Notes

Oxtail Napoleon

Cassava Beurre Blanc

Trio of Russian Smoked Fish

Pickled Garlic Chips

Pumpkin Seed Brittle

Stuffed Tentacles

Lemongrass Broth

Pumpernickel Pretzel

Pumpernickel Crepe

Shortbread Pudding/Sauce/Puree

What's In The Fridge?

PorkChop.Kimchee.Mashed Potato.Tamarind Gravy.Avocado Ceviche

Three different acidic elements help cut the fat of the pork and the richness of the mashed potato. Kimchee brings fermented spicy flavor, tamarind has a cutting acidity, and the avocado ceviche provides citric counterpoint. Actually, the pork and kimchee alone make a great combination. I originally wanted to mix coarse mustard in the potatoes and intended more of a tamarind jus that ended up a gravy, but still proud of it. I would've preferred either a tenderloin or pork belly for this dish, but as the title suggests, I was feeding the recession and emptying out the fridge.

Recommended Reading

Dear Mailman,

You hold my nerves on end. Your 9-5 brings citizens pain, joy & junk. But when that brown package decorates my doorstep, I dismiss pain & junk.

The bills can wait and so can Puff Daddy's sample fragrance (although jet-skiing in a tuxedo while naming your cologne after Martin Luther King Jr. is quite intriguing). My latest arrival is Rick Stein's Complete Seafood. A complete and thorough guide to preparing, cooking and serving fish and seafood. The past 4 books purchased have been my most helpful culinary guidelines. Oprah may or may not agree, but I'm pretty sure these are some of the top books of the past few years.

Alinea Grant Achatz

This restaurant in Chicago has been at the forefront of "molecular gastronomy" and at the forefront of labeling it a misnomer. Yes, it is kind of a tired term. It's just food, folks. The difference here is experience and presentation and, in my opinion, Achatz does it the best. Proven more by releasing a cookbook to show that plenty of these can be done at home. Although a lot of recipes call for acetate, liquid nitrogen, Ultra-Tex 3 and sodium alginate (to name a few) there's plenty to attempt with common ingredients. I never really try full recipes from this book (or usually any book) but it's great for learning new techniques and turning your brain on it's side. (I'm also working on a list of places to buy these supposed far-fetched ingredients sans the internet). Plus, visually it makes a great coffee table read. Some of the best dishes I've ever witnessed.

Happy In The Kitchen Michel Richard

Michel clearly has a unique and dedicated love for his craft. This book has an easy playfulness with such dishes as "Low Carb-o-nara", "Virtual Eggs" and "Carrot Risotto". But every recipe i've tried from this book has turned out pretty successful. I mean it got me out of the weeds with my short rib problem. Plus, the "Faux Gras" is a great cheaper pate that is delicious (it also calls for a whole stick of butter)

Complete Seafood Rick Stein

Just received this one. I knew I had to purchase this immediately after flipping through it at the bookstore. It's one of the handiest fish and seafood guides I've ever seen. Thorough in it's visual demonstration, it even breaks down the break down of different fish for different use (broiled, raw, grilled, baked, wrapped in puff pastry) plus a complete index of where the seafood swims and it's visual identification.

On The Line Eric Ripert

Another sea-centric recipe log with half the book dedicated to the flow of an upscale, Michelin-rated, well-tuned professional kitchen. (Not just any, Eric has been acclaimed by most to be the best seafood chef in the world). Aligned with the dish conception process and a typical day, well, on the line. But besides that the recipes are awesome. Almost overwhelming, you don't know where to start. Every dish seems meticulously well-crafted and goes through many mouths before reaching the diners'. This kind of attention to detail is the greatest part of Ripert's rapport.

Other selections to soon be delivered by you: Charcuterie Michael Ruhlman, Michael Mina Cook Book Michael Mina, Under Pressure Thomas Keller, Il Viaggio Di Vetri Vetri/Joachim

Thank you, postal provider. Someday I'll invite you in for dinner.

Sincerely,

Jarrett

Basically

Short Ribs.Mushroom Polenta.Leek Salad

This dish will never defeat me again! I finally have it. I give many thanks to Michel Richard's book (which, if you have not taken a look at, please do). Submerged in a whole bottle of wine, plus enough chicken stock to finish covering the ribs. Added to that: carrots, onions, leeks, thyme, rosemary, clove, anise, bay leaves. Then, threw in a 275 degree oven for 2.5 hours. Tender, silky, beautiful. I had tried braising meat at least 5 times before, every time discouraged from dried out overcooked meat. This is a simple dish, but I'm going back to basics! Fundamentals are fundamental after all, aren't they?

