February Classes
Let's Cook Italian Together
Monday · February 8 · 10:30am-12:30pm
taught by Hilary Kass
Join Hilary for another fun class, where not only will you learn about new foods, you'll experience them first hand as you help prepare and then enjoy a wonderful and healthy Italian meal. Hilary will lead the class in making Homemade Polenta with Fresh Red Sauce, Oven Roasted Vegetables, and Crispy Bruschetta, accompanied by a simple Sparkling Lemonade. For dessert you'll make and enjoy warm Baked Apples. The meal will be served with lots of laughter and good company. Limited enrollment.
$20 per person, $18 for Merc Owners & Seniors
Book & Cook: Bistro Cooking
Tuesday · February 9 · 7-9pm
taught by Chef Paige Vandegrift
Join us for a stimulating and delicious evening at our Book & Cook Class. Paige has chosen one of her all time favorite cookbooks, Bistro Cooking to be the focus of this delicious class featuring recipes from small family restaurants of France. Paige will discuss the book as she prepares Chez Tante Poulette's Salad with Garlic; a savory Leek Tart; Tante Pautette's Chicken Stew with Fennel & Saffron; and Marie-Claude Gracia's Chocolate Cake. After you register we'll get you a copy of the book so that you can cook from the book and share your experiences with the class.
$30 per person, $27 for Merc Owners & Seniors and includes a copy of the cookbook "Bistro Cooking".
Chocolate Desserts for Valentine's Day
Wednesday · February 10 · 7-9pm
taught by Chef Nancy Stark
Come in out of the cold for an evening of chocolate love. Chef Nancy will start the evening with a little supper of homemade soup and bread to get you grounded before she sends you into a state of chocolate bliss. Nancy will delight you with Fabulous Chocolate Truffles - easy to make and so good; Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Heart Cakes (all about love, baby); and end with Chocolate Cake with Salted Caramel and Toasted Almond Ganache to bring down the house. Yeow!
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & Seniors
Dinner with Class:
A Special Valentine's Day Dinner
Friday · February 12
6:30-7:30pm demonstration · 7:30pm dinner served
taught by Chef Paige Vandegrift
Join us for a special candlelit dinner in honor of Valentines Day.
Bring a bottle of wine and a loved one (or come and meet new friends) and settle in for a special evening. After a cooking demonstration you'll enjoy a full course meal of Salad of Shredded Romaine & Radicchio with Apples & Asian Pears and Buttermilk Dressing; Pork Tenderloin with Port-Cherry Sauce; Butternut Squash & Potato Gratin; and Buttered Green Beans. The grand finale will be Chocolate Truffle Heart Cakes with Creme Anglaise & Fresh Raspberries. You'll be in love with Paige after this meal!
$85 per couple, $80 for Merc Owner & senior couples
$45 per individual, $42 for individual Merc Owners & seniors
Ow! Ow! Ow! Herbs For All Kinds Of Pain
Saturday · February 13 · 2-4pm
taught by Ocoee Miller
Everyone hurts at some time or other. Herbs are wonderful pain relievers, whether it is a toothache, a headache, an overworked muscle, stomach cramps, bruises, arthritis aches, back aches or even just a bee sting. The trick is to know which herbs and how to apply them for which pains. In this class Ocoee will teach from personal experience to explain exactly how to feel better using herbal pain killers. Herbal analgesics are non-habit forming, without dangerous side effects, and can often be grown in your own yard. Every household can benefit from this knowledge.
$12 per person, $10 for Merc Owners & Seniors
A Wonderful Vegetarian Indian Feast
Tuesday · February 16 · 7-9pm
taught by Anju Mishra
Join Anju for another culinary trip to India. You'll enjoy wonderful food and equally enjoyable stories as Anju prepares a vegetarian feast for you. On our menu we'll have Matar-Paneer, a delicious dish made with paneer (fresh cheese) with spicy peas. Anju will demonstrate how to make fresh paneer at home. You'll also enjoy Potato & Cauliflower Pakoras, Rice, and Delicious Dal, served with Chutney and Beautiful
Beet Raita. It's a feast!
$15 per person, $13 for Merc Owners & Seniors
Introduction to Foot Reflexology
Wednesday · February 17 · 7-9pm
taught by Julie Vernon
Come learn the basics of foot reflexology! This hands-on class will give you the tools to immediately begin helping your family and others improve their health. Foot reflexology relaxes tension and improves nerve and blood supply throughout the body, while bringing the system back into overall balance or homeostasis. Do bring your clean feet and wear loose pants.
$28 per couple, $26 for Merc Owner & senior couples
$15 per individual, $13 for individual Merc Owners & seniors
Recipes from the Famous Moosewood Restaurant
Thursday · February 18 · 7-9pm
taught by Nancy O'Connor
With an emphasis on healthful natural foods cuisine, Moosewood Restaurant in Ithaca, New York has operated successfully for 37 years.
The Moosewood Collective has authored twelve internationally acclaimed cookbooks, several of which we will explore in this fun cooking class.
A sample of our menu will include Polenta Casserole with Winter Squash and Greens from their latest book Cooking for Health; Fabulous Vegetable Pot Pie from Moosewood Celebrates; and Gingerbread with Pears from Book of Desserts. Several additional recipes from other cookbooks, and a drawing for a Moosewood Cookbook giveaway will make this a special evening.
$15 per person, $13 for Merc Owners & Seniors
Free Blood Pressure and Blood Cholesterol Screenings
Saturday · February 20 · 9-11am
Provided by Lawrence Memorial Hospital
Free to all, no registration or appointment required
Little Changes That Make a Big Difference
Monday · February 22 · 7-9pm
taught by Hilary Kass
Improving our daily eating can be a gentle process of making several simple changes over time - like learning to eat consciously or extending the nightly fast. This class will support those changes with simple food ideas and recipes for eating well throughout the day. Hilary will make Early Morning Mixed Grains with Fruit & Nuts; Hearty Take-along Salad; and Easiest Warm Winter Spinach Soup. Part cooking class, part inspiration and motivation. Join us and be on your way to a healthier you.
$15 per person, $13 for Merc Owners & Seniors
Wonderful Winter Pastas
Tuesday · February 23 · 7-9pm
taught by Chef Paige Vandegrift
Put on a kettle of water to cook up pasta dishes like you've never had before. Paige combines pasta of all shapes and sizes, the best winter vegetables, accentuated by cheeses and meats to create wonderful cold weather pasta dishes that will satisfy and warm you. Paige will prepare Baked Penne with Cauliflower & Two Cheeses; Rigatoni with Broccoli, Capers & Olives; Orecchiette with Sauteed Wild Mushrooms; Fettuccine with Leeks, Walnuts & Cream; and Fusilli with Greens and Sausage. It's another Paige feast you won't want to miss!
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & Seniors
Glorious Greek Food
Wednesday · February 24 · 7-9pm
taught by Chef Nancy Stark
Join us for a warm Greek Island getaway. Chef Nancy will transport us with a glorious Greek meal, beginning with some classic meze - Dolmas (stuffed grape leaves) and Spanakopita (crispy filo with spinach and feta filling). Then on to a main course of Moussaka (a delicious eggplant and lamb "lasagna"). You'll end your meal, and your evening escape, with some over-the-top Greek sweets.
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & Seniors
