DeKALB – Jo Cessna, KishHealth System healthy culinary instructor, introduces a variety of topics to improve kitchen skills in Ingredients For Healthy Living, a four-part series of classes.

The topics are Getting Started: Learn about key kitchen elements including kitchen tools and language, basic ingredients and how to build a natural shopping list; Perfect Produce: Learn to select and care for produce, simple knife skills and basic techniques to cook any vegetable without a recipe; Spices and Herbs: Learn about spice blends and purchasing, storing and drying essential spices and herbs. Make your own convenience items like taco seasoning, breading and more; and Fortify Your Fridge: Learn simple techniques to fill your fridge once per week and still create wonderful breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

Recipes and tastings are provided. Sessions meet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 16, Feb. 6, March 20 and April 24 in the Hy-Vee Club Room. A repeat of this series is offered from 10 a.m. to noon on Jan. 17, Feb. 7, March 21 and April 25.