Two things i recommend for braising (contrary to many cookbooks & recipes I have read time and again):

-Make sure your meat is COMPLETELY submerged in whatever liquid it is you are using to braise.

-Use the oven. It's a much better way to control your temperature. The stovetop never seems to do the right job.

Next to tackle are oxtails. I actually grew up eating them, and prefer them to short ribs. Maybe make a caramel from the braising liquid serve with a risotto. Ultra rich!

It'd be great to make Philly Cheesesteaks with this meat. Melt a blend of strong cheeses or maybe some brie on toasted brioche.

See you soon!

Trailer Treasure

Lately, NW 17th Ave. has become my latest highway. I've almost got it memorized and will soon be able to determine intersections solely by their surrounding businesses. But there is something keeping me on my toes. Preventing that drive down south from monotony.

Taco Trucks.

Sounds simple enough. A half-size trailer pumping out quick, flavorful meat slathered on soft, floured vessels like a one-man or one-woman factory. Keep in mind that this is fairly new to Miami. There's always been a struggle for authentic, let alone, delicious Mexican fare. These trucks are little pods of light and hope down the narrow tunnel that is: Mexican food in Miami.

I remember one taco truck, specifically caught the mouths of many and was even awarded best Mexican by the Miami New Times. It used to be parked at Douglas Park on weekends and occasional weekdays. It's very confusing, actually. The truck proprietors decide at random when to show up. I suppose that's part of the adventure, hunting them down. But now there's a truck on 28th and another on 19th, both on 17th ave. Plus, there's also new restaurants sowing their seed and almost getting overwhelming. This is a fairly recent boost. I have yet to try 90% of these establishments, but am ready, willing & able.

One taco truck was mediocre, didnt have much variety and I think was actually owned by a Dominican family. (I wish they were serving Dominican food).

Why don't more people jump on this bandwagon and open a wagon of their own? The cultural variety thriving in this Magic City should expand to more than hot dogs and tacos. At least in the late night, portable sense.

If this continues, I'm going to base every move I make on where the trucks are setup. So I can just go downstairs and gnaw on some tender, spicy pig organs nestled between crisp radish, bright cilantro and raw onion.

Dreams soon to become reality!

NYC Feasting

Hello.

It's been a while.

I was caught with a nasty virus (ironically might've been food related) for about a week.

Then I took a lovely trip to New York City to play a few shows and gorge in the boroughs.

My stomach was playing double dutch with my tongue on every corner of every street and I don't think I ever repeated a meal or dish. (Although I ate a lot of stomach and smoked fish)

Here's a list of dishes had during my plump and lush visit to the Big Apple. (however, I never bit off more than I could chew)

CHINATOWN

Cold Sichuan Ox Tongue & Heart

Asam Laksa

Briased Goose Web & Sea Cucumber

Crispy Squid Tentacle

Fruit Salad with Squid & Shrimp Paste

Malaysian Curried Pancake

Duck Web Salad

Lychee Martini

Salt & Pepper Sardine (?)(whole tiny fish) [Dim Sum]

Shrimp Dumpling [Dim Sum]

Crispy Taro Dumpling [Dim Sum]

Scallop Dumpling [Dim Sum]

Braised Chicken Feet [Dim Sum]

Mees Rames (sp?)

Gado Gado salad

QUEENS

Flushing & Jackson Heights

Curry Fishball on a stick

Peking Duck Pancake

Sichuan rare beef soup

Yaks Butter & Salt Tea

Tibetan Spicy Tripe

Mango Lassi

Lotus & Preserved Egg Dumpling

Winter Melon Pastry

BRIGHTON BEACH

Cold Smoked Butterfish

Cold Smoked Turbot

Cold Smoked Salmon

Beet Salad

Beet Casserole

Carrot Salad

Lardo

Pickled Tomato

Caviar (Sturgeon)

Pickled Apple

Raw Clams (Coney Island)

Plum Cordials

Pickled Garlic

Corn Dog (Coney Island: delicious!)

