I was featured on the Vibrant Nation website which is for women over 50.  They recently asked me to provide them with a monthly feature.  Watch http://www.vibrantnation.com for recipes, restaurant reviews, cooking ideas, etc. 

I would like to thank for your continued support of Simply Impressive Cooking School and I hope to see you in a class soon. 

Recipe of the Month

I love pumpkin pie, but don’t you occasionally get tired of the same old thing?  Try our pumpkin mousse shells.  They are very impressive looking and tasting.  We use Cool Whip in the recipe, but feel free to use whipped cream.  Just whip up 1 ½ cups o heavy whipping cream and use that instead of the Cool Whip.

Pumpkin Mousse Shells

Serves 4

4	Frozen puff pastry shells
1 box	Pumpkin Instant pudding, 4 serving size
1 cup	Milk
¼ tsp	Bourbon extract, optional
8 oz tub	Cool Whip, thawed
2 tbsp	Powdered sugar

Preheat oven to temperature defined on puff pastry shell package.  Bake puff pastry shells according to package directions.  When browned, remove the top, remove the inside that is soft and gummy.  Place the puff pastry and the top back in the oven for about 2-3 minutes to dry out.  Place on wire rack to cool.

To make the filling, mix pudding, milk and bourbon extract, if using, until lumps are removed and pudding is thick.  Carefully fold in Cool Whip until it is well mixed with the pudding mixture to make a pumpkin mousse.

Fill the inside of the shells with the pumpkin mousse mixture with a pastry bag or a spoon.  Place the pastry top attractively atop the mousse.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar.  Serve cold.

Note – you can substitute Cool Whip for freshly whipped cream.  Whip about 1 ½ cups of extra cold whipping cream with a splash of vanilla and a few tablespoons of powdered sugar. 

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With Warmest Regards....

Judy Toth

Simply Impressive Cooking School
480.654.1981

www.simplyimpressive.com