Chef’s Cooking Series at Terranea Resort

The Chef’s Cooking Series at Terranea Resort led by Executive Chef Bernard Ibarra.

Last week, Executive Chef Bernard Ibarra led an exceptionally talented team to kick off the “Chef’s Cooking Series” at Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.  The farm-to-table dinner series features an interactive evening with Terranea’s chefs. It was my honor and pleasure to be invited as food photographer for the night. The chefs were awesome, the staff couldn’t have been more gracious, and the food was remarkable in flavor, variety, and creativity.

It began with a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception followed by the chef cooking demonstrations where we learned how to prepare items on the evening’s menu. After the demonstrations, diners were seated at a beautiful long table on a patio for an alfresco three-course meal with wine pairing. Guests received recipe cards and special gift items to recreate the experience at home.

For each event in the series, Terranea is partnering with a different non-profit organization, this first dinner – a Coastal Harvest menu theme – benefitted Los Angeles No Kid Hungry. The next event will showcase a Spring Bounty menu theme on March 20, 2014 – featuring wines by Grgich Hills and benefitting the American Red Cross.

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Griddled Gochujang Chicken Sandwich, “Kimchi” Slaw, Seaweed Mayo

Griddled Gochujang Chicken Sandwich, "Kimchi" Slaw, Seaweed Mayo

Griddled Gochujang Chicken Sandwich, “Kimchi” Slaw, Seaweed Mayo

Our panini maker has uses beyond those delectable yet ubiquitous cheesy Italian sandwiches. Here we are smothering chicken thighs in a spicy gochujang (Korean red chili paste) marinade, then grilling them to charred perfection on the panini maker. Mounds of “kimchi” slaw and a slightly crunchy curiously-addicting seaweed mayonnaise make for an intriguing fusion-style sandwich!

The “kimchi” slaw is not really a kimchi at all, as it is not pickled nor fermented – but it is a crisp slaw with vibrant kimchi flavors such as chili, ginger, and garlic.

The sandwiches are enjoyed with Bek Se Ju, a Korean glutinous rice-based fermented alcoholic beverage infused with ginseng and several other herbs which is especially good with spicy grilled chicken.

Griddled Gochujang Chicken Sandwich Recipe

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Celebrating the Lunar New Year with Korean Rice Cake Soup

Tteokguk (Korean Rice Cake Soup)

Tteokguk (Korean Rice Cake Soup) 떡국

Happy Lunar New Year! We’re celebrating with the Korean soup traditionally eaten on this day – Tteokguk. Rice Cake Soup is the main dish of Seollal (Lunar New Year). It is a day to express respect and gratitude, especially to one’s elders and one’s ancestors. The white color of the rice cakes is said to symbolize purity and cleanliness while their shape represents coins, symbolizing success and prosperity.

My version of tteokguk is not exactly traditional but I sure do love symbolic meals, that is one of the reasons why Passover is a favorite holiday. Here, I make a rich stock with roasted beef bones as well as brisket – to manifest a flavorful New Year. I add hot chiles – so our year will be spicy! I garnish with a rainbow of color – for a bright, brilliant, colorful year to come. And finish with edible flowers – for beauty and grace…

Tteokguk (Korean Rice Cake Soup) 떡국 Recipe

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Classic Chicago-Style Polish Sausage Sliders

Classic Chicago-Style Polish Sausage Sliders

Classic Chicago-Style Polish Sausage Sliders

A recent trip back to Chicago was the inspiration for these Game Day sliders. Chicago is a food lover’s town! In addition to the classic hot dog/polish sausage found all over the city (try Portillo’s, Superdawg, or Hot Doug’s to name a few) we recommend some of our old favorite Chicago foods – Lou Malnati’s Pizza, Carson’s Ribs, Joe’s Stone Crabs, a delightful Thai restaurant on Granville called Summer.

Chicago hot dog aficionados will go absolutely crazy for these little sliders! Da Bears don’t need to be in the Superbowl to serve these winning Chicago-style bites!

What Makes a Classic Chicago-Style Hot Dog?

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Kimchi Ramen with Korean Fried Dumpling

Kimchi Ramen with Korean Fried Dumpling

Seafood Kimchi Ramen (Haemul Kimchi Ramyun)
Shrimp & Kimchi Fried Dumpling (Goon Mandu)
Quail Egg, Fishcake, Roasted Seaweed, Shrimp, Scallion

We’re celebrating the re-dedication of our beloved Korean Friendship Bell by enjoying Korea’s most celebrated pickle dish – kimchi! There are several hundred types of kimchi which are made from various vegetables, fish, seafood, fruit, and herbs. Our recipe uses the most popular of all types of kimchi – napa cabbage kimchi – for the base of the soup and the filling for the fried dumplings.

Korean Friendship Bell

Kimchi is made by pickling vegetables (or other foods) with seasonings such as chili, ginger, garlic, and salt. Generally, there are two categories of kimchi – the “quick” kind which is made for immediate consumption or eaten within a few days just slightly fermented, and the other type in which the mixture is allowed to ferment and mature. Both methods result in Korea’s favorite dish – a delightfully pungent, robust food that is so much more than a side dish.

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