Oct. 2015 – Music City – Chicago Gourmet – Classics Redone.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Let’s Party in the Park!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Music City Food & Wine Event – Sept. 20, 2015

Do you want to know what’s happening to our traditional favorites?  Well, they are receiving a new trendy look!   To check this out, we traveled to one of the hottest new culinary scenes, Nashville, Tennessee, to find out what was really happening.

The third annual Music City Food & Wine Festival was being held in Bicentennial Mall State Park and promised to share their new explosive country cuisine.  We expected to enjoy great music, see celebrity chefs, taste good food and drinks, but the surprising warm welcome and down home friendliness was an unexpected bonus. Perhaps, it was because it was held in the South, but I think it was just Nashville doing “just what comes naturally.” We certainly did enjoy all those warm smiles and welcoming hugs from the locals as well as the celebrities.

We met Chris, a Nashville friend, who offered to introduce us with some of the best offerings at the show.  As we meandered up and down the aisles, the number of tempting tastings exceeded my expectations.  There was a City House poppyseed pavlova, dressed as a toasted meringue with a scoop of lemon marmalade, and crunchy buttery crumbs. What a great way to serve a lemon meringue pie!

One of my favorites was from the Catbird Seat chef Trevor Moran, who featured an ice cream salad.  There are almost no words that can describe that refreshing thin lemon ice cream stick that was wrapped in delicate greens and topped with crisp, candied pecan brittle.  It was like a cool breeze on a hot humid day.

Just the thought of seeing Southern BBQ in action fills any griller with wild anticipation.  It certainly didn’t disappoint me. The festival had about 2,500 people visiting each day, and I just know that most of them were hanging around Martin’s barbecue flame shooting, smoke rising, wood burning ovens to taste the savory grilled samples.  A large display area featured every kind of grilled meat, including whole ducks, blacker than charcoal but more popular than a five-star movie.  There, of course, was lots of wine and beer toasting in the glasses that we received when we entered the park. Yes, it was that easy, just show your glass, and someone would fill it up.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Celebrity Chefs At Music City Food & Wind Event 

While the focus was on local restaurants and chefs, there were plenty of legendary celebrities showing off their talents at scheduled demonstrations and panel discussions.  It also wasn’t unusually for those celebrity chefs to join the locals at the tasting tables creating lots of laughing and unplanned partying. In fact, while watching Aaron Sanchez, a famous “Chopped” judge from Food Network, prepare a signature dish, Chef Tim Love from Texas just popped in with his quips and jokes, bringing the audience to their feet. Then famed world class Chef Jonathan Waxman jumped on stage to put some finishing touches on Aaron’s duck amidst wild cheering from an exuberant audience.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Chef Levon Wallace Demo of Cochon Butcher – Nashville, TN

 

‘

‘

‘

‘

‘

‘

‘One of my favorites was a Nashville favorite Chef Levon Wallace, who promised and succeeded in preparing both cast iron cornbread and cassoulet in 45 minutes.  Interacting with the audience with his wild knife chopping veggies, black-eyed pea stuffed pork and venison sausage, he had people begging for samples.  Lucky for me, I was invited on stage to help season this delicious dish.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Fresh Cranberry Holiday Soda

 

Chef Levon Wallace prepared this recipe as a holiday drink for the kids. He loves to make soda syrups that you can pair with your meal.  Everyone loved the sodas, even the adults, who added some spirits into their glasses.

pdf for Copy of Recipe for Fresh Cranberry Holiday Soda

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Party Caramel Corn Cracker Jax

This recipe was shared with Epicurious for a Tree Trimming Party Menu. The popcorn combines sweet caramel with some savory salty nuts.  He originally popped the corn in a pan and added Marcona almonds.

pdf for Copy of Recipe for Party Caramel Corn Cracker Jax

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ambrosia Fresh Fruit Salad

Since this fruit salad uses fresh fruits, it has a fresh fruit cocktail flavor swirled with light marshmallow cream.  It is believed that this American dish originated in the early 19^th century.  It’s usually served for holidays in the South, and almost each family has their own special recipe. Try using some fresh fruit to add a new taste dimension.

pdf for Copy of Recipe for Ambrosia Fresh Fruit Salad

pdf for Copy of Recipe for Making Your Own Coconut Whipped Cream

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Autumn’s Butternut Squash Creamy Kale Salad

This side dish is a real family pleaser.  Chilled lightly spiced ranch dressing coats fresh chopped kale. Sweet dried cranberries, toasted walnuts, fluffy rice, and roasted golden squash chunks add that perfect finishing touch.  It’s hard to believe that this salad is healthy, delicious, and so beautiful.

pdf for Copy of Recipe of Autumn’s Butternut Squash Creamy Kale Salad

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Benedictine Dip and Sandwich Spread

This is a classic recipe invented by Miss Jennie Benedict, a Louisville caterer near the beginning of the 20^th century.  It is still used today for sandwiches and even as a dip, especially in Louisville, Kentucky.  I found an original recipe that called for using cucumber and onion juice, but the flavor was more vibrant using the well- drained grated vegetables.  This recipe is sure to become one of your favorites too.

