Cooking School

Judy and I make Rotkohl.

I love to cook.  I'm the kind of cook who doesn't always measure ingredients and very often substitutes for ingredients I don't have.  My husband says that no matter how much he likes something I make, he will never have it again because I never make anything exactly the same way twice!

During the last five years of living in the US my Saturday routine included spending the afternoon leisurely folding laundry while watching the cooking shows on PBS.  My dream has been to go to a cooking school, preferably in Italy, but anywhere one might be held.

Patricia, one of our teachers,
demonstrating making cabbage roll sauce.

Two weeks ago I got my wish.  TeachBeyond arranged for two cooking classes at the local German high school, to be taught by Germans to those of us who speak English.  You may not be surprised that I signed up first.

Thursday, October 4th I joined 11 other English-speakers to learn from three German-speakers how to make very traditional potato salads (2), German meatballs, and a fried apple dessert.  What fun we all had working together and enjoying the food.  Dinner was delicious, with each of us able to take a small sample home.

Dinner is served!

This week on Tuesday the second class resulted in two types of rollladen-a cabbage roll and a beef roll, plus Rotkohl (red cabbage) and the best, creamiest mashed potatoes I have ever had.  I shared the kitchen with my good friend, Judy.  Another friend cooked next to us with one of the German teachers.  Something very special happens when we, as women, get to share in a cooking experience.  Especially when that experience is cross-cultural.  We enjoyed the work and the results of our labors.

Smitty and I ate leftovers from last night's dinner tonight.  But, better than that, I have accomplished a dream and have cooked German foods and experienced German culture through taste, smell, touch, sight, words and heart.