I appreciate no BS in the kitchen. Just tell me what to do and how to do it. Enter: Mary Risley from San Francisco’s Tante Marie’s Cooking School. Watch this “Just put the f*cking turkey in the oven” video to get a little glimpse of Mary’s teaching style:
This woman terrifies me cracks me up. My friend signed up for an evening series of cooking classes at this school in North Beach and wasn’t able to attend last night. I went in her place (thanks, JenJen). I was the very first student to arrive (nerves) and was excited when I saw the menu:
Menu: “Greens and Grains”
Couscous with 7 Vegetables
Vegetable Pies
Vegetable Saute
Warm Quinoa Salad
Warm Farro with Mushrooms
Vegetable Lasagna
Winter Squash and Polenta Casserole
Barley Pilaf
Apple Cranberry Crisp
We broke up into teams of two (I didn’t have a partner*) and was tasked with the Winter Squash and Polenta Casserole. My mind immediately went dark. Parsnip? Rutabaga? Turnip? WHERE’S MY UBER?
* After the cooking assistant saw my knife cutting skills, I was no longer partnerless. Thank Gawd.
It turned out alright thanks Gary to the butter and copious amounts of cheese. I had an absolute blast in the kitchen and meeting the group which ranged from post- college kids to retirees. I definitely plan on signing up for a series of classes in the near future. They gave us print outs of the recipes above and I plan on sharing some of the recipes soon.
I almost bought these classes for you for Christmas. Just wasn’t sure though. Cracks me up!!!! Did you like??? I wish I could have been a mouse in the corner watching you. XXOO