ChefCali

Kids Feeding Kids

Cali Bergold — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:30:41 +0000

Chef Cali Bergold and Carson Pazdan on WGN The Kids Feeding Kids Club was founded in 2008 by 5-year-old Carson Pazdan. Inspired by his love to cook and experiment in the kitchen, Carson wanted to create his own cookbook featuring all of his recipes as well as those from other children. He dreamed of a cookbook designed [...]

Last of Summer Dinner Menu … Patio Party on the Mansion Grounds

Cali Bergold — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:12:37 +0000

Last of Summer Dinner Menu … Patio Party on the Mansion Grounds Amuse Bouche Champagne and caviar 1996 Joseph Perrier Brut Champagne 1st course Irish organic tuna tartare tower 28 year old balsamic reduction, avocado, McWethy hydroponic tomatoes 2003 Moreaux Sancerre “Les Bouffants” 2nd course Seared diver sea scallop Goat cheese polenta, sweet pea sauce, micro greens 2003 Hartford Court “Three Jacks” Russian River Chardonnay 3rd course Seared [...]

Garlic and Oregano Poached Sea Bass

Cali Bergold — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:57:51 +0000

Garlic and Oregano Poached Sea Bass There are several different ways to cook with liquid. The most obvious is poaching, in which the fish is simply simmered in water or other liquid until it is done. This easy method consistently results in a moist piece of fish and works well with a fillet, whole fish or [...]

Fresh Herb Salad

Cali Bergold — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:55:52 +0000

Fresh Herb Salad Makes: 4 servings INGREDIENTS ¼ cup basil leaves ¼ cup mint leaves ¼ cup fennel fronds ¼ cup cilantro leaves ¼ cup Italian parsley leaves ¼ cup edible flowers (nasturtium preferred) 1 lime, zest and juice 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Sea salt and pepper to taste PROCEDURE Toss herbs and edible flowers in salad bowl. In a separate bowl, place lime zest and juice [...]

Minty Chicken Salad

Cali Bergold — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:54:20 +0000

Minty Chicken Salad Makes: 4 servings INGREDIENTS 1 cup mayonnaise ¼ cup sour cream 1 teaspoon smoky paprika 1 ½ cups dried cranberries 1 cup celery, finely chopped 2 green onions, chopped ½ cup red bell pepper, minced 1 cup pecans, chopped 4 cups cooked chicken meat, cubed 4 tablespoons fresh mint, julienne Sea salt and pepper to taste PROCEDURE In a medium mixing bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream and [...]

Asparagus Salad with Walnut Oil Vinaigrette

Cali Bergold — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 17:30:10 +0000

Asparagus Salad with Walnut Oil Vinaigrette Makes: 4-6 servings INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup white wine vinegar 1 tablespoon minced shallot 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 3/4 teaspoons sea salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup grape seed or olive oil 1/4 cup walnut oil 2 pounds asparagus, trimmed and steamed until just tender 1/3 cup toasted, chopped walnuts 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves Sea salt and freshly [...]

Onion Soup Gratin

Cali Bergold — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 17:29:00 +0000

Onion Soup Gratin Makes: 4 servings INGREDIENTS 4 strips of bacon 6 Maui or Vidalia onions (3 pounds/8 cups), thinly sliced 2 large shallots, chopped 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 cup red wine 2 teaspoons dried oregano 3 quarts chicken or beef stock Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Sliced baguette, toasted and seasoned Swiss cheese (or gruyere is nice, too!), grated Flat-leaf parsley, chopped, [...]

Coq Au Vin (Chicken in Red Wine Sauce)

Cali Bergold — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 17:27:44 +0000

Coq Au Vin (Chicken in Red Wine Sauce) INGREDIENTS ¼ cup grape seed oil 1 cup pearl onions (cleaned) ½ pound mushrooms, cleaned and quartered 1 ½ pounds of chicken (pieces) 1 large shallot, finely chopped 2 medium carrots, diced ¼ cup cognac 1 ½ cup red table wine ½ cup chicken stock 1 t. dried thyme Sea salt and pepper to taste 1 T. unsalted butter, room [...]

