dantheculinaryman's Profile
Wines aged in steel?
Travis Chardonnay is unoaked, no malolactic, I think 92 points parker. Very good.
Sushi dinner - What to order?
I had a nice grillo from Sicily that is a good match for sushi.
No Kale Recipes?
Braised Kale:
Some onion, garlic, red pepper in hot pan with olive oil.
Saute for a few minutes, add washed roughly chopped kale
Saute a few minutes more, add chicken broth or water, simmer until tender.
Also good with pork, especially spanish chorizo.
Wallaby shanks?
I read on an Australian Chef's website that Wallaby meat is available from Tasmania. He made no mention of it being endangered. I do not support the sale of meat from endangered species. As for Kangaroos, there is an entire govermental agency in Australia dedicated to the responsible harvesting of Kangaroos. Only four species are permitted to be harvested, of which there are over 50 million animals.
More information can be found at...
http://www.kangaroo-industry.asn.au/morinfo/BACKGR1.HTM
Pinot Grigio
Try Kris Pinot Grigio. It is about $10 and received high marks from Parker.
I agree with the comment on Gruner Veltliner. A nice, and slighter more interesting alternative.
Help! Thai Curry
I have used Maesri brand for years and have been very pleased. I agree with Gretchen about the fish sauce. I will usually add a bit of fish sauce, maybe fresh basil or lemongrass. They have a wide variety of styles available.
A link with a picture is located...
http://www.importfood.com/cpma0409.html
fried green tomatos
Ditto above instructions. I like to serve them with a red pepper coulis and goat cheese crumbles.
Lobster Salad
A lobster and shaved fennel salad is nice. I usually do it with a lemon vinaigrette, but orange goes really well. You could add orange segments to it or as a garnish on the plate.
How to showcase celery?
San Domenico in New York makes a cold celery soup.
Put celery, shallots and water in a pan and cook until very tender. Puree in a blender, pass it through a strainer. Do not puree with all of the water. Hold much of it back to adjust the thickness of the soup. Salt it to taste. They served it with fried balls of gorgonzola cheese and a drizzle of olive oil. It is very refreshing. Do not use stock, it muddies the flavor.
The gorgonzola balls are made by forming balls and breading them in cornstarch, egg, crumbs.
You could also make a gratinée.
What do I do with apple butter?
I worked in a restaurant years ago that made an apple butter bbq sauce. I do not have the recipe, but you should be able to adapt your favorite recipe. It was good.
Ditto on replacing some fat with apple butter.
Wallaby shanks?
Does anyone know where I can purchase wallaby meat? I am particularly interested in the shanks. I have found plenty of sources for kangaroo meat.
Quinoa
You could substitute quinoa for couscous in most any recipe.
Also, quinoa makes a great tabouli.
Anything But Chardonnay!?
I also grew away from chardonnays and have embraced many of the wines that you mentioned. Of late, however, I have been pleased to find chardonnays that are more interesting. Most white burgundies have a more vibrant acidity than new world choices. Alto Adige, in Italy, makes some nice chardonnays. Australia has some unoaked chardonnays. California also has some unoaked options. Travis Chardonnay is not only fermented entirely without oak, but has no malolactic fermentation. The wine advocate gave it a 92.
Is short, it is not the fruits fault that the wine is flabby. It is the winemaker's.
Mom used to call this gnocchi
Mario Batali has a good recipe at...
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_13731,00.html
Looking for Chocolate in Atlanta...
I agree with the vote for Maison Robert. Hand crafted, artisinal and worth the trip.
More info at:
http://www.maisonrobertchocolates.com/index.html
In Chattanooga next week
Although it has been a few years since I have been there, I recall that Tony's Pasta Shop was good. I ate there on a few occasions. They make their own pasta.
Rembrandts is a coffee and dessert place that is good.
More info at...
http://www.chattanoogafun.com/dining/
