CASSIS...Who Knew?

Cassis Seaside France - Palm Beach Personal Chef

What is Cassis? It is a town located just east of Marseille in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. As a tourist destination it is known for falaises (cliffs) and its many sheltered inlets. Wine lovers know it for its full bodied, herby white wines produced from Clairette, and Marsanne as well as Doucillon Blanc primarily. It is also famous for its rose wines, but on this it is overshadowed by its neighbor to the east, Bandol.

Say cassis to others and immediately Creme de Cassis comes to mind. To most it is a sickly sweet, thick deep purple syrup that it only made to mix with champagne for the famous “Kir Royale”. Even the Kir Royale does not have a wonderful reputation. It is thought to be the drink of old ladies at Sunday brunches. What a tragedy this is. Most of us know only of the imitators, the impostors of the most versatile of liqueurs. If you are lucky enough to take a trip to France and happen to wander into the Dijon region (yes that Dijon) you will encounter the real thing, Creme de Cassis de Dijon. Yes it is inky black, and tasting of black currants. Having the “de Dijon” on the label you know that it is the real thing. It is made from actual macerated berries, not flavourings. The currants (cassis) will have been grown only in the commune of Dijon. They are picked and promptly put in alcohol to macerate for 3 months, sugar is added and perhaps some water. That is it. The difference is unbelievable. It is nicely balanced with sweetness and tartness and in the end has an alcohol content of about 20%, somewhere around that of a fine port wine.

How did the drink get its name you ask? Whether you drink a Kir (mixed with a crisp white wine - try a Bourgogne Aligoté ) or a Kir Royale (mixed with champagne), it is named after Canon Felix Kir a World War II hero and later on the Mayor of Dijon. He became mayor in 1945 and would serve what was then known as “Blanc Cassis” to all visiting dignitaries. The drink soon became popular with the natives, then nationally and eventually became the international “in drink”. By the time it was an international hit, it had been renamed for Mayor Kir.

There are two picks for the best in my book.
Briottet, a company run by the Briotet family in Dijon since 1836; the best from Briottet is “Creme de cassis de Dimon 15% vol “DIJONA 15 Special Bar” made with a very high percentage of fruit.
Gabriel Boudier Creme de Cassis de Dijon founded in 1874.

Try one of these two on their own to learn what the authentic thing tastes like. You will not be left with the feeling of a gooey mouth full of sugar.

A couple of classic cocktails come to mind such as:
The Diablo: 3 parts tequila, 1 part creme de cassis and ginger beer (not ginger ale)
Pink Lady: 2 parts creme de cassis, 1 part white rum, 1 part lemon juice, splash OJ
Ballet Russe: 2 parts vodka, 1/2 part creme de cassis, 3-4 dashes lime. Shake with ice; serve in martini glass

Creme de cassis makes food special. Try adding it to a cheese cake. Drizzle it on ripe fruit or vanilla ice cream. It makes sauces for game, and makes lamb with fresh berries even more vibrant. Pair a bit of cassis with a creamy cheese plate.

As the weather warms up and you find yourself sitting out on your patios, at an outdoor cafe or spending a day out on the water, do yourself a favour: take the time to find a bottle of Bourgogne Aligoté and a true Creme de Cassis; your taste buds will thank you.

Remember to experiment. As always be responsible when you are drinking.

2024 Passover Menus For Delivery

YaDa Chef’s 2024 Passover Menu The following menus are for delivery. Restrictions, delivery fee (if applicable) and availability apply. We also provide in-house personal chef services. Call +1 954-367-9232 or + 1 561-285-7466 or email info@yadachef.com for more information. Ashkenazi – INFLUENCED Menu 1 - Serves 8-10 $433 Traditional Chopped Chicken liver with Matzo points Cabbage and Carrot Coleslaw Pickled Beet Salad Gefilte Fish Loaf with Fresh Horseradish Vegetable or Chicken soup with Matzo Balls Traditional Roast Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic Traditional or Sweet Potato Kugel Roasted Mixed Vegetable or Carrot Kugel Menu 2 - Serves 8-10 $487 Traditional Chopped Chicken liver with Matzo points Cabbage and Carrot Coleslaw Pickled Beet Salad Gefilte Fish Loaf with Fresh Horseradish Vegetable or Chicken soup with Matzo Balls Traditional Beef Brisket with dried cranberry and Gravy Traditional or Sweet Potato Kugel Roasted Mixed Vegetable or Carrot Kugel Menu 3 - Serves 8-

