kitchen Angst!

I want to keep this short and really get back to my Festivals. I just have to say how happy I was to see that the Bailout failed. I know the fight isn’t over but I feel the same as Lou Dobbs in the fact that this was a clear victory for the American people! I finally felt that my voice was heard. This in no way gives me confidence in the system now, don’t get me wrong! I just feel that We The People can make a difference if We speak out! Stand up! And Make our voices heard! I know this is going to bring on some hard times for all of us here in in U.S. I also feel We will come out the other side better for it. We spend way to much in this country as it is, and need to learn how to be more frugal as a Nation. Our Country should be run as our house… If you can’t afford it, you can’t buy it! Tomorrow I will go celebrate Garlic in Gilroy, I promise, but today I had to thank every American that spoke up, and gave us a fighting chance! Kudos, We may have won the battle, but not the war! Keep fighting!!!
James

Yesterday I spoke on the Bailout, so today I want to give my “informed” opinion on who I honestly believe needs to be our next President of these United States of America!

Thats right vote Scooby Doo!
Come on you say I’m crazy, just think about it for the few minutes it will take to read this and hear me out. Considering we have Dilbert in the White House now, and thats for his second term no less(we reelected this chump). If we really want a cartoon character for our leader lets at least pick one that will supply us with what we want!
Mr. Doo always got the bad guy. It wasn’t Fred or Velma(the smart ones), or Daphne(aka Sarah Palin), It was Scooby Doo and Shaggy too! They were always the ones in the end that brought the bad guy to his knees. Plus there are the Scooby snacks! I feel we could all use some of those right about now, don’t you!
I don’t mind some wacky antics as long as the job is getting done. I know if Scooby was on Osama’s tail He would have been caught by now and we wouldn’t be at war in Iraq, Or going into yet another cold war with Russia. I just feel if We The People don’t stand up and demand change, we will loose our great Country. I swear it makes me want to pick the crack pipe up again, and have some babies! It seems the only Americans that get federal assistance these days are Millionaires, and crack whores! I can’t make a million Dollars tomorrow, but I can hit a pipe!
I am struggling and I know I am not alone, many good, hard working Americans are loosing their homes and are now in financial ruin because they were “naive” enough to listen to the “experts” and invest their life savings in “the American dream”. Now this “lame duck” President is bending us over the kitchen table(without even giving us a courtesy reach around) and giving it to us one last time before he rides into the sunset! This is bullshit, it reminds me of the Reagan years when I watched thousands of my friends and fellow Americans die of the “GAY CANCER”and He did nothing! We sent him on his way with full, honorary funeral services! Many of My friends died in shame, disrespect, and dishonor, Only to be dumped in unmarked graves because the Country they loved so much, found them VILE. Bush is now doing the same to our middle and lower class citizens as his last ha-raw!
Birds of a feather, need to be shot together!

This is a true rant from a Chef, We tend to “go off” so get use to this type of blog from me you will see it often!
James
P.S. I promise to get back to happier subjects soon, but I had to get this off my chest!
I also want to give a shout out to Los Arango, Tequila Repossado! my Roommate just introduced me to this fine beverage and I am very great full. Thanks Micheal!

I feel if I don’t say something I can’t bitch when it goes to shit! I have always believed what my mother told me when I turned old enough to vote and she took me to sign up. “If you don’t vote, you can’t bitch! Well I do vote, so I’m going to bitch today!!!!
We are talking about 700 BILLION DOLLARS here! If you listen to Washington…We have to bailout these company’s(that caused the problem in the first place) to ensure our future as a country! If, on the other hand you listen to the experts on CNN(or any other News channel for that matter) you will hear quite the opposite! Yes it will hurt, yes a lot of people may suffer, but it will not destroy us as a nation! The “bailout” however just might! It may not work at all. These company’s were involved in shoddy business practices at best! They knew the risk’s involved in giving out these BAD LOANS, and did it anyway. Now We The People are going to come to their rescue? BITE ME!!! I saw this coming several months ago at least! As soon as all the new fangled loans started showing up in TV adds. I saw a lot of hard working people getting hurt just for trying to better their lives(buy a home). I do feel sorry for anyone that fell victim to this underhanded scheme. However I don’t feel responsible for bailing them (or the company’s that pulled it off) out! If I go to Los Vegas and walk up to a craps table, put a $50,000 chip on a square and loose! It’s no one else’s fault but my own! I can’t look at the guy next to me and say “I didn’t understand” now you pay it for me please! Most of the loans we are talking about were nothing more than that. You can’t spend more than you can pay!!! It’s all in the fine print, You have to be an informed consumer.
With that being said the Banks f-cked up as well by giving out so many of these loans to pad their own wallets. Greed got them into this mess… Now their greed is asking me to pay for it! I am SICK OF THIS BULLSHIT!
Like I said earlier, I saw this coming and started to plan my exit of this country(for awhile at least). Bush has destroyed our economy, reputation in the world, and standard of life. as Americans! Neither of the two running for the office now have shown me any positive hopes for the future! and I just want to get out before this place implodes! Now my plan of escape has fallen apart and I am stuck to fight my way out! I will do that with my every breath!! I will not die in this country without saying how I feel, I am a proud American… but I am not proud of how we have behaved lately as a country!!
I urge all Americans to get on their phones, computers, or grab a F-cking pen and let those in Washington know how you feel! And get out and vote!!! Just make sure you are well informed on the issues, and where each candidate stands! We The People need to TAKE BACK OUR GREAT COUNTRY!

