Yellow House Community Center for Learning

Cooking Classes


BEGINNING AND INTERMEDIATE CAKE DECORATING

Learn the art of professional cake decorating for a hobby or to start a business. This class will take you through the basics of cake decorating to more advanced skills. Learn the various textures of Buttercream or Royal Frostings, coloring, leveling, torting and piping techniques to create beautiful borders, flowers and decorative designs.

Class Topics: become familiar with a variety of piping bags; leveling techniques; decorator tips; turntables; writing techniques; practice board and coloring.
Class Objectives:

  • Use piping bags and decorator tools for cake designing
  • Follow procedures for various flowers made of Buttercream and Royal Frosting
  • Use piping skills to create beautiful cake borders
  • Learn advanced flower making skills with gumpaste for realistic flowers/leaves
  • Demonstrate decorating skills on completion of decorated cake.

Instructor: Jeanette Crumb
Date: Mondays, September 17, 24, October 1, 15, 22 & 29, 6 classes, 6-8pm
Fee: Members: $110.00 Non-members: $130.00
Plus materials fee: Students will purchase a kit from the instructor at the first class. The kit costs $20.00 and includes tips, bags, spatula and flower nail.

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FLORAL GUMPASTE AND FONDANT CAKE DECORATING TECHNIQUES

The gumpaste and fondant class will introduce you to the world of Sugar Art. There are endless decorating possibilities. You will be able to create beautiful sugar flowers that can be stored until you are ready to use them on a cake or use them as a flower arrangement in a base. As part of the gumpaste and fondant class, you will learn how to tint and color your flowers. Come and enter the amazing world of the Sugar Arts. The instructor will bring gumpaste and wires the first night. She will provide a recipe for students who can then make their own gumpaste or purchase it.

Instructor: Jeanette Crumb
Date: Thursdays, September 20, 27, October 4 & 11, 4 classes, 6-8pm
Fee: Members: $80.00 Non-members: $90.00

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A GUIDED WHOLE FOODS STORE TOUR

Are you wanting to eat healthier but a trip to the health food store leaves you overwhelmed and confused with unfamiliar products and brands? Then this class is for you! We will meet at Whole Foods in Hadley, MA, and I will guide you through each section, sharing information, what to look for, what to avoid, and the significance of certain ingredients and products!

Instructor: Deb Hayes
Date: Thursday, September 20, 1 class, 6:30-8:30pm (2 + hours)
Fee: Members: $20.00 Non-members: $25.00

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HEALTHY MEDITERRANEAN COOKING WITH HERBS

Herbs and spices are essential ingredients in the Mediterranean diets, one of the healthiest regimens, built primarily on fresh local vegetables, fruits, grains, fish and olive oil. In this class I will share the many nutritional and healing qualities of the herbs, spices, and foods of this region as I prepare for us all, from the local fall harvest, several nutritious, delicious dishes. Bring your appetite to enjoy a light meal's worth of the dishes prepared!

Instructor: Deb Hayes
Date: Saturday September 29, 1 class, 11am-2pm
Fee: Members: $30.00 Non-members: $35.00
Plus materials fee: $10 payable to instructor

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NOURISHING SOUPS AND STEWS FOR YOUR HEALTH

Homemade soups and stews can nourish, soothe and even heal the body through all the seasons. Much healthier than their processed counterparts, they are some of the easiest, yet most nourishing and satisfying of all the kitchen preparations, and offer an endless variety of tastes and textures. As I prepare an array of stocks, soups and stews for all to enjoy, I will share the basics of making them in the most nutritious way. Bring your appetite to enjoy a light meal's worth of the soups and stews prepared! 3 hours, $10.00 material fee.

Instructor: Deb Hayes
Date: Saturday October 13, 1 class, 11am-2pm
Fee: Members: $30.00 Non-members: $35.00
Plus materials fee: $10 payable to instructor

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HEALTHY COOKING FOR A WARMER, HEALTHIER WINTER

Especially important as the winter season approaches, your daily food choices can either nourish and build health, or weaken it. By incorporating into your daily diet certain herbs, spices and nourishing foods, you can support your immune system and health as well as warm your body during the coldest season of the year. In this class you will learn about the particular herbs, spices and foods to increase to stay healthier this season. I will share ways to incorporate them as I prepare several nutritous foods specifically for the long, cold season ahead. Bring your appetite to enjoy a light meal's worth of the dishes prepared!

Instructor: Deb Hayes
Date: Thursday, November 1, 1 class, 6-9pm
Fee: Members: $30.00 Non-members: $35.00
Plus materials fee: $10 payable to instructor

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HEALTHY HOLIDAY DISHES AND DESSERTS

You don't have to forego healthy eating for the holidays ahead. In this class I will share and prepare several of my favorite healthy holiday dishes and desserts for you and your families to enjoy. Bring your appetite to enjoy a light meal's worth of the dishes and treats prepared! 3 hours, $10.00 material fee.

