YaDa Chef Private and Personal Chefs

When starting out in the professional kitchen, whether it is via a classroom or in a real live restaurant it is best to start with the basics. When starting the “sauces” portion of education you start with the basics which are usually stocks, broths etc. You also learn the basics of building the sauces and eventually work up to the “Saucier”. The Saucier (sauce maker or sauté cook prepares sauce and warm hors d’oeuvres, completes dishes and might sauté items). A saucier is just below the sous chef, and as such is a much respected position. There are two basic sauces that are the base of many, many classic dishes and once you master these you can greatly expand your culinary repertoire. They are the béchamel and veloute sauces. The base of both sauces start with a “roux”. A roux is a combination of a fat, usually butter, and flour in equal proportions. The butter is melted over medium low to medium heat. The flour is sprinkled on, stirred to combine then cooked for 1-2 minute

English Muffins or Muffins as they are called throughout the UK are thought to be a variation of a crumpet made originally in the USA by Samuel B. Thomas. In  the USA muffins are “quick breads” made without the use of yeast and are more cake like than bread like. Muffins were sold by street vendors door to door in the UK in the 18 and 19th century before many houses had ovens, hence the ditty “do you know the muffin man, the muffin man ...” Makes 16 muffins 1 3/4 cups/435ml warm milk 1 packet instant yeast or 19.14g fresh yeast 2 tablespoons/25g sugar 3 tablespoons/43g butter, melted 1/2 teaspoon/2ml YaDa Chef Maya Natural salt 1 large egg, lightly beaten 4 1/2 cups/539g King Arthur Unbleached Bread Flour semolina or farina, for sprinkling the griddle or pan (optional) If using instant yeast dissolve the yeast in small bowl with the milk and the sugar. Let “proof” for 5 minutes. In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, add the milk yeast, butter and egg. Mix

A good recipe to start off - this one you can slather on whatever you like. It works well as a replacement for cranberry sauce on turkey, it can be used in place of jam on toast. You can drown your pancakes with it. It even works as a topping for ice cream! Fresh or frozen blueberries make this meal equally as delicious, so you can use your stored blueberries for this one. It’s a quick prep and quick cook time, so you can’t go wrong with this one. You’ll need: 2 cups of blueberries. They can be from the freezer or fresh. A quarter cup of water. A cup of orange juice. Three quarters of a cup of white sugar A quarter cup of water Three tablespoons of corn starch Half a teaspoon of almond extract An eighth teaspoon of cinnamon The method: Grab a saucepan. Put in the blueberries, your quarter cup of water (make sure it’s cold), orange juice, and sugar. Over medium heat, stir gently until the ingredients are brought to a boil. Next, mix the cornstarch and an

Need a little something different and elegant - a little rustic?  This soup is the answer.  It is thickened with potatoes, not flour, and is hearty enough to serve as a luncheon main course or starter for your next dinner party.  Why?  The milky, sweet, nutty flavor of cauliflower is a nice change from stronger-flavored vegetables. Even though it lacks chlorophyll, cauliflower has plenty of other nutrients including vitamin C (91.5% of the DV), folate and dietary fiber. Cauliflower is even a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Look for tightly packed heads with no brown spots Ingredients: 1 large head white cauliflower with leaves 2 medium potatoes (about one pound/450g) 1 handful dandelion leaves (or fresh celery leaves) 1 small onion, chopped 2 cups/500mls vegetable stock (water or chicken stock is fine) 1 tablespoon/30ml Italian seasoning 2 cups/500mls cauliflower water salt and white pepper, to taste (black pepper is fine) 1/2 cup125ml white wine 1/2 -

Wow! These are gorgeous and you won’t believe how easy they are to make! You will need about 2 minutes per strawberry… yes, they  are that easy! For the rose stems, you can use skewers or lollipop sticks. We recommend placing the stick or stem into the strawberry before you begin so you don’t crush the leaves once it’s done. These make a beautiful addition to a fruit plate or would be perfect for a bridal shower or Valentine’s day! The kids would even love them as a special snack dipped in whipped cream! Ingredients: Large fresh strawberries Lollipop sticks or plastic rose stems Small sharp paring knife Instructions: Wash and completely dry your strawberries. Insert the lollipop stick or rose stem in the bottom of each strawberry. (If you do it after they're cut it squishes the petals). Starting at the bottom, cut "petals" slightly angled towards the center of the strawberry but don't cut all the way through. You want to cut about 1/4" dow

