Private cooking lesson

Michelle and Don, of Southampton, Mass., could hardly wait to taste some of the pasta that they made during their cooking lesson at their home.

Wow -- This was my favorite Christmas present ever!! I'm a huge fan of the Food Network and while watching one of the chefs teach people how to cook I mentioned to my husband how amazing it would be to get cooking lessons from a real chef. To surprise me he found Ellie!! I have always considered myself a decent cook and could certainly put together a meal, but with my busy work schedule I have found myself using or making "convenience" foods instead of meals. Ellie has changed all that for us!! It was simply fantastic to have her come into our home, teach us how to prepare quick, healthy and delicious meals! It was truly a pleasure to learn from her. She is pleasant, kind and so knowledgeable. If you are ever trying to find that PERFECT gift to give to someone you love - this is it! I am hoping to have her come out this summer and help me learn new techniques and secrets to outdoor grilling.
...................................... Michelle D., Southampton, MA

Private cooking lesson

This couple enjoys entertaining so their lesson focused on recipes for foolproof dinner parties.
Look at Hannah as she waits for the leftovers!

Thank you for the pictures and the cooking class. Heinz and I both had a great time and learned a lot. It was a great Christmas present.......................Lynn W., Framingham, MA

Cooking program

Parents at the Cottage Street Children's Center in Marlborough had a chance to learn how to prepare some quick and healthy recipes for families on the go.

¿¿ Chocolate Candy Trivia ??

Do you know??

1) When did Hershey bars first appear?
2) How did Tootsie Rolls get their name?
3) Brownies were first sold through what catalog?
4) When were semisweet chocolate morsels first introduced?
5) When and why were M&M's created?

scroll down for answers

1) Milton Hershey formulated the first Hershey bar in 1894
2) Leonard Hershfield invented them in 1896 and named them after his daughter
3) Sears, Roebuck and Co. in 1897
4) By Nestle in 1939
5) The Mars Co. developed M&M's in 1940 for soldiers going off to WWII

Culinary Team Building Event

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Here is some feedback from one of my recent Culinary Team Building Events.

Your staff exceeded expectations. I enjoyed working with my colleagues in a different venue! I loved the enthusiasm of Ellie and crew. They hosted a fun, safe and tasty event. .....................................................Jay

Outstanding - really fun event - the results were really delicious...................................................Diane

Women's Group cooking class

Here are a few words from the chairperson of a Women's Group for whom I did a cooking lesson.

I would say that this was one of the most popular events for our group!
Everyone, not only loved the food, but enjoyed your hospitality, warmth, generosity and very good humor.
Everything was delicious.....and plentiful!

You now have 13 new raving fans (excluding Jennifer and me because we were already fans!)
and again with thanks,
............................................Sandie R., Framingham, MA

Split Pea Soup

At this is the time of year, whenever it’s snowy and icy, a signal goes off in my brain saying “it’s a bread and/or soup day”, and I immediately raid my refrigerator and cupboards to see what ingredients I have to start a soup. Then, while the soup is cooking I often bake bread.

One of my favorite soups, which contain ingredients that I usually keep on hand, is Split Pea Soup. It’s thick and hearty, full of fiber and protein and nourishing enough, when combined with bread, to serve as a meal.
I hope that you’ll try it and enjoy it.

Split Pea Soup
© 1991 "From Ellie's Kitchen to Yours"

8 C chicken or vegetable broth
2 C split peas, rinsed
2 bay leaves
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 onion, minced
1 potato, peeled and cubed
2 T fresh parsley, minced
1/4 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp marjoram
1-1/2 tsp soy sauce
Black pepper, to taste

Bring the broth to a boil. Add the split peas and bay leaves. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Add the vegetables, herbs and seasonings to the soup. Simmer until the vegetables are soft, about 30 to 35 minutes. Remove the bay leaves before serving.

All about ginger

If you substitute powdered ginger for fresh ginger root you don't know what you are missing! Fresh ginger enhances both the flavor and fragrance in recipes that call for it. Fresh ginger can be found in the produce department of most supermarkets. Generally you can buy whatever size piece you want by breaking off a piece from a ginger root. To store or preserve the ginger that you are not using immediately, simply place it in a glass jar (I use an empty, clean pint size mayonnaise jar) and cover it with dry sherry and place the jar in the refrigerator. The ginger will remain fresh for up to 6 months. Whenever you need some of the ginger remove a piece from the jar and peel it with a knife. Depending upon what your recipe requires, chop, slice or grate the ginger. My favorite way to grate ginger is to use a microplane.

Events & Adventures

Events & Adventures, a social group for singles, enjoyed a cooking lesson with Ellie entitled "Quick & Easy Meals for People on the Go".

Belated Mother's Day cooking class

Doreen, Katie, Christine & Juliet shared a belated Mother's Day cooking class with some of their good friends. As you can see, it was also a fun-filled girl's night out!

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Last night was great!
Doreen R., Westminster, Massachusetts

Blackstone Public Library

This is a peek of a presentation given at the Blackstone Public Library, Blackstone, Massachusetts.

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Christmas cooking lesson gift certificate just redeemed

Rena and Mike who have the ultimate Crate & Barrel-equipped kitchen, and love to cook, show off the pizza they made during their cooking lesson.

Ellie was a fantastic instructor and we finally got to use a lot of stuff from our wedding gifts that were still packed away. The recipes were easy to follow and the food was downright delicious. Thank you so much for making the greatest room in the house that much better!!

Mike & Rena S., Maynard, Massachusetts

If you like Hermits....

If you like Hermits, check out Cathie M.'s comment regarding my Hermit recipe, a recent "Recipe of the Week" which may be found on my website.

I made your hermits yesterday. They are delicious!! The best I have ever had! They are better then the ones I buy at Henry's Market in Beverly. I never thought I would find a recipe better than those.

Home Cooking Class/Lesson

Though you might like to see a very short video clip of a cooking class/lesson for a very "Friendly" couple and 4 of their good friends, in their kitchen, in Wilbraham, Massachuseetts.

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Fisk and I and the rest of the crew had a terrific time. The chocolate lava cakes were a huge hit. And so was the Beef Wellington.We liked it so much that we plan to make it for Fisk's family on Christmas Eve. You can quote Fisk as saying it was "the best Christmas present I've ever received". I'm not sure what that says for the other 30+ Christmases we have celebrated!? But I am happy he liked this gift. Fisk has been cooking for over 30 years and he said it was one of the best cooking experiences he's ever had.
Jana & Fisk B., Wilbraham, MA

Josh's birthday cooking lesson

Ellie, Josh had a great time and I know he is looking forward to going through your cookbook. Thank you so much and we plan on sharing some of our leftovers with friends and family.
Molly C., Stoneham, Mass.