California Gourmet Cuisine
Aspects of California Gourmet Cuisine and Recipes
California gourmet cuisine is marked by fusion of different culinary influences from Central and South America to Mexico and Asia. Most of the popular chefs of California gourmet cuisine are known for keeping their dishes simple but innovative, always fresh and carefully prepared using the best ingredients, usually those found locally.
Some common local ingredients that are often used in California gourmet cuisine include artichokes, avocados, fresh dates and figs, sprouts and persimmons. Of course, in California gourmet cuisine these ingredients often come straight from the farmer's market. California gourmet cuisine in the northern coast will include salmon, oysters and Dungeness crabs whenever these are in season.
While California is the birthplace of many popular fast-food chains it is also the home of top-rated California gourmet cuisine restaurants, the most well known is The French Laundry in Napa Valley. The owner and chef of The French Laundry is the well-respected Thomas Keller. Some examples of California gourmet cuisine served by The French Laundry include Surf and Turf, which is a dish of lobster tail and sautéed foie gras and Oyster and Pearls, which is a dish of oyster with caviar presented on warm custard of pearl tapioca.
Because of the diversity of California gourmet cuisine, exploring it is an adventure in itself. There are California gourmet cuisine retreats that offer to combine culinary classes while exploring different elements that make up California gourmet cuisine such as the vineyards, olive oil producers, ethnic food markets, and farmer's markets.
Below are some examples of California gourmet cuisine:
* California Avocado Fruit Salad
Prepare the dressing by whisking together 2 cups of olive oil, 2 tablespoons each of raspberry vinegar and toasted chopped walnuts, 1 teaspoon of grated lime peel, and 1 tablespoon each of fresh lime juice and chopped fresh basil leaves, and 1 teaspoon each of salt, pepper and dry mustard. Set the dressing aside.
Combine 1 10 oz pack of mixed baby greens, 3 peeled kiwis, sliced in half, 2 peeled and segmented grapefruits, and 2 cups of sliced strawberries in a large salad bowl. Pour over the dressing. Toss the salad. Top with 8 avocado slices.
* California Poached Persimmons
Stem 6 firmly-ripe persimmons. Peel, discard seeds and cut them each into eight wedges.
Place the persimmons in a saucepan and combine with half a cup of dry white wine, 3/4 cup of fresh strained orange juice, 1/4 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon of peeled and minced fresh gingerroot and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. Bring the mixture to a boil. Stir occasionally, cover and let simmer for 15 minutes or until the persimmons become tender.
Once the persimmons are cooked, transfer them to a bowl using a slotted spoon. Boil the syrup until the liquid is about 1/2 cup, and pour this over the persimmons. You can serve this dish warm or chill it and serve over ice cream.
Gourmet
Gourmet
... main coffee plants. The first one is called Coffeea Arabica. Arabica originated from original Ethiopian trees. Arabica gourmet coffee seeds comprise the main ingredient of 70% of the world's coffee production. Coffeea Arabica grows best in higher altitudes, from 2,000 to 6,000 feet above sea level. For ...
... harvest. The inner grape-shaped container is encased in an elegantly designed glass dome container. It has two separate sprouts, one for the inner container and one for the outer. It is perfect as a gourmet gift for birthdays to a housewarming party. Other variations include tomato, onion, garlic clove ...
... Breakfast gourmet gift basket with "country inn" theme, which would be overflowing with items such as a pancake, waffle and biscuit mixes, fruits jams, pancake syrup, canned berries, gourmet-grade coffee, and even decorative towels. For the men in your lives, they would surely appreciate a Barbeque or ...
... Italian gourmet cuisine uses more of cream, butter and Mascarpone cheese and for the pasta, risotto and fresh egg pasta. The Southern Italian gourmet cuisine favors olive oil, Mozzarella cheese, and dried pasta. Southern Italians also tend to use more tomatoes in their dishes. The structure of a traditional ...
... are a chef's dream. If you can't afford truffles, try shitake mushrooms instead. Lastly, fresh honey and fruit preserves make an excellent regional gift. Be sure to include some white or wheat bread or crackers. Gourmet food gift baskets are extravagant, practical and easily personalized. With those top ...