Couples: French Favorites

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.

Asian cuisine is comforting, flavorful and often fairly simple to prepare. So why order in for Chinese, Korean, Thai or Japanese, when you can create a fabulous Asian meal for two (or more) that's fresh and fulfilling? Come to ICE to learn these cornerstones of Asian cuisine, including: spareribs with black bean sauce; vegetable potstickers; pad thai; and green papaya salad.

Before heading out to your local sushi bar for your next date night, come to ICE to learn how to create your own sushi and sake bar at home. Together, you'll start by learning the basics of how to make the foundation of all sushi: delicious, seasoned rice. You'll then create a variety of sushi accoutrements, along with vegetables and raw fish. Finally, you'll learn to make traditional hand rolls, maki, futomaki, and nigiri, before sitting down to eat with a refreshing glass of Japanese sake or a cucumber-sake cooler.

This class is for the serious food enthusiast! ICE Boot Camps give you the opportunity to learn how to cook like the pros. This four-day Boot Camp focuses on classic cooking techniques, to give you the foundations that will make you a better cook. On day one, you will learn how to properly sauté meats, vegetables and potatoes and look for the signs of "doneness." Pan sauces will also be covered. On day two, we will focus on grilling. You will learn the methods for grilling a variety of meats and why specific cuts and types of meat are best suited for this cooking method. Best practices for grilling various vegetables will also be taught, along with the art of marinades. On day three we will cover roasting techniques for various types of meats and veggies. You will also learn the simple pleasures of preparing reduction sauces. On the final day, we will cover moist-heat cooking methods. The topics will be braising as well as poaching and steaming to create delicious results. These gentle cooking methods result in moist and delicious meats as well as fish, shellfish and vegetables.