Food briefs

ON THE SIDE

Play for dinner
The Friends of New Horizons Band in Colorado Springs, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting adult musicians, has printed its favorite recipes in "Fanfare of Flavors." The 235-page cookbook is crammed with recipes, including one for Two-Hour Turkey. There's even a recipe for Flea Free Doggy Biscuits. Cost is $15. Call 634-3428.

Chef classes
Brent Beavers, of Sencha fame, will offer cooking classes at Village at Skyline, 2365 Patriot Heights, where he is chef. Classes are 3 to 5:30 p.m. unless noted. Cost is $35 per person. Gift certificates for the classes are available, too. Call 867-4639; or e-mail Chefbeavers@comcast.net for reservations.
• Dec. 10, 5:30 to 8 p.m. - Pan Asian Food
• Dec. 14 - Desserts Two
• Jan. 18 - All About Soups
• Feb. 4, 5:30 to 8 p.m. - Romantic Food
• Feb. 22 - Italian Classics
• March 15 - Classic Mexican Food
• March 29 - Appetizers

Sweet houses
Prudential Colorado Real Estate, 240 E. U.S. Highway 24 in Woodland Park, will have a Gingerbread House Contest to raise money for Pikes Peak Regional Medical Center Foundation. The contest is open to all ages. Houses are due Dec. 5. Cash prizes for People's Choice, Most Creative, and Kid's Category. Cost is $25 to enter. Call 687-1700 for applications.

Top recipes
Spicemaker McCormick has identified the five most cherished holiday recipes: Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Pecan Crunch, Perfect Turkey Gravy, Red Velvet Cake with Vanilla Cream Frosting, Pecan Cookie Balls and Gingerbread Bars with Cream Cheese Icing. Find them and more at www.mccormick.com. You can download recipes to your cell phone for on-the-go shopping and enter to win a set of spices and a cookbook every week until Dec. 29. Here's the gravy recipe.