Delightful Grab n Go and Culinary Classes

Upcoming classes, comforting meals, and quirky food holidays—here’s what’s cooking at Art of Cookery this season!

As the air turns crisp and cozy cravings kick in, Art of Cookery is serving up a delicious lineup of culinary classes and Grab n Go fare to warm your heart and your belly. Whether you’re looking to master sauces, herbs, or pasta—or just want to grab a comforting meal on the go—we’ve got something special for you.

Upcoming Classes

Join us in the kitchen for hands-on learning, laughter, and flavor-packed fun:

  • Five Mother SaucesNov 18 @ 5 pm: Learn the foundational sauces that elevate any dish.
  • Pierogi ParadiseNov 24 @ 1 pm: Dive into cheesy pockets of yum.
  • Cooking with HerbsDec 2 @ 12 noon: Discover how herbs transform everyday meals.
  • How to Create a Charcuterie BoardDec 6 @ 5 pm: Craft a spread that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
  • Art of PastaDec 9 @ 5 pm: Roll, shape, and simmer your way to pasta perfection.
  • Convection Oven CookingDec 11 @ 1 pm: Learn how to make the most of this versatile appliance whether you are using an air fryer or a full sized convection oven…or something in between.

Want to see the full schedule?  Go to our webpage, scroll down and click the red Calendar of Classes button.

Grab N Go for November 17 - 23

Swing by for comforting classics, ready when you are (Don’t want to take your chances?  Order ahead with pick-up date and time to ensure you get what you want):

  • Turkey Dinner Meal: Roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green beans, and bread—Thanksgiving in a box!
  • Shaved Pork Sammies: Tender pork shoulder with brioche buns, horseradish sauce and au jus, perfect for dipping and devouring.
  • Soup of the Week: A hearty stew to warm you from the inside out.

The above meals don’t interest you?  Want pasta, minestrone, or meatloaf instead (for example)? Tell Chef Valerie what you want.   Someone has ordered some low carb meals for next week, maybe that’s your cup of tea?  Request a meal or two for yourself.  Give some notice though…special requests can’t happen the same day.

Wonder what is in Grab n Go at any given time?  Text Chef Valerie at 231-740-4065 and ask.

Heads up! There will be no Grab n Go service the week of Thanksgiving (Nov 25–29), so stock up early or join us for a class instead!

Quirky Food Holidays

Beyond Thanksgiving, November offer some upcoming delightfully oddball food holidays to inspire your plate:

  • Nov 18 – National Apple Cider Day: Sip something spiced while you stir your sauces.
  • Nov 21 – National Stuffing Day: A perfect excuse to indulge before the big feast.
  • Dec 4 – National Cookie Day: Bake, share, and savor the sweet side of the season.
  • Dec 11 – National Noodle Ring Day: A retro nod to pasta creativity—just in time for our Art of Pasta class! (can I say eewwwww?)


Pasta: Gnocchi alla Sorrentina

Gnocchi alla Sorrentina: A Hands-On Taste of Italy A beautiful image of plated Gnocchi alla Sorrentina

Pack your culinary passport and join us for a delicious journey through Italy—no plane ticket required! In this hands-on class, we’ll explore the beloved Italian dumpling known as gnocchi, tracing its humble origins from ancient Roman kitchens to the cozy trattorias of Campania.

You’ll start by crafting pillowy potato gnocchi from scratch, learning the secrets of perfect dough and how to shape each piece using a traditional gnocchi board. Then we’ll simmer a garlicky tomato sauce kissed with basil, fold in creamy mozzarella, and bake it all until bubbly and golden—just like they do in Sorrento.

As the aroma fills the kitchen, you’ll portion your dish to take home and enjoy. But don’t be surprised if you sneak a taste right out of the oven at Art of Cookery—we won’t judge!

Whether you’re a pasta lover, a cheese enthusiast, or simply craving a cozy culinary adventure, this class is your ticket to Italy’s heartwarming flavors.

Adult: $40


An authentic cuban sandwich with mustard pickles and 3 meats.

Mastering the Cuban Sandwich

From History to Your Kitchen: Master the Cuban Sandwich with Chef Valerie Hanson

Ah, the Cuban sandwich—an iconic dish with a history as flavorful as the sandwich itself. Its origins are a point of pride (and debate) in Florida. Was it Tampa, where cigarmakers in Ybor City needed a hearty, portable meal? Or Miami, where Cuban immigrants shared their culinary culture with the world? While the jury’s still out, one thing’s for sure: this sandwich has become a universal favorite, and it’s your turn to discover why.