La Tomatina Tomato fight in bunyol, is by far the largest food fight in the world and it happens like clockwork every year. The last Wednesday in August from 11am to 1pm the streets of this small town flow red with fresh fruit, Tomato juice for days! This is another one of my must see events! I love a good food fight, and 30,000 people hurling tomatoes at each other in the streets is the Mother of all food fights! I put a link to a site talking about this festival yesterday, so I don’t feel the need to put it up again. I do however want to discuss how this whole thing got started.
It seems to have been started in 1945, by some young hooligans. Who tried to join in a parade and accidentally tripped a man in a Big head costume. He got up and started to fight back or show some type of aggression, so the kids grabbed some tomatoes from a nearby stand and throw them at the large headed, angry, beast! This somewhat small skirmish, between strangers during a parade is said to be the mother of this now Huge festival. It’s hard to believe that a random act of semi-violent behavior could escalate into such a beloved festival. I don’t care really if this the true reason or not, I just want to go and throw!
Tomorrow I want to go to Gilroy, Ca.. For a festival very close to my heart… Garlic! For now eat a Tomato, and only think about how much fun it would be to smack someone in the face with it.
James

Like the running of the bulls, or the festival of the tomato in Spain! The Garlic festival here in California. We have created a lot of odd festivals over the years. Each of the big parties started small and have grown over the years. Thank god not all the celebrations that have been thought up over the years have stuck. We would never get any work done.
Oktoberfest started as a wedding party thrown by Prince Ludwig of Bavaria for his new wife Princess Therese of Saxton-Hildburghausen on October 10,1810. Prince Ludwig wanted to share this celebration of love with all the people of Munich. It was such a success they decided to have it again the following year in conjunction with an agricultural festival. It has grown ever since. Prince Ludwig did go on to be King. So the next time you tip your beer mug during the next 3 weeks, raise a toast to King Ludwig, and his lovely bride Therese. The toast should really go to the Princess, Ludwig’s love for his bride to be and his desire to have everyone know how much he loved her is the reason we now get to enjoy this celebration of beer, brats, and Giant Pretzels. You go girl!!!
Tomorrow lets hop over to Spain. Until then drink a pint for me!!
James

