In this class, we start by answering the question “what is the Mediterranean Diet?” The Mediterranean diet is about what the cuisines surrounding the Mediterranean Sea have in common: a daily emphasis on vegetables and fruits, beans and lentils, whole grains, more seafood than meat and poultry, and heart-healthy olive oil. With all of the countries in the Mediterranean, this means that there isn’t a single “diet” that encompasses the entire Mediterranean region—the spice-laden dishes of Morocco bear little resemblance to the lemon and caper-laced cuisine of southern Italy. The one commonality is good flavor. You’ll learn how to shop for the Mediterranean Diet and how to craft a meze platter, then you’ll apply the techniques you’ve learned to prepare hummus, tabbouleh, stuffed grape leaves, sizzling garlic shrimp, and pan-fried halloumi recipes.