After another long day, I found myself hungry and staring at the shelves in the refrigerator.  I looked down and saw a piece of salmon just sitting there, but what to do with it?  I wanted something simple and quick.   Salmon Chipotle Cakes were my first thought, but we had no corn OR chipotle, so that ruled out that!  I wasn't about to make a trip to the store.  The problem with Salmon cakes or "burgers" are they often the are dry due to over cooking etc.  You have to add moisture.  Here's how I did it.  The prep took about 5 minutes and cooking time will depend on your penchant for doneness.  I did mine "cooked through", but just. The cooking time was about 8  minutes, just the right amount of time for the potatoes to cook. Serves 4 1 pound 450g skinless salmon fillet, cut into chunks 4 baby bella or button mushrooms, cut in quarters 2 shallots or 1 small onion, diced 1 green onion/scallion, chopped Small handful of chopped parsley

This recipe was given to us by a client, Bridget Moreno. It was passed down from her Great Grandmother to her Grandmother, Elaine Gleason nee Thomas. The story is that Welsh housewives would make this for their husbands’ lunch pails/buckets, most likely to take with them down in the mines.     Make by hand or with an electric mixer with a paddle attachment. Cook on an electric griddle.  Enjoy with a cup of tea.  These cookies keep well in a Ziploc bag or sealed container. 4cups/500g flour (1cup/125g for rolling out dough) 1cup/192g white sugar 1tablespoon/11g/15ml baking powder 1 ½ teaspoons/7ml cinnamon* 1cup/220g Crisco or vegetable shortening (we imagine that the original recipe used lard) 2 eggs, beaten 1/2 cup/125ml milk 1teaspoon/5ml vanilla 1 cup/150g raisins Combine dry ingredients.  Cut in Crisco (this can be done with a fork or a paddle attachment of a mixer).  Add wet ingredients.  Add raisins.  Do not over mix.  Roll dough on floured surface to

Chill your salad plates in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before assembling the dish. This helps to keep everything crisp. Never over dress the salad. The dressing is a complement to all the other ingredients. You should not have a puddle left over after eating your salad. Serves 4 5 ounces/142grams mixed field greens (add in those beet greens) 1 Granny Smith apple, stemmed and cored 4 large unblemished strawberries, leaves removed 3 ounces/85grams Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled juice of 1 lemon bowl of water Combine the lemon juice and water in a bowl to soak cut apple pieces in. Cut the apple in half vertically. Place the flat side on the cutting board and cut the apple width wise into ¼ inch/.64 centimeter strips. Place apple slices in the acidulated water to prevent browning. Slice strawberries vertically to make small heart shapes. Place equal amounts of the field greens (a large handful should do) on chilled salad plates in mounds.  Remove apple slices from water and p

Paris Mash is a recipe created by Joel Rubuchón.  Originally it is said the ratio was 1:1, Now it is standard to do a 2:1 potato to butter ratio.  Robuchon potatoes are cooked in lightly salted water with skins on and then drained. the potatoes are then peeled and passed through a food mill .. dried out over a low flame and then emulsified with butter and cream. And, then to achieve that velvety texture, the potatoes are passed several times through a fine drum sieve. Serves 4-6 450g “boiling”potatoes (red potatoes, yukon gold, fingerling) 250g unsaltedbutter 1 1/2 cups/200ml cream 1/2 teaspoon/2ml sea salt 1/2 teaspoon/2ml white pepper Place potatoes in a pot large enough to cover the potatoes by 1 inch/2.5 cm with water. Generously salt water. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce medium low to a simmer potatoes for 25-30 minutes or potatoes are easily pierced with a sharp knife. Once cooked drain potatoes and let cool for a few minutes. While potatoes are cooling add cre

by Chef Joseph Yacino June is the the beginning of Summer here in the northern hemisphere and it is also the when we celebrate the longest day of the year,  Skt. Hans as it is known throughout Scandinavia or St. John’s Day is celebrated with bonfires, and outdoor cookery.  Originally I wanted to do typical Norwegian fare, but after speaking with a dear friend I learned that the traditional foods have given way to “International Fare”.  Spain has a huge exPat Norwegian community and  Florida was founded by the Spaniards in 1513 by Ponce de Leon who led the first European expedition.populations.  So I thought I would  offer one of my favourite dishes from Valencia Spain, Paella. Paella was originally a peasant dish, cooked over an open fire in the fields and eaten directly from the pan.  Originally snails were the main protein used as they were plentiful in the fields.  Occasionally rabbit or duck would be added and if you were really well off chicken. Every Spanish mother cla