What's New and Beneficial About Cabbage

Did you know that cabbage was one of two vegetable types (the other type was root vegetables) found to be a mainstay for prevention of type 2 diabetes in a recent study of over 57,000 adults in the country of Denmark? In this very large-scale study, adults who closely followed the Healthy Nordik Food Index were found to have the lowest incidence of type 2 diabetes. Importantly, this key health benefit was linked to six food intake categories: (1) fish, (2) rye bread, (3) oatmeal, (4) apples and pears, (5) root vegetables, and (6) cabbage! Researchers have now identified nearly 20 different flavonoids and 15 different phenols in cabbage, all of which have demonstrated antioxidant activity. This impressive list of antioxidant phytonutrients in cabbage is one key reason why an increasing number of studies link cabbage intake to decreased risk of several cardiovascular diseases. You can read more about these individual antioxidants in our Health Benefits section. In terms of price per

September 14 is National Cream Filled Donut Day

September 14 is National Cream Filled Donut Day! Whether you enjoy chocolate, vanilla, lemon or ganache filling in your donut, today is the perfect day to enjoy these sweet treats! Donuts came to the United States in the mid-1800s through Dutch settlers that were known for their pastries. The first donut with a hole in the middle is said to be a creation of American Hansen Gregory. Thankfully, someone after Hansen made the brilliant decision to fill that hole with delicious cream filling! These were so well-liked that the Boston Creme Donut, perhaps one of the most popular cream filled donuts, became the official donut of Massachusetts in 2003. Celebrate National Cream Filled Donut Day with a stop at your local bakery for a box of fresh cream filled donuts! Or better yet, make them yourself. punchbowl private chefs and event catering Palm Beach + Boca Raton + Fort Lauderdale + Miami Beach info@yadachef.com | 954-367-YADA (9232) 561-285-7466 www.yadachef.com south florida cate

White Fish Gravlax Recipe

White Fish Gravlax Serves 4 Here is a great starter, light lunch or a fantastic item for your holiday buffet. If you have problems with gluten substitute the wheat bread for a flax or millet bread or leave it out entirely and eat on some mixed greens. Gravlax 5 ounces/145 grams white fish, bass, snapper-I used tilapia (sushi grade) 2 tablespoons/30 ml coarse salt 2 tablespoons/30 ml caster sugar 1 tablespoon/15 ml of ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon/2 ml ground allspice 1/2 teaspoon/2 ml ground cloves 8-10 pieces of fresh dill fronds Mustard Butter 2 Tablespoons/30 ml 28g of unsalted butter, softened 2 Tablespoons/30 ml of dijon mustard. Salad 1 handful of watercress dressed with simple vinaigrette Creme Fraiche or Sour Cream Mix salt, sugar, black pepper, allspice, and ground cloves. Liberally sprinkle on both sides of the fish. Lay half of the dill in a glass container. Place the fish on top and cover with rest of the dill. Leave o

Kids Cooking Class - Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami

YaDa Chef's cooking school JUST for kids! Teaching children of all ages that cooking can be creative, full of discovery, and a lot of fun! YaDa Chef provides hands-on cooking classes allowing kid's imaginations to run wild and free while discovering new science, math, reading, health and social skills. YaDa Chef offers a unique culinary experience offering cooking classes to children in an environment that encourages discover and creativity. Each class is a new experience. Themes chosen, either our one of YaDa Chef's chefs, by the child or parent assist in sharpening skills and taking the mystery out of the kitchen. Removing the fear of the unknown while incorporating subject matter which ties into each theme. Our highly qualified chefs, in coordination of nutritional experts carry out a mission to provide an interactive learning experience giving children the opportunity to develop a life-long love of the culinary arts. Each class is designed to familiari

The History of Aluminum Foil: Just Don't Call it Tin Foil

Gerard Paul September 11th, 2020 Cookware , Grilling & Outdoors Aluminum foil – sometimes incorrectly called tin foil – is a thin, prepared sheet metal made of aluminum, often used in cooking (and food storage!). Although it may seem a little dull at first glance (especially on its dull side), aluminum foil has quite a fascinating story behind it. Many incredible things occurred before it became a staple in the modern kitchen. In this post, I'll discuss the various events that led to the aluminum foil revolution, and highlight the continued importance of this seemingly mundane material in our lives. Aluminum Foil What Is Aluminum Foil? Aluminum foil is a thin sheet of metal foil or metal leaf composed of an aluminum alloy containing roughly 92–99 percent aluminum. It usually has a thickness between 0.0002 to 0.006 inches, but its width and strength vary greatly based on the intended application. Just some of those applications include: Manufacturing thermal in