At its core, a Cuban sandwich is no ordinary sandwich. It’s a perfect combination of mojo-marinated pork, cheese, pickles, mustard, 2 other meats, and crispy Cuban bread. But creating one worthy of its heritage? That’s where I come in.

I’m excited to bring you not one but two live(via ZOOM) cooking classes that will have you mastering the art of the Cuban sandwich. Both classes are standalone experiences, so you can choose to take one or both. However, participating in both will elevate your culinary skills and Cuban sandwich game even further!A vibrant dish of golden yellow mustard alongside a juicy mojo pork roast.

March 16, 1 PM EST: Perfecting the Foundations Our journey begins with the essentials—because a Cuban sandwich is only as good as the ingredients at its heart. In this live class, I’ll teach you to make mustard from scratch, starting with mustard seeds and crafting it to match your personal tastes. You’ll also learn the art of mojo pork: marinated in bold, zesty flavors and slow-roasted to tender perfection. These skills can stand on their own to transform your cooking, or they can prepare you for the next week’s class.  Click here to learn more and book.

March 23, 1 PM EST: The Cuban Sandwich Masterclass Now that we’ve built the foundation, it’s time to assemble perfection. This class will guide you through stacking and pressing the ultimate Cuban sandwich. From layering the ingredients to pressing it to golden, crispy excellence, I’ll share every secret I’ve learned—including some fun tidbits about the sandwich’s history. Don’t worry if you missed the first class; ingredient lists and prep instructions will ensure you’re ready to create magic.  Click here to learn more and book.

Both classes are live via Zoom and designed to be interactive and fun. Whether you cook along or simply watch and take notes, you’ll connect with fellow food lovers and bring the taste of Cuba into your home. Ingredient lists and preparation details will be sent in advance, so you’re fully ready to dive in.

Spaces are limited, so sign up today to join me on this flavorful adventure. Be sure to include your email address as that is how you will get prep information.

Together, let’s honor the Cuban sandwich’s rich history—one delicious bite at a time!


Authentic Cuban Sandwich

Join Chef Valerie Hanson for a Culinary Adventure: The Cuban Sandwich Experience

Step into our teaching kitchen and embark on a flavorful journey with Chef Valerie.  You’ll learn the art of creating an authentic Cuban sandwich—straight from its origins.

After an inspiring trip to Florida to uncover the secrets of this iconic dish, Chef Valerie is ready to share her discoveries with you. Master the techniques behind tender mojo pork, explore essential assembly tips, and perfect the balance of flavors that make the Cuban sandwich unforgettable. Enjoy a sprinkling of history and fun facts along the way.

BONUS: Participants will be also crafting fresh mustard!

 Don’t miss this chance to bring the taste of Cuban sammies into your home while learning from a passionate chef and storyteller.

An authentic cuban sandwich with mustard pickles and 3 meats.

Adult: $49


Tortellini

Pasta: Tortellini

Tortellini.  Along with the name for this delectable dish comes a rich history of tradition through the ages. This timeless recipe and treasure of Italian cuisine not only has a delightful name, and delicious reputation, but also a curious and mythical framework on how it came to be.

This crafted pasta is said to have been born in the in the province of Modena, near Bologna. Although the story varies, it is commonly said that Venus, the goddess of love, spent a night in a local inn. While there, the innkeeper stole a peek at her through the keyhole of her door, and within seconds of seeing the enchanting goddess, he was struck by that divine degree of inspiration. He then went to his kitchen and created the tortellini pasta, said to be sculpted in the shape of Venus’s navel.

Participants will learn to craft cheese and spinach filled pasta, as well as how to make a blend of flours for pasta making.

Adult $40


Culinary Crash Course

Are you a young adult just getting out on your own and need some kitchen skills?  Have you recently lost your spouse or partner and that person was the cook in the relationship?  This is the class for you!  Is your family on a budget and you need to to dine in/not out?

This class is for YOU.

Over the course of this 6 hour culinary bootcamp, participants learn a variety of foundation kitchen skills from basic to more in-depth.

Experience:

  • Sourdough bread making
  • Knife skills
  • Proper kitchen measuring technique
  • Electric pressure cooking
  • How to cook from your pantry

You will come away with a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience (as well as recipes and notes provided for you.

You will be eating your way through the day.  Imagine that, eating your homework.

$200


Youngest Chef Series Session 5 Ages 6-10

Designed for young people, aged 6 to 10.

