November Classes
A Vegetarian Indian Feast made with Fresh Paneer
Thursday · November 6 · 7-9 PM
taught by Anju Mishra
Paneer is a mild and delicious fresh cheese that can be made easily at home.
In this delicious class Anju will demonstrate how to make paneer and then transform it into a full course meal. Anju will start us out with an appetizer of Paneer Pakoras (batter-dipped paneer), a main course of Paneer Kofta (little spicy balls), Paneer Fried Rice, and Paneer Chaat (a cold salad). We'll finish with a dessert of Kheer with Paneer (a sweet pudding-like dessert). Come join us for a delightful evening of good food and wonderful stories.
$15 per person, $13 for Merc Owners & seniors
Kids & Parents Cooking in the Merc Kitchen
Saturday · November 8 · 10AM - Noon
taught by Amber Belt, ND & Ashley Roberts
Join Amber and Ashley for a parent-child cooking adventure! We will start by making a Yogurt Parfait that you'll get to snack on right away. Next on the menu will be making Blueberry-Banana-Peanut Butter Balls, which the kids will take home in a box they decorate. Next on the menu are Easy and Delicious Wraps, which the parents and kids make themselves! You'll get to eat your wraps for lunch with a side of Sweet Potato Fries and a simple Lemonade Spritzer. This is a hands-on class for kids ages 5 to 11, so each child must be accompanied by one adult. Please bring an apron to class.
Limit 8 adult/child pairs.
$25 per pair, $22 per pair for Merc Owners & seniors
Winter Wellness - Preventing Colds and Other Infections with Foods
Monday · November 10 · 7-8:30 PM
taught by Amber Belt, ND
Are you dreading the repetitive cycle of colds and other infections that seem to continue all winter long? This class is designed to arm you with knowledge about foods that can keep your immune system fighting as well as foods that can contribute to the cycle of infection. We will also discuss a few simple methods, such as hydrotherapy treatments and poultices, to support the body's healing process if you do get sick. This is not a cooking class, but there will be sampling of immune-boosting foods. Come and learn how to keep your whole family healthy this winter!
$12 per person, $10 for Merc Owners & seniors
Breakfast Breads for a Chilly Fall Morning
Tuesday · November 11 · 7-9 PM
taught by Chef Paige Vandegrift
What could be better than the smell of cinnamon rolls baking on a crisp fall morning? Sign up for this very popular Chef Paige class where you'll learn how to make a selection of fabulous baked goodies. Paige will make and you will enjoy sampling warm Cinnamon Rolls; Pear and Walnut Coffeecake; Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins; Buttermilk Crumb Muffins and melt-in-your-mouth Cream Scones. We'll have the tea and coffee brewing.
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & seniors
Gluten-Free Bread Lovers' Class
Wednesday · November 12 · 7-9 PM
taught by JoAnn Farb
Join us for this fun evening as we learn how to make JoAnn's revolutionary whole grain gluten-free sourdough bread. It has no dairy, no eggs, no refined starches and uses no oil. First we will demonstrate how to make gluten-free sourdough starter from scratch. Then you will learn how to use it to make a delicious and hearty bread that even your gluten-eating friends will like! Next we will make fat free rice crackers from cooked brown rice --a great use for leftover rice! We will also make a walnut pesto and a crock cheese that tastes so good, you won't believe it is totally dairy free! All participants will take home their own GF sourdough starter too!
$15 per person, $13 for co-op Owners & seniors
Eat Your Green Vegetables!
Thursday · November 13 · 7-9 PM
taught by Hilary Kass
The Merc, as you well know, is the place for fresh, organic vegetables. And you also know how good they are for you - antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, minerals and such a good feeling after you eat them. This class is in response to the frequent questions I get about how to cook kale, collard greens, and swiss chard. From simple steaming to sauteing you'll go home with the information that you need to choose, store, prepare and enjoy these vital foods, just in time for spring!
$15 per person, $13 for co-op Owners & seniors
Herbs in Your Spice Rack
Saturday · November 15 · 2-4 PM
taught by Ocoee Miller
We're approaching the season of holidays and family gatherings. We'll all be cooking more. So let's add a dash of healthy medicine to every dish. You will be amazed to learn just how much valuable medicine you already have in your kitchen. For thousands of years herbs and spices have been used in cooking not just to enhance flavor, but because they provide medicinal benefit to the meal. Our spice rack also provides valuable first aid medicine. You will find greater enjoyment in cooking once you've learned how to recognize the medicinal value in your recipes. Using herbs you can make your meals more delicious and more healthy at the same time.
$12 per person, $10 for Merc Owners & seniors
Pumpkins, Sweet Potatoes and Winter Squash - Savory & Sweet
Wednesday · November 19 · 7-9 PM
taught by Chef Paige Vandegrift
Enjoy the beautiful vegetables of fall in this sweet and savory class. Chef Paige will guide us through a selection of recipes to inspire your fall suppers or grace your holiday dinner table. Paige will transform sweet potatoes into Sweet Potato Biscuits and a melt-in-your mouth Sweet Potato, Apple, and Dried Fruit Gratin. Learn how to use hardy winter squash in a fabulous Warm Winter Squash Salad with Bacon, Manchego & Pecans. And how about Pumpkin Cake with Brown Butter Streusel to warm up a chilly fall evening? Join us for this new and delicious seasonal cooking class with ever popular Chef Paige!
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & seniors
Maling Dreams Come True: Staying with the Process
Thursday · November 20 · 7-9 PM
taught by Marybeth Bethel, MS
When going through change or transformation, we often get sidetracked by fear, setbacks, mundane reality or even success. We can inspire each other by sharing our stories in a supportive environment that fosters growth and change. This class will address the challenges that come with change, offering suggestions to encourage effective risk-taking, deal with the anxiety that is inherent in the process, and build on your successes. Come share your story and get inspired to stay the course of making your dreams come true, one step at at time.
$12 per person, $10 for Merc Owners & seniors
Fun, Delicious and Mostly Fast Asian Noodles
Monday · November 24 · 7-9 PM
taught by Chef Nancy Stark
As the days get short and cold, and filled with holiday busy-ness, take a break from it all with this fun and entertaining class. Chef Nancy will feed us and keep us smiling with her usual enthusiasm and passion for ethnic cuisines. Nancy will prepare Vietnamese Pho (a soup noodle dish), Soba Noodles with Miso-Sake Salmon (a salad noodle dish), and Pad Thai (a stir-fry noodle dish). Guaranteed holiday relief.
$18 per person, $15 for Merc Owners & seniors
