Upcoming Live Classes
Fancy Caramel Apples
Have you always wanted to learn how to make fancy caramel apples? This class is for you!
I’ll teach you the tips and tricks to making the perfect caramel for dipping your apples, then show you how to get fancy with all the goodies! Plus, I’ll teach you how to make a caramel apple board for your next shindig!
$35 per screen
AARP Free Class
Join us in the kitchen to prepare Turkey Cutlets with Cranberry Currant Sauce & Roasted Sweet Potato Spears.
About the Event
Professional chef Christine Van Bloem has been teaching cooking classes for the past 20+ years, and she can’t wait to get cooking with you! After a heart attack, she mastered a new approach, keeping food tasty but making it healthier. This month, we'll learn how to prepare three healthy brunch recipes: Lemon-Roasted Asparagus with Crispy Prosciutto and Poached Eggs, Blender Hollandaise and Favorite Granola.
Feel free to cook along with us or sit back and watch the fun. Bring your questions and leave with easy-to-follow heart-healthy recipes. In the meantime, you can download a list of ingredients to have on hand.
How to Join
Sign in to your AARP.org account or create an account to register for events. AARP membership is not required. You will receive an email with the Zoom link before class.
Contact AARP Maryland at mdaarp@aarp.org for more information about this event.
AARP Free Class
Join us in the kitchen to prepare Pork Tenderloin Medallions Dijon, Roasted Delicata Squash, & Salad with Pears and Maple Vinaigrette.
About the Event
Professional chef Christine Van Bloem has been teaching cooking classes for the past 20+ years, and she can’t wait to get cooking with you! After a heart attack, she mastered a new approach, keeping food tasty but making it healthier.
Feel free to cook along with us or sit back and watch the fun. Bring your questions and leave with easy-to-follow heart-healthy recipes. In the meantime, you can download a list of ingredients to have on hand.
How to Join
Sign in to your AARP.org account or create an account to register for events. AARP membership is not required. You will receive an email with the Zoom link before class.
Contact AARP Maryland at mdaarp@aarp.org for more information about this event.
Cooking with Whole Grains
Dive into the world of wholesome, hearty grains in this fun online cooking class. In this hands-on session, you'll explore the nutritional benefits and delicious versatility of whole grains.
Menu includes:
Barley Risotto: Discover how to create a creamy, comforting risotto using nutrient-packed barley. Learn techniques to achieve a perfect texture and flavor balance, transforming this ancient grain into a modern culinary delight.
Farro Bowl with Caramelized Fall Vegetables: Master the art of crispy tofu and pair it with sweet, caramelized vegetables for a satisfying, plant-based meal. We’ll cover tips for achieving that perfect crunch and rich, flavorful vegetables that elevate this bowl to a new level.
Overnight Oats: Start your day with a nutritious, no-fuss breakfast. We’ll show you how to prepare creamy, flavorful overnight oats with a variety of mix-ins and toppings to suit your taste.
Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting out, this class offers practical skills and tasty recipes to incorporate whole grains into your daily diet. Join us to enhance your cooking repertoire and embrace the wholesome goodness of barley, farro, and oats!
About the Event
Professional chef Christine Van Bloem has been teaching cooking classes for the past 20+ years, and she can’t wait to get cooking with you! After a heart attack, she mastered a new approach, keeping food tasty but a little bit healthier.
$35
Risotto: Taste of Fall
Fall is coming, and with it, the want to settle in and eat comfort food. We're upping the ante though, you will learn how to make perfect risotto at home, sear scallops, create a salad perfect for the cool weather, and of course, a bit of dessert too. Menu includes:
Butternut Squash Risotto
Perfectly Seared Scallops
Arugula Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
Apple Crisp for One
$35/screen
Professional chef Christine Van Bloem has been teaching cooking for the past 20+ years, and can’t wait to get cooking with you! After a heart attack, she has mastered a new approach, keeping food tasty but healthier. You can cook with us or sit back and watch the fun. Bring your questions and leave with easy-to-follow recipes.
