YaDa Chef Private and Personal Chefs

The crowd that buys the sickly sweet blush wines are turned off by the dryness of most Rosé wines and the wine snobs are too busy ignoring good Rosé wines because they do not take them seriously. In my mind there is no question that Europeans are the best Rosé wine producers, especially the French. The Bandol region is located around the fishing village of Bandol in Southeastern France just outside of Marseille. The region is mostly known for the production of rosé.  Domaine Tempier's rosé in particular is considered by many to be the finest in France, is fuller and creamier on the palate and shows dimensions not often found in rosé such as vanilla, red berries even leather and herbs. Prices can range from the mid 20 dollar range to the mid 40’s. Some of the best rosé wines come from the southern Rhone region in France just across the river from the famous Chateauneuf du Pape, which is the only AOC (Appelation d'Origine Contrôlée) that produces rosé exclusively.  Tavel i

24 ounces/ 750ml tomato juice 2 envelopes unflavored powdered gelatin (1 1/2 tablespoons 22ml) 1/2 tablespoon/7ml dark brown sugar 1/2 tablespoon/7ml kosher salt 1/2 tablespoon/7ml pickling spices, ground 1/2 teaspoon/2ml hot sauce 1/2 teaspoon/2ml finely grated lemon zest 1 1/2 tablespoons/7ml fresh lemon juice Vegetable oil, for brushing 1/2 small onion, minced 1/2 small green bell pepper, finely chopped a large bowl, combine 1/2 cup of the tomato juice with the gelatin; let stand for 5 minutes. In a saucepan, combine the remaining tomato juice with the sugar, salt, pickling spices, hot sauce, lemon zest and lemon juice and heat just until warm. Add the gelatin mixture and stir until it dissolves completely. Return the mixture to the bowl and refrigerate until cold but not set, about 1 hour. Lightly oil eight 1/2-cup ramekins. Stir the onion, pepper and celery into the tomato aspic and spoon it into the ramekins. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, until chilled and set. Unm

This summer, I once again have the opportunity to be guest chef in a series of different venues in Cannes, France.  Cave 24 is one of them!  When next you are in the South of France, be sure and check them out. - Chef Joseph Yacino

Tapenade is French for capers. Tapenade is a dish from the Provençal region of France of finely chopped olives and capers. Frequently you will find anchovies, and poached flaked tuna. It is generally as a spread on bread, but is delicious on pasta or baked like this.  serves 4 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts Tapenade 1 1/2 cups/343ml/270g Kalamata or Gaeta olives, pitted 3 tablespoons/45ml capers, drained 2 garlic cloves, finely minced 1/4 cup/59ml/10g minced fresh parsley leaves 1/8 teaspoon/.5ml red pepper flakes 1/2 teaspoon/2ml salt 1/8 teaspoon/.5ml freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup/60ml extra virgin olive oil In a food processor or mortar, combine the olives, capers, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Slowly add the oil and pulse or work with the pestle into a coarse paste, retaining some bits of olive and caper for texture. Taste to adjust the seasonings. Stored tightly covered in the refrigerator, this will keep well for a week or two.  Preheat oven to 375F/1

There is some controversy as to how this divine dessert (tarte solognote) came about. Was it an accident (as so ma ny kitchen wonders are) or was it just an improved upon recipe of the region? In any case it was made popular at by 2 sisters that ran the Hotel Tatin 100 miles (60 kilometers) outside of Paris. It was Louis Vaudable, owner of Maxim’s Paris that coined the name "tarte des demoiselles Tatin" Tart of the sister’s Tatin. Normally you would use a short crust or a pate brisee. I used a simple pie crust in our recipe as we were short on butter. Serves 6-8 9 1/2 inch/ 24 centimeter pie crust Pie Crust 1 1/3 cup/167 grams all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon/2ml salt 1/2 cup/118ml vegetable (crisco) shortening (or 115g butter) 3-6 tablespoons/45-90ml iced water Filling 2 Granny Smith, Golden Delicious or other firm apple that will not disintegrate peeled, cored and cut in quarters 2-3 tablespoons/29-43g unsalted butter 1/4 cup/48 grams sugar pinch of salt In a bow