You are browsing the archive for 2012 January.

Discovering Fish – Sat 14th Jan

January 5, 2012 in Our cooking sessons

Another re-run of this ever-popular, hands on filleting & cooking of seasonal fish.
Learn how to master goujons with a spicy dip and a new dish of turmeric seasoned pan fried fillets in Sezchuan sauce

Humans have been consuming the many and varied fruits of the sea since time began and we still are – all over the world. Fish is a tasty, easily digested and highly nutritious form of food. It has been called ‘protein without tears’ because it is such a rich source of high quality protein without all the drawbacks of fatty meat or cholesterol laden cheese. In fact, the now much discussed Omega 3, an excellent source of the fatty acids essential to healthy living, is most easily and effectively obtained by the body from fish, although there are alternatives.

The main problem with eating fish is that whilst it was all very well to eat as much of the little swimmers as we liked when they were caught on the end of a line or in modest nets from canoes, the advent of more commercial and even factory fishing methods has led to the dwindling of fish stocks to the point, in some cases, of danger.

Luckily we are aware of the problem and global organisations such as MSC (Marine Stewardship Council), Friends of the Earth and others like them are working hard to raise awareness and preserve the life of the oceans whilst still trying to protect the fishing industry. We will, undoubtedly continue to eat fish but we must only do so with increasing amounts of care.

The notion of ‘Sustainable fish’  will however undoubtedly remain controversial. As always, our fish is purchased from Out of the Blue Fishmongers, Chorlton.

For more information about sustainable fish, please visit :

http://www.goodfishguide.co.uk

http://www.selfridges.com/en/StaticPage/ProjectOcean/#/Fish

http://www.msc.org/

Example of feedback from previous session:
“A great introduction to fish filleting and sauce making as well as a good variety of cooking methods” – Ben Allen
“Very good personal tuition, very interesting and lots of fun + inspiring” – Julian Dearlove
“Interesting to learn – how to fillet and gut a fish – how to make fish stock – how to cook with different types of fish – and where to get them!” – Katy Greenbank
“Detailed tuition on how to fillet & skin a fish. Lots of background on the ingredients + dishes” – Julian Dearlove

Book and pay online now

 

£40/£35 – Book online now

Sustainable Fish

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Breadmaking for Beginners – Sat 25th Feb

January 5, 2012 in Bread, classes, cookery classes, cooking sessions, cooking workshop, Public Cooking Events, Rob

Rob is back giving you another chance to learn how to make amazing 100% organic bread, and delicious garlic naan. We don’t seem to be able to provide enough places on Beginners’ Bread to satisfy demand! The January session is already full and this one looks set to fill up soon too, so book while there are spaces!

Example of feedback from previous sessions:
“Very inspiring workshop!” – Sue Nzilaric
“I really enjoyed this event. It was well organised with an inspiring teacher with a passion for bread. I have learned so much and would like to go on an intermediate bread course” – Beverley Jenkinson.
“What a fantastic way to spend a few hours at the weekend. Rob was extremely informative and the co-ordinators always to hand to help – brilliant!” – Hawys Williams
 

£40/£35 –Book online

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Late Winter Nature and Food Forage – Sun 26th Feb

January 5, 2012 in classes, cookery classes, cooking sessions, foraging, Jesper, Our cooking sessons, Public Cooking Events

This walk is the perfect remedy for the blues of winter. Following months of cold and dark, winter is finally coming towards its end, and whilst nature isn’t yet in the full bloom of spring, if you know where to look there are some remarkable, beautiful, and edible delights to be discovered. Edible roots, hardy greens, and even a few species of fungi are on the agenda for this hunt through Fletcher Moss Park and its surrounds. The walk will last about two and a half hours and will be capped off with some wild food sampling.

www.jesperlaunder.com

Example of feedback from previous sessions:
“It was fascinating seeing what plants and food grow and learning what we could eat! I will definely be trying this myself!” – David Roberts”Loved the medicinal info, cooking tips and the ideatification/tasting of plants! Really informative, great introduction to foraging” – Zophie Begolo
“Very enjoyable, informative – very inspiring” – Katie Corbes-Hill
 

£20/£15 – Book online now

Wild Food Foraging March 2011

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Malaysian & Indonesian Cuisine – Tue 28th Feb

January 5, 2012 in Carousel, classes, cookery classes, cooking sessions, Indonesian, Jackie Kearney, Malaysian, Our cooking sessons, Public Cooking Events, spices, Street Food

Due to popular demand, and her previous sessions selling out very quickly, Jackie Kearney is back again.
Join our resident Masterchef finalist for this exciting new cooking session where you will learn how to make Indonesian warm salad with peanut sauce (Gado gado), Classic Indo-Malay egg fried rice (Nasi goreng) and Vegetarian adaptation of Malaysian nooodle soup (Laksa).
If you enjoyed her Asian Vegetarian Cuisine and Thai Street Food, you’re bound to love this one too!