First lets start with the uniform. The hat(or Toque) was the crowning jewel to a true classical chef, It showed his status in the kitchen. In the days of old the beginner would be wearing a simple hat(I like to call a pill-box), as you moved up in your ability’s you would get a new hat! One with more pleats! Traditionally as a chef in training you would get a pleat for every egg dish you mastered. The egg was the symbol of life, as well as the most delicate and hardest ingredient to cook(correctly) in the kitchen!
There are 100 egg dishes in classical French cuisine. This is why the “Chefs Toque” has 100 pleats! Now when your out eating dinner with your friends and they ask “why do cooks wear those stupid hats?” you will be able to say with confidence “They must know their eggs”. we should try brunch here next time!
Also a chefs hat has two reasons for being so tall. The first is obvious to me but maybe not to you. Recognition! The Tall hat is so that as soon as you walk into the kitchen you know how is in charge! Chefs have BIG ego’s and need to be the main focus in their kitchen. The second reason is all about comfort. The added air space in the hat allows the heat to escape through the holes in the top, keeping the wearer cooler. In modern days you will find this same principle, carried out in other ways. Most Executive Chefs have their name and title embroidered on their coats. This is the new way to know the who’s head honcho, this is an added expense normally only allowed the Executive and sous-chef(second in command).
Now on to the food aspect of todays entry: First I want to talk about Saffron, then I would like to discuss Truffles! These are two of the most expensive ingredients in modern cuisine. I would like to go into why this is, they are both natural and can not be duplicated in a laboratory(as of yet) in a way to lesson their value in the market place.Lets first look at saffron!
Saffron is a spice, it comes from a plant. The crocus flower and due to the fact it is only the three stigmas of the flower, it has to be hand picked. This is why it is “more expensive than gold” by weight! You know it as a main ingredient in Paella(a Spanish dish), using both meats and seafood in the same rice based dish! This spice is a staple in most High end kitchens even though it isn’t used very often. It has a very distinct flavor and needs too be shown the up most respect. You can ruin a dish by adding even the smallest amount of saffron, or you can knock it out of the park. You have to know how this spice will work with your other ingredients before you add it.
The next item I want to discuss is the truffle!The tuber not the chocolate confection! These gems are found growing under Oak trees. Traditionally hunted by pigs, they are now using specially trained dogs to do the job! Why dogs you ask? Well the pigs find this tuber as much of a delicacy as we humans do, so they would eat as much of them as they could when they found them. Holding back a hungry pig is tough! A dog(on the other hand) will only alert you when they have found them. These are now being cultivated by man on some level, but not to the point that the natural ones have to worry about loosing there draw! Cultivated truffles are only good for oils and butters, If you want a true, real truffle it has to be harvested from the soil, the old-fashioned way. Italy’s White variety(alba) is the most sought after, followed by the more popular black French(Perigord). Summer truffles are also found in South America, and China these have a black skin and white center. They don’t have the same strong smell, or flavor. but they will do in a pinch!
I hope this has been fun for you! I want to do more of this type of entries. Please give me your feed back,.

Yes it is that time of the year! Even though we are in September, Oktoberfest has begun! It started on the 20th of September and runs through the 5th of October. I really wish I were there right now, maybe next year. I know I have to experience it at least once before I die. Oktoberfest is all about beer, and I love beer! I have even brewed my own beer in the past, Talk about science class! it is relatively easy but you do have to mind the rules! I hope to brew my own beer for next years celebration! I just let it get away from me this year. I have had a rough time this year, I will spare you the details for now, but I will say it hasn’t been my favorite! In fact, It may be my worst! The jury is still out, and we still have 3 months to go! Lets get off me and back on beer!
I was just in the homeland back in May and had the opportunity to sample some of the local brew. I was in Heaven! I fell in love with Europe in general, but Germany in specific. I felt I really needed to move there and soak up all I could for as long as they would allow this “ugly American” to stay in their beautiful, and amazing Country. They have very strict rules, yet everyone abides by them. You can’t do your laundry in your flat after 9pm. WHAT? Most shops or businesses are closed on Sunday! Not because of any “religious reason” but because everyone needs a day of rest! Peace! and quiet! Not to mention you get three weeks of vacation time a year! SIGN ME UP!!! On top of all this you get three weeks a year to celebrate beer! I love Germany! I can’t wait to go back and explore this country more, and experience it as a true lover of the culture. I have a few friend who have lived in Germany and worked Oktoberfest! They hated it, of course, they were working It. I want to enjoy it, not work it. Like I said maybe next year!

I work at The Farmers Daughter Hotel. In their restaurant, TART. I cook Breakfast/lunch which I love doing. It gives me plenty of free time in the afternoon to go about my personal life. We are starting to get a lot of press lately. I only have a few links to add today but I will be adding more as I get them.
We were just voted #1 by cityserch for our sliders(mini hamburgers), and got a great review on entertainment today.com. The los Angeles times is reviewing us soon, as well as other magazines. I do love what I do and am very happy not being the “Top Dog” for the moment. My Chef Lauren is very competent. We get along well, and work too each others strengths, and weaknesses! We both have the same basic view on food. I like being in the background(in the kitchen, not on camera) so it works best for me to play second fiddle.
My main goal is to open my own place, a small cafe, where I am able to continue serving breakfast and lunch, but also have a retail space for my pickles and jams. They are my true love! I could live without the daily grind of food production as an operating cafe. I could not ,however, stop making people happy through food! This is who I am! I will go into it more (in a later entry), but I don’t like to eat…. I love to cook!!! Food is my life, my love, my partner! I may always be single, but I will never be alone!
P.S. If you watch The Hills on MTV you will see us on there, They just shot an episode at TART last week! It is Oktoberfest! So tomorrow I want to dive into that! I love my beer!

