Show 563, February 3, 2024: Executive Chef Doug Rankin, Bar Chelou, Pasadena

Doug Rankin of Bar Chelou

Bar Chelou is Pasadena’s first true neo-bistro, a casual, convivial space that is both a distillation of Chef Doug Rankin’s broad gastronomic interests and a deeply personal expression of his individualistic style. ‘Chelou’ (French slang for ‘strange’ or ‘unexpected’) is both the name and unifying theme of the restaurant, which draws from a range of culinary traditions and service styles to create something personal, novel and fun. The restaurant is located within the historic Pasadena Playhouse complex.”

Standout dishes include “Carrots,” a salad with coconut dressing, lime leaf, peanuts and shoestring potatoes, and Rainbow Trout with corn rice and garlic chive pil-pil.

Chef Doug Rankin takes a break from his busy kitchen to join us.

Golden Beet Vinegret Salad

Golden Beet Vinegret Salad by Anna Voloshyna

Recipe excerpt from:
BUDMO!: Recipes from a Ukrainian Kitchen

by Anna Voloshyna

This traditional Slavic beet salad is called vinegret. I came up with this version of the recipe when I ran out of red beets and fresh onions. I found a few golden beets and a jar of pickled red onions in my fridge, and I decided to give it a go. The salad came out so vibrant and beautiful that now I make this version more often than the traditional one. The only thing I would never change is the unrefined sunflower oil. That is what makes this salad taste authentic.

Serves 6 to 8

  • 3 medium golden beets 
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper 
  • 3 medium carrots
  • 2 large Yukon Gold potatoes 
  • 1 cup shelled green peas (fresh or frozen) 
  • 5 large kosher dill pickles
  • 1/2 cup Pickled Red Onion
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill and flat-leaf parsley, in equal parts 
  • 1/3 cup unrefined sunflower oil
  • 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon sugar

In a medium saucepan, combine the beets with water to cover by about 2 inches and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until the beets can be easily pierced with a knife, 30 to 40 minutes. In a separate medium saucepan, cook the carrots and potatoes using the same method. When the vegetables are ready, drain them, transfer them to a medium bowl, and let them cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. 

Meanwhile, bring a small saucepan filled with water to a boil. Fill a small bowl with ice-cold water. Season the boiling water with a pinch of salt, then add the peas and blanch until they are bright green and no longer taste starchy, about 2 minutes. Drain the peas and immerse them in the ice-cold water until they are completely cool, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain the peas and spread them on a paper towel to dry. 

When the beets, potatoes, and carrots are at room temperature, peel them, cut them into 1/4-inch cubes, and transfer them to a large bowl. Cut the pickles and pickled onion into the same-size cubes and add them to the bowl along with the peas, dill, and parsley.

In a small bowl, mix together the oil, vinegar, and sugar with a fork, then season to taste with salt and pepper . Drizzle as much of the dressing as you like over the salad; you may not need all of it. Mix well with a large spoon, then taste and add more dressing and salt if needed. 

Enjoy the salad at room temperature or chilled. It will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days .

Tikil Gomen (Ethiopian Cabbage Stew)

Tikil Gomen by Luladey Moges

Recipe excerpt from:
Enebla: Recipes from an Ethiopian Kitchen

by Luladey Moges

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, diced
  • 3 Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1-inch cubes
  • 3 carrots, chopped into 1- to 2-inch pieces
  • 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 head green cabbage, roughly chopped into bite-size pieces
  • 2 medium jalapeño peppers, deseeded and thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. In a medium-size pot over medium heat, sauté the onions with the oil. When they start to turn golden brown, about 10 minutes, add the garlic, and chopped potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic has started to cook and the potatoes have started to cook on each side, about 5 minutes in total. 
  2. Next, add the carrots, turmeric, and salt and pepper to taste and stir for 1 minute. Add the water and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
  3. Add the cabbage and jalapeños and mix well. Cover the pan, turn down the heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft, 10–15 minutes.

Show 425, May 15, 2021: Boozehounds Palm Springs with Co-Proprietors Jimmy McGill and Bryan Rogers Part One

Bryan Rogers and Jerry McGill of Boozehounds in Palm Springs

Boozehounds, is a newly debuted pet-friendly dining, cafe and bar concept in Palm Springs. The 3,812-square-foot restaurant with an additional 1,168-square-foot glass atrium and 2,020-square-foot outdoor lounge is located on bustling N Palm Canyon Drive. Boozehounds features a vibrant design and a welcoming atmosphere with a unique food and beverage menu, including options for dogs. It is poised to quickly become part of Palm Springs’ burgeoning culinary scene.”

“Palm Springs has the best of both worlds when it comes to patrons. There’s a large close-knit local community as well as a massive seasonal and weekend visitor population. We intend to make Boozehounds comfortable for both groups, with a focus on conviviality for all to mingle over a coffee, meal or cocktail,” says co-owner Jimmy McGill.”

