On Tuesday, December 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., please join CSSC staff for a cooking demonstration that will feature and celebrate the Christmas holiday. Christmas as we know it today is a Victorian invention of the 1860s. Probably the most celebrated holiday in the world, our modern Christmas is a product of hundreds of years of both secular and religious traditions. This cooking demonstration will discuss the origins of Christmas traditions from around the globe while sampling the delicious contributions of many cultures. The class will take place at King Thiel Senior Community, 17 Elks Lane, with a $5 [...]

The Pig is the twelfth of the 12-year cycle of animals that appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. A pig represents luck, overall good fortune, wealth, honesty, general prosperity, symbolizing a hardworking, a peace-loving person, a truthful, generous, indulgent, patient, reliable, trusting, sincere, giving, sociable person with a large sense of humor and understanding. In celebration of Chinese New Year 2019, the Year of the Pig, on Friday January 11, 2019, please join Hui Zhou for a cooking demonstration on a Chinese dish, Sweet and Sour Shrimp (菠萝咕噜虾). Hui is a visiting scholar from China currently studying [...]

Please join us on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, for a hands-on art class instructed by local multi-media artist Marjorie Ward who will introduce attendees to the medium of alcohol inks. Alcohol inks are an acid-free, highly-pigmented, and fast drying medium used on non-porous surfaces. Mixing colors can create a vibrant marbled effect and the possibilities are limited only by what one is willing to try. The class will take place at King Thiel Senior Community, 17 Elks Lane, in Latham, with a fee of $5. To make a reservation, call Sharon Herald at 518-459-2857 ext. 302.

There are only so many kinds of food people treasure. “Craved, savored and given as a symbol of one's love. Yet, so common it can be purchased for 50 cents. This treasured, as well as commonplace item is chocolate” (CNN, 1997). Americans eat up to twelve pounds of chocolate every year, but we are not the winners by far when it comes to chocolate consumption—that honor goes to the Swiss, who wolf down twenty-two pounds a year. It is hard to think of a Valentine's Day plan that does not involve food, specifically, dessert, even more specifically, a chocolate dessert. Join CSSC staff on Tuesday, February 12, from [...]

Eggs are laid by female animals of many different species, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and fish, and have been eaten by humans for thousands of years. The most commonly consumed eggs are chicken eggs. Egg yolks and whole eggs store significant amounts of protein and choline and are widely used in cookery. In fact, due to their protein content, the United States Department of Agriculture categorizes eggs as Meat. Join “self-taught chef” Joe LaCivita and Annie Metzger, proprietor of Laughing Earth Farm, on Thursday, February 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., as they explore the many ways to enjoy [...]

On Friday, March 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., please join longtime area Chef Harold Qualters and Diane Conroy-LaCivita for an Irish cooking demonstration that will feature Irish Scones and Meat Pie. Irish cuisine is the style of cooking that originated from Ireland and developed by the Irish people. It has evolved from centuries of social and political change, and the mixing of the different cultures in Ireland, predominantly the English and Irish. Scones are an essential part of life in Ireland. Anytime you drop by a friend or family member’s house, you often have a hot cup of tea and [...]

This year, the traditional “Fat Tuesday” falls on March 5. Also known as Mardi Gras, this celebration is known as one last indulgence before the observation of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Though Lent is a Christian tradition, Fat Tuesday has become more of a cultural celebration than a religious one and is especially popular in New Orleans. Like all of the best celebrations, Mardi Gras focuses on food and drink. On Tuesday, March 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., we will put our culinary skills to the test and try our hand at some traditional Fat Tuesday dishes including [...]

Pacific Islanders believe that coconut is the cure for all illness, which is why the palm tree (from which coconuts are grown) is known as “The Tree of Life.” Eating coconuts is excellent for one’s immunity. They are antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, and antiparasitic, meaning they kill harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. If you consume coconut in any of its various forms, it can help treat illnesses. Whether you are eating the meat, drinking the juice, or consuming it as oil, coconuts are a delicious and nutritious source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Coconut is a familiar ingredient in [...]

Gnocchi are thick, small, and soft dough dumplings. They are generally homemade in Italian and Italian-immigrant households. Gnocchi are eaten as a first course (primo piatto) as an alternative to soups (minestre) or as pasta. Common accompaniments of gnocchi include melted butter, pesto, as well as various sauces. In local supermarkets, industrially produced, packaged gnocchi are widely available refrigerated, dried, or frozen. On Thursday, April 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., we will be making both potato and ricotta gnocchi. Bring your appetite and your pinching fingers. Additionally, Sharon will be sharing her famous tomato sauce recipe. This demonstration will take [...]

Nothing tastes or smells better than homemade bread, and it is much easier to make than you might think. Basic bread is made from just simple ingredients—flour, yeast and salt. The better the quality of the flour, the better the finished loaf. High gluten content gives dough elasticity and, therefore, makes a lighter finished loaf. Additionally, yeast is the heart of the bread-making process; the essential ingredient that makes the dough rise and gives home-baked bread its wonderful taste and aroma. In each yeast packet, there are thousands of living plant-like microorganisms. When activated by warm liquid, and fed by sugar [...]