October Classes
Wrap It Up - Asian Style
Monday · October 6 · 7-9 PM
taught by Chef Nancy Stark
Chef Nancy Stark is pleased to teach fun class again by popular request.
Nancy will gather up lots of wonderful fresh (and some unfamiliar) ingredients and set to work rolling and wrapping. Nancy will demonstrate and you'll get to sample: Vietnamese Shrimp Spring Rolls with Spicy Peanut Sauce; Crab and Avocado California Rolls with Wasabi and Ginger; and Thai Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps with Sweet Chili-Garlic Sauce. Wow - don't wait to sign up for this one!
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & seniors
Cooking for Small Households
Tuesday · October 7 · 7-9 PM
taught by Chef Paige Vandegrift
This is a class you've asked for many times - and here it is with the best possible instructor. Chef Paige is usually cooking at the Merc for 30 guests but at home she cooks for two, and does it well. In this practical class Paige will discuss shopping, using the freezer, using leftovers, and cutting recipes down to size. Lots of demonstrations, delicious sampling, and down-to-earth ideas.
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & seniors
A Postcard from Italy - Delicious First Course Italian Foods
Wednesday · October 8 · 7-9 PM
taught by Jayni Carey, host of "Jayni's Kitchen" on Sunflower Cable
Join Jayni for an evening of food and travel stories inspired by her trip to Italy. These varied recipes can be served as a starter course to an Italian meal, or anytime you want to add a taste of Italy to your menu.
Jayni will show slides of Italy before the class begins. Our menu for this trip includes Umbrian-Style Grape Pizza; Calamari with Zucchini, Green Onion, & Lemon Dressing; Celery Salad with Parmigiano-Reggiano & Toasted Walnuts; Avocado, Tomato, & Mozzarella Salad; and Italy in a Jar - fresh tomato sauce steeped in Italian Flavors - then served over pasta. You'll be transported!
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & seniors
What to Eat if You Leave Out the Meat
Thursday · October 16 · 7-9 PM
taught by Nancy O'Connor
Your teenage son has decided to stop eating meat. Your partner just gave up red meat, fish and cheese. Or maybe you're just interested in exploring meatless options occasionally but you're not comfortable that you'll get enough protein. Whatever your reasons, come to this fun and informative class where we'll talk about vegetarian nutrition, answer questions, and taste some great food including Savory Butternut and Black Bean Burritos, Veggie Chop Suey, Teriyaki Tofu, Classic Italian Pasta with Cannellini Beans and a homey Apple Apricot crumble for dessert. Burritos have cheese, all other recipes are prepared without dairy or eggs.
$15 per person, $13 for Merc Owners & seniors
Even More Authentic Mexican Flavors with Corn Masa
Tuesday · October 14 · 7-9 PM
taught by Chef Nancy Stark
Nancy's first class with corn masa was such a success that she's back with all new recipes. Using a simple corn dough that is one of the cornerstone's of indigenous cooking Nancy will cook up a fabulous variety of Mexican dishes including Fresh Corn Chips and Salsa; Baja-style Fish Tacos (crispy fish and chipotle slaw, with fresh corn tortillas and avocados); Sopes (a masa tartlet) with Red Chili Pork and Queso Fresco: and the perfect end to the perfect meal - Caramel Flan! Get your tortillas presses ready.
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & seniors
Teens Cooking in the Merc Kitchen
Friday · October 17 · 11 AM - 1 PM
taught by Amber Belt, ND & Ashley Roberts
School is out on Friday, October 17 and we're inviting teens into The Merc's kitchen. Amber and Ashley are teaming up to teach a few new recipes that are useful for teen cooks. The class will begin with a guided shopping trip to get our ingredients. Then we'll head into the kitchen where each participant will create and eat his or her own Bean, Cheese, & Veggie Quesadilla; Fantastic Fruit Smoothie; and Blueberry-Banana Peanut Butter Bars. This class is intended for ages 12-18 and is limited to 16 participants.
$15 per teen, $13 for teens of Merc Owners
Cooking for Diabetes
Monday · October 20 · 7-9 PM
taught by Amber Belt, ND
Even if you aren't diabetic or have trouble with blood sugar control, you need to take this class! Eating to minimize impact on blood sugar is important for everyone. In this follow-up to last month's blood sugar regulation class, Amber will be showing you how to create meals that have minimal effect on blood sugar. Think it may be bland? Think again - these recipes are delicious! You will be enjoying diabetic-friendly recipes such as Turkey Melt, Spaghetti Squash Fritters, Sauteed Kale with Crimini Mushrooms, and for dessert Chocolate Vanilla Cheesecake. Be prepared to relish the taste of healthy eating.
$15 per person, $13 for Merc Owners & seniors
Spanish Tapas 2 - More & Different Little Bites
Tuesday · October 21 · 7-9 PM
taught by Chef Paige Vandegrift
We're headed to Spain once again with Chef Paige to eat more delectable little Spanish appetizers or tapas. If you loved our first tapas class and want more, or if you missed the first class, start here for an evening of Spanish flavors. Enjoy Chicken Empanadas; Patatas Bravas (fried potatoes with allioli and spicy sauce); Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Cabrales; Catalan-style Spinach; and Cauliflower Gratin with Manchego & Almond Sauce.
Wow! Wow!
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & seniors
Making Dreams Come True: What Are You Waiting For?
Thursday · October 23 · 7-9 PM
taught by Marybeth Bethel, MS
This class is intended for people of any age who are intent on realizing long-cherished dreams. Some key elements that foster effective change are inspiration and encouragement, along with effort and dedication. This class will introduce you to several tried-and-true concepts that will enhance your efforts at setting and reaching goals. The class will also provide a forum for supportive discussion among others who wish to challenge themselves. Come share your story and get started on the road to fulfilling your dreams, whatever they are.
$12 per person, $10 for Merc Owners & seniors
Grow Your Own Medicine
Saturday · October 25 · 2-4 PM
taught by Ocoee Miller
Start now planning your medicinal garden for next spring. You don't have to have a green thumb to grow medicinal plants. Often beautiful and fragrant, these plants are unusually robust. Many are perennial, so once you get them established you have them forever. Don't have a yard? No problem. You can grow many of these in pots. Ocoee will teach you where to get the best seeds; which plants to buy as seedlings; what kind of location for which plants. Just imagine how happy it will make you to walk out your door and pick just the right green leaf that will cool your fever, or stop your headache, calm your nerves, close a wound, help you breathe - or what ever else you need. You can fill your yard with fresh top quality medicine. So why not?
$12 per person, $10 for Merc Owners & seniors
Incredible & Beautiful Cakes
Wednesday · October 29 · 7-9 PM
taught by Chef Nancy Stark
Here's a very special and fun class for bakers who also appreciate food as art. Chef Nancy will share her incredible talents as a baker in this class where you'll learn the secrets of making and decorating fancy cakes for birthdays, holidays, and all those really special occasions. We'll start class with some light snacks while Nancy demonstrates the basics of the
cake: white cake, soaking syrup and French buttercream. Nancy will construct the cake then cover it with a layer of rolled fondant and decorate it with edible handmade roses and leaves. Class will end, of course, with cake and coffee, and a standing ovation.
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & seniors
