Luscious and Lean Vegetarian: Summer Dishes

Treasures abound in Italy's Piemonte region. This gorgeous tasting canvasses the landscape by highlighting some of its gems, centering on the region's tasty Nebbiolos, including Barolo and Barbaresco. But the region has so much more to offer too, with grape varieties like Roero Arneis, Barbera, Dolcetto and more. Floral, earthy, red fruit with leather---these wines range from rustic to elegantly regal. ICE's resident sommelier, Richard Vayda, guides your tour of this region's wine delights. The tasting will include at least 8 wines accompanied by some appropriately refined cheeses and other treats.

Italy produces wine from hundreds of different grape varieties, making its wine varied and engaging, yet perhaps a bit hard to grasp. This tasting concentrates on the wines from Toscana, Italy's third-largest quality wine-producing region. Although many of the wines are Sangiovese-based, the distinctive terroirs and other cultivated varieties offer a diverse tasting opportunity, ranging from some tasty whites to Old World and even international-style reds, topping off with traditional sweet. ICE's resident sommelier, Richard Vayda, will also discuss Tuscan wine history and Italian wine labeling. Regional cheeses will accompany the eight or more wines featured in the tasting.

Bordeaux means history, elegance, grandeur...and superb classic wines. This class explores the riches of the varied wines from this fabled region. That's why Richard Vayda, ICE's resident sommelier, has scoured the ICE cellar to put together a special tasting, covering multiple subregions and including Cru Classé wines. We'll discuss the area's history, geography, wine regulations and production, all while sipping these special samples --- accompanied by some fitting nibbles. We'll taste at least nine wines, plus matching cheeses.

Ayurveda is the world's oldest form of natural healing and health. Its basic premise is that there exists an innate intelligence in our body and mind to be balanced and healthy. Ayurveda offers a knowledge of life with down-to-earth practices to keep this intelligence alive and well during our lifetime. In this two-day weekend workshop with culinary training, we will learn the fundamental principles of Ayurveda. You will learn about the doshas, the mahabhutas, prakriti - body type, the elements, what is health - balance and imbalance. We will learn the simple practices of Ayurveda to maintain health and live in rhythm with natural laws. We will learn about the six tastes of Ayurveda. We will learn how to correct imbalances in our digestion. On both days, we will be in the kitchen preparing food that balances us. We will create two complete meals, including Roasted Kabocha Squash Soup with Cranberries, Cilantro-Stuffed Paratha, Savory Autumn Vegetable-Paneer Tart, Braised Red Cabbage, Poha (steamed dry rice) with Curry Leaves, Rice Pudding, Orange-Fig Compote in Cardamom Syrup