At this time of the year, so many of us take the time to give thanks for the wonderful things that so many of us have in our lives. We may be thankful for our health, for our home, for the feast on our table, for our jobs. Those of us behind Jet-Chef.com feel incredibly thankful this holiday season.
It is with that thankful spirit that we urge you to give to your local food banks. Many food banks are at all time lows in food inventory. In Los Angeles, Jackson Limousine Company conducted it's 21st annual "Turkey Dinner Giveaway" on Tuesday, November 25th. The organizer, Ed Jackson, apparently planned to give away about 5-8,000 turkeys. Last I heard they had over 10,000 people line up for blocks for those turkeys. I was shocked to hear in another news broadcast that ONE in EIGHT Americans are on the brink of hunger. In America? How can this be?
On a local news channel a journalist interviewed some of the people waiting in line. Those folks were you and me. Not the poor that we somehow imagine being very distant from our everyday lives. These were solidly "middle class" people whose lives have been upended with job loses, devastating health care costs, rising mortgage rates, and the increases in the cost of everyday living. One woman commented that a year ago she would never have imagined standing in that very line. What a difference a year makes.
Jet-chef.com is dedicated to giving to our local food banks, and we would like to partner with you. Please post your commitment on this blog, and we will do everything in our power to match it. If you can give six cans, we will give six cans. Share your pictures with us, your experiences in volunteering at a local food bank or holiday dinner. For those of us with so much, the very best holiday gift we can give is that to help our neighbor, lend a helping hand, ease someone's burden. Even the smallest effort can reap the greatest reward. Thank you for your commitment to donating to your local food banks this holiday season.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Flavor Trends for 2009: Lavender
From my previous posts (November 16, November 19), I revealed that I am truly fascinated with food trends, and experimenting with new flavors. Recently, Mintel, the consumer, media and market research company, tallied the top food and flavor trends for 2009. Here are the top seven flavor trends for 2009:
1. Persimmon (featured in November 16th blog post)
2. Starfruit (featured in November 19th blog post)
3. Lavender
4. Cactus
5. Chimichurri
6. Peri-Peri
7. Masala
In this post, I spotlight the aromatic Lavender! I will continue to highlight each trend, with a recipe or two that I recommend. Please feel free to bookmark and/or follow this blog so you can get a great snapshot of all seven in the weeks to come. I also welcome any recipes that include Lavender, even homemade skincare recipes that feature lavender that you would love to share.
#3 Lavender: What is Lavender? What does it taste like?
(Picture from http://www.peachykeenorganics.co.uk)
Many of us have lavender growing in our gardens, and I know that I certainly love including lavender in my backyard to savor the wonderful scent! Lavender is used in a variety of ways, both fresh, dried and lavender oils. The chefs in the Provence region of France have been cooking with lavender for centuries. Lavender often brings a natural, yet elegant and sweetly floral flavor to a variety of cuisines.
(Picture of Dagoba Organic Chocolate Lavender Bar, from www.dagobachocolate.com)
One of the truly interesting food products that I found that contains lavender is the "Dagoba Organic Chocolate Bar". This chocolate bar contains dark chocolate, lavender and blueberries. It sounds completely divine, and the Dagoba website claims that it is "terrific with a glass of zinfandel". SOLD! They offer a box of 12 bars for $36.00. What amazing hostess gifts these bars would make with a lovely small dried lavender bouquet tied to the bar with some natural colored raffia! (hint, hint...to any of my holiday guests!)
The lavender recipe, and image, that follow were found on Epicurious.com. I found many truly interesting lavender recipes, including many with a Provence theme (with cornish game hens, and other fowl). I thought this one seemed so very versatile to make a unique and interesting holiday dessert truly special!
(photo by: Sang An, from www.Epicurious.com)
Honey Lavender Ice Cream
Yield: Makes about 1 qt
Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 8 hr (includes steeping, chilling, and freezing)
Ingredients:
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup half-and-half
2/3 cup mild honey
2 tablespoons dried edible lavender flowers*
2 large eggs
1/8 teaspoon salt
Special equipment: a candy or instant-read thermometer; an ice cream maker
Preparation:
Bring cream, half-and-half, honey, and lavender just to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, then remove pan from heat. Let steep, covered, 30 minutes.
Pour cream mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl and discard lavender. Return mixture to cleaned saucepan and heat over moderate heat until hot.
Whisk together eggs and salt in a large bowl, then add 1 cup hot cream mixture in a slow stream, whisking. Pour into remaining hot cream mixture in saucepan and cook over moderately low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until thick enough to coat back of spoon and registers 170 to 175°F on thermometer, about 5 minutes (do not let boil).
Pour custard through sieve into cleaned bowl and cool completely, stirring occasionally. Chill, covered, until cold, at least 3 hours.
Freeze custard in ice cream maker. Transfer ice cream to an airtight container and put in freezer to harden.
Cooks' notes:• To cool custard quickly after straining, set bowl in a larger bowl of ice and cold water and stir until chilled. • Custard can chill up to 1 day before freezing. • Ice cream keeps 1 week.
Visit Jet-Chef.com to find a caterer, personal chef or restaurant that features unique, exotic flavor trends that include starfruit and so many more!
Are you a caterer, personal chef or restaurant and want to be part of the Jet-Chef.com success? Log on to Jet-Chef.com and start your listing today for as little as $29.00/6 month membership! Contact us via email at info@imaiusa.com or call us toll-free at 1-877-774-1255.