I just got this question posed to me and realized, I am lucky enough to know the answer! So I want to tell you, so you can also be informed on the subject.
Jello, or Jell-o as it is spelled in modern culture U.S.A. is a tasty treat at many home functions, as well as in school cafeterias across our great land, But What is it? How does it differ from Jelly?
Jello is created by taking pure Gelatin and flavoring it in an unnatural way(most of the time) to produce a dessert. This is fine if you are a meat eater like me, but if you wish to refrain from the animal kingdom you should not eat Jell-o. Gelatin is extracted From the bones of animals. It comes in sheet or powder form and can be found in most supermarkets. Its smooth, rich texture(mouth feel) is undeniable! It really is an amazing substance. As the commercials say “watch It wiggle, See It jiggle”! I love using gelatin, but I am very cautious to tell my staff when I have added it, this way I don’t compromise someones belief or stand on the vegetarian issue.

Pectin on the other hand is from fruit! The most common is green apples. It does show up, in different amounts, in other fruits as well. Pectin is harder to work with and doesn’t really act the same way that gelatin does. Pectin needs both sugar and acid to form a “jell”, and they have to be in perfect harmony for it to work. This is why in Jelly recipes they say not to double the batch! You will not get the jelling affect if the amounts aren’t right. Chemistry plays a much larger role with pectin. You can also overcook it, destroying its ability to “set”. Where gelatin will just “set” harder with more cooking.
Gelatin could be used in making jelly, As pectin could also be used to thicken savory sauces, but as a rule of thumb it isn’t done. They each have a job to do and they both do them well.
It does come down to the mouth feel, or texture you are looking for. Pectin tends to set more firmly than gelatin and spreads easier. But the bottom line is, using gelatin means you are using an animal by-product! If you are using pectin you are using a fruit product! It’s that basic! I will allow you to make up your own mind!
I hope I have helped!

Microwave Jams:

Strawberry jam

This recipe makes about 6 cups

2 lb. strawberries, hulled
3 tbsp lemon juice
4 and 1/2 cups sugar
Rinse the strawberries, pat them dry with paper towels. Put them in a large(7 and 1/2 pint) bowl suitable for the microwave.
Add the sugar and mix well.
Microwave on high for 5 minutes.
Remove and stir well to dissolve the sugar.
Return to the microwave and cook for 10-12 minutes on high, stirring twice during this cooking time.
skim off any foam, and test for jellying.
Allow to stand for a few minutes, then pour into HOT jars, cover, seal and label.

Raspberry jam

This also makes 6 cups

2 lb. raspberries
3 tbsp lemon juice
4 and 1/2 cups sugar
If using frozen raspberries, defrost them for about 8 minutes, or for fresh cook them for 3 minutes.
Add the lemon juice and cook for 2 minutes.
Stir in the sugar and cook on hi for 4 minutes, remove and stir.
Cook on high for 10 minutes, remove and stir.
Cook again on high for 5 more minutes, remove and stir.
Check for jellying, although this jam always sets up nice after cooling so don’t worry if it seems runny now.
Allow it to cool slightly, pour into HOT jars, cover, seal, and label.

Freezer Jam

This makes about 4 cups

This is more a conserve than a jam.
Raspberries, strawberries, peaches, as well as nectarines work well in this process.
You don’t have to peel the peaches, or nectarines for this, just pit the fruit, chop it finely with a knife, or mince it in a food processor.
1 lb. of fresh soft fruit
2 cups of sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, stir and let set for several hours in a warm place, or until the fruit has softened, and the sugar is fully dissolved.
Pour into small plastic containers (with lids), label, date, and freeze.
Frozen, it will last 9 months, once thawed it will last in the refrigerator for 3 weeks.
It will take 15-20 minutes to defrost.

Uncooked Raspberry Jam

Makes 4 cups

1 lb. raspberries
2 and 1/2 cups sugar

The fruit must be firm, ripe, and dry, or it will not keep. to clean roll gently in paper towels.
With an electric mixer, or food processor beat the sugar and fruit together until the sugar is completely dissolved.
pour into jars, cover, seal, label, date, and refrigerate.
Eat within 2 weeks, or freeze it you need more time.

Now see how easy it can be! Even though I would be hard pressed to truly call these jams, I think you will see that they do work and the end result is similar enough.
Have fun,
James