Best Cake you can make, Lemon Coconut, Medjool, a skewed noodle, NEW Website and more at chefshop.com/enews
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How to be super successful in life
how to make super chicken without much work
Before we talk food, we want to let you know we have given the website a new coat of paint. So things look better - with everything mostly in the same place. It displays on cell phone better than before, and recipes are much better, though still a work in progress. Be sure to check it out! And now, on to the food!
Recently, I have been searching for flavor, something that opens up the usual, without being an adventure. I was under pressure to make an old chicken recipe that I don’t have and can’t remember, so I punted.
And it was a success and way, way easier than the version I had made before. It is not really a recipe, it is more like, rub it, and you will have success!
It was inspired by a meal I used to make in college, just a few years ago :)). I made it because success was easy and assured and it was crazy cheap for an ample amount of food.
My roommates and I would shop at the local grocer, Tops (where we had a crush on one of the checkers), about a mile and half away, and purchase frozen corn and a boatload of bone-in chicken parts for a couple of dollars - really a flat of chicken consisting of at least 16 pieces; legs for Don, thighs for Dave, and breasts for me.
With the addition of rice it was incredibly filling, easy, quick to make and priced perfectly for us.
It tasted great with all the chicken fat and lots of salt & pepper.
The real key though, for inattentive college age students, was the cooking method; we broiled the chicken. It was always perfect and never dried out.
The key to success was listening. The chicken would make a certain sound when it was done. A cackling of the oils and the skin burning...that’s when you knew it was ready. Or, if we forgot to listen, the plethora of smoke would tell us.
I only recall one time having to put the pan in the snow just outside the kitchen door for a moment, to get the oil fire to stop smoking.
Before Don (head cook at The Bakery in Chicago, so long ago) got all fancy with using a thermometer and refused to eat our chicken, instead making pâtés, it was like a chicken party.
But I digress, what I needed today, was a simple chicken dish, beyond salt and pepper for flavor, that was broiled, with roots in Morocco. My old version was a lot of work.
This version, today, involves Dave's chicken thighs, a good rubbing of olive oil that covers the skin and flesh, then a vigorous massaging of Kefta rub on all exposed parts.
That’s it! Broil for 7 to 12 minutes per side depending on your broiler. I do highly recommend getting a good thermometer, like the ThermoPop from Thermoworks (which is on sale FYI), as it makes all the difference from just plain cooked to perfection. Though you still need to use your ears to get it right.
Shop now for Everything in this week's newsletter!
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One of the best products, ever!
Kefta Rub - Moroccan Rub & Spice Blend
When you first open the jar and go in for a pinch, the first thing you will notice is the silky smooth feel between your thumb and forefinger. Wow!
The incredibly fine grind is amazing! Understand it is not a powder like so many commercial spice blends.
This Kefta has texture and feels fabulous. And the “whiff” is wonderfully delightful to the nose. It is smooth and distinct, complex and simple all at the same time. Though initially the aroma is recognizable with cumin leading the flavor, it engages the olfactory epithelium with the other spices for a perfect balance.
Named koofteh (kofta) by the Persians, the root of kefta, means literally “pummeled meat”.
Kofta is most commonly used as a description for a minced meat dish - a "meatball". Known as “kefta”, it found its way to Morocco from Persia via every country that separates the two, including Morocco, Turkey, and Lebanon, each with their own distinct versions of kefta.
This is not just any meatball like we have in the West, this fist-sized, full-flavored dish is most often served with a yogurt sauce to contrast the spices.
The act of “pummeling”, works the meat so that the proteins break down and the lamb (the traditional meat), onion, garlic, salt and the spices bind together. Do not include any flour or filler as they are not used in an authentic dish.
This Kefta recipe is from Mehdi’s Great Uncle, one of Casablanca’s finest butchers. This Morrocan version of Kefta is inspired by local cuisine and includes cumin, paprika, cayenne, cinnamon, and mint; hazelnut was in the original recipe but has been omitted for allergy reasons.
But you don’t need to just make Kefta the dish, it works wonderfully in shakshuka, or as a marinade for gulf prawns with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, parsley & cilantro. Even add it to a tomato sauce, that's how versatile this spice mix is!
