Early December, I attended an Italian cooking class at Las Cosas with Christine Hickman and Johnny Vee. There were some unexpected issues with the pizzelles so those did not materialize. The chocolate pistachio gelato did get made, but I ate it before remembering that I needed to take a photo first.
Class Description: Join Christine Hickman and learn to cook like the Italians do for a festive Buon Natale. Our authentic holiday menu includes: Pear & Gorgonzola Salad, Portobello Risotto with Mascarpone, Minestra Maritata- the perfect “marriage” of meat & vegetables, Rustic Corn Flatbread with Figs & Walnuts, and Pizzelle & Sicilian Chocolate/pistachio Gelato. (Hands-On)
Per usual, the menu items were divided up among the class members. We had a very full class. I worked on the Pear & Gorgonzola Salad with a partner.
Pear & Gorgonzola Salad
As usual, our tray of ingredients was ready.
My partner cut the pear while I sliced the green onions. Seemed like too much green onion. Turns out it was.
I melted butter and added olive oil to a skillet. Then I added the pears with salt and pepper.
I was supposed to cook the pears and get them browned. They were getting mushy instead.
Attempts were made to try to brown them.
I removed the pears and set them aside. I added white wine to deglaze the pan and then added honey to make the sauce.
Next I added the pan sauce to the pears.
My cooking partner put the salad greens in a large bowl. She added olive oil, salt, pepper, and balsamic vinegar and toss the greens.
To plate these, we put the salad greens in a shallow bowl. Then we added the pears, hazelnuts, green onions, and gorgonzola cheese.
The Other Menu Items
Portobello Risotto with Mascarpone – chicken broth, portobello mushrooms, butter, black pepper, shallots, arborio rice, white wine, mascarpone, Parmesan, and chives.
Minestra Maritata – kale, Napa cabbage, salt, pork fatback, garlic, salami, prosciutto, pancetta, pork loin, and chicken broth.
Rustic Cornmeal Flatbread – dried figs, walnuts, active dry yeast, medium grind cornmeal, all-purpose flour, kosher salt, olive oil, fennel seeds, and chile flakes.
If Only This Were Springfield 