Rancho La Puerta Cooking Classes
All my classes at La Cocina Que Canta, the new, highly acclaimed cooking school at Rancho La Puerta are Hands On. The classes take place between 11 and 2 (lunch time) or 4-7 (dinner time).
Upon arrival the students are given a brief introduction and a cool drink and are then escorted to the organic garden adjacent to the school by Salvador the Head Gardener. Salvador spends about 20 minutes sharing his unbridled love and enthusiasm for his work, and his vegetables. The students pick a few vegetables (predetermined by teacher and gardener) for the day’s cooking class and return to the kitchen arena excited and ready to cook.
The menu is pre-determined except for a mystery recipe or two which are dictated by “today’s harvest.”
My recipes are signature Simmons’ fare: Fast, fresh, accessible, healthful, great tasting, interesting, and fun. These are recipes my students call “keepers.” Recipes they will take home with them and make over and over and over.
The menus vary with the seasons, thanks to the beautiful gardens, surrounding the cooking school that supply almost off the vegetables for both the school and the dining room at the ranch. Because of the bounty the menu provides at least seven different dishes for tasting, if not more.
Along with four adorable and fully competent culinary assistants I cook along with the students for about 1-1/2 hours. The beautiful food we produce in that short time is impressive. The prepared recipes are spooned into pretty Mexican pottery serving platters and bowls and arranged on a side table covered with a colorfully woven runner. The students help themselves “buffet-style” to the dishes they have all prepared. Meanwhile digital cameras come out of pockets as the students proudly snap photos of their handiwork. Then everyone sits down at tables set for four in the spacious adjoining dining area with big windows facing the flower filled terraces and gardens to enjoy the fruits of their labors.
Marie Simmons is teaching cooking classes at Rancho La Puerta’s new cooking school La Cocina Que Canta on the following dates:
May 27 and 28
July 29 and 30
September 15, 16 and 17
October 21 and 22
October 28 and 29
Teaching at Central Markets in August
I’ll be teaching at the acclaimed Central Markets Cooking Schools throughout Texas in August, 2009. Yes, that’s correct, August. Of course it’ll be hot, but the classes will be all about figs, and as you know figs need hot weather to thrive and grow and get big and juicy. And there is nothing we like better than ripe, luscious, juicy figs. As many of you know I’m a fig fanatic and the author of “Fig Heaven, 70 Recipes for the World’s Most Luscious Fruit” (William Morrow, 2004).
So look out, big juicy figs, here I come.
Here’s my schedule:
August 3 Austin
August 4 Houston
August 5 San Antonio
August 6 Dallas
August 7 Ft. Worth
And here’s the best part:
MENU
Roasted Honey and Balsamic Glazed Figs and Goat Cheese on Fig Leaves
Fig and Manchego Quesadillas
Pork Tenderloin Medallions with Fresh Fig and Marsala Pan Sauce
Fig, Melon, Tomato and Mint Salad with Fig Vinaigrette
Fig and Peach Crumble
Fresh Fig Ice Cream