AARP Free Class
Join us in the kitchen to prepare Crispy Oven-Fried Chicken, Panzanella, & Chocolate Chip Cake for Two.
About the Event
Professional chef Christine Van Bloem has been teaching cooking classes for the past 20+ years, and she can’t wait to get cooking with you! After a heart attack, she mastered a new approach, keeping food tasty but making it healthier. This month, we'll learn how to prepare three healthy brunch recipes: Lemon-Roasted Asparagus with Crispy Prosciutto and Poached Eggs, Blender Hollandaise and Favorite Granola.
Feel free to cook along with us or sit back and watch the fun. Bring your questions and leave with easy-to-follow heart-healthy recipes. In the meantime, you can download a list of ingredients to have on hand.
How to Join
Sign in to your AARP.org account or create an account to register for events. AARP membership is not required. You will receive an email with the Zoom link before class.
Contact AARP Maryland at mdaarp@aarp.org for more information about this event.
FREE Class: AARP August 2024
AARP Maryland's virtual classes on healthy living will continue in 2024! We offer FREE virtual cooking classes monthly that walk through easy and nutritious recipes with Frederick-based chef Christine Van Bloem.
Professional chef Christine Van Bloem has been teaching cooking for the past 20+ years, and can’t wait to get cooking with you! After a heart attack, she has mastered a new approach, keeping food tasty but healthier. You can cook with us or sit back and watch the fun. Bring your questions and leave with easy-to-follow recipes.
This month, we’re preparing:
Marinated Skirt (or Hanger) Steak
Couscous Salad
Lemon Mousse
Cooking Class and Q&A with Chef Christine
Remaining 2024 schedule is below:
Saturday, August 3, 2024, register here
Saturday, September 7, 2024, register here
Saturday, October 5, 2024, register here
Saturday, November 2, 2024, register here
Saturday, December 7, 2024, register here
FREE Class: The World's Best Chocolate Chip Cookie
Your support during the Favorite Chef contest was overwhelming, so I wanted to say thank you the best way I can: by sharing my beloved chocolate chip cookie recipe!
We'll be baking the cookies together, live, in this fun session. No registration necessary; just show up! The recipe will be posted on the Empty Nest Kitchen website sometime after the class.
If you're not on the email list, join now! I'll keep you up to date on upcoming events, plus you'll receive a copy of my Top Ten Tools guide. It's super helpful and totally free! You can sign up here.
AARP June Class
Join us in the kitchen with Chef Christine Van Bloem to prepare Greek Chicken Meatballs and Citrus Olive Oil Cake in this free class.
Brunch Class
Turn a few simple eggs into a lovely brunch, bright with flavor and perfect for spring with Chef Christine Van Bloem of the Empty Nest Kitchen. You’ll learn how to perfectly poach eggs, whip up a no-hassle hollandaise, and have fluffy, lemony pancakes with their very own blueberry topping. Menu includes:
• Asparagus with Poached Eggs and Crispy Prosciutto
• Blender Hollandaise
• Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes with Blueberry Compote
Free Class
AARP May Class
Join us in the kitchen with Chef Christine Van Bloem to prepare a couple of healthy southwestern-inspired recipes including Spice-Rubbed Pork Tenderloin Fajitas and Cowboy Caviar in this free class.
Artisan Pizza at Home
You don’t need to wait for Friday night to have pizza night! In this class, you’ll learn how to prepare a simple pizza dough from scratch, then the tips and trick you need to turn out deliciously crusty pizza from your own home oven.
AARP Free Class
Join us in the kitchen to prepare Granola and Lemon-Roasted Asparagus with Crispy Prosciutto and Poached Eggs.
About the Event
Professional chef Christine Van Bloem has been teaching cooking classes for the past 20+ years, and she can’t wait to get cooking with you! After a heart attack, she mastered a new approach, keeping food tasty but making it healthier. This month, we'll learn how to prepare three healthy brunch recipes: Lemon-Roasted Asparagus with Crispy Prosciutto and Poached Eggs, Blender Hollandaise and Favorite Granola.
