In-Your-Home Cooking Classes

ABOUT

Dear Reader, I learned to cook at my mother and grandmother's knee and have perfected their styles with up-to-date techniques and newly available products. You---In Your Own Home--- can learn my secrets. These home cooking classes will teach you how to duplicate my cooking style and learn where to find the best food ingredients in the Pittsburgh area. Depending on your level of participation, you will learn general food/herb/and spice combinations that can be used to make a whole variety of dishes by just varying these ingredients. You will learn how to cook like your grandma did----both with detailed recipes and with the knowledge of how to whip up something delicious with just "a little of this and a little of that ". That kind of cooking expertise is invaluable to any chef or great cook and allows for a level of preparation that is easy but still impressively delectable. Small group events can be accommodated and gift certificates are available. These classes would be a great gift for newlyweds, empty nesters, singles who want to survive or any friend or member of the family who has wanted to cook better but doesn't yet.

Your cooking education will begin with a visit to your home to assess your kitchen and it's utensils, pots and pans. Then we'll get started with an appointment for the following week. A few days before each lesson I will call or email a shopping list and a set of ingredient preparations necessary to make the lessons efficient. At each 2-3 hour session we will prepare 4 to 6 recipes and often the base mixes or principles taught can be used to make many more meal items.

SAMPLE COOKING TOPICS

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Breading techniques that can be used to make meat cutlets, pan seared fish fillets and fried foods ---- rice balls, fish, eggplant or zucchini
A Mediterranean stuffing to make meatballs, brasciole, leg of lamb, stuffed artichokes and crispy mushrooms
Using herbs to enhance a host of recipes from frittatas, omelettes, stuffed zucchini flowers, tomato salads, roasted potatoes or pestos
Learn the 10 or so pots, pans and utensils necessary to cook just about anything
The best final dish comes from the best products. Learn where to get them in Pittsburgh. You get this lifetime of garnered knowledge in a single class or two.
The best of comfort foods ---- the best mashed potatoes, mac-n-cheese, chicken noodle soup, green bean casserole, baked chicken
Braising techniques to make osso bucco, pot roast, pulled pork, corned beef brisket
Cooking secrets like how to darken a gravy with pureed black beans! Or how to save an overly salty dish by adding sugar or honey
Learn a basic marinara sauce prepared in a half an hour and that can be altered with various ingredients to make 6 or 7 great tomato sauces.
Or a garlic and olive oil prep that can be amended to make multiple white or tomato-free sauces.
Roasted meats, quick and easy----whole chicken, rack of lamb, pork tenderloin, beef filet

FOOD REVIEWS

John and Cheryl Butch:

"Cheryl and I wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for the cooking classes that you conducted in our home. They have proven to be invaluable. As you know, between work, household and family obligations our schedules are to say the least hectic. Neither of us relished the idea of coming home after demanding days to prepare elaborate time consuming meals. What then were our choices? That's when we had the good fortune to come across your ad. We thought why not give this a chance. Working with you has been informative and enjoyable. You made us feel comfortable which allowed us to feel at ease about asking whatever questions came to mind. Now we are able and look forward to preparing absolutely delicious meals that are truly nutritious in far less time and with far less effort than we ever would have imagined possible. Your in home cooking classes far exceeded our expectations and for that we are grateful.

Thanks once again!!"

Dr. Yvonne Hennigan:

"Bob's cooking displays his unique ability to be creative while surprising the taste buds with distinctive twists on traditional recipes. The result is culinary magic! The food always has an imaginative blend of ingredients yet is usually simple and quick to prepare. You can tell that he has a love and passion for food handed down to him from his mother and grandmother."

Lydia Saris-Mechenbier, MD FACP:

"Best chicken with peaches and pistachios I've ever tasted, better than the one served at our local gourmet Italian eatery"

LCA:

"Now that Bob is teaching classes, if I could ask him to teach me just one thing, it would be how to make his amazing rice balls---what Italians call "Arancini". Bob makes them better than any chef in America or in Italy. I know. I've tried them all across both countries. When you ask him how he does it, he always says the same thing--"It's simple. sticky rice, some ground beef, parsley, parmesan and a little love". He made them for a dinner party about ten years ago, and my friends are still talking about them. It's time, Bob, to reveal the magic!"

Julie A.:

"Bob is a pro in the kitchen, whether he is making lobster bisque in puff pastry cages from scratch or creating cheesy, creamy burritos using leftover Thanksgiving turkey. He loves feeding his friends and family and teaching others how to feed theirs. I wish I had half the confidence he has in the kitchen!"

Maggie Kotermanski:

"Great fresh cavatelli primavera with chunks of garlic bread mixed in - very creative,delectable and eye-pleasing! He makes a dinner party look effortless, truly a talented cook."

CONTACT INFORMATION

Call (412)996-6955 or email inyourhome1@aol.com.
Please include your name, email, phone numbers and the best times to call.
Also state how late in the evening you are willing to accept return phone calls.

SERVICE LOCATION

Service area includes the city of Pittsburgh and its northern, northeastern and northwestern suburbs.
Exceptions may be made if the schedule is open so call or email to check.