This series of classes is designed for the youngest chefs who are interested in entering the world of cooking food.  This is a five-session series with each lasting 1 1/2 hours.  The classes must be taken in order, but do not need to be week to week.  Your young chef can experience session 1 this summer, session 2 the next time the series is offered, etc.

Session 5:  More Stove Top and Knife Skills: 

The final Youngest Chef session is a type of reminder course, advancing their skills.  Students will be using stove top, handling meat, prepping vegetables with knives, and understanding the term “mise en place” when it comes to planning a cooking session.

Using these skills, they will be making a Taco bar for lunch.

Students aged 6-10: $55


Easter

Celebrating Easter, Quick Hollandaise, Upcoming Classes

This post is a fun one about some Easter eggs around the world.  Also included is a recipe for a quick and easy hollandaise sauce, and some of our upcoming classes.  Enjoy!

Regardless of how you celebrate Easter, you’re likely aware of some traditions surrounding the use of eggs. Common American practices include hiding eggs, coloring eggs, and eating delicious chocolate eggs! But did you know that eggs feature in other ways for Easter traditions in different cultures? Here are a few of my favorites:

Giant Omelets

In southern France, there is a giant omelet festival put on by the Knights of the Giant Omelet.  Unbelievably, using over 15,000 eggs, cooks create a gigantic omelet to serve to the folks who participate in the festival free of charge (feeding around 1,000 people)! And if you want a taste of France that’s not a gigantic omelette, consider making hollandaise to jazz your eggs up (see recipe below)! 

A Whimsical Way to go Egging

In Mexico, cascarones are

Cascarones

used as a form of celebration. These treats are hollowed-out eggs that have been decorated on the outside, filled with confetti, then closed up with tissue paper over the opening. Cascarones can be used as colorful centerpieces or to add playful whimsy to your meal, as it’s great fun to break these eggs over your peers or children’s heads and shower them in the brightly colored confetti. While traditionally, these eggs are more likely to appear during Mardi Gras, they’ve been a big hit at Easter celebrations and egg hunts in more modern times.

Decorate Eggs with Beeswax

Pysanky

A Ukrainian egg tradition takes the form of decorating eggs using dyes and beeswax. Called pysanky, these eggs become beautiful art pieces for your table. While it can take more time to accomplish, it’s a more upscale way of having decorated eggs at your table than the more standard version of dipping eggs in vinegar + dye.

The world is a beautiful place filled with wonderful food traditions, and here at Art of Cookery, we appreciate such creative ways to celebrate! Check out our current classes if you want to improve your cooking skills for a special Easter meal. And if you’d like us to handle the cooking for you, we’ve got you covered!

Quick and Easy Hollandaise

Here's a quick no-fuss way to make hollandaise sauce that doesn't split on you.
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time2 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Keyword: Hollandaise

Equipment

  • 1 blender

Ingredients

  • 3 egg yolks Be sure they are pasteurized and properly refrigerated as this recipe isn't cooking the eggs.
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 tsp fresh thyme optional
  • 1/16 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/16 tsp salt
  • 1/32 tsp white pepper black is fine too
  • 1/2 c unsalted butter melted

Instructions

  • Place yolks, lemon juice, cayenne, thyme (if using), salt, and pepper in blender.
  • Run blender until fully mixed.
  • While blender is running, open pour spout and slowly pour the melted butter in.
  • Blend until fully emulsified.
  • taste and adjust lemon juice, salt and pepper to your liking. SERVE!

Notes

Alternatively, use a double boiler with gently simmering water and whisk the eggs and lemon juice together over it.  When mixture is doubled in volume, whisk in the butter until thickened.  Remove from heat and add thyme, salt & pepper.

Upcoming Classes that Have Available Tickets.

This is not a comprehensive list of upcoming classes, it is simply a few that have a ticket or two still available.  To see them all, including ones that have no one registered (and are open for you to book) and ones that are fully booked (but help you see some of the topics Art of Cookery offers, click here.  That link works well to register for one of the classes below online.  Don’t see anything you are interested in or at a time/date that works?  Just ask! ICan@artcookery.com 

March 30 @ 5:15 pm – Mother Sauces: Bechamel – $24

April 4 @ 5:00 pm – Lasagna (making the fresh pasta and the dish) – $38

April 7 @ 1:00 pm – Pate a Choux Pastry (cream puffs) – $20

April 11 @ 12:00 noon – Pressure canning (this is a how to can safely class and product to be canned is meat, think venison or abundance of roast on sale, etc.) – $45

April 18 @ 5:00 pm – Tamales (flavor will be green chili chicken and we will also be making the salsa verde) – $42

April 20 @ 12:00 noon – Traditional bread baking and Butter Churning – $29

April 22 @ 1:00 pm – Fermenting – $24


Youngest Chef Series Session 2 Ages 6-10

Kids:  Youngest Chef Cooking Series

Designed for the youngest chefs, aged 6 to 10.
This series of classes is designed for the youngest chefs who are interested in entering the world of cooking food.  This is a five-session series with each lasting 1 1/2 hours.

