December 6, 2016 by Charles Bingham

Scenes from the Cooking From Scratch Winter Morning Creations class at the Sitka Kitch

Students learned how to make a variety of fried and baked pancakes from around the world during the Winter Morning Creations Cooking From Scratch series class held Monday, Dec. 5, at the Sitka Kitch community rental commercial kitchen.

The Winter Morning Creations class was the third of three classes in the Fall 2016 Cooking From Scratch series at the Sitka Kitch, which is located at First Presbyterian Church (505 Sawmill Creek Road). The three classes are taught by Lisa Sadleir-Hart, a registered dietitian and health educator. The classes were designed to help Sitka residents learn how to expand their culinary skills while also eating healthy foods and stretching their food dollars.

The Winter Morning Creations class taught students how to make a Finnish baked pancake called Krupso, the Eastern/Middle Eastern potato pancakes called Latke, Swedish pancakes, and Strata, a baked bread, kale and egg dish.

The first class in the series, on Nov. 14, taught students how to make homemade yogurt with non-fat powdered milk. The second class in the series, on Nov. 28, taught students how to make whole-grain breads using the Tassajara bread technique.

The Sitka Kitch will host a Holiday Make and Take class with Nickie Knight from 6-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 12, where students will learn how to make a variety of organic bath and body products using essential oils (such as body butter, luxurious sugar scrub, lip balm and holiday cheer room spray). This class will cost $20, plus a supply fee of about $15. This class currently is full, but you can email Nickie at nickie@essentialwellnessak.com to see if she has a waiting list in case someone cancels.

We’re also putting together a Cooking Around The World class series for this spring, so watch for updates once details are confirmed.

A slideshow of scenes from the Winter Morning Creations class can be found below.

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November 30, 2016 by Charles Bingham

Scenes from the Cooking From Scratch whole-grain breads class at the Sitka Kitch

Students learned how to make whole-grain breads using the Tassajara technique during the second Cooking From Scratch series class held Monday, Nov. 28, at the Sitka Kitch community rental commercial kitchen.

The whole-grain breads class was the second of three classes in the Fall 2016 Cooking From Scratch series at the Sitka Kitch, which is located at First Presbyterian Church (505 Sawmill Creek Road). The three classes are taught by Lisa Sadleir-Hart, a registered dietitian and health educator. The classes are designed to help Sitka residents learn how to expand their culinary skills while also eating healthy foods and stretching their food dollars.

The Tassajara bread technique, which also was taught last year, is a virtually fool-proof way to make whole-grain breads. It was developed at a monastery in California, and there have been books detailing the technique. In addition to proofing a loaf of whole-wheat bread (so it’s ready to bake at home), the students also learned about a variety of whole grains that aren’t commonly used in the United States but are rich in flavor and nutrition.

The third Cooking from Scratch class will focus on winter morning creations (registration link), featuring baked and fried pancakes from around the world. It will be taught at 6-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 5. This class is new this fall, and it will teach students how to make a Finnish baked pancake called Krupso, the Eastern/Middle Eastern potato pancakes called Latke, Swedish pancakes, and Strata, a baked bread and egg dish. The first class in the series, on Nov. 14, taught students how to make homemade yogurt with non-fat powdered milk.

The Cooking from Scratch series goal is to teach basic cooking skills using high-quality ingredients, and to help Sitkans take back their kitchens and reduce their food budgets. Interested individuals can register at https://sitkakitch.eventsmart.com/ (click on the event title to register, and use our PayPal feature to pay for the class). We need at least eight students registered for each class to guarantee they happen.

Class size is limited, so register early. The cost is $27.50 per class, plus a food/supply fee that will be divided among registered participants. The registration deadline is late on the Friday night before each class. For more information about the class series, call Lisa Sadleir-Hart at 747-5985.

In addition, the Sitka Kitch will host a Holiday Make and Take class with Nickie Knight from 6-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 12, where students will learn how to make a variety of organic bath and body products using essential oils (such as body butter, luxurious sugar scrub, lip balm and holiday cheer room spray). This class will cost $20, plus a supply fee of about $15. We’re also putting together a Cooking Around The World class series for this spring, so watch for updates once details are confirmed.

A slideshow of scenes from the whole-grain breads class can be found below.

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November 17, 2016 by Charles Bingham

Scenes from the Cooking From Scratch homemade yogurt class at the Sitka Kitch

Students learned how to make homemade yogurt from non-fat powdered milk during the first Cooking From Scratch series class held Monday, Nov. 14, at the Sitka Kitch community rental commercial kitchen.

The homemade yogurt class was the first of three classes in the Fall 2016 Cooking From Scratch series at the Sitka Kitch, which is located at First Presbyterian Church (505 Sawmill Creek Road). The three classes are taught by Lisa Sadleir-Hart, a registered dietitian and health educator. Theclasses designed to help Sitka residents learn how to expand their culinary skills while also eating healthy foods and stretching their food dollars.

