First Official Cooking Class: Bread and Tomatoes

Alison and I reviewing the menu and recipes for class

Last Friday, I hosted my very first official cooking class to my very first official student, Alison, and all I can say is that it was bliss! The menu was a bit over-ambitious, but Alison toughed it out like a champion and made some the most beautiful and tasty food I have ever experienced! The pièce de résistance was a completely made-from-scratch pizza topped with a sweet and spicy tomato sauce, Crimini mushrooms caramelized in Port, caramelized red onion, fresh mozzarella, and freshly-chopped Basil and Parsley all accompanied by a red and green leaf salad dressed in walnut-sherry vinaigrette (all crafted by my star pupil!). The lesson lasted nearly 4 hours, but by the end of the evening, we feasted like two queens and a king (Eric) and I can honestly say that I've never tasted food that touched my heart the way Alison's did. Thanks Alison, for letting me be a part of your journey through the kitchen and, hopefully, to a newly-found enjoyment in cooking.

Alison and her masterpiece!

Sweet & Spicy Tomato Sauce:

1 28oz can Fire Roasted Tomatoes, puree

1 red onion, minced

2-3 cloves of garlic, minced

2-3 pinched red pepper flakes

Pinch of cinnamon, freshly-grated nutmeg, cloves, and pimentòn

Salt and Pepper to taste

Extra Virgin olive Oil

2-3 Bay leaves

Fresh basil and parsley

1. Heat a large sauce pan, add olive oil to coat the bottom, then add the onion, pinch of salt, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and red pepper flakes then mix together

2. Add garlic and another pinch of salt

3. Mix again and then let the onions sit for a few seconds until a brown syrupy-type liquid begins to form on the bottom of the pan

4. De-glaze with the puréed tomatoes, being sure to scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan

5. Add the bay leaves and a few stalks of the basil and parsley, cover, and let simmer for at minimum 1 hour, but the longer the better.

6. When done (should be a thick consistency), taste for seasoning and adjust (add more salt and pepper if needed) and add freshly-chopped basil and parsley to your liking.

Serve over pasta or as a pizza sauce.

Happy Learning, Cooking, and Eating!!!

Luv,

Andreya