Cooking Classes with Rustico Cooking Video Membership

For 15 years (from 2005 to 2020) we held hands-on cooking classes for individuals at our Midtown Manhattan Cooking School, just a few blocks from the Empire State Building. We still offer hands-on cooking parties and events for corporations and groups of 12 or more people at Macy's located at Herald Square on 34th Street in Manhattan. For individuals, we are now offering virtual cooking classes through our video membership site

When you buy a 1-year subscription, you get access to our ever-growing collection of cooking video recipes, eBooks, and articles on techniques and ingredients of the Italian kitchen, so that you can learn whenever it suits your schedule, in the comfort of your kitchen, and at your own pace.



Buy a One-Year Membership

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Membership Benefits

  • One year access to every video lesson
  • Access to all premium site material: recipe pdfs, support materials, in-depth articles about Italian ingredients and techniques, and much more...
  • Opportunity to suggest recipes for future video lessons. Is there a dish you love but can't get right? A technique that has you stumped? Let us know!
  • Five eBooks, including The Best Pasta Sauces Companion Booklet featuring 20 regional pasta sauces
  • Share your progress with us by posting pictures, have us troubleshoot techniques or check on possible ingredients substitutions, and more
  • Bookmark your favorite recipes
  • Jot down your own notes directly on each lesson (eg. "Make this for Lauren's birthday!")

About the Membership Content

Teaching people to cook for almost two decades at our NYC cooking school has given us a unique understanding of what home cooks need to fully grasp a technique, a recipe, a way of cooking. It has also highlighted what mistakes most people make in the kitchen, which are the pitfalls of most easy-on-the-surface recipes for many home cooks, and why people often think cooking is more complicated than it really is.

We designed each of the videos in our online course with one goal: to share our best, tried-and-true, non-fussy recipes so that you can easily replicate them at home, with perfect results every time. Our recipes are the distillation of 20 years of teaching thousands of students Italian cuisine, and the result of even more years of traveling across Italy in search of memorable food.

We want to empower you to cook delicious Italian meals at home as often as possible, with as little fuss as possible, and with a good understanding of why certain things work and why others don’t. Italian food is inherently simple, and highlights good ingredients first and foremost. The recipes we’ll share with you reflect this philosophy.

We deconstruct each recipe so you can easily replicate it at home. We give you the tools you need to cook confidently and try new dishes, because our recipes have been developed with cooks like you in mind and have been tested literally thousands of times.

And we delve into what makes Italian cooking so rich and interesting--its regional nature--by focusing much of our content on specialties from Italy's twenty diverse regions.

Interacting with the Chef

If you've taken a class with us (live or virtual), you know we believe in an interactive learning environment.

In that same vein, our video membership site allows for plenty of interactivity between us: you can request recipes for future videos, share your progress with us, get troubleshooting help, and ask questions that we'll answer promptly to ensure your cooking success. Your questions, along with our answers, will be added to the pertinent lesson, so that everyone can benefit from the additional information.

The Rustico Cooking Video Membership offers the best of both worlds: the interactivity of virtual cooking classes, and complete flexibility to fit your schedule.

Video Recipes Included in Membership

Appetizers

  • Crispy Polenta Fries with Calabrese Chili Dip (2021-01-23)
  • Crispy Risotto Balls (2021-04-28)
  • Crostini with Roasted Beet Mousse, Mascarpone, and Pomegranate (2020-12-20)
  • Crostini with Roasted Peppers, Mascarpone, and Basil (2020-12-20)
  • Crostini with Smoked Salmon, Mascarpone, and Cucumber (2020-12-20)
  • Mushroom and Cheese Puff Pies (2021-01-06)
  • Whipped Cod with Garlic and Parsley (2021-01-23)
  • Zucchini Blossom Scrolls in Brick Pastry (2020-11-15)

