My Interview with Chef Sam Choy on Sustainability and Poke!

Chef Sam Choy and Sustainable Ahi
Chef Sam Choy and Sustainable Ahi

Born and raised in Hawaii, Chef Sam Choy explains how the islanders would watch the old Hawaiian “landkeepers” take care of the environment, and how they would embrace the magic of kapu.

Kapu represents a period of time when there is no fishing, no taking from the earth. “It is when we leave the earth time to replenish itself,” Choy said. “If we keep depleting, there will be nothing left for our great great grandkids. We need to protect. We need to care. We want them to have what we are enjoying.”

Choy’s philosophy has always been like that – protecting, caring. He lives that way, he says. Keeping the ocean pristine and vibrant, allowing the nature of the ocean to be plentiful. “Living in Hawaii, you have to believe in that, we are surrounded by water, after all.”

sustainable seafood

This post is the third in a series promoting sustainable seafood.

Sam Choy’s Bow-tie Mahimahi Salad

Crusted Ahi with Roasted Garlic Tahini

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Chef Sam Choy’s Bow-tie Mahimahi Salad

Chef Sam Choy's Bow-tie Mahimahi Salad

Chef Sam Choy’s Bow-tie Mahimahi Salad

“Pasta salads and poke are made for each other – both are best served cold, both use a blend of multiple flavors, and both taste great. The best thing about this dish, aside from the taste, is its versatility. If mahimahi is not your favorite, simply substitute ahi, wahoo, or any other fish. You simply cannot go wrong.” -Sam Choy

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Terranea Resort Names Charles Olalia Chef de Cuisine of mar’sel

Dungeness Crab Chaud Froid with apples, walnut and pomegranate

Terranea Resort Names Charles Olalia Chef de Cuisine of mar’sel
Chef Olalia Brings New Culinary Direction to Celebrated Los Angeles Restaurant

The following is a press release from Terranea Resort. It was my honor and pleasure to shoot the photos of Chef Charles Olalia and his food.

Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. (Oct. 2, 2014) – Terranea Resort, A Destination Hotel, welcomes Charles Olalia as the new chef de cuisine of mar’sel, the resort’s signature restaurant. One of Los Angeles’ top dining destinations, mar’sel blends old world techniques with new world California cuisine in a spectacular seaside setting located along the prestigious Palos Verdes Peninsula.

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Spiced Roasted Cauliflower with Walnut, Cilantro, Mint

Spiced Roasted Cauliflower with Walnut, Cilantro, Mint

Spiced Roasted Cauliflower
Walnut, Cilantro, Mint, Kaffir Lime, Pink Peppercorn

I’m channeling my inner Ottolenghi, move over steamed white cauliflower. The king of vibrant vegetable dishes, Chef Ottolenghi often chooses a single ingredient then enhances it with various herbs, spices, and other exotic flavors. Here – mustard, fennel, and cumin seeds are toasted in olive oil. Then turmeric, hatch chile powder and dry mustard are whisked in. Cauliflower is tossed with the spice mixture and roasted until it begins to caramelize. Roasted walnuts add nutty rich notes. A huge handful of cilantro and mint add a fresh bright herbal character. Kaffir lime shards and crushed pink peppercorns bring the magic. The humble cauliflower side dish, is now kicked to the curb and dressed to kill…

Spiced Roasted Cauliflower Recipe

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Cocktail Nibbles Inspired by The Late Great James Beard

Cocktail Nibbles Inspired by James Beard
For the Civilized Tradition of Cocktail Entertaining
Nibbles Inspired by The Late Great James Beard

well washed down with the drink of your choosing
flavored with good will and love and understanding

Simple and Sublime. Tomato and Onion. Plus my favorite cocktail, and yours. He wrote the first major cookbook devoted exclusively to cocktail food and drink in 1940! His entertaining advice is pithy, precious, and ultimately timeless. These bites are not meant to satiate, but to leave one hungry, hungry for what comes next…

“The food, no matter how simple, should show some degree of imagination,” wrote James Beard, Dean of American Cookery.

featuring

Mini Sweet Onion Sandwiches with Mayo and Fresh Herbs
and
Mini Heirloom Tomatoes Dipped in Absinthe and Kosher Salt 

When James Beard died at 81 on January 21, 1985, he left a legacy of culinary excellence and integrity to generations of home cooks and professional chefs. His name remains synonymous with American food. – from James Beard Foundation

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