Saturday, January 16, 2016

Food_Wedding_Travel: Amazing 30 minute Tri-Color Chicken Tortellini Pas...

Food_Wedding_Travel: Amazing 30 minute Tri-Color Chicken Tortellini Pas...: Serving Size 4-5 1lb Tri-Color Cheese Stuffed Tortellini Pasta 2lb Chicken Breast Med. Diced 16 oz Heavy cream 1 Red Onions...

Amazing 30 minute Tri-Color Chicken Tortellini Pasta

Serving Size
4-5



1lb Tri-Color Cheese Stuffed Tortellini Pasta
2lb Chicken Breast Med. Diced
16 oz Heavy cream
1 Red Onions Med. Diced
 2 Garlic Clove Minced
4 oz Red Wine

1 Stalk of Rosemary Pulled
3 Sage Leaves Minced
1/4 Bunch of Cilantro Picked

1 tbsp. Curry
1 tbsp. Cumin
1/2 tbsp. Cinnamon
12 tbsp Nutmeg
3/4 tbsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Red Crushed Pepper

Salt                   To Taste
Pepper               To Taste

Smoked Paprika             Garnish

Salad Spring Mix             Optional


Boil tortellini pasta in med. stock pot until cooked.

Under med. heat add olive oil and minced garlic to a large saute pan and saute for about 2 minutes then add chicken.

After chicken is halfway cooked, increase heat to high, then add red onions and seasonings and cook for about 1 minute. Add red wine and saute for about another 1-2 minutes or until alcohol is burned out. Then add heavy cream, rosemary, cilantro and sage, stir, and let sizzle for about 1-2 minutes.

Reduce heat to med.low and add cooked pasta, stir and cook until pasta dish is creamy.

*Keep in mind the pasta will get creamier while cooling down so just reduce liquid to about half.*

Lightly sprinkle smoked paprika over plated dish and serve.

Optional:
Add fresh salad spring mix on top of pasta after plating.

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Turkey Chili with Caramelized Rosemary and Onion French Bread

Serving size
4-5


1 lb ground turkey
1 red onion med. dice
1 red and green bell peppers med. dice
1 jalapeño sliced (optional)
2 garlic cloves minced
3 lbs red potatoes med. dice
3 large tomatoes sm. dice
20 oz of tomato sauce
32oz of chicken stock

2 strings of rosemary chopped
4 leaves of sage slice
1 tsp of cumin
2 tsp of garlic powder
1tsp of curry
1 or 2 1/2 tbsp of sugar

Garnish

Half bunch of cilantro or dill (your preference) picked


Salt           to taste
Pepper      to taste

Season chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Sauté chicken under high heat in a large stock pot until mostly brown. Add half sage, minced garlic, jalapeño, and rosemary, sauté for about 1 min. Then add curry and cumin and sauté for about another 30sec.

Reduce heat to med. and add tomato sauce, chicken stock , potatoes and simmer for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are soft. To check if potatoes are cook, poke a fork through a big piece of potato and if the potato falls off the fork it is cooked.

Add sugar, red onions, bell peppers and the remaining sage, minced garlic, jalapeño, and rosemary. Simmer for another 5mins. Add garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste. Add tomatoes.

Optional
Add steamed white rice on top of chili.

Use cilantro as a garnish after plating.

Caramelized Rosemary and Onion Bread



2 strings of rosemary picked
4oz of sliced red onions
1/2 tablespoon of soy sauce 
1/4 tablespoon of sugar

6 Cups of all purpose flour
2 1/2 of active dry yeast
1 1/2 tablespoons of salt
2 cups of warm water
1 tablespoon of cornmeal
1 egg white
1 tablespoon of water

Caramelized Rosemary and Onion Sauce

In a small saute pan under med. heat sauté red onions and rosemary until onions start to soften. Add soy sauce and sugar and simmer until syrupy texture. Remove 1/3 of the mixture and lightly damp.

Bread

In a large bowl, combine salt, 2 cups flour, yeast, and 1/3 caramelized rosemary onion. Stir in 2 cups warm water, and beat until well blended using a mixer with a hook. Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can.

Lightly dust flour on a  surface, knead in enough flour to make a stiff dough that is smooth and elastic. Knead for about 8 to 10 minutes total. Shape into a ball. Place dough in a greased bowl and turn once. cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled.

Punch dough down and split in half. On a lightly floured surface cover the 2 dough and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each dough into large rectangle. Moisten edge with water and seal. Taper ends.

Grease a large baking sheet and sprinkle with cornmeal. Place loaves, seam side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Beat the egg white with 1 tablespoon of water and brush on the dough. Cover with a damp cloth. Let rise until nearly doubled for about 35 to 40 minutes.

With a very sharp knife, make 3 or 4 diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch deep across top of each loaf. Bake in a preheated 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oven for 20 minutes. Brush again with egg white mixture. Bake for an additional 5 minutes. then top the remaining rosemary and onion mixture on the bread and brush syrup on it. Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until bread test is done. To test if bread is done, tap bread to listen for a shallow sound. If necessary, cover loosely with foil to prevent over browning. Remove from baking sheet, and cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes.


