The Magical Kitchen Announces Special Holiday Cooking Classes and Events for November

The Magical Kitchen is gearing up for the holidays with lots of special holiday cooking classes and events for the entire family. Classes offered will range from simple baking to preparing extravagant multi-course holiday meals – all cooks are welcome. And, The Magical Kitchen™ is pleased to have some of Southern California’s finest chefs as instructors – including Robert Grenner, Taji Marie, Rochelle Palermo, Amanda Cushman , Michel Bardavid, and Jet Tila, just to name a few. During the holidays – the magic is always in the kitchen. See schedule of upcoming classes and events below:

•Friday, November 9 – 7:00 p.m.
New World Tapas with a Seasonal Flair

Instructor: Robert Grenner
Back by popular demand. Tapas! Same idea, different recipes. You’ll learn more of these small, savory dishes. *Sesame Seared Tuna Carpaccio with a Wasabi-Pumpkin Mash and Balsamic Syrup *Applewood Smoked Mussel with an Olive-Lavender Relish and Grilled Crostini *Fried Calamari with a Fiery Roasted Tomato and Cranberry Sauce *Thai Beef Satay with a Toasted Peanut and Coriander Dipping Sauce *Grilled Cured Grape Leaves Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Sun Dried Tomatoes.

Saturday, November 10 – 10:30 a.m.
Parent and Child Thanksgiving Plenty(4-6)
Instructor: Mindy Trotta
Every holiday is an occasion to spend time in the kitchen with your child. Thanksgiving certainly gives us many possibilities to spend time together and to be thankful for all of the things that we have and have to share with our kids. Here are some fun recipes for the four day Thanksgiving holiday: *Pilgrim's Hat Cookies *Baked Caramel Apples *Lemony Green Beans *Gobbledy Good Turkey Tacos.

Saturday, November 10 – 2:00 p.m.
Teen Holiday Cookie Bonanza (Ages 11-15)
Instructor: Mindy Trotta
So, you may be way too old to watch Sesame Street, but you will be turning into cookie monsters today as you bake up dozens of holiday favorites:
Classic Sugar Cookies for decorating
Chocolate Snowflakes
Apple Crumb Bars
Gingerbread Tree Stacks
Rugelach
Orange-Pistachio Mandelbrot
Caramel Nut Tassies

Wednesday, November 14 – 6:30 p.m.
Thanksgiving 101
Instructor: Chef Taji Marie
We were told, by other chefs, that Taji Marie teaches the very best Thanksgiving class! This is the ultimate primer on turkey-day, this class is for Thanksgiving veteran cooks and newcomers alike. We will look at every aspect of the meal from the turkey to perfect mashed potatoes to amazing veggie sides. And, you will get a timeline that will help you get everything to the table with ease:
Citrus-Sage Roast Turkey with Maple Glaze and Gravy
Apple-Pecan Bread Dressing with Browned Butter
Perfect Mashed Potatoes Creamed Onion and Mushrooms
Cranberry-Tangerine Relish
Wilted Spinach Salad with Caramelized Onions & Apples
Easy Apple-Hazelnut Crumble

Thursday, November 15 – 6:30 p.m.
Beaujolais Nouveau Release Dinner Party

Instructor(s): Tim Robertson and Chef Michel Bardavid of The Secret Garden!
We are excited to announce that Executive Chef Michel Bardavid from The Secret Garden restaurant in Moorpark (www.thesecretgardenrestaurant.com) will be our special guest chef! Join us for a rollicking good time as we celebrate this time honored tradition:
At one past midnight on the third Thursday of each November, from little villages and towns like Romaneche-Thorins, over a million cases of Beaujolais Nouveau begin their journey through a sleeping France to Paris for immediate shipment to all parts of the world. Banners proclaim the good news: Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrive! "The New Beaujolais has arrived!" One of the most frivolous and animated rituals in the wine world has begun. Join us for the party as we cook a little, drink a little more, and have a wonderful French dinner to celebrate the Nouveau season!

