New Summer Classes Added!

We are so excited about our June classes, featuring CAKES and MEXICAN FOOD, two of our favorite things! Email classes@notwithoutsalt.com to reserve your spot!


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*A second cake class has been added! We will be having a “Cake Walk” on June 9th as well for those of you who didn’t get in to the class on the 10th.

Thanks so much for your enthusiasm! I am so excited for these classes and glad you are too.


“Cake Walk: A class devoted to cakes, made simple”
Thursday June 10 7:30 – 9:30  $35

Baking cakes is often viewed as an intimidating process. This class is about showing you how simple and fun cakes can be. We will explore a variety of cakes as we make classic Whoopie pies and cupcakes utilizing one of my favorite go-to cake recipes – it takes less than 10 minutes from gathering the ingredients to the time it’s in the oven!  We will also tackle a layer cake made with a Genoise base which is the foundation for so many cake-based desserts. We will learn how to fill, frost and devour this brown sugar cake that’s studded with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. And I’m sure you are all very familiar with the classic gooey, “molten” chocolate cake that has graced the pages of nearly every restaurant at one point or another. Well, let’s make it at home and impress our guests. You will be surprised to learn how wonderfully easy it is and the perfect recipe for entertaining.  We will also learn how to make perfect buttercream and a homemade chocolate pudding for filling cupcakes, cakes or just eating with a spoon.

Class Type: Dessert
Methods: Genoise, buttercream, homemade pudding, torting, simple decoration techniques and ideas, molten chocolate cake



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“Weeknight Fiesta”
Thursday June 24 6:30-9:30 $45


We don’t think it needs to be a weekend to Fiesta!  This class is about using some great techniques with bold Mexican flavors.  Start off the evening with Pomegranate Marguerita Granita and spicy guacamole with homemade flour tortilla chips – you’ll never want to buy the bag again!  Then, move on to a braised pork shoulder chiliquiles, topped with Chihuahua cheeses, homemade pickled red onions, jalapenos and cilantro crema.  This Mexican dish has burst on the scene in the last couple years and makes the perfect fiesta dinner for a large crowd and a small budget.  For dessert, how about two of them?  Homemade churros with spicy chocolate dipping sauce and a perfect caramel flan.

Class type:  Dinner & drinks
Methods learned:  frozen granita, pickling and preserving, regional Mexican specialty, homemade tortilla chips, churros, flan, guacamole (more…)

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Vanilla Salt : a homemade gift

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Mother’s Day is approaching rapidly and while I’ve already unwrapped my present in the form of two beautiful and large vegetable beds that my sweet husband made for me, I have the perfect handmade gift for the mother who likes to spice things up in the kitchen.

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Vanilla Salt. It’s unique, incredibly easy to make (get the kids in on the action) and adds an exotic flavor to dishes – sweet and savory.

Simply combine the seeds from one vanilla bean with 1/4 cup kosher salt. Feel free to use more expensive salt here – like Fleur de Sel for example or Maldon if you really love Mom.

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Package in a sweet container and tie with a satin ribbon – trust me, she’ll appreciate it.

And if she asks, “What the heck do I do with Vanilla Salt?!”

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You kindly reply, “Well, my dear, you can add it to the top of your chocolate chip cookies just before baking, sprinkle it in your buttercream, add it to any baked good as a “regular” salt replacement, sprinkle on seared scallops or candied carrots, etc.”

Then she’ll hug you and kiss you and tell you that you’re the best there is. And then you’ll smile and nod.

Happy Mother’s Day to all you dear mothers out there. Our days are long, the snot is plentiful but the rewards are too many to count.

And to my dear mother who taught me to not only stop and smell the roses but to revel in how incredibly beautiful they are. You and your life are a reflection of His beauty. I love you.

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