Show 541, September 2, 2023: Restaurateur & Chef Katherine Gonzalez, Mija Handcraft Kitchen, Culver City Part One

Katherine Gonzalez of Mija Handcraft Kitchen by Chula

Mija Handcraft Kitchen in Culver City is an artisan eatery featuring a variety of modern Mexican fare inspired by the Californian lifestyle. Made with locally-sourced ingredients, all of their made-from-scratch recipes are vibrant, unique, delicious, and oh so bueno!”

“Mija Handcraft Kitchen is now open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Pop champagne with friends, enjoy a refreshing cocktail or celebrate with a special bottle of wine to compliment their modern delicious California Mexican dishes made from local ingredients.

“Chef and owner, Katherine Gonzalez, was raised in Southern Arizona. Her mother’s family migrated from Chihuahua, Mexico, and her father’s family from Spain. Growing up, there was always a pot of beans cooking, freshly made flour tortillas, salsa, and sopas fideo. Every celebration featured warm and delicious comfort food including her mother’s famous tamales, chips, and fresh salsas.”

“Katherine’s love for heritage-inspired dishes began at a young age while cooking with her mama. After years of watching her mother in the kitchen, Katherine began learning how to make her signature tamales, chips, and salsa. Over time, Katherine began to experiment with her family’s recipes to create different flavor profiles. She spent many hours learning the secrets to vibrant and tasty dishes which she is proud to share through Chúla Artisan Eatery in La Quinta and, now, Mija Handcraft Kitchen!”

Chef Katherine takes a break from her busy kitchen to join us with a plate of the signature Mom’s Chilaquiles in hand.

Show 541, September 2, 2023: Restaurateur & Chef Katherine Gonzalez, Mija Handcraft Kitchen, Culver City Part Two

Katherine Gonzalez of Mija Handcraft Kitchen by Chula

Mija Handcraft Kitchen in Culver City is an artisan eatery featuring a variety of modern Mexican fare inspired by the Californian lifestyle. Made with locally-sourced ingredients, all of their made-from-scratch recipes are vibrant, unique, delicious, and oh so bueno!”

“Mija Handcraft Kitchen is now open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Pop champagne with friends, enjoy a refreshing cocktail or celebrate with a special bottle of wine to compliment their modern delicious California Mexican dishes made from local ingredients.

“Chef and owner, Katherine Gonzalez, was raised in Southern Arizona. Her mother’s family migrated from Chihuahua, Mexico, and her father’s family from Spain. Growing up, there was always a pot of beans cooking, freshly made flour tortillas, salsa, and sopas fideo. Every celebration featured warm and delicious comfort food including her mother’s famous tamales, chips, and fresh salsas.”

“Katherine’s love for heritage-inspired dishes began at a young age while cooking with her mama. After years of watching her mother in the kitchen, Katherine began learning how to make her signature tamales, chips, and salsa. Over time, Katherine began to experiment with her family’s recipes to create different flavor profiles. She spent many hours learning the secrets to vibrant and tasty dishes which she is proud to share through Chúla Artisan Eatery in La Quinta and, now, Mija Handcraft Kitchen!”

Chef Katherine takes a break from her busy kitchen to join us with a plate of the signature Chula Chip & Salsa Flight at the ready.

Hatch Clam Chowder

Melissa's Hatch Chile Clam Chowder

Recipe excerpt from:
Melissa’s Hatch Pepper Cookbook
by Tom Fraker
Melissa’s World Variety Produce

To Steam the Clams:

  • 1/4 cup Water
  • 1/2 cup Chicken Broth
  • 6 cloves Melissa’s Peeled Garlic – crushed
  • 2 pounds Fresh Clams – cleaned (See Instructions below)

Using a large skillet with a lid, bring the water, chicken broth, and garlic to a boil. Add the clams into the skillet and place the lid on top. Cook for 5-10 minutes. Watch closely. Once all the clams have opened, remove from heat immediately. Do not overcook – your clams will be rubbery. Reserve some of the liquid for use in the chowder, and scoop the meat out of the shells.

For the Chowder:

Prepare a hot grill. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter, brush onto the corn and season with the pepper. Grill until completely slightly charred. 

Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp. Add the onion and the next 3 ingredients. Cook until the onions are translucent. Stir in remaining butter. Add the flour and stir to combine. Slowly whisk in the milk and cream. Add the bay leaves and potatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer about 15 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender. Remove the bay leaves and stir in the corn and the clams (chopped, if desired). Simmer until heated through. Adjust the seasonings and garnish with the cilantro and salsa. If you want more clam flavor, add some of the reserved steaming liquid. Makes about 12 servings. 

