Cooking at the Cottage 

Taco Time

Turn your kitchen into a taquería, (a taco shop), for the evening and throw a taquiza, (a taco party). Tortillas, folded in half, amiably hold your choice of filling, garnishes, and a drizzle of sauce. Freshly assembled, a few tacos make a meal rich with flavor and full of satisfaction. You'll quickly rediscover this humble fare can be muy fantastico!

 

IN THIS ISSUE, we revive the notion of tacos as a food with endless mix-and-match possibilities and multiple personalities. Three examples of fresh, flavorful tacos are presented thanks to 300 Best Taco Recipes. And, if you'd like to really develop your taquero (taco chef) skills, we illustrate how to make your own fresh tortillas. It's taco time, let the fiesta begin!

In This Issue
Cooking Classes
What is a Taco?
RECIPE: Shredded Chicken Crispy Tacos with Cilantro Lime Sour Cream
The Tortilla
How to Make Fresh Tortillas
Keep 'em Warm
RECIPE: Blue Cheese Burger Tacos with Red Onion Salsa
Make Your Own Tortilla Chips
RECIPE: Shrimp and Chorizo Tacos with Chile Cream Sauce
Cookbook Review

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What's Cooking at the Cottage

We have a full schedule of cooking classes planned for you this spring! Access the full schedule and details for each class here. Here are a few of our May classes:  

 

Wednesday,  May 4th  - Kentucky Derby Date Night ●  Mike Cunha - Sullivan University & Limestone  ●  $65.00 per couple  ● HANDS ON CLASS  6:30 - 8:30 pm   Join us for our first Kentucky Derby Date Night - our regular date nights are one of the hottest tickets in town - where two people cook dinner together, creating a fabulous three course meal on their night out so we will be kicking it up a notch for this special event!  What a great way to give your Derby guests a taste of Kentucky!  Class is completely hands on, so bring your apron!   Classes fill up fast so be sure to make your reservation early!  Menu:  Smoked Chicken Filled Crepes with Saffron Glacage  ●  Seared Filet of Trout with Brown Butter, Capers & Lemon  ●  Sweet Buttermilk Biscuits with Marinated Fruit & Vanilla Scented Cream

 

Monday, May 9th & Wednesday, May 11th- Intermediate CakeSpring Cooking Classes Decorating ● Vanessa Hayden - The Wedding Cake ● $45.00 ● HANDS ON CLASS! 6:30 - 9:00 pm. This two part class is designed for the intermediate decorator or a refresher course for the more seasoned student. **Please request the supply list for this class so you will be ready to get started the day of class. 


NEW DATE - Tuesday, May 10th - "Basic Knife Skills" ● Ed Bartush - Wusthof/Trident Cutlery · $25.00 · HANDS ON CLASS! 6:30 - 9:00 pm. Learn the ins and outs of choosing your cutlery, how to maintain the edges and the proper handling of each knife. You will learn the proper way to slice, dice, chiffonade, mince and even carve. 


Thursday, May 12th - "Memorial Day Bash" ● John Plymale - Porcini ● $45.00 ● 6:30 - 9:00 pm Memorial Day is not only a day of remembrance but a kickoff to Summer entertaining! Let's make it a time to remember! Menu: Grilled Marinated Steak Panini with Smoked Provolone, Lemon Garlic Aioli on Toasted Ciabitta ● Middle Eastern Tabbouleh with Fresh Mint and Organic Tomatoes ● Twice Baked Red Bliss Potato Salad with Applewood Smoked Bacon and Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese ● Lemon Blueberry Pudding Cake with Lemon Whipped Cream

Friday, May 13th - "Date Night" ● David Moeller - Sullivan University ● $65.00 per couple HANDS ON CLASS! 6:30 - 8:30 pm.  Join us for Date Night - one of the hottest tickets in town - where two people cook dinner together, creating a fabulous three course meal on their night out! Class is completely hands on, so bring your apron! Menu: Truffled Macaroni & Cheese with Shrimp ● Pan Seared Quail with Blackberry Glaze ●Bourbon Pecan Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding


Saturday, May 14th - "Beginning Stocks & Sauces" ● David Moeller - Sullivan University ● $45.00 HANDS ON CLASS! 11:30 - 2:00 pm. In this class we will be covering how to make basic stocks as well as learn to make the "mother" sauces. Menu: Chicken Stock · Veal Stock · Shellfish Stock · Roux · Bechamel · Veloute · Espagnole · Hollandaise & turn these into some smaller sauces Bernaise · Mornay · Hunter Sauce · Supreme Sauce


Saturday, May 14th - "Date Night" ● Mike Cunha - Sullivan University & Limestone ● $65.00 per couple ● HANDS ON CLASS! 6:30 - 8:30 pm Join us for Date Night - one of the hottest tickets in town - where two people cook dinner together, creating a fabulous three course meal on their night out! Class is completely hands on, so bring your apron! Menu: Linguini with Shrimp in Spicy Tomato Caper Sauce ● Chicken Wellington, Mushroom Duxelle Puff Pastry & Mushroom Veloute ● Blintzes Filled with Sour Cherry & Sweet Cream Cheese


Monday, May 16th - "French Pastries" ● Nicki Leathem - Custom Catering/Personal Chef by Nicki ● $45.00 ●  6:30 - 9:00 pm. This would make a lovely Mother's Day present. Come together and learn how to make both Danish and Croissant dough. Learn four different shapes from the same dough - Danish, Elephant Ears, Cinnamon Rolls, and Coffee Cakes. We will make both Plain and Stuffed Croissants, and super yummy Funnel Cakes. This class sells out each and every time Nicki teaches it at Kitchen Affairs in Evansville. 

