July 18: Melissa’s World Variety Summer Produce, Johnny C’s Diner, Angela Garbacz

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Robert Schueller, Produce Authority, Melissa’s World Variety Produce Part One
Segment Three: Robert Schueller, Produce Authority, Melissa’s World Variety Produce Part Two
Segment Four: Chef & Proprietor Johnny Church, Johnny C’s Diner, Las Vegas Part One
Segment Five: Chef & Proprietor Johnny Church, Johnny C’s Diner, Las Vegas Part Two
Segment Six: Pastry Chef Angela Garbacz, Goldenrod Pastries & Perfectly Golden Cookbook Part One
Segment Seven: Pastry Chef Angela Garbacz, Goldenrod Pastries & Perfectly Golden Cookbook Part Two
Segment Eight: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group with “Ask the Chef”

Lots of fresh deliciousness going on in the wide world of specialty produce as it’s Summer. Our own resident produce guru, Robert Schueller of Melissa’s, joins us to chat about the pick of the season’s best for fruits and vegetables. Think, for starters, variety grapes including Jelly Drops, Champagne Grapes and Muscatos™ Grapes. In early August it’s the start of the always anticipated fresh Hatch Chile season.

Chef Johnny Church is well-known and respected in fine dining circles in Las Vegas. Among the high-profile kitchens on the Las Vegas Strip he’s cooked in are Aureole and RM Seafood. Most recently he was the corporate executive chef for Golden Entertainment. In April he made the unusual move of going out on his own and taking over a classic 50’s style diner now known as Johnny C’s Diner – “Seven Days Without Makes One Weak.” It’s located in the LMV Resort, a lushly landscaped luxury RV resort. Chef Johnny Church joins us to talk about his new venture.

“Creating baked goods for everyone can be a challenge—from dairy intolerances to gluten-free lifestyles, peanut allergies to vegan diets, there are so many factors to consider when trying to come up with something to bake for a friend’s birthday, bake sale, holiday, or just to give someone a treat. Luckily, Angela Garbacz, the chef and owner of Goldenrod Pastries in Lincoln, Nebraska, felt the same way, and in Perfectly Golden: Adaptable Recipes for Sweet and Simple Treats she provides inclusive recipes that are meant to fit any lifestyle, regardless of dietary restrictions.” Pastry Chef Angela Garbacz is our guest, whisk in hand.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Chef Andrew is regularly updating us on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis in the hospitality field and what we, as diners, can do to support the very survival of restaurants. Dine-in is slowly, with multiple hiccups, starting to come back but with a lot of new rules that restrict guest counts. Alternately Take-Out / Delivery when you can surely helps… It’s Summer which is the prime season for cooking ribs. We’ll hear from Chef Andrew with his best tips for preparing these meaty wonders on a bone. We’ll, of course, “Ask the Chef.”

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness (with proper Social Distancing) on this week’s not-to-miss show!

Robert Schueller of Melissa's World Variety Produce in the AM830 KLAA StudioLots of fresh deliciousness going on in the wide world of specialty produce as it’s now Summer. Our own resident produce guru, Robert Schueller of Melissa’s, joins us to chat about the pick of the season’s best for fruits and vegetables. Think, for starters, variety grapes including Jelly Drops, Champagne Grapes and Muscato Grapes.

Jelly Drops® Grapes are a hybrid of the popular Thompson seedless grape and the rich, meaty Concord grape variety. The result is a plump, juicy, dark purple seedless table grape with a thin skin. The aromatic, earthy flavor is similar to Concord but mellowed by the mild sweetness of the Thompson.”

“Grown both in California, Chile and Peru, Red Muscatos™ are a year-round grape to keep all your grape needs satisfied. Packed with sweet floral accents and covered in red, apple-crisp skin, Red Muscatos™ are the perfect grape for any occasion. Not only do these grapes taste great, but they are also seedless for convenience and are the ideal crunchy texture.”

“Red Muscatos™ are great for snacking, for kids and adults alike. Add them into a fresh fruit n’ cheese platter for perfect fruit pairings, or sprinkle over yogurt.”

We’re moving down the produce aisle and on the shopping list are Shishito Peppers, Rhubarb, and the fresh Hatch Chile season (starting in early August.)

For over 100 years family-owned farms have grown Hatch peppers in New Mexico’s Mesilla Valley. These peppers are bound to the land and simply won’t grow the same way anywhere else. Hatch Chiles are thick, meaty and rich, and are often called the world’s tastiest peppers.

Johnny Church of Johnny C's DinerChef Johnny Church is well-known in fine dining circles in Las Vegas. Among the high-profile kitchens on the Las Vegas Strip he’s cooked in are Aureole and RM Seafood. Most recently he was the corporate executive chef for Golden Entertainment.

In April he made the unusual move of going out on his own and taking over a classic 50’s style diner now known as Johnny C’s Diner – “Seven Days Without Makes One Weak.” It’s located in the LMV Resort, a lushly landscaped luxury RV resort.

