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]]>The post Recipe: Easy Spiced Vegan Pear Cake appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
]]>The post SD’s Top Chef Recipes: Octopus Shawarma appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
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Photo Credit: Marley Kepano
Octopus can be daunting. Unlike the chicken or beef you probably have hanging out in your freezer at any given moment, it’s a rare ingredient on most American’s grocery lists. (Also, chickens don’t have tentacles.) Prepared skillfully, octopus is buttery, tender, even lightly sweet. Cook it wrong, and you’ve got rubber with suckers—which is why we usually leave it to the professionals to get it right.
But if you’ve got guts and a recipe (like the one you’re about to read), then you’re capable of transforming the aquatic critter into your most impressive dinner party entree ever. This octopus shawarma serves as a delicacy at the California coastal restaurant Mediterranean Room, located inside of the La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla.
Courtesy of executive chef Fabian Aceves, the recipe pays homage to the restaurant’s waterfront location by bringing together elements of both land and sea. “Octopus is nostalgic for me because it has a connection to memorable days I’ve spent cooking, eating, and learning delicious new versions of it over the years,” Aceves says.
To make chef Aceves’ octopus shawarma, follow the recipe below:
1 whole 3–5 lb octopus (Spanish preferred)
4 gallons water
1 oz whole black peppercorns
1 oz fennel seed
1 oz bay leaves
1 cup red wine vinegar
½ cup sea salt
1 tsp chili flakes
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Zest of 2 lemons
7 oz lemon juice
7 oz white vinegar
7 oz orange juice
¼ cup tomato paste
2 lb yogurt
1 tbsp onion powder
2 tbsp sumac
1 tbsp coriander
1½ tbsp cumin
3 tbsp ground turmeric
1 tbsp dried oregano
Salt to taste
1 qt cooked chickpeas
1 qt cooked gigante white beans
2 roasted red bell peppers, diced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
½ cup olive oil
¼ cup fresh dill, finely chopped
1 oz lemon juice
1 tbsp cumin
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp sea salt
1 cup mayo
2 tbsp squid ink*
Chili thread to taste
*If squid ink is not available, substitute lemon juice to make a lemon aioli.
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]]>The post SD’s Top Chef Recipes: Porcini Chestnut Soup appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
]]>chestnut soup, AR Valetien
When nightfall begins at 5 p.m., the temps drop to a below-freezing 50 degrees, and San Diegans start to begrudgingly wear close-toe shoes, it can only mean one thing: porcini chestnut soup at A.R. Valentien inside the Lodge at Torrey Pines.
“Many of our regular guests (and cooks for that matter) look forward to seeing this on the menu,” shares chef Kelli Crosson. “This year you’ll find a variation of it on our Christmas prix rixe menu.” Having worked under chef de cuisine Jeff Jackson for the past 11 years at the restaurant, chef Kelli has finally taken the reins of fine dining venue. She’s earned it.
Kelli Crosson
Now, it’s her turn to make her mark on the beloved chestnut soup. Over the years, it has gone through its fair share of iterations, including using different nuts, becoming vegan, getting garnished with extravagant flavors such as truffles and chestnut tuille, and simply getting fancied up by adding crème fraîche and chives.
We asked chef Kelli to share her recipe for us to make at home and luckily, this year’s version doesn’t include any crazy bells and whistles—just some good old fashioned roasted chestnuts to get into the festive spirit. “This is the perfect soup to serve for your holiday dinner,” says chef Kelli. “It’s full of earthy flavor and I’d venture to say it’s unlike most mushroom soups you’ve tasted.”
To make chef Kelli’s porcini chestnut soup, follow the recipe below:
1 Each Yellow Onion, Small Dice
1 Each Leek, Sliced
1 Pound Frozen Porcini
1/2 Pound Cremini Mushroom, Sliced
1/2 Pound Frozen Chestnuts
1/2 Cup White Wine
1 Cup Dry Sherry
1 Each Bay Leaf
1 Sprig Thyme
3 Quarts Chicken Stock
3 Tablespoons Clarified Butter***
*** can use other high heat oil like grapeseed or avocado
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]]>The post SD’s Top Chef Recipes: Chef Q’s Uptown Sink Gumbo appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
]]>Louisiana purchase uptown sink gumbo
Courtesy of Louisiana Purchase
It’s cold out—well, cold for us San Diegans at least (ignore us, Idaho). And with 5 p.m. feeling more like 10 p.m. these days, all we really want are holiday lights outside, cozy blankets inside, reality TV and comfort food to fill our evenings with.
