NE takes over Casa de Luz Sunday, October 14

Join us on the second Sunday of every month, when five students from the Natural Epicurean Academy of Arts prepare dinner for the patrons of Casa de Luz.

We're planning a Persian Feast for October:
Advieh Spiced Butternut Squash Soup
Tempeh in Walnut Pomegranate Sauce
Brown Basmati Rice
Blanched Greens
Golden Cauliflower
Fresh Green Salad with Mint-Lime Dressing
Mint Carrot Pickle

As always we strive for as much seasonal, organic produce as possible. Although our menus are planned in regard to the seasons, sometimes the produce just isn't available and substitutions are required.

NE Takes Over Casa de Luz
Sunday, October 14
6:00 pm-8:30 pm
$12 for adults includes meal, hot or cool tea and filtered water
1701 Toomey Rd.
Austin, TX 78704

NE Take Over of Casa de Luz Review - September 9, 2007

Our menu at Casa de Luz, on Sunday, September 9, was vibrant, light, and delicious. Joining teacher Christina Terriquez in the kitchen were Naomi, Melissa, Tina and Maria.

Maria and Tina smile for the camera during a break between plating.

Clockwise from top: Polenta, Roasted Yellow Summer Squash and Roasted Beet Napoleans with Basil Sunflower Seed Pesto, Radish and Red Onion Umeboshi Pickles, Hijiki Olive Tapanade, Sautéed Green Beans and Carrots, Seasoned Chickpeas, and Blanched Greens.

Our menu for the evening:
Light and Velvety Corn Soup
Fresh Green Salad with Spicy Orange Ginger Dressing
Polenta, Roasted Yellow Summer Squash and Roasted Beet Napoleans with Basil Sunflower Seed Pesto and Hijiki Olive Tapanade

Seasoned Chickpeas
Blanched Greens

Sautéed Green Beans and Carrots
Radish and Red Onion Umeboshi Pickles

Close up of the napoleon.

One last parting shot of those gorgeous greens and the napoleon.

NE Take Over of Casa Review - August 12

Cheryl, slicing radishes.

Our menu at Casa de Luz, on Sunday, August 12 was French/Italian Fusion . Joining teacher Christina Terriquez in the kitchen were Cheryl, Chris, Melissa, Tina and Vanessa.

Clockwise from top: Polenta, Roasted Summer Squash and Roasted Mushroom Napoleon with Mama Mia Red Sauce, French Lentils with Miripoix, Garlic and Bay Leaves, Blanched Greens with Pumpkin Seed Pesto, and Carrot Umeboshi Pickles

Our menu for the evening:

Italian Herbed Onion Soup

Fresh Green Salad with Cucumbers, Red Radishes and Raspberry Poppyseed Viniagrette

Polenta, Roasted Zucchini and Roasted Mushroom Napoleans with Mama Mia Red Sauce

French Lentils with Miripoix, Garlic and Bay Leaves

Blanched Greens with Pumpkin Seed Pesto

Carrot Umeboshi Pickles

Tina, showing off her plate, says, "You know you want it."

NE Take Over of Casa Review - July 8

We had a spicy, healthy Tex Mex meal at Casa de Luz, on Sunday, July 8. Joining teacher Christina Terriquez in the kitchen were Betty, Brooke, Chris, Maria, and Melissa.

Clockwise from top: Parsley-Cilantro Brown Rice and Black Bean Salad with Lime, Cilanto, Corn and Red Onion Timbal with Avocado and Fresh Mango Salsa, Ruby Sauerkraut, Cumin Sautéed Cabbage and Calabcita Style Summer Squash with Mexican Oregano and Coriander

Our menu for the evening:

Spiced Kabocha and Sweet Potato Soup

Fresh Green Salad with Lime Vinagrette

Parsley-Cilantro Brown Rice and Black Bean Salad with Lime, Cilanto, Corn and Red Onion Timbal with Avocado and Fresh Mango Salsa

Calabasita Style Summer Squash with Mexican Oregano and Coriander

Cumin Sautéed Cabbage

Ruby Sauerkraut

NE takes over Casa de Luz Sunday, July 8

On the second Sunday of every month, five students from the Natural Epicurean Academy of Arts prepare dinner for the patrons of Casa de Luz. This month, Natural Epicurean teacher Christina will be leading the kitchen.