Avocado with Grapefruit and Shrimp … and Roquefort

Cali Bergold — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:51:58 +0000

Avocado with Grapefruit and Shrimp … and Roquefort Makes: 2 servings INGREDIENTS 1 large pink grapefruit 1 medium avocado 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon chopped shallots Dash brandy Sea salt and pepper 6 large shrimp, peeled, deveined, poached in crab boil until just pink, and cooled Garnish: 2 tablespoons toasted pecans… ¼ cup Roquefort cheese; crumbled… 1 tablespoon chopped Italian parsley PROCEDURE Remove the [...]

Asian Tuna Salad

Cali Bergold — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:47:51 +0000

Asian Tuna Salad INGREDIENTS 2 teaspoons wasabi paste 1 tablespoon honey 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup sesame oil 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves Sea salt and pepper 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 cup julienne red bell peppers 1/2 cup julienne yellow bell peppers 1/2 cup chopped red onions 1/2 cup julienne carrots 2 cups julienne Chinese cabbage 1 teaspoon chopped garlic 1/2 pound angel [...]

Mexican Cobb Chop Chop

Cali Bergold — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:46:14 +0000

Mexican Cobb Chop Chop Makes: 6 servings INGREDIENTS 3/4 cup finely chopped onion 1 large garlic clove, minced 2 teaspoons ground cumin 2 teaspoons chili powder 1 1/2 tablespoons grape seed oil plus additional for frying the tortillas 1 pound ground chuck 2 tablespoons tomato paste Six 7-inch corn tortillas, cut into 1-inch triangles 8 cups shredded romaine 3 tomatoes, cut into wedges 1 cup coarsely grated extra-sharp [...]

Vera Cruz Guacamole

Cali Bergold — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:08:09 +0000

Vera Cruz Guacamole Makes: About 2 cups INGREDIENTS 3 plum or roma tomatoes 3 ripe avocados ¼ cup (or to taste) red onion, minced ¼ cup fresh lime juice (add a bit of lime zest for extra “zip”) 2 cloves garlic, minced ¼ cup cilantro leaves, minced PROCEDURE Quarter tomatoes, discarding seeds, and chop. Halve and pit avocados. Scoop avocado flesh into a bowl and [...]

Smoked Gouda & Caramelized Onion Quesadillas

Cali Bergold — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:02:40 +0000

Smoked Gouda & Caramelized Onion Quesadillas Makes: 6 appetizer size servings INGREDIENTS 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar ¼ teaspoon white wine vinegar 1 ½ cups smoked Gouda, grated 4, 10″ flour tortillas 2 ounces prosciutto, sliced, chopped 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted PROCEDURE Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy skillet over [...]

Pork Picadillo Empanadas

Cali Bergold — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:00:06 +0000

Pork Picadillo Empanadas Makes: About 24 pieces INGREDIENTS Dough: 8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 3 cups all purpose flour ½ cup cornmeal ¼ teaspoon smoky paprika ¼ teaspoon finely ground sea salt Filling: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1, 12 oz. piece of pork tenderloin, trimmed, cut into 1/3″ pieces 1 jalapeno, seeded, minced 2 teaspoons chili powder 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 [...]

Crab Stuffed Jalapeno Fritters

Cali Bergold — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:57:57 +0000

Crab Stuffed Jalapeno Fritters Makes: 12 peppers INGREDIENTS 12 large jalapeno peppers 4 ounces crabmeat, well drained 1/3 cup red onion, minced ¼ cup green bell pepper, minced ¼ cup mayonnaise Sea salt and pepper to taste ½ cup all purpose flour ¾ cup Mexican beer Corn oil (for deep frying) All purpose flour PROCEDURE Jalapenos: Starting just below the stem, cut chilies lengthwise in half, leaving stem attached. [...]