Jackie Kearney is a top 4 finalist in BBC One’s MasterChef 2011. She is now developing her experience and reputation with pop-up dining events, as a private chef and working with a number of highly regarded chefs in the UK.

Her food passion lies with vegetarian dining and Asian street food, inspired by her extensive travels across Asia with her husband and twin children. You can read more about Jackie’s adventures with her family on her Asia travel blog.

Jackie’s ambition is to raise the bar in vegetarian and street food dining. She aims to bring something to the table that is exciting, delicious and thought provoking.

Jackie’s Website

£40/£35 – Book online now

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Gourmet Pizza and Focaccia – postponed

January 5, 2012 in Bread, classes, cookery classes, cooking sessions, Our cooking sessons, pizza, Public Cooking Events, Rob

Rob’s back once more due to popular demand, with another dough twist to inspire you – a new session of wonderful gourmet pizzas (look out for his secret tomato base recipe) and gorgeous herby focaccia with olives, sundried tomatoes and salted red onions. You’ll each make your own gourmet pizza and focaccia under Rob’s expert tutoring. An interesting range of both meat and vegetarian options on the pizza toppings – please let us know when you book. Expect seasonal treats as well as year round accompaniments such as anchovies, artichoke hearts and proscuitto.

Example of feedback from Rob’s previous sessions:
“Very inspiring workshop!” – Sue Nzilaric
“I really enjoyed this event. It was well organised with an inspiring teacher with a passion for bread. I have learned so much and would like to go on an intermediate bread course” – Beverley Jenkinson.
“What a fantastic way to spend a few hours at the weekend. Rob was extremely informative and the co-ordinators always to hand to help – brilliant!” – Hawys Williams
 

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Desi Punjabi Khanna – Sat 10th March

January 5, 2012 in Carousel, classes, cookery classes, cooking sessions, Harjinder, Public Cooking Events, Punjabi, spices

Due to popular demand, Harjinder is here again with a new meat and fish cooking session, ‘Desi Punjabi Khanna’ – ‘Tasty Home-cooked Food’!
Cracking Cook Harjinder, who has been cooking Punjabi food for 40 years and has been on TV with the Hairy Bikers on their well known Mum Knows Best series, will share her secrets of this delicious cuisine with Varreh (lamb kebabs), Tandoori machi (tandoori fish), Mooli raita, Achari murghi (Chicken and lemon pickle curry) with a demonstration of hot-off-the-tava rotis by Harjinder

Harjinder’s Website

Please take a look at the Cracking Good Food blogs on Harjinder’s previous sessions:

Hot Stuff

From feast to yeast

Spice world

Spice Magic

Example of feedback from previous sessions:
“Harjinder is a natural teacher and very knowledgeable + interesting” – Heather Gourlay
“Really enjoyed the whole session, hearing about the background of food, having a go myself and eating…! Yum!” – Tessa McKee
“All useful techniques and very delicious + straightforward recipes. Helpful advice in the cooking” – Felicity Collings
“All if it! Loads of good tips to take away. Good info on spices. Really good to cook in a group. End products really yummy!” – Kate McWilliams
“Loved it!” – Ike Goldman
“Harjinder is such a professional & so inspirational “– Fiona Goldman
 

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Asian Vegetarian Cuisine – Tue 13th March

January 5, 2012 in Asian, Carousel, classes, cookery classes, cooking sessions, Jackie Kearney, Masterchef, Our cooking sessons, Public Cooking Events, spices, Street Food

Due to popular demand, Jackie is returning to her original cooking session with us, Asian Vegetarian Cuisine. If you missed this one first time round, be sure to get it now before it sells out again and learn to cook butter dal with spiced aubergine curry, served with a paratha stuffed with seasonal vegetables.

Her food passion lies with vegetarian dining and Asian street food, inspired by her extensive travels across Asia with her husband and twin children. You can read more about Jackie’s adventures with her family on her Asia travel blog.

Jackie’s ambition is to raise the bar in vegetarian and street food dining. She aims to bring something to the table that is exciting, delicious and thought provoking.

“I love everything about streetfood. I love the accessibility of it, the array of flavours and spices, the fresh preparation of ingredients and most of all, the opportunities this gives for creating great dishes, regardless of whether it’s vegetarian or not. It’s simply about producing an amazing plate of food for people to enjoy.”

Jackie’s Website

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