1. Persimmon (featured in November 16th blog post)
2. Starfruit (featured in November 19th blog post)
3. Lavender
4. Cactus
5. Chimichurri
6. Peri-Peri
7. Masala
In this post, I spotlight the aromatic Lavender! I will continue to highlight each trend, with a recipe or two that I recommend. Please feel free to bookmark and/or follow this blog so you can get a great snapshot of all seven in the weeks to come. I also welcome any recipes that include Lavender, even homemade skincare recipes that feature lavender that you would love to share.
#3 Lavender: What is Lavender? What does it taste like?
(Picture from http://www.peachykeenorganics.co.uk)
Many of us have lavender growing in our gardens, and I know that I certainly love including lavender in my backyard to savor the wonderful scent! Lavender is used in a variety of ways, both fresh, dried and lavender oils. The chefs in the Provence region of France have been cooking with lavender for centuries. Lavender often brings a natural, yet elegant and sweetly floral flavor to a variety of cuisines.
(Picture of Dagoba Organic Chocolate Lavender Bar, from www.dagobachocolate.com)
One of the truly interesting food products that I found that contains lavender is the "Dagoba Organic Chocolate Bar". This chocolate bar contains dark chocolate, lavender and blueberries. It sounds completely divine, and the Dagoba website claims that it is "terrific with a glass of zinfandel". SOLD! They offer a box of 12 bars for $36.00. What amazing hostess gifts these bars would make with a lovely small dried lavender bouquet tied to the bar with some natural colored raffia! (hint, hint...to any of my holiday guests!)
The lavender recipe, and image, that follow were found on Epicurious.com. I found many truly interesting lavender recipes, including many with a Provence theme (with cornish game hens, and other fowl). I thought this one seemed so very versatile to make a unique and interesting holiday dessert truly special!
(photo by: Sang An, from www.Epicurious.com)
Honey Lavender Ice Cream
Yield: Makes about 1 qt
Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 8 hr (includes steeping, chilling, and freezing)
Ingredients:
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup half-and-half
2/3 cup mild honey
2 tablespoons dried edible lavender flowers*
2 large eggs
1/8 teaspoon salt
Special equipment: a candy or instant-read thermometer; an ice cream maker
Preparation:
Bring cream, half-and-half, honey, and lavender just to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, then remove pan from heat. Let steep, covered, 30 minutes.
Pour cream mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl and discard lavender. Return mixture to cleaned saucepan and heat over moderate heat until hot.
Whisk together eggs and salt in a large bowl, then add 1 cup hot cream mixture in a slow stream, whisking. Pour into remaining hot cream mixture in saucepan and cook over moderately low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until thick enough to coat back of spoon and registers 170 to 175°F on thermometer, about 5 minutes (do not let boil).
Pour custard through sieve into cleaned bowl and cool completely, stirring occasionally. Chill, covered, until cold, at least 3 hours.
Freeze custard in ice cream maker. Transfer ice cream to an airtight container and put in freezer to harden.
Cooks' notes:• To cool custard quickly after straining, set bowl in a larger bowl of ice and cold water and stir until chilled. • Custard can chill up to 1 day before freezing. • Ice cream keeps 1 week.
Visit Jet-Chef.com to find a caterer, personal chef or restaurant that features unique, exotic flavor trends that include starfruit and so many more!
Are you a caterer, personal chef or restaurant and want to be part of the Jet-Chef.com success? Log on to Jet-Chef.com and start your listing today for as little as $29.00/6 month membership! Contact us via email at info@imaiusa.com or call us toll-free at 1-877-774-1255.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Barefoot Contessa Pantry
I am excited to share with the Jet-Chef.com members and readers that we are proud to be able to offer direct links with special offers for the Barefoot Contessa Pantry! You can choose from amazing food products and gifts that Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, has developed! Just click on the image above for more information. Cover your keyboards everyone, a very high drool factor here!!!
(Espresso Dulced de Leche Sauce, $8, image from Barefoot Contessa Pantry)
The product that I covet the most? "Espresso Dulce de Leche Sauce". This "sweet milk caramel sauce is enhanced with the flavor of rich dark espresso". You can stir into coffee, or use to cover ice cream, cupcakes, and more. I wonder if she offers it by the case?!
Please feel free to contact Jet-Chef.com via email at info@jet-chef.com or toll-free at 1-877-774-1255. Be a part of the Jet-Chef.com success and create your membership today!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Flavor Trends for 2009: Starfruit
From my previous post (Sunday, November 16), I revealed that I am truly fascinated with food trends, and experimenting with new flavors. Recently, Mintel, the consumer, media and market research company, tallied the top food and flavor trends for 2009. Here are the top seven flavor trends for 2009:
1. Persimmon (featured in November 16th blog post)
2. Starfruit
3. Lavender
4. Cactus
5. Chimichurri
6. Peri-Peri
7. Masala
In this post, I spotlight the exotic Starfruit! I will continue to highlight each trend, with a recipe or two that I recommend. Please feel free to bookmark and/or follow this blog so you can get a great snapshot of all seven in the weeks to come. I also welcome any recipes for Starfruit that you would love to share.
#2 Starfruit: What is a starfruit, what does it taste like?
