I'm pretty excited about today. Why? Instead of having a full post for you here, I'm going to tell you to head over to America's Test Kitchen's blog, The Feed, and check out my post there! You might remember I won a scholarship to the Test Kitchen's Cooking School about a month ago. Part of that scholarship entailed the opportunity to write a blog post for The Feed. I was assigned to blog about my experience with the homemade pasta lessons at the Cooking School. I can't even begin to explain how much I learned and how fun it was... Well actually, I did try to explain it, so head to my post and check it out!
A little side note on me: When I was in grad school, I was writing a paper on the magazine publishing industry and decided to try to interview Chris Kimball of America's Test Kitchen fame for the paper, though I knew my chances of even getting an editor to answer my emailed questions were slim. I sent an email to the only contact I could find and the next day, I actually received a response with a thread from his assistant forwarding my email to Chris and asking if he could chat with me. Before long, I was on the phone with Chris Kimball himself chit chatting about all things magazine publishing, cooking, and brand building. It was incredible and I became even more of a fan (that was 6 years ago... gosh, I'm old!). Also, one of the first recipes I made myself was Cook's Illustrated's blueberry clafoutis back when I was in college (8 years ago!). I'm a big supporter of all things America's Test Kitchen and SO thrilled I had a chance to blog for them.
I'm also incredibly excited about the Cooking School they recently launched and am very happy to share my experience with you. And trust me, I will be making lots and lots more pasta in my home... So, who wants to have a pasta party??
ATK Cooking School Giveaway!
Now, I want you guys to have a chance to experience the Cooking School for yourself! I'm giving away a 60-day trial of America's Test Kitchen Cooking School to one lucky reader!
All you have to do is head over to my Homemade Pasta post on The Feed and then check out the other courses the Cooking School offers. Comment on this post and let me know which course you would try first. While you're at it, let me know which course I should tackle next 🙂 Comment by Friday, April 13 at 11:59 p.m. for a chance to win!
For extra entries, (1) follow us on Twitter at @WearenotMartha and (2) Tweet about this giveaway, tagging @WearenotMartha and @TestKitchen (leave a separate comment for each way you enter). Good luck and get ready to get your learn on!
[Sues]
Carol says
I would start with Authentic Pizza. I have an odd fear of making my own pizza from scratch.
peachkins says
Congratulations! what a great giveaway!
Simply Life says
so fun! I actually would do the homemade pasta class- I've tried doing this before and it was a FAIL - so now I'm scared to try again without some real guidance!
Sara Serna says
Risotto, Polenta, and Italian Beans sounds delish!
Bergamot Girl says
I think you did a great job making all of those pasta dishes! They look delicious. I would love to do all of the courses especially the Italian Meats one. I think you should do the Classic Sauces course next--because everyone should know how to make a good sauce; everyone will be impressed at your next dinner party.
Colleen Mahal says
Hi Susie,
I would LOVE for you to post about what you learned from your interview with Chris Kimball! That would be amazing to read.
What an awesome giveaway!
I would love to try the foolproof pie class! I would love to see you do the Italian rustic breads!
Jen @ BeantownBaker.com says
Nice work on the pastas! I love homemade pasta. I would love to take the apple pie class.
Megan Pence says
I am all over the Italian meats course! How fabulous! The pasta looks divine, so many congrats and HAVE FUN!!
Heather @ Bake, Run, Live says
I follow you on Twitter @BakeRunLive
Heather @ Bake, Run, Live says
Right now I have been playing with a lot of yeast dough, so I would love the Rustic Italian Breads class!
Jen M says
I would love to try the class on steaming/poaching! Thanks so much for continuing to run this awesome website!
Rebecca C. says
Rustic italian breads. Hubby loves homemade bread but haven't perfected it yet.
Natalie says
Rustic Italian Bread. I love making bread, but my crusty breads never turn out right. Would love to learn how to make it better!
sarah k. @ the pajama chef says
rustic italian breads sounds so fabulous!
sarah k. @ the pajama chef says
i follow you on twitter. (@thepajamachef)
sarah k. @ the pajama chef says
i tweeted (@thepajamachef)
Andreea says
Your pasta dishes look so delicious! For the classes, it would probably be a toss between Classic Sauces and Homemade Pasta, but the sauces class will probably win since I don't have a pasta machine.
Jeannie says
I have made my own pasta before and love the texture very much! Yours look delicious!
