Williams-Sonoma Cooking Demos

  I just got back from the most recent W-S cooking demo & I figured I'd report back for those who are interested.  This month's theme is "Healthy in a Hurry," presumably since it's January and people have lose weight/get health resolutions to uphold.  Today's class was about sauteing and steaming.  I think what I like best about the classes in general is that you get an information pamphlet about the techniques and some recipes to try out on your own.  I am a recipe junkie to the nth degree.  The instructor made sauteed chicken with shallots and fresh thyme from her garden, which was tasty but a little dry.  For the steaming portion, she steamed cabbage, spinach & soy sauce marinated tofu and then drizzled it in a homemade peanut sauce.  I think the tofu dish was my favorite & I'm going to make it for dinner tonight, whether the hubby likes it or not :-)

   I do have to say that if you've ever been to a cooking class at a business that specializes in cooking classes, the W-S version is pretty tame.  They're more demos that utilize W-S products (cookware, bakeware and food items) rather than being an actual class.  You get a bite of whatever's been prepared for the class so that you can get an idea of the finished product (which always makes me leave feeling hungrier than when I arrived).  I like the classes mostly for the 10% discount that you get for the day just for watching the demo, although it doesn't apply to sale items & I always seem to buy the sale items (today I got a cookbook for $5, one for $6, a reusable shopping bag for $2 & some pre-made gravy for $1 each jar)...I felt really proud walking out of the store with a full shopping bag and only having spent $17.  I'd recommend the classes if you're looking for something to do on a Sunday morning & even more so if you're in the market to buy an appliance from W-S (their prices are very similar to pretty much anywhere else as far as small electronics go).