The starfruit, or carambola, is a tropical fruit that got its name from the five pointed star shape when cut across the middle of the fruit. The starfruit has a waxy, golden yellow to green color skin with a an amazing flavor combination that includes plums, pineapples, and lemons. Starfruit is an excellent source of vitamin C, is low fat, and naturally sodium and cholesterol free.
Both of the starfruit recipes that follow were found on Epicurious.com. One quick note is that starfruit also make for amazing organic centerpieces for the holidays, and sliced starfruit look lovely as a garnish for any holiday cocktail!
Starfruit Chips
yield: Makes about 32 chips
active time: 10 min
total time: 2 1/4 hr
Note: Wonderfully festive and fun, these candied star-shaped chips will become a favorite for kids! Chips can be made 1 week ahead and cooled completely, uncovered, then kept, layered between sheets of wax paper, in an airtight container at room temperature.
Ingredients
• 2 firm-ripe yellow star fruit (sometimes called carambola;1/2 lb total)
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups water
• Special equipment: an adjustable-blade slicer; a 17- by 11-inch nonstick bakeware liner such as Silpat
Preparation
Make chips:
Slice starfruit crosswise with slicer into 1/16-inch-thick slices.
Bring sugar and water to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Add starfruit, then remove from heat and let stand, uncovered, 15 minutes. Pour starfruit into a sieve set over a bowl and drain 15 minutes. Reserve syrup for quince apple strudels. (Please note: the quince apple strudle recipe is also located on Epicurious.com)
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 200°F. Put liner on a large (17-by 11-inch) baking sheet, then arrange starfruit slices in 1 layer on liner (discard extra along with any broken slices). Bake until dry, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Immediately transfer chips to a rack to cool.
Chill starfruit syrup, covered.
Caramel-Cognac Fondue
yield: Serves 4
Note: This indulgent Cognac-spiked dessert fondue is perfect for a romantic evening by the fire.
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup sugar
• tablespoons water
• 1 1/3 cups warm whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons Cognac
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• Fresh strawberries, thinly sliced apples or pears, sliced bananas, fresh tangerine segments and sliced starfruit
Preparation
Combine sugar and 2 tablespoons water in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat; boil without stirring until mixture is deep amber color, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan, about 3 minutes.
Add warm cream to caramel. Stir over medium-high heat until sauce is smooth and reduced to 1 1/4 cups, about 5 minutes. Add Cognac and cook 1 minute longer. Remove from heat. Add butter and stir until melted. (Can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm over medium-low heat before serving.)
Transfer sauce to small fondue pot or flameproof ceramic bowl. Set pot over candle or canned heat burner. Serve with starfruit, strawberries, apples or pears, bananas, and tangerine segments
Visit Jet-Chef.com to find a caterer, personal chef or restaurant that features unique, exotic flavor trends that include starfruit and so many more!
Are you a caterer, personal chef or restaurant and want to be part of the Jet-Chef.com success? Log on to Jet-Chef.com and start your listing today for as little as $29.00/6 month membership! Contact us via email at info@imaiusa.com or call us toll-free at 1-877-774-1255.
1. Persimmon (featured in November 16th blog post)
2. Starfruit
3. Lavender
4. Cactus
5. Chimichurri
6. Peri-Peri
7. Masala
In this post, I spotlight the exotic Starfruit! I will continue to highlight each trend, with a recipe or two that I recommend. Please feel free to bookmark and/or follow this blog so you can get a great snapshot of all seven in the weeks to come. I also welcome any recipes for Starfruit that you would love to share.
#2 Starfruit: What is a starfruit, what does it taste like?
The starfruit, or carambola, is a tropical fruit that got its name from the five pointed star shape when cut across the middle of the fruit. The starfruit has a waxy, golden yellow to green color skin with a an amazing flavor combination that includes plums, pineapples, and lemons. Starfruit is an excellent source of vitamin C, is low fat, and naturally sodium and cholesterol free.
Both of the starfruit recipes that follow were found on Epicurious.com. One quick note is that starfruit also make for amazing organic centerpieces for the holidays, and sliced starfruit look lovely as a garnish for any holiday cocktail!
Starfruit Chips
yield: Makes about 32 chips
active time: 10 min
total time: 2 1/4 hr
Note: Wonderfully festive and fun, these candied star-shaped chips will become a favorite for kids! Chips can be made 1 week ahead and cooled completely, uncovered, then kept, layered between sheets of wax paper, in an airtight container at room temperature.
Ingredients
• 2 firm-ripe yellow star fruit (sometimes called carambola;1/2 lb total)
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups water
• Special equipment: an adjustable-blade slicer; a 17- by 11-inch nonstick bakeware liner such as Silpat
Preparation
Make chips:
Slice starfruit crosswise with slicer into 1/16-inch-thick slices.
Bring sugar and water to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Add starfruit, then remove from heat and let stand, uncovered, 15 minutes. Pour starfruit into a sieve set over a bowl and drain 15 minutes. Reserve syrup for quince apple strudels. (Please note: the quince apple strudle recipe is also located on Epicurious.com)
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 200°F. Put liner on a large (17-by 11-inch) baking sheet, then arrange starfruit slices in 1 layer on liner (discard extra along with any broken slices). Bake until dry, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. Immediately transfer chips to a rack to cool.
Chill starfruit syrup, covered.
Caramel-Cognac Fondue
yield: Serves 4
Note: This indulgent Cognac-spiked dessert fondue is perfect for a romantic evening by the fire.
