We’ve all bought the occasional tamale from food carts or at our favorite Mexican restaurant, but have you actually taken the time to make one? Ivy Manning, one of our talented Urban Growth Bounty instructors, breaks down the steps behind an temptingly tasty tamale in her FOODday column in the Oregonian.

Cheesy, beefy, spicy or vegan, Ivy takes us through the process of buying ingredients, beating the dough, preparing the filling, wrapping it all together, steaming and serving a homemade tamale. It is an art really, as can be seen by the stream of photos and slew of recipes accompanying Ivy’s article.

And, if all this tamale talk inspires you to hone your culinary skills, check out Ivy’s upcoming (Nearly) Meatless Monday classes, enjoyed by vegetarians and omnivores alike. 

Monday June 2 from 6- 8pm Ivy will be teaching Summer Salads as a Main Event class. Learn how to make dishes that take advantage of spring seasonal bounty and are refreshing, yet substantial.

A Quick and Delicious class will follow on Monday, June 21 with quick vegetarian and almost-vegetarian meals that can be assembled swiftly, without sacrificing flavor or nutrition. Ivy’s classes are filled with tips, amusing anecdotes and good food. We always end up leaving with a full belly and recipes to impress family and friends! Registration for classes is available online.