Pre-Kosherfest Kosher Feast 2013

This past Monday, October 28th, my co-blogger SYR and I attended the Pre-Kosherfest Kosher Feast 2013. It was held at J Soho -formerly Jezzebel (323 West Broadway, off Canal Street, New York, NY 10013 – Tel: 646,410.0717) – and was organized by Roberta Scher (Koshereye) and Esti Berkowitz (Primetime Parenting). The beautiful, contemporary, decor would have made it a perfect venue for the event.

I seem to remember different faces in Leonardo Da Vinci’s original, I’m sure neither Woody Allen, nor Albert Einstein, nor Daniel Radcliffe and the others were there. Hmmnn… maybe my memory is just playing tricks on me?

The evening started at 5:00 pm with networking and a wine tasting presented by the Royal Wine Corporation under the able guidance of Shlomo Blashka. Throughout the evening, both for SYR and I, the undisputed favorite wine was Pacifica‘s Cabernet-Merlot 2011. It shows blackberry, dark chocolate, toast and a hint of vanilla, on the palate it offers a soft structure with firm tannins, silky smooth and a long finish. The awardees were called out during the meal… Old friends, familiar faces and the faces behind famous names were just some ingredients contributing to the evening’s success.

Lévana, SYR, Shifra Klein (Joy of Kosher Magazine), Alessandra Rovati (Dinner in Venice) and Gil Marks (Encyclopedia of Jewish Food)

Awards were given to some of the pioneers in the kosher industry such as: Susie Fishbein, Laura Frankel, Norene Gilletz, David Herzog, Gil Marks, Lévana Kirschenbaum, Menachem Lubinsky, Joan Nathan and more.

Lara Frankel (Shallots – Chicago and New York) currently Executive Chef at Spertus Kosher Catering Featuring Cuisine by Wolfgang Puck at the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies in Chicago

Susie Fishbein

Old and new friends, good conversation, superb wines a perfect recipe for a meal and a memorable evening.

CS

The New Food Processor Bible – 30th Anniversary Edition

Every age has its food fads; every few years eating habits evolve as we become more conscious of what is healthy – and what is not – as we discover new products which allow for a larger selection of heretofore unimaginable dishes in a traditional Jewish kitchen. These days we see a plethora of new cookbooks that bring kosher cooking to new and exciting levels, yet… some books are destined to become classics to be reprinted over and over. One such book is The New Food Processor Bible – 30th Anniversary Edition.

Norene Gilletz original, The Pleasure of Your Processor, was first published in 1980; in 2002 she revised it with 100 new recipes as The Food Processor Bible and now in 2011 she just came out with a further revision. It’s a classic that keeps getting better and better.

Norene, whom we recently interviewed on our internet radio show, does not believe in a time consuming, the more ingredients the better, cooking style. Her books are filled  with straight forward, sensible, easy to follow recipes and the present volume is no exception.

Starting with a section explaining food processors, and continuing with Nutritional Analysis it goes on to through 12 more sections ranging from Appetizers to Passover and covering soups, fish, meat, salads, desserts and more. The results are healthy and delicious.

Here is one of my new favorite recipes (and there are quite a few that we loved!):

Rozie’s Osso Bucco with Gremolata

Yield: 6 servings

• 6 Veal shanks, well trimmed (about 4lb)
• 1/2 cup flour
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 medium carrots, cut in chunks
• 2 medium onions, cut in chunks
• 2 cups mushrooms
• 2 stalks celery
• 3/4 to 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth (salt-free or regular)
• 1 can (28oz) tomatoes (salt free or regular)
• 1/4 cup fresh basil minced (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
• salt and pepper to taste
• Gremolata

Coat veal on all sides with flour, shaking off excess. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat 3 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet. Add veal (in batches) and brown slowly on all sides, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a platter. Discard from a skillet.

STEEL BLADE: Drop garlic through feed tube while machine is running; process until minced. Add carrots and onions and process with quick on/off pulses, until coarsely chopped.

SLICER: Slice mushrooms and celery, using medium pressure. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in skillet. Add vegetables and sauté on medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add wine, reduce heat and cook 1 minute longer. Add broth, tomatoes and herbs. Season with salt, and pepper. Add veal

Cover and simmer for 2 hours, until tender. At serving time, sprinkle Gremolata on veal

Gremolata

• 2 to 3 tablespoons lemon rind
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup fresh parsley
• 2 or 3 cloves garlic

STEEL BLADE: Process until finely minced, about 10 seconds. Delicious with veal.