Shop now for Kefta Rub!
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Desert Miracle
Moroccan Olive Oil
Wonderful lightness, filling the mouth with the feel of the Arbequina olive, Desert Miracle from Atlas Olive Oils is a sweet oil, with a light, almost hidden burn in the back of the throat, its Spanish character is present with a bit of fruitiness. Desert Miracle is a certified organic olive oil.
From the pressing of the best Arbequina and Dahbia olives we get this golden olive oil verging to green, with a well-balanced taste, and complex profile. It is harvested at the end of September / beginning of October, just when the olives are changing colors from green to black, and are still rosy.
The fruitiness of ripe olives is clearly identifiable in the nose and mouth with a great diversity of secondary aromas, above all apple and banana. Desert Miracle Olive Oil also has hints of tomato, fennel and artichoke.
On the palette it reminds of almonds; its sweetness stands out a little, as well as its astringency which does not interfere with its profile.
The result is a very well-balanced and harmonious organic olive oil with a clear touch of characteristic sweetness.
A little softer and fruity
"I prefer the mellow flavor profile of this oil to the very peppery notes in Italian olive oils. It still has a mild bite at the end... but it’s more of a nibble. It melds nicely with my Mediterranean dishes and is my first choice of oil for finishing sauces or making dressings. I would just like this bottle to be bigger!! Still, a great oil at a good value."
-- chef lesa
Shop now for Desert Miracle Organic Olive Oil!
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Saffron Malloreddus Pasta with Butter,
Sage and Parmigiano-Reggiano Recipe
This recipe is really an amalgamation of two recipes from Marcella Hazan's cookbook, Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking - our go-to cookbook for Italian recipes - and a recipe from Letitia Clark’s new Sardinian cookbook, Bitter Honey.
You can think of it as taking Marcella's "Butter and Cheese Sauce" (one of our favs!) and adding fresh sage. Marcella would make this dish in a well-warmed mixing bowl, but we prefer Letitia’s method of mixing it in a hot pan with the melted butter. One less bowl to wash, and the added heat helps ensure the cheese melts well and covers the pasta.
We’ve chosen the classic Sardinian Malloreddus Saffron Pasta and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
At the end of the day this is a quick, beautiful-looking (because of the saffron Malloreddus pasta), and distinctly Sardinian tasting "adult" mac n' cheese without having to go through the trouble of making a béchamel sauce. It is so easy!
See the Saffron Malloreddus Pasta with Butter, Sage and Parmigiano-Reggiano Recipe!
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La Casa del Grano
Malloreddus Pasta with Saffron
Malloreddus is a small pasta shape from Sardinia, made with water and semolina flour in plain or saffron dough. The name has Latin origins from “malleoulus” meaning small morsel. It is also believed the origin of the name comes from the word malloru, meaning bull, and that malloreddus means calves, and the shape is like the calf of a leg.
No matter, this pasta is traditionally handmade in homes by taking small rolled dough in 15 cm pieces and pressing and rolling it against the bottom of a basket made of wicker. This method gives the exterior a ribbed look, while being pressed by the thumb and as it is pressed it is rolled into its shape.
This shape is sometimes referred to as “gnocchi” in Italian and “cigiones” in Sassari. There are many dishes you can make with this shape.
Think olive oil, bacon, peas, Parmigiano-Reggiano, fennel, sausage, tomatoes, garlic, basil, saffron, etc. Any of these ingredients can make a wonderful dish!
With a little bounce in the bite, a space to hold flavor and an exterior that grabs the sauce, what more could you want in a pasta shape? And one with a history and full of tradition!
Shop now for La Casa del Grano Malloreddus Pasta with Saffron!
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Organic Golden Thompson Raisins
And the Drunken Raisin Recipe
When Thomspon grapes dry, the high concentration of sugars produces nature’s candy, called raisins, that are over 70% fructose.
Containing iron, vitamin C, calcium, boron (essential for bone health and osteoporosis prevention by helping absorb minerals like calcium and magnesium), kaempferol flavonoid (may reduce your risk for cancer and cardiovascular disease with its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agent), quercetin (anithistamine properties), catechins phytonutrient (may help to oxidize fat and improve your cognitive power!) and oleanic acid, which makes this candy a fighter of tooth decay by attacking the bacteria that causes cavities.
