Spoons Across America: June 2010

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

An innovative way to go fresh and local

I wanted to share the link to an interesting article that appeared in today's New York Times about an innovative approach to not just getting fresh food but really taking ownership in it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/23/dining/23bronx.html?pagewanted=1

The Corbin Hills Farm in Schoharie County was started by Dennis Derryck. On a happy and somewhat personal note, I was glad to have the opportunity to meet Professor Derryck while attending New School University. He was always known for his unique approaches to addressing social issues such as the Chase Challenge that students participated in. No doubt, this is the beginning of another one of his success stories.

Great video too...

http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/06/22/dining/1247468103416/getting-fresh-in-the-south-bronx.html

Monday, June 7, 2010

A bit more on Chefs Move to Schools

Apologies as the link to the Let's Move initiative wasn't accurate; the correct one is: http://www.letsmove.gov/

Also, here's a great article with a picture that does a wonderful job of capturing the spirit of the day:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/06/04/chefs-move-raise-a-healthier-generation-kids

A Celebratory June 4th for Spoons Across America

This was an incredibly exciting week – or to be exact – Friday at Spoons Across America. Lots of great things were going on in New York City and Washington DC

New York City – The Dinner Party Project at Gracie Mansion

First, here in New York City, 52 incredibly talented 5th grade students from PS 132 Juan Pablo Duarte celebrated the lessons of the Dinner Party Project (TDPP). The Dinner Party Project is a signature Spoon's program involving children in the entire process of producing a dinner party for their families. Students learn about nutrition, meal planning, table setting, etiquette and cooking. This powerful experience deepens their understanding of the value of community, family, teamwork, and sharing, while building self-esteem and having fun. For more info, please check out: http://spoonsacrossamerica.org/pg/8

We were thrilled to be hosted by the Gracie Mansion Conservancy who helped make the evening a spectacular success. Under the direction of Executive Chef Filiberto Estevez (Chef Fili), students prepared a fresh and delicious meal for their parents along with many friends and supporters of Spoons who then enjoyed an evening of music and dancing.

Many thanks to all the people who were involved: the Mayor's Office, the support of the Julia Child Foundation, the volunteer and financial support of UBS, DJ Leonel Jiminian and Gabanna Restaurant, the Clave Azul Band from I.S. 143 Eleanor Roosevelt School in Washington Heights, New York City College of Technology's faculty and students, all our dedicated volunteers and of course everyone at PS 132 for their hard work and dedication to learning about the benefits of fresh, local healthy foods.

Pictures from the event can be found at: http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?EventId=100236405&EditorialProduct=Entertainment

Washington DC – Spoons Celebrates Chefs Move to Schools

Meanwhile, in our nation's Capital, First Lady Michelle Obama, launched the “Chefs Move to Schools” program.
This initiative, part of the Mrs. Obama's Lets Move initiative, a national call to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation. For more information on both, please check out:

Let's Move: http://www.letsmove.gov/index.html
Chefs Move to Schools: http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?tax_level=1&info_center=14&tax_subject=225

Spoons joined with over 700 Chefs from around the country to support this national call for Chefs to adopt a school and work with students, teachers and staff to advocate for healthier foods and eating habits. It was also a wonderful opportunity to discuss new potential collaborations with friends of Spoons. White House Pastry Chef and Spoons’ Board member Bill Yosses was instrumental in having several of our Chefs participate in this great event and we look forward to being a key partner in this important initiative.

- Robert Grabel

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Chef Bobo's Tomato, Garlic, and Oregano Crostini

1 loaf unsliced crusty Italian bread or baguette-style French bread, cut diagonally into ½-inch-thick slices
¼ cup olive oil or olive oil-flavored nonstick cooking spray
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 Beefsteak tomatoes, halved
1 clove garlic, smashed
½ cup chopped fresh oregano
1 chopped Beefsteak tomato

1. Preheat the over to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper foil.

2. Arrange bread on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly brush bread with a little olive oil or spray with cooking spray. Lightly sprinkle a little salt and pepper over the bread.

3. Bake, turning once, until crisp and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool, Rub each piece of toasted bread with garlic, then rub with a cut side of a tomato. Sprinkle with oregano and chopped tomatoes.

Seasonal Suggestion: During tomato season you can often find different tomatoes of different varieties, colors, and sizes. Experiment with the flavors of yellow cherry tomatoes, heirloom varieties, sweet 100s and others.

Makes: 18 crostini

Recipe from "Chef Bobo's Good Food Cookbook" by Robert Surles

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Chef Bobo's Carrot and Ginger Soup

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or canola oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cut chopped shallots
2 bay leaves
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon turbinado sugar or regular sugar
2 teaspoons ground white pepper
4 cups vegetable stock
1 teaspoon ground ginger

1. Drizzle the oil in a heavy 3-quart soup pot and swirl it around until the oil coast the entire surface. Heat over high heat until hot.

