A Passion for Pasta at Fontainebleau Las Vegas

A Passion for Pasta at Fontainebleau Las Vegas

A Passion for Pasta

Signature Series by Fontainebleau Las Vegas

In honor of National Pasta Day, Signature Series by Fontainebleau presented the “art of pasta” with detailed demonstrations of handmade and extruded styles which was led by acclaimed Italian-born Chef Stefano Chiarugi.

Attendees were able to learn more about pasta from the Chef and watch him demonstrate how to make the various pastas. We were able to then practice hand-rolling trofie, prepare the tortelli filling, and hand-form the tortelli by folding the dough over to form a half moon, then drawing the two corners together to form a rounded bonnet-shape.

A Passion for Pasta at Fontainebleau Las Vegas

A fabulous three-course pasta dinner followed the demonstration. The menu included the pasta shapes, pesto, and pumpkin filling learned in the class. The classic Italian wine pairing was courtesy of Fontainebleau Las Vegas Master Sommelier Kevin Reilly.

A Passion for Pasta at Fontainebleau Las Vegas

A PASSION FOR PASTA
with Executive Chef Stefano Chiarugi

ANTIPASTI

Saffron Arancini and Gorgonzola Cheese
Loaded Focaccia Pugliese
Caramelized Fresh Fig and Prosciutto di Parma
served with
Aperol Spritz

PASTA MENU

Trofie Pasta with Creamy Basil Pesto
Confit Cherry Tomatoes, Smoked Provola Cheese

Tortelli Filled with Roasted Pumpkin and Bufala Ricotta
in Brown Butter Sage Sauce

Chitarra Pasta with Black Truffle-Braised Duck Ragu
Aged Parmesan Cheese

Focaccia Romana for the Table

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Pan-Seared Branzino, Cucumber Salmoriglio, Borage Blossoms

branzino, salmoriglio, ciao fiore

Pan-Seared Branzino, Cucumber Salmoriglio, Borage Blossoms

Here we are on the sparkling azure Mediterranean. I’m in the cucina with Chefs Norma and Debi, cooking for opening day of our virtual ristorante Ciao Fiore! Norma is in the process making ricotta fresca for the extravagant antipasti tavola, and Debi is using sodium alginate and calcium chloride to craft the strawberry caviar which will top her lavender & mascarpone panna cotta as a part of the fabulous dessert course.

branzino, borage, salmoriglio, castelvetrano

My job is to execute the main course, and with the risotto already done, imagine my delight as the fishing boat pulled up to the dock, loaded with just-caught branzino! Fresh from the sea pan-seared fillets will be served with salmoriglio, a Sicilian fish sauce made with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and herbs. For our grand opening, this particular version of the classic sauce will be enhanced with Meyer lemon confit, red chiles, cucumber, and Castelvetrano olives. Borage blossoms will finish the dish, with their sweet cucumber flavor accenting the sauce while their bright blue hue mirrors the sea.

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