Show 565, February 17, 2024: Chef Andrew Gruel, Co-Host and Proprietor of Calico Fish House, with “Ask the Chef”

Chef Andrew Gruel of Big Parm and the Calico Fish House

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel, the menu-maker behind the full-service Calico Fish House (in the Sunset Beach area of Huntington Beach) and also the founder and pizzaiola of the fast-casual Big Parm (New Jersey-style pizza) located in the Mess Hall in Tustin provides another timely and informative Ask the Chef segment where he responds to listeners’ thoughtful inquiries.

In case you missed the ongoing festivities It’s “National Potato Lovers” Month! Chef Andrew shares his quick and simple classic recipe for “Instant” Golden Potatoes using Melissa’s Dutch Yellow Potatoes grown in Idaho.

Look for Chef Andrew’s new cooking video with Cathy Thomas on Orange Coast Magazine. He prepares One-Pan Seared Salmon with Sweet Potatoes (from Melissa’s), mushrooms, and garbanzo beans.

Check out Chef Andrew’s handy and practical cooking tips on Substack at “American Gravy.” There is an accessible free level as well as a premium option with a modest cost.

“Instant” Dutch Yellow Potatoes

Instant Dutch Yellow Potatoes

Recipe excerpt from:
American Gravy
by Andrew Gruel

Sometimes when I come home late, I have to make a meal for the family with whatever is left in the fridge. We always keep a bag of Melissa’s Dutch Yellow Potatoes on hand, so I commonly revert back to this quick and simple classic. Most importantly, the kids and my boss love it.

This is a simple 2-step process. First, you cook the potatoes in boiling acidulated water. The vinegar acts to prevent the starch from breaking down. Next, you strain and slice the potatoes, then pan-sear them as if you were cooking scallops. Finish with some butter, sea salt, and fresh parmesan; you’re all set with a delicious meal (or side) in around 20 minutes.

About Dutch Yellow Potatoes. Dutch Yellow® Potatoes or DYPs®, are the perfect small potato. Grown in nutrient-rich volcanic soil, DYPs® are produced under the best conditions possible. These potatoes are round with golden yellow skin and creamy yellow flesh. DYPs® have a rich texture with a mixture of buttery and nutty flavors and the perfect amount of starchiness. Naturally resistant to greening and sprouting, they’re convenient to use and have a great shelf life.

Ingredients

  • One bag of Dutch Yellow Potatoes (about 1 lb)
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar or cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon kosher or sea salt
  • fresh chives and fresh cracked peppers to garnish

Steps

Put your potatoes in a small sauce pot cover with cold water, add vinegar, and bring to a boil. Boil for about 15 minutes or until they are fork tender. Strain the potatoes and run cool water over them so they are easy to handle. Slice the in half. Get a saute pan hot and add the olive oil. Sear the potatoes on each side, or saute and flip, then finish with some whole butter off the heat. Garish with chives, salt and pepper and serve with a blizzard of fresh parmesan.

Artichoke and Crab Pasta

Artichoke and Crab Pasta by Michael Crupain MD

Recipe excerpt from:
The Power Five: Essential Foods for Optimum Health

by Michael Crupain, MD, MPH

This is inspired by the classic dip, usually weighed down with lots of cream cheese, on menus at many bars and restaurants. This version features the artichoke and crab in their purest and healthiest forms. I prefer to use king crab, which has a decent amount of omega-3s, but you can use blue crab, too. The artichoke base of this recipe is the crema di carciofi that is also in the recipe for carciofi e pepe pasta in The What to Eat When Cookbook.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 pound king crab legs
  • 1 (15-ounce) can quartered
  • artichokes, drained
  • 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more to finish
  • Salt
  • 400 grams whole wheat
  • linguine, spaghetti, or home-made Sourdough Busiate
  • Pepper
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh
  • parsley

Directions

  1. Cut the crab shells using a pair of kitchen shears, and remove the crab meat. Chop the crab meat into chunks and reserve.
  2. Process the artichokes and oil in a Vitamix or other high-speed blender on low speed, gradually increasing the speed and pureeing until the mixture is very thick (it may not puree if you increase the speed too quickly). Scrape the sides of the blender, then shake the jar, and continue to puree on high speed, adding 2 to 3 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until a very smooth puree is reached. Be patient; this may take 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt to taste.
  3. Place the artichoke puree in a sauté pan with the crab meat, and warm gently over low heat while you make the pasta.
  4. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add enough salt to make the water salty like the sea. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking water; transfer pasta to the artichoke mixture, and stir to combine. Add a little pasta water if it’s too thick. Season with pepper to taste, garnish with the parsley, and drizzle with olive oil.