Friday, November 16 – 7:00 p.m.
Holiday Dinner Demonstration - with Wine!
Instructor(s): Rick Massa and Christine Passmore
So, we know that you are all about to head into your kitchen to start the holiday cooking. What you need is a relaxing evening in OUR kitchen - no cooking, no clean up, just sit back, have a glass or two (we won't count) of wine and watch Chef Jet demonstrate his version of this classic holiday meal:
Grilled Cranberry Stuffed Turkey Breast w/ Brandy Cream
Truffle Mash Potatoes
Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Pancetta
Haricots Vert with Sage Brown Butter
Pumpkin Creme Brulee

Saturday, November 17 – 7:00 p.m.
Holiday Prime Rib Dinner and Wine Pairing
Instructor(s): Rick Massa and Christine Passmore
Your mouth will be watering as the sleigh bells are ringing with this very traditional holiday dinner fit for anyone you want to impress! We will find some perfect wines to match with this elegant meal:
Perfect Prime Rib
Cabernet Au Jus
Horseradish Cream
Buttermilk Mashed Potato
Creamed Spinach
Yorkshire Pudding

Three Mondays beginning—Monday, November 19 – 6:30 p.m.
Instructor: Rochelle Palermo
Rochelle’s baking series was such a hit that she is back for a holiday baking series. You will learn some classics, some twists on those classics and some new recipes that will become instant hits this holiday season!
(Classes held on November 26 and December 3)

Tuesday, November 20 – 6:30 p.m.
Fun Cakes for the Gift Giving and Sharing!
Instructor: Ellen Ansok
This is a new cake baking class that you will not want to miss. These are great cakes for holiday gift giving, entertaining or just to enjoy with your family. These are great cakes for a family baking session too. With Ellen Ansok, you will learn how to make:
Mini Bundt Cakes
Mini Molten Lava Cakes
Filled Cakes
"Tye Dye" Cakes

Sunday, November 25 – 5:00 p.m.
Chili for the Bowl Season
Instructor: Robert Grenner
This is not your average chili cook-off class! Get ready for all of those bowl game get togethers and impress your family and friends with some new chili recipes. Chili takes on new meaning as Chef Robert Grenner takes us around the world with some great new combinations:

Beef Sirloin
Chocolate and Cinnamon
Roasted Pork Verde with Tomatillos and Pasillas
Russian Chicken Chili with Dill and Sour Cream
Turkey with Cranberries and Yams

Tuesday, November 27 – 6:30 p.m.
Vine and Dine through the Holidays

Instructor: Robert Grenner
This class is devoted to cooking with the wine varietals we normally enjoy by the glass. Chef Robert will show you cooking techniques using your favorite varietals to create these delicious regional selections:

“Coq au Vin” Chicken Braised in Red Wine and Fall Squash
Mediterranean Fish, Chardonnay and Saffron Soup
Oven Braised Pork with Hard Apple Cider and Heirloom Apples
Grilled Salmon Fillet with a Pinot Noir-Lingonberry Sauce
Fall Pears Poached in Spiced Port and Orange Zest Cucumber Roll

• Thursday, November 29 – 6:30 p.m. Chanukah Twist
Instructor: Mindy Trotta
Chanukah is right around the corner.Your family won’t moan ‘latkes again’ when you try out Mindy’s pareve twists on traditional Chanukah fare:
• Mushroom-Onion Tart
• Pear, Fennel & Arugula Salad with Lemon Oil Vinaigrette
• Crispy Potato-Zucchini Pancake Wedges with Onion Confit
• Moroccan Fish Tagine with Olives and Peppers
• Caramelized Apple Bread Pudding
• Chocolate Chunk Mandelbread

Friday, November 30 – 7:00 p.m.
Country French Cooking
Instructor: Amanda Cushman
There is nothing quite like dining in the countryside of France. The quality of the ingredients, the simplicity of the preparation and the classic flavors combine to make a memorable meal:
Classic French Onion Soup
Steak Au Poivre
Ratatouille Nicoise
Braised Leeks with Grated Parmesan
Chocolate Torte with Raspberries

At The Magical Kitchen – The Magic in the Kitchen is You™! For more information about upcoming events and cooking classes call 805-527-3000 or visit the Web site at www.TheMagicalKitchen.com.

The Magical Kitchen is located in the Sycamore Plaza at 2792 Cochran Street, Simi Valley, California. Store hours are Monday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. However, the store will remain open during any special events or cooking classes, which are scheduled for several evenings throughout the week from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
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