It seems that there is so much talk these days about the safety of our food, and even as of late all the junk that surrounds the China situation. I have recently developed a passion for learning all there is to learn about Organic Farming, and what it means to be ” Certified Organic”. I am Teaching and Hosting a Class on Organic Farming and Cooking at Secret Ingredients in September. I will have with me, Suzanne Ballard from New Moon Organic Farms in Denver NC who will be a guest speaker and Sous Chef in the Kitchen with me. The menu will be fun, as I have NO IDEA what she will bring us to cook with that evening. Should be fun. Hopefully Suzanne will be able to get us all Organically Savvy by the end of the evening, and I Know the food will be great… Hope you will consider joining us for this great event. Call the Store at 704-598-2186 to register for the class.

Till Next Time,
Chef Sandy

Hello Food Enthusiasts!

Just thought I would let you know where you can catch a cooking class with me in April and May… I Get Around! teaching passionate cooking that is…..

April~ catch my cooking class schedule at Secret Ingredients in Northlake Mall. We have lots of great classes offered, and that site is www.secretingredientsnc.com

I will be doing a Free Demo at The Fresh Market in Charlotte on Providence Road ( Strawberry Hill Shopping Center) on April 28th from 3-6pm cooking ” Pork Tenderloin Picatta”. Stop by and say hello!

Beginning in May, I will be conducting cooking classes at Earthfare, located in the Torrington Shopping Center at Johnston Rd and I-485 in South Charlotte. Earthfare is a Specialty Grocer, with a high emphasis on hormone free meats, and organic products. I am JAZZED about this opportunity! I will offer classes on Tuesday evenings, and Some Thursdays and Saturdays, and they will be budget friendly at only $10-15 dollars a class. A not to miss event at this price! My menu will be posted soon, and to learn more about Earthfare stores, please visit their website at www.earthfare.com

I look forward to meeting you at one of my upcoming cooking classes!
Don’t be shy~ Cooking classes are all the rage, and a great way to Meetup with locals who enjoy the same things in life that you do!

In food, Wine, and Friendship~

Chef Sandy

Even though the much beloved movie Sideways helped propel the industry as far as the Pinot Noir grape is concerned, How many of us actually have a love affair for this grape? Count me in. Here’s why…

Silky- next to a pair of silky boxers or new sheets, It’s right up there with oh so sexy feeling…. er, at least on the tongue that is!

Soft: The tannins ( the stuff that makes your mouth water) are so soft, they are like a new pair of socks on your tootsies….

Lucious: Big, Juicy ripe berry fruit leave you wanting so much more….almost like a warm berry cobbler that only Grandma can make.

Food: It is the ” Golden Retriever” of wines, it loves everything, and everyone!

Next time you get invited for dinner, be it a cookout, a formal dinner or casual evening with friends, consider bringing a bottle of Pinot to the gathering…, A Can’t miss wine for a variety of pairings, and people!

Some of my Picks: Mark West Central Coast Pinot Noir- $ 12.99, Sterling Vineyards ” Winery Lake” $ 27.99

In Food, Wine and Friendship~
Chef Sandy

If you are a Northern Transplant here in Charlotte, Like most everyone is in some way or another, you undoubtably realize that Happy Hours as we knew them, well…. Just don’t exist in these here parts. I teach cooking classes for a living, and one of the most hoppin classes that i teach regularly is ” Date night Dinners” and ” Girls Night Out” classes. In one such class, I was happily working with a few ladies who were enjoying cooking together, and I asked ” So what brought you to my class?”, Her reply was ” This is so much better than a smoky bar, with un-welcomed glances, and the food is so much better!” she stated. The same scenerio rang true of my Date Night Dinners Class, where we typically see married couples, dating couples, or best friends sign up for an evening of cooking, socializing and wine consupmtion. ( We offer wine for sale by the bottle). When the question is again asked, the response is almost always ” We were tired of going to the same places, and tired of the food as well”. And I have to tell you, There is alot of laughter, and satisfaction when the souffle that you thought you would NEVER be able to pull off, comes out fluffy, golden brown, and filled with flavor. So I ask: ” Would you rather come home smelling like smoke and greasy bar food? or come home smelling like Coq Au Vin and Souffle and know that you were taught to make it yourself?

To View a schedule of my upcoming Cooking Classes offered at Secret Ingredients in the Northlake Mall, Visit the website at www.secretingredientsnc.com. Its the Best Happy Hour in Town!

In Food, Wine, and Friendship,
Chef Sandy

Here is the perfect recipe for grilling spareribs so you don’t make the common mistakes that lead to dry ribs, overcooked or burnt or just ordinary tasting ribs. This contribution from Barbecueweb.com shows you how to layer prepare and plate spare ribs on your natural coal grill. Takes 3-4 hours but sure to make your neighbors climb the fence.

We had a recent run in with spare ribs and made some common mistakes like not enough marinade breaks, thankfully barbecueweb.com gives the advice to apply the marinade or baste after every beer.

Recently used the great recipe for homemade extra meat filled egrolls from our own contributor Dave Scott. The recipe calls for gournd pork sausage, ground beef, onions, carrots and cabbage. All this cooked to perfection rolled in eggroll wraps which you can buy at any produce section of any supermarket for about $2. The wraps turned out be be very simple and tasty to make. The simple and always perfect fried eggroll wraps gave me hundreds of ideas of other wrapped delights that could be made in a similar process.

Check out the post and video lesson on how to make you own eggrolls with extra meat and less filler. This recipe is a no brainer, looks great and makes great next day eating.