We finally used our fantastic wedding present from Lisa and John for a weekend away at a Gourmet Retreat (B&B and cooking class) in Calistoga at Casa Lana. It was a gorgeous place and lots of fun to get to cook with a fun group of people. We meant to go in March to celebrate our anniversary but used it instead as a “babymoon,” one of our last chances to get away just the two of us.

Here’s us out at the grill making our dish and the final product, a grilled summer squash with a red onion and mint vinaigrette.

More photos here.

The class was on “Lighter, Quicker, Better” and taught by cookbook author Marie Simmons.  The menu included:  Guilt Free Guacamole with Raw Veggies; Mango Salsa in Endive Boats; Grilled Whole Wheat Pita Crisps; Cantaloupe and Cucumber Soup; Sesame Cabbage Salad with Spicy Shrimp; Bulger Salad with Mint, Dill and Parsley and Roasted Mini Bell Peppers; Grilled Summer Squash with Mint and Red Onion Vinaigrette, and Strawberry Granita with Strawberries in Orange Sugar.

Thank you Lisa and John!!