Greetings from Oakland! Welcome to all my new friends and thanks to those who joined me for my first season of Zoom cooking classes this Winter. I’m delighted to present four new menus to celebrate Easter, Mother’s Day, and the longer days of Spring. My classes are fun and they’re packed with time-saving tips and professional culinary techniques that enhance the enjoyment of cooking. Each demonstration runs between 60 and 90 minutes and features two recipes geared to home cooks. (Please note, these are not cook-along classes.) The fee for each class is $39—or all four classes for $150. I’d love to have you join me in the kitchen. —Linda

Italian Easter — Wednesday, March 31 or Saturday, April 3 — 10 a.m. PT

• Stuffed Eggs with Toasted Walnuts and Grana Padano
  • Asparagus Lasagne with Béchamel and Fontina

Do you love deviled eggs, but hate dealing with impossible-to-peel egg shells? Rest assured, there’s a new easy-peel way to “hard-boil” eggs that guarantees fluffy yolks, tender and firm whites, and no ugly blue-gray ring around the yolk. Even if you’re not dyeing dozens for Easter, you’ll love this way to make hard-cooked eggs—with an Italian spin on traditional deviled eggs. As for the centerpiece of my Easter table, I have just a few things to say: Asparagus Lasagne is one of my top ten favorite recipes. People go crazy over this lasagne. I bet you will, too.

Gaggle of Greens — Thursday, April 15 or Saturday, April 17 — 10 a.m. PT

• Cornmeal-Crusted Galette with Leeks and Wilted Greens
  • Lentil Salad with Roasted Red Peppers, Feta, and Olives

This open-faced savory tart starts with a heap of leafy greens—Swiss chard, arugula, dandelion greens, and more. After a quick sauté, they’re enveloped in an absolute gem of a crust made from a foolproof dough that’s a cinch to work with. While the galette bakes, I’ll  show you some versatile shortcuts for preparing a healthy, easy-to-make side salad that can double as a satisfying lunch on its own. 

Mother’s Day Menu — Thursday, April 29 or Saturday, May 1 — 10 a.m. PT

• Apricot-Stuffed Chicken Thighs
  • Lemon-Mint Couscous with Pistachios
  • Bonus: Eton Mess (strawberries meet whipped cream and crumbled meringues) 

It’s strawberry season…and that means it’s time for Eton Mess. Never heard of Eton Mess? This creamy, crunchy, strawberry-laced concoction is so easy to assemble that it barely requires a recipe. Before I show you how it’s made, I’ll turn you on to a delicious new recipe for baked chicken thighs, accompanied by a simply terrific couscous. This company-worthy menu (hope springs eternal) is special enough to serve on Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 9) and easy enough to prepare for dinner any night of the week.

Made Famous on “Top Chef”: Gnudi — Thursday, May 20 or Saturday, May 22 — 10am PT

• Spinach and Ricotta Gnudi
  • Ten-Minute Tomato Sauce

If you’re a fan of “Top Chef” you’ve no doubt watched several contestants prepare gnudi for the Quick-Fire Challenge—much to the delight of the judges. Pronounced NOO-dee, these delicate spinach and ricotta dumplings are like ravioli minus the pasta casing. Irresistible. They can be a challenge to make, but I’ve recently learned a clever technique that makes the recipe foolproof enough for a beginner cook to prepare at home. I like to serve gnudi with a quick, light tomato sauce that I learned to make in Sicily. It’s versatile enough to toss with pasta, layer and bake with eggplant, or spread on homemade pizza dough. Buon appetito!

To register for a class: 

• The fee for each demonstration class is $39 per household (all on one device, please) or four classes (or households) for $150. Email me at lindacarucci@gmail.com to tell me the date/s and title/s of the class/es you’d like to take and whether you’d prefer to pay by Venmo or check.
• When I confirm your registration, I’ll let you know how to remit your payment. 
• After your payment is received, I’ll email you the recipes and the Zoom login information.

This May Be of Interest, Also:

• Would you like to plan a team-building cooking class for co-workers or a special occasion celebration for family and friends? I offer private Zoom events in your choice of a demonstration or cook-along format—an unforgettable way to celebrate a birthday or significant achievement. For details and sample menus, click on Classes & Events at CookingSchoolSecrets.com
• Need a distinctive gift for a co-worker, friend, or family member? Gift certificates are available. 
• Personalized, autographed copies of my cookbook Cooking School Secrets for Real World Cooks are available for $30 (includes shipping).