Pasta Sauces

  • Amatriciana (Tomato, Guanciale, and Onion Sauce) (2021-01-23)
  • Arugula, Roasted Tomatoes, and Double Ricotta Sauce (2020-11-15)
  • Broccoli and Toasted Bread Crumb Sauce (2021-04-13)
  • Broccoli Raab and Sausage Sauce (2020-11-15)
  • Burst Tomato and Spinach Sauce (2020-11-15)
  • Cacio e Pepe (2020-11-15)
  • Cheesy Pasta Gratin with Crispy Bread Crumbs, Spinach, and Onion (2021-02-08)
  • Chunky-Creamy Butternut Squash Sauce with Sage (2021-05-01)
  • Chunky Mascarpone, Walnut, and Basil Sauce (2020-11-15)
  • Creamy Mushroom Sauce (2020-12-26)
  • Garlicky Sausage and Chopped Raab Sauce (2021-02-27)
  • Gorgonzola Cream Sauce (2020-11-15)
  • Lemon-Laced Tomato and Basil Sauce (2020-11-15)
  • Pesto alla Genovese (2020-11-15)
  • Porcini and Shallot Cream Sauce (2020-11-15)
  • Roasted Mushroom, Asparagus, and Goat Cheese Sauce (2021-10-14)
  • Roasted Pepper, Olive, Tomato Sauce (2020-11-15)
  • Sausage, Cherry Tomato, and Three Cheese Sauce (2021-05-26)
  • Shrimp and Peas in Saffron Cream Sauce (2021-03-11)
  • Summery Ramp and Almond Pesto (2020-11-15)
  • Toasted Saffron, Pea, and Cream Sauce (2020-12-26)
  • Tomato Cream Sauce with Artichokes and Peas(2021-09-19)
  • Tuna Puttanesca Sauce (2020-11-15)
  • Zucchini and Tomato Sauce with Summer Herbs (2020-11-15)
  • Wine-Laced Ragù (2020-11-23)

Pasta Dishes

  • Beet Pasta Dough (2021-02-27)
  • Canederli (aka Bread Gnocchi) (2020-11-15)
  • Cavatelli (2021-02-08)
  • Chive-Scented Ricotta Gnocchi in Caraway-Sage Butter (2020-11-15)
  • Egg Pasta Dough (2021-02-08)
  • Farfalle (Bowties) (2021-02-08)
  • Foolproof Potato Gnocchi (2020-11-15)
  • Handmade Trofie (2020-11-15)
  • Light as Air Ricotta Gnocchi (2020-11-15)
  • Maccheroni alla Chitarra (2021-02-08)
  • Pinciarelli(2021-09-19)
  • Reginette (2021-02-08)
  • Spaetzle with Swiss Chard and Ricotta (2021-01-19)
  • Squash Gnocchi (2020-11-15)
  • Trenette (2021-02-08)
  • Trofie with Basil Pesto, Haricots Verts, and Potatoes (2020-11-15)

Soup

  • Red Wine and Caramelized Onion Soup with Cheese Crostoni (2020-11-30)
  • Tuscan Kale, Cabbage, Bean, and Cornmeal Soup (2021-01-30)

Risotto

  • Crispy Pan-Fried Risotto (2021-04-28)
  • Red Wine and Roasted Beet Risotto (2020-11-15)
  • Roasted Shiitake Mushroom Risotto (2021-04-28)

Polenta

  • Classic Polenta (2021-01-23)
  • Polenta Coins with Melted Cheese and Silky Spinach (2021-01-23)

Meat, Fish, Eggs

  • Arctic Char Sicilian-Style with Capers, Raisins, and Olives (2021-04-07)
  • Braised Cannellini Beans with Sausage and Greens (2020-11-15)
  • Braised Chicken with Lemony Chickpeas (2020-11-15)
  • Branzino in Artichoke-Olive Sauce (2020-12-26)
  • Branzino with Sweet Pepper and Scallion Stuffing in Herb Oil (2021-01-06)
  • Broccoli Raab and Parmigiano Bread Pudding(2021-03-16)
  • Chicken Bundles with Cheese, Mushrooms, and Sage (2021-01-19)
  • Chicken Cacciatora with Tomatoes and Rosemary (2020-12-30)
  • Crispy Skin Branzino with Velvety Chickpea Sauce(2021-07-19)
  • Drunken Chicken with Fennel (2021-03-21)
  • Roasted Mushroom, Sage, and Cheese Frittata (2020-11-23)
  • Shrimp, Tomato, and Olive Salad over Arugula (2021-06-30)
  • Slow-Cooked Oxtail Roman-Style (Coda alla Vaccinara) (2021-01-30)
  • ​Slow-Roasted Salmon over Fennel (2020-11-15)
  • Smoked Pork Chops with Apples in Wine Glaze (2020-12-30)
  • Zucchini Blossom Bread Pudding(2021-08-20)
  • Wine-Poached Shrimp in Parsley Salsa Verde (2020-12-26)

