Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen in Brea is a Mexican cantina with a frisky vibe. At the heart of its allure are the boldly-flavored dishes and handcrafted drinks. The menu showcases unique twists on Latin American cuisine, modern takes on everything from wood-oven roasted Jidori chicken spiked with Yucatan spices, to the decadent caldo with a saffron-tomato broth rich in fresh…
Chef-Restaurateur-Top Chef Star Amar Santana: A look back at his amazing breakfast magic
Chefs, Cooking, Recipes, RestaurantsAmar’s Creamy Grits, Four-Minute Egg and Honey-Glazed Smoked Bacon ‘Just can’t put into words how proud I am of super chef Amar Santana. Not only is he a highly successful chef-restaurateur, but he has used his talent and perseverance to work his way to the top on Bravo’s highly-competitive “Top Chef” TV show. Years ago, before he opened his restaurants…
Chef Roman Jimenez knows that using the very best ingredients yields bigger flavors and better textures. As executive chef at Macallans Public House in Brea Downtown, he advocates “from-scratch” cuisine. His irresistible Corned Beef Sliders showcase the best of the best. He corns his own beef in-house, a brine-then-sous vide operation. He makes his own pickles. And his scrumptious slider…
Tomgirl Baking Company’s Florentine Bar Cookies Are Unsurpassed
Chefs, Cooking, Recipes, RestaurantsWonyee Tom, executive baker and co-owner of Tomgirl Baking Co. in Huntington Beach, makes one of my very favorite bar cookies. The bars are rich in contrasting textures and flavors, their buttery crust supporting a treasure-filled topping. Cream- and honey-spiked caramel dances between nuts and dried fruits, most often a generous mix of sliced almonds plus diced cranberries and apricots….
CHOOSING THREE FAVORITES isn’t easy. The prep is easy, but with all my potential favorites whittling down the list wasn’t a cinch. To narrow the field, rather than choosing dishes with long or hard-to-find ingredient lists, or dishes with culinary techniques that require time and dedication … I selected dishes that are very easy to prepare and are superb for…
The kitchen drama of flambéing is hard to beat. The ignited Cognac sends flames from skillet, a spectacle for guests and showoff cooks alike. Steak au Poivre, the classic French dish that teams high-quality steak with loosely cracked peppercorns, is a great example. Once the steaks are cooked to perfection, the peppery coating providing a flavor-amped crust, the meat is…
Chef David Pratt’s Salmon Baked in Paper, en Papillote Drama and Flavor Wow
Chefs, Cooking, Recipes, RestaurantsDavid Pratt, executive chef-owner of Brick in San Clemente, says that cooking “en papillote” is an easy, delectable and make-ahead way to cook fish when entertaining at home. It’s the classic technique that bakes ingredients sealed in a parchment-paper pouch. Each parcel contains one serving, and as it cooks the food inside steams in its own juices. Toward the end…
Many say that cooking at the James Beard House for a chef, is like performing at Carnegie Hall is for a musician. Zov Karamardian, executive chef-owner of Zov’s Bistro, Zov’s Cafes and Zov’s Anaheim, with join culinary director Louie Jocson on October 6th in New York City to cook in the former home of the late James Beard. It is…