Autumn-The
Season of Harvest Light
The
golden light of early autumn graces our days as it warms our
faces and whispers to us of the changing season and the approaching
chill. Soon the foothills of the Front Range will burst with
gold, red and orange as the leaves begin to change as their
cousins at higher altitude have already done. It is in this
splendid light that we spend our days outside in the glorious
Indian summer that make life in Colorado second to none. This
is the season much anticipated by the cook both for its beauty
and its bounty. And in the kitchen at the Passionate Palette
we are already looking forward to the harvest foods of fall,
like pumpkin, wild mushrooms, pears, apples and pomegranate.
The sweet smoke of the grill is giving way to the long, slow
cooked flavors of braised meats, gently stewed vegetables and
fruits poached in red wine. If summer cookery inspires us to
simple preparations of fresh and seasonal ingredients, then
fall asks the cook to seek the warmth of the hearth and relish
the richness of this season’s ingredients.
Much
of what we will offer this quarter is inspired by the classes
you requested. Our basics series returns this fall with classes
in soups and stocks, sauces, braising and roasting, seafood
cookery and just in time for the holidays, desserts. Amy Hoyt
joins us again for classes in bread, pastry and desserts and
after a simply spectacular debut this summer, Julie Tran is
back to lead an Asian market tour and Vietnamese cooking class.
Our late autumn schedule is full of classes for the holiday
season from make-ahead meals, to desserts for a crowd to what
to do with Thanksgiving leftovers; we think we have thought
of everything. Tyson Fehr is back for great wine classes including
Australian Wines, Great Wines for under $25 (Perfect for holiday
gifts) and the complete wine-food paring class. The schedule
is capped with the New Year’s Eve Class which offers students
an alternative to the same old watch the ball drop evening.
For the young chefs in your house the After School Cooking Club
returns on alternate Mondays with everything from French cuisine
to soups to Mexican favorites. Just after the holidays we feature
our very successful Kids Cooking Camp for four days of cooking
and learning in the kitchen. The Dinner at Hogwarts celebrates
Halloween this semester and promises to be one of our most popular
classes ever. There are also cookie baking and gingerbread classes
for those who like to play with their food, so the kids will
really be in the holiday spirit.
As we approach our first anniversary we owe many thanks to those
students who have shared our kitchen with us and helped make
this more of a home than a business. You have inspired us with
your passion for food and thirst for knowledge and offered nothing
but encouragement and kindness with your words and deeds. Your
support and friendship have made all the long hours more than
worth it and we look forward to many more days with you at our
table.
-
The Passionate Palette Family
