December Classes
Chocolaty and Savory Little Bits for the Holiday Party
Monday · December 1 · 7-9 PM
taught by Debjani Bhaduri
Got invited to a holiday party and don't know what to bring! Carry any of these great side dishes and indulge in a unique tapestry of delicious flavors. The evening begins with savory (vegetarian) menu pleasers - Spicy Vegetable Empanadas, Potato Tikia (fritter), Garlic Shrimp (appetizer), and culminates with delights for the chocoholic - Chocolate Cranberry-Chutney Bites, Tuscan Chocolate Pudding, and Hot White Chocolate Drink with a twist to indulge those chocolate cravings. These delicious finger foods (side
dishes) carry big flavor in little packages and will set your taste buds popping. Happy Holidays.
$15 per person, $13 for co-op Owners & seniors
Gluten-Free Holiday Fun
Tuesday · December 2 · 7-9 PM
taught by Amber Belt, ND
Many of us have trouble imagining the holiday season gluten or dairy free. Maybe you think your favorite holiday comfort food will be out of reach. Think again! In this class, which is part cooking and part product sampling, we will be enjoying some holiday treats. Come to class prepared to indulge in homemade Peppermint French Silk Pie and 'Cheesy' Holiday Garbanzo Spread. We'll also sample a wide range of Gluten Free/Dairy Free products from the Merc's shelves - everything from fabulous dairy-free 'egg' nog to a black-eyed pea product for New Year's Day. Come to this class with your appetite and plenty of holiday cheer! We'll sample a lot but also leave plenty of time for discussion. Note: this class is gluten-free and dairy-free.
$15 per person, $13 for Merc Owners & seniors
Kids Cooking in the Merc Kitchen
for children 8-12 years old
Saturday · December 6 · 1-3 PM
taught by Hilary Kass
Let's get together on a cool fall afternoon to rustle up a fine, healthy
lunch: Fresh Vegetable Soup and both Savory Crepes and Sweet Crepes to finish our meal. Together we will do it all - chop, blend, stir, and simmer and finally sit down together to enjoy our meal. Each student will take the fixings for their own soup and a few prepared crepes to finish at home. Come enjoy this hands-on experience.
$20 per person, $18 for children of Merc Owners
Delectable Holiday Gifts from Your Kitchen
Monday · December 8 · 7-9 PM
taught by Chef Nancy Stark
Say goodbye to holiday shopping madness! Break out of the mold and give something unique and personal from your own kitchen. Learn how to make a recipe 'kit' with seasoning blends, selected ingredients, and a recipe, all beautifully presented. Nancy will demonstrate a Thai Curry gift, a Moroccan gift, and a few specially selected sweets as well. Of course, we will taste all the 'kits' as we go. Wow!
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & seniors
Fabulous Holiday Cookies
(2 Dates / Same Class)
Tuesday · December 9 · 7-9 PM
Wednesday · December 10 · 7-9 PM
taught by Chef Paige Vandegrift
We'll put on a pot of tea for a sweet evening of holiday baking. Join Paige as she shows you how to handle and form dough to create fabulous holiday treats*. Paige will demonstrate and you'll enjoy: Almond Crescents, Chocolate-Caramel Bars (nicknamed 'danger bars' by Paige's friends), Dried fruit 'Newtons,' Swedish Ribbon Cookies, Chocolate Truffle Cookies, Classic Scottish Shortbread Fans, Linzer Thumbprint Cookies and Cranberry-Pistachio Biscotti. We're going over the top - please join us!
*This class is not about how to make dough but rather how to handle it.
We'll assume at least a basic knowledge of how.
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & seniors
Home for the Holidays
Thursday · December 11 · 7-9 PM
taught by Nancy O'Connor
It's a time to gather with friends and family, sharing good food. We'll demonstrate and sample some of our family's holiday favorites - foods that are special and also nourishing! We'll start class with a mug of traditional Wassail, a warming combination of tea, fruit juices, and spices. Then on to a bowl of Black Bean and Pumpkin Stew served up with hot Sweet Potato Biscuits. We'll end class with a slice of warm Winter Fruit Strudel topped with Maple Whipped Cream, and Whole Wheat Molasses Crisps, a holiday staple in our house for 30 years!
$15 per person, $13 for Merc Owners & seniors
Fabulous Chocolate Desserts for the Holidays
Monday · December 15 · 7-9 PM
taught by Chef Nancy Stark
Nothing gets people's attention like an amazing dessert. Even better is when you make it yourself! Learn how to make some delicious, beautiful, pastry-chef caliber desserts, along with make-ahead tips so you can be cool in the kitchen. Chef Nancy will prepare a variety of styles: modern and understated - Chocolate Caramel Tart with Sea Salt; traditional and elegant - Chocolate Souffle with Vanilla Creme Anglaise; and the showstopper - Buche de Noel (holiday yule log cake), complete with handmade holly and meringue mushrooms. We'll greet you at the door with tea and coffee.
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & seniors
Two Scones & a Fruit Sauce
Tuesday · December 16 · 10AM - Noon
taught by Hilary Kass
Learn how to make two very different scones - Oat Scones made in a skillet and Lemon Ginger Scones baked in the oven. These delicious wholesome baked goodies are even nicer when served with a warm Swedish Dried Fruit Sauce that we'll also learn how to make. In this limited hands-on class you will have the opportunity to work with these doughs to get a feel for making them at home. At the end of class participants will sit down together to share a meal of homemade soup accompanied by the scones and sauce we'll make in class.
$20 per person, $18 for co-op Owners & seniors
