The following list offers a glimpse at the variety of cooking classes being offered in Lamorinda and Walnut Creek for the months of November and December 2006. Please check with the course provider for the most up-to-date information, course descriptions, locations, fees, requirements, and registration information. 

Lafayette-Moraga Recreation Center offers single session classes, including: Asian Tapas, Basic Thai, Delicious Stir-Fries, French Finger Foods, Harvest Menu for Entertaining, Holiday Dinner for Friends, Holiday Hors D’Oeuvres, Indian Cooking, Light Asian Salads, Simple and Healthy Crockpot Cooking, Thanksgiving 101, Ultimate Chocolate Cake, and Wine Tasting. We must also mention that LMC’s very own Monica Chappell is teaching a fun “Winning Wines for the Holiday Table” course on Thursday, November 9 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Costs generally range from $27 to $62. See full class descriptions and registration information at www.lafmor-recreation.org. The recreation office is located at the Lafayette Community Center, 500 Saint Mary’s Road, Lafayette, 284-2232. In general, classes are held at the Hacienda de las Flores, located at 2100 Donald Drive, Moraga.

Orinda Community Center currently offers the following classes: Sushi Basics; Vegetarian Thai Cooking; Winter Holiday Hors D’Oeuvres; Italian Regional Cooking; Wines of the World: Spain & Portugal; American Cooking: The Complete Thanksgiving Dinner; Kitchen Fitness (Strengthening Your Skills For Better Eating: Lifestyle Transformation Series). Classes are mostly single session, with some offered as a series. Cost generally ranges from $40 to $66 per session. See full class descriptions and registration information at www.ci.orinda.ca.us/parksandrec. The Orinda Community Center is located at 26 Orinda Way, Orinda, 254-2445.

Viking Cooking School offers the novice and experienced cook a wide variety of classes, from basic knife skills, to gingerbread houses, to soufflés, to elaborate holiday meals and cocktail parties. Some of the classes are designed for children; some are designed for couples out for a date-night adventure, or moms looking for a girls-night-out, as well as the random person just looking to brush up his or her cooking skills. These popular classes book up fast. As of the writing of this newsletter, many classes are already sold out in November and December. Some classes are single sessions of varying length. Other classes are grouped together as a series. Cost generally ranges from $49 to $125. See full class descriptions and registration information at www.vikinghomechef.com. Viking Cooking School is located at the Viking-Home Chef Store, 1604 Mount Diablo Boulevard, Walnut Creek, 943-3191.

Intro To Indian Cooking 

Classes will be on Monday evenings beginning on January 22, 2007.  Costs generally range from $60 to $75 (not including mandatory supply fee).  See full class descriptions and registration information at www.lafmor-recreation.org by December 2, 2006. For cooks 16 years and older.

These workshops will teach the basic techniques of Indian cooking so you and your family can enjoy delicious healthy meals. Learn basics of Indian masalas (spices) like cumin, mustard seed, coriander, turmeric, red chili powder and garam masala.

Vegetables & Lentils
Get to know the techniques used to infuse vegetables with wonderful spices. You will also learn about the different kinds of lentils used in Indian cooking and use the infusion technique to make a tasty lentil dish. Lastly, we’ll cool your taste buds with raita, an Indian yogurt sauce that you can enjoy alongside the vegetables, lentils and basmati rice.

South Indian Lunch
Learn about dosas, a South Indian type of crepe. Moong dal is a hearty green lentil which is loaded with protein & fiber. You’ll learn how to make a moong dal dosa, the onion-potato stuffing and mint-cilantro chutney.

Meats & Rice
In this session you’ll see that once you’ve mastered the basics of masalas you can prepare a simple spice rub for any type of fish. We’ll also use our knowledge of masalas to make the crowd pleaser of a light tomato based chicken curry. The finishing touches on the meal are complete with a vegetable rice pulao.

Intro to Indian Breads
How is any Indian meal complete without bread? Learn the techniques to make whole wheat based “chapati” or “roti” which is the daily bread of Indians. While you’re mastering your kneading and rolling technique you’ll also learn how to make a stuffed roti or a “paratha”. Bring your rolling pin and taste buds!

Dessert & Chai
Put the finishing touches on your Indian meal with a healthy dessert made out of carrots! Yes, gajar ka halwa, a specialty of North India, is a carrot sweetmeat that we infuse with saffron, cardamom, almonds and pistachios. You’ll finish up your spice lesson with a lovely cup of “chai” and learn the technique.

For additional information on Indain cooking class offerings see: /images/documents/summerfall2007flyer.pdf