What's cooking?

I decided to cook up a few more gathered clutches.  

I prepped to make five, 

but only had enough interfacing to finish three of them -- for now.

It's fun picking out the fabrics for the bands,

and linings.

and choosing fun colors for the zippers.

Zippers, as it turns out, are not that difficult after all.

The free tutorial for the gathered clutch pattern is here.

I also recently got to learn how to cook up some deliciousness in the kitchen.
Every year for a Father's Day gift, my sister and I treat our father to a cooking class.  The class can take place at any time of the year, we just all have to be available and interested in the menu.  It is always a very special evening, and Tuesday night's class was no exception.

Chef Dave Martin, Top Chef Season One

The class was End of Summer Entertaining, taught by Dave Martin, who graciously provided lots of interesting tips and techniques as he demonstrated the recipes.  The class was held at In Good Taste, a wonderful cooking store and cooking school.

In Good Taste (Pearl District location)

You may remember my class celebrating Julia Child back in March.  Well, Cindy (Live A Colorful Life) did and reminded me to show up at the right location this time and to enjoy wine after my "home invasion" Wednesday morning.  I can happily say I accomplished both of those tasks. and learned to make some tasty dishes.  I can't wait to try these myself.

White Bean, Poblano Chile and Artichoke Spread

served with homemade Crispy Pita Chips

Asian Chicken Salad with

Dave's Killer Ginger & Sesame Vinaigrette

Coconut Curry Chicken Skewers 

with Sweet Chili Sauce

Pan Roasted Shrimp wrapped with

Prosciutto, Basil and Gorgonzola

served with Sherry Cream Sauce

For a simple dessert Dave made fabulous shortbread cookies and some old-fashioned peanut butter cookies.  

Say what you will about the quality of the iPhone camera pictures, but the discreetness can't be beat -- photos to share without disrupting the flow of the demonstration.

And then there were wines....

Louis Perdrier Sparkling Wine

Arancio 2007 Grillo

Les Jamelle 2009 Cinsault Rose'

With wishes, true and kind -- Joan

Joanie and Julia

I start out the afternoon more Lucille Ball

than Julia Child.

As I prepare to leave the house, I grab my one and only apron (black w/Starbucks logo that came free with snazzy espresso machine) and -- HORRORS -- it is not clean!  I had worn it to bake cookies (and --poor family --I rarely bake).  Imagine streaks of white flour smeared across the black fabric.  Somewhere I imagine Julia tsk-tsking in disapproval.  I'm just sure she always wore a beautifully clean white apron!  I grab a damp towel and try to make it look at least halfway presentable.

I get in my car and happily drive toward my destination: In Good Taste (Lake Oswego), enjoying the beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon. 

Unfortunately, I am supposed to be at In Good Taste (Portland, in the Pearl District).  

Hurry, hurry  It would have been only 18 miles if I had gone straight from Hillsboro to Portland, but I somehow managed to almost double my trip.  Hurry, hurry!  Class starts in 5 minutes and I have over 10 more miles to go!

As I drive, I realize that although I have been to the store in the Pearl several times, the address has completely slipped out of my panicked mind.  So -- I quickly decide to call my sister, who lives in the Pearl.  But -- new State cell phone laws prohibit hand held and I have yet to update my million years old cell (no speaker phone feature and no ear piece).  Okay -- will get to the Pearl, find a parking spot, and call.  Oops.  I left my cell phone at home!  D'oh!

I get to the Pearl and drive around a few blocks hoping to just bump into the store, then end up parking by my sister's building and calling her on the security system.  It surprises her so much that I am there and asking for an address RIGHT NOW, that she gives me the wrong address.  I run around the Pearl, ask for help at a Ben and Jerry's, then finally rush into the store breathless and a little sweaty.  Good thing I am wearing my running shoes (they suggested closed toe, flat shoes for comfort). Whew!  I am there!

They are so lovely at In Good Taste.  At least three different people apologized to me.  As if being late and missing the first 20 minutes of the class was somehow their fault.  I had so much fun, learned a lot, and got to talk food and wine with wonderful instructors and some great classmates.

I am listing the menu for fun, but I forgot to take my camera to class, so I found similar pictures from the internet.  I will post pictures in another post as I recreate these dishes at home.

Celebrating Julia Menu:

Pissaladière Niçoise (basically, a carmelized onion tart, with olives and anchovies)

Artichokes with Hollandaise Sauce

(Our hollandaise looked prettier, was warm, and was served in little cream pitchers)

Frisèe Salad with Poached Egg and Lardons

 

Bœuf Bourguignon over Buttered Noodles (This looks pretty close to what we made, but we had noodles rather than the bread pictured)

Chocolate Soufflé with Crème Anglaise

Wine Pairings:

Louis Perdrier Champagne (served with the onion tart)

Mad Fish 2005 Sauvignon Blanc (served with the artichokes and salad)

Bourgogne Haute Cotes de Beaune (served with the stew)

After my rough beginning, things were pretty uneventful.  I didn't cut myself, burn myself, or burn the food.  I even learned to poach an egg, which I had never done before and is kind of tricky.  In the end, I think even Julia would have been proud.

With wishes, true and kind -- Joan