The wonderful smells of a roasting turkey and pumpkin pie are gone now and we are being bombarded with Christmas commercials now.  The holiday season is in full swing and we are all busy shopping, writing up cards and, of course, cooking and baking.

Our free entertaining class held in November was a success and we are considering holding others throughout 2010. 

We are still working out the final details for our first quarter 2010 classes, but have finalized January classes.  We have received some class requests and are including them whenever possible.  We are also in the process of scheduling our beginner’s series since so many people have requested it.  These classes will begin in early February.  Our calendar for 2010 will be available shortly, however, if you have questions before the website is updated, feel free to contact me for information.

Don’t forget to check out our great specials for December, including those for holiday gift giving.  We hope to see you in a class soon. 

Holiday cooking and baking -- With so much cooking and baking going on in December, remember to use items from the grocery store to make your life easier.  There are things such as phyllo shells and puff pastry.  To read about prepared ingredients ready for you to use, see pre-made grocery store ingredients.

Recipe of the Month – Antler Munch.  Several years ago I sent my nephews what I thought was a huge bucket of chocolate covered popcorn.  That huge box ended up being a very expensive small box of this famous candy.  I swore that I would never buy it again and came up with my own recipe.  Our recipe for this wonderful confection can be found at "Antler Munch" popcorn.  Make a big batch and give it as gifts to your friends.

December Adult Classes –We are offering classes on Tuesday 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Thursday 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Check out our website at December classes for details.

On Thursday 12/3 we will hold our Mini Desserts class.  This brand new class will feature wonderful ‘small bite’ desserts that are perfect to serve to your holiday guests.  $63 per person. 

Saturday 12/ 5 plan on attending our all new Holiday Cookies.  You will prepare some of my favorite holiday cookies for your cookie-baking season.  As with all of our classes, you will participate in making each recipe.  Get a jump start on your holiday baking with this class.   $63 per person

Tuesday 12/8 & Saturday 12/12 we are offering our Holiday Appetizers 2009 class.  This all new class will include some of my favorite holiday appetizers for your guests.  We recently held a private class using several of these appetizers and people just loved them.  Our crab and bacon bites are fabulous and so simple to make.  $63 per person

For our final class of 2009, plan on attending our Uptown Brunch class.  It is being offered on Thursday 12/17 and again on  Saturday 12/19.  Brunches are the perfect way to celebrate New Years Day and this menu fits the bill.  This menu includes, among other things, our caramelized onion and goat cheese quiche and pear french toast.  To see the rest of the menu go to December classes and hold your mouse over ‘uptown brunch’.  $63 per person

Upcoming Classes for January – We have finalized our January class schedule and will post the classes on our website shortly.  For January, we are offering classes on Tuesday 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.; Thursday 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  

Our January classes include Satisfying Vegetarian Dishes where we will prepare several vegetarian dishes that are so satisfying you will not miss the meat.  These include vegetarian stuffed peppers with red sauce, meatless minestrone soup, tofu parmesan and more.  Classes are on Tuesday 1/5 and Saturday 1/9.  $63 per person

We are also featuring our Healthy Salmon class.  We will prepare a delicious Moroccan inspired meal featuring salmon.  This class is offered on Tuesday 1/19 and Saturday 1/23.  $63 per person

On Thursday 1/28 and Saturday 1/30 we are offering our Crunchy Stuffed Chicken Cordon Bleu.  This is a delicious way to serve chicken that is rolled and stuffed with ham and cheese.  $63 per person.

Gift Certificates – with gift giving season here, keep in mind that cooking classes with Simply Impressive are a great gift.  Give one, or several.  They are the perfect gift for everyone.  Those who can cook will learn new techniques and recipes.  Those who can’t cook will learn that they can get great results with a little know-how.  Purchase 4 gift certificates and receive an embroidered apron.  We must have your order before 12/15 to receive the apron by Christmas.

Specials for December – Besides our special on gift certificates, we are also offering percentages off of all classes scheduled and paid for in the month of December.  This offer applies to all classes scheduled through March 2010.  For 1 to 2 classes scheduled, you will receive 10% off each class, for 3 or more classes scheduled you will receive 20% off each class. 

In the Media – We will be on Arizona Midday on Monday, 12/7 at 1:00 p.m. on Channel 12.  We will be making cookies that are perfect to make with kids. 

We will also be on Sonoran Living the week of 12/20 talking about our annual Top 10 Favorite Gadgets.  I don’t have a date yet.  Hopefully it will be available for my mid-month newsletter.  If not, it will be posted on Facebook.

Private groups – we love to hold private group sessions and hold them at my place or yours.  We can accommodate up to 12 at our location.  If you would like more information on private classes, give us a call.  We can plan special menus to fit your needs.

If you haven’t checked out our Mesa Food Examiner articles, take a few minutes to stop by.  We have informational and local food articles, along with recipes, kitchen equipment and so much more.  We post food related articles several times a week so you can stop by often to see what we’re writing about.  Or better yet, subscribe to the Mesa Food Examiner so you will automatically see what we are posting.  It’s free.  Just click where you see ‘subscribe’ to get them automatically. That way you can read what you want, and ignore the others.  We are posting recipes and information about the holidays and are also posting some of our restaurant reviews that you may not have seen. 

Do you twitter?  If so, follow us to see what we’re up to.  Our Twitter name is SimplyImprssve.  We will be offering special deals thru Twitter in December so get ‘plugged in’ today.