Friday, May 19, 2017

Chef Richard Blais Is So Over the Bacon Craze, Thank You Very Much

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As a judge on Bravo's Top Chef (and former All-Stars winner), James Beard-nominated cookbook author, famed restaurateur, and budding Hollywood actor (okay, that last one may be a bit of a stretch), there's no doubt that Richard Blais is bringing in the bacon. Ironically, it's the non-metaphorical, pork-derived bacon that Blais wants absolutely less of.

"I'm over the bacon craze," he says. "It doesn't make everything better."

Crediting his culinary beginnings to working as a McDonald's poissonier (a.k.a. Filet-o-Fish maker), the born and bred New Yorker has built an empire under the simple notion that people just want to eat delicious food. And consistently delicious food is what Blais delivers.

A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Blais went on to study under kitchen legends like Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, and Ferran AdriĆ  to gather the experience and training necessary to fine tune his craft and open critically-acclaimed Juniper & Ivy in San Diego. After years of success, including a monumental Top Chef All-Stars win, it's safe to say that Blais has lived up to his philosophy of offering cuisine that is not only drool-worthy and innovative, but also accessible and non-pretentious.

We sat down with the hilariously outspoken chef to chat about his past, his tireless work ethic (he'll literally go anywhere to sell books), and the future of his business, including chicken and egg-focused Crack Shack, a "luxury casual" venture that offers Blais's signature food, but in a family-friendly environment.

Check out the video below to get the full scoop on all things Richard, along with three recipes you can find in his newest cookbook, So Good.

[chowvideo]

Spaghetti and Bone Marrownara Meatballs

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This isn't grandma's typical gravy recipe. In fact, you may want to avoid mentioning your new favorite pasta dish in front of her. It could be a touchy subject. Get the recipe.

Tuna Tataki with Heirloom Tomato Crudo

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Our obsession with raw fish knows no bounds and this refreshing blend of tuna, tomatoes, and avocado is exactly what the doctor ordered. And by doctor, we mean summer. Get the recipe.

Barbecued Lamb's Head Carnitas with Masa

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You'll need to be a bit adventurous to cook this one, but Blais breaks it down in a way that's approachable and easy. Who knew that lamb's head would ever make its way into your rotating list of dinner recipes? Get the recipe.

 



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Spring Vegetable and Arugula Salad With Labne and Cucumbers

Spring Vegetable and Arugula Salad With Labne and Cucumbers
Come spring, it helps to keep the fridge stocked with the season's best produce, already blanched and chilled and at the ready. Here we combine sweet peas, grassy asparagus, green fava beans, crisp snap peas, and broccolini, along with some peppery arugula, a juicy cucumber, a red onion, and some fresh mozzarella cheese. Served with a good dressing and some labne and we have a spring salad that eats like a meal. Get Recipe!


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Bacon Camp Is Actually a Thing and You’ll Absolutely Want to Sign Up

If you thought the bacon trend was long dead, you're no Miss Cleo (or maybe you are, because she wasn't exactly known for her talents in clairvoyance). Specialty food store Zingerman's, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, will be hosting the adult summer camp that dreams are made of: Camp Bacon.

(more...)



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BFree Gluten-Free Sweet Potato Wraps

In addition to being high fiber and low fat, BFree Sweet Potato Wraps are only 100 calories per wrap and completely vegan.

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The Cocoa Exchange

The Cocoa Exchange products are designed to be experienced, which is why the brand brings them to consumers directly through specially curated in-home experiences.

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Jack Link’s for Breakfast

Jack Link’s introduced four new bacon and sausage breakfast items under the AM label for a savory breakfast on the run. With the new line, the company aimed to make breakfast foods more portable.

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America's Fastest Growing Plant-Based Food Company

Cheese alternatives, which accounts for the majority of Daiya's core business, is also the fastest growing category in the plant-based sector

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Cafes Find Growth Amid Heightened Competition

Cafes are facing an increasingly diverse competitive set as they look to gain share of lunch and dinner sales while other limited-service and convenience-store competitors vie for more coffee occasions.

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Eat Your Art Out at These Museums

Swimming in a sea of rainbow sprinkles is not just the stuff sweet dreams are made of — unless you've dreamed about the Museum of Ice Cream. This palatable pop-up is devoted only to its namesake cool, creamy confection, with tickets selling out in New York first, and now sold out since reopening in April in Los Angeles, where Gwyneth Paltrow, the Kardashians, and Fergie all took their kids. Katy Perry went for herself. No judgment there. We'd dive into those sprinkles in a heartbeat. Maybe a smidgen less cutesy, haute museums without a food focus are also curating this other art with more care. You know, the culinary kind of art. There must be a reason palate and palette sound so similar. (more...)



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