Last night we took a cooking class at Central Market called “Winter Soups and Stews.” Thankfully, as rare as it has been this winter, it was cloudy and damp. Perfect soup weather. Plus, I’ve gotten really tired lately of just relying on my staple of Paula Deen’s Cheesy Ham and Banana Casserole (just kidding GOOD GRIEF CAN YOU IMAGINE).

I had never taken a cooking class before, and Central Market does a fantastic job. We got to see everything be done (not a hands on class…I think I might chop of a finger in one of those) and then we got to SAMPLE IT. What else could you possibly want to do with your Tuesday evening?

We learned a lot of little tips and tricks that are probably old hat to seasoned chefs (haha pun intended) but new to…newbies. Like how to chop onions depending on whether you want them to break down in your soup or maintain their integrity. And how not to dull a knife so quickly. It made me think about how we all have these little “lifehacks” in our own lives because we are all good at certain things and completely foreign to others. What I am saying is SHOWER YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON ME, PEOPLE.

Anyway, just to make you jealous…

French Onion

Butternut Squash with Toasted Curry Seeds

Black Eyed Pea with Sausage and Wintergreens

Beef Stew with Honey Cornbread

Coconut Brownie and Chocolate Soup