Zucchini “Pepperoni” Pizza Recipe - Zucchinironi Recipe

1 small zucchini sliced thin* 1 teaspoon/5ml garlic powder or 2 cloves minced 1 teaspoon/5ml olive oil 1 teaspoon/5ml dried Italian seasoning 1 teaspoon/5ml red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon/5ml smokey paprika 1 teaspoon/5ml fennel seeds ½ teaspoon/2ml salt ½ teaspoon/2ml black pepper 1 12 inch/30.5cm pizza shell** 14 ounce/400g jar of your favourite marinara sauce 8 ounces/225g smoked or regular mozzarella shredded Preheat oven to 400F/200C/Gas 6 In a large bowl combine zucchini, garlic, oil, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, fennel seed, salt and pepper. Toss or stir well making sure zucchini is well coated with all of the ingredients. Spread half of the sauce evenly on the pizza(add more if you like it saucy). Evenly arrange the zucchini slices on the sauce. Top the zucchini with the mozzarella. Place in a preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and slightly browned. *use the slice side of a box grater, a mandoline, or y

Easy Soft Caramel Recipe - No Candy Thermometer Needed

These easy soft caramels can be whipped up in about 15 minutes. You do not need a candy thermometer to m ake these caramels and they literally melt in your mouth! EASY 4 INGREDIENT SOFT CARAMELS (NO CANDY THERMOMETER REQUIRED) INGREDIENTS 1½ sticks butter ½ cups/100g sugar 3 tablespoons/45ml light corn syrup 14 ounces/415ml/397g sweetened condensed milk optional: coarse sea salt, ½ teaspoon/2ml vanilla (see note) INSTRUCTIONS In a medium sauce add butter and sugar and stir over medium heat until melted. Stir in corn syrup and condensed milk. Bring to a boil and then decrease to simmer 7-10 minutes or until mixture achieves deep golden color, stirring constantly. (*For lower altitudes, simmer time may need to be reduced 2-3 minutes, watch carefully for coloring!) - See update below recipe! Pour caramel into a foil-lined 8x8 inch pan and allow to cool completely. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt if desired. When completely cooled, cut into squares and wrap in wax paper. NOTES

Braised Lettuce (Laitues Braises): A Take On Julia Child’s Recipe

You can use almost any lettuce, such as chicory, or frisee, or Boston Bib if you are busing large heads, cut them in half. We made these pescartarian because of the shrimp stock, but vegan is easy with vegetable stock, or if serving with beef, a beef stock and bacon. Braised lettuce is a delicious garnish for poultry, white meats such as veal or pork, or steamed white fish. It can be the main accompanied by a warm sweet potato salad. Serves 4 4 heads Romaine lettuce hearts 4 thick slices of bacon (if making not vegetarian or vegan), cut into lardon strips 1 small onion , diced 2 carrots, diced 1 tablespoon/15g plus 1/2 tablespoon/7 butter divided 1 teaspoon/5ml olive oil 1/2 cup/125ml shrimp or seafood stock (see notes above) 1/2 cup/125ml cup white wine or dry white vermouth bouquet garni: 1 parsley branch, 1 branch of thyme,1 bay leaf tied to a cheesecloth ½ tablespoon butter 1 tablespoon parsley Trim stems of lettuce and remove wilted leave

9 Wonderful Benefits Of Pistachios

The health benefits of pistachios include a healthy heart , weight management, protection against diabetes and hypertension, and improved digestion . The vitamins , minerals , fats, and protein found in pistachio are all good for health. What Are Pistachios? Pistachios are one of the oldest edible nuts and are commonly used all over the world. They are native to Asia, particularly Iran and Iraq. Archaeological evidence dates the association of pistachios and man as early as 6,000 BC. They were cultivated in Iran, Iraq, and Syria and were introduced to the Romans only in 100 AD. Today, apart from Iran, Iraq, and Syria, pistachios are being produced in many countries such as the United States, Australia, Turkey, and China, among others. Pistachio nuts belong to the Anacardiaceae family from the genus Pistacia . A pistachio tree takes about 10 to 12 years to produce the first crop. They are drupe, where the fruit has a large seed in the center, which is edible. T

YaDa Chef Private and Personal Chefs

Search This Blog