Reel Chow Blog

Culinary Postings from the Original Gourmet Craft Service Industry Insider

Easter Zucchini Carpaccio One-Bites

Reel Chow Original Recipe!In celebration of the upcoming Easter holiday, try making this tasty and colorful one-bite for your family and guests. I was inspired to create something fresh and flavorful, but without too much guilt. This one one-bite is made with fresh dill, capers, lemon, organic zucchini and mozzarella topped on light and flakey puff pastry.

The texture of the zucchini is soft and sexy. I used my Chef’n Palm Peeler to obtain the perfectly sliced ribbon-like zucchini strips. I then tossed the zucchini in dill, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, seal salt and pepper. No cooking needed for the zucchini. The puff pastry topped with mozzarella bakes for fifteen minutes. Once that’s done baking, add the zucchini mixture to the top and garnish with capers and lemon zest. This one-bite not only looks like spring, it stimulates your palate with sweet, sour and salty. How could your guests not love it?

Zucchini Carpaccio One-Bites.

Zucchini Carpaccio One-Bites. ©Reel Chow

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My Visit to the Cookery

Now that we are in the midst of Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, I was fortunate enough to break away form work and have lunch at The Cookery in Dobbs Ferry, New York. A friend of mine mentioned she heard great reviews and asked if I cared to join her. Well, of course! I love experiencing new places. Here’s what happened at my visit to the Cookery.

The atmosphere at the Cookery is somewhat modern with a rustic touch. Founded by chef David Dibari, the menu features Italian comfort food and uses sustainable products. I did not have a chance to review their main menu, because for Restaurant Week they offer a Pre Fixe three course menu, with plenty of tasty things to choose from.

The Cookery Pre Fixe Menu.

The Cookery Pre Fixe Menu. ©Reel Chow

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Jenn’s Turkey Lasagna

This was my first attempt ever at making lasagna. However, as much as I prefer not to follow recipes because I love playing in the kitchen creating my own, I knew with lasagna, following a recipe would pretty much guarantee a good dining experience for my guests. It would also teach me the technique for preparing good, tasty, cheesy lasagna I can apply to my future lasagna explorations.

I researched a handful of lasagnas, with cooking times varying from one hour to four hours. I based mine on the four hour classic by Giuliano Bugialli found in the New York Times Cookbook by Amanda Hesser. I substituted the ground sirloin for lean ground turkey and left out the pancetta, but I did include the spicy and sweet Italian sausages. I thought the mix of the different meats would be tasty and light. I was afraid to do all turkey, because it might taste a little bland.

Jenn

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