Session 2:  Introduction to Measuring and Burners: 

This session lightly engages in foundation skills for cooking (measuring, cracking eggs, stirring, stove safety). Foods made in this session are mini pancakes and breakfast meat with fried or scrambled eggs if there is time.

Students aged 6-10: $55


Burn’s Night, Wandering, and Classes

Burn's Night

January 25, 2022 is this year’s Burn’s Night.

Burns Night is a commemoration of the life and legacy of famous poet Robert Burns. First celebrated by Burns’ own friends and family as a memorial to the writer, it has since become an annual celebration in Scotland – and is now popular with nations across the world. 

One of the traditional ways to celebrate Burn’s Night is with a Burn’s Supper. These dinners can be formal or informal and may include only friends or friends and family. During this supper, ‘Selkirk Grace’ is recited as well as the ‘Address to a Haggis’. Whiskey and food are also main components of this supper.

My husband and I love to do murder mysteries with friends.  We recently did one that was themed in Scotland.  So I developed a Burn’s Supper menu.  I am sharing some recipes from it at the bottom of this post in case you want to hold a Burn’s Night Supper with friends.

The Menu:
  • Cock-a-leekie Soup
  • Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties
  • Cranachan

Upcoming Classes

This week I taught all of the ways to use a Dutch oven.  If you are only going to have one pan, that is what you should have.  We made bread, fried chicken, slow roasted pork, and baked a big cookie.

Then yesterday, a hearty soup class.

Next week’s Ravioli making, and Pierogi Paradise classes are full.  Please make sure to watch our calendar to see all of the upcoming classes so you don’t miss out on one you are interested in because it was already booked out.  Click here to go to the calendar.

Just tonight I added another of both of those classes for the following week or so because I received a lot of feedback that people missed registering in time.

The next available classes are:
  • Quiche – 1/31 at 5 pm $25
  • Ravioli – 2/1 at 12 noon $25
  • Lasagna – 2/3 at 5:15 pm $38
  • Pierogi Paradise – 2/8 at 5 pm $30

Email ICan@artcookery.com to book offline.  Use the link above to book online through the calendar.  OR call/text 231-740-4065 to register via phone.

Winter Wanderland

I am one of the founders of, and am the president of, White Lake Wanderland.  This is a group of volunteers who formed a 501C3 to bring residents out of their homes to enjoy all of the great activities this area has to be proud of.  

February 4, 5, and 6 is the next weekend long event.  Called Winter Wanderland 2022.  There’s activities for all interests and ages.  Sledding, skating, snowshoeing, hot toddy touring, bonfires and more.  Click here to go the the Facebook Wanderland page for more information.  Just click on the EVENTS and check all of the activities out.

Click a photo below to see which menu item it is.

Current Menu for Pick-up Orders

Burn's Supper Recipes

Cock-a-leekie Soup

Serves 8 (1 c servings)

 Ingredients Needed:

  • 2 T butter
  • 1/3 c rice, rinsed
  • 1 lg clove garlic, minced
  • 12 oz leeks (1 to 2 leeks) with outer leaves removed, leeks washed well and sliced into ½” discs
  • 5 c chicken stock
  • 1/2 c chopped cooked chicken, packed
  • ½ t season salt
  • ¼ t black pepper
  • 4 T heavy cream, divided

Preparation:

  1. Place butter in saucepan over medium-high heat.
  2. When melted, add rice and garlic and sauté 1 – 2 minutes.
  3. Add leeks and stock. Bring to simmer.
  4. Simmer gently for 10 minutes, until rice has cooked through.
  5. Taste and season with the salt and pepper. The amounts of these will vary based on the salt content of the stock.
  6. Be sure chicken is hot. Add the same amount of chicken to each bowl.
  7. Ladle 1 c broth into bowls and swirl ½ T heavy cream over each bowl.

Haggis Neeps and Tatties

Americanized Haggis

Requires an electric pressure cooker.