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup sugar
• tablespoons water
• 1 1/3 cups warm whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons Cognac
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• Fresh strawberries, thinly sliced apples or pears, sliced bananas, fresh tangerine segments and sliced starfruit
Preparation
Combine sugar and 2 tablespoons water in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat; boil without stirring until mixture is deep amber color, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan, about 3 minutes.
Add warm cream to caramel. Stir over medium-high heat until sauce is smooth and reduced to 1 1/4 cups, about 5 minutes. Add Cognac and cook 1 minute longer. Remove from heat. Add butter and stir until melted. (Can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm over medium-low heat before serving.)
Transfer sauce to small fondue pot or flameproof ceramic bowl. Set pot over candle or canned heat burner. Serve with starfruit, strawberries, apples or pears, bananas, and tangerine segments
Visit Jet-Chef.com to find a caterer, personal chef or restaurant that features unique, exotic flavor trends that include starfruit and so many more!
Are you a caterer, personal chef or restaurant and want to be part of the Jet-Chef.com success? Log on to Jet-Chef.com and start your listing today for as little as $29.00/6 month membership! Contact us via email at info@imaiusa.com or call us toll-free at 1-877-774-1255.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Jet.Chef.com Gift Giving Solution: Personalized Wines
We at Jet-Chef.com know how very difficult it can be to find gifts for friends, neighbors, colleagues, customers, family and loved ones during the Holiday Season, or any time of the year! Jet-Chef.com, however, has a perfect solution for you this holiday season: Personalized Wines from Personal Wine. Each bottle can have any personalized message you select, from a variety of varietals and calibers of wines.
Why do Personalized Wines make such fantastic gifts for the wine lovers in your personal and professional life?
* For friends, what a special way to create a gift that they will enjoy in the months and years to come. Personalize with their name, or a message that celebrates your friendship.
* For neighbors, it can be a special way to say "Thank You" for house-sitting, pet-sitting, or just putting up with you! Personalized wines make amazing hostess/host gifts, or a special gift for a neighbor hosting a holiday party.
* For colleagues, personalized wines can be an amazing way to thank someone for their dedication and hard work. They can be personalized to commemorate a special milestone or benchmark that was achieved by a colleague, their team, executives on your staff, or as a way to celebrate a new product launch or a new logo.
* For customers, this is a wonderful way to show your appreciation for their business. The wine bottle can be personalized with your business name, to be sent to a multitude of customers as a reminder to continue to look to you and your business in the New Year. It can be personalized with a special "Thank You" that is dedicated to them.
* For family, wines can be personalized with a family surname. Anytime that wine is shared, it is a reminder of your family's love and togetherness. Personalize with a family crest, or for a special family event. Celebrate a special family reunion or holiday get-together with a wine that is personalized for such a special occasion!
* For loved ones, it is a special way to commemorate a first holiday season together, or the 20th! Personalize with your message to your beloved and share that bottle during a romantic candlelight dinner! What better way to propose with a personalized wine that asks, "Will you marry me?"...or to announce a new addition to the family, "It's a Boy!"...or to just simply say, "I love you".
Personal Wines begin at $10 per bottle and go up as high as $129 per bottle depending on the quantity and quality of the wine. So personalized wine can be a very affordable and economical gift. Personal Wine is the only company that offers no minimum order, so you can purchase one bottle online, personalize the label with our custom developed label designer, and ship it directly to your recipient.
Personal Wine is the first company that specializes in wines of a higher caliber from award-winning wineries. They do not buy second label wines, nor do they bottle excess juice, so they do not produce our own wines. All of their wines are sourced by credible wine critics and writers and the wine scores are evaluated in advance of a winery partnership.
Click on any of the photos above to experience how very exciting and easy it is to give a personal gift of wine to so many people in your life! Or click on the Personalized Wines logo on the left hand side of the blog for more information!
Jet-Chef.com is an innovative, online, "find-it-fast" directory for personal chefs, caterers, restaurants, florists, pastry chefs and other service providers to advertise and market their business to the private jet and jet-charter industry.
Would you like to be part of the Jet-Chef.com success story? Log on at http://www.jet-chef.com today and register your business for as little as $29/6-month membership. That is about .16/day to market to a lucrative business niche! For more information email us at info@jet-chef.com or call toll-free at 1-877-774-1255.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Flavor Trends for 2009: Persimmon
I am always fascinated with food trends, and love to experiment with new foods, new flavors. I find that I get "stuck" with a set of foods and flavors that are familiar, easy, and comfortable. I recently read that Mintel, the consumer, media and market research company, tallied the top food and flavor trends for 2009. They list the top seven trends which include the following:
1. Persimmon
2. Starfruit
3. Lavender
4. Cactus
5. Chimichurri
6. Peri-Peri
7. Masala
Clearly, we are looking forward to exciting, dynamic, exotic flavors! After seeing this list, I immediately went online to find recipes and references to help me understand these flavors and foods, and am so excited to share that information with you! I will spotlight each trend, with a recipe or two that I recommend. Please feel free to bookmark and/or follow this blog so you can get a great snapshot of all seven in the weeks to come. I also welcome any recipes for persimmon that you would love to share.
#1 Persimmon: What is a persimmon, what does it taste like?
Persimmons are generally light yellow-orange to dark red-orange in color and vary in shape from round, to acorn-shaped to a more squat pumpkin shape. The taste of the persimmon is typically compared to that of an overly sweet apricot with a smooth, slippery texture.