Vegetables

  • Apple and Avocado Salad with Pecans in Dijon Dressing (2021-01-19)
  • Beet Greens Salad with Lemon Oil Dressing (2020-12-14)
  • Beet Stem Gratin with Besciamella and Parmigiano (2020-12-14)
  • Braised Chickpeas with Spinach and Tomatoes(2021-08-20)
  • Broccoli, Cashew, and Cranberry Salad with Crumbled Feta(2021-10-14)
  • Caramelized Brussels Sprouts (2020-11-30)
  • Cauliflower Gratin with Smoked Mozzarella and Bacon (2021-05-26)
  • Fennel, Sweet Pepper, and Herb Salad(2021-09-19)
  • Hearts of Palm Salad with Garlicky Mustard Dressing (2021-03-22)
  • Roasted Beets (2020-12-14)
  • Roasted Butternut Squash with Sage and Parmigiano (Bonus: Making Squash Medallions) (2021-05-01)
  • Roasted Eggplant Planks with Tomatoes and Basil (2020-11-15)
  • Roasted Eggplant, Zucchini, and Peppers with Ricotta Salata in Minty Dressing (2021-02-27)
  • Roasted Fennel with Parmigiano (2020-11-30)
  • Roasted Green Tomatoes with Herbed Panko(2021-08-20)
  • Roasted Peppers (2020-12-20)
  • Roasted Tomatoes with Herbed Ricotta (2021-01-19)
  • Roasted String Beans with Sundried Tomatoes and Thyme (2020-11-15)
  • Sautéed Spinach with Garlic and Hot Chili (2021-01-23)
  • Shaved Fennel, Walnut, and Parmigiano Salad in Radicchio Cups (2021-03-11)
  • Smashed Red Baby Potatoes with Chives and Smoked Paprika(2021-07-19)
  • Spicy Melon Salad with Basil(2021-07-27)
  • Tuscan Bread, Tomato, and Basil Salad (Panzanella) (2021-05-10)
  • Watermelon, Feta, and Arugula Salad with Mint and Olives (2021-08-22)
  • Zucchini Stuffed with Crunchy Walnuts, Cheese and Herbs (2020-11-15)
  • Zucchini Stuffed with Herbed Ricotta Mousse and Crispy Bread Crumbs (2020-11-15)

Pizza, Flatbreads, Breads

  • Baked Cheesy Puff with Sourdough Discard (2021-01-19)
  • Farinata (Ligurian Chickpea Flour Pancake) (2021-01-13)
  • Grilled Flatbread (2021-02-08)
  • Panfried Bread with Mascarpone and Spinach (2020-11-15)
  • Piadina (2020-11-15)
  • Pizza Dough - Sourdough (2020-11-15)
  • Pizza Dough - Yeasted (2020-11-15)
  • Tomato, Olive, and Rosemary Focaccia (2020-11-23)

Dessert

  • Amaretto and Chocolate Semifreddo (2020-11-15)
  • Apple and Almond Paste Puff Pie (2020-11-15)
  • Black Forest Tiramisu (aka Cherrymisu)(2021-07-27)
  • Cannoli Cheesecake with Raspberry Coulis (2020-12-26)
  • Carrot Walnut Cake (2021-10-14)
  • Citrus Explosion Cheesecake(2021-07-19)
  • Chocolate Chunk Bread Pudding with Orange and Rum Custard (2020-11-15)
  • Cinnamon Puff Cookies (2020-12-30)
  • Crushed Berry and Limoncello Mousse (2021-04-13)
  • Lemon-Scented Bread Pudding with Rum-Soaked Raisins (2021-01-06)
  • Marsala-Poached Dried Fruit over Mascarpone Mousse(2021-05-01)
  • Molten Chocolate Cake with Fresh Whipped Cream (2021-06-30)
  • Orange-Scented Chocolate Custard (2020-11-30)
  • Red Wine, Black Pepper, and Olive Oil Biscotti (2020-11-23)
  • Spiced Fig and Walnut Biscotti (2021-04-06)
  • Sweet Anise, Wine, and Olive Oil Taralli (2021-03-22)
  • Tiramisu (2020-11-23)
  • Torta Putana (aka Rum-Raisin Bread Pudding Cake) (2020-11-15)
  • Vanilla Panna Cotta with Berry Coulis (2021-05-26)

