Owatonna Community Education

The word "Mezze" refers to what we all know as finger foods and dips. Many Mediterranean meals consist of a variety of mezze items that come together to create the most satisfying flavors. Learn how to bring warmth, color, and the flavors of the Mediterranean to your gatherings with this cook-along/demonstration class. Chef Tess (a descendant of Spartans) will guide you through the creation of this stunning mezze-style charcuterie board, perfect for any time of the year! Cook-along portion: Whipped Feta & Tzatziki Dips, Greek Meatballs, Homemade Pita Bread Demonstration portion: Muhamarra (a smoky red pepper dip), Greek hummus, and time permitting, some crispy Greek sesame bread sticks. The demonstration will also include how to build the board while balancing the colors, textures, and flavors alongside finding the best decor and design. Equipment needs: A food processor or blender is needed for the creation of the whipped feta. Stand mixer recommended for the pita bread. Participants will receive a list of ingredients and a class link (zoom - free download) in advance of the class with enough time for shopping and prep. A professionally made PDF packet of the instructor's personal recipes from this class will also be sent to you following class.

Have some fun participating in this cook-along experience as you learn how to make your own homemade Pierogis with two types of homemade dough and filling that will make your taste buds jump for joy! We will also be learning how to cook and freeze these little dumplings that you can make ahead and store for a rainy day. No fancy equipment needed! This class has been so popular, it has even been featured in the American Polish Journal! Participants will receive a list of ingredients and a class link (zoom - free download) in advance of the class with enough time for shopping and prep. A professionally made PDF packet of the instructor's personal recipes from this class will also be sent to you following class.

Homemade sweets are always wonderful around the holidays! Add two incredible treats to your celebration as you look to bake homemade Copycat Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls and next level viral Dubai Chocolate bars. Equipment needs: 1" deep silicone Dubai Chocolate Bar mold. The bars can be made with simple melted chocolate. However, if a longer lasting shiny finish is preferred, tempering the chocolate is beneficial. If participants wish to temper the chocolate, and instant read kitchen thermometer is needed. Participants will receive a list of ingredients and a class link (zoom - free download) in advance of the class with enough time for shopping and prep. A professionally made PDF packet of the instructor's personal recipes from this class will also be sent to you following class.

The word "Bao" is derived from the word "Baozi" which means, "to wrap" in Mandarin. Bao buns are often described as "steamed pillows" of deliciousness that are becoming increasingly popular in North America. They are created by freshly steaming yeasted dough and are then filled with a variety of flavors. On the menu: Steamed Korean Bulgogi BBQ Chicken Bao and a wonderful variety of pickled veggies. All made from scratch! Equipment needs: A bamboo steamer is nice to have, but not necessary. A stand mixer is highly recommended. Participants will receive a list of ingredients and a class link (zoom - free download) in advance of the class with enough time for shopping and prep. A professionally made PDF packet of the instructor's personal recipes from this class will also be sent to you following class.

Gather the whole family and join in the fun baking and building your very own show-stopping gingerbread house! Together, we will combine the flavors of gingerbread and use the dough to create the pieces that will be used to "build" breathtaking houses. We will also whip up the perfect batch of Royal Icing - the edible "glue" that holds everything together and is used to decorate the houses with candies and delicious treats. Equipment needs: Large sheet pan, parchment paper / non-stick baking mat, rolling pin, and mixer will be needed. Participants will receive a list of ingredients and a class link (zoom - free download) in advance of the class with enough time for shopping and prep. A professionally made PDF packet of the instructor's personal recipes from this class will also be sent to you following class.

Grab your milk and cookies (well, we'll bring the cookies) for this 2 hour cookie decorating class! Don't miss out on this fun 6 cookie, 4 icing class, "Yule' love it! We'll be decorating 6 holiday-themed cookies for you to take home and share with friends and family!

Take a culinary trip to New Orleans this Halloween with a festive class that brings the flavors of Mardi Gras to life! Cook-along portion: Muffuletta Bread with a vibrant olive and veggie giardiniera-style condiment that assembles the colossal sandwich of classic deli meats and cheeses. Demonstration portion: New Orleans King Cake & Beignets! Due to time constraints, these items will be demonstration only, however, all participants will receive all recipes. Participants will receive a list of ingredients and a class link (zoom - free download) in advance of the class with enough time for shopping and prep. A professionally made PDF packet of the instructor's personal recipes from this class will also be sent to you following class.

Experience the warmth and elegance of Greek cuisine in this one-of-a-kind cook-along experience with instructor Tess, who brings generations of culinary tradition straight to the table. Tess will guide participants in the process of making Dolmathes - tender grape leaves filled with savory rice and seasoned meat, then gently simmered and finished with a luxurious avgolemono sauce, a classic emulsion of fresh lemon juice and egg. To complete the meal, participants will also bake a loaf of crusty artisan bread - perfect for savoring the bright essence of the rich lemony sauce. Participants will receive a list of ingredients and a class link (zoom - free download) in advance of the class with enough time for shopping and prep. A professionally made PDF packet of the instructor's personal recipes from this class will also be sent to you following class.

Escape to the Mediterranean with the flavors of Greece and get your "OPPA" on! You will learn the secrets of creating a lavish Greek Hot Dish called Pastitsio, a layered Greek pasta, savory spiced meat sauce, and a hefty topping of cheesy bechamel sauce, baked to perfection. You'll also make buttery, garlic bread rolls to round out this perfect meal. Chef Tess will also share how to create her Greek Salad dressing for all who wish to include a classic Greek salad. Equipment needs: A stand mixer is highly recommended for the garlic rolls. Participants will receive a list of ingredients and a class link (zoom - free download) in advance of the class with enough time for shopping and prep. A professionally made PDF packet of the instructor's personal recipes from this class will also be sent to you following class.

"Pie" would like to invite you to a 2 hour cookie decorating class where we will decorate 6 Thanksgiving-themed cookies using 4 icing colors. I'll be (thanks)giving you all the tips to be great(ful) at sugar cookies! This class is for the beginner cookier or for the person who is just curious about decorating! If you have limited experience with sugar cookies, find yourself frustrated with royal icing, or if you're trying to have fun with family or friends, this is the class for you!

Step into a sweet winter wonderland in this holiday cookie workshop led by Chef Tess! Learn to create four amazing gourmet cookies from scratch using two types of dough. On the menu: monster cookie dough will be used to craft two different types of monster cookies, one of which actually looks like the cookie monster! Next, an out-of-this-world dough created using a never-before-shared recipe that uses very unconventional mixing techniques. This dough will be stuffed with dreamy centers like cheesecake and fudgy brownie. Next, Tess will demonstrate how to stuff cookies with the viral Dubai chocolate and how to create her version of an Apple Crumble Stuffed NYC-style cookie. Equipment needs: Stand mixer is required. Hand mixers do not have enough power to mix the dough. Participants will receive a list of ingredients and a class link (zoom - free download) in advance of the class with enough time for shopping and prep. A professionally made PDF packet of the instructor's personal recipes from this class will also be sent to you following class.