NOTE: If using dried pasta, you can use the whole box if you want, but Dr. Crupain recommends 100 grams per person.

Mushroom Toast

Mushroom Tahini Toast by Michael Crupain MD

Recipe excerpt from:
The Power Five: Essential Foods for Optimum Health

by Michael Crupain, MD, MPH

When bread becomes toast, it undergoes a Maillard chemical reaction, which is a food-geek way to say it becomes even tastier. It also adds a crustiness, for an ever-better bed for toppings like the mushroom-tahini mixture in this recipe. This is a crowd-pleasing appetizer, but sometimes I have it for breakfast or lunch. If you’re feeling fancy, garnish with a sprig of thyme at the end for a picture-perfect finish.

Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4 to 6

Ingredients

  • 1 pound assorted mushrooms (such as oyster, maitake, shiitake)
  • ½ teaspoon urfa chile flakes (dried Turkish chile peppers)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for finishing
  • Salt
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 shallot, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 3 tablespoons tahini
  • 4 slices whole wheat or sourdough bread, toasted and rubbed with a raw garlic clove

Directions

Coarsely chop the mushrooms, and add to a bowl with the chile flakes and oil. Toss to coat the mushrooms.

Cook the mushrooms in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until browned. Season with salt, add the garlic, shallot, and thyme, and sauté for 4 minutes or until the shallot is soft. Stir in the wine, and cook until just evaporated. Turn off the heat, and stir in the tahini. If the mixture is too dry, add 1 to 2 tablespoons water for desired consistency. Spoon the mushrooms over the toast, sprinkle with salt to taste, and serve.

Apple Brickle Dip

Apple Brickle Dip by Kristyn Merkley

Recipe excerpt from:
Lil’ Luna’s So Easy & So Yummy

by Kristyn Merkley

This 5-Ingredient Apple Brickle Dip recipe takes minutes to make and is so delicious! Plus, it uses common ingredients. The addition of Heath Toffee Bits makes it even better!

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 (8-ounce) package Heath Toffee Bits
  • Sliced apples: Gala, Fuji or Honeycrisp for serving

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, both sugars and vanilla with a hand mixer.
  2. Fold in toffee bits and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  3. Serve with sliced apples for dipping.

Notes

Make Ahead: You can make this dip 3–5 days ahead of time. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
More Dipping Ideas: Though this dip was created for apples, you can certainly use other delicious dippers such as pineapple spears, berries, graham crackers, pretzels, vanilla wafers, Oreos or gingersnaps.

Fruit Dip

Fruit Dip by Kristyn Merkle

Recipe excerpt from:
Lil’ Luna’s So Easy & So Yummy

by Kristyn Merkley

Cream Cheese Fruit Dip is one of the best fruit dip recipes you will ever try. It whips up in no time, and ALWAYS vanishes in minutes!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

  •  1½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 (8-ounce) tub whipped topping, (or 3 cups homemade whipped cream)
  • 1 (7-ounce) jar Marshmallow Fluff
  • strawberries, pineapple, grapes or pound cake pieces, for serving

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, beat powdered sugar, cream cheese, and vanilla together with a hand mixer on low speed until well mixed.
  2. Fold in whipped topping and Marshmallow Fluff.
  3. Chill until ready to serve. Serve with fruit or pound cake for dipping.

Notes

Make Ahead: This dip can be made 5–7 days in advance. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and mix thoroughly before serving.
Serving Tip: To serve cut fruit alongside this dip without it turning brown, squeeze a lemon over the fruit and gently toss. This will ensure the fruit lasts longer for serving.

Spicy Tomato and Egg Soup

Spicy Tomato and Egg Soup

Recipe excerpt from:
Chili Crisp: 50+ Recipes to Satisfy Your Spicy, Crunchy, Garlicky Cravings

by James Park

I love having soup for breakfast. It offers the same comfort as sipping a hot cup of coffee to start a day, but with more flavors! I crave this spicy tomato and egg soup, especially as my hangover cure the morning after a night of too much drinking. When I first tasted this easy homey Chinese soup, I immediately thought of gyeran-guk, Korean egg drop soup. I tried a lot of Chinese comfort food after I moved to the United States, and it was so special to experience familiar yet different flavors each time. Regardless of my Korean identity, the comfort I felt from enjoying this soup was universal.