Hillary says
OMG this is so fun. Being a pizza blogger, my gut tells me to go for the advanced Authentic Pizza course but essentials of roasting is just what I need for that WHOLE chicken I have in my freezer (embarrassed face)!
Hillary says
I'm following you on twitter!
Hillary says
Tagged ya!
Lauren says
I have that pasta maker, but didn't know the dough could be made in the food processor!!! You did an AWESOME job! That dough looked wicked professional and the squash ravioli - om nom nom~~! I would love to see you tackle the Risotto, Polenta class. I have always wanted to make both!!! I LOVE to cook and would LOVE LOVE to win this prize. Thanks for the chance.
Lauren says
I also follow you on Twitter (have for some time) @hippiedogco
Daisy says
I could probably benefit from any one of those classes! I am having such a tough time deciding....I wouldn't mind the Risotto, Polenta, and Italian Beans or the Essential Eggs!
Shannon says
looks fabulous!! the pasta class is definitely a good one! i might be up for the focaccia/ciabatta (what is the difference, really?!?) or maybe the how to braise (seems easy, but i don't do it!)
Elsie says
I love your blog! I would definitely start with the classic sauces class! Keep up the good work, the home made pasta looked awesome!
Shauna says
I should probably tackle roasting, since I am a vegetarian and terribly afraid of touching/looking at meat, let alone cooking it! BUTTT the pizza & veggie sides classes look amazing!
Lena H. says
Other than the pasta lessons (ALL of them) -- my first lesson would be the "Rustic Italian Breads". Yeast-related things scare me in general, so learning under Bridget & company would go a long way to helping me overcome this fear.
Lena H. says
And, of course, I already follow you on Twitter (@lenaonthebeach)!
john a says
love ur blog, love to see more on 'classic sauces'
Van says
Ok I need the 60 day free schooling also. I also loved the idea of ravioli with the butternut squash filling. I was in Colorado this past summer staying with my cousin. We looked up a recipe and tried our luck. The dough was never right from the start. The filling looked decent but never even made it into the pasta. When I got home I borrowed a pasta maker from my dad that I had a couple of months before I tried it out. I dont think the thing had been cleaned out properly. This was batch two that made it into the trash. Then I decided to roll it out and cut it by hand at least this made it into a pot of water. It was some of the worst pasta ever but my wife and daughter tried to eat it without making too many faces. That is the day I decided PASTA NEVER AGAIN. My choice for the next class would be Essentials of Roasting. Most of the really great Sunday dinners always seem to have a roasting theme.
Dani says
I'd start with classic sauces. I'd love to see you try the rustic Italian breads course.
Kathy says
I love homemade pasta! I'd love to see how the Rustic Italian Breads come out.
Linda S. says
I would start with the Italian Salads and Vegetables course. (I think a great followup to your Homemade Pasta course would be Authentic Pizza.)
Linda S. says
I follow you on twitter: ljskop
Shelley says
Your pasta meals looked delicious. I'm glad I don't know what fresh pasta tastes like otherwise I would have to go out and buy a pasta maker. I would definitely have to work up to pasta making, though! I would start out with Essential Eggs. Even though they were the first thing I learned how to cook I'm sure I could learn quite a bit!
Shelley says
And of course I follow you on Twitter! (ohthatswitte)
Shelley says
And I gave y'all a retweet!
Beverly says
I would try the Italian Salads course first. I made their recipe for panzanella last summer and it was amazing. I want to make all of their salads! I have summer fever.
Beverly says
I tweeted the giveaway! @cellarmouse and I think you should try authentic pizza next!
Beverly says
And for my third entry (I really want to win!) I follow you on twitter: @cellarmouse
Mal @ The Chic Geek says
oooh, so exciting! I've always wanted to make my own pasta. I think I'd have a similar problem with where to put the clamp press (our kitchens seem similar) I love how you solved the problem though.
I agree with everyone who said pizza next- yum!
Mal @ The Chic Geek says
I also follow you on twitter @chicgeekery
Sarah says
This is so cool! The people behind the Test Kitchen and Cooks Illustrated are my favorite! I may have to sign up if I don't win. Would take Focaccia and Ciabatta first, since my passion is for bread baking.
Sarah says
Also followed you on twitter @SaMatzek
Christina says
I didn't even know they had a cooking school. How fun!
