Monday, November 11, 2013

HALUSKI with KIELBASI


Cabbage & Noodles is a staple of Polish comfort food. There are as many varieties of this popular dish as there Polish Last Names. 

PAN-SEARED BALSAMIC CABBAGE & NOODLES

    INGREDIENTS
    1 Green Cabbage,

       - slice into 1/2 inch ribbons
    1 package Egg Noodles
    1 stick Butter, melted
    1/4 cup Brown Sugar
    1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar
    1 cup Water
    1 Sweet Onion
    Salt/Pepper to Taste


METHOD

  • Slice and caramelize sweet onions in butter.
  • In a small bowl add melted butter, water, sugar, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper,  mix well and set aside.
  • In a separate pot, prepare noodles to a few minutes before done (el dente).
  • In a dutch oven, add half the butter, caramelized onions in 3 batches, unitl each batch has carmelized; Do the same with the ribbon sliced cabbage.
  •  Cover and simmer until soft and browning.Add noodles and remaining butter mixture to cabbage. Cover and cook until noodles are soft (2 or 3 minutes)
  • When about to serve, pan-sear several portions at a time in the cast iron skillet, with a heavy splash of the balsamic sauce to taste.
PAN-SEARED KIELBASI
INGREDIENTS
    16 oz Kielbasi, half-inch thick oblique slices


METHOD
  • Cut kielbasa into slices.
  • Pan-sear in dry skillet.
  • Plate 3-4 slices per serving. 
FINISH with fresh ground pepper, a spoon of sour cream;GARNISH with a dash of paprika, or a touch of garam masala, poppyseeds, or chives.


My Polish Chef’s Suggested Wine Pairings:
White Wines - Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Chenin Blanc
Blush/Rose Wines - White Zinfandel, Rose: Dry
Red Wines - Pinot Noir, Beaujolais

Saturday, October 19, 2013

ACORN SQUASH


Curcurbita is the Latin name for the Squash family. Acorn squash (Cucurbita pepo), is a winter squash with distinctive longitudinal ridges and sweet, yellow-orange flesh. Although considered a winter squash, acorn squash belongs to the same species as all summer squashes including zucchini and yellow summer squash.

        Chef Emilee's
CUCURBITA  and  CRANBERRY
CARMELIZED MACEDOINE

 
INGREDIENTS 
2 Tbsp Butter 
1 cup Acorn Squash, 
     - macedoine dice with skin  
1/4 cup Cranberries, dried
Salt/Pepper to taste
Rosemary to taste

2 Tbsp Honey 
    or Maple Syrup, to glaze

METHOD
  • Use the squash trimmings for the macedoine; 
  • Saute squash until golden brown; 
  • Add the cranberries and saute; 
  • Season to taste. Add Rosemary; 
  • Glaze with Honey or Maple Syrup;

    ADDITIONAL IDEAS
         * Season with Garam Masala 
         * Drizzle with a Balsamic Reduction:  
                1 T brown sugar, 1.5 T balsamic vinegar, 1 T olive oil

    TIPS & HINTS 
    - Buy squash that has dark green skin, with some orange and is without soft spots.
    - Be sure to use a very sharp chef’s knife to cut into the squash. 
    - The skin of the squash is perfectly edible and delicious! 
    - Store acorn squash in a cool dark place - like your pantry.
      
                 Chef DavidLee's
    ROASTED ACORN SEMI-LUNA

     

    INGREDIENTS
    1/2 Acorn Squash,
            seeded, 1/2 inch slices
    Vegetable Oil Spray
    Olive Oil, drizzle
    Salt & Pepper, to taste
    Garam Masala, sprinkle


    METHOD
    • Heat the oven to 350°F, with rack in the middle.
    • Spray a rimmed sheet pan with cooking spray.
    • Trim the ends of the squash, cut it in half (lengthwise).
    • Scoop out the seeds and pulp in each half.
    • Slice into ¾-inch thick half circles.
    • Drizzle the squash with the oil and rub to coat evenly.
    • Season to taste.
    • Turn the squash over and repeat.
    • Roast, without turning, until the squash are  golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes.

    ADDITIONAL IDEAS
    - Try sprinkling with 2 Tbsp of Parmesan.

