Take healthy cooking classes and eat healthier burgers

A new year brings new resolve to eat better in pursuit of good health.

To that end comes the new Impossible Burgers debuting this week at Michael Symon’s three B Spot restaurants. Said to look, cook and taste just like the tastiest hamburgers, the plant-based burgers apparently appear to bleed just like real meat.

They’ve become a cult favorite, according to Symon, and a different one will be served at each of his B Spots after Jan. 5.

The closest B Spot for News-Herald readers is at 28699 Chagrin Blvd., Woodmere, where the Impossible Patty Melt — with Swiss cheese, Russian dressing and sauerkraut — will be offered.

A Salisbury Steak version will be served at the Westlake location, while the Buckeye Burger Impossible Burger — with spicy peanut butter sauce and sweet hot pickles — will be served in Strongsville.

It’s not the same brand name, but Heinen’s has debuted the Beyond Burger, a plant-based burger with a similar description that is on sale at its stores this week.

Basic nutrition, cooking

A four-session handson program teaching basic techniques of nutritional principles and cooking takes place on Mondays in January at the Loretta Paganini School of Cooking, 8613 Mayfield Road, Chester Township.

Chef William Davis is the instructor for the three-hour classes beginning at 6 p.m. Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29. Each lecture and hands-on class will be followed by a meal to illustrate what’s been taught.

The first class, devoted to calories, will include a menu of roast beet salad with orange and balsamic reduction, smoked salmon satay with plum glaze, grilled pork tenderloin with pineapple pepper sauce and banana meringue pie.

The class Jan. 15 will be devoted to alkaline dieting as the way to heal.

The third class, on Jan. 22, will focus on enzyme nutrition.

And the fourth class will be framed around spices.

The cost is $345, and registration may be made at 440-729-1110 or lpscinc. com.

Cheesy January

Melt Bar and Grilled eateries, including the locations at 7289 Mentor Ave., in Point East Shopping Center (Routes 20 and 306) in Mentor and 35546 Detroit Road, Avon, will serve the Potato Bacon Bomb as its January feature sandwich.

It boasts thick-sliced golden-fried potato planks, roasted garlic and chive mashed potatoes, crisp hickory bacon, creamy sour cream and scallion sauce and sharp cheddar.

Seasonal sides for the month include cheesy Romano cauliflower topped with toasted mustard bread crumbs and roast root beer carrots napped in a sweet and savory root beer glaze.

Braising

Learn the art and technique of braising in a 2.5hour class at 6 p.m. Jan. 9 at the Loretta Paganini School of Cooking, 8613 Mayfield Road, Chester Township, and then sit down to a hearty meal of braised dishes.

The hands-on, $65 class will show how moist heat can develop flavor and sauces can add excellence. The menu includes red wine braised short ribs, bacon braised kale, sweet and sour pork shoulder, ginger carrots, topped off by caramel braised pears with pecan vanilla gelato.

Register at 440-729-1110 or www.lpscinc.com.

To that end comes the new Impossible Burgers debuting this week at Michael Symon’s three B Spot restaurants. Said to look, cook and taste just like the tastiest hamburgers, the plantbased burgers apparently appear to bleed just like real meat.