Sharon Thompson      

Posted on Sun, Mar. 02, 2008

How do you do Easter?

By Sharon Thompson

SWTHOMPSON@HERALD- LEADER.COM

How do you celebrate Easter? Is lamb the traditional entree? Do you gather for brunch, lunch or dinner?

We would like to hear about your Easter traditions. Send stories and recipes by March 10 to Sharon Thompson, 100 Midland Avenue, Lexington, Ky. 40508, or e-mail swthompson@ herald-leader.com.

See how it’s done

Here’s the recipe that was featured on my A la Carte segment Friday on WKYT-TV (Channel 27). You can see the video on my blog, Flavors of Kentucky at Kentucky.com.

Pumpkin sloppy joes

1 pound ground chuck

1 small onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup ketchup

1/4 cup tomato or V-8 juice

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon each ground cloves, nutmeg and pepper

1 cup canned pumpkin

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook beef and onion until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add everything else but pumpkin; mix well. Bring to a boil. Stir in pumpkin. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 15 to 20 minutes. Serve on buns. Makes 4 servings.

Free at the mall

Williams-Sonoma at Fayette Mall is offering a series of classes on culinary techniques. Classes are free and begin Sunday at 11 a.m. Call (859) 272-5856. Here’s the lineup: Sunday, Easter baking and cupcake decorating; March 9, soufflés; March 16, Easter egg decorating; March 30, cooking with balsamic vinegar; April 6, knife skills; April 20, spring pasta; May 4, breakfast for Mom, and May 18, Grilling 101.

Learn from a master

Mastering the art of pit-fired barbecue takes practice — and a good teacher.

Matt Falcone, chef/owner of Bayou Bluegrass Catering, will teach a class on the basics from 3 to 8 p.m. March 22 at Elk Creek Vineyards, 150 Ky. 330, Owenton.

Participants will work with Falcone to barbecue brisket, pork ribs, chicken and sausage. You may bring your own pit if desired. The $100 cost includes the class, a meal and wine. A spouse or friend may eat for $75. For reservations, call Elk Creek Hunt Club, (502) 484-4569 or visit www.elkcreek vineyards.com. Class size is limited to 25.

Keys to organic gardening and more

Good Foods Market & Café has tips and materials to help plan your organic garden.

Jerome Lange, Casey County organic farmer and author of Remembering the Fish: An Organic Approach to Gardening in Kentucky, will teach a two-part series, “Discover the Seven Keys to Organic Gardening.” The classes, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and March 18, will focus on watering, weeding, organizing, thinning, spacing and timing your organic garden. The cost is $12 per class.

Julie Maruskin, program coordinator at the Clark County Public Library, will explain how to start heirloom tomatoes and peppers from seed on March 29. Her class, from 2 to 4 p.m., will focus on transplanting seedlings and saving seeds from your own varieties each year. Free heirloom seeds and plants will be available. This workshop is free.

The market has literature on composting, gardening, harvesting and cooking your homegrown produce, and a wide variety of certified organic seeds. Good Foods is at 455 Southland Drive. Call (859) 278-1813 or visit www.goodfoods.coop.

A vintners’ preview

Seven Central Kentucky wineries are hosting a barrel tasting for McConnell Springs.

A barrel tasting involves a one-ounce sample of wine in its final stages before actual bottling and release of the finished product.

For $20, you can start at any of the wineries, where you’ll receive a commemorative McConnell Springs wine glass that entitles you to one barrel tasting at each of the participating wineries. Additionally, the wineries’ tasting rooms will be open for regular tastings of their released wines. The event will be 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 21 and is open to those age 21 or older. Call Dick or Annette Mathy at (859) 272-0682 or visit www.mcconnellsprings.org.

Participating wineries are:

■ Chrisman Mill Vineyards & Winery, 2385 Chrisman Mill Road, Nicholasville.

■ Elk Creek Vineyard & Winery, 150 Ky. 330, Owenton.

■ Equus Run Vineyards and Winery, 1280 Moore’s Mill Road, Midway.

■ Horseshoe Bend Vineyard and Winery, 1187 Lawson Lane, Willisburg.

■ Jean Farris Winery & Bistro, 6825 Old Richmond Road, Lexington.

■ Talon Winery and Vineyards, 7086 Tates Creek Road, Lexington.

■ Wildside Vines Winery & Vineyards, 5500 Troy Pike, Versailles.

Chefs cook up a benefit

A March 9 event at Corbett’s “An American Place” in Louisville will be an opportunity to sample the talents of several of Louisville’s top chefs and help a family.

Ten chefs will prepare a meal as a tribute to Daniel F. Boyle, who was vice president of Food & Dining Magazine until his death in November. “Dining for Dan,” a benefit for Boyle’s wife, Sara, and their two sons, will feature an eight-course meal and a silent auction.

Participating chefs are: John Castro, Winston’s; Dean Corbett and Chris Howerton, Corbett’s; Michael Crouch, Bourbon’s Bistro; Jay Denham, Park Place on Main/Browning’s; Anthony Lamas and Allan Rosenberg, Seviche: a Latin Restaurant/Bistro; Fernando Martinez, Havana Rumba & Mojitos Tapas Restaurant; Todd Richards, The Oakroom; and Anoosh Shariat, Shariat’s Bistro.

The event begins with cocktails at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7. Tickets are $150. Call (502) 327-5058. Corbett’s is at 5050 Norton Healthcare Boulevard.