YaDa Chef Private and Personal Chefs

Preparing the Chicken There is no consensus on the best way to prep a chicken for roasting; it’s all a matter of personal preference and tried-and-true experience. But here are some suggestions for where to start. Try each and then pick your go-to method. And note that there’s nothing wrong with leaving the bird as is, salting it and just putting it in the oven. SPATCHCOCKING   To spatchcock a chicken, take a pair of kitchen shears or a very sharp knife and cut along one side of the chicken's backbone. Open up the bird so it lies flat. Cut along the other side of the backbone to remove it entirely. Then cook the chicken breast-side up. The only disadvantage to this method is that you’ll lose the classic Norman Rockwell presentation of the whole bird. But the speediness and great flavor make up for it. A tip: Don’t toss that backbone! A roasted backbone will add more flavor to stock than using a raw backbone. Roast it alongside the chicken, and either serve with the

An upcoming cooking therapy job will require us to replicate the show, Cupcake Wars. Now the research begins. We've never heard of the show so now to see how we will incorporate the key elements of it for the kids we will be working with the middle of the month. Thank goodness for YouTube!

Translated literally this means the Imam (a holy man) Fainted. I guess lying on their sides the stuffed eggplants look like a passed out Imam. Many included fresh tomato and cinnamon. This one does not. It was on the Isle of Crete that I learned the Turkish recipe. One year I decided to go to Greece early. A friend owned a resort. I ended up hooking up with a native of Crete that happened to be in the army and two tourist girls. He had extra bedrooms so we became “locals” for a while. Serves 4 4 eggplants 1/2 cup/125ml olive oil 2 onions, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 2 tablespoons/30ml tomato paste handful parsley chopped Preheat oven to 400F/204C/Gas Mark 6 Cut the eggplant in half. Scoop out the center leaving about 1/2 inch/1.27cm around the skin. Chop up the insides. Heat half of the oil in a large stove top/oven proof pan. Fry the eggplant for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove to paper towels to drain. Add r

Researchers worldwide have discovered that eating fish regularly - one or two servings weekly - may reduce the risk of diseases ranging from childhood asthma to prostate cancer.  Fish is low in fat, high in protein and an excellent source of omega 3 fatty acids.  Regular consumption of fish can reduce the risk of various diseases and disorders. Selected research findings indicate the following: Asthma  - children who eat fish may be less likely to develop asthma. Brain and eyes  - fish rich in omega 3 fatty acids can contribute to the health of brain tissue and the retina (the light sensitive tissue lining the inner surface of the eye). Cancer  - the omega 3 fatty acids in fish may reduce the risk of many types of cancers by 30 to 50 per cent, especially of the oral cavity, oesophagus, colon, breast, ovary and prostate. Cardiovascular disease  - eating fish every week reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke by reducing blood clots and inflammation, imp

In North America (the USA and Canada) we have a drink that is much loved called apple cider. Go anywhere else in the world and it will be known as unfiltered/natural apple juice.  Cider is what you get at a pub and goes great with a “ploughman’s lunch”. It is the beginning of Autumn or Fall. The time when brisk winds begin to blow the leaves once brightly coloured leaves from the trees.  It is also apple picking time in the Northeast. Cider or cyder, according to Wikipedia, is a fermented alcoholic beverage made from fruit juice, most commonly and traditionally apple juice. Cider varies in alcohol content from 1.2% to 8.5% or more in traditional English ciders. In some regions, such as Germany and United States, cider may be called "apple wine". Within the US, the distinction between apple cider and juice isn't always clear. When most of us think of apple cider, we probably picture an opaque, highly perishable apple drink available at farm stands and markets i

Croissants to me are the most decadent of morning pastries.  In my mind I drift back to walking in the 5th arrondisiment on the rue Mouffetard and discovering L'essentiel Mouffetard and their most delectable croissants au beurre (butter croissants).  This recipe is a reworked version of Julia Childs and others I have worked with over the years.   Croissants are a labor of love. I've listed a recipe for 24—do yourself a favour, take half and freeze it for a later date. Makes about 12- make the full recipe and freeze the second half 1 ounce/3 tablespoons/30g SAF brand instant yeast (I prefer fresh yeast) 1/2 cup/125ml warm water 17.6 ounces/4 cups/500g all purpose flour  ( I prefer a mixture of 1 part unbleached AP to 2 parts unbleached Pastry flour for a less glutenous dough) 2-4 tablespoons neutral flavoured oil (optional) 1.3 ounces/3 tablespoons/36g granulated sugar, divided 2 teaspoons/10ml salt 1 cup/250ml milk for the butter 2 sticks/277g unsalte

Step-by-Step Tips and Planning Strategies For Your Next Cocktail Party Have you ever wanted to throw a successful cocktail party like the one you see in the movies, but are not quite sure how to do it?  Do you think you do not have the time or the money for one of those fabulous events and do not want something reminiscent of your college day parties?  They are easy to plan and can be relatively inexpensive. Plan to have a theme, and I am not talking about a "costume" like the roaring 20's.  Choose one or two signature drinks, build a menu around the drinks and then go with colors for plates, candles etc that will reflect the feeling.  ie mojito inspired night can have everything served on green plates and platters.  Remember you are supposed to have as much fun as your guests.  Follow the step by step instructions and you will have a stress free and successful cocktail party. Choose the theme A theme can be as simple as a color or be inspired by a drink.