2. Add the onion, shallots, bay leaves, and garlic. Cook and stir until tender, but not brown.

3. Add the carrots, fresh ginger, salt, sugar, and pepper. Stir in the vegetable stock. Bring to a bowl. Reduce heat to simmering and cook until carrots are tender, about 45 minutes. Remove soup pot from heat. Cool for 15 minutes.

4. Ladle soup into a blender a little at a time and blend in small batches until pureed. (Be very careful because hot liquids in a blender can be explosive when you turn on the blender.) Once all the soup is blended, return soup to pot. Or use an immersion blender to blend the soup right in the soup pot.

5. Serve hot or chill and serve cold. Top each serving with a sprinkling of ground ginger.

Makes 4-6 Servings
Recipe from "Chef Bobo's Good Food Cookbook" by Robert Surles

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Chef Bobo's Vegetarian Summer Rolls

1 seedless cucumber
12 10-inch round rice papers*
1 bunch fresh basil
1 bunch fresh mint
1 ½ cups cooked rice
1 ½ cups shredded carrot
1 2/3 cups shredded daikon **
2 cups hoisin sauce

Quarter the cucumber lengthwise, then cut each quarter into 3 long pieces. Trim to 4-inch lengths.

Fill a bowl with very hot water and lay out a large cotton towel or napkin that has been sprinkled with water. Place 1 rice paper in the hot water and let it soften for 15 seconds or so, until it is flexible and nearly transparent. Lay it on the towel. Working in the center of the rice paper, place 2 basil leaves and 2 mint leaves, then top with 2 tablespoons of rice, pressing down slightly. Add about 1 tablespoon shredded carrot, 1 tablespoon shredded daikon, and 1 piece of cucumber. Top with 1 tablespoon of hoisin sauce.

To wrap the summer roll, fold 2 sides of rice paper over filling, then roll into an egg roll shape. Serve the remaining hoisin sauce on the side for dipping.

*Note: Rice papers can be found at Asian groceries or specialty food stores. They are about 10 inches in diameter and are translucent, papery, and made from rice flour. In order to use the rice papers, they need to be soaked in hot water, but don’t leave them soaking in the water for too long or they get gummy. They are very sticky and need to be placed on cotton towels that have been sprinkled lightly with water.

** Note: Daikon is a long white Asian radish. If you can’t find these at your local market or farm, you can substitute with regular red radishes.

Seasonal Suggestion: Add or substitute vegetables depending on what is in season and/or available at your local market, farm or farmers market. Try chives, sautéed mushrooms, sprouts, red peppers, etc. Be careful not to add too much to the rolls, or the rice papers will rip and fall apart.

Makes: 12 Summer Rolls
Recipe from "Chef Bobo's Good Food Cookbook" by Robert Surles

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: 4th of July Berries and Cream

Spoons Across America founder, Julia Jordan, shares her recipe for a simple taste of summer. She recommends that you "sit back; enjoy the lush creamy texture and the bursts of berry flavors. It’s as close to perfection as summer gets."

4 Cups Market Fresh Berries
Blueberries
Raspberries
Strawberries, hulled and cut into quarters
1/3 Cup Sugar – optional
1 Cup Heavy or Whipping Cream from your local dairy
1 teaspoon Vanilla – optional
1 Tablespoon Confectioners or superfine sugar – optional
1 bunch Mint or Verbena or Lemon Thyme Leave

Lightly rinse berries. Drain.
Reserve 1 cup berries for garnish.
Toss remaining berries with sugar. Set aside.
Whisk heavy cream, until soft peaks form*. (7-10 minutes)
Fold vanilla and/or sugar into the whipped cream, optional.

Place berries in individual parfaits or glass bowls. Top with whipped cream or alternate layers of berries and cream.
Garnish with whole berries and sprigs of mint.

*Note: Place stainless steel mixing bowl and whisk in freezer, or whisk cream over a double boiler filled with ice water.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas with Radishes

This was one of our first Greenmarket dinners of the season! We enjoyed this fresh side dish with fresh lamb sausage from the Greenmarket and bread from our local bakery. It also goes well with grilled chicken or fish, or add shrimp or scallops for a complete main course!

1 Tbsp. Olive oil
1 Tbsp. butter
1 lb. Sugar Snap Peas (trimmed)
1 bunch radishes (thinly sliced)
1 tsp. fresh mint (minced)
1 tsp. fresh chives
salt and pepper to taste

Heat the oil and butter in a medium sauté pan. Add peas and cook for 3-4 minutes, until heated through and tender, but still slightly crispy. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the radishes and sauté until warm (1-2 minutes). Add mint and chives and toss to coat.

Serves: 4-6