27 May Learn to Cook at Meal and a Spiel

Are you afraid of cooking entirely? Perhaps you have a few go-to recipes but want to learn new ones. Feel like you are too busy to make a tasty meal? Meal and a Spiel is here to help! Founded by Elana Horwich, Meal and a Spiel is about easy, accessible, healthy, good food. It is about getting dirty, trying things out, eating and having fun. Meal and a Spiel offers three things – classes, recipes and spiels. Classes: If you are based in Los Angeles, you can attend a single class or buy a package. Classes are $100 and take place in a private home with a maximum of 10 people. Go with a group of friends or go by yourself (as I did) and make new friends. You can also book a private group class. Recipes: When you take a class, you are given a packet of the recipes for the night. But, recipes are also available online (which is great if you don’t live in Los Angeles). Spiels: Every recipe has a story behind it and Elana’s spiels are like a red carpet trip into the recipe. My first cooking class with Meal and a Spiel was entitled “Clean California Cooking Class.” We learned six recipes that night, all very tasty and easy to do! Cauliflower and Fennel Crisps – These crisps make the perfect appetizers and so easy to make. Steam the cauliflower, saute with olive oil, fennel seeds and shallots and then smash into a textured puree. Here’s the full recipe. Warm Quinoa Salad with Avocado and Herbs – The key to tasty quinoa is the flavor base which includes Raw Coconut Aminos, Tamari or Soy Sauce and Braggs Amino Acids, along with olive oil and lemon. Roasted Market Vegetables – This everyday dish has become one of my everyday dishes. There is nothing better than roasted seasonal vegetables and with lots of olive oil and the right amount of salt, the flavors of the vegetables just shine. For this simple recipe, click here. Elana’s Favorite Herb Garden Salad – Such a simple salad but makes those mixed greens pop and you can do it too…here’s the recipe. Grilled Branzino with Lemon and Olives – I have always had a slight fear of cooking fish at home since I tend to overcook it or make a pretty simple version. But, this Branzino not only showed how easy it is to cook but a flavorful way to present the fish. Elana’s Famous Guilt-Free Cobbler – Who doesn’t love a guilt-free dessert?  And, this is my kind of dessert, a balance of tart and sweet. Plus is it so easy to make! With just these recipes in my library, I feel more confident about making healthy, flavorful, easy food at home. With classes like “30 Minute Meals, Pool Party Food, Clean Eating Mexican, Persian Cooking Class, Thai Paradise, Weeknight Soups and other topics, I am going to be heading back soon for another Meal and a Spiel. But, in the meantime, I will be making these dishes at home!