You know their products and have probably purchased and enjoyed them many times. It's a name synonymous with quality. Now, you can come with us and take a peek inside Stonewall Kitchens as we visit a cooking class with Chef Marge Crossman.
We started out by viewing the Production Facilities (where all of those delicious jams, jellies, sauces and condiments are prepared and bottled) as we enjoyed coffee, tea and snacks.
The cooking facilities at Stonewall Kitchen are state-of-the-art, with a full staff of prep cooks and servers and a level of quality unsurpassed. No paper plates here.
We wondered if, two days before Christmas, there might be just a few people in the cooking class we were invited to by Patty Roche, who administers the cooking at Stonewall program. Oh no. There were about thirty eager cooks, chefs and fellow food lovers eagerly awaiting the demonstration. Today we were preparing Eggnog Dip, Boeuf en Croute and the classic French holiday pastry Buche de Noel.
The Eggnog Dip was really quite like a pudding, served over fresh fruit, easy to make and a really cool twist on the popular holiday drink.
No worries if you don't get a front row seat. All of the close-up shots of technique and preparation are shown on two large flat-screens.
Boeuf en Croute always seemed like a daunting task to me. It's actually not. Beef tenderloin is warmed, wrapped in puff pastry and then baked. Although this side may look like squash, surprise - it's not. It's a puree of carrots and mashed potato. I never had this before and loved it. The mushroom sauce on the beef was amazing.
The very traditional French holiday dessert Buche de Noel is also not as difficult as one may think. I can remember my Mom making jelly roll cakes when I was a kid and these are basically the same thing. Chef Crossman added her own touch of a meringue mushroom placed upon each slice.
As usual, all of the recipes are available to our readers. Simply send an email. The classes at Stonewall Kitchens are plentiful and affordable. Not only do you get a three course meal served with the class but also 10% off your entire purchase made in the store on the day of your class. Typical classes cost about $35.00 per person.
Stonewall Kitchen Cooking School
2 Stonewall Lane
York, Maine 03909
Telephone: 800.207.5267
I'm hoping to take a class at Stonewall Kitchen this spring. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it so much!
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