ArtNight Art Contest Winners: Ages 13-18

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This year, we asked young artists in our city to create a work of art that was inspired by illustrations found in children’s literature. Winners were announced on March 8, 2024, and their artwork was displayed in the new art gallery at Jefferson Branch Library through the end of the […]

Pasadena Loves YA 2023

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Pasadena Loves YA book festival returned to the Pasadena Public Library on Saturday, September 23 at our newest library location, Jefferson Branch Library. The festival hosted 17 Young Adult authors and presented a series of panels and book signings. Guests received a free tote bag and Vroman’s Bookstore held a […]

Bubble Tea a.k.a. Boba Milk Tea

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Welcome to Out of the Pantry. We’re making bubble tea, also known as boba milk tea. We’ll be making it from scratch. It is a very simple recipe, though it does take quite a long time because there’s a lot of wait time. My name is Jane Gov, from the […]

Out of the Pantry: Yaki Udon

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Welcome to Out of the Pantry. Today we are making Yaki udon to celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. What is udon?  Udon is chewy Japanese noodles made from wheat flour, water, and salt. It is typically served in a simple dashi-based broth and is thicker than buckwheat soba […]

Out of the Pantry: Soft Pretzels

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April is National Soft Pretzel Month! Today you are going to learn how to use a baking soda bath for baking and will learn how to make and shape soft pretzels. The baking soda bath method is not the traditional way of making soft pretzels; traditional soft pretzels usually require a […]

Out of the Pantry: Calas

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In celebration of Black History Month, we are making and learning about calas rice fritters. Calas are similar to beignets in preparation and taste. They are usually made of leftover rice with sugary egg batter, then friend and dusted with powdered sugar. “Calas” is from the Nupe word ‘kárá’ meaning […]

Out of the Pantry: Fresh Pasta

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In this lesson, we are making fresh handmade pasta with a sweet corn lemon sauce. This lesson will take about 2-3 hours, so I recommend setting aside a long afternoon to complete the recipe. Take your time in rolling and shaping your pasta. Share the experience with family or friends. […]

Bookmark Drawing Contest

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We’re pleased to announce the winners of the 2021 Bookmark Drawing Contest. Artists were challenged to submit a black and white drawing for a “coloring page” in the size of a bookmark. Thanks to everyone who voted including our staff and community members.  We received some truly beautiful submissions. The […]

Out of the Pantry: Pumpkin Empanadas

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We’re celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month! We’re learning about empanadas and how to make pastry dough from scratch. This dough technique (cutting cold butter into flour) is similar to making pie crusts, biscuits, scones, pasties, turnover dough, and other pastries. This process creates tiny air pockets (the butter) in your dough, […]

Out of the Pantry: Mac and cheese pizza

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In this lesson, participants learn to activate yeast, roll out and bake pizza dough, plus make a very simple mac and cheese with roasted red peppers — all using pantry items.     Mac and Cheese Pizza Yields two 10-inch pizzas   Ingredients:  1/2 box Elbow pasta 8 oz Velveeta […]