Thinking like a Chef

ehBeth, sure I remember Byron's reviews....very cool! For future reference, my e-mail and phone are public, so its [email protected] and 416-963-9675. Cheers!

The next project for me is: smoked ham hocks, white beans, mirepoix stuff and some watercress....think I know what I am going to do, but open to suggestions.

Staring down the watercress. I only know a few things to do with it, so will have to do some thinking.

soooooo was it too cool to have Byron autograph the book 'to another food god' !? hehehehehehehehehe

ehBeth, that sounds way cool

K, think I have sussed it out....nix on the watercress, I have free samples of truffle puree in the fridge

Gonna make a stock first, from the ham hocks, then use that stock to cook the beans. This way, the hocks won't get bean flavour or bean detrituts on em.

Beans gonna be nice and smoky cooked in that stock...then, the cooked hocks: double-fry for ultimate crispness of the skin, serve on top of the braised beans with a drizzle of truffle vinaigrette around it for a fancy little "pork 'n beans" appetizer

<thud>

well there sure is a difference between truffle puree and watercress as a possible ingredient!

is there room for me at your sideboard with a large spoon?

ehBeth, I will let you know how it turns out...will be serving it up as an amuse bouche tomorrow night

I'm a good audience. I can be very amused. :wink:

OK, decided to just reheat the pork tonight and served it sans rind with the beans, and the truffle vinaigrette, to which I added just a touch of honey, to add sweetness to the smoke....one of the guests said it was "inspired" To quote Hannibal Smith: "I love it when a plan comes together." Apparently, I may be catering the client's wedding now

Help-spaghetti sauce

What kinda sauce Wilso?

Hmm, tonight, it is time to use up that pesto I had in the freezer, and the truffle paste/sauce samples I got from Italy that are just starting to bloom....wanted a chicken, but all sold out. Then a sad little 3-rib pork roast looked at me and said "Please take me home....nobody else will, and you are only cooking for 2". Well, who could resist. I just mixed the pesto with whatever was salvageable from the truffle samples, rubbed it on the outside of the roast, popped on a little coarse sea salt and black pepper, and just roasting now as I type and go through tax receipts....what's cool is that garlic is always the first thing to go aromatic, then the basil, then the truffles...wonder what it will be like when it all amalgamates together?

I've got some grilled salmon. Was thinking of putting it in pasta. Any ideas?

My first thought is to saute some shallot or onion in olive oil or butter, deglaze with some white wine, reduce, add cream, bring to a boil, turn heat down, let simmer until slightly thickened, stir in the salmon and a handful of finely cut chives at the last minute, just to warm through. Season with salt and white pepper and top your pasta with it.

If you are not fond of cream, I might suggest cooking and cooling a bit of cool looking small pastas, mix with lots of fresh greens, the salmon and a sprightly vinaigrette, like raspberry, or a fruity red wine vinaigrette.

Yes! I was thinking of something creamy. Would you think something like penne would be a good choice for the pasta?

Thank you Cav. Made it last night and it was great. One thing though as I was cooking, I realized I bought 1/2&1/2 by mistake instead of cream. Used it and it tasted fine. Can't wait to try it with cream next time!

My husband thanks you too!

Thank you fealola, for reviving this thread! You will love it with cream!

This thread is such a great idea! I get bored with the same old same old.

Found some slightly squishy but not off mini potatoes for $1.00 a bag at the market. They roasted very nicely with lots of garlic and herbs, and olive oil. Served them with some massive pieces of braised beef shank, and steamed some baby bok choy left over from a catering.

condiments
Cav, what would you do with the following condiments I have in my refrigerator?

Pear preserves,
Quince jelly,
Vidalia Onion jelly,
Peach Butter,
Spiced Tomato Jam,
Aioli Garlic Mustard Sauce.

BBB