Entries Tagged as ‘Uncategorized’

March 4, 2010

Collecting Wine: Tips from a Chef

A few more thoughts about collecting and cellaring wine: Wine is best kept in the dark.  While incandescent or fluorescent lights seems to have no effect over the short term, long term exposure to light can affect the quality of wine especially whites and sparkling wines.  In France a lot of work has been done [...]

February 24, 2010

Collecting Wine: Components for an Ideal Wine Cellar

I began my wine collection many years ago, and every time I tasted something new that I liked, I’d buy a case.  This is when I learned about the importance of a good wine merchant.  Someone that you could talk to, who likes what you like and can speak about it knowledgeably without being either [...]

February 15, 2010

Collecting Wine: Keeping a Journal

OK I have to admit it – – my two great passions in life are enjoying food and wine.  As a chef for more than 35 years I’ve had a chance to cook and sample all manner of food, but the topper, the epiphany if you will, for me was to have that food in [...]

January 29, 2010

Wasabi or Not?

Listen to Chef John Ash as he explains the difference between real wasabi, and the not-s0-real green mound we often get with sushi. To learn more about American grown wasabi, visit Pacific Farms in Florence, Oregon. Enjoy! John Ash- Wasabi

January 4, 2010

Notable Trends in Food in 2009

I’m sure everybody has an opinion and here are my observations: The rise nationally of street food in every form and via every kind of conveyance:  trucks, carts, bicycles.  Examples include a Soup Cycle in Portland, Waffle Truck in San Francisco, Kogi Korean BBQ truck in Los Angeles, etc. DIY (do it yourself) urban farming [...]

December 19, 2009

Holiday Kitchen Help

Happy Holidays! This time of year we’re often spending more time in the kitchen and as a result more questions come up.  Here is a couple I’ve received recently that I thought I’d share with you. What to Do If You’ve Added Too Much Salt to the Soup or Stew OK . . . here’s [...]

November 25, 2009

Bean Appetit!

On my weekly radio show, The Good Food Hour on KSRO in Sonoma County, we recently hosted a recipe contest featuring beans.  I am amazed and thrilled about the creative entries we recieved! I have to admit, I’m a bit of a “bean head” and find this nutritionally perfect ingredient a true joy to work [...]

November 22, 2009

An Alternative Thanksgiving Menu- My Grandmother’s Pumpkin Pie

Over the last few days, I’ve given you some alternative recipes to make for Thanksgiving if you’re looking for a break from the traditional dishes.  I will end this series, however, with a traditional, tried and true favorite.  My Grandmother was an amazing intuitive cook, always experimenting and trying new twists on recipes. What makes [...]

November 15, 2009

An Alternative Thanksgiving Menu- New Twists on Old Favorites

We continue with some recipes you may want to try for Thanksgiving and other upcoming holiday meals.  It’s always fun to shake things up a bit, so here are a couple of new twists on some traditional favorites.  Let me know if they work for you! FRESH CRANBERRY RELISH WITH TANGERINE AND MINT This fresh, [...]

November 6, 2009

An Alternative Thanksgiving Menu

A quick note to let you know tomorrow (Saturday) I’ll be at J Winery in Healdsburg at 2 p.m. for a book signing.  Feel free to stop by and say hello.  They’ll also be serving tastes of the Crab Gratin from my cookbook, “From the Earth to the Table”.  Hope to see you there. This [...]