Makes 4 ½ c 

Ingredients Needed:

  • 2 T unsalted butter
  • 1 large or 2 medium onions, chopped
  • 1 t salt
  • 1 t allspice
  • 1 t dried thyme
  • ¾ t gr coriander
  • ¾ t nutmeg
  • ½ t black pepper
  • ¼ t cinnamon
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • ½ lb beef or chicken liver, finely diced
  • 13 oz stock
  • 5 oz steel cut oats

Steps

  • Prepare all ingredients.
  • Press sauté on pressure cooker and add butter.
  • Once melted, add the onion. Cook and stir for 2 minutes.
  • Add the turkey. Cook and stir until nearly all pink gone.  Add liver and spices/herb.
  • Cook until liver is no longer red. Add stock and oats.  Bring to simmer and press cancel.
  • Place lid on and lock, making sure vent is closed.
  • Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes. Let vent naturally for 5.  Then release.
  • Open pressure cooker.

Serve with mashed potatoes and mashed turnips or rutabaga.   

Neeps

Ingredients:

  • 1 c water
  • 2 pounds of turnips or rutabaga, peeled and diced into 1” cubes (neeps)
  • ¼ t salt
  • ¼ t nutmeg
  • ¼ c half and half
  • 3 T butter
  • 1 Tchicken bouillon powder
  • ¼ t pepper
  • ¼ t garlic powder
  • ¼ t turmeric

Steps:

  1. Pour water into pressure cooker and place steamer basket of turnip/’baga in basket.
  2. Sprinkle with ¼ t salt and nutmeg. Place lid on and lock.  Check that vent is closed.
  3. Using high pressure, cook for 10 minutes, then quick release.
  4. Set out bowl (or food processer) and place remaining ingredients in.
  5. Open lid and remove basket of neeps. Place in a bowl with remain ingredients and mash.  If smooth is desired place all in food processor and blend to smooth.

Tatties

Ingredients:

  • Water that steamed the neeps, plus more to cover potatoes
  • 2 pounds of potatoes, washed, and cut into 1” dice
  • 1 t salt
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ¼ c sour cream
  • 3 T butter
  • 3 T milk
  • 1 t salt
  • ½ t pepper
  • ½ t garlic powder

Steps:

  1. Add potatoes to the neep water in the pressure cooker and add 1 t salt, garlic, and bay leaves
  2. Place lid on and lock. Check that vent is closed.
  3. Using high pressure, cook for 9 minutes, then quick release.
  4. Set out bowl and place remaining ingredients in.
  5. Once finished cooking, drain the potatoes, and add to the bowl of ingredients.
  6. Mash to smooth.

Whiskey Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 3 T butter
  • 1 shallot, finely diced
  • 4 t whiskey
  • 2 c heavy cream
  • 5 t mustard (whole grain or Dijon or mix of both)
  • Salt & pepper to taste (½ & ¼)
  • 1 T lemon juice
  • Parsley for garnish

Steps:

  1. In saucepan, heat butter and add shallots. Cook over med-high heat for 2 minutes.
  2. Add whiskey and carefully light to burn off alcohol.
  3. Add cream and mustard, and when it starts to simmer add salt/pepper to taste.
  4. Remove from heat and whisk in lemon juice.

To serve, place ½ c of haggis in a 14.5 oz tin cans with both ends removed, greased, and placed on a greased baking sheet.  Add ½ c tatties, and then ½ c neeps.  Refrigerate or bake immediately.

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes, until the interior reaches 165°F.  Set on plate.  Run a sharp knife around inside to loosen.  Carefully pull up tin.  Serve with whiskey sauce and parsley.

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Cranachan

Serves 8 (1/2 c servings) 

Ingredients Needed:

  • ¼ c steel cut oats
  • 4 T whisky
  • 11/2 c raspberries
  • 1 c heavy cream
  • 1 T whisky
  • 3 T honey
  • Mint for garnish 

Preparation:

  1. The day before needing the dessert, lightly toast the oats in skillet for a few minutes.   Mix the toasted oats with 4 T whisky to soak overnight.
  2. Remove 8 raspberries. Mash the rest with a fork.  Place in refrigerator.
  3. As close to serving as possible, whip the cream to soft peaks.
  4. Add 1 T whisky and the honey. Whip to standing peaks.
  5. Add the soaked oats. Whip again.
  6. Add a scoop to each bowl.
  7. Place 1/8th of the mashed berries to the top.
  8. Place another scoop on top of the mashed berries.
  9. Top with a berry and a pinch of minced mint.

Stay Warm and Healthy Friends!