The above recipes (pages 184 and 185), come with the nutritional values. The Osso Bucco recipe also has a variation for cooking in a slow cooker. A perfect dish for Shabbos!

Enjoy, gentle reader, enjoy!

CS

Our Radio Broadcasts for this Week

This evening, Monday the 12th of December, at 8:00pm (Eastern Time) we will finally have the long awaited – twice postponed – interview with Norene Gilletz from gourmania.com. Norene published her first cookbook in 1968 (Second Helpings), since then she’s written several more, including the just revised The NEW Food Processor Bible: 30th Anniversary Edition.

On Wednesday, the 14th, at 8:00pm (Eastern Time) we will have a conversation with Jesse Blonder (Director of the Center for Kosher Culinary Arts, located at 1407 Coney Island Avenue, Tel: 718.758.1339), and Chef Avram Wiseman (Dean of CKCA). This program was prerecorded last week at Cafe Venezia, on Coney Island Avenue,  in Brooklyn.

We spoke about trends in kosher food, adapting non kosher cuisine to the kosher diet, and what one can learn in the professional courseware, or in the workshops (day long to week long) geared to the public at large.

Meanwhile, if you missed it or just want to hear it again, you can catch our last broadcast on The Evolution of Kosher Wine, Post Kosherfest Talk. The show aired on November, the 16th and my guests were Costas Mouzouras from Gotham Wine and Liquors in Manhattan in the first half. In the second half we spoke with a group of foodie bloggers in the second half: Alessandra Rovati (Dinner in Venice), Esti Berkowitz (Primetime Parenting), Roberta Scher (Kosher Eye) and Suzzanah Raff (The Kosher Shopaholic).

Please don’t forget to listen to our show this evening, December 12th, 2011 at 8:00pm (Eastern Time) and again on Wednesday the 14th, at 8:00pm (Eastern Time). We’ll be waiting for you!

CS

***UPDATE***

The CKCA prerecorded broadcast with Chef Avram Wiseman And Jesse Blonder will broadcast on Monday, December 19th, at 8:00pm Eastern Time. We apologize for the inconvenience to one and all.

This Week’s Radio Show

Tomorrow evening, Wednesday the 7th of December, we will be back with our regular Blogtalkradio show. Our guest will be: Norene Gilletz from gourmania.com. Norene published her first cookbook in 1968 (Second Helpings), since then she’s written several more, including the just revised The NEW Food Processor Bible: 30th Anniversary Edition.

Who is Norene Gilletz? Does she have something to say? She most certainly does! Cuisine Canada Scene describes her this way:

Norene Gilletz is the leading author of kosher cookbooks in Canada and the owner of Gourmania Inc. Norene is crazy about food and her world revolves around recipes. She divides her time between work as a freelance food writer, editor, food consultant, cooking teacher and culinary spokesperson. Norene is a Certified Culinary Professional with the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) and a member of the Women’s Culinary Network of Toronto. She conducts cooking demonstrations and lectures for various organizations, including hospitals, foodservice and charitable fund-raising groups. Norene is passionate about healthy cooking and living, and has expertise in a wide variety of health concerns and special diets. Her motto, “food that’s good for you should taste good,” has been a core principle guiding her culinary career.

Please tune in tomorrow evening on Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 at 8:00pm Eastern Time. You can find us on blogtalkradio.com/kosherscene.

Meanwhile, if you missed it or just want to hear it again, you can catch our last broadcast on The Evolution of Kosher Wine, Post Kosherfest Talk. The show aired on November, the 16th and my guests were Costas Mouzouras from Gotham Wine and Liquors in Manhattan in the first half. In the second half we spoke with a group of foodie bloggers in the second half: Alessandra Rovati (Dinner in Venice), Esti Berkowitz (Primetime Parenting), Roberta Scher (Kosher Eye) and Suzzanah Raff (The Kosher Shopaholic).

Please don’t forget to listen to our show tomorrow December 7th, 2011 at 8:00pm Eastern Time. We’ll be waiting for you!

CS

***UPDATE***

Due to unforeseen circumstances I was forced to postpone this show, but it will be rescheduled for next week, be’ezras Hashem.