Sunday, February 19, 2012

Tapas with Jossilyn


Gathering these pics, I realized that my passion for food and
 international cooking has positively infected my children.

This is Jossilyn and she can cook!
The Transformation from 'Kid' to 'young Chef'.

Roasting the Bell Pepper adds the best natural fire roasted flavor.

Gathering the Mis en Place - What's Important!
Kalamata Olives, Fresh Herbs, Anchovy Paste, Capers, Roasted Garlic, Roasted Pepper & Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  Yeah Baby!



Into the Mortar and Pestle--then work it out
the old fashioned way!


The Finished Olive Tapanade

 Olive Tapanade Tapas topped with Roasted Bell Pepper,
Fresh Garden Chive and Spanish Cotija Cheese.

Filling the Sherry glasses with a "Kid Drink"  Apple Cider!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Wild Game - Are you Game?

 Cooking game is great!  It's fun to create a
recipe to showcase different game meats.  This one features
Elk Loin from my nephew Jamie's 2011 hunt.

(My 2011 hunt was fruitless!)



At a low temp, carmelize the onions. When they are browned just right add the garlic.  
Shortly after, deglaze with a little something you have on hand. 
This California Zinfandel adds a bold, peppery fruitiness.



 These medallions are dusted with cracked black pepper and
pan fried in a clarified butter & olive oil blend.
 Basting the medallions while pan frying them helps to ensure even cooking.
 When the steaks near a perfect medium rare temp, I'll add finely chopped shallots
 and a few tablespoons of orange marmalade.

Next, I deglaze the pan
with an old Spanish Port and add a light brown sauce.
Finally, a monter au beurre and the sauce is just right.


The Final Dish:
Sweet buttered Yams with dried Cherries and sliced Almonds,
Diced Russet Potato and Fresh Pork Side Hash,
Steamed Broccoli, Caramelized and Drunken Onions with Garlic 
and our Main ingredient... Elk Loin

This is a homemade delight!
All I needed was some fried potato gaufrettes and this would have been fine dining worthy!


Chef Mark S. Painter,

Mark Of Excellence

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Cool Ice

I have had the privilege of making my own 300 pound blocks of ice at the school for sculpting demonstrations and competitions.  I have been experimenting with freezing things in the ice blocks and dying the ice with food coloring.  Below are a few of my more recent ice experiments:



This was supposed to be some sort of a scary deep sea, fish-like creature. 

I sometimes think my work stinks!  But what can you do?

Here is a swan I did for my wife, Kerri Jo.
Happy Mother's Day to you, Kj...
every day.

Swans and Harps do seem to be in demand this year - I'll have to change that up.

Another Swan - and what's up with this apron - is that Duck Tape?







Another Swan! -Never realized how many swans I'd done.


Back Side showing the spinal column - She is an 'Alien Chick' who sported a sword and had a double luge.

Calamari di Comunale

Calamari di Comunale
This dish is a tribute to my mother; Comunale is her maiden name.





The pasta is home made using squid ink and then rolled through a pasta machine


Plating is an important aspect of culinary presentation


The final presentation includes an elegant harp ice sculpture I created for the occasion and a luscious Italian Pinot Grigio 




Check out the Link below to see it in action...Link yet to be installed



Chef Mark S.Painters Calamari d' Comunale