SKANEATELES - Julie Ann Sageer is bringing her family's talent for food to those with a less fortunate understanding of Middle Eastern food.
Sam Tenney / The Citizen
Throop is historically known as a hunting ground for the Cayugas . Settlement of the area began as early as 1790.
Throop is historically known as a hunting ground for the Cayugas . Settlement of the area began as early as 1790.
Sageer began teaching a course called Lebanese Cuisine last Thursday at the Skaneateles Community Center.
As part of her family's first-generation born in the United States, Sageer grew up learning the traditional Lebanese dishes from her mother's kitchen. Her mother, Hind Van Dusen, assists Sageer during the classes.
Besides learning the best way to make mezze, or side dishes and appetizers, participants take in some of her culture during the class as well. Sageer plays Arabic music and at the end, the students eat what they made.
“It's a fun time, and they are learning and cooking at the same time,” the Liverpool native said, adding that part of the experience is the course's social aspect. “I have the opportunity to share my culture and my family's great sense of food.”
Sageer moved to Marcellus in December after living in New York City for years. She had the idea for teaching a cooking class for a while, and finally had the time once she moved back to the area to spend time with her family.
Now, the class has become a family affair of sorts. Her mother, aside from assisting her during class, helped her turn their traditional dishes they make by taste into recipes with measurements that students can follow. Meanwhile, the youngest of four children gets bombarded with suggestions from cousins and siblings about tips, techniques and dishes she should share with her students.
Sageer has already taught a similar cooking course at the Marcellus Free Library with a full class and will continue that series with a class on main dishes.
Participants don't have to have cooking skills, and Sageer brings all the ingredients. Students just have to bring a food processor, a chopping knife and a bowl - which they can then use to take home their creations.
Besides learning dishes such as babaganoush and tabouli, participants can become familiar with Sageer's culture and heritage.
“The Middle East can be very confusing for people,” Sageer said. “There are so many countries and they each have their own culture and dishes.”
Some people may only have experience with this food through prepared food at the supermarket or at Americanized restaurants. These often don't offer a true representation of what Middle Eastern - and specifically Lebanese - food is, she said.
She described the food as refreshing and fresh, adding that many dishes are vegetarian. All the side dishes the class makes are meat-free.
The cuisine in general relies heavily on mint, lemon, parsley and olive oil.
Through this class, she hopes to show that people can make these dishes at home, and not with too much effort. “I think they hardly work up a sweat,” she joked.
If you go
What: Lebanese Cuisine Cooking Class
When: 7 p.m. Thursdays in July
Where: Skaneateles Community Center, 97 State St., Skaneateles
Cost: $35 per session, most supplies and all ingredients provided
To learn more: Call 685-2266 or visit www.skaneatelescommunitycenter.com
As part of her family's first-generation born in the United States, Sageer grew up learning the traditional Lebanese dishes from her mother's kitchen. Her mother, Hind Van Dusen, assists Sageer during the classes.
Besides learning the best way to make mezze, or side dishes and appetizers, participants take in some of her culture during the class as well. Sageer plays Arabic music and at the end, the students eat what they made.
“It's a fun time, and they are learning and cooking at the same time,” the Liverpool native said, adding that part of the experience is the course's social aspect. “I have the opportunity to share my culture and my family's great sense of food.”
Sageer moved to Marcellus in December after living in New York City for years. She had the idea for teaching a cooking class for a while, and finally had the time once she moved back to the area to spend time with her family.
Now, the class has become a family affair of sorts. Her mother, aside from assisting her during class, helped her turn their traditional dishes they make by taste into recipes with measurements that students can follow. Meanwhile, the youngest of four children gets bombarded with suggestions from cousins and siblings about tips, techniques and dishes she should share with her students.
Sageer has already taught a similar cooking course at the Marcellus Free Library with a full class and will continue that series with a class on main dishes.
Participants don't have to have cooking skills, and Sageer brings all the ingredients. Students just have to bring a food processor, a chopping knife and a bowl - which they can then use to take home their creations.
Besides learning dishes such as babaganoush and tabouli, participants can become familiar with Sageer's culture and heritage.
“The Middle East can be very confusing for people,” Sageer said. “There are so many countries and they each have their own culture and dishes.”
Some people may only have experience with this food through prepared food at the supermarket or at Americanized restaurants. These often don't offer a true representation of what Middle Eastern - and specifically Lebanese - food is, she said.
She described the food as refreshing and fresh, adding that many dishes are vegetarian. All the side dishes the class makes are meat-free.
The cuisine in general relies heavily on mint, lemon, parsley and olive oil.
Through this class, she hopes to show that people can make these dishes at home, and not with too much effort. “I think they hardly work up a sweat,” she joked.
If you go
What: Lebanese Cuisine Cooking Class
When: 7 p.m. Thursdays in July
Where: Skaneateles Community Center, 97 State St., Skaneateles
Cost: $35 per session, most supplies and all ingredients provided
To learn more: Call 685-2266 or visit www.skaneatelescommunitycenter.com
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