There are two most common kinds of persimmons: The Fuyu, the kind you can eat right away, and the Hachiya, the kind you cannot! Persimmons not only have an exceptional flavor, they are also rich with important nutrients such as beta-carotene, Vitamin C and potassium!
Both of my recommended persimmon recipes are from Epicurious.com. These recipes would be fantastic for Holiday meals! I also want to experiment with persimmons in holiday tabletop displays, as persimmons are so gorgeous in hue, shape and texture and would make for an amazing organic centerpiece!
(how incredibly gorgeous for any special Holiday gathering!)
Persimmon Cranberry Sauce
Yield: Makes about 2 1/2 cups
Active time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Note: The bright, tender fruit of Fuyu persimmons mellows the intensity of cranberries while lending this sauce a beautiful jewel-like hue. Using Fuyus, which can be eaten hard or soft, removes the guesswork of finding ripe fruit.
Ingredients
• 3/4 lb fresh or frozen cranberries (3 1/2 cups)
• 1/4 cup dry red wine
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/2 star anise or 1/4 teaspoon star-anise pieces
• 1/2 to 2/3 cup sugar
• 3 firm-ripe Fuyu persimmons (about 1 lb total), peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice
Preparation
Bring cranberries, wine, water, star anise, 1/2 cup sugar, and a pinch of salt to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan, stirring occasionally, then reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Add more sugar, to taste (up to about 2 1/2 tablespoons), and discard star anise. Fold in persimmons.
Transfer to a bowl and serve at room temperature or chilled. Stir gently before serving.
Cooks' note: Cranberry sauce, without persimmons, can be made 4 days ahead and chilled, covered. Fold in persimmons before serving.
(This salad represents wonderful fall colors AND flavors!)
Salad of Fall Greens with Persimmons and Hazelnuts
Yield: Makes 10 to 12 servings
Ingredients
• 3/4 cup fresh tangerine juice
• 1 tablespoon grated tangerine peel
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons hazelnut oil or walnut oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 head escarole (about 11 ounces), torn into 2-inch pieces (about 12 cups)
• 1 large bunch watercress, stemmed (about 6 cups)
• 1 5-ounce bag mixed baby greens
• 2 Fuyu persimmon, peeled, halved, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup hazelnuts, toasted, skin rubbed off
Preparation
Boil tangerine juice and tangerine peel in heavy small saucepan over medium-high heat until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 5 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl. Whisk in next 5 ingredients. Season dressing with pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Rewhisk before using.)
Place all greens and half of persimmon slices in large bowl. Add dressing and toss to coat. Divide salad among plates. Top each with remaining persimmon slices and hazelnuts and serve.
Visit Jet-Chef.com to find a caterer, personal chef or restaurant that features unique, exotic flavor trends that include persimmon and so many more!
Are you a caterer, personal chef or restaurant and want to be part of the Jet-Chef.com success? Log on to Jet-Chef.com and start your listing today for as little as $29.00/6 month membership! Contact us via email at info@imaiusa.com or call us toll-free at 1-877-774-1255.
1. Persimmon
2. Starfruit
3. Lavender
4. Cactus
5. Chimichurri
6. Peri-Peri
7. Masala
Clearly, we are looking forward to exciting, dynamic, exotic flavors! After seeing this list, I immediately went online to find recipes and references to help me understand these flavors and foods, and am so excited to share that information with you! I will spotlight each trend, with a recipe or two that I recommend. Please feel free to bookmark and/or follow this blog so you can get a great snapshot of all seven in the weeks to come. I also welcome any recipes for persimmon that you would love to share.
#1 Persimmon: What is a persimmon, what does it taste like?
Persimmons are generally light yellow-orange to dark red-orange in color and vary in shape from round, to acorn-shaped to a more squat pumpkin shape. The taste of the persimmon is typically compared to that of an overly sweet apricot with a smooth, slippery texture.
There are two most common kinds of persimmons: The Fuyu, the kind you can eat right away, and the Hachiya, the kind you cannot! Persimmons not only have an exceptional flavor, they are also rich with important nutrients such as beta-carotene, Vitamin C and potassium!
Both of my recommended persimmon recipes are from Epicurious.com. These recipes would be fantastic for Holiday meals! I also want to experiment with persimmons in holiday tabletop displays, as persimmons are so gorgeous in hue, shape and texture and would make for an amazing organic centerpiece!
(how incredibly gorgeous for any special Holiday gathering!)
Persimmon Cranberry Sauce
Yield: Makes about 2 1/2 cups
Active time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Note: The bright, tender fruit of Fuyu persimmons mellows the intensity of cranberries while lending this sauce a beautiful jewel-like hue. Using Fuyus, which can be eaten hard or soft, removes the guesswork of finding ripe fruit.
Ingredients
• 3/4 lb fresh or frozen cranberries (3 1/2 cups)
• 1/4 cup dry red wine
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/2 star anise or 1/4 teaspoon star-anise pieces
• 1/2 to 2/3 cup sugar
• 3 firm-ripe Fuyu persimmons (about 1 lb total), peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice
Preparation
Bring cranberries, wine, water, star anise, 1/2 cup sugar, and a pinch of salt to a boil in a 2-quart heavy saucepan, stirring occasionally, then reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Add more sugar, to taste (up to about 2 1/2 tablespoons), and discard star anise. Fold in persimmons.