Instructor: Deb Hayes
Date: Thursday, December 6, 1 class, 6-9pm
Fee: Members: $30.00 Non-members: $35.00
Plus materials fee: $10 payable to instructor

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INTERNATIONAL COOKING SERIES

International Cooking Series Menus

Menu is subject to change. Additional dishes may be added. Beverages, all non-alcoholic, are optional depending upon cost of food & time constraints. Participants will receive copies of all recipes and additional serving suggestions. Meals will be served at end of class or participants may bring take out containers to take home meal. Menu ingredients discussion will take place during class and cooking tips & cooking equipment will be shared as well. Please notify me of any food allergies prior to class. Christi Mills – 413-885-9340

Poland: Beverage (Optional) – Uzvar (dried fruit drink); Appetizer – (White) Borscht Soup (soup traditionally served on holidays); Entrée – Bigos (Hunters Stew); Dessert - Polish Poppy Seed Cookies (easy version of traditional Makowiec – Poppy Seed Cake).

Greece: Beverage (Optional) – Soumatha (almond drink) - traditionally served on holidays; Appetizer – Dolmades- (stuffed grape leaves – meat & meatless) – if served as an appetizer, they are meatless – if served as an entrée, they contain meat; Entrée – Spanakopita (spinach pie); Dessert – Ravani-(semolina almond cake) - A popular traditional Greek dessert.

China: Beverage (Optional) - Saenggang (ginger lime tea); Appetizer – Hua Juan (steamed “flower” buns - scallion), Entrée – Lions Head Meatballs, will be served with bok choy (Chinese cabbage); Dessert – Gum Lu (golden cake).

Japan: Beverage (Optional) – Golden Punch (Japanese tea/fruit juice drink); Appetizer – Miso Soup (vegetarian soup) - Made with Japanese miso seasoning; Entrée – Tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlets) – hugely popular; Dessert – Ohagi (sweet rice balls with a black bean coating).

Italy: Beverage (Optional) Cioccolata Calda (hot chocolate with ancho chili and spices); Appetizer – Bruschetta (bread slices with toppings); Entrée – Pollo con Salsa al Mascarpone e Marsala (chicken with cheese sauce), will be served with fettucini, will we will be making from scratch; Dessert – Tiramisu (dessert cake infused with coffee & layered with cheese filling & topped with chocolate) - easy version of classic recipe.

Vietnam - Beverage (Optional) – Ca Phe Da (Vietnamese version of Iced Coffee/Tea); Appetizer – Goi Cuon (salad rolls) – will be served with two dipping sauces; Entrée - Pho Tai (beef soup) and Pho Ga (chicken soup)- Pho is a traditional Vietnamese staple; Dessert - Che Dau Trang (Black Eye Pea Rice Pudding).

Mexico: Beverage (Optional) Aguas Frescas (fruit drink) - translates as "cool water” and is a popular, healthy and easy to prepare drink; Appetizer - ahuaca-mulli (guacamole) - guacamole will then be turned into South of the Border Guacamole Dip to be served with warmed corn tortillas (traditional method of serving) and nacho chips; Entrée – Taco de pescado (fish tacos) and Taco de camarones (shrimp tacos), will be served with traditional toppings; Dessert – Sopapilla (Mexican cheesecake) – easy version of traditional recipe.

Portugal: Beverage – Cha de Limao (lemon tea); Appetizer – Caldo Verde (kale soup); Entrée - Carne De Porco Alentejana (pork with clams) served with Giardinera (pickled vegetables); Dessert – Suspiros De Freira (Sighs of a Nun).

Puerto Rico: Beverage (Optional)– Pina Colada (coconut) – non-alcoholic version; Appetizer – Tostones (fried plantains) served with Mojo (garlic sauce); Entrée – Paella Valenciana (meat, vegetable, rice dish); Dessert – Arroz con Dulce (coconut rice pudding).

Russia: Beverage (Optional) Sbitten (honey beverage served hot) - National winter beverage; Appetizer – Ajepsandal (eggplant dip), will be served with Russian rye bread; Entrée – Kurnik (savory chicken pie) - traditionally served with boiled potatoes; Dessert – Kissel a la Russel (berry custard).

Germany: Beverage (Optional) - Spezi (carbonated drink) – cherished non-alcoholic German drink; Appetizer - Zweibelkuchen (onion pie); Entrée – Wiener Schnitzel (veal cutlets); Dessert – Apfel Puddingkuchen (apple pudding cake).

Jamaica: Beverage (Optional) – Soursop (fruit drink) or Mango Lada (fruit drink) - Appetizer – Escovitch (fried red snapper); Entrée - Curry Goat or Curry Chicken – we will be making Jamaican curry powder for this dish; Dessert –Pone (cornmeal pudding,) - An age-old Jamaican favorite, will be served with coconut cream or vanilla ice cream.