These golden raisins (which, because they are organic, are actually light brown) have more of the above than dark raisins, except for the one that makes you “smarter”.
The difference in the raisins, dark (Thompson) and golden (White Muscat or Thompson), is the drying process. The dark is dried by the sun, and the golden are dried indoors, most often in ovens.
Drunken Raisins, as a remedy for arthritis, are NOT treated with sulfur dioxide to keep them light golden in color during the drying process - instead they are lightly brown. (About 1 in 100 people have some allergy to sulfur dioxide.)
Drunken raisins for arthritis is an interesting “cure”, perhaps a bit like “snake oil” of the wild west; they have a strong following and are believed to help alleviate the pain associated with arthritis.
There is a lot of anecdotal evidence showing this to be true, with many people talking about how it works for them. And, there are others that poo-poo it, saying it’s nothing but a placebo.
I suppose if it works for you, you might not care how these drunken raisins for arthritis work, right? Arthritis pain is like a cold 40º day in the Northwest, where your skin is warm but your bones ache and there seems like there is nothing you can do about it!
Drunken Raisins for arthritis is pretty simple to make, it just takes a little time. Place "golden" raisins in a container that can be left open, and cover with gin that is made with juniper.
Let the mixture sit a week to a month until all the alcohol evaporates, then eat about 8 raisins a day.
I had a friend who was in terrible pain and when he started this process I thought he was joking, thinking it was just a “gin” excuse, until he told me that you wait until the alcohol is gone.
Perhaps the benefit is a combination of the ritual of taking matters into your own hands, the "golden" raisin's health benefits, and the juniper in the gin. Try it and let us know. It’s "golden" raisins and gin...it can’t be bad....
Shop now for Organic Golden Thompson Raisins!
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Le Nostre Bavette
A ribbon noodle with a convex shape
Bavette is a slightly narrower version of tagliatelle or linguine. It is considered a ribbon noodle, like spaghetti. Except that the shape is not round, it is more like an oval.
The stipple from the bronze die along with air-drying have created a wonderful texture, perfect to become one with the sauce, the oil, or anything you feel like!
It’s back!
"I loved this shape and brand in Europe. Great taste and terrific bite. Glad it’s back in stock!"
-- david
The best dry pasta noodle!
"I ordered this Spaghettini when it was getting hard to find pasta in our local stores. I will never go back to buying anything else now. I made Bucatini all'Amatriciana the other night for our family, as we each took our first bite we all stopped and looked at each other. The absolute best dry pasta! Of course generously salting water to boil and great sauce helps!"
-- julie
Shop now for Le Nostre Bavette Pasta!
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The Best Cake you can make
Super duper easy
This is one of the greatest recipes that exists. This easy recipe for almond cake was passed from one almond cake lover to another, and modified to match one's favorite ingredients and palate.
This adapted recipe for almond cake is from David Lebovitz, who has a wonderful blog and many wonderful cookbooks. You should go check out his writing and get his cookbooks!
This is best, and easiest, if you make it in a food processor. If using a mixer, use a paddle attachment to break everything up.
The recipe now shows a simple option to make it gluten-free, which might even be better!
See the best Almond Cake Recipe Here!
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The Best Almond Paste
Professional - premium
No fancy packaging here, this commercial tub of Mandelin premium almond paste is the real deal. You can shape this white treat into little animals for your next birthday cake. Or into leaves for the top of an apple pie. Shape and eat! OR, just eat it. It's that good.
This is a professional, premium almond paste that is made with 66% almonds, whereas most almond paste is made with 50% or less almonds. Our almond paste contains bitter almond oil for an extra boost of almond flavor, a flavor the Europeans are known for.
Did you know that most of the almond paste used in countries like Switzerland and France is made from almonds grown in California, including some that is exported back here to the USA!
Best Almond Paste EVER!