This month we’ve got a light, summery Tex-Mex menu planned:

Spiced Sweet Potato Soup
Black Bean Salad
Cilantro Lime Rice
Fresh Greens with Cucumber and Lime Vinaigrette
Cabbage Sautéed with Cumin Seeds
Summer Squash
Fresh Fruit Salsa

As always we strive for as much seasonal, organic produce as possible. Although our menus are planned in regard to the seasons, sometimes the produce just isn't available and substitutions are required.

NE Takes Over Casa de Luz
Sunday, July 8
6:00-8:30
$12 for adults includes meal, hot or cool tea and filtered water
1701 Toomey Rd.
Austin, TX 78704

NE Take Over of Casa Review - Mother's Day

Sautéed Carrot, Yellow and Green Summer Squash, and Red Onion with Coriander and Mustard Seeds

This post is a little late, but the pictures were just too gorgeous to not post. We prepared a lovely Mother's Day meal with a middle eastern slant. Marie, Brooke, and Naomi were in the kitchen with Christina Terriquez leading.

Clockwise from top left: Millet Tabbouleh, Carrot Garlic Mint Pickle, Curried Chickpeas, Blanched Greens with Walnut Pomegranate Sauce and Sautéed Carrot, Summer Squash, and Red Onion with Coriander and Mustard Seeds

Our menu for the evening:
Red Lentil Dahl
Millet Tabbouleh
Curried Chickpeas
Blanched Greens with Walnut Pomegranate Sauce
Fresh Salad with Lemon Dill Vinaigrette
Sautéed Carrot, Summer Squash, and Red Onion with Coriander and Mustard Seeds
Carrot Garlic Mint Pickle

Up close and personal with the Millet Tabbouleh

This photo's a bit dark, but I think it kind of highlights the sensuality and textural variety of the tangy, creamy, pomegranate walnut sauce, the sautéed vegetables, and the spiced chickpeas.

NE Take Over of Casa Review

Grating ginger for the Orange Gingered Carrots.

We had a great time cooking at Casa de Luz, on Sunday, June 10. Joining teacher Christina Terriquez in the kitchen were Amanda, Chris, Maria, Vanessa, Cheryl, and Melissa.

Clockwise from top left: Quinoa, Amaranth and Corn Timbal with Apple Braised Beets, Tempeh Stuffed Spelt Crepes with Kabocha Sauce, Orange Gingered Carrots, Umeboshi Lemon and Onion Pickles, and Sautéed Greens with Lemon and Poppyseeds.

Our menu for the evening:
Herbed Onion Soup
Fresh Green Salad with Cucumbers, Red Radishes and Herbed Green Goddess Dressing
Orange Gingered Carrots
Umeboshi Lemon and Onion Pickles
Sautéed Greens with Lemon and Poppyseeds
Quinoa, Amaranth and Corn Timbal with Apple Braised Beets
Tempeh Stuffed Spelt Crepes with Kabocha Sauce

Students wash and cut vegetables.

Apples take on the rich color of beets, while the beets are sweetened by the apples as they braise together.
Browning tempeh in a giant cast iron skillet.
Sample plate at the end of the night, before it reaches a customer.

NE Takes Over Casa de Luz June 10

On the second Sunday of every month, five students from the Natural Epicurean Academy of Arts prepare dinner for the patrons of Casa de Luz. This month, Natural Epicurean teacher Christina will be leading the kitchen.

June's (tentative) Menu is:
Herbed Onion Soup
Fresh Green Salad
Orange Gingered Carrots
Sautéed Greens with Lemon and Poppy Seeds
Quinoa, Amaranth and Corn with Braised Apples and Beets
Tempeh with Bechamel Sauce

As always we strive for as much seasonal, organic produce as possible. Although our menus are planned in regard to the seasons, sometimes the produce just isn't available and substitutions are required.

NE Takes Over Casa de Luz
Sunday, June 10th
6:00-8:30
$12 for adults includes meal, hot or cool tea and filtered water
1701 Toomey Rd.
Austin, TX 78704

Natural Epicurean Takes over Casa de Luz!

Celebrate Mother's Day with us!

On the second Sunday of every month, five students from the Natural Epicurean Academy of Arts prepare dinner for the patrons of Casa de Luz. Christina Terriquez will be leading the kitchen and creating delicious dishes in Casa's kitchen.

May's (tentative) Menu is:
Red Lentil Dahl
Millet Tabbouleh
Curried Chickpeas
Blanched Greens with Walnut Pomegranate Sauce
Fresh Salad with Lemon Dill Vinaigrette
Golden Cauliflower and Sweet Potatoes OR Spiced Summer Squash

As always we strive for as much seasonal, organic produce as possible. Although our menus are planned in regard to the seasons, sometimes the produce just isn't available and substitutions are required.

