Ask the Chef

October 5, 2005  ...  by Chef John Pisto

Hurricane relief at the Aquarium, Friday, October 7th at 7:30 pm. This is a must-do! Chef Todd Fisher from Hullaballoo Restaurant in Salinas, along with Montrio's chef Tony Baker have organized an unprecedented event, gathering over 60 local chefs and 30 wineries to help our friends in the Gulf states. Folks, you don't want to miss the 36-foot poboy, red beans, rice and Todd's

étouffée. Now all that's needed are some Sazeraks, milk punches (forget about that drink called the hurricane), dirty martinis and New Orleans jazz. For my part, I am attempting to make a monster jambalaya, big enough to feed 1,000 or more. This you've got to see. Here's your chance to meet and talk with all of our famous chefs of the Central Coast. You can call these three Red Cross numbers to buy
tickets or donate money: Monterey, 375-5730; Salinas, 424-4824; Carmel, 624-6921 Random act of kindness. When some local folks, dining at the Blue Moon Seafood Bistro, overheard a party at another table saying that they were evacuees from New Orleans, they promptly (an anonymously) picked up their check. Let's keep that spirit alive!

~~~~~

Q). Your cookbook was placed in our kitchen and my wife Liz hung your photo above her side of the bed. It's okay. If you have time to reply, I'll try to fix this roast next week for our out of town guests. I'd like any tips you can provide to make it a winner.

Roasted Filet of Beef Recipe
1 tenderloin of beef (about 4 pounds)
3 cloves of garlic cut into slivers
1 tablespoon olive oil
sea salt
ground black pepper
Sensational Seasoning

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Insert slivers of garlic cloves into roast. Rub roast with olive oil, salt, pepper and Sensational Seasoning. Place in a shallow roasting pan and roast for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and roast for 20 minutes more for medium rare. Let rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

Sound okay?
Jimmy and Liz Hink, Via e-mail

A). The only thing I would suggest is to sear it first in a cast iron frying pan to crust it up. Otherwise, go for it.

~~~~~

Q). Why are my tomatoes mushy? Could it be the way I'm storing them? My husband said you'd know.
Mary Johnson, Via e-mail

A). Sounds like another case of the cold tomatoes. I'll bet you 10 pounds of heirlooms that you are putting them in the fridge. Tomatoes belong outside in a cool room. Also, don't throw out those soft ones; use them for pasta sauce - delicious!

Q). I am new to the Monterey community and really enjoy your column. A friend recalls having read your recipes for rabbit. Please tell me how to access those recipes. If you are aware of a good source for rabbit, I would

like to try one of your recipes.
Rosemarie Brumfield, Via e-mail

A). Welcome to Monterey Rosie! Recently, we had some barbecued cottontail cooked on the beach at sunset. Old buddy Randy Randazzo did a great job. He marinated his over night in red wine, garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil - that's it. To access my recipes and over 700 subjects I've written about, check out my web site. To find some rabbit for cooking, ask around for a good local butcher.

Q). What can you tell me about vodka? I've had Swedish, Russian, Polish and recently some from France. Who invented it?
Sal B.
Via e-mail

A). Ah, vodka! The origins are pretty mysterious and claimed by mostly by Poland and Russia. The word "vodka" is associated with "voda" a Russian word for water, but the Poles have a similar word "woda". There were exchanges of distilling methods between the two regions several hundred years ago and vodka remains one of the oldest forms of liquor and is extremely popular these days. Vodka is usually made from grains or potatoes, although I know of at least one excellent French version made form grapes. Someone told me that when Napoleon came upon Russian villagers making vodka, he found the drink so offensive that he had all of them killed and their stills and recipes destroyed. Of course we know he was a Cognac man.

For more info about John Pisto's fine restaurants
in Monterey, California, click here.

Pisto Home Page  ♦ Current Article  ♦ Index of Articles, Recipes and Subjects