"This almond paste is just so fabulous. Fresh from California, but made in the European tradition it really adds a true almond flavor to anything it's used for. Amaretti cookies with a good luxardo cherry in the middle? forget about it, try to have just one."
-- ella
Shop now for Almond Paste - the best!
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Gravenstein Apples
The best Apple Cider Vinegar to taste!
This is an essential vinegar ingredient to always have on hand.
Everyone is shocked at how good this is! The usual response after tasting is to check the bottle and then say, "That is nothing like any apple cider vinegar I have had before!"
Worth Drinking!
We test & try ingredients all the time, so our pantry overflows into every available flat space we can find. In other words, the dining room table, the hutch and the floor can get covered in new foods. Sounds great but sometimes it’s just too much.
As a result, some of our favorite ingredients are pushed aside, literally, to the back burner or even out the door. I don't know how long it has been since I gave away my last bottle of Apple cider vinegar to a “chef-in-need”.
This meant that I need to re-supply and bring a bottle of apple cider vinegar home. (We have 18 vinegars in the pantry.) Even though you know every vin is awesome, it's nice to have a refresher of taste that is.
This Katz Gravenstein Apple Cider Vinegar is a revelation, a vision, a lightening bolt of amazement! Yes, it’s just vinegar, but a little sip with just your lips and you can taste the sweetness, the shape, the roundness of the apple, you can taste the apple!
It makes you realize that you don't need to have industrial grade cleaner, apple cider vinegar in your body.
I called Albert to ask him why his was so amazing, and though he is never shy to say how much he likes his stuff, he never says it’s his “hands” that make it great. (It is!) What we did discuss are ideas, like the fact that the Gravenstein apple has a natural tart sweet flavor. And that the apple is still a true “breed”.
The one word that describes this vinegar to him is "quaffable". More than five years ago he had some gut issues and nothing was working. So he started drinking his Katz Gravenstein apple cider vinegar daily, 1/8 cup vinegar with 12 ounces of mineral water. And it worked. He has had no issues since.
Shop now for the Best Apple Cider Vinegar!
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Organic Granulated Sugar
Coconut Palm Sugar
This is some of the most fragrant, flavorful sugar we've ever tasted. Hints of toasted coconut and caramel waft from the open bag. Not quite as sweet as cane sugar or as overpowering as dark muscovado, it is loaded with toasty flavor. Maple sugar fans will love this.
Suggested Uses
Sprinkle this coconut palm sugar on your oatmeal; use it instead of white sugar on top of crème brulée; make a syrup from it and drizzle it over some banana nut pancakes; use it as part of the crumbly topping for crisps, crumbles or coffee cake; try it in coffee or herbal tea; use it to add a bit of sweetness to marinades and stir-fry, and experiment with all sorts of desserts. (We've even been known just to pop it right into our mouths for a sweet treat...!)
Where it Comes From
In the village of Dawan on the island of Bali, artisans collect the sweet "tuak" sap from the bounty of coconut palms that keeps this coastal village shady and cool. The village of Dawan is renowned throughout Indonesia as the place where coconut sugaring first began, and their golden harvest is highly prized.
The Process
With the coming of dawn, the silhouettes of island farmers can be seen climbing high into swaying palms, tapping the flowers spikes that hang within the green fronds. A sweet nectar is released and drips slowly into earthen vessels hung below the flowers. This nectar is "tuak:" the sweet sap of the palm. The tuak is boiled over open fires in cast iron kettles and slowly thickens to sugar. At just the right moment the sugars are stirred to form crystals and ladled hot into waiting coconut shell molds and then ground back into granules for transport to America.
A Little History
The art of sugaring the palms is a tradition dating back over centuries, its secrets passed from generation to generation. An artisan sugar made on a scale of kilos a day...nothing short of perfection.
Shop now for Organic Granulated Coconut Palm Sugar!
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Hey Boo
Lemon Coconut Curd
Hey Boo Coconut Jam is a dreamy, creamy, all natural spread! Chilled in the refrigerator and then warmed (in your mouth), it goes from cold to gold!
Hey Boo Coconut Jam has a very soft mouth feel as you taste; even on a spoon, your inclination is to use the tip of your tongue to start. Pushing up to the roof of your mouth as the flavor of lemon dominates and mixes nicely with the coconut milk.