“This is a deeply personal project for him and co-owners Bryan Rogers and Steve Piacenza. The concept pays homage to their past and present pets with the logo design inspired by Jimmy and Steve’s beloved dog, Striker. Striker was rescued from the Pasadena Humane Society in 1999 and for 18 years he was more than a four-legged best friend — he was a brother. His memory lives on in Boozehounds.”

“Boozehounds serves globally-inspired, locally influenced dishes including classics with a twist and daily fresh fish selections, with gluten-free and vegan options. Signature dishes include Miso Chilean Fish and Chips, 48 hour miso-marinated Chilean sea bass, beer batter fried, served with root vegetable chips; Sweet “Spot Prawn” Shrimp Ceviche, red Aguachile, Fresno chili, red onions, avocado, and cilantro served with fried shrimp heads; Adobo Chicken, simmered chicken thighs, steamed rice, topped with adobo broth, and side of spiced coconut vinegar; and Slow Roasted Baby Carrots with Almond Milk Sauce, Crispy Farro and Furikake.”

“The city of Palm Springs has a large dog owner community and we want to contribute to that beloved community and create a space for them. Boozehounds is a coffee, co-working, and lunch spot by day and the place to be for happy hour; and when happy hour turns into happy hours you can grab snacks or dinner as well. Coffee Service starts at 8am – 3pm, Happy Hour 3pm-5pm, Dinner 5pm – 10pm (Sun-Thurs) 11pm (Fri & Sat). We are currently not serving lunch or brunch, but will be in the near future.”

Proprietors Jimmy McGill and Bryan Rogers are with us, premium dog treats in hand.

Show 425, May 15, 2021: Boozehounds Palm Springs with Co-Proprietors Jimmy McGill and Bryan Rogers Part Two

Bryan Rogers and Jerry McGill of Boozehounds in Palm Springs

Boozehounds, is a newly debuted pet-friendly dining, cafe and bar concept in Palm Springs. The 3,812-square-foot restaurant with an additional 1,168-square-foot glass atrium and 2,020-square-foot outdoor lounge is located on bustling N Palm Canyon Drive. Boozehounds features a vibrant design and a welcoming atmosphere with a unique food and beverage menu, including options for dogs. It is poised to quickly become part of Palm Springs’ burgeoning culinary scene.”

“Palm Springs has the best of both worlds when it comes to patrons. There’s a large close-knit local community as well as a massive seasonal and weekend visitor population. We intend to make Boozehounds comfortable for both groups, with a focus on conviviality for all to mingle over a coffee, meal or cocktail,” says co-owner Jimmy McGill.”

“This is a deeply personal project for him and co-owners Bryan Rogers and Steve Piacenza. The concept pays homage to their past and present pets with the logo design inspired by Jimmy and Steve’s beloved dog, Striker. Striker was rescued from the Pasadena Humane Society in 1999 and for 18 years he was more than a four-legged best friend — he was a brother. His memory lives on in Boozehounds.”

“Boozehounds serves globally-inspired, locally influenced dishes including classics with a twist and daily fresh fish selections, with gluten-free and vegan options. Signature dishes include Miso Chilean Fish and Chips, 48 hour miso-marinated Chilean sea bass, beer batter fried, served with root vegetable chips; Sweet “Spot Prawn” Shrimp Ceviche, red Aguachile, Fresno chili, red onions, avocado, and cilantro served with fried shrimp heads; Adobo Chicken, simmered chicken thighs, steamed rice, topped with adobo broth, and side of spiced coconut vinegar; and Slow Roasted Baby Carrots with Almond Milk Sauce, Crispy Farro and Furikake.”

Proprietors Jimmy McGill and Bryan Rogers continue with us, premium dog treats in hand.

Thai-Style Carrot Soup with Chrysanthemum Leaves

Melissa's World Variety Produce Yields 8 servings

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 large yellow onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
3 tablespoons chopped unpeeled fresh ginger
3½ cups fat-free, low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup light coconut milk
1/3 cup fat-free evaporated milk
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar or maple syrup
2 teaspoons seasoned rice vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 teaspoon Asian (roasted) sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon dried red chile flakes
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh chrysanthemum leaves

In a large pan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, onions, celery, garlic, and ginger; cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent. Add the broth, coconut milk, evaporated milk, lime juice, peanut butter, syrup, vinegar, fish sauce, sesame oil, coriander, turmeric, and chile flakes; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, until the carrots are very tender. Remove from the heat.

Using a ladle, remove 1 cup of the broth and set aside. Process the remaining soup in batches in a food processor or blender until smooth; hold the lid down with a potholder if using a blender. Taste and season with salt and pepper. If the soup is too thick, stir in all or some of the reserved broth.

If making it ahead, refrigerate, covered, for up to 24 hours. Gently simmer on low heat until reheated. Ladle into soup bowls. Garnish each serving with chopped chrysanthemum leaves.

Meatless Alternative: Omit the fish sauce and substitute soy sauce.