January Classes
Benefits of a Plant Based Diet - Learning to Enjoy Grains, Beans and Vegetables
Monday · January 11 · 7-9pm
taught by Hilary Kass
Studies continue to show the health and environmental benefits of a plant-based diet. This class will help all of us, carnivores, omnivores, and vegetarians alike, to enjoy a wide variety of unprocessed plant foods everyday. Hilary will prepare Roasted Root Vegetables & Greens; Curried Lentil Soup; Millet French Toast; Nutty Rice & Beans; and yummy Oat Fruit Crisp. Come be nourished and inspired.
$15 per person, $13 for Merc Owners & Seniors
Breakfast Breads for a Chilly Winter Morning
Tuesday · January 12 · 7-9pm
taught by Chef Paige Vandegrift
What could be better than the smell of cinnamon rolls baking on a chilly winter morning? Sign up for this very popular Chef Paige class where you'll learn how to make a selection of fabulous baked goodies.
Paige will make, and you will enjoy sampling, warm Cinnamon Rolls; Pear and Walnut Coffeecake; Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins; Buttermilk Crumb Muffins and melt-in-your-mouth Cream Scones. We'll have the tea and coffee brewing.
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & Seniors
Warm Up Your Winter with Classic Comforting Soups
Thursday · January 14 · 7-9pm
taught by Mari Ruck
Mari is back with a perfect class to warm us up. She'll be cooking up an evening of those comforting soups we all remember from our childhood, only hers will be made from wonderful, fresh ingredients instead of jumping out of a can. Mari will prepare and you'll enjoy Classic Chicken Noodle, Fabulous Cream of Mushroom (a favorite for company), and Heart Healthy Vegetarian Vegetable, all served with Mari's Homemade Crackers and a selection of Merc cheeses. Come in out of the cold and enjoy a bowl of soup.
$15 per person, $13 for Merc Owners & Seniors
Who's Living in You? Dealing with Internal Parasites Naturally
Saturday · January 16 · 2-4pm
taught by Ocoee Miller
Headaches, indigestion, chronic skin problems, constipation, chronic fatigue, diarrhea, weak immunity. These issues and many more can be caused by parasites. Almost everyone gets parasites at some time or other. This is probably the most under-diagnosed medical problem in our country. In this class Ocoee will explain how we get parasites, which organs they infect and what herbs will eliminate them. She will also share pictures so you will know exactly what we are talking about. So get over your squeemie-jeebies and come to this important class.
$12 per person, $10 for Merc Owners & Seniors
Fabulous Vietnamese Vegetarian
Tuesday · January 19 · 7-9pm
taught by Chef Nancy Stark
Watch an expert (Chef Nancy) make Tofu Spring Rolls served with Spicy Peanut Sauce - you won't even notice the shrimp is missing! Then enjoy a steaming bowl of "Faux" Pho - everything you love about this classic soup is still here: the rich, delicious broth, the slurpy noodles, the fresh herbs, chiles and lime. And how about Com Curry Ga (without
chicken) - a delicious, creamy coconut milk curry with carrots and potatoes. To end our travels, Nancy will prepare her customary surprise sweet!
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & Seniors
Wonderful Indian Cuisine featuring Fish
Wednesday · January 20 · 7-9pm
taught by Anju Mishra
Join us for a new class with Anju where we'll explore the cuisine of India with fish as the centerpiece. Anju will prepare delectable Curried Fish with Onions and Peppers; Heart Healthy Fish cooked in a Yogurt Based Curry; and Fish Cooked with Mustard Paste, Rice & Stir Fried Cabbage. As always Anju will feed you with both her stories and her fabulous food.
$15 per person, $13 for Merc Owners & Seniors
Bean Cooking Basics
Thursday · January 21 · 7-9pm
taught by Nancy O'Connor
This may not be the most seductive class title but don't pass by an opportunity to learn just how easy, affordable, nutritious and scrumptious the humble bean can be. Beans and legumes are just goodness waiting to happen and you'll learn how to transform them into delicious meals. We'll discuss cooking methods, digestion (yes, we will address this issue) and then get to cooking. We'll prepare Black Beans with Yellow Rice; Braised Kale with Cannelini Beans served over Homemade Polenta; Roasted Squash with Corn & Pintos; Lentil Spinach Soup; and Easy Bean & Veggie Quesadillas.
$15 per person, $13 for Merc Owners & Seniors
A Day of Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free Meals and Snacks
Monday · January 25 · 7-9pm
taught by Hilary Kass
Many folks are exploring diets that eliminate some common foods. Come learn about the wide range of gluten, dairy, and egg-free foods sold at The Merc, as well as recipes and new ideas to build a satisfying diet without some of these common allergens. We'll sample a variety of non-dairy milks, cheeses and gluten-free grain products and then cook up a days worth of meals and snacks. We'll make and sample Multi Grain Hot Cereal with a variety of toppings; Baked Potatoes served with dairy-free cashew-butter "sour cream"; Take Along Rice Paper Wraps; Home-made Chicken Nuggets, and a versatile eggless Quick Bread made with flax seeds. Let Hilary guide you towards new ways of eating.
$15 per person, $13 for Merc Owners & Seniors
Wonderful Winter Salads
Tuesday · January 26 · 7-9pm
taught by Chef Paige Vandegrift
It's January in Kansas and you may feel like a good salad is months away. Join Paige for a new outlook on winter salads as she works her magic with a variety of vinaigrettes, a mixture of warm and cold salads and lots of winter fruits and vegetables (and not a lot of lettuce actually!) You'll enjoy a Salad of Shredded Romaine & Radicchio with Apples, Asian Pears & Buttermilk Dressing; Winter Pasta Salad with Cauliflower and Walnut Pesto; Warm Cabbage Salad with Smoked Ham & Goat Cheese; Refreshing Fresh Fennel & Carrot Salad; and an Avocado & Citrus Salad with Green Olives. Join us for a culinary bright spot to help you move through these long cold months.
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & Seniors
Chef Nancy Cooks Up Still More Mexican Cuisine
Wednesday · January 27 · 7-9pm
taught by Chef Nancy Stark
Join us for another installment in Chef Nancy's ongoing love affair with the foods of Mexico. She'll out do herself in this class with Tacos Al Pastor - fresh, soft homemade corn tortillas with spicy grilled pork and Pineapple Pastor filling. Then on to classic Chiles Rellenos stuffed with Pork Picadillo and bathed in Spicy Tomato Broth.
If you've only eaten these dishes in restaurants be prepared for a treat! We'll end on a sweet note with Chocolate Cajeta Cake. A guaranteed fun evening!
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & Seniors
Hearth Breads made with Whole Grains
Thursday · January 28 · 7-9pm
taught by Thom Leonard
Learn how to use whole grain flour, whole grains, and seeds in hearth-baked breads. We'll make both naturally leavened and yeast-risen loaves. Varieties will include 100% whole-wheat, multi-grain, and whole-wheat pita. We'll discuss what's important for whole-wheat flour - fresh, local, organic, protein level, Spring or Winter wheat, fine or course ground; what's white whole wheat flour; is stone ground flour better; should I mill my own flour? What about using grains other than wheat? (This class will not cover wheat-free or gluten-free baking.)
$15 per person, $13 for Merc Owners & Seniors
Also Coming in 2010...
watch for more local foods classes, more hands-on classes, a class on food and wine pairing, a new improved mirror for better viewing, lots of cuisine classes to take you all around the globe, cooking for special diets, eating healthy on a budget... and much more.