Transfer to a bowl and serve at room temperature or chilled. Stir gently before serving.
Cooks' note: Cranberry sauce, without persimmons, can be made 4 days ahead and chilled, covered. Fold in persimmons before serving.
(This salad represents wonderful fall colors AND flavors!)
Salad of Fall Greens with Persimmons and Hazelnuts
Yield: Makes 10 to 12 servings
Ingredients
• 3/4 cup fresh tangerine juice
• 1 tablespoon grated tangerine peel
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons hazelnut oil or walnut oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 head escarole (about 11 ounces), torn into 2-inch pieces (about 12 cups)
• 1 large bunch watercress, stemmed (about 6 cups)
• 1 5-ounce bag mixed baby greens
• 2 Fuyu persimmon, peeled, halved, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup hazelnuts, toasted, skin rubbed off
Preparation
Boil tangerine juice and tangerine peel in heavy small saucepan over medium-high heat until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 5 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl. Whisk in next 5 ingredients. Season dressing with pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Rewhisk before using.)
Place all greens and half of persimmon slices in large bowl. Add dressing and toss to coat. Divide salad among plates. Top each with remaining persimmon slices and hazelnuts and serve.
Visit Jet-Chef.com to find a caterer, personal chef or restaurant that features unique, exotic flavor trends that include persimmon and so many more!
Are you a caterer, personal chef or restaurant and want to be part of the Jet-Chef.com success? Log on to Jet-Chef.com and start your listing today for as little as $29.00/6 month membership! Contact us via email at info@imaiusa.com or call us toll-free at 1-877-774-1255.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Give the Gift that keeps on Giving...Cooking Classes!
I have been good all year long, and have already written my letter to Santa. All I want for the holidays is...Cooking Classes! And, lucky for everyone who wants to make their holiday shopping a breeze, Jet-Chef.com has fantastic caterers and personal chefs who can offer the perfect holiday gift to you and your loved ones!
Cooking classes are an amazing gift to give to a loved one. Choose a class that you can share with your spouse or significant other, and savor not only the food that you will create together, but the togetherness of the experience!
Cooking classes can be set up for larger groups as well. Cooking classes for a larger group is a way to get friends and family together. Ring in the New Year by learning a new cuisine to enjoy with friends and family! Set up a special team building for you and your executive team with cooking classes.
Cooking classes can be planned for and with kids. What better gift to give to your children or grandchildren than learning the love of cooking? Cooking is fun, it is creative, and it is a great way to spend precious time together. An added benefit is your ability to sneak in some healthy eating in all of that fun and helping to teach your kids health eating habits early on!
Cooking classes are a great way to introduce new cuisines to your kitchen, to your table, and to your palette. Using different spices, cooking with foods that are unfamiliar, or discovering locally grown, organic elements would make for amazing culinary lessons. Does your loved one have food allergies, food sensitivities, or special dietary needs? Cooking classes can help you find creative ways to make wonderful meals while adhering to dietary considerations!
Cooking classes help you to learn how to do something that you find intimidating in the kitchen. Learning how to bake that killer crusty bread, how to make the perfect pie crust, how to make dumplings for soup...what is it that you find daunting? You will find the perfect cooking class to overcome your fear of the paella pan, how to use those fantastically expensive flavored oils you got at the farmer's market, or how to make those beautiful fluffy scrambled eggs!
Cooking classes are an ideal gift, and visit Jet-Chef.com today to find the caterer, personal chef or other service provider that will work with you. Cooking classes are truly the gift that keep on giving, and a personal gift that people will enjoy and cherish for a lifetime.
Are you interested in being a part of the Jet-Chef.com success story? Log on to Jet-Chef.com today and get your listing started, or contact us for more information. Email Jet-Chef.com at info@jet-chef.com, or call us toll-free at 1-877-774-1255!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Mr. Cecil's Ribs - Jet-Chef Featured Member
Many of us out there are starting to plan our Thanksgiving dinners, and one Jet-Chef.com Member has the perfect Thanksgiving solution for you: Mr. Cecil's California Ribs.
Mr. Cecil's California Ribs is offering an amazing addition to your Thanksgiving Dinner table that is sure to blow you and your guests away this year: DEEP FRIED THANKSGIVING TURKEY! Just think, Mr. Cecil's can do all of the work for you so you can enjoy Thanksgiving with friends, family...actually watch some football instead of slaving over a hot stove, grill or fussing with a deep fryer! Place your orders now, click HERE to contact Mr. Cecil's California Ribs today! Orders are being accepting now until 5 pm on November 21st. Your guests will be treated to a truly magnificent way of preparing turkey to maintain top moisture, flavor and texture. My mouth is watering just imagining that delicacy...
Mr. Cecil's has two locations in Southern California, one at 12244 W. Pico Blvd in West Los Angeles, the other location at 13625 Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks. Mr. Cecil's offers customer the opportunity to dine in at both locations, and Mr. Cecil's also offers catering both off-site and in flight for your next trip. Visit Mr. Cecil's on Jet-Chef.com today to find out more! In fact, the Sherman Oaks location will be open for dining for Thanksgiving Day Dinner! Dinner includes other delicious side dishes, and Mr. Cecil's is taking reservations now!
Mr. Cecil’s California Ribs is a unique Los Angeles ribs restaurant. Chef Jonathan Burrows takes western American barbeque, adds a slight Asian influence, then infuses California freshness and the highest quality ingredients - like organic chicken and vegetables - along with a menu that includes several kinds of fish and salads.
