October 2009 Newsletter

Feel the cooler breeze.  It’s finally Fall.  Pumpkins are starting to show up everywhere.  With Fall here, it seems like the Holidays are just around the corner.  I’m not going to get ahead of myself quite yet.  I’m just going to enjoy the calm before the storm. 

We are still preparing to add some additional classes that are not yet on the calendar to talk about topics such as party planning.  Watch the newsletter and website as details unfold. 

Over the last few years several classes have been perennial favorites and people have asked us to put them on the schedule again and again.  Some of these classes, such as Italian Night, Oktoberfest and Turtles will be offered this year FOR THE LAST TIME.  So if you were thinking about taking any or all of these classes, make sure you take them while you still can.

This month we are featuring another favorite herb, thyme.  We will feature thyme in our recipe for Quick Apple Stuffing.  It starts with a boxed stuffing, but we jazz it up so that it’s really delicious.  Be sure to check it out at the end of our newsletter. 

Oh, yes, in order to make our newsletter shorter but still give you all the great information we have in the past, we will be giving you links to our articles and recipes.  Make sure you check them out. 

I hope to see you in a class soon, and don’t forget to take advantage of our monthly specials. 

Herb of the Month – Thyme: Thyme is one of those herbs I seem to use more in cooler weather.  With our weather cooling down, now is a great time to look more closely into thyme.  It may be making its way into your Fall dishes.  Tell me about thyme.

Bell Peppers – If you have ever wondered what’s the difference between the various types of bell peppers available, check out our article Red Green Yellow Orange or Purple Bell Peppers. 

October Adult Classes – 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.  Check out our website at October Classes for details.

On Saturday 10/3 we will be holding our Kitchen Gadget Cooking class.  In this class we will use a pressure cooker, grill pan, indoor smoker and others to prepare our meal.  We will also talk about how to prepare our recipes without the use of gadgets just in case you do not have one at home.  Cost is $63 per person.  This is a great opportunity to try out some gadgets you may want for the holidays. 

On Tuesday 10/6 and Thursday 10/8 we are offering our Pantry Meals in Minutes class.  We will feature ways to stock your pantry so you always have something good to make for dinner.  Cost for this class is $63 per person…Cost savings by not eating out as much…priceless.

On Thursday 10/15 and Saturday 10/17 we are offering our Oktoberfest class where we will prepare a great German meal to fit any Oktoberfest celebration or a cooler-weather dinner.  The menu includes apple infused pork chops and spaetzle.  Cost is $63 per person.  This is the last time we will be offering this class, so make sure to sign up while you still can.

For all you tofu haters; Tuesday 10/20 and Saturday 10/24 we are offering our Tofu for Meat Lovers class.  This class will teach you the basics of using tofu and you will make several tofu dishes even meat lovers will enjoy.  Our recipes are not like typical tofu, so if you’ve tasted it before and not liked it, attend this class to learn that tofu can really taste good.  This is the last time we will be offering this class, too, so be sure to sign up while you can.  Cost is $63 per person 

On Thursday 10/29 and Saturday 10/31 join us for our All New Casseroles class.  We will make several easy one-pot meals that are perfect for getting dinner on the table.  We are still working on the recipes, but right now our planned menu includes Shepherd’s/Cottage Pie, Mexican Lasagna and Chicken Tabouli casserole.  Cost is $63 per person. 

Upcoming Classes for November – Our holiday classes begin this month.  For November, 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.  We are also offering a class on Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.  Check out our website at November Classes for class menus and details.

On Thursday 10/29 and Saturday 10/31 join us for our All New Casseroles class.  We will make several delicious meals that are perfect for getting dinner on the table.  We are still working on the recipes, but right now our planned menu includes Shepherd’s/Cottage Pie, Mexican Lasagna and Chicken Tabouli casserole.  Cost is $63 per person. 

Thursday 11/5 and Saturday 11/7 we are offering our brand new Cheesecakes class where we will explore different types of cheesecakes.  This is one of those classes that lots of people have been requesting.  If you have seen our latest brochure, our turtle cheesecake we will make is on the cover. $63 per person.

Tuesday 11/10 and Saturday 11/14 we will hold Italian Night class for the last time.  This class has been a favorite since we began offering it.  We will prepare a wonderful Italian meal that does not include pasta.  $63 per person.

SPECIAL DAY -- Sunday 11/15 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Turtles — prepare homemade caramel, turtles and truffles for your family or as gifts.  $63 per person.  These wonderful candies make a perfect gift and freeze well so you can have them year ‘round.  Catch the class this year while we are still offering it.

Thursday 11/19 and Saturday 11/21 we will hold our Fancy Holiday Appetizers class.  This class will include appetizers that are perfect for not only holiday parties, but weddings, showers, etc.  If you have been to any of our appetizer classes in the past, you know how fantastic they are.  This class will include all new appetizers that are sure to please your guests. $63 per person

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.

Simply Impressive in the Media – We will be on Sonoran Living on Friday, October 2 at 9:00 a.m. on ABC15.  They are featuring quick and easy meals.  We were asked to prepare meals that are ready in 20 minutes.  Besides giving them recipes for lots of other quick meals, we are going to make our favorite Three Tomato Pomodoro.  Make sure to set your recorder for this one.

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.  You can also subscribe to our articles so you will automatically know when we put out new articles.  We are now posting recipes and information about Fall and the holidays.  We 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 are offering special deals thru Twitter this Fall so get ‘plugged in’ today.  

Facebook – we are in the process of setting up a Simply Impressive Cooking School fan page.  We will use that as a way to let you know about appearances that do not make it into our newsletter.  It will be finalized in the next few days.  Keep checking for it on facebook.  We will also have our twitter tweets linked to our fan page so you can see special deals, too. 

Recipe of the Month – Fall brings the new crop of apples with many choices for taste, texture and uses.  We want to share a favorite weeknight recipe that features apples and our herb of the month, thyme.  We know you will enjoy this recipe.  It goes great with pork chops or chicken. Check out our recipe for quick stuffing with apples and thyme.  It’s simple, delicious and a perfect side dish for a weeknight meal.

By the way…if you aren’t sure which apples are good for your use, see our Apple Usage Chart

Judy Toth

Simply Impressive Cooking School

480.654.1981

http://www.examiner.com/x-17180-Mesa-Food-Examiner