Taking the time to cook tomatoes in green onion and garlic–infused oil releases their sweet and tangy natural juices, creating an incredible broth with minimal seasonings. Using chili crisp early in the cooking process, rather than as a finishing touch, adds pleasant heat and umami and allows the flavors to deepen.

You can enjoy the soup on its own, but I love eating it gukbap style, which means rice served with the soup in Korean cuisine. Add a scoop of warm rice to the soup bowl and pour the soup directly on top of the rice. Or use this soup as a base for your favorite noodle soup. Starting a day with this warm, flavorful soup will make a big difference in your energy throughout the day, especially if you have a hangover. It works like magic for me every single time!

Serves 2 or 3

  • 1 Tbsp neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola
  • 4 green onions, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced (about 1 Tbsp)
  • 3 medium tomatoes, roughly chopped into 2 to
  • 3 in [5 to 7.5 cm] chunks
  • 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more as needed
  • ¼ cup [60 g] chili crisp
  • ½ medium yellow onion, sliced
  • 2 cups [480 ml] chicken broth or water
  • 1 Tbsp light soy sauce
  • 2 tsp rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 3 large eggs
  • Warm rice or cooked noodles, for serving
  1. In a large pot over medium-high heat, heat the neutral oil. Set aside 1 Tbsp of the green parts of the chopped green onions and add the rest of the green onions and the minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for 30 to 60 seconds, or until fragrant. Add the tomato chunks and salt, and cook for 2 to 4 minutes, or until the tomatoes are softened. Add the chili crisp and sliced onion to the pot. Cook for 1 minute while stirring.
  2. Add the 2 cups [480 ml] broth and bring it to a boil, then turn the heat to low, season the soup with soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and sesame oil, and let simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
  3. While the soup is simmering, prepare a slurry by mixing the cornstarch with 1 Tbsp of water in a small bowl. Set it aside.
  4. Crack the eggs into a bowl, and beat them until the whites and yolks are fully mixed, preferably using chopsticks.
  5. Bring the heat to medium-high, then slowly pour the beaten eggs in a circular motion into the simmering broth. Don’t touch the eggs for 2 minutes, or until the curdled eggs come up to the surface. Then gently break the eggs apart with a spoon.
  6. Stir in the prepared cornstarch slurry and let it simmer for few minutes more, or until the broth gets slightly shiny and thicker. Season with more salt if necessary.
  7. Serve immediately with the reserved chopped green onions for garnish. Serve with a side of warm rice or cooked noodles for noodle soup. The leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Photographer: Heami Lee
Food styling: Pearl Jones
Prop styling: Gözde Eker

Chili Crisp Burrata Salad with Arugula, Apple, and Walnuts

Chili Crisp Burrata Salad with Arugula plus Apple and Walnuts

Recipe excerpt from:
Chili Crisp: 50+ Recipes to Satisfy Your Spicy, Crunchy, Garlicky Cravings

by James Park

I will be honest here: This salad is just an excuse for us to eat creamy burrata with chili crisp. And it’s a fun performance for yourself or a crowd when cutting into a hunk of burrata drizzled with chili crisp. Every time I make this for a dinner party, my dinner guests go wild for it! The thrill and joy everyone gets from seeing the oil and bits of chili crisp fall into the crack of ooey, gooey burrata balls is simply marvelous. The creamy burrata balances the spicy chili crisp, creating a party of flavors that will make you roll your eyes with pleasure. Even though it’s perfectly fine to eat just chili crisp–covered burrata, peppery arugula, and sweet apple bits make each bite of this salad exciting. The dressing also uses some chili crisp, which brings a pleasant warmth. When mixed with sweet, tart balsamic vinegar, it turns into an incredible vinaigrette for one of my favorite salads to eat all the time.

Serves 4

  • 1 Tbsp chili crisp, plus more for drizzling
  • 1½ tsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1½ tsp balsamic vinegar
  • Juice of ½ lemon (about 2 Tbsp)
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • 9 oz [255 g] baby arugula
  • 1 medium apple, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, cored and diced
  • 2 Tbsp roasted walnuts, chopped into small pieces
  • ¼ cup [30 g] freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 lb [455 g] burrata ball
  • Flaky sea salt
  • Freshly cracked black pepper
  1. In a small bowl, add the chili crisp, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, and sugar. Whisk to combine.
  2. In a large bowl, add the baby arugula, diced apple, and the dressing. Toss until everything is well coated with the dressing.
  3. When ready to serve, place the dressed arugula on a platter. Scatter the chopped walnuts over the top and sprinkle with the Parmesan.
  4. Place the burrata ball in the center of the platter and drizzle with extra chili crisp right on top. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper and serve.