If you haven’t closed your eyes yet, you will on the next taste as you try to define the flavor. As the flavor spreads you will find your inner cheeks puckering up with a wonderful lemony memory.
It’s not just lemon. And it is not a coconut milk dominated mouth flavor either. This combination goes to a third tier of complexity, that isn’t complex at all. Simple, flavorrich, a sweet gift to any honey lover you might know. This lemon coconut curd is a special gift! (To yourself!)
Spread this lemon coconut curd on Toast, Waffles, Yogurt, and dipping fruit. Make it a baking regular in your pastries.
Delicious!
"This lemon coconut curd is delicious. I love using it on my scones, either baked in or added after baking. So good! I have also added it to buttercream frosting. It's creamy sweet and delicious!"
-- l2c
Shop now for Hey Boo Lemon Coconut (Dairy Free) Curd (Jam)!
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Black Garlic Ketchup
Healthy longevity comes from eating Black Garlic!
Sometimes great things just appear and when they do it’s a WOW kinda thing!
This dark, very dark gourmet ketchup is nothing like the red stuff we have used our whole lives. In fact, it does not resemble anything we have had before. I am thinking that the next burger I make will have this as the condiment of excellence.
Like most ketchups it has vinegar, the basic acid and tomato combination. And the similarity stops there.
To the nose, Hawkshead Black Garlic Ketchup has a big twing-y tickle from the acetic acid - balsamic vinegar. To the tip of the tongue it is sweet. And to the mouth, it is a squeeze in the cheeks pleasure. It took a couple of “tastes” to notice the little bits of garlic. At the end, some of the time, there is a tickle in the back of the throat.
The flavor of this gourmet ketchup is not “garlic”, at least not to the taste buds. It takes some cheek smacking to get the garlic...the flavor is much more about the complete experience. You get a sweet twinge of goodness with hints of Balsamic and caramel. This is like an enhancement of black garlic in a ready to pour form!
To make black garlic you heat a full head of white garlic at 150 degrees for several weeks. The browning action is created by the Maillard reaction, not caramelization. The sharpness in fresh garlic is transformed as it breaks down over time, minimizing the strong flavor.
Black Garlic has been around for a long time, and is long associated with longevity and even immortality. Black garlic is rich in color, rich in flavor, with roundness, fullness and lots of fun.
Secret sauce
"This was given to me as a gift, I might not have risked it but I’m so glad I have tried it now. The other night I made a pecan crusted chicken breast and smashed fried potatoes and salad. Everything was good but needed some oomph so I tried this and it went from good to great. We tried mixing with some mayonnaise and smoked chipotle Tabasco and voila, a perfect sauce for pretty much anything. The flavor is just the right level, not overbearing, but different than anything I’ve had before."
-- jodi
Great condiment and a must try!
"I was pleasantly surprised with the unique flavor of this Black Garlic Ketchup. It's the perfect topping for my plant based burger. Now I’m going to have to get more before it's gone and try the Smoked version as well. Bon Appetit"
-- raymond
Shop now for Black Garlic Ketchup!
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Organic Medjool Dates
from Bard Valley!
Right now is when these dates are spectacular! They are one of nature's best candies! Sweet, without being too sweet, flavorful, soft and delicious. This is a really good harvest this year, and right now is when you should eat them out-of-hand!
On an acre of land, up to fifty females and one male can grow in harmony. A 15 to 20 year old tree will yield about 200 pounds of Medjool dates a year. Trees can reach as high as 50 feet tall and are hand-pollinated with the goal to produce the best fruit.
Fossils have shown dates thrived 50 million years ago. And humans have been cultivating them for 6,000 years. Hundreds of varieties are grown worldwide, twelve in the States. Of those, over 90% of the total US crop are grown in the Coachella Valley. And some of the very best are grown at the intersection of Arizona, California, and Mexico in a place called Bard Valley.
Although they have been in the US since the 18th century when the Spaniards planted them around their missionaries, it wasn't until the early 1900s that the Medjool variety was brought here to the US. Specifically in 1927, when a fungal disease threatened to decimate the Moroccan industry, 11 offshoots were brought to the US by a horticulturalist.