I am also excited to share that starting in the early fall of 2007, Mr. Cecil's began serving only certified organic beef ribs and hamburgers. This move follows the “green” and health conscious pattern of Mr. Cecil's long standing policy of offering free range 100% natural, pure grain-fed chicken, wild fresh salmon, and many, many amazing salads.
Are you interested in becoming a Jet-Chef.com member? Click on Jet-Chef.com to log on and register your business today. For more information, feel free to contact us via email at info@imaiusa.com or call us toll-free at 1-877-774-1255.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Hot Holiday Trend: Small Portions, Luxurious Items
One of the Jet-Chef.com holiday food trends that we have been following is to offer smaller portions of interesting and luxurious foods. This addresses a variety of needs for both host and guest. For the host, they can offer smaller portions for cost control, avoid food waste, and truly introduce themselves and their guests to a totally different cuisine experience. For the guest, they can try to still watch portion control over the holidays and sample a variety of different choices and find new cuisines.
Perfect options for this trend?
Have a tapas cocktail party! Tapas are a great way to have small portions of a variety of tastes, textures and new food items that your guests may never have tried before! You can serve fantastic wines with tapas, make sangria that soaks with fruit for days (and even create spritzers to lighten up the alchohol content!) and offer small plates to your guests to sample a variety of appetizer-sized entrees.
Have a cheese-tasting party! Here is the perfect reason to finally purchase some of the rare artisan cheeses you have been longing to try for a long time! In my family, we are cheese lovers, and my niece, Sophia, even has a great label for most of our favorite cheeses, "Stinky Cheeses". So, get a variety of "Stinky Cheeses", and some not-so "Stinky Cheeses" and provide interesting crackers, breads, tostini, even a wonderful variety of fruit spreads (like fig!), dried fruits and more to pair with the cheeses.
Have a "Just Desserts" party! This is a great opportunity to try some of the amazing artisan chocolate creations out there (I really want to try a Chipotle Chili Chocolate I recently read about!) dark chocolates, and chocolates with exotic flavors and spices. A little goes a long way with this kind of party, and you can even include a hot chocolate "bar" for your guests that don't have a designated driver! Small desserts are all the rage, like fantastic cupcakes or even small bite-sized cheesecakes with holiday accents like pomegranate.
You can find many caterers, personal chefs and restaurants that can help you address your Holiday party needs on Jet-Chef.com! Log on today to search for someone in your area. If you are a caterer, personal chef, restaurant owner/manager, pastry chef, or chocolate artisan and would like to be part of the Jet-Chef.com success, contact us today at info@jet-chef.com or call toll-free at 1-877-774-1255. Enjoy!
Perfect options for this trend?
Have a tapas cocktail party! Tapas are a great way to have small portions of a variety of tastes, textures and new food items that your guests may never have tried before! You can serve fantastic wines with tapas, make sangria that soaks with fruit for days (and even create spritzers to lighten up the alchohol content!) and offer small plates to your guests to sample a variety of appetizer-sized entrees.
Have a cheese-tasting party! Here is the perfect reason to finally purchase some of the rare artisan cheeses you have been longing to try for a long time! In my family, we are cheese lovers, and my niece, Sophia, even has a great label for most of our favorite cheeses, "Stinky Cheeses". So, get a variety of "Stinky Cheeses", and some not-so "Stinky Cheeses" and provide interesting crackers, breads, tostini, even a wonderful variety of fruit spreads (like fig!), dried fruits and more to pair with the cheeses.
Have a "Just Desserts" party! This is a great opportunity to try some of the amazing artisan chocolate creations out there (I really want to try a Chipotle Chili Chocolate I recently read about!) dark chocolates, and chocolates with exotic flavors and spices. A little goes a long way with this kind of party, and you can even include a hot chocolate "bar" for your guests that don't have a designated driver! Small desserts are all the rage, like fantastic cupcakes or even small bite-sized cheesecakes with holiday accents like pomegranate.
You can find many caterers, personal chefs and restaurants that can help you address your Holiday party needs on Jet-Chef.com! Log on today to search for someone in your area. If you are a caterer, personal chef, restaurant owner/manager, pastry chef, or chocolate artisan and would like to be part of the Jet-Chef.com success, contact us today at info@jet-chef.com or call toll-free at 1-877-774-1255. Enjoy!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Three Reason Jet-Chef Members Should Cook For YOU this Holiday Season!
As the Holidays approach, many of us anticipate hosting parties small and large with friends, family, colleagues or neighbors. Here are just three reasons you should contact a Jet-Chef.com member today to assist you with your Holiday Party Planning needs:
1. Less Work in the kitchen = More time to enjoy the Holidays! One commodity that we cannot buy more of is TIME. Who among us has ever wished for just another few hours, even an extra day or two around the busy Holiday Season? Visit Jet-Chef and you can easily find a Personal Chef, Caterer or Restaurant who can help you with much, if not all, of the work that goes into cooking and party planning! Are you simply looking for someone to do the major cooking for you, while you cook your specialty side dishes? Or, are you looking for someone to do it all from shopping, to cooking to set up to clean up? Visit Jet-Chef.com to find a member who will fit your needs!
