On occasion, or when someone requests it, I teach a short course on making a simple French or Italian meal at home.  Sometimes it’s quiche and salad, complete with learning how to make a crust and vinaigrette from scratch. For the Italian cooking session, it could be learning to make your own pizza and/or crostata.  Other times it’s something like this soup-fricassee-mousse meal where all my food fantasies merge into one happy morning/afternoon and lunch or dinner.  Soup, chicken, chocolate, paired wines: what more could you want for a short French menu class or for Valentine’s Day at home?

NOTE TO READERS: I’VE INSERTED 2/14/15 CLASS PHOTOS INTO THIS POST, WHICH WAS WRITTEN BEFOREHAND.

 This Saturday’s class is full.  I might repeat it if enough students are interested. Let me know if you are by leaving a note in the Comments, on fb, or via email.  I’m currently looking at a 3-month series at home beginning next September — one Thursday night or one Saturday per month focused on basic French menus.  I’ll keep you posted.

For those enrolled in this Saturday’s Valentine class, here are recipes and a few basic instructions with photos.  I’ll have the whole deal printed off for you–no need to copy and paste from here.  We’ll take some photos together and I’ll replace these as needed or make another post just for grins and giggles.

Bon appétit, mes amis!  I can’t wait to cook with you. Continue reading →