Bake it off! will design a special cooking class specifically for you. We will bring food and supplies to your place -- or you can crash our pad. We also have a ton of ready-made classes to choose from. Here are some of our (and our clients') favorites:
For Adults:
The Lighter Side of FranceDon't get me wrong -- la beurre is my friend and I hope she's yours too. But sometimes I enjoy indulging in (real, delicious) French cuisine that doesn't instantly send my cholesterol into the red zone. For this class, Bake it off! has created a classic menu that is low in calories and fat, but off the charts in flavor. Students learn to make Papillote of Salmon and Venison Medallions with Chestnut Red-Wine Reduction Sauce. We'll also whip up seasonal sides like Cauliflower a la Grecque and Glazed Carrot & Turnip Tourne. No French meal would be complete without a dessert: we'll poach or roast seasonal fruits and prepare a plate of Pate de Fruits. $65 per person. (20% off if you host the lesson at your apartment). Every student will leave with a workbook of recipes and nutritional information. Enrollment is limited.
French Classics
There's nothing quite like a home-cooked French meal. In this class, students will explore the vertiginous highs of French cookery from Coq au Vin (Chicken Stewed in Red Wine) to Ragout d' Agneau Provencale (Provencale Lamb Stew). We'll also dish out Potato Gratin and a seasonal vegetable-based French side. And let's face it: there's nothing like polishing off a hearty French meal like biting into a slice of Flourless Chocolate Cake with homemade whipped cream and seasonal fruit on the side. $65 per person. (20% off if you host the lesson at your apartment). Every student will leave with an extensive workbook of recipes. Enrollment is limited.
The Lighter Side of Italy
Despite what you may think, it truly is possible to cook yummy, authentic Italian dishes without drowning in a giant vat of rendered bacon fat. In this class, students will learn how to whip up indulgent but healthful Italian fare, including classic a seasonal risotto or a grain-based dish (like Roasted Beet Farrotto), a hearty but calorie-conscious pasta like Ragu di Cinghiale (Wild Boar Ragu), a soup brimming with vegetables straight from the farmers' market, like Minestrone Milanese and a seasonal side such as Cipolline Agro Dolce (Sweet & Sour Cipolline Onions). We'll end the class with a surprisingly light, easy-to-make and delicious Biscotti. $65 per person. (20% off if you host the lesson at your apartment). Every student will leave with a workbook of recipes and nutritional information. Enrollment is limited.
Italian Classics
Want to roll like Mario? Take Bake it off!'s Italian Classics course and you'll be livin' la dolce vita in no time. Learn to create dishes like Creamy Polenta with Roasted Garlic Puree, Tagliatelle con Ragu Bolognese, Carciofi coi Piselli (a classic Emiglia-Romagna artichoke dish made with prosciutto) or another seasonal Italian side and Gatto di Patate (a preposterously unctuous treat from Napoli made with potatoes, too many cheeses to name and soppressata). We'll gild the lily by finishing with the penultimate Italian dessert: Milk Chocolate Panna Cotta. $65 per person. (20% off if you host the lesson at your apartment). Every student will leave with a workbook of recipes. Enrollment is limited.
All About the Bread
Don't fear the knead: that's what makes bread-making so much fun. In this class, Bake it off! shows students how to knead a variety of doughs properly -- and bake a gaggle of em off to boot! Students will leave armed with confidence and lusty loaves of Pain aux Noix, bagels with a variety of toppings, Grissini All'Olio (Olive Oil Breadsticks) and Focaccia -- also with a variety of toppings. Every student will also take home a workbook of recipes. $40 per person. (20% off if you host the lesson at your apartment). Enrollment is limited.
Seasonal Pies and Tarts
In this class, Bake it off! will show you how simple making gourmet pies and tarts can be! Once you master our easy, elegant one-crust recipe for pies and another for tarts you'll be cramming them with produce from the farmer's market every week. Every student will leave with the fruits of the labor -- and presentation tips so their pies and tarts will look as delectable as they taste. $40 per person. (20% off if you host the lesson at your apartment). Enrollment is limited.
For Teens:
Vegetarian/Vegan Dishes 101
Has your child recently become a vegetarian? Enroll him or her in this course where Bake it off! will show them how to get the most nutritional bang for their beans. We can tailor the lesson to address their specific dietary concerns, but we typically make one protein-heavy soup, one main dish (usually a protein-focused seasonal Risotto or pasta) and one vegan dessert. We emphasize nutrition and balanced meals and we will teach your child to prepare a variety of vegetarian proteins in interesting ways that the whole family can enjoy (even tofu and quinoa, we promise!) Every student will leave with a workbook of recipes and nutritional information about meeting their daily mineral and vitamin requirements as (possibly still growing) young people. $70 per student. (20% off if you host the lesson at your apartment). Enrollment is limited.
For Younger Kids:
French Cooking for Beginners
Give your child a taste of the kind of French food they'll love -- with touches of sophistication, but a kid-friendly approach. In this 3-hour course, kids will learn how to make French fries with a variety of homemade dipping sauces, Croque Monsieurs and their very own individual tarts. We'll discuss basics about the wonderful culinary history of France as we cook and each student will leave with a packet of recipes and information about the food of France. $40 per student. (20% off if you host the lesson at your apartment). Enrollment is limited.
Italian Cooking for Beginners
Get your child to Mambo Italianio with the best of them in this fun-filled course that is guaranteed to have them put Babbo on their (or your) speed dial. We'll cover the basics, from seasonal bruschettas and pastas to a luscious individual Panna Cotta. During the class, we'll discuss great Italian chefs and restaurants. Each student will leave with a packet of recipes and information about Italian food. $40 per student. (20% off if you host the lesson at your apartment). Enrollment is limited.
Please call Kathleen at (917) 974-0978 or email us at bakeitoff@gmail.com for further information or to schedule a class.