    - Try adding Garam Masala when seasoning.
    - Try a drizzle of Balsamic Reduction:

                 1 T brown sugar, 1.5 T balsamic vinegar, 1 T olive oil

     

    Tuesday, October 15, 2013

    CABBAGE ROLLS (Gołąbki)

    Gołąbki - also known as Golumpki  in the United States, is a cabbage roll common in Polish cuisine made from lightly soft boiled cabbage leaves wrapped around minced pork or beef, chopped onions, and rice, barley or kasza, often baked in a casserole dish in a variety of sauces.  Gołabki is the plural of gołabek, the diminutive of gołab or gołębie meaning "little doves", referring to the fist-sized or smaller roll's shape.
     
     
    Traditional American
    ‘Tomato Sauce’ Cabbage Rolls 
    Sosie pomidorowym gołąbki
    Traditional Polish
    Barley & ‘Mushroom Sauce’ Cabbage Rolls 
    Gołąbki sosem borowikowym
      
    Gołąbki by any other name… is STILL a Cabbage Roll!
    Gołabki are also referred to as ...
    golumpki, golabki, golumpkies, golumpkis or gwumpki.


    Other Eastern European variations:
    • Holubky (Slovak)
    • Töltött káposzta (Hungarian) 
    • Holubtsi (Ukrainian)  
    • Golubtsy (Russian) 
    • Balandeliai (Lithuanian) 
    • Kohlrouladen (German) 
    • Golumpki and Holishkes or Holep are similar dishes (Yiddish) 
    • Kåldolmar (Swedish, from the Turkish and Greek Dolma) 
    • Dolma (Turkish and Greek) 
    • Sarma (Turkish) Southern Slavic versions


    In the United States, the terms are commonly anglicized by Americans:

                 ~   Cabbage rolls               ~   Pigs in a blanket   
                 ~   Stuffed cabbage           ~   Stuffed cabbage leaves


    ...MIS EN PLACE...

     

    Traditional American -Tomato Sauce Cabbage Rolls 

    INGREDIENTS
    1 large head Cabbage, leaves prepared
    1 lbs lean ground Beef
    1 lbs ground Pork
    1 medium Onion, diced 
    2 tsp Garlic, minced
    1 1/2 cups Brown Rice, pilaf
    Salt & Pepper, to taste

    SAUCE
    2 cups Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Soup or puree
    1 cup Tomatoes, diced
    1/2 cups Tomato Sauce
    1/4 cup Brown Sugar, firmly packed
    • Pour sauce over rolls to distribute evenly
    • 350 F oven, covered 60 minutes, uncovered 15 minutes.

    Traditional Polish - Mushroom Sauce Cabbage Rolls

    INGREDIENTS
    1 large head Savoy Cabbage, leaves prepared
    1 1/2 lbs ground Turkey  (or ground Pork, or coarse chop Chicken)
    1 medium Onion, diced
    2 tsp Garlic, minced
    2 cups Barley, pilaf  (Rice or Kasza can be used)
    1 Tbsp Basil Pesto*, to taste
    Salt/Pepper, to taste
     Kasza is the traditional grain of choice 
    • 350 F oven, covered 45-60 minutes, uncovered 15 minutes. 
    MUSHROOM SAUCE
    2 Tbsp Butter
    1/4 cup Onion, diced
    1 lbs fresh Mushrooms, stems removed, thin slice
       - wild, chantarelle, shittake, cremini or button
    1/2 cup Heavy Cream
    1/4 cup Vermouth
    Salt/Pepper, to taste
    Juice of 1 Lemon


    Our finished traditional Polish dish is plated with a bed a Carmelized Cranberry Curcurbita Macedoine, Mushroom Barley Cabbage Rolls, each haloed with a Roasted Acorn Semi-Luna, topped with a classic Mushroom Sauce.

    NOTE:  The Curcurbita Macedoine and the Acorn Semi-Luna 
                  are both on our ACORN SQUASH post.

    VIEW our Golabki Class PICTURES

    VIEW our Golabki Class HANDOUT

    *Basil Pesto Seasoning Base, Chef DavidLee
    1 cup fresh Basil Leaves, packed
    1/4 cup fresh Flatleaf Parsley Leaves
    2 cloves Garlic, chopped
    1/4 cup Walnuts (or Pine Nuts)
    Salt/Pepper, to taste
    1/3 cup EV Olive Oil
    • Puree all ingredients in a food processor until smooth.
    • Can be frozen in cubes for future use
    Note: There is no cheese in the base as a seasoning or when freezing

    Saturday, October 12, 2013

    OUR PARTNERS

    My Polish Chef is proud to be in partnership with...


    SIOSTRA Polish Pottery and Gifts is located in historic St Charles Missouri, and is the home for our Polish Cooking Classes.

