Above: A new season of the library’s delicious book club and free virtual cooking lessons resume over the next few weeks. (images edited from flyers and Facebook)
The Southborough Library paused its cooking programs over the summer. But starting next week, they’re back for a new season.
Here are more details on what the library is dishing up.
The Virtual Cooking series sessions invite participants to zoom in from home and follow the step by step instructions from professional cooking instructor Ploy Khunisorn, the owner of Ploy’s Kitchen.
The next lesson promoted as “Thai Street Food” is Monday, September 14th. Ploy will teach participants how to make Larb Gai (Thai chicken salad) and Thai red curry with chicken, served with jasmine rice.
That will run from 6:00 – 7:30 pm.
To register for the free class, click here. Participants will receive a shopping list in advance to prepare for the class.
Other upcoming classes will focus on making:
“Japanese Udon Noodles” — Thursday, October 15th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm:
Participants will make noodles from scratch and cook them up two ways for udon noodle soup and abura udon with chicken.
“Savory Galette & Apple Strudel” — Monday, November 16th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm:
Participants will make a buttery pie crust from scratch for a spinach-and-cheese galette, then an apple strudel (using store-bought phyllo dough).
“Vietnamese Street Food” — Tuesday, December 15th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm:
Participants will make from scratch fresh rolls with dipping sauce and pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) with chicken.
“Cajun and Creole Cooking” — Monday, January 25th, 6:00 – 7:30 pm:
Participants will make chicken and sausage gumbo and New Orleans-style BBQ shrimp, served with white rice.
Ploy’s website shares of the her expertise in teaching how to cook dishes from an array of cultures:
She went to Suan Dusit International Culinary School while she was working as a financial analyst in Bangkok. She came to the USA to earn a Master of Liberal Arts in Sustainability at Harvard University and a Master of Education at Cambridge College. She started teaching cooking classes since 2014. Having traveled to over 30 countries, she has enjoyed and learned to cook varieties of cuisine around the world. In her 8+ years of teaching experience, Ploy has taught over 5,000 students to cook and bake Asian cuisines, vegan food, gluten free diets, pastries, and more. She is also a certified tea master.
The library’s Cook Book Club program also involves cooking at home. But that’s followed by the social element of bringing in what you prepare to share with other members. (It’s basically a monthly potluck club.)
The library encourages the public to “Join fellow enthusiastic cooks for a delicious dinner” each month. (In addition to your dish, you’ll want to bring an extra container to bring home some of the shared leftovers.)
The meetings take place the first Tuesday of each month 6:30 – 8:30 pm on the Library’s main floor. The new season kicks off next week, on September 1st.
If you’d like to take part, email your intended recipe selection to Marianna Sorensen (msorensen@southboroughma.com).
I don’t have details yet on the cookbook assigned for September. When I do, I’ll update this post. In the meantime, you can reach out directly to Marianna.