Half Sour & Sour Pickles

Russian Raisin Malta

Black Currant Soda

BROOKLYN

Scrapple

Smoked Beer

Currywurst

Spicy Bloody Mary

Goat in Okra Sauce

Bramble

Goat in Eggplant Sauce

Ivory Coast BBQ whole fish w/ various condiments

Cecina Tacos

Chicken Mole Tamale

Duck Hash

Zucchini Flower Pupusas (Loroco y Queso)

Horchata

Habichuelas

MANHATTAN

Fig-infused Vodka

Dirty Martini

GREENPOINT

Veal Tongue in Horseradish Sauce

Cold Red Borscht

Various Cabbage slaws (Cole Slaw/Sauerkraut/Red Cabbage)

The Perfect Cup of Coffee

Sort of an impossible subject title to follow. Many will argue on what the perfect cup of coffee is. When I say many, I mean people, ethnicities, races, subcultures, sexes, traditions, cultures, ways of life. The world takes their coffee very seriously and some with cream & sugar. So who's to say which coffee is the best? Is it Cuba's potent thimbles of viscous espresso? Ethiopia's meticulously spiced brew & blend revealing a lesson of history with every sip? Vietnam's unique and smart combination of condensed milk and French roast? Or maybe it's a ventidoubleshotskinnymochasugarfreevanillamacchiatolatte with 1/2 soy, 1/2 skim, couple of ice cubes, extra whipped cream, low fat margarine, fortified pomegranate-acai energy wheatgrass shot of...

You know, most American's prefer the water based drip sipped from the styrofoam at your local mechanic's waiting room. I guess you can get used to anything (like Sweet 'n' Low).

I'm wondering....I'm wondering if it is possible to make that perfect cup of coffee. Considering that coffee is deeply rooted in tradition. Tradition usually comes with a side of pride. Pride can be paired with hard-headedness. Probably not.

I'm actually kind of new to coffee. Was never much into it. But after seeing all these different takes and the endless possibilities yet to be explored, it got my tail wagging.

What if I spiced a cuban roast with cardamom, cloves and cinnamon, blended it with condensed milk and served it over ice?

Savory applications have always interested me as well. (Ground coffee beans make a great crust on beef)

You know some Ethiopians like their coffee with salt?

It's time to move out of Maxwell's house, get a chock full o' sense and expand your coffee palette. If you find the perfect cup of coffee, please bring me some (I usually wake up around 10)

Simple Pleasures

Slicing open a perfectly roasted piece of meat and pushing it slightly, watching it give away clear juice.

Who Knew?

Who knew I would ever be doing a double take in the canned seafood aisle?

Who knew that a Spanish delicacy starting at $165 per lb. would be available at Publix in Miami Shores for $3.99 per 4 oz.?

Suspicion arises, and the orange hued piece of garlic(?) garish and proud peeking through the "gulas" in the picture does not help. What is that?! Maybe it's another piece of eel? If they don't have aesthetic quality control, does it carry over to their control over other qualities?

Okay, by this time I've been staring for way too long and the Publix employee is politely and silently trying to tell me to get out of his way. I can think and walk at the same time. So as I ponder blindly through aisles 4-11 I realize that I have to buy these, because they might be seasonal and would hate myself for passing up such an opportunity.

So as soon as I get home I empty out every condiment, fruit and vegetable in my fridge and display them across the table like an arsenal to attack my Iberian serpeintitas. I go at it with mustard, horseradish, onions, strawberries and lemon. They all work in their own way (although the mustard and strawberry together fought a losing battle)

After downing that can, I've so far purchased a can with every trip to the grocery. Now I'm going to attempt sauteeing it. Garlic,

chilis and cilantro should do just fine. Start simple, then experiment further with every purchase. That's my plan! They are naturally sweet and should play nicely with others.

You will be hearing more from me on this subject.

Is it worthy of a Gourmet Recession title? I'll think about it, but it makes one hell of an impressive appetizer! For Sure!

Longans Run

Finally had some of these. Expecting something of the lychee variety, but to my surprise it resembled a miniature cantaloupe. My brain is awake. Paired with salmon sashimi or ikura. Maybe with a nice shave of quality ham and a dash of olive oil...some herb...basil. Sous vide pork loin might do justice. Of course a sorbet or ice cream is great because the fruit itself is not too sweet. It'll bring a beautiful, neutral component to dessert. There's a great joy to eating one by itself. Cracking it open between your palm and the counter and peeling off the prehistoric-like brittle skin to reveal another wonder of the world that most fruit represents in it's natural ability to look and taste beautiful. I'm guessing you can purchase these at most Asian markets. I was fortunate enough to know someone with a tree. Try it anyway you can.