Travel around the world and tempt your taste buds without ever leaving the Yellow House kitchen! Each week we will be offering cooking classes from various parts of the world. Cooking will be done in a casual setting, relaxed atmosphere, an informal teaching style and hands on lessons. Whether you are new to cooking, love to cook or want to cook more, these classes will certainly tempt your palate! Each class will consist of creating a popular appetizer, entrée and dessert from each country. Attendees may enjoy the food they prepared at the conclusion of the class or students may bring containers to take food home.

Instructor: Christi Mills
Fee for any 1 to 4 classes: Members: $30 per class; Non-members: $35.00 per class (call to register)
Fee for any 5 to 8 classes: Members: $28 per class; Non-members: $33 per class (call to register)
Fee for any 9 to 12 classes: Members: $26 per class; Non-members: $31 per class (call to register)
Additional Costs: $15-$25 fee for food for each class, payable to instructor first class

Class One: Poland
Date: Tuesday, September 18, 1 class, 6-9pm

Class Two: Greece
Date: Tuesday, September 25, 1 class, 6-9pm

Class Three: China
Date: Tuesday, October 2, 1 class, 6-9pm

Class Four: Japan
Date: Tuesday, October 9, 1 class, 6-9pm

Class Five: Italy
Date: Tuesday, October 16, 1 class, 6-9pm

Class Six: Vietnam
Date: Tuesday, October 23, 1 class, 6-9pm

Class Seven: Mexico
Date: Tuesday, November 6, 1 class, 6-9pm

Class Eight: Portugal
Date: Tuesday, November 13, 1 class, 6-9pm

Class Nine: Puerto Rico
Date: Tuesday, November 20, 1 class, 6-9pm

Class Ten: Russia
Date: Tuesday, November 27, 1 class, 6-9pm

Class Eleven: Germany
Date: Tuesday, December 4, 1 class, 6-9pm

Class Twelve: Jamaica
Date: Tuesday, December 11, 1 class, 6-9pm

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INDIAN COOKING SERIES

Indian cooking has unique, interesting and strong flavors derived from spices, seasoning and nutritious ingredients, such as leafy vegetables, grains, fruits and legumes. Sangita Desai will share authentic Indian recipes from her own kitchen. She will demonstrate Indian cooking techniques and explain how to use the wide array of spices that are indispensable elements of Indian cooking. Attendees will enjoy eating the food prepared during the class.

Instructor: Sangita Desai
Fee for the series (4 classes): Members $110 Non-members $130
Fee for each class individually: Members $30 Non-members $35
Additional Costs: $10 fee for food for each class, payable to instructor

Class One: Appetizers
Pakoras (savory stuffed pastry triangles) and Bataka Vada (potato balls).
Date: Wednesday, October 3, 6-9pm

Class Two: Gluten Free Vegetarian
Bean curry, vegetable curry, and spicy pilaf (a rice-based dish).
Date: October 10, 6-9pm

Class Three: Breads
Everyone's favorite. Sangita will share some of her popular bread recipes including roti and paratha
Date: Wednesday, October 17, 6-9pm

Class Four: Desserts and Drinks
Sangita will share with you some of her favorite Indian desserts, including rice pudding and halva, and the recipe for Lassi, a refreshing yogurt-based Indian drink.
Date: Thursday, November 8, 6-9pm

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THE A-B-C's OF APPLE PIE — APPLES, BUTTER & CRUST

Enjoy a hands-on pie building lesson to achieve the best apple pie you have ever tasted! From working the dough for the crust, layering the apples, to fluting the edges, follow this simple recipe in our kitchen and taste the yummy results!

Instructor: Dorsie Kovacs
Date: Wednesday, November 14, 1 class, 6-7pm
Fee: Members: $10.00 Non-members: $15.00

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NATURE'S PROVEN WAY TO HEALTH AND TASTY EATING

Reverse illnesses and detoxify your body and feel energized and spirited! In this class you will learn about the nutritious foods that your body is yearning for, how to prepare them; and how to combine your food the correct way so that your body can digest it efficiently for its own repair, nutrition and balance. You will also learn about recipes, preparing them with new techniques. You will be able to shop with intelligent, better informed strategies for your new pantry, kitchen equipment and much more. Enjoy eating and preparing your meals and snacks using easy preparation techniques . You will find joy in preparing, knowing you can look forward to abundant health and longevity. You will be working with Nature, not against it.

Instructor: Mary D.L. Brown
Date: Wednesday, November 28, December 5 & 12, 3 classes, 1-4pm OR 6-9pm
Fee: Members: $45.00 Non-members: $55.00

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Learning Community Gathering | Yellow House, Inc, Palmer, MA







© Copyright 2013 The Yellow House, Inc., 1479 North Main Street, Palmer, MA 01069, 413 289 6091. All rights reserved in all media.
The Yellow House is a non-profit 501(C)3 organization.
Programs are partially funded by the Duffy Sullivan Adult Education Fund, distributed by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.