So, we looked to none other than Louisiana Purchase for the goods on what to make to warm up our bones this winter. Their suggestion? Chef Quinnton “Q” Austin’s Uptown Sink Gumbo.
The New Orleans native marinates the charm and character of his hometown into every item on the menu, creating diverse Cajun flavors and creole tastes—with his chef Q twist.
“The background of the Uptown Kitchen Sink Gumbo is taking a little bit from everyone I’ve been around that made great gumbos, bouncing from house to house on Sunday and being a taste tester,” says chef Q.
Louisiana Purchase, gumbo vertical
Courtesy of Louisiana Purchase
There are many different kinds of gumbos and choosing your flavors means you get to pick your party. Chef Q likes to use chicken stock, onion, celery, file, garlic, herbs, and proteins such as andouille sausage. Though he notes it’s hard to find in San Diego.
But the real trick to a good gumbo is the roux, which is equal parts fat to flour, and should be dark brown and silky. For the kitchen sink, you’ll want to throw it all in—go ahead, get crazy.
Chef Q goes with roasted chicken, shrimp, crawfish, and blue crab. “Yes, California people, blue crab,” he says. “Don’t put snow crab in a Louisiana person’s gumbo.”
Finally, don’t forget the spices. Don’t mess with Louisiana’s spices. To make Chef Q’s Gumbo at home, follow the recipe below:
Lite vegetable oil
1 lb diced onion
1 lb diced celery
2 cups garlic
3 tbsp thyme
2 tbsp oregano
3 lb sausage
½ cup file
Garlic powder (to taste)
Onion powder (to taste)
Cayenne pepper (to taste)
Creole seasoning (to taste)
12 bay leaves
Brown roux
3 gallons chicken or seafood stock
5 blue crabs
2 lbs roasted chicken
3 lbs shrimp
3 lb crawfish tails
3 lb crab meat
Sweat down your onions, celery, and garlic then add your ½ cup of file
Season with garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and creole seasoning to taste and add your bay leaves, brown roux, three gallons of chicken or seafood stock, and blue crabs.
Allow this to come to a simmer, then add your roasted chicken and shrimp. Take it up to a boil then reduce again to a simmer.
Once all of your flavors come together, taste and season more to your liking.
Add your crawfish tails and crab meat at the very end and cook for only a few minutes till done.
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]]>The post SD’s Top Chef Recipes: Creamy Sculpin Beer Cheese appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
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Credit: James Tran
This past summer, Ballast Point Brewing appointed chef Tommy Dimella as its culinary director overseeing all of the brewer’s kitchen operations. Since taking the reins, Dimella has crafted a globally inspired menu paired with pub favorites to complement the flavor profiles of the brand’s beers.
On his menus, guests can find everything from whipped goat cheese to 12-hour smoked pork shoulder, buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches, and a patron favorite: Sculpin beer cheese sauce. Developed in conjunction with Ballast’s flagship West Coast IPA and expert brewers, the sauce is served alongside pretzel breadsticks in their Little Italy and Miramar tasting rooms.
“It’s so satisfying to make,” says Dimella. “Melted smooth and creamy cheese is always fun to play with. The technique of making this sauce goes back to a classic French Mornay sauce.”
One of five foundational French mother sauces, French Mornay sauce is a variation on béchamel sauce and includes flour as a base, butter, milk, eggs, freshly grated parmesan and gruyere to produce a creamy, white sauce.
Creamy and refined, Dimella’s beer cheese sauce is incredibly versatile and decadent. “This sauce can be used in a variety of dishes, especially for a grown-up version of mac-n-cheese,” says Dimella.