Saturday, November 7, 2015

How to create an elegant, flavorful dish for your next dinner party

Sometimes going traditional is always the easiest way to go to host your next dinner party. I've received numerous inquiries about hosting a dinner party but most of them are simple American, Italian or Latin cuisine--- "boring". How about mind blowing food that becomes the entertainment of the party? The  music and crazy mixed drinks are not the only things that can make a party fun.  If you want to have a fancy, top notch dinner party you need to consider these steps before you start bringing ideas to the table or hiring your traditional caterer or restaurant who is limited when it comes to menu options.



Be open to the different cuisines around the world

The world is big, really big, so why not use what's there to offer? Be open to major culinary cuisine that is trending around the world such as Asian, Italian, French, Caribbean, African, Mexican, South American, Tex-Mex, Thai, and hundreds more. Pick 3-4 major cuisines you and your guests will enjoy and research them. If you do not know what your guests will enjoy, simply mail or email them an invitation with cuisine options, 



Spices and culinary techniques from around the world

Now that you have chosen your cuisine preference, its time to break it down by spices and techniques. Every cuisine around the world is different based on techniques and spices that are available or grown in that area. For example, asian cuisine uses soy for flavor and the main cooking method is using a wok, Indian cuisine uses curry for flavor and main cooking method is using a cask iron pot. Research techniques and spices you prefer. After you figure out what spices and culinary technique you would like to use its time to brainstorm about your plating technique.

It's plating time

After figuring out which cuisine, spice and technique you like to use, it's time to figure out a plating technique, There are so many ways to create a perfect plated dish, but first you must consider the portion size and colors for each item you're using. Each item you're using must compliment each other. For example, if you're using salmon, fruits and vegetables, the main point of interest is your salmon. Since you know your salmon will be the big hit, place it where it will capture you guests eyes instantly. You can use rich colored lettuce as the bed of the salmon and scatter vegetables and fruits around it. Now you have a variety of colors and flavors that compliment each other, To top it off, create a floral design with carrots which gives the dish a more romantic display. This will surely wow your guests.


Wine tasting
Now that you have created a dish like a master chef, think of a wine that will go perfect with your dish. From red, white and spirits, there are so many options to choose from. Contact a local winery or stop by  and simply ask questions and inform the representative of what you are trying to do. Once you figure out a wine that pairs well with your dish,  purchase the wine from you local winery to save money. I know there's "google" and you can do your research online but do not purchase anything before you get a sample taste and always make sure it is a reputable company.

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Why not have a destination wedding?


Destination Wedding or Vow Renewal

At some point in your wedding planning you may stumble upon ideas of a destination wedding. A destination wedding can be an intimate setting of just you and the love of your life,  or with close friends and families who will cherish and support every single moment of your happies.  Say "I Do' anywhere in the world with mother nature's elegant decor. From mountain tops to sandy beaches destination wedding is the true occasion that will last a lifetime. 


                                        


Below are 8 tips about destination wedding to consider before you decide a plan your wedding.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Stress-free wedding planning

Just like booking a luxury or historic vacation trip with a travel agent. Planning and booking your destination wedding can be very easy compared to the traditional way of planning a wedding. It's better to contact a seasoned planner who is  from your location.

Gorgeous ceremony location

From thousands of sandy beaches and mountain tops, you can find a ceremony location anywhere in the world that will fit your budget. A  seasoned planner who is also a local from your destination will know the location very well and can give you detail insights about the type of scenery you are looking for.

Year round tropical weather

The most popular locations for a destination wedding are tropical destinations such as the caribbean, south pacific,  coast of Africa, Australia and Asia. 

Flexible timing saves you money

Plan your destination wedding in the off season which will save you lots of money. Booking a hotel in the off season that offers destination wedding services may seem like it saves you a lot of money, but keep in mind the limitations of each hotel. Working with event planning and catering companies that offer private coordinators will give you more bang for your buck!  They will be able to provide you with numerous wedding services at lower rates which will in turn save you time, be less of a headache, be friendly to your bank account and produce your dream wedding!  

Instant vacation for you and your guests

Although destination wedding is more like a vacation, consider activities like water sporting, bar hopping or tour guides for you, your family and friends. Guests can also celebrate and enjoy the memories of your wedding with you. 

Save money on honeymoon

Just like a vacation, having a destination wedding can save you tons of money for your honeymoon. Some activities like island hopping, sunset dinner sail or upgrading your hotel room after your wedding day can all be money savers rather than booking a separate honeymoon vacation. Some couples often travel 2-3 days on a private getaway close by for a more romantic and relaxing honeymoon.

Close family and friends can save money on vacation

Considering you are getting married in a exotic destination some of your guests may consider this as a vacation for them. Having activities and places to go will help them consider attending other than making them feel like are a burden on your wedding vacation.

Great way to minimize you guest list

Instead of paying thousands of dollars for guests who just want to show up and eat, a destination wedding is a great way to minimize you guest list. Its also a great way for you to know who truly wants to celebrate with you and will help support your unity.