Homemade pasta is amazing. I've made it before, but I don't have a machine so my pasta is a little on the thick side.
As for the courses, I'd like to try the rustic Italian breads or the cooking fundamentals.
Nicole says
So much fun! I would love to take the pizza class... one could never have enough encounters with new pizza recipes! You should try the chili class next... yum!
Gia Grossman says
I feel like you're good with pizza (grand actually) so I'm going with sauces. Not that you're not good at them but it's good to learn the basics perfect! Me? You made me want to do the pasta course!
Susan says
Great job on the pasta-making, Sues! All three pastas turned out so well and my mouth is watering after seeing the photos. I think I'd love to try the sauce class so I'll vote for that one for you too 😉
kate says
great photo! next class, I would definitely go for italian meats. I didn't know about this web site, but the blog postings are good, too.
Steve says
"Meat, Italian Style" for me. What about "How to Stew and Braise" for you?
Caroline says
I would want to start with the Cooking Fundamentals- I love to cook but have been working out of a dorm room and shared kitchen for the past four years! I'm graduating in May and it's time to start using real kitchen techniques!
Caroline says
Following you on Twitter- ready for cooking ideas to start coming my way!
Caroline says
I also just tweeted! (@hadleyce)
Shannon says
For some reason or another, I have not been on this blog for some time (and shame on me, because it was one of the first food blogs I ever read and was instantly hooked!), and I am so happy to have returned to see that you were awarded the America's Test Kitchen scholarship and are engaged! So many exciting things going on for you! Congrats!
The homemade pastas you made looked delicious. I think if I were to take a class, I'd begin with Cooking Fundamentals, only because I feel like I still don't have a solid foundation of some of the cooking basics and I've always wanted to feel more confident in the kitchen. All of the bread courses are enticing, too...
Best of luck to you! I'm looking forward to having this become my daily read again 🙂
Vanessa says
Love your blog and this looks like so much fun!! I want to learn too! I'd probably have to go with cooking fundamentals because I'm not that advanced yet. I can work my way to pasta and meats!
Vanessa says
Following you on Twitter of course!
sharon says
Looks like you were the "MODEL" student...Fantastic Post!!
Laura @MotherWouldKnow says
I already follow you (ever since I read the post by Sues in which she wrote so movingly of visiting her family.) The first course I would take would be How to Stew & Braise. I love those techniques (and America's Test Kitchen), but have never been "schooled" in them. By the way, you've given me incentive to try ravioli, with your gorgeous version.
Michelle says
I love ATK too! They have such great and informative recipes. I would totally take the Rustic Italian Breads course.
Nicole says
I love fresh pasta. I think I would want to learn about the rustic italian breads. I just love fresh bread!
Anne Marie says
I would take the How to Stew & Braise...and then the Rustic Italian Breads and I'd have a meal! 🙂
Elizabeth says
I would take Risotto, Polenta, and Italian Beans because I love those foods and want to use dried beans more, but have hesitated because I'm worried they won't get soft.
Elizabeth says
And I followed you on Twitter.
Bridget says
All of your pasta dishes came out SOO well!! I want to bite into the screen!!
Actually Id love to take the cooking Italian meats course! Sometimes I Feel like I dont know the best way to cook meat...aside from grilling.
Bridget says
I follow you on twitter!
Janel says
For you... I recommend Risotto, Polenta, and Italian Beans next time. Yum Yum. For me..... It's gotta be Frying Without Fear. The last time I tried to fry some chicken tenders.... I started a grease fire. I'm OK...my ceiling though. Yep, it's seen better days.
Janel says
I also already follow you on twitter... @mittsmeade and @one_kitchen
Tara says
I'd probably take Rustic Italian breads since I do so little bread baking!
Tara says
Tweeted 🙂
Coral says
Your pasta dishes look so yummy - I had taken a fresh pasta class at our local grocery store - so good. I think I would take the Italian salads - to go with the pasta!!!
Katie says
Fun giveaway! I'd love to try the Italian rustic breads....I'm definitely a bit intimidated by breads so this would be a great way to try some new recipes and techniques.
Dianne says
Classic sauces sound delish - for you or me! I'd love to try the homemade pasta class, myself.
Jill says
AMAZING GIVEAWAY! I would try the sauteing class, or the essentials of roasting - those recipes look fabulous! Thanks for the opportunity!