We also have members who are florists, gift basket creators, pastry artists and chocolate creators! They can assist you with floral arrangements for your events, corporate and personal gift-giving and making your holiday event truly special. Visit Jet-Chef and use our extensive keyword search to find a variety of members with vast talents!
2. Find Holidays Adventures with a different cuisine or a special theme food event. Most of us simply don't have the resources and time to plan a special event, but dream of having that one dinner party, cocktail party or holiday meal that becomes a legend! Find a personal chef that specializes in Tapas, and you have the next hot Tapas and Cocktail Party that everyone will rave about for years to come! Been tempted to try tamales? Find a member on Jet-Chef that will do all of the work for you to try a new, exciting regional cuisine. Sushi for Thanksiving? Jet-Chef has members who can make any Holiday meal fantasy a reality! What a wonderful way to "travel" the world this holiday season, without leaving your home!
Many people are health-conscious, including during the Holiday Season. Visit Jet-Chef to locate chefs and caterers who specialize in healthy cuisines, cooking for a variety of health concerns, including gluten-free, vegetarian and more. In addition, for those who are focused on organic food, locally sourced food and "green" caterers and personal chefs. Jet-Chef has the perfect chef for a wide variety of cuisines and health conscious specialties!
3. Out of town for business or pleasure for the Holidays. Visit Jet-Chef.com to find a fantastic new restaurant in an unfamiliar city. Find a personal chef that can create a magical meal for you and your family, even providing personal chef services to you and your family in your vacation home. Many of us travel over the holidays, and still want to create memorable meals and memories. Let a Jet-Chef.com member help make this an extra special Holiday Vacation for you and your family!
If you are flying via private jet, ensure that your catering is provided by a Jet-Chef.com member. Simply inform your flight crew, your charter operator, or go to Jet-Chef to find a member that can assist you with all of your in flight catering needs for your holiday flying!
With over 300 members and growing day to day, Jet-Chef.com can help you find the perfect professional to make your Holidays a very special event while you are traveling, or at home! Go to http://www.jet-chef.com and search by keyword, airport identifier code, city, state or A-Z search.
Are you a Personal Chef, Caterer, Restaurant or other business owner that would like to be part of the Jet-Chef success story? Jet-Chef.com has transcended in flight catering to include a variety of options for anyone who loves food, from anywhere, at any time! Just visit http://www.jet-chef.com today to submit your registration, or contact us via email at info@jet-chef.com or toll-free at 1-877-774-1255 for more information!
1. Less Work in the kitchen = More time to enjoy the Holidays! One commodity that we cannot buy more of is TIME. Who among us has ever wished for just another few hours, even an extra day or two around the busy Holiday Season? Visit Jet-Chef and you can easily find a Personal Chef, Caterer or Restaurant who can help you with much, if not all, of the work that goes into cooking and party planning! Are you simply looking for someone to do the major cooking for you, while you cook your specialty side dishes? Or, are you looking for someone to do it all from shopping, to cooking to set up to clean up? Visit Jet-Chef.com to find a member who will fit your needs!
We also have members who are florists, gift basket creators, pastry artists and chocolate creators! They can assist you with floral arrangements for your events, corporate and personal gift-giving and making your holiday event truly special. Visit Jet-Chef and use our extensive keyword search to find a variety of members with vast talents!
2. Find Holidays Adventures with a different cuisine or a special theme food event. Most of us simply don't have the resources and time to plan a special event, but dream of having that one dinner party, cocktail party or holiday meal that becomes a legend! Find a personal chef that specializes in Tapas, and you have the next hot Tapas and Cocktail Party that everyone will rave about for years to come! Been tempted to try tamales? Find a member on Jet-Chef that will do all of the work for you to try a new, exciting regional cuisine. Sushi for Thanksiving? Jet-Chef has members who can make any Holiday meal fantasy a reality! What a wonderful way to "travel" the world this holiday season, without leaving your home!
Many people are health-conscious, including during the Holiday Season. Visit Jet-Chef to locate chefs and caterers who specialize in healthy cuisines, cooking for a variety of health concerns, including gluten-free, vegetarian and more. In addition, for those who are focused on organic food, locally sourced food and "green" caterers and personal chefs. Jet-Chef has the perfect chef for a wide variety of cuisines and health conscious specialties!
3. Out of town for business or pleasure for the Holidays. Visit Jet-Chef.com to find a fantastic new restaurant in an unfamiliar city. Find a personal chef that can create a magical meal for you and your family, even providing personal chef services to you and your family in your vacation home. Many of us travel over the holidays, and still want to create memorable meals and memories. Let a Jet-Chef.com member help make this an extra special Holiday Vacation for you and your family!
If you are flying via private jet, ensure that your catering is provided by a Jet-Chef.com member. Simply inform your flight crew, your charter operator, or go to Jet-Chef to find a member that can assist you with all of your in flight catering needs for your holiday flying!
With over 300 members and growing day to day, Jet-Chef.com can help you find the perfect professional to make your Holidays a very special event while you are traveling, or at home! Go to http://www.jet-chef.com and search by keyword, airport identifier code, city, state or A-Z search.
Are you a Personal Chef, Caterer, Restaurant or other business owner that would like to be part of the Jet-Chef success story? Jet-Chef.com has transcended in flight catering to include a variety of options for anyone who loves food, from anywhere, at any time! Just visit http://www.jet-chef.com today to submit your registration, or contact us via email at info@jet-chef.com or toll-free at 1-877-774-1255 for more information!
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