It’s elevated diner fare (with a real chef in the kitchen) for Breakfast and Lunch seven days a week. Think Fat Elvis French Toast with bacon, banana, peanut butter and strawberries. From specialty sandwiches there is the Hero piled high with turkey, ham, salami, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mayo, mustard, olive oil, balsamic redux, oregano and served on a hoagie roll. There is also the Hen House with fried chicken, lettuce, tomato, special sauce and served on a toasted bun. Sweet Treats include Chef Johnny’s Family recipe for Orange Creamsicle Cake.

Chef Johnny Church, spatula in hand, serves it up for us.

Angela Garbacz of Goldenrod Pastries“Creating baked goods for everyone can be a challenge—from dairy intolerances to gluten-free lifestyles, peanut allergies to vegan diets, there are so many factors to consider when trying to come up with something to bake for a friend’s birthday, bake sale, holiday, or just to give someone a treat. Luckily, Angela Garbacz, the chef and owner of Goldenrod Pastries in Lincoln, Nebraska, felt the same way, and in Perfectly Golden: Adaptable Recipes for Sweet and Simple Treats she provides inclusive recipes that are meant to fit any lifestyle, regardless of dietary restrictions.”

“In Perfectly Golden,” Angela puts all the personality, fun, joy, and enthusiasm she puts into her bakery, and she gives the tips and tricks that she has accrued over 20 years of professional baking experience. Rather than just giving the measurements and baking times, Angela’s goal is to have you learn about the process—such as understanding that cookie dough should feel soft but not sticky, or a yeast dough should feel impossibly fluffy.”

“She gives notes on ingredients like flax eggs and non-dairy milks, helps you understand the varieties of gluten-free flours, and she even provides baking tips for troubleshooting information before you’ve started the recipe. Her tips on yeast doughs include understanding when they’re ready to bake, and how to encourage rising. She shares her trick for how to save a cake batter that’s become too thick, after explaining why that sometimes happens, and she explains why some cakes cool in their pans and why some need to be unmolded quickly.”

“Angela includes all the classic recipes that have made Goldenrod Pastries a household name, as irresistible as they are adaptable. Goldenrod’s Favorite Vegan Bun Dough is one of her signatures—and one sampling will tell you why. You may have never thought that a Babka could be made vegan, but Angela doesn’t just provide one version, she gives three variations to make this classic even more exciting. Of course, she includes standards like Chocolate Chip Cookies, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, and Coconut Berry Thumbprints, but she also gives more unique cookies, such as Buckwheat Chocolate Chunk Cookies and Turtle Cookies. If you’re looking for snack cakes, then look no further than recipes like Lemon & Almond Torte, Blueberry Buckle with Pecan Streusel, and Chocolate “Thunder” Cake.”

“If you’re heading to a party, then you could bring one of her fancier party cakes, which include classics, such as Carrot Cake and Yellow Cake with Chocolate Buttercream, and new flavors, like Champagne Cake with Almond Buttercream, Orange Blossom Cake with Lemon Buttercream, and Cardamom Cake with Pistachio Streusel & Strawberry-Rose Glaze. Angela’s chapter for Pies, Tarts, and Bars includes all the familiar favorites, along with Rice Custard Tart, Pomegranate Tart, and Strawberry Pretzel Pie.”

“Angela is reworking the classics to fit with any diet, while creating new and interesting flavors throughout. Whether you’re a baking novice or an expert, a seasoned vegan or a newly diagnosed dairy intolerant, this book provides treats, cakes, cookies, and more to fit in with your diet. Angela helps you do you and gives you the freedom to enjoy something sweet.”

Pastry Chef Angela Garbacz is our guest, whisk in hand.

Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant GroupOur own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. Chef Andrew is regularly updating us on the impact of the Covid-19 crisis in the hospitality field and what we, as diners, can do to support the very survival of restaurants. Dine-in is slowly, with multiple hiccups, starting to come back but with a lot of new rules that restrict guest counts. Alternately take-out/delivery when you can surely helps…

It’s Summer which is the prime season for cooking succulent ribs. We’ll hear from Chef Andrew sharing his best tips for preparing these meaty wonders on a bone. We’ll, of course, “Ask the Chef.”

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Robert Schueller, Produce Authority, Melissa’s World Variety Produce Part One
Segment Three: Robert Schueller, Produce Authority, Melissa’s World Variety Produce Part Two
Segment Four: Chef & Proprietor Johnny Church, Johnny C’s Diner, Las Vegas Part One
Segment Five: Chef & Proprietor Johnny Church, Johnny C’s Diner, Las Vegas Part Two
Segment Six: Pastry Chef Angela Garbacz, Goldenrod Pastries & Perfectly Golden Cookbook Part One
Segment Seven: Pastry Chef Angela Garbacz, Goldenrod Pastries & Perfectly Golden Cookbook Part Two
Segment Eight: Co-Host Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group with “Ask the Chef”

Comments are closed.