Monday, March 28, 2011

E: Bacco Italian Cooking Class

As always, thank you for the sweet comments on my pregnancy update. A couple people have commented on my maternity clothes- thank you so much :) But….most of the clothes I’m wearing are “regular clothes”. At this particular time, I am lucky to 1) be only 5’1” (so everything is naturally longer on me) and 2) that larger/flowey tops are in! 

Last Thursday night, my Mom & I took an Italian Cooking Class at Coastal Cupboard. The class was put on by the head chef and owner of Bacco restaurant, Michael Scognamiglio and I wanted to share the experience with you.

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Michael did an incredible job leading the class through how to make risotto four ways. The setup of the cooking area at Coastal Cupboard is very nice. Everyone had a great view of the demonstration and they have a TV screen showing an overhead of the cooking area so you can see exactly what the chef is doing.

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The class was very interactive and people asked quite a few questions along the way. The dishes we enjoyed were:

Pesto Risotto Arancini (fried pesto risotto ball topped with parmesan and served with a side of pesto). This was so yummy and the inside was nice and creamy:IMG_1657

Osso Buco Milanese (roasted osso buco over a saffron risotto). I didn’t eat this dish because I don’t eat veal, but my Mom said it was fantastic. I did try a nibble of the risotto- I am a big saffron fan:

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Pollo Ripiene (chicken and prosciutto wrapped around a mushroom risotto on top of mashed potatoes).  Definitely a unique take on risotto! I’m not a mushroom or prosciutto fan (I know, I’m super picky), but I did enjoy a little plate of the potatoes ;):

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The last dish was the winner of the night! Risotto dolce al Veneto (essentially risotto pudding topped with strawberry sauce & toasted almonds). Amazing…..just a hint of sweetness! Such a creative use of risotto:

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Me & My Mom:

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When you take classes at Coastal Cupboard, you get 10% off the entire store! I bought this awesome water pitcher/iced tea maker that they used to serve us flavored water during class. I’m obsessed with it.  The filtered divider help brings the fruit/veggie flavors into the water without having them dump out into your glass:

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Simple ideas can be genius :)

Monday, Monday. Are you up to anything other than the usual today? Nothing too exciting here- teaching Pump, working and a few errands.

46 comments:

Lauren said...

I took a cooking class with my dad last fathers day and it was such a good time and a great way to spend time with the people you love. I really want to get Toly into one. I think a romantic cooking class would be a great date night!

The Blonde Duck said...

It sounds like a lot of fun!

Averie said...

I would love to take a cooking class like that...how fun!

And you being 5'1 and being able to rock the regular non-maternity clothes so far...good! Way cheaper that way :)

Unknown said...

Yummm! Sounds so fun! And the food looks DELICIOUS!

Happy Monday!

Heather said...

Cooking classes are so fun! And that picture of you and your mom is super cute!
Today is my first day not teaching. I plan on a killer workout for myself tonight! :)

The Purple Carrot said...

That looks like so much fun! I've never taken a cooking class, but I think I would really like them.

That pitcher is a great idea!! Love it.

Have a great Monday! :)

Anonymous said...

That cooking class looks like fun!!!
I'd definitely be a fan of the sweet risotto!!! :D

Katie said...

What a fun class! I love taking cooking lessons, especially with family because you know you'll have the chance to put your skills to work together in the future! That risotto pudding looks delish.

Also, love your new baby bag!

Have a great week, Erica!

Jenn (eating bender) said...

This class looks like so much fun! I think my favorite would have been the Risotto dolce al Veneto, too. That is such a genius option! Love the presentation of all the dishes, too.

That pitcher is also genius! You are so right that sometimes the simplest ideas have a huge impact.

I'm up to the usual today other than a dentist appointment. Woohoo! Exciting, I know. ;o) Have a great day, Erica!

Kitchen Belleicious said...

Oh my gosh! how much fun. there are cooking classes all the time where I live but I can never make it to them with a toddler on my hands. I am so jealous but thanks for including us by showing us some pics!

Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg said...

Ahhhh, cooking classes are so much fun!!

Heather (Where's the Beach) said...

Sounds like fun. And sometimes being itty bitty pays off huh ;-)

Renee Paj said...

so glad you are stilling feeling and looking wonderful with the pregnancy!

what fun to take classes with your mom! I have never made risotto. On my list of things to do! :) what an awesome pitcher! I agree, when you find stuff like this you always think...why didn't I think of this? lol

Stephanie @cookinfanatic said...

What a fun cooking class! You and your momma are so cute :) That water pitcher is a great idea, I'd love to have one of those too, great find.

Krista said...

That pitcher is a GREAT idea!!! Love it! Sounds like a fun class....especially since you got to do it with your Mom!

Pound said...

what fun! i want that pitcher!

Susan said...

