The Julia Child Annual Birthday Tribute with Coquilles Saint Jacques
Imagine Julia Child hosting her own birthday party today, August 15th. She’s invited you and four other girlfriends to an intimate luncheon at her home in Paris at 81 Rue de l’Université in the 7th arrondissement.
She begins the charming affair by serving her favorite cocktail, an upside-down martini. With naturally less alcohol than a traditional martini, Julia says, “The best thing about a reverse martini is that you can have two of them!” Oh gosh, this is going to be fun!
To start the meal, Julia chose her recipe for Coquilles St. Jacques à la Provençale, sea scallops gratinéed with wine, garlic, and herbs. Which she serves with crusty baguettes and chilled rosé. She says, “This good recipe may be prepared in advance and gratinéed just before serving.” Just a few minutes under the broiler, and her elegant little starter is ready to go!
Nitsuke is a Japanese technique of simmering food, especially fish, in a combination of soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar. Gindara is the Japanese name for Black Cod or Sablefish.
Chef Morimoto says, “Simmered doesn’t sound very exciting, does it? It certainly doesn’t entice like the words charred or broiled do. Well, simmering in the Japanese way should get you salivating, because it produces some of my favorite dishes of all. The secret is creating a cooking liquid that highlights the flavor of the main ingredient and strikes the right balance between sweet and salty.”
Restaurant Style
Pasta with Scallops, Lobster
Asparagus, Sage Truffle Butter
A most memorable meal at Ferraro’s inspired me to recreate one of their many fabulous menu items: the Pappardelle Mimmo. This seafood pasta, a favorite of the chef, was simply outstanding. We shared all our dishes at dinner and agreed that the pappardelle is now one of our favorites too.
Established in 1985, Ferraro’s Ristorante is located near the Las Vegas Strip. It is a family-owned business that prides itself on offering authentic Italian cuisine with a focus on traditional methods and recipes, high-quality seasonal ingredients, and homemade “everything” including sausage, meatballs, pastas, breads, desserts and more.
The restaurant is especially noted for its warm inviting atmosphere, superb service, and extensive wine list that features a wide selection of Italian and international wines. It’s no wonder that Ferraro’s has garnered a loyal following among Las Vegas locals and visitors alike…and that Gambero Rosso recently recognized them as one of the top Italian restaurants in the world.
Taste With The Eyes re-creation of Pappardelle Mimmo
Ferraro’s Ristorante Las Vegas
Ferraro’s Antipasti
Burrata con Zucchine
Burrata with grilled zucchini and herb oil
Carne Battuta
Prime beef tartare, Reggiano truffle reduction, black truffle crostini, hazelnuts
This mouthwatering TruffledMushroom Pappardelle is a delightful pasta dish that features wide, flat, fresh pappardelle noodles paired with a savory-creamy-herby mushroom sauce where a drizzle of white truffle oil enhances the earthy mushroom flavors.
We are fortunate that our local Las Vegas Italian restaurant sells fresh house-made pasta to go, including pappardelle, fettuccine, spaghetti alla chitarra, and gnocchi. I am more than happy to promote Prosecco in Las Vegas for their imported cheeses including Burrata di Puglia and excellent fresh pasta.
A little while back, I shared a recipe for Duck and Sweet Potato Enmoladas with a New Mexican Mole inspired by Chef Fernando Olea at Sazón restaurant in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was named Best Chef Southwest 2022 by the James Beard Foundation for his unique interpretation of contemporary and traditional Mexican dishes.
The Chef is famous for his various moles including New Mexican Mole, Mole Verde, Mole Negro, and Mole Coloradito. Not only does the Chef offer a tasting of his exceptional moles at the restaurant, he also sells them online so we can enjoy them at home!
Mole Coloradito is prepared using one of Chef Olea’s traditional family recipes. Incorporating both guajillo and arbol chiles, he creates a harmonizing blend of savory and spice which are combined with tomato, onion, garlic, lime juice and many other ingredients. This somewhat spicier mole pairs wonderfully with pork or white fish.
Mole Verde paired with Chilean Sea Bass at Sazón Santa Fe