This series introduces novice cooks to classic cooking techniques that are the building blocks of fine cooking. In each class, students focus on technique, rather than recipes, to prepare fresh, simple recipes that minimize ingredients and maximize flavor.  As the series progresses, so will your confidence, especially when you use what you’ve learned in your own kitchen.

Session 1: Equipment and Knife Skills (Tuesday, January 10)
You’ll get to know the Culinary Underground kitchens as you learn knife skills, and use the equipment. There will be tips for stocking the pantry, an introduction to herbs and spices, and emphasis on the importance of mis en place.

Session 2: Soups and Simple Sauces (Tuesday, January 17 )
Soups are among the most delicious and creative options for nutritious, filling, and budget conscious meals. You may not always use homemade stock in the soups you make, but after you taste it, you’ll want to. In this session you’ll learn how to “build” a soup from homemade stocks. You will also learn five basic sauces that will punch up your recipes.

Session 3: Moist Heat Cooking (Tuesday, January 24)
Moist heat cooking methods include boiling, steaming, stewing and braising, blanching, scalding, and poaching. In this component, student will also learn in detail how to select skillets, sauté pans, and other equipment.

Session 4: Dry Heat Cooking (Tuesday, January 31)
Picture this: a perfect roast chicken! You’ll learn to wash, truss, season, roast, baste, test, rest, and carve a chicken. You’ll learn how to select cuts of meat and poultry. Dry heat cooking includes methods such as pan frying, searing, dry poaching, sautéing, grilling, and stir-frying.

Session 5: The Other Stuff  (Tuesday, February 7)
Let’s not forget the tremendous variety that eggs, vegetables, pastas, and grains bring to the table. We’ll take the mystery out of preparing rice and grains, learn basic techniques and surprising ways with eggs dishes, and incorporate vegetables into your meals.

Session 6: Student Practicum (Tuesday, February 14)
The final component of the series is the Practicum, where students, under the supervision of the instructors, put into practice those skills they have learned in the series. No, there will not be a final grade, so don’t be nervous – you are going to surprise yourselves!