“Judge of Tastes!”
Improvise. Deconstruct. Reimagine.
“The people who give you their food give you their heart.” — Cesar Chavez
Regional cuisine communicates culture as effectively as spoken word. It demonstrates love more than a smile, a hug, or a kiss. Family recipes, like chromosomes, pass from one generation to another. Secret ingredients and inherited techniques provide distinctive twists to traditional dishes.
A good meal breathes life into every gathering, every celebration, and every reunion. It starts conversations. It elevates the collective mood. It brings joy, nourishment, and satisfaction.
Salty, sweet, sour, bitter, and umami are instruments that should be used in concert. The thoughtful inclusion of flavor combinations can transform a dining experience into a veritable gastronomic symphony. One missing piece, one misplaced note, one over zealous element and the harmony falls apart.
“If you are afraid of butter, use cream.” — Julia Child
Cookbooks are antiquated. In 1963, analog replaced print with a small menu of television programs. Julia, Martha, and Wolfgang added sizzle to a bland medium. In 1993, digital metaphorically supplanted analog with the addition of even spicier personalities. The Food Network was born and became a culinary empire; Gen Y’s version of MTV. Emeril, Bobby, Alton, Gordon and Guy became household names. They’re no longer chefs. They’re celebrities. Youtube has continued this edible evolution. Unlike any time in history, you can fast-forward, pause, and rewind instruction at will. Don’t make excuses. Jump in and play!
“Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.” — Harriet van Horne
I’m OLD. I’m an AMATEUR. I like to experiment, and I’m not afraid to make mistakes. Mishaps occur so often I have to laugh. Each epic fail is a teachable moment. Remember, you can always order pizza!
Below are my 5 biggest epiphanies:
- High quality ingredients improve what’s plated regardless of preparation, and the opposite is true too.
- Do not overcook! Flavor, moisture, and nutrients are robbed from the dish.
- Taste as you go. Liberally salt. Trust what you like. Your palate is more discerning than you think!
- Complex is easy, simple is hard. Don’t drown in sauce or overwhelm with seasoning.
- If something is hard to prepare, you won’t put in the effort. If you aren’t having fun, you’re doing it wrong!
Below are three simple recipes. Don’t measure. This isn’t chemistry, and we aren’t building rockets!
Chicken & Strawberry Balsamic Salad
- Marinate chicken breasts in avocado oil, garlic, basil, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Leave overnight. Remove from fridge for 30-minutes Grill and thinly slice.
- Add a healthy pour of strawberry balsamic, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, crushed black pepper and a touch of salt into a sealed container. Shake vigorously!
- Open a tub of pre-crumbled gorgonzola, a package of dried cranberries, and bag of chopped pecans.
- Finely shave red onion.
- Throw a handful of fresh arugula, mixed greens, and a healthy addition of the items above into a large mixing bowl.
- Toss and enjoy!
‘Bomb’ Brussel Sprouts
- Thinly shred 10 to 12 large fresh Brussels sprouts starting at the tip. Separate leaves and discard stem.
- Heat two cups of canola oil in sauce pan. Test temperature by dropping in a small Brussels leaf. If it bubbles, pops, and snaps, proceed! Fry in small batches.
- When they are a deep golden color, remove from oil with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel. Pat dry. Salt.
- Drizzle a web of agave syrup in a mixing bowl and add fried Brussels sprouts.
- Sprinkle in pre-grated Pecorino Romano cheese and throw in a small handful of boxed golden raisins.
- Toss and enjoy!
Tomato Jam and Burrata Bruschetta
- Slice silver-dollar, 1/4-inch thick pieces of Italian bread.
- In a small container, incorporate extra virgin olive oil, garlic paste, fresh ground black pepper, and salt. Brush liberally over one side of bread and toast in oven under the broiler setting. Watch closely, and remove when golden brown.
- Paint the top of each portion of bread with tomato jam (‘Carolyn’s Classics Tomato Preserve’ if available.)
- Place a dollop of milky Burrata mozzarella on every piece.
- Dress with a sprig of basil or arugula and serve.
- Share your recipes and remember to keep ‘em simple!
“Your body is not a temple, it’s an amusement park. Enjoy the ride.” — Anthony Bourdain
Verum Meam 