For nearly 70 years, the country we know as Vietnam was under French rule as part of French Indochina. So it makes sense that Vietnamese food is an interesting blend of traditional Asian cooking and French flavors; it was "Asian fusion" way before a savvy marketer thought up that term. Central Market offers a peek into this Eastern cuisine with The Vietnamese Kitchen, a hands-on class taught in the store's popular cooking school. Attendees will learn how to make summer rolls with shrimp and mint, green papaya salad, lemongrass beef satay, bahn mi (sub sandwich), pho ga (chicken soup with noodles) and banana-coconut tapioca pudding. The class is 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday at 5750 E. Lovers Lane. Though currently full, call 214-361-5754 or visit centralmarket.com to get on the waiting list.
Thu., March 24, 6:30 p.m., 2011