NOTE: It’s best to grate Parmesan on top of the salad before serving, using a Microplane rather than pregrated Parmesan cheese.

Photographer: Heami Lee
Food styling: Pearl Jones
Prop styling: Gözde Eker

Show 540, August 26, 2023: Chef Anna Voloshyna, Author, BUDMO! – Recipes from a Ukrainian Kitchen Part One

Cookbook Author Anna Voloshyna

“Ukrainian-born Chef Anna Voloshyna is the author of BUDMO! Recipes from a Ukrainian Kitchen. Celebrate the rich culture of Ukrainian cuisine with these traditional Eastern European recipes infused with a fresh, contemporary approach for today’s home kitchen, from one of today’s most exciting young chefs of Ukrainian cuisine.”

“With its emphasis on fresh ingredients, time-honored heritage, and warm hospitality, Eastern European cuisine is having a culinary moment, in addition to Ukraine being of great current interest.”

“Meaning “cheers!” in Ukrainian, Budmo! is the first cookbook to celebrate classic Eastern European recipes with a modern, creative twist. Presented by Ukrainian-born, California-based chef, blogger, and culinary instructor Anna Voloshyna, bright flavors and vibrant ingredients sing from each plate. A gorgeous magenta pkhali comes alive with roasted beets and a tangy pomegranate molasses. Borscht is reinvented with green sorrels and semi-soft eggs. And Voloshyna even shares a personal recipe for her Ukrainian grandmother’s duck—roasted to a delicious crispy-brown perfection. These are the dishes that are perfect for gathering your favorite people with, and each one is bound to uncover the mouthwatering flavors and traditions of this endlessly fascinating part of the world.”

Anna Voloshyna was born in southern Ukraine in 1990 and relocated to the United States in 2011. She is a chef, blogger, and culinary instructor who translates Eastern European cuisine and flavors into approachable dishes for the modern home cook, and is particularly known for her wildly successful pop-up dinners and workshops. She resides with her husband in the San Francisco Bay Area.”

Chef Anna graciously shares with us her recipe for Golden Beet Vinegret Salad from the Starters, Salads, and Spreads Chapter.

Chef Anna Voloshyna is our guest sharing the secrets of the Ukrainian Kitchen.

Show 540, August 26, 2023: Chef Anna Voloshyna, Author, BUDMO! – Recipes from a Ukrainian Kitchen Part Two

Cookbook Author Anna Voloshyna

“Ukrainian-born Chef Anna Voloshyna is the author of BUDMO! Recipes from a Ukrainian Kitchen. Celebrate the rich culture of Ukrainian cuisine with these traditional Eastern European recipes infused with a fresh, contemporary approach for today’s home kitchen, from one of today’s most exciting young chefs of Ukrainian cuisine.”

“With its emphasis on fresh ingredients, time-honored heritage, and warm hospitality, Eastern European cuisine is having a culinary moment, in addition to Ukraine being of great current interest.”

“Meaning “cheers!” in Ukrainian, Budmo! is the first cookbook to celebrate classic Eastern European recipes with a modern, creative twist. Presented by Ukrainian-born, California-based chef, blogger, and culinary instructor Anna Voloshyna, bright flavors and vibrant ingredients sing from each plate. A gorgeous magenta pkhali comes alive with roasted beets and a tangy pomegranate molasses. Borscht is reinvented with green sorrels and semi-soft eggs. And Voloshyna even shares a personal recipe for her Ukrainian grandmother’s duck—roasted to a delicious crispy-brown perfection. These are the dishes that are perfect for gathering your favorite people with, and each one is bound to uncover the mouthwatering flavors and traditions of this endlessly fascinating part of the world.”

Anna Voloshyna was born in southern Ukraine in 1990 and relocated to the United States in 2011. She is a chef, blogger, and culinary instructor who translates Eastern European cuisine and flavors into approachable dishes for the modern home cook, and is particularly known for her wildly successful pop-up dinners and workshops. She resides with her husband in the San Francisco Bay Area.”

Chef Anna graciously shares with us her recipe for Golden Beet Vinegret Salad from the Starters, Salads, and Spreads Chapter.

Chef Anna Voloshyna is our guest sharing the secrets of the Ukrainian Kitchen. Think Thick Kefir Oladky (thick and fluffy pancakes.)