Essentials of Persian Cooking

The lush, green Pacific Northwest is famous for its wild salmon, oysters and beers, but that's just the tip of the gastronomic iceberg. Its forests are home to mushrooms and berries that turn up in countless recipes. Cedar planks become grilling beds for fish, meat and vegetables, imparting them with the unmistakable flavor of the Northwest. You will learn how to use these techniques and ingredients to make: Pacific oysters with mignonette; pan seared salmon with crispy skin and blackberry sauce; sautéed mushrooms and herbs; salt-and-vinegar potatoes; and kale, hazelnut and goat cheese salad. You will enjoy those with a selection of wines from the region.

These memorable but easy-to-learn dishes bring winter to the fore, using some of our favorite recipes and ingredients. They'll be the hit of any meal during the cooler days, while still tasting fresh, bright, and ideal for the moment. Everything is seasonal, and everything is delicious! You'll make and then enjoy: creamy cauliflower soup; roasted root vegetable salad with maple-mustard vinaigrette and seared duck breast with port wine reduction.

Let's eat like we're in Italy, from the apps all the way through to a rich dessert! These dishes put you back in that Mediterranean mindset...even if you've never been there. Make and sit down to this warm, comforting Italian banquet of: fried zucchini with Parmesan; veal saltimbocca alla romana; spaghetti carbonara; cavolfiore alla napoletana (cauliflower with raisins and pine nuts).

Master some of the most fragrant and distinct dishes in this country's rich and varied cuisine, emphasizing a riot of toasted spices. You'll learn all about the vegetables, seafood and other featured ingredients, with a range of geographic and climatic origins, from hearty masalas to spicy curries to cooling raitas. We'll assemble a menu of: chana masala (chickpea curry); chicken tikka masala; palak paneer (spinach with paneer cheese); pulao (spiced basmati rice); and cucumber raita.