November 23, 2005
Cooking Classes in NYC
For some time now I have been thinking that I need to become a better cook. There are a few things I know how to make very well: fried potatoes, polish-kielbasa soup -- but there are many times I've tried to cook something new and it has just not come out the way I want. During my bachelor years, the solution was to just add a bunch of salt and a few other spices to mask the mistake, but I realize that's an easy way out. What I'd really like is to take a cooking class that teaches me how to use spices better, namely which spices to use with which foods and how much.
I've been looking online at some of the cooking classes offered in NYC, and they all seem pretty expensive. I'm also not having much luck finding a class that only deals with how to use spices properly.
I know that cooking is a lot lot dancing: practice makes perfect, but I'm hoping that I can take a few classes to learn more of the basics of mixing flavors and spices and then use that as a foundation for everything I cook in the future.
What are your favorite sources for cooking information? I'm not really looking for recipes, unless they are very specific about spices and flavor. Also, if you know of any culinary classes in NYC that teach what i'm looking for, then leave a note in the comments. My research has not resulted in much information.
Posted by Cameron Barrett at November 23, 2005 11:40 AMAlton Brown's "Good Eats" television show has taught me an amazing amount about cooking. He shows you technique, he talks about the geeky science behind the scenes. Each episode is less than 30 minutes. It's great!
Besides watching Alton Brown, I make lots of Barefoot Contessa recipes because they always taste great and I spend a lot of time reading food blogs. My coworkers are my guinea pigs before I unleash recipes on family and friends.
Posted by: Josh at November 23, 2005 04:43 PM
I cannot recommend enough the Insitute of Culinary Education (www.iceculinary.com). They're not very cheap, but the classes are fantastic, and I learned a great deal.
ICE has a class called "Freestyling with Spices", although it looks like it's passed. They may have one in the Spring again.
http://www.iceculinary.com/recreational/flavor.shtml
That said - "what to do with spices" is a very general question, and you might want to focus on some spices you know you like. Spice mixtures vary considerably with regional cuisines.
Posted by: Adam Fields at November 23, 2005 08:34 PM
I took the week-long techniques of cooking at ICE a few years ago and loved it. It's kind of expensive, but each class includes a full meal with wine, and you get to take home gobs of leftovers. Try to get Richard Ruben as the instructor if possible. http://www.iceculinary.com/recreational/techniques_cooking.shtml
Posted by: Amy at November 24, 2005 08:48 AM
Shows you should watch:
Daisy Cooks! with Daisy Martinez on WLIW (channel 21 in NYC). Latin food that will make your mouth water. She teaches you about spices, tells you where to buy special ingredients. Very informative.
Nick Stellino (Cucina Amore) on PBS. Damien almost bit the tv when we watched Nick make rosemary chicken. Yummy!
Lidia's Kitchen on WLIW. She's all Italian mama-style and terrific. This is probably Italian cooking at its best
30 Minute Meals with Rachel Ray on the Food Network. She's inventive and practical. You can make many of her meals with ingredients already in your kitchen.
I lived in Italy so I can teach you some Italian recipies, anytime.
Posted by: Katie at November 25, 2005 11:12 PM
Posted by: Josh at December 24, 2005 12:12 PM
