Sign on For Sofra Cooking Classes

The two masters of Mediterranean cooking behind the menus at Oleana and Sofra open up their kitchens and their cookbooks with a series of classes. Ana Sortun and her right hand pastry chef Maureen Kilpatrick will be sharing teaching responsibilities at the early evening tutorials, most of which run from 4:00-7:00pm on Sundays at Sofra. Classes generally cost $100 per person and cover topics ranging from one pot meals to how to build the perfect pantry. Check the schedule and sign on for whichever ones strike your fancy. Call 617.661.0505 x17 for reservations and more information.

Sunday, December 6thPreparing Your Sofra
Make a meal out of small plates with 5 mezze – make ahead salads, spreads and snacks for your holiday parties like baked goat cheese with butternut squash broth; pickled mushrooms; spoon lamb with hot pepper labne; apple and feta salad with Syrian spice and cashew crumb; and Moroccan-style beets and red lentil kofte with pomegranate salad. Learn some favorite flatbreads, savory biscuits and crackers to package for gifts or serve with your mezze.

Sunday, December 13thCouscous & Tagines
Learn how to prepare couscous and some favorite Moroccan stews like monkfish with sweet peppers buried in brik pastry; lamb with chick peas and quince; and duck buried in vermicelli with orange blossom barley couscous and mushroom tagine.

Sunday, January 10thAbout 500 Calories & Delicious
Learn some tricks how to make healthier dishes using spices to create richness and depth including baked cod with Israeli couscous, Yemenite spice and winter vegetables; Turkish-style beef kebob with pistachio and bulgur pilaf and more.

Sunday, January 17thPantry Cooking
Build your pantry while you dream about the farmers’ markets again. Sortun will create some dream pantries, share some spice secrets, and provide some tips on how to cook something great when you think you have nothing to cook, Pupils will learn to prepare a four course meal inspired by the dream pantry and Kilpatrick will share some tricks for a quick and easy dessert.

Sunday, February 7thOne Pot Meals
Just set it on the stove or in the oven and simmer. Oleana wine director Theresa Paopao and Star Chef’s Rising Star Sommelier of Boston 2009, talks about pairing wine with dishes that have many components and layers of spices.

Sunday, February 21stSavory Pies & Borek
Learn some unusual pastries like brik and yuftka. Sortun and Kilpatrick will create some signature savory pies and tarts including cheese borek, spinach lamejun, sesame and walnut fatayer and duck bisteeya.

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