Calendar of Events
During the hot summer months, chilled summer soups are a refreshing addition to any menu. Warm soups are also a great way to showcase the season's best. Here we'll show you 2 of each! Menu: Sweet Corn Soup with Avocado; Fresh Watercress Bisque with Creme Fraiche; Spiney Lobster and Mango Gazpacho; Thai-spiced Watermelon Soup. Ann Arbor Cooks!, 5060 Jackson Road. $65/person. 734-645-1030. www.annarborcooks.com [map]
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The Brinery (Charlotte, MI) owner David Klingenberger, whose sauerkraut is served on Zingerman’s reubens, discusses and offers taste samples of his locally grown fermented vegetables, both on their own and in recipes. The menu includes 4 different kinds of kraut, ssauerkraut soup, mini open-face classic and tempeh reubens, and pierogis. Cash bar with Michigan beers. 7-9 p.m., Zingerman’s Events on Fourth, 415 N. Fourth Ave. $25. Reservations required. 663-3400. [map]
Roadhouse chef Alex Young hosts a dinner offering a chance to compare thick, sweet Kansas City BBQ, based on tomatoes and molasses, with “cowboy style” West Texas BBQ, which involves direct cooking over mesquite and uses beef, goat, and mutton. 7-10 p.m., Zingerman’s Roadhouse, 2501 Jackson. $50. Reservations required. 663–3663. [map]
Every Thurs. Whole Foods staffers discuss wine. Tastings with cheese and appetizers. Topics: Zinfandel (July 5), French whites (July 12), Italian reds (July 19), and Pacific Northwest whites (July 26). 5-8:30 p.m., Whole Foods wine bar, 990 W. Eisenhower Pkwy., Cranbrook Village shopping center. $17. 997-7500. [map]
At the end of July, a relay team of 6 women will swim a 2-way crossing of the English Channel to raise money for ALS. This is their send-off. A beer and wine tasting honoring English ales and French wines, good food, live auction, hope raffle and a few surprises. Sponsored by Michigan Rehabilitation Specialists (MRSpt). Cobblestone Farm, 2781 Packard. $75/1 person, $125/2. bethany.w@sbcglobal.net www.channelforals.org [map]
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a rapidly growing way to support local farmers and have access to the freshest produce. You sign up for a share of the farmer’s crop, and receive a box of vegetables (and fruits when available) once a week, typically from late spring to fall. But after picking up your share, it can sometimes be challenging to know what to do with that week’s bounty. Worry no more! In this class, we will take common seasonal produce found in your CSA box and teach you great ways to showcase each item. From June greens to October squash and everything in between!*Due to our wonderfully sporadic Michigan climates, certain fruits and vegetables may be switched out with something that is more perfectly ready for consumption. Mother Nature will decide the fate of these classes without prior notice!July: Cabbage, Blueberries & Raspberries, Cherries, Cucumber, Zucchini and their Blossoms, Edible Flowers, etc. Ann Arbor Cooks!, 5060 Jackson Road. $65. 734-645-1030. www.annarborcooks.com [map]
July 12, 17, 23, & 31. Topics include “Seafood Summertime Grilling” (July 12, 6:30 p.m.), “Vegetarian Cooking 101 with VegMichigan” (July 17, 7 p.m.), “Baking Bread: Rye and Pumpernickel” (July 23, 6 p.m.), and “Health Starts Here: Tomatoes” (July 31, 6:30 p.m.) Various times, Whole Foods, 990 W. Eisenhower Pkwy., Cranbrook Village shopping center. $10. Preregistration required. 997-7500. [map]
A chance to sample and learn about a wide range of wheat beers from full-flavored American wheats to sour Belgian lambics. Also, a drawing for beer-related prizes. Admission includes unlimited beer sampling and a German appetizer buffet. 7-9 p.m., Arbor Brewing Company, 114 E. Washington. Tickets $25 in advance, $30 (if available) at the door. 213-1393. [map]
Back by popular demand! Bring your special someone and have some fun in the kitchen cooking up this entire BENTO BOX menu. And please feel free to bring a bottle of wine to enjoy with your meal. Menu: Miso Soup; Sesame Scallion Crab Salad Maki; Ahi Tuna with Sesame and Napa; Pickled Cucumber, Daikon and Ginger Salad; Green Tea Granita. Ann Arbor Cooks!, 5060 Jackson Road. $150/pair. 734-645-1030. www.annarborcooks.com [map]
Cooking demo on the store’s 1935 Magic Chef stove by DH&G owner Mark Hodesh, who founded the Fleetwood Diner in 1972 and cooked some 500,000 eggs there in three years. Includes over easy, straight up, scrambled, soft-boiled, and poached. 9-11 a.m., DH&G, 210 S. Ashley. Free. Downtownhomeandgarden.com. 662-8122. [map]
One of Zingerman’s Coffee managing partners, Allen Leibowitz or Steve Mangigian, offers a free tour of the coffee company and talks about the intricate world of java. 11 a.m.-noon, Zingerman’s Coffee Company, 3723 Plaza Dr.. Free. 929-6060. [map]
What to do with a huge haul of strawberries? Millions of peaches? Too many tomatoes? NEVER! We'll show you how to make perfect preserves, creative chutneys, and joyous jams with your produce surplus! You'll go home with a small jar of each - we'll be canning our goods in this class. Menu: Jalapeno Jelly; Strawberry Apple Jam; Peach Chutney; Spiced Raspberry Preserves; Tomato and Onion Marmalade. Ann Arbor Cooks!, 5060 Jackson Road. $65/person. 734-645-1030. www.annarborcooks.com [map]
Sold out. Zingerman’s Roadhouse chef Alex Young hosts a dinner showcasing some of Julia Child’s best recipes. 7-10 p.m., Zingerman’s Roadhouse, 2501 Jackson. $45, plus beverage. Reservations required. 663-FOOD. [map]