    With the support and encouragement of SIOSTRA owner, Katheryne Morschl, our list of class participants is growing steadily.

    SIOSTRA is a unique hands-on location for our Polish Cooking classes, where participants are surrounded by the history and ambiance of imported Polish Pottery. During classes, our participants have the opportunity to touch, feel and use many of the uniquely designed pottery.

    We offer regularly scheduled Polish Cooking classes available, usually the first Friday and Saturday of each month, space is always limited to a small group of 10 to 15. This allows our culinary team to provide a personalized one-on-one instructional experience. There are always elements of Polish history, tasting of traditional classics and specialties prepared by our chefs, hands-on technique and method demonstrations, as well as our unique brand of educational entertainment.

    We encourage you to check out Siostra Polish Pottery and Gifts on the web, or stop in at your convenience. And absolutely - plan to attend one of our Polish Cooking classes!

    Na żywo. Miłość. Jedzenie - naprawdę dobrze!
    Live. Love. Eat - really well!   

    Thursday, October 10, 2013

    OUR CULINARY TEAM

    Chef DavidLee

    DavidLee began his culinary training decades ago as a toddler in his family's kitchens, which were steeped in Polish, Dutch, English and other Euro-American food traditions. His passion for cultural diversity and good food stayed with him through several professional careers. In his travels, he always threw himself into the local and regional culinary scene embracing and learning the various cultural culinary techniques and skills. In 2005, as a non-profit fundraiser, he had the unique opportunity to plan and orchestrate a high-end gala event, alongside Wolfgang Puck and his culinary team. Chef Puck saw, cultivated and encouraged DavidLee to follow his natural passion as a culinarian. DavidLee began documenting his and his family's favorite food recipes when he launched his first blogsite - cyberTRUNK Recipes.  In 2012, his passion and a bit of serendipity, led DavidLee to the doors of the world-renown Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts International Culinary School, where he immediately enrolled and pursued his formal culinary training. While at Le Cordon Bleu, he was a top student and a passionate campus leader. He was a member of Le Cordon Bleu's 2012 ACF Student Competition Team, which achieved the honor and distinction of a Bronze Medal at the State level. While at Le Cordon Bleu, he worked and studied with the Chef's at Brazikat Brazilian Steakhouse and the Racquet Club St Louis. He rounded out his formal culinary training, being recruited by Executive Chef Charles Mereday for a culinary externship studying Caribbean cuisine at South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island, Florida. As a personal chef, DavidLee has a growing list of clients in South Florida and St Louis. 

    Chef DavidLee is a NEHA Certified Professional Food Manager, an active American Culinary Federation member, a recently appointed member of the Williams-Sonoma Professional Chefs program, and will be serving as an Alumni Team Advisor for the upcoming Le Cordon Bleu ACF Student Competition Team. 

     Chef Emilee 

    Emilee began her culinary career when inspired while sharing coffee with her father.  Her passion, led her to the doors of the world-renown Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts International Culinary School, where she enrolled on the birthday of Julia Child, and pursued her formal culinary training. While at Le Cordon Bleu, she was a top student,  and a passionate campus student ambassador, and Chef-Assistant for monthly MasterChef classes. She was a member of Le Cordon Bleu's 2012 ACF Student Competition Team, which achieved the honor and distinction of a Bronze Medal at the State level. While at Le Cordon Bleu, she worked and studied with the Chefs at Bistro 1130 in Town & Country, and rounded out her formal culinary training with an externship at Old Hickory Golf Club. During the Fall of 2013 she debuts as a Culinary Instructor with the St Charles City School District Continuing Education, with a series of world cuisine classes. She has launched "World Cuisine Chef", providing catering and international cuisine workshops. She is a savory bakery chef Great Harvest Bread Company in St Peters Missouri.

    Chef Emilee is a NEHA Certified Professional Food Manager, an active American Culinary Federation member, and will be serving as an Alumni Team Advisor for the upcoming Le Cordon Bleu ACF Student Competition Team.


    Chef Emilee and Chef DavidLee met during their first week at Le Cordon Bleu, and quickly became study partners, culinary-kitchen partners, and team members on Le Cordon Bleu's ACF Competition Team. While studying at Le Cordon Bleu, they began The Polish Chef cooking classes in partnership with Katheryne Morschl, owner of Siostra Polish Pottery and Gifts in historic St. Charles Missouri. 


    ~ A SPECIAL THANK YOU ~ 
    To our fellow culinary-graduate, friend and colleague, Kimberly Crowley Thirion, for her keen eye and outstanding photography skills.