The second Sitka Kitch Cooking from Scratch class is from 6-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 28 (rescheduled from Nov. 7), and will focus on basic whole-grain breads (registration link) using the Tassajara bread technique. This class was offered last year and the students enjoyed learning this simple way to bake whole-grain breads.

In addition, the Sitka Kitch will host a Holiday Make and Take class with Nickie Knight from 6-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 12, where students will learn how to make a variety of organic bath and body products using essential oils (such as body butter, luxurious sugar scrub, lip balm and holiday cheer room spray). This class will cost $20 and more details will be available on our registration site soon. We’re also putting together a Cooking Around The World class series for this spring, so watch for updates once details are confirmed.

A slideshow of scenes from the homemade yogurt class can be found below.

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November 6, 2016 by Charles Bingham

Sitka Kitch to host second annual Cooking From Scratch class series in Fall 2016 (Rescheduled dates)

Ever wanted to learn how to cook more and better food for less money?

Join us for the second annual Cooking from Scratch series of cooking classes at the Sitka Kitch community rental commercial kitchen, which is located in the First Presbyterian Church (505 Sawmill Creek Road). Registered dietitian and health educator Lisa Sadleir-Hart, MPH, RD, will teach three classes designed to help Sitka residents learn how to expand their culinary skills while also eating healthy and stretching their food dollars. Please note that two of the three classes have been rescheduled from their originally announced dates.

The first class in this year’s fall series will focus on how to make yogurt using nonfat dried milk (registration link). It will be offered from 6-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 14 (this class was rescheduled from its original Oct. 10 date). We offered this class last year, and it was a big hit.

November 3, 2016 by Charles Bingham

Scenes from the All Beans Considered food preservation class at the Sitka Kitch

Students learned how to make and can pickled green beans and a pickled three-bean salad during the All Beans Considered food preservation class held Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the Sitka Kitch community rental commercial kitchen.

This class was taught by Callie Simmons, who works for Sitka Conservation Society and helped teach cooking and food preservation classes to the Sitka Spruce Tips 4-H club. Callie was one of seven Sitka residents who took a Food Preservation Instructor certification course in May from the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service.

The Sitka Kitch was a project of the 2013 Sitka Health Summit, and is coordinated by the Sitka Conservation Society.. The Sitka Kitch can be rented to teach cooking and food preservation classes, by local cottage food industry entrepreneurs who need a commercial kitchen to make their products, and for large groups needing a large kitchen for a community dinner. To learn more about how to rent the Sitka Kitch, please go to the website at http://www.sitkawild.org/sitka_kitch.

Also, don’t forget the Sitka Kitch is offering a Cooking From Scratch series of classes this fall. This series includes a whole-grain breads baking class using the Tassajara technique on Monday, Nov. 7; a class on making homemade yogurt from powdered milk class on Monday, Nov. 14 (this class was rescheduled from an earlier date); and a Winter Morning Creations class featuring baked or fried pancakes from around the world on Monday, Dec. 5. All classes are from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Sitka Kitch (located in First Presbyterian Church at 515 Sawmill Creek Road), and all three classes will be taught by Lisa Sadleir-Hart.

The classes cost $27.50 per student, plus a food/supply fee shared among the students in the class. Space is limited and we need at least eight students for the class to happen. The registration deadline is late the Friday evening before each class. For more details and to register for the classes, go to https://sitkakitch.eventsmart.com/and click on the class title.

A slideshow of scenes from the All Beans Considered class is posted below.

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October 13, 2016 by Charles Bingham

Sitka Kitch to host second annual Cooking From Scratch class series in Fall 2016

Ever wanted to learn how to cook more and better food for less money?

The first Sitka Kitch Cooking from Scratch class is from 6-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7, and will focus on basic whole-grain breads (registration link) using the Tassajara bread technique. This class was offered last year and the students enjoyed learning this simple way to bake whole-grain breads.

The second class in this year’s fall series will focus on how to make yogurt using nonfat dried milk (registration link). It will be offered from 6-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 14 (this class was rescheduled from its original Oct. 10 date). We offered this class last year, and it was a big hit.

October 6, 2016 by Charles Bingham

Sitka Kitch to host Preserving the Harvest class called All Beans Considered

Are you interested in learning how to preserve beans and bean dishes? Join Callie Simmons as she teaches Sitka residents how to can and pickle beans so they can use them throughout the year. Callie will teach the Preserving the Harvest series class “All Beans Considered” from 6-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at the Sitka Kitch community rental commercial kitchen (located at the First Presbyterian Church, 505 Sawmill Creek Road).

Callie helped with several of the 4H food preservation classes this year while working for the Sitka Conservation Society, and she took this year’s Certified Food Preservation Instructor training from the UAF Cooperative Extension Service.

This class costs $27.50 per student, plus a food/supply fee that will be split among all students in the class. Space is limited, so register early to guarantee your spot in the class. We need at least eight students to make this class happen, and the registration deadline is the night of Saturday, Oct. 29. For more information, email sitkakitch@sitkawild.org.

