Course Overview

You’re gonna want to stock up on olive oil for this delectable look into the secret techniques of Mediterranean cooking! This cuisine is celebrated for its freshness, flavor, and health benefits. Studies show that this oil-abundant diet can reduce risks of heart disease and prevent diabetes and certain cancers. Across 16 vibrant lessons, you will discover how to revitalize your culinary repertoire and benefit from a Mediterranean diet by preparing classic regional dishes in your own kitchen.

Presented by Bill Briwa, a renowned chef-instructor from the Culinary Institute of America, this course is packed with demonstrations of techniques and signature dishes that showcase the flavors and healthiness of Mediterranean cuisine. You’ll learn that this approach is not merely a temporary diet, but a delightful way of life.

Course Lessons

1. Tastes of the Mediterranean

Start exploring Mediterranean cooking by preparing small dishes such as pinchos morunos, brandade of salt cod, and dolmas stuffed with rice.

Duration: 34 min

2. Butter and Cheese: Northern Italy

Turn your attention to northern Italy with ricotta gnocchi, vitello tonnato, and tiramisu, plus a quick hors d’oeuvre using leftover ricotta.

Duration: 34 min

3. Classical Italian Cuisine: Central Italy

Learn to make pasta from scratch for a savory pappardelle with ragù Bolognese, accompanied by a salad of bitter greens and stracciatelle soup.

Duration: 35 min

4. Bounty from the Sea: Southern Italy

Explore dishes from Italy’s coastal regions, including an African-inspired caponata with seared tuna and authentic Neapolitan pizza, topped off with coffee granita.

Duration: 35 min

5. The Everyday Joys of Olive Oil

Discover the versatility of olive oil through various recipes, from a salt-crusted branzino to tomato soup and a chocolate dessert.

Duration: 34 min

6. Paella: The Landscape of Spain in a Pan

Learn to cook paella, Spain’s iconic dish, and accompany it with a marinated olive appetizer and a roasted salad called escalivada.

Duration: 35 min

7. A Spanish Tradition: Tapas and Sherry

Explore Spanish tapas culture, making dishes like bartender’s chorizo and learning how to craft small plates to accompany sherry.

Duration: 35 min

8. Tunisia – The Home of Harissa

Dive into Tunisia and create mezze-style dishes, including harissa-spiced brik, a Tunisian tagine, and a chakchouka featuring merguez sausage.

Duration: 35 min

9. Technique and Polish: Mastering Moroccan Food

Explore distinct Moroccan flavors while preparing mezze, a seven-vegetable couscous, and bisteeya, a savory pastry made with chicken.

Duration: 36 min

10. Health and Wellness – A Mediterranean Diet

Discover the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet by making fava with tomato-braised capers, North African salmon tagine, and a refreshing date and orange salad.

Duration: 34 min

11. Sharing Abundance: The Cuisine of Greece

Experience a typical Greek Sunday dinner with roasted chicken, horta, and orzo pasta salad, along with avgolemeno soup and saganaki.

Duration: 35 min

12. Tastes from the Palace Kitchens of Istanbul

Learn about Turkey’s culinary influences as you create dishes like hot yogurt soup, rice-stuffed vegetables, and hunkar begendi.

Duration: 34 min

13. A Favorite Street Food from the East

Prepare Eastern Mediterranean street food, including falafel, labne salads, and tabbouleh made with bulgur wheat.

Duration: 35 min

14. Foundations from the South of France

Discover the culinary landscape of Provence, featuring herbes de Provence and dishes like a Provençal vegetable mélange and lamb with olive tapenade.

Duration: 35 min

15. Fresh Catch: Seafood of the French Riviera

Learn to prepare bouillabaisse, a traditional seafood dish from the French Riviera, alongside a fresh accompaniment salad.

Duration: 36 min

16. Bringing the Mediterranean Home

Apply what you’ve learned to enhance your cooking with olive oil at breakfast, revisit recipes, and discover new ways to enjoy Mediterranean flavors.

Duration: 38 min