Feel free to cook along with us or sit back and watch the fun. Bring your questions and leave with easy-to-follow heart-healthy recipes. In the meantime, you can download a list of ingredients to have on hand.
How to Join
Sign in to your AARP.org account or create an account to register for events. AARP membership is not required. You will receive an email with the Zoom link before class.
Contact AARP Maryland at mdaarp@aarp.org for more information about this event.
Sunday Supper: Biscuits & Brunch
Perfect your biscuits and up your game this Easter with tried and true recipes with a new spin sure to impress, even if it's just yourself! You'll be preparing:
Homestyle Biscuits with Whipped Maple Butter
Whole Roasted Carrots with Burrata
Lemony White Bean Salad
When class is done, dinner is ready!
$35 per screen
Register here.
Sunday Supper: Celebrating St. Paddy's
If your green beer drinkin' days are behind you, you can still celebrate St. Paddy's with a lightened up menu that will have you cookin' up a storm. Menu includes:
Spring Vegetable Pot Pies
Orange-Avocado Salad with Buttermilk Dressing
Stout Cake with Vanilla-Whipped Cream
When class is done, dinner is ready!
$35/per screen
Register here.
Sunday Supper-Feeling Tropical
Even in the dark last days of winter, you need something to brighten your mood and taste light and delicious. This tasty tropical-esque menu features dishes that will make you feel like putting on that Hawaiian shirt and flip flops. Menu includes:
BBQ Roasted Salmon w/Mango-Avocado Salsa
Coconut Rice
Sweet & Savory Black Beans
Key Lime Cracker Pie
When class is done, dinner is ready!
$35 per screen
Register here.
Sunday Supper: Italian
Forget the Sunday scaries. Introducing the first class in my March Sunday Supper series. We're kicking things off with something fun and delicious. We'll be preparing:
Italian Chicken Bundles
Apple-Fennel salad
Citrus Olive Oil cake
When class is over, dinner is ready!
$35 per screen
Register here.
AARP March Class
Looking to try a FREE class? Join me on 3/2 at 11am as I whip out the air fryer for some honey-mustard salmon AND show you how to make the ultimate crispy potatoes from your oven (really, you'll think they're fried!)!
Register here.
Chocolate Two Ways: Mousse & Truffles
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with chocolate! In this virtual class, we’re working with chocolate to create rustic chocolate truffles and a decadent chocolate mousse. Whether you're cooking with your sweetie or your bestie, it’s going to be delicious!
Register here. Class materials will be emailed immediately after registration. Please check your junk mail!
$35 per screen
Frederick Social Demonstration Class: Creating Quick, Healthy, & Delectable Dishes
Join me at the always hip & cool Frederick Social for this fun and healthy class, perfect to kick-off your January! Menu includes generous tasting portions of Butternut Squash Power Bowls (VG), Mediterranean Brussels Sprouts (VG), & Zucchini Frittatas (V). You’re gonna love it!
AARP Free Cooking Class - February 2024
This month, you'll learn how to prepare Orzo with Beans and Greens, Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Walnuts and Parmesan, and Faux-Caccia in this fun, live class.
Feel free to cook along with us or sit back and watch the fun. Bring your questions and leave with easy-to-follow heart-healthy recipes.
Free; Sponsored by AARP Maryland.
Register here.
Quick & Easy January
Let's keep it easy as the new year kicks off with a meal the entire family will love. Super quick Garlic Parmesan Noodles will become a fast favorite (feel free to add broccoli, peas, spinach, or whatever veggie makes your heart happy), while our Arugula-Pear Salad balances things out with something bright and crisp. You'll also learn how to make individual homemade "faux"caccia in a flash. We'll cap things off with a sweet treat: Cookies & Cream Blondies. I can't wait to cook with you!
$29