Also, don’t forget the Sitka Kitch is offering a Cooking From Scratch series of classes this fall. This series includes a whole-grain breads baking class using the Tassajara technique on Monday, Nov. 7; a class on making homemade yogurt from powdered milk class on Monday, Nov. 14 (this class was rescheduled from an earlier date); and a Winter Morning Creations class featuring baked or fried pancakes from around the world on Monday, Dec. 5. All classes are from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Sitka Kitch, and all classes will be taught by Lisa Sadleir-Hart. The classes cost $27.50 per student, plus a food/supply fee shared among the students in the class. For more details and to register for the classes, go to https://sitkakitch.eventsmart.com/ and click on the class title.

October 4, 2016 by Charles Bingham

Sitka Kitch to host a Cooking From Scratch class series in Fall 2016

Ever wanted to learn how to cook more and better food for less money?

Join us for a Cooking from Scratch series of cooking classes at the Sitka Kitch community rental commercial kitchen, which is located in the First Presbyterian Church (505 Sawmill Creek Road). Registered dietitian and health educator Lisa Sadleir-Hart, MPH, RD, will teach three classes designed to help Sitka residents learn how to expand their culinary skills while also eating healthy and stretching their food dollars.

The first class in this year’s fall series will focus on how to make yogurt using nonfat dried milk (registration link). It will be offered from 6-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 10. We offered this class last year, and it was a big hit.

The second Sitka Kitch Cooking from Scratch class is from 6-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7, and will focus on basic whole-grain breads (registration link) using the Tassajara bread technique. This class also was offered last year and the students enjoyed the lessons.

Class size is limited so register early. The cost is $27.50 per class, plus a food fee that will be divided among registered participants. For more information about the class series, call Lisa Sadleir-Hart at 747-5985.

December 9, 2015 by Charles Bingham

• Scenes from the fourth class in the Sitka Kitch’s Cooking From Scratch series — Making Yogurt From Low-Fat Powdered Milk

The fourth of four classes in the Sitka Kitch‘s Cooking From Scratch lesson series — Making Yogurt From Low-Fat Powdered Milk — was held on Monday, Dec. 7, at the Sitka Kitch community rental commercial kitchen.

Students learned the basics of making yogurt from instructor Lisa Sadleir-Hart, and each student took home a quart jar of yogurt (that needed to culture overnight) and the supplies to make a second batch. The class focussed on powdered milk due to the cost savings, though regular milk can be used.

This was the fourth and final class in a fall series of Cooking From Scratch classes. Lisa Sadleir-Hart, a registered dietitian and certified health educator, coordinated the class series and also taught the first two classes —Beans 101 and Baking Whole-Grain Bread. Bridget Kauffman taught the third class — Gluten-Free Holiday Baking.

All classes took place at the Sitka Kitch community rental commercial kitchen (link opens Facebook page) located at the First Presbyterian Church, 505 Sawmill Creek Road. Watch for updates about upcoming classes this winter and spring, including a Culinary Skills series of classes in March geared toward giving prospective restaurant and catering employees the skills they need to get jobs in the industry.

There also will be more Cooking From Scratch classes. The Cooking from Scratch series goal is to teach basic cooking skills using high-quality ingredients, and to help Sitkans take back their kitchens and reduce their food budgets. Interested individuals can register for Sitka Kitch classes at https://sitkakitch.eventsmart.com/ (click on the event title to register, and pay when you attend the class).

Here is a slideshow of several photos from the fourth class in the Cooking From Scratch series, Making Yogurt From Low-Fat Powdered Milk.

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November 17, 2015 by Charles Bingham

• Scenes from the third class in the Sitka Kitch’s Cooking From Scratch series — Gluten-Free Holiday Baking

The third of four classes in the Sitka Kitch‘s Cooking From Scratch lesson series — Gluten-Free Holiday Baking — was held on Monday, Nov. 2, at the Sitka Kitch. In this class, taught by Bridget Kauffman, students learned about baking a variety of gluten-free holiday treats and then made a cinnamon coffee cake.

The class series is coordinated by Lisa Sadleir-Hart, a registered dietitian and certified health educator. She will teach three of the four classes (the first two classes were Beans 101 and Baking Whole-Grain Bread), with Bridget Kauffman teaching the other. All classes will take place at the Sitka Kitch community rental commercial kitchen (link opens Facebook page) located at the First Presbyterian Church, 505 Sawmill Creek Road. The last class in the series is:

Making yogurt from low-fat powdered milk, 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 7, taught by Lisa Sadleir-Hart— Learn how to make your own yogurt at home.

Each class is $20, plus a food cost that will be split between all the students in the class. People should pre-register by 8 a.m. on the Saturday before the scheduled class. We need at least six people registered so we can guarantee the class will happen. Since space is limited, if you register and can’t make it, please contact Lisa Sadleir-Hart at 747-5985 so someone from the waiting list can be invited to the class.

Also, watch for a variety of new classes coming this spring.

Here is a slideshow of several photos from the third class in the series, Gluten-Free Holiday Baking.

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