NE Takes Over Casa de Luz
Sunday, May 13th
6:00-8:30
$12 for adults includes meal, hot or cool tea and filtered water
1701 Toomey Rd. Austin, TX 78704

NE and Chef Marko Ellinger take over Casa de Luz

Chef Marko making magic with fresh fennel at Casa de Luz.

On the second Sunday of every month, five students from the Natural Epicurean Academy of Arts prepare dinner for the patrons of Casa de Luz. This month we have a special treat in the form of Chef Marko Ellinger. He will be leading the kitchen and creating delicious dishes in Casa's kitchen.

March's Menu is:
Butternut Bisque
Sprouted Quesadillas with Blue Corn Tortillas
Polenta Cakes with Millet and Garnet Yams
Minted Cucumber Cups on Field Greens
Braised Dinosaur Kale with Pickled Purple Cabbage and Cherry Umeboshi Splash

As always we strive for as much seasonal, organic produce as possible. Although our menus are planned in regard to the seasons, sometimes the produce just isn't available and substitutions are required.

NE Takes Over Casa de Luz
Sunday, March 11th
6:00-8:30
$12 for adults includes meal, hot or cool tea and filtered water
1701 Toomey Rd. Austin, TX 78704

January 14, The Natural Epicurean Takes Over Casa de Luz

On the second Sunday of every month, five students from the Natural Epicurean Academy of Arts prepare dinner for the patrons of Casa de Luz. This is picture of Lindsey blanching vegetables at Casa in December.

To kick off the new year, we will be serving a slightly more sophisticated menu.

January's menu will include:
Tempeh Marsala with Mushroom Medley
Millet Mash
Tamari Thyme Glazed Sweet Potatoes
Fresh Green Salad with Garlic Dill Vinagrette
Green Beans Almondine
-or-
Blanched Greens with Miso Pecan Sauce (if organic green beans are unavailable)

As always we strive for as much organic produce as possible, and the Marsala will be organic.

NE Takes Over Casa de Luz
Sunday, January 14th
6:00-8:30
$12 all you care to eat for adults includes hot or cool tea and filtered water
1701 Toomey Rd. Austin, TX 78704

NE takes over Casa de Luz December 9th

On the second Sunday of every month, five students from the Natural Epicurean Academy of Arts prepare dinner for the patrons of Casa de Luz. Above is a picture of the lovely ladies who cooked in Casa in November.

This month's menu will be:
Creamy Broccoli Soup
Nishime-Style Cauliflower, Onion, And Daikon with Mochi
Adzuki Beans
Double Sesame Rice
Dandelion Green Salad with Raspberry Poppy Seed Dressing
Steamed Greens with Ume Pumpkin Seed Dressing


NE Takes Over Casa de Luz
Sunday, December 9th
6:00-8:30
$12 all you care to eat for adults includes hot or cool tea and filtered water
1701 Toomey Rd. Austin, TX 78704

NE takes over Casa de Luz November 12

On the second Sunday of every month, five students from the Natural Epicurean Academy of Arts prepare dinner for the patrons of Casa de Luz.

This month's menu will be:
French Onion Soup with Croutons
Black Soybean Rice

Fresh Salad with Tahini Ginger Dressing

Blanched Hardy Greens with Radicchio and Hemp Dressing
Winter Squash Nishime with Toasted Almonds
Homemade Sauerkraut

Come out and see us!

NE Takes Over Casa de Luz
Sunday, November 12
6:00-8:30
$12 all you care to eat for adults includes hot or cool tea and filtered water
1701 Toomey Rd.
Austin, TX 78704

NE Students Takeover Casa de Luz-October

This Sunday, October 8th, five Natural Epicurean students will "takeover" the Casa de Luz kitchen for the dinner shift and prepare dinner for the patrons. Join us from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm.

Dawn Pallavi has chosen the menu which will include:
Japanese Noodle Bowl with Tempeh and Carrot Flowers
Vegan Sushi (Nori hand rolls)
Asian Slaw
Kinpira (Japanese Sauteed and Simmered Root Vegetables)

Dawn will be leading the kitchen with Rosa Vera, who recently returned to Austin from traveling, opening restaurants, and hiking in Hawaii and California.

Remember, NE cooks in Casa de Luz's kitchen the second Sunday of every month, so you'll have plently of chances to catch us. October will be our fifth Casa takeover.

For more information about Casa de Luz Restaurant, check out www.casadeluz.org.