Basic Techniques

  • Egg Pasta Dough (2021-02-08)
  • Using a Pasta Machine (2021-02-08)
  • My Favorite Marinade for Chicken (2021-01-13)
  • Besciamella (Bechamel) (2020-11-30)
  • Using a Kitchen Scale (2020-11-15)
  • Stabilizing a Cutting Board (2020-11-15)
  • Mincing Garlic (2020-11-15)
  • Mincing Onions (2020-11-15)
  • Cubing Peppers (2020-11-15)
  • Cubing Eggplants (2020-11-15)
  • Cubing Onions (2020-11-15)
  • Cubing Zucchini (2020-11-15)
  • Fennel: Trimming and Cutting(2021-09-19)
  • Chopping Sage (2020-11-15)
  • Chopping Rosemary (2020-11-15)
  • Trimming and Cooking Beet Roots Stems and Leaves (2020-12-14)
  • Trimming, Cubing, and Preparing Butternut Squash(2021-05-01)
  • Skinning a Fish Filet (2020-12-26)
  • Why You Shouldn't Measure by Volume (2021-03-11)
  • Freezing Wine (2021-03-22)

eBooks included with membership

Purchase the membership

$120 cost includes:

  • One year access to every video lesson
  • Access to all premium site material: recipe pdfs, support materials, in-depth articles about Italian ingredients and techniques, and much more...
  • Five eBooks, including The Best Pasta Sauces Companion Booklet featuring 20 regional pasta sauces

After your purchase, you will get 2 emails

  • an automated email confirmation of your purchase
  • an email from us with instructions for getting started with the membership - we send this one manually

Free Trial - Sample the Membership

Ricotta herb stuffed Zucchini
tomato basil lemon
Torta putana

Give it a test drive! Register for a free trial version of the membership showcasing 3 video recipes. Depending whether you are a new user, or have registered on the Rustico Cooking Portal before (say for a virtual cooking class or party), the procedure will be slightly different:

Registered users

If you have already registered to our portal (for instance you have participated in a virtual cooking class, or a virtual cooking event) - there is no need to register for the trial video membership, because it has already been added to your client area! Just select my video membership.

Login for registered users

new users

If you are new to the Rustico Cooking portal and want to access the free membership - it is super easy! You just need to fill up the form below, and in a few minutes check your inbox for the registration instructions.

After you've clicked the "register" button in the form, you will receive an email with your login instructions

What's Next

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. I have a gift certificate from a long time ago, can I use it?
  2. What is the difference between the free trial membership and the paid membership?
  3. Where do I go to get the free trial membership?
  4. I have purchased a membership and plan to give it as a gift - does the gift membership start right away?
  5. I have my code and I am ready to start - where do I go to activate the membership?
  6. Does the 1 year membership renew automatically?

  1. I have a gift certificate from a long time ago, can I use it?

    2. Yes you can use it! we will need to locate your gift certificate in our database using the name of the person or organization who purchased it for you. Details are here. Note that occasional promotional, bonus offers or rebates on the membership apply to new purchases only.

  2. What is the difference between the free trial and the video membership?

    3. The free trial membership contains only 3 recipes from the video membership, so you can have a glimpse of the contents. The video membership has over 60 video recipes, and we add more every week. For an idea of how fast we add new content, see here. The video membership also includes recipe eBooks as well as exclusive articles on various aspects of Italian cuisine. The video membership offers interactivity with Micol and members can also suggest recipes for inclusion. The video membership also includes special offers and discounts for members only.

  3. Where do I go to get the free trial membership?

    4. Login to our portal here and use the username and password that you selected to access the free trial membership.

    Free trial membership

  4. I have purchased a membership and plan to give it as a gift - does the gift membership start right away?

    5. When you purchase a membership, you receive a code (a string of numbers and letters) you can use within 2 months to activate the membership. The membership becomes active when the code is first used in the system, and that is when the 1 year subscription starts. So you can purchase a gift membership in advance that will be valid for a full year.

  5. I have my code and I am ready to start - where do I go to activate the membership?

    6. The paid membership can be found by clicking here. You will just need create a user profile and enter the activation code when prompted.

    Activate my membership

  6. Does the 1 year membership renew automatically?

    7. The membership is not set up for automatic renewal, but we will send you a reminder a month before expiration date.