Note: Cleaning Clams
In a large bowl, combine 4 cups of cold water with 1/3 cup of salt. Place all clams that passed your inspection into the bowl. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. Transfer clams into a new clean bowl with a new salt and water mixture. Refrigerate for another 20 minutes. This process draws the dirt out of the clams. If any clams float to the top during this process instead of settling at the bottom, discard them.

Remove clams from the water, but do not pour into a strainer. Pouring everything into a strainer can put dirt back into the clams. Use your hands or a slotted spoon.

Finally, brush the outsides of the shell with a vegetable brush to remove any remaining dirt from the outside of the shell.
 

Show 425, May 15, 2021: Chef Wing Lam of Wahoo’s Fish Taco Part One

Chef Wing Lam of Wahoo’s Fish Taco is collaborating with Three Sticks Wines on two, back-to-back tasting events in Long Beach and Newport Beach under the name of Rose on the Road.

Three Sticks will be pouring a celebratory selection of their latest wines (including the newly released 2020 Castenada Sonoma Coast Rose) at the Wahoo’s Fish Taco locations in Long Beach (May 20th from 5 to 7:00 p.m.) and Newport Beach (May 21stfrom 3 to 5:00 p.m.) as founder and chef, Wing Lam, cooks up his famous grilled fish tacos with spicy oven-roasted salsa on the patio. Tickets are limited.

Chef Wing Lam co-founded Wahoo’s Fish Taco in 1988 (with his two brothers) and the enterprise has grown to over 60 locations throughout California. A fresh and tasty fusion of Brazilian, Asian, and Mexican fare, Wahoo’s is best known for their signature fish tacos that pair perfectly with the newly released 2020 Castenada Rose.

Chef Wing graciously shares his recipe for Fish Tacos with Oven-Roasted Salsa.

Wing Lam is our guest spatula in hand.

Show 425, May 15, 2021: Chef Wing Lam of Wahoo’s Fish Taco Part Two

Chef Wing Lam of Wahoo’s Fish Taco is collaborating with Three Sticks Wines on two, back-to-back tasting events in Long Beach and Newport Beach under the name of Rose on the Road.

Three Sticks will be pouring a celebratory selection of their latest wines (including the newly released 2020 Castenada Sonoma Coast Rose) at the Wahoo’s Fish Taco locations in Long Beach (May 20th from 5 to 7:00 p.m.) and Newport Beach (May 21stfrom 3 to 5:00 p.m.) as founder and chef, Wing Lam, cooks up his famous grilled fish tacos with spicy oven-roasted salsa on the patio. Tickets are limited.

Chef Wing Lam co-founded Wahoo’s Fish Taco in 1988 (with his two brothers) and the enterprise has grown to over 60 locations throughout California. A fresh and tasty fusion of Brazilian, Asian, and Mexican fare, Wahoo’s is best known for their signature fish tacos that pair perfectly with the newly released 2020 Castenada Rose.

Chef Wing graciously shares his recipe for Fish Tacos with Oven-Roasted Salsa.

Fish Tacos with Wahoo’s Oven-Roasted Salsa

by Wing Lam
Wahoo’s Fish Taco

Serves 4
Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1lb Mahi Mahi, Cut into 2 oz fillets
  • 16 Corn Tortillas
  • 1 Bag Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend
  • 2 Sliced Jalapeno Peppers
  • 2 Sliced Serrano Peppers
  • 4 Sliced Roma Tomatoes
  • 1 Chopped Red Onion
  • 5 Heads Garlic
  • 4 Cups Shredded White Cabbage
  • 5 Radish Heads, Sliced
  • 1 Cup Sliced Persian Cucumber
  • 1/2 Cup Shredded Carrots
  • 1 Cup Chopped Cilantro
  • 2 Fresh Limes
  • 1/2 Cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1/2 Cup of Sliced Green Onions
  1. Make salsa. Preheat oven to 375°. Spray cooking sheet and vegetables (2 sliced Jalapeño peppers, 2 sliced Serrano peppers, 4 sliced Roma tomatoes, 1 chopped red onion, 5 heads garlic) with avocado oil. Remove seeds from peppers to make salsa milder. Spread ingredients evenly on sheet. Using middle shelf, cook for 30-40 minutes until cooked. Let veggies cool down and add to blender, with salt and pepper to taste. Pulse a few times to keep chunky. Salsa can be made day before and kept up to one week in refrigerator.
  2. Make dressing. Squeeze 2 fresh limes and add 1/2 cup of sliced green onions to a mason jar. Shake and let sit for 20 minutes before adding extra virgin olive oil.
  3. Make slaw. Combine slaw ingredients (4 cups shredded red cabbage, 4 cups shredded white cabbage, 5 sliced radish heads, 1 cup sliced Persian cucumber, 1/2 cup shredded carrots, and 1 cup chopped cilantro) and toss with dressing. Add salt and pepper to taste and let sit for 15 minutes before you start making tacos.
  4. Cook fish. Take 1 lb Mahi Mahi and cut into 2 oz fillets (other firm white fishes, like Sea Bass, also work). Coat with avocado oil and add salt and pepper to taste. Grill about 1-2 minutes per side and set all 8 pieces aside.
  5. Warm up tortillas. Spray frying pan with avocado oil and heat up corn tortillas individually. Cover with towel.
  6. Set up your buffet with plate of tortillas, cooked fish, slaw, shredded Mexican cheese blend, salsa, and lime wedges. Use 2 tortillas per taco, with two tacos per person. Add 1 piece of fish per taco, add slaw, add shredded cheese, top with salsa, and garnish with lime wedge.