pdf for Copy of Recipe for Benedictine Dip and Sandwich Salad

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

New Cochon Butcher Location – Nashville, TN

 

‘

‘

‘

‘

‘

‘

‘

‘

‘

”

‘When we visited “The Cochon Butcher” restaurant in Nashville, TN., we were overwhelmed by all the fresh sausages, homemade meats, small plates, sides, and even sweets like bacon pralines.  We were treated to a small plate of Boudin Sausage, which was a new experience for us. My first bite reminded me of ethnic dishes I tasted in Chicago, like the filling in polish cabbage rolls, only more highly seasoned.  It was then that I decided to hunt up some recipes and give sausage making a try. 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Boudin Sausage, Cajun Style – Cochon Butcher – Nashville, TN  

‘

I decided to collect the ingredients to make my own boudin. When we were at The Cochon Butcher restaurant, they mentioned that chicken livers gave the meat a nice flavor so I bought a container of them. I was surprised to find lots of recipes for boudin on the internet. I also decided to follow a recipe that a used cooked long grain rice since I wanted a firmer grain.  I divided the ingredients in half, making only a half since I wanted to use my sausage as a stuffing.

pdf for Copy of Recipe for Boudin Sausage

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Bread and Butter Pickle “Giardinera” 

Giardiniera (“Jar – Din – Air – Ah”) is a mixture of pickled veggies, usually served as a condiment, side dish, or mixed into salads. Its sweet sour tart flavor makes a perfect addition to your favorite sandwich. It can be prepared mild or hot depending on the amount of peppers or chilies used.

pdf for Copy of Recipe for Bread and Butter Pickle “Giardinera”

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sweet ‘n Spicy Molasses Cookies

Welcome to autumn! There isn’t anything more comforting than warm spicy cookies baking in the kitchen. These cookies are filled with juicy pear flavor and bits of almonds. They stay soft in the center and crunchy on the outside when freshly baked. If you store in covered container, they will soften and become cake-like.  This is an old-fashioned recipe with an updated style.

pdf for Copy of Recipe for Autumn’s Sweet’n Spicy Sorghum Molasses Cookies

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Chicago Gourmet Event Sponsored by bon appetit Magazine         in Chicago’s Millennium Park on Chicago’s Lakefront

Chicago Gourmet is a festival held in Millennium Park bordering Lake Michigan, which offers a taste of the best food and drink found in Chicago. I learned that they featured up close interactive demos and food from world class chefs like Rick Bayless, Art Smith, Emeril Lagasse plus about 205 other outstanding chefs.  There was a sizzling lineup of culinary connoisseurs plus the finest wines, beer, and spirits from around the globe as well as regional sources.  The weekend is filled with culinary indulgences, all-day sampling, and an opportunity to mix and mingle with some of the brightest culinary stars.  What a great experience, sipping, savoring, indulging, and just plain enjoying the experience!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Tossed Muffuletta Salad

The Muffuletta is a classic New Orleans sandwich stuffed with flavorful deli cold cuts and cheese.  The rich olive dressing and crisp bread make this a real winner. In this recipe, all the flavors combine together with baked bread croutons.  It is a perfect salad for a party. Toss in the bread croutons, broccoli, and lettuce just before serving.

pdf for Copy of Recipe for Tossed Muffuletta Salad

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Celebrity Chef Gale Gand at Chicago Gourmet Event

‘

‘

‘

‘

‘

‘

‘

Since we knew that we were also having dinner after the festival, we attended lots of demos and seminars with an exciting session featuring Iron Chefs in competition, which played to a packed house.  I also just loved the demo that featured Gale Gand, where she prepared her famous butterscotch pudding using real scotch as one of the ingredients. Her winning James Beard Award Ribbon for desserts was truly earned. An extra plus was she is so friendly and really reaches out to the audience.  Don’t ever lose that sunshine smile, Gale!

Surprise everyone with a butterscotch flavored pudding that is as smooth as silk.  Prepare individual custard cups or place in one large bowl topped with whipped cream and crunchy nuts or toffee.  At the Festival, she added some Scotch to the recipe for a Double Scotch Pudding.  Lots of visitors said it was one of the best recipes in the park.

pdf for Copy of Chef Gale Gand’s Recipe for Butterscotch Pudding 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Chef Sara Moulton for Maple Leaf Farms

‘

‘

‘

‘

‘

‘

‘

‘

After we left the festival, we went to the Gage restaurant for our special dinner.  Can you even imagine a private room, and a table loaded with appetizers, soft candles decoratively arranged on an elegant long table?  Waiters quickly served a gourmet dinner including Farmer’s Salad, our choice of Roasted Duck or Faroe Islands Salmon, and an elegant Tahitian Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee dessert, dotted with juicy berries and Vanilla Chantilly.  Sara Moulton, a perfect hostess, personally chatted with everyone in the room.  She certainly matched the image I carried in my memory from watching her on the Food Network, charming and the person you would invite to an everyday family dinner.  Can you even imagine yourself standing next to a television celebrity just chit-chatting like good friends?  What a feeling that is!  I can’t begin to thank Maple Leaf Farm’s for the generous gifts they gave to us as well as the opportunity to enjoy an elegant party in the park.

‘