 

Tuesday, May 17th - "Chinese Take Out Favorites" ● Afua Nessibou - Amazing Grace Whole Foods ● $45.00 ● 6:30 - 9:00 pm. Make some of your take out favorites in your own kitchen, but be sure to remember the chopsticks. Menu: Vegetable Buckwheat Noodle Soup ● Cantonese Lemon Chicken ● Fabulous Fried Rice ● Sichuan Princess Shrimp ● Mandarin Mu Shu Chicken with Mandarin Pancakes

 

Friday, May 20th - "Date Night" HANDS ON CLASS! ● David Moeller - Sullivan University ● $65.00 per couple · "6:30 - 8:30 pm Join us for Date Night - one of the hottest tickets in town - where two people cook dinner together, creating a fabulous three course meal on their night out! Class is completely hands on, so bring your apron! Classes fill up fast so be sure to make your reservation early!
Menu: Tomato Basil Bisque ● Chicken Provencal with Fresh Vegetables & Couscous ● Caramelized Pear Tart Tatin

Saturday, May 21st -  "Date Night" ● HANDS ON CLASS! ● Mike Cunha - Sullivan University & Limestone ● $65.00 per couple -  6:30 - 8:30 pm Join us for Date Night - one of the hottest tickets in town - where two people cook dinner together, creating a fabulous three course meal on their night out! Class is completely hands on, so bring your apron! Classes fill up fast so be sure to make your reservation early! Menu: Blue Cheese & Bibb Salad with Red Wine Poached Pears & Lemon Thyme Vinaigrette ● Seared Flat Iron Steak "Italianne" (tomatoes, olives, onions, red wine) ● Brown Sugar Buttermilk Bread Pudding with Bourbon Maple Sauce 

 

Monday, May 23rd - "Swing into Spring" ● Mac McBride - Sullivan University ● $45.00 ● 6:30 - 9:00 pm ● Enjoy the warmer days ahead with a glass of wine and a delicious meal filled with the flavors of Spring. Menu: Cream of Asparagus Soup ● Apple Pear Salad with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing ● Lexington Style Grilled Chicken Breast ● Applewood Smoked Bacon & Mushroom Wild Rice ● Fresh Peas with Pearl Onions ● Strawberry & Cream Short Cakes


Wednesday, May 25th - "Steak House Favorites" ● Michael Cunha - Sullivan University & Limestone ● $50.00 ●  6:30 - 9:00 pm ● Bring those steakhouse favorites home and indulge in all of their goodness. You will learn the skills to prepare the perfect steak, just the way you like it! Menu: "The Wedge Salad" - (bacon, tomatoes, onion, bleu cheese dressing) ● Classic "St. Elmo" Shrimp Cocktail "Enough Said" ● Steak Oscar with Béarnaise Sauce ● Herb Roasted Mushrooms ● Cottage Style Potatoes ● New York Style Cheesecake with Marinated Strawberries

What is a Taco? 

Recipe: Shredded Chicken Crispy Tacos with Cilantro Lime Sour Cream 

Tools
Citrus JuicerKnifeGrater
CITRUS JUICER
Squeeze and strain juice
in one motion
WUSTHOF'S SERRATED TOMATO KNIFE
Easily slices tomatoes
BOX GRATER
Several choices for
shredding all in one tool

The Tortilla 

Making Fresh Tortillas 

Keep 'em Warm

Recipe: Blue Cheese Burger Tacos with Red Onion Salsa 

Tools
Food ChopperHerb ScissorsFry Pan
FOOD CHOPPER
Makes quick work
of any chopping task
HERB SCISSORS
Five-bladed scissors minces
and cuts at the same time
8" SWISS DIAMOND FRY PAN
Heat tortillas quickly in
a nonstick frypan

Make Your Own Tortillas

Recipe: Shrimp and Chorizo Tacos 

Tools
PanChopStirLettuce Knife
12" FRY PAN
SWISS DIAMOND

Performs when browning
meat or heating tortillas
CHOPSTIR
Latest, greatest tool; we wish we'd thought of this! Efficiently breaks up ground meat while browning
LETTUCE KNIFE
Sharp edge shreds lettuce
easily; blade decreases
browning

Cookbook Review


Fill a taco with your favorites and make it a taco-licious evening!

Mark & Linda
Mark & Linda Kunz Bayens

Cooking at the Cottage

3739 Lexington Rd
Louisville, KY 40207
502-893-6700

 

Copyright 2011 - Acorn Advisors | Cooking at the Cottage | 3739 Lexington Rd | Louisville | KY | 40207