“Hungry Guy” Burgers

Hungry Guy Burgers by Laura Theodoreby Laura Theodore
Jazzy Vegetarian

  • 1 can (15 to 16 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2/3 cup plus 2 heaping tablespoons prepared salsa, plus more as needed (see note)
  • 3 slices vegan whole-grain or gluten-free bread, torn into chunks
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2/3 cup gluten-free, old fashioned rolled oats

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large, rimmed baking pan with unbleached parchment paper. Put the black beans and salsa in a medium-sized bowl and mash using a potato masher or large fork until well combined. Put the bread chunks and cumin in a blender and process into coarse crumbs. Add the bread crumbs to the black bean mixture and stir to combine. Stir in the rolled oats and mix to combine. If the mixture seems dry, stir in another heaping tablespoon of salsa and mix to combine.

Scoop up a generous 1/2 cup of the black bean mixture and put it on the prepared pan. Form it into a burger, shaping it with clean hands, and then flatten it slightly. Continue in this manner until you have formed a total of 6 burgers (see note). Bake for 20 minutes. Flip the burgers and bake for 8 to 12 minutes or until golden.

Chef’s Notes:
You may use mild, medium or hot salsa in this recipe.

Once formed, the burgers may be covered and refrigerated for 2 to 6 hours before cooking. Add 5 to 7 minutes to the baking time.

Show 382, July 18, 2020: Robert Schueller, Produce Authority, Melissa’s World Variety Produce Part Two

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, continues with us to chat about the pick of the season’s best for fruits and vegetables.

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.

In addition to the area store roastings of fresh Hatch Chiles new is Hatch Popcorn, Hatch Kettle Corn and a line of fresh Hatch Salsas.

Show 313, March 2, 2019: Owner / Chef Craig Strong, Ocean at Main, Laguna Beach

Craig StrongOwner/ Chef Craig Strong (Ex-Studio at Montage Laguna Beach) has just debuted his new Weekend Brunch Menu at Laguna Beach’s Ocean at Main. Bottomless mimosas and specialty cocktails are featured, too.

“Ocean at Main’s Weekend Brunch is offered Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Chef Craig Strong draws inspiration from culinary experiences – both personal and professional – to create a menu of sweet & savory brunch classics presented with his signature style and plated with panache.”

“Enjoy savory brunch classics like Chilaquiles made with Chef Strong’s salsa fuerte and sweet selections like Scarlet’s Favorite Five-Spice Pancakes. Toast to the weekend with bottle service, bottomless mimosas, or specialty brunch cocktails.”

Chef Craig cooks up all the mouthwatering details for us.

Show 237, August 19, 2017: Melissa’s Corporate Chef, Ida Rodriguez. Melissa’s Hatch Chile Cookbook

Chef Ida Rodriquez of Melissas World Variety ProduceHatch Chile season is upon us! Fresh Hatch Chiles, grown only in the Mesilla Valley of New Mexico, are available for just a few short weeks each year in August and September. Many connoisseurs consider them the world’s tastiest chiles.

Once roasted, Hatch Chiles are easy to peel and seed. Roasting heightens the robust earthy flavor of the chiles and the texture of the thick walls of the chile pod becomes lusciously rich. These unique qualities, and the pepper’s variable heat (unlike other chile peppers, Hatch Chiles come in varieties that cover the full spectrum of heat levels) have earned Hatch Chiles great popularity far beyond the local community of Hatch, New Mexico.

Melissa’s World Variety Produce has led the charge in popularizing the coveted Hatch Chiles and developing many great recipes using them. From now through mid-September Melissa’s will be sponsoring weekend Hatch Chile Roasting parties at area supermarkets including at select Gelson’s and Bristol Farms. Check the Melissa’s website for locations, dates and times. The roasting is conveniently included in the price of the case of chiles.

Melissa’s website has lots of good information on Hatch Chiles. Recipes are there, too, including Hatch Chile Guacamole, Hatch Chile Chili and Hatch Chile Salsa.

Melissa’s Corporate Chef, Ida Rodriguez, joins us to discuss the joys of Hatch Chile season.