Game day gatherings make for easy entertaining occasions! The agenda is a given - the big game.
The invites are casual - a call or text message. The food is easy, made ahead, and packed with flavor!
IN THIS ISSUE, we help you put together a game plan for game day with some fun variations on some standard fare. Always a favorite, guacamole tops the pre-game list. We offer a quick primer on working with avocados, then propose a series of fresh salsas. We finish with a halftime chili that's hot, hearty, and satisfying. Game on!
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Ken's Notes:
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Back from Atlanta Market
 If you think things slow down here in the Mid-Ohio Valley when it snows, try going to Atlanta when they get 6" of snow and then a freezing rain! We were able to experience their pain personally while visiting America's Mart last week. Vendors with no product or price lists, because their shipment got lost somewhere during the storm, were a common occurrence.
The good news is that we did find a lot of new and interesting product. In the next month or so you'll find us stocking a number of new lines and additions to existing ones. We were excited to test Scanpan's new line of ceramic titanium coated, 5 ply aluminum stainless cookware. There's something about frying an egg in a dry skillet (no oil, butter, or release agent of any kind) and then letting it slide across the surface of the pan like a skater on ice that makes you realize that these guys are on to something big!
We found a couple of nice bamboo cutting boards, flexible cork bowls that you can fold and put in the dishwasher and a number of other renewable resource products that we liked. Phillips has a new line of coffee makers and Breville's small appliance line was full of new features and useful accessories. We found a beautiful gold and silver line of "produce" inspired serving utensils, trivets and napkin rings, all made by a craftsman here in Ohio.
We had a lot of fun, walked what seemed to be hundreds of miles, but came home with a lot of new ideas that will hopefully allow us to help you become a better cook! Stay tuned!
Cupcake Camp Marietta  I gave a lot of details on Cupcake Camp Marietta in our last newsletter so I won't repeat it this week. Hopefully I'll get a web page together in the next few days. Thank you to those who have already volunteered to help, and to the bakers who have signed up. Remember, this isn't a competition (although we will have a judging just for fun) - it's an "eat fest". A gathering of cupcake lovers and bakers who like to share and try new things. We hope to see you there on Feb. 27th. Check the newsletter archive on our website if you missed the last issue!
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Cooking Classes at The Cook's Shop!
|  Cooking With Chantal Copper Fusion Cookware - Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 - 1:00 pm, $50 SOLD OUT! Deb Jech - Factory Representative, Chef for Chantal Cookware. The Chantal Copper Fusion line is a solid copper cookware with an enamel inner and outer coating. The heat is beautifully diffused all the way up the sides while cooking, using lower, more controlled heat. Learn the basics about this cookware from an expert chef and go home with your very own 8" Chantal Copper Fusion Fry Pan, a $60 value! Chef Deb will teach you to make Chicken Saltimbocca with Artichoke Sauce, Pan-Seared Asparagus, Roasted Vegetable and Fresh Ricotta Sandwiches and a Warm Chocolate Cheesecake. Class is limited to 15.  Not Your Mother's Lasagna - Monday, Jan 24, 2011 - 6:30 pm, $40.
Gayle Shank - In-house Chef. Originally titled "Vegetarian Lasagna", we decided to expand into the world of meat and had to change the name! Featuring Meatless Greek and Tex-Mex Lasagnas along with a Traditional Meat Lasagna. Includes a bonus recipe for Mushroom Marinara Lasagna and a Marinara Sauce. Class is limited to 15.
 Winter Breads - Monday, Jan 31, 2011 - 6:30 pm, $40.
Gayle Shank - In-house Chef. Learn the secrets to making hearty winter breads. Gayle will be making Hungarian Pumpernickel, Whole Wheat Pita Bread, Bran Dinner Rolls and Baguettes. Class is limited to 15.
Sweetheart Cupcakes - Monday, Feb 7, 2011 - 6:30 pm, $35.
Mindy Barth - Baker, Old Town Bakery. Learn to bake and decorate special treats for your sweetest! Details to follow. Class is limited to 15.
Homemade Ravioli - Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011 - 6:30 pm, $40 SOLD OUT! John Rossi - Culinary Artist. One of our favorite foodies, John Rossi, has agreed to do another class for us. This time, he'll be making ravioli from scratch. Besides knowing more about pasta making than anyone we've ever meet, he also has a knack for keeping his classes thoroughly entertained with stories of his past exploits. Recipes will be distributed after the class since John tends to make it up as he goes along! Class is limited to 15.
A Taste of Latin Cooking - Saturday, Feb 26, 2011 - 2:00 pm, $45
Tere Clegg - Owner/Chef, Mango, a Latin Bistro. A last minute addition to our class list - at this time, we know that Tere will be cooking a plantain dish and a seafood dish. Details to follow. Class is limited to 15.
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Fan Fare: A Playbook of Great Recipes for Tailgating or Watching the Game at Home by Debbie Moose. Published by Harvard Common Press, Boston, MA. Copyright 2007.
Not just for football fans, but for watching any sport, and for anyone who enjoys combining the main event with some convivial entertaining. The author provides a wide range of recipes for enjoying the competition at home, or at the venue - appetizers, snacks, soups, entrees, sides, and desserts. The recipes are simple, easily accomplished, and, most importantly, tasty! Ms. Moose offers a generous number of tips for making your sports entertaining a touchdown success every time. With her "Extra Points" recipe feature, she provides valuable information on steps that may be done ahead of time. The nature of this cookbook makes it perfect inspiration for developing avid sports fans into adept game day chefs, too! |
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| Enjoy the fun and excitement of game day. Good luck to your favorite team! |
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