To make chef Tommy Dimella’s Sculpin beer cheese sauce at home, follow the steps below:
1). Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until the flour is completely absorbed. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, for 1 minute.
2). While whisking constantly, slowly pour in the beer and half & half. Whisk in the mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, whisking constantly, then reduce to a simmer and continue cooking, whisking frequently, until thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3 minutes.
3). With the heat on low, add the cheeses a handful at a time, whisking between each addition, until the cheese is fully melted before adding more. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and sprinkle with fresh chives, if using. Serve immediately.
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]]>The post SD’s Top Chef Recipes: Chef Anthony Wells’ Biscuit with Smoked Butter appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
]]>Anthony wells recipe
Courtesy of Juniper & Ivy
Anthony Wells has often been called a “chef’s chef.” The Juniper and Ivy executive chef has made a name for himself in the city simply by cooking the best fare without pretense.
Featuring a rotating seasonal menu, chef Well’s recipes often showcase his innovative take on Southern California cuisine while focusing on sustainably and hyper-seasonal, high-quality product from local purveyors.
He’s most known, though, for creating foods that feel comforting and nostalgic, which may be why his biscuit with smoked butter recipe has become a guest favorite. Though the dish has been around since the restaurant’s inception in 2014, it’s gone through a few adaptions over the years.
Now, chef Wells smokes the cream, salt, and butter to offer a more subtle smoky flavor. “It’s an easy recipe to make, a one-pot-wonder kind of dish that is a crowd pleaser,” he shares. “It makes you happy when you eat it.”
With the evenings cooling down and the holidays near, this is a cozy dish that will likely be a go-to in the coming months. To make chef Well’s biscuit with smoked butter recipe, follow the instructions below:
4 1/2 cups self rising flour (Chef likes Lily brand)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup Crisco Shortening
1 tsp salt
2 cups buttermilk
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1). Mix everything gently by hand in a large mixing bowl until a thick batter is formed.
2). Do not overwork, and do not fear that there will be some clumps in the batter.
3). Grease up 4 inch muffin tins and fill batter 4/5 of the way up.
4). Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
Allow 1/2 cup butter to soften, then mix in 1 tsp flaky smoked salt.
When the biscuits are slightly cool, place a dollop of smoked butter on top right before serving.
*This is a shortcut to the way chef Wells makes his at Juniper & Ivy
Have breaking-news, exciting scoops, or great stories about San Diego’s food scene? Send your pitches to [email protected].
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]]>The post SD’s Top Chef Recipes: Chef Brian Redzikowski’s Kale Salad appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
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Courtesy of Kettner Exchange
Executive chef Brian Redzikowski of Kettner Exchange (KEX) in Little Italy is the master of a fast and yummy crowd pleaser. The KEX kale salad is just that.
“Back when I was at the Thompson Hotel, we needed a simple salad that was a crowd pleaser. My brother was killing it with a kale salad in Boulder,” says chef Brian. “We decided to give it a shot. We had some different ingredients around the kitchen that we put together… All the components came together, and we’ve been using it at the restaurants ever since.”
Prior to KEX, chef Brian’s path to San Diego began with attending the Culinary Institute of America and roles in some of the nation’s top kitchens such as Nobu Aspen, Le Cirque in NYC and Joël Robuchon, the only three-Michelin-star rated restaurant in Las Vegas.
On top of a stacked resume, chef Brian was also on Iron Chef Showdown. All that to say, you should probably give his salad recipe a shot.
The dynamic combination of fuji apples, almonds, golden raisins, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and a lemon pepper vinaigrette atop a bed of earthy kale makes for just the right combination of salty and sweet. With an only half hour prep time, it’s a quick and easy recipe that you can whip up anytime.
To make chef Brian Redzikowski’s KEX kale salad, follow the instructions below:
Servings: 3 ea
Cooking / Prepping Time: 30 min
1ea bunch green kale stems removed, thinly sliced
1ea bunch purple kale stems removed, thinly sliced
1ea Fiji Apple
1/4 cup toasted almonds
1/4 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
10-12 ea lemons, segmented squeezed and seeds removed. (You will need 2 cups of lemon)
1 oz salt
1T whole black peppercorns
5 oz sugar
50 oz grape seed oil
5 oz olive oil
1). Blend all dressing ingredients together using a Vita Prep or high power blender, puree until smooth.
