Margo Taylor's Easy Gourmet is dedicated to finding the best ingredients, preparing them simply and presenting them elegantly.

With the holidays coming up, Taylor will be teaching a hands-on "Easy Entertaining" class on Saturday morning at the cooking school at Las Cosas Kitchen Shoppe at DeVargas Center. Tips and shortcuts for party planning that make events less work — and more fun — for the host and hostess are on the class menu, as are Jewel Shrimp Cocktail, Napoleon Stacked Salad, Salmon en Papillote, Festive Molded Rice and Baked Apples with Amaretto Cookie Stuffing.

Here's one recipe from the class that all can enjoy:

SALMON EN PAPILLOTE
(Serves 6)

6 (6-ounce) pieces salmon fillet, skinned*
1 carrot, cut in fine julienne
12 large mushrooms, sliced
1/2 pound sugar snap peas or snow peas
2 small yellow squash, sliced
1 bunch green onions, sliced
Parchment paper or heavy duty aluminum foil
For the teriyaki sauce:
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 cup soy sauce
2/3 cup dry sherry
Juice of 2 lemons
1/2 cup brown sugar

Blend all ingredients for teriyaki sauce together in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until reduced by a third. May be kept in refrigerator for up to a month. Stir well before using.

To prepare the dish: Place all vegetables in a mixing bowl. Add just enough teriyaki sauce to coat. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cut 6 pieces of parchment paper or aluminum foil. Place a portion of vegetables on bottom of each piece of packet. Arrange a salmon fillet on top of vegetables and spoon 1 tablespoon teriyaki sauce over top.

Tightly seal the package and place on a baking sheet.

Bake for 15 minutes.

To serve, open packets carefully, as steam will escape.

*Note: If the salmon still has its skin on when you put it into the packet, it will take longer to cook — closer to half an hour.




WHAT: Easy Entertaining with The Easy Gourmet, a hands-on cooking class with Margo Taylor

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8

WHERE: Las Cosas Kitchen Shoppe, DeVargas Center

PRICE: $75 per person

FOR RESERVATIONS OR MORE INFORMATION: Call 505-988-3394.