(page 16) NOVEMBER 2015
CULTURE PROFILES
GET COOKIN' Not everyone is gifted in the culinary arts. That’s just a fact of life. But it can be your little secret, thanks to classes like Culinary Boot Camp. Offered by Sioux Falls Community Education, participants can learn how to not only fend for themselves in the kitchen, but make simple homemade dishes that will wow family and friends. Instructor Stacy Fisher starts her Boot Campers with the basics.
NOVEMBER & DECEMBER CULINARY CLASSES *SEE CATALOGUE FOR COMPLETE LISTINGS
CULINARY BOOT CAMP II 11/17 OR 12/1 SESSIONS RUN 3 TUES/THURS COST: $79
UFF DA! ART OF LEFSE MAKING 11/9 COST: $35
COME JAM WITH US! —JAMS & JELLIES 11/5 COST: $35
EASY AS PIE! 11/16 OR 12/14 COST: $39 “It is geared toward someone who has no real experience in the kitchen,” she explained, while chopping carrots for a stir fry. “We start with basic knife skills - how to hold a knife, how to use a knife, how to cut things properly so they all cook at the same time. We work on different cooking techniques and definitions - what does it mean to blanch? What is saute versus pan fry? We do a little bit of classroom work the first couple of nights. And then we get in the kitchen and really get hands on.”
students will go more in depth, focusing on things like sauces and even gravy.
During each class, students make something they can bring home and share. And with the holidays approaching, Fisher is mindful of their desire to contribute. “Next week in class, we’re actually doing a secret recipe of mine. It’s my fresh cranberry sauce. And so someone who doesn’t cook has a Thanksgiving to go to and is supposed to bring a side. They’re not going to bring that can of cranberry that looks like the shape of a can when you dump it out. They’re going to have what is a very simple recipe to make for their family that tastes amazing, didn’t take them hours and hours to do, but will impress everyone, because it is kind of a special thing.”
For instructor Linell Madson, lefse-making has been a lifelong passion. “It’s just a fun process to roll out, you cook it on the griddle, then some people add sugar or whatever they want, then you roll it up and eat it. Usually it’s a Thanksgiving or Christmastime treat. Although in my family, we’ve been known to have it on the 4th of July. We love it.”
For those who have already completed her Boot Camp I, or already know kitchen basics, Fisher also teaches a Culinary Boot Camp II. In the second installment,
Community Ed offers classes for those looking to get more specific in the kitchen as well. Fisher, who owns Cherry Bomb Cake Co., teaches cake making classes, as well. There are also opportunities to learn homemade jellies and jams, pies, and more specific ethnic holiday favorites, like lefse.
She learned to make the potato-based Norwegian flatbread from previous generations of women in her family. Now, Madson teaches the “art of lefse” along with her daughter, who is a sophomore at Sioux Falls Lincoln High School. “She teaches it better than me,” laughed Madson. “She’s a better cook. More confidence. We have a lot of fun
teaching it, because we know how much we enjoy making it and eating it together. It’s been a fun family thing for us.” The Madsons’ students come from all walks of life. Many are adults who come with children to learn something of their shared heritage. Others had grandparents who made lefse, but parents who didn’t, so they are looking to bring the tradition back. Others yet just really like lefse and want to learn something new. Fisher and Madson both say the fun for them is seeing their students’ confidence grow. “People walk out just feeling tickled that they know how make lefse,” said Madson. “The main thing I hope people get out of it is at least a desire to try more,” said Fisher. “I really preach that anyone can cook and that a cooking disaster is not the end of the world. Throw it out, try again, start simple. Read your recipes and try.” For more info on Sioux Falls Community Education, visit sf.k12.sd.us and click on the “Comm Ed” tab, or call (605) 367-7999.