2). Assemble, season kale with salt.
3). Slice the apple thin.
4). Add parmesan, sprinkle almonds and raisins. Toss all together
5). Add dressing to your liking.
6). Plate and enjoy!
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]]>The post SD’s Top Chef Recipes: Chef Phillip Esteban’s Vegan Sisig appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
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Credit: Nathan Concepcion
Chef Phillip Esteban of White Rice and the newly opened White Rice Bodega has perfected one of his favorite Filipino dishes: sisig. Of course, as he is known to do, he put his own spin on the traditional dish and made a vegan-friendly version that is now sold at his restaurant.
Having opened White Rice Bodega this year, chef Esteban’s dream was to share his love of Filipino cuisine with locals and make it available to a wider audience. Ask anyone who’s dined at his original Liberty Station output about his cuisine, and you’ll likely hear high praise for his flavorful dishes.
When we asked chef Esteban for a recipe to send to our readers, his vegan sisig was first in line, no doubt because it is already a guest favorite.
The first written record of sisig dates back to the 1700s, however, it likely goes back much earlier. Originating from the Pampanga region in Luzon, this traditional Filipino dish is made from a pig’s face, belly and chicken liver, all of which get chopped into small pieces and fried.
So, making a vegan sisig takes some mastery in the kitchen. “The importance of creating a vegan version was to find the right textures to resemble the original version,” says Esteban. “We marinate the tofu and wood ear mushrooms in the same vinegar, citrus and soy marinade. We pan fry the tofu to mimic crispy and juicy pork, and the wood ear mushrooms give a great bite to the dish.”
He calls it the “perfect bite,” one that is light and filling and smothered in flavor. To make chef Esteban’s recipe, follow the instructions below and enjoy a unique twist on this Filipino staple.
vegan sisiq, white rice
Courtesy of White Rice
1 lb dry wood ear mushroom
1.5 lb firm tofu cubes
.25 ea finely chopped onion
1 tbsp grated ginger
2 ea chili pepper finely chopped
1/8 c calamansi juice
1 tbsp chili flakes or TT
Pinch black pepper powder
Pinch garlic powder
.25 cup vegan soy sauce
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Salt TT
1). Wash the wood ear mushroom and soak in hot water for at least 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, discard the water and finely chop the mushrooms.
2). Apply some oil and salt to the tofu cubes and bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for about 40 minutes or till they turn light brown.
3). With the help of a knife or a pair of tongs, char the tofu cubes over direct flames. To get the best smoky flavor make sure they turn black at a few corners. Finely chop the charred tofu cubes.
4). Heat some vegan butter/ oil in a pan and add grated ginger to it. Saute for a few minutes and then add chopped mushrooms. Stir fry the mushrooms for around 8-10 minutes.
5). Add the chopped tofu and chili pepper. Stir fry for about a minute.
6). In a bowl mix vegan soy sauce, calamansi juice, salt, chili flakes, pepper, garlic powder. Add this mixture to the pan, mix and cook for about 1-2 minutes before switching off the gas.
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]]>The post SD’s Top Chef Recipes: Francesco Bonsi’s Pistachio Pesto appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
]]>Chef Bonsi pesto
Courtesy of Cucina Migrante
“There was a moment that the food industry realized that the green, and the flavor of pistachios, was sexy and appealing for consumers,” says Chef Francesco Bonsi discussing how the nut has been used in Mediterranean and Arabic dishes for centuries, it only became popular in U.S. cooking within the last century. “Pistachios are quite delicious and taste like no other food. [They are] a very versatile nut that works well in savory or sweet dishes.”
As co-founder of Cucina Migrante in Golden Hill, chef Francesco and his team run farm-and-cooking-oriented pop-up dinners, private chef services, and culinary tours out of the bohemian villa. His Mediterranean-inspired fare is thanks to his Sicilian roots, specifically from Mount Etna where there is a large production of wild pistachios.
