From the Archives

Still missing this wonderful restaurant. reblogged

MONTH: JANUARY 2010

COOKING CLASS “LA CUCINA FLEGREA” WITH ANNA

Rigatoni alla Vodka Spaghetti alla Rucola (Arugula) Tagliatelle Zucchini When we arrived Anna had bruschetta made on grilled bread, a plate of verdi and Kalamata olives and two cheeses for appetizer placed on a table waiting for us. She poured a glass of wine for each of us, red or white. A bottle of water, too. She demonstrated all three dishes and then each of us got to choose and make one by ourselves. The four of us made the Rigatoni with the Vodka Sauce. Watching all the work behind the scenes in the restaurant kitchen was impressive. When Anna prepared each dish it looked effortless. The combination of the ingredients makes each dish taste perfect! She had the recipes printed and tied together so we could add more recipes from another class. We ate AND took home leftovers. Delicious. We learned a lot about different olives, cheeses, pastas, olive oil, how to dice an onion without crying. All the classes are held 12:30 so we were finished in time for them to get ready for the evening service. What a satisfying way to spend a winter afternoon.

January 19, 2023 by Ruth Categories: PhotographyTags: Chef Anna Fevola, cooking class, food, Italian food, La Cucina Flegrea, photography, Pittsburgh PA, postaday 5 Comments

Vegetable Ratatouille Moussaka by Chef Sam

Last week’s cooking class by Chef Sam.

He makes the most delicious dishes. In addition to the oven roasted vegetables he prepared a fresh tomato sauce and a béchamel sauce and added Parmesan cheese then baked hot 45 minutes with shredded mozzarella on top.

I was watching and missed photographing a few steps. Stay tuned for this week’s class with a complete photographic essay.

Bruschetta toasted with sundried tomatoes and butter on a sliced Sourdough loaf was served alongside the main dish.

You might have seen Chef Sam on the blog in May making Lentil cheeseburgers and Caesar salad https://rutheh.com/2019/05/16/chef-sam-cooks/

October 22, 2019 by Ruth Categories: Cooking and EatingTags: cooking, cooking class, eating, eggplant, onion, peppers, photography, postaday, sweet potato, vegetables 6 Comments

Chef Sam Cooking Class with Lentil Cheeseburgers and Caesar Salad

Chef Sam cooks a Lentil Cheeseburger recipe with a Roasted Red Pepper sauce and prepares a Caesar Salad during Cooking Class. He told how he sterilized the eggs for the dressing, gently lowering them into boiling water for five minutes. Safety was emphasized. Lentils, mushrooms, beets, carrot, onions and garlic were a few of the main ingredients. Miso paste helped hold it together. There were ten participants and we all enjoyed the delicious meal at the end of the class.

The class was held Wednesday afternoon at The Stephen Foster Community Center on 286 Main Street, located next to the Lawrenceville Branch of the Carnegie Library. The center is housed in an 1865 brick building now on the National Historic Register. The center offers fitness classes such as Cardio Strength and Flexibility, Tai Chi, Yoga, Soul Line Dancing, and Practical Meditation in addition to craft and other recreational activities.

Next cooking class with Chef Sam is May 29 at 12:30. $4 is the cost of the class.

Thank you Chef Sam for a great class and delicious meal.

Allegheny County senior citizens can eat lunch for a modest donation of a dollar but should register by calling the Community Center office by noon the day before at 412-350-5460. Contact Allegheny County Seniorline 412-350-5460 for eligibility, if you need a Home Delivered Meal.

May 16, 2019May 16, 2019 by Ruth Categories: Cooking and Eating, food, PhotographyTags: Allegheny County, Caesar Salad, community, cooking, cooking class, eating and cooking, food, Lawrenceville, lentils, neighborhood, Pittsburgh PA, senior center, Silver Sneakers, Stephen Foster Community Center, vegetarian 7 Comments

Unexpected Cooking Class Wednesday Night

I received a text this afternoon, asking if I’d partner with a friend at cooking class tonight.

Something about March Madness and a sick friend – they couldn’t attend. I was happy to fill in, third string.

Sure, I said. I’ll go. She picked me up around 5:45 and off we went.

My friend Barb took her own canvas bag of supplies including a bottle of dishwashing liquid- heavy duty oven gloves. She even brought a garbage bowl.

We were all set, slicing and dicing and preparing the recipes just as Executive Sous Chef Stephen V instructed us.

There were tables throughout the high school culinary class, each filled with two teams of two.

Here is our instructor for the class. Chef Stephen also is an adjunct instructor at the Art Institute- Pittsburgh.

Chef Stephen Varela

Executive Sous Chef
Fox Chapel Golf Club

(I asked if it would be okay to take a few photographs and Chef Stephen consented. Thank you)

Barbara cut the pears for the salad. She added some Hearts of Palm as well.

Charred red pepper for the Pita Bread Individual Pizzas with Pesto or Hummus and a drizzle of Balsamic Glaze

The side salad

Mixed Spring Greens with diced pear, artichokes, and oven toasted croutons with a poppy seed dressing. I was able to bring some home in a contaner (yes, my friend was prepared with empty containers) for school lunch tomrrow.