WHATEVER the weather, you are guaranteed hot stuff at Littlebredy on Friday 21st August, when cookery writer and teacher Christine McFadden, aka the Dorset Foodie, is running her Cooking with Chillies class.

The one-day session, from 9.15am to 3.30pm, is a must for chilli heads! Participants will be cooking and tasting a fascinating range of chillies – some hot, some not so hot – and learning which is the best type for various dishes.

The day kicks off with a visit to Joy and Michael Michaud’s chilli farm at nearby West Bexington, where the group will learn about different chilli varieties, and taste some of them too!

Then they will return to Littlebredy for a three-hour hands-on cooking session exploring the use of chillies in different cuisines around the world, finishing with a late lunch and well-deserved ice-cold drinks.

Typical recipes for this class include: Jalapeño Corn Bread and Chilli Jam, New Mexican Red Chilli Sauce, Chile Con Carne, Thai-Style Prawn Curry, Chilli Chocolate Salami, Chilli, Mango and Coconut Ice-Cream with Allspice and Strawberry, Chilli and Mint Salsa

If this has stimulated your knowledge of chillies, don’t miss Christine’s Taste of New Mexico class (not to be confused with Mexican cuisine) on 4th September.

This course, which is back by popular demand, gives an in-depth look at the history, and rich and varied ingredients of modern New Mexican cookery, from beans and blue corn to pumpkins and posole.

Typical recipes include: Scallop Ceviche, with Lyme Bay scallops ‘cooked’ in lime juice with tomato, chillies and coriander, Blue Corn Chilli Bread with Roasted Chilli Jam, New Mexican Red Chilli Sauce, Pork Posole and New Mexico’s famous Bizcochitas aniseed biscuits.

To book contact Christine at www.thedorsetfoodie.co.uk or phone on 01308 482784.