After a seven-year quarantine in Nevada, the nine surviving plants were sent to Southern California. Those original nine plants are the ancestors of the millions of Medjool date palms that grow in California today.
The nickname for Medjool dates is the "King of Dates", and do they live up to it! Medjool dates are a deep amber-brown with crinkly skin and a glow of their own. The sticky flesh melts in your mouth, and their perfect mix of sweetness reminds you of caramel...honey...cinnamon!
Based on taste and melt-in-your-mouth texture, the Medjool date is definitely the "King of Dates" - and it is easy to understand why these dates were actually reserved for the Moroccan royalty.
To store Medjools, leave them covered on the counter for up to a week or place them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to six months. These dates just shine in our deviled date recipe!
Shop now for Bard Valley Organic Medjool Dates!
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It's like a song to your palate
Music Hardneck Organic Garlic
wonderful taste
"first time buying garlic other than grocery...very happy with this choice"
-- kurt
Music is one of the most popular garlics of the porcelain hardneck variety. Music hardneck garlic features typically large cloves that are easy to peel and easy to use. Whether you smoosh, crush or slice thin to make the perfect sauce or marinade, one clove is just the right size.
Less in your face with heat and spice than other porcelain hardnecks, don't be fooled as this Music sings the song of potent garlic flavor!
From Rock and Roll to Country to Jazz, we love our Music!
Fresh, organic Music hardneck garlic is the least hot of the porcelain garlic varieties. The large bulbs have a sweet flavor when baked. Eaten raw, they have a very hot, spicy flavor.
Shop now for Music Hardneck Organic Garlic!
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Got questions? Call or email and we will do our best to answer your questions! We love sharing our taste opinions about all our products.
STORE HOURS: Monday thru Saturday, 10 to 5. Closed Sunday. Please let us know if you would like a private shopping time and we will do our best to accommodate you. We now have multiple HEPA medical grade air filters running 24 hours a day in the shop.
Please keep in mind we are limiting the number of people in the shop at one time and masks are required. If you are feeling sick for any reason please choose a different time to visit. We may perform random temperature checks.
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ChefShop Cocoa Powder
with a hint of vanilla!
Stock up on cocoa powder as we all get ready for baking and making season!
Even if it keeps a really long time, it is best when it's fresh! So use like crazy!
The desire for hot chocolate is not far away and cocoa in your morning oatmeal is a great way to get the health benefits of chocolate into your day!
The Top Cocoa Ever
" first discovered this cocoa at Williams-Sonoma 20 years ago.....and have been using it ever since. Of course, now I buy it in large quantities! It makes a decadent hot chocolate, and I use it in brownies and Martha Stewart's one-bowl chocolate cake recipe. Really wonderful.....
"
-- donna
Shop now for Cocoa Powder!
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Choose the amount in $25 increments by changing the quantity number and we will take care of the rest.
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Store Hours - Monday thru Friday 10 to 5, Saturday 10 to 5
If your order has been confirmed as "ORDER READY FOR PICKUP" in email (or you were called) and want it brought to you in the parking lot, call us when you arrive and we will run it out to you. 206-286-9988
ChefShop.com
1425 Elliott Ave W
Seattle, Wa 98119
206-286-9988
Our bigger parking lot is north of the shop and next door (south of) Champions Party Supply.
Easy to reach and wide open parking lot. Click here to see the map.
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This Week's Recipes |
Deviled Dates Recipe
Always a big hit in the Spanish Tapas Cooking Class. We make them with Applewood Smoked Bacon, Marcona Almonds and Fra'Mani Salametto. So easy and so perfect.
Two Potato Tart Recipe
This recipe comes from The Seasons of Parmigiano-Reggiano by Nancy Radke - A wonderful guide to the king of cheese - Parmigiano-Reggiano. Along with a number of delicious recipes.
Red Carrots Glazed with Balsamic Vinegar Recipe
This weekend I picked up some heirloom red carrots. Red carrots are not as naturally sweet as orange carrots -- so this recipe was a perfect way to bring-out more sweetness. Any carrot will do.
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