Whoa...could you pronounce Micheal's last name?


That class looks like a lot of fun and a great way to spend time with your mom.

Cool pitcher

KatiePerk said...

Looks good! Glad to know that was a success! I have seen some of there ads.
That pitcher is brilliant!

Annie said...

fried rice balls? i die

im glad you had a great weekend!

Biz said...

I love that pitcher! I've been putting fresh lemon and limes in my water - its so refreshing and easier to get the water down - great idea!

Glad you had a fun time with your Momma! :D

Janetha @ meals + moves said...

That pitcher is awesome. I have been to one cooking class and loved it. Thanks for reminding me how much I want to do another one. I loved your last pregnancy update--time is flying!! So excited for you!

Corey @ the runners cookie said...

I would love to do something like that with my mom! When I give gifts to people these days, I would so much rather give a gift of a trip, a class, or something we can actually DO together, rather than a material gift. You and your mom are so adorable - glad you had a great time!
(Also, I just need to say that your last comment on my blog was incredibly sweet and made my day - you are such a great blog friend and will be an amazing mom!)

Jenna said...

Cooking classes are hands down, one of my favorite things to do. The atmosphere, good food, new techniques.. love it all! Looks like this one was a hit!

Anonymous said...

That cooking class looks like so much fun!

Michelle @ Find Your Balance said...

So fun! I've always wanted to do a class like that. Hope you're feeling great!

MegSmith @ Cooking.In.College said...

I am super jealous that you got to take such an awesome class! The food looks wonderful (I wouldn't have eaten the veal either...yuck)

I need to make a sweet risotto soon, that looks wonderful.

Beth @ DiningAndDishing said...

What a fun class! I love cooking demonstrations :). A great way to get in some mother/daughter time too!

Priyanka said...

Your picture with your mum is beautiful!

Nothing special happening on this monday for me, just the routine!

LauraB said...

That pitcher is such a great idea!

Simply Life said...

oh what a fun class!

Jenn @ Peas and Crayons said...

What a fun/delish class!!!! and so awesome that you were able to take it with your mom! I would looove to take a cooking class with my momma! =)

you have me thinking pesto for dinner now! hehe!

xoxo
jenn

Anonymous said...

I've always wanted to learn how to make risotto... who knew that there were so many ways to prepare it!?

Stephanie in Suburbia said...

I so love taking cooking classes. My dad and I go a few times a year. But now I've bought their entire store!

Julie said...

haha i friggn HATE proscuitto or however you spell it! i don't even know how to spell it hahaha

anyways the cooking class looked FABULOUS! what a great way to have some mama daughter time in and learn to cook amazing food. haha my dream would be to go to a cooking class and then go home with a full belly and a date with the chef. hmm i should get on that

anyways! double score on that piture! i saw a GIANT one like that this past summer and it was filled with water & fresh mint! it was deliiicious

Monique said...

haha I love wearing maternity-esque shirts and I'm not even pregnant or married. They are very cute and in right now :)

That class looks awesome! I totally want to take a cooking class!!!! :)

Lisa said...

I have that iced tea pitcher and love it! It is amazing...just don't put really finely chopped tea in it, or you'll be drinking some grit :)

Looks like a fun class!

erica said...

Looks like that class was all sorts of fun. I would love to take a cooking class with my mum. Neither of us break out of our comfort zone with cooking and we really need to.

xo

ps that pitcher is brilliant!

jenna said...

how fun!! I've always wanted to take a cooking class!! I love that pitcher! What a great idea!

candice said...

So fun! i love cooking classes! I always learn SO much!

Val said...

Now this is amazing. What a great time for a foodie!

Naomi(Onefitfoodie) said...

that pitcher is GENIOUS! i always want to flavor water with cucumber and lemon but then I end up eating so many seeds and lots of unwanted pulp. I love that you can seperate the flavors from the water!

awesome class, I have always wanted to take a cooking class, esp with my mama!! remember at Vlora one of the appetizers was arancini! mmmm it all looks delish!

Anonymous said...

I love that pitcher! I saw something similar to that a few months back and have been thinking about all the water flavors I could make ever since!

Anna Katrina said...

looks like so much fun.. im trying to gt myself to a cooking class soon



stop by sometime<3
http://passportglamour.blogspot.com

Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather said...

What a fun class! And with your mom too. Now I want to find a yummy cooking class to take my mom to. Hmmm maybe a mothers day treat? I'll have to start looking.


What a fun pitcher! I love adding fruit flavors to my water. Just makes it more exciting.

MizFit said...

ok Im laughing at your NOTHING MUCH HERE comment.
nothing much except I work and blog and teach and am preg.and a dog-mama and...

oh and your mom?
LOVED that photo, too.

Kerr said...

I have not even heard of this place! The meal looks amazing. I need to sign up for a class soon.

I need that pitcher too!