“In that area of Sicily, it is very common using pistachios in pastas, pizzas, gelato and many traditional pastries. So I grow up eating pistachios as a snack but also in desserts (cannoli, cassata, etc) and in delicious street food such as arancini.”
When we asked him to share one of his personal recipes for readers to make, it’s no surprise that it involved this small but flavorful ingredient. He suggests locals will love this recipe because it’s easy to make and California’s wealth of pistachio producers means you can purchase high-quality pistachios at a reasonable price.
“This special pesto is best eaten straight away. But can be kept in mason jars in the fridge for a week,” says chef Francesco. “You can play with the amount of ingredients until you can find your perfect pesto experience. You can add your favorite hot sauce or crushed red pepper if you like to spice it up a bit.”
To make chef Francesco’s recipe, follow the steps below and enjoy:
1 cup of shelled raw pistachios
Half a cup of extra virgin olive oil
Half a cup of Pecorino Romano cheese
Half a cup of basil leaves
1 small garlic clove or less
A teaspoon of salt
A teaspoon of black pepper
3 ice cubes
Half a cup of mineral water
1 shallot
1). Add all the ingredients, except for the shallot, to a blender. Blend at medium speed you reach the texture you like. You can add more water and or olive oil as you desire to get the perfect consistency.
2). In a skillet, add two spoons of olive oil or real butter and the finely diced shallot. Cook on low heat until the shallot is translucent and soft. Add the pistachio pesto and stir everything for about a minute.
3). Add pesto to your favorite style of pasta and enjoy!
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]]>The post SD’s Top Chef Recipes: Chef Tara Monsod’s Chicken Tinola appeared first on San Diego Magazine.
]]>Tara Monsod recipe
“When I think of home, this is one thing that I think of,” says executive chef Tara Monsod of Animae in San Diego’s Marina District when asked about her chicken tinola recipe.
It’s the ultimate comfort food, an indigenous soup that’s full of flavor and a very simple one-pot meal. Chef Tara equates it to traditional chicken noodle soup recipes but with a Filipino twist.
So, what better way to kick off the fall season than with a warm, comforting and satisfying soup recipe. “Growing up, my mom would always make a large pot of chicken tinola when I was sick,” says Chef Monsod. “A bowl of chicken tinola feels like a hug from my mom and instantly transports me back to our family home in Los Angeles.”
A riff on her mother’s recipe (which has itself gone through variations over the years), the power behind this soup is its use of ginger and enough leafy greens to give your immune system a nice boost.
Though it can be difficult to find the original ingredients like Chayote (an edible plant belonging to the gourd family), finger chili leaves (Thai pepper leaves), and malunggay leaves (a plant native to India), chef Tara emphasizes that any of the greens can be substituted with your favorite ingredients. If you can, though, seek out the ingredients at local Asian markets to get those authentic flavors.
To make chef Tara’s recipe, follow the steps below and enjoy:
3 lbs Chicken Legs or Wings
6 tbsp Neutral Cooking Oil
6 each Garlic, Minced
1 each Onion, Large Dice
3 each 2-inch pieces Ginger, peeled and minced
3 each Green Papaya, Large Dice (Chayote if unavailable)
2 bunches Moringa Leaves (spinach if unavailable)
2 each Yellow Pepper
2 tbsp Fish Sauce
Salt to taste
2 Qt Water (extra if want more broth)
1). Season chicken with salt and pepper. Set aside.
2). In a pot, sear chicken until lightly brown on all sides. Set aside.
3). Add onion and garlic into the pot. Sweat to help remove brown fond on pot.
4). Add chicken back into the pot and cover with water. Simmer for 45 mins – 1 hour, until chicken is tender.
5). Remove chicken and strain broth. Combine chicken and broth together in new pot.
6). Salt to taste. Then add yellow peppers, green papaya and simmer until papaya is tender.
7). Add moringa and fish sauce.
8). Serve with rice and enjoy!
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