TheBleuRibbonBlog

International Cuisine: Spicey

2011-08-06T22:35:00.000-07:00

A Touch of Spice

Well the blog was a bust the last couple months. I wanted to try to keep up with it but school and life has been hectic to say the least. Anyway, sorry I couldn't share any of the interesting tid bits of culinary information that I've been cramming into my head since I last b-loged.

As of lately I've been getting extra familiar with the endless variety of spices the world has to offer. This here is some basic, very common spice mix recipes from different places around the world. Make one.

Za'atar (Middle East)

1/4 cup sumac

2 tablespoons thyme
1 tablespoon roasted sesame seeds
2 tablespoons marjoram
2 tablespoons oregano

1 teaspoon coarse salt

Old Bay (New England)

1 tablespoon ground dried bay leaves
2 teaspoons celery salt
1-1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
1-1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 teaspoon sweet or smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground celery seeds
1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/ teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground mace
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice

Garam Masala (India)

1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
1 1/2 teaspoons ground pepper
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Chinese 5 Spice (Umm..China)

1 tsp. ground Szechwan pepper
1 tsp. ground star anise
1-1/4 tsp. ground fennel seeds
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground white pepper

Quatre-Epices (France)

2 tablespoons (1/8 cup) white peppercorns
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (about 12) whole cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Adobo (Latin)

2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon chili powder

Curry Powder (India)

2 tablespoons whole cumin seeds, toasted
2 tablespoons whole cardamom seeds, toasted
2 tablespoons whole coriander seeds, toasted
1/4 cup ground turmeric
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon cayenne

Hebs de Provence (France)

1 tablespoon dried lavender

2 tablespoons dried savory
2 tablespoons dried rosemary
2 tablespoons dried thyme
2 tablespoons dried oregano
2 tablespoons dried basil
2 tablespoons dried marjoram
2 tablespoons dried fennel seed

Sazon (Puerto Rico)

Ground coriander -- 1 tablespoon
Ground cumin -- 1 tablespoon
Ground annatto seeds or paprika -- 1 tablespoon
Garlic powder -- 1 tablespoon
Salt -- 1 tablespoon

Featured Ingredient : Fiddleheads

2011-04-26T22:46:00.000-07:00

                                                   Fiddleheads

      I never knew what these are. I must've seen them a hundred times without ever once figuring it out. They look like alien pods of some kind. As if I could throw a pack of them into water and they would grow into a small army of aliens. If you live in New England you most likely have seen these in the supermarket May-July or possibly spotted some in your local wild. Fiddleheads are actually not alien pods but young "ostrich fern" (Matteuccia struthiopteris) fronds. Given the name because of the resemblance to scroll shaped top of a fiddle or violin. A traditional dish in Quebec and the Martimes, Fiddleheads are a delicacy that Northern (and most southern) New Englanders and few others find in the wild. With a flavor somewhere between asparagus, okra and artichoke with a hint of nuttiness they are good for you and full of trace vitamins and minerals. Fiddleheads are very low in cholesterol and sodium and a very good source of protein, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin C, niacin, iron and more.

     If you spot some in the wild there's a bit you should know before you dine. You need to pick them during a two week window when they are bright green before the fern unfurls about an inch or two from the ground. Definitely make sure you know what an edible fiddlehead looks like before you chow down because some ferns can be poisonous. Fiddleheads can be identified by the brown papery covering on the uncoiled fern, as well as the smooth fern stem, and the deep ”U”-shaped groove on the inside of the stem. Look for ostrich ferns emerging in clusters of about three to twelve each on the banks of rivers, streams, and brooks April though July. Once you've harvest a reasonable take, brush out and trim the brown ends off the stalks. Fiddleheads start to brown and become dry shortly after harvest so cook them up asap. Boil the fiddle“heads” in a small amount of salted boiling water for ten minutes or you can steam them for 20 minutes. Butter, garlic and lemon are common for preparation. Now that you're up on fiddleheads you might want to consider dandelion greens (best when harvested before they bloom) or morels they all share the same foraging season. -K.C.C.

References -
http://umaine.edu/publications/4198e/

http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/3055/2

http://discus.equinesite.net/discus/messages/1/45510.html?1303496437

gonewengland.about.com/cs/recipes/g/glfiddleheads.htm

www.theheartofnewengland.com/food-fiddleheads.html written by Marcia Passos Duffy

http://bathosphere.org/emstar/2010/06/27/fiddlehead-ferns/

Basic baking ingredients and their functions

2011-04-25T09:07:00.000-07:00

Baking Fundamentals

I was recently assigned to writing a 6 page paper on the basic ingredients used in baking and their functions. After a bunch of reading and research (see references) I turned out about 13 pages M.L.A. format. I have been in baking and pastry class for about 3 weeks now and I am very pleased. I love it, as I do most anything that has to do with the world of food and cooking. My chef instructor (chef Maria Cavaleri) is great, super knowledgeable, organized etc.. I figured since I wrote such a lengthy paper that I might as well kill two birds with one stone and share some of the info with you guys here at The Bleu Ribbon Blog. Sorry if this post reads a little "text-bookie". I wanted to relay the info in my own words without confusing it at the same time, at any rate most of this stuff is pretty cut and dry. Hopefully the information is at least, say... 2x as interesting to read as when I first discovered it. It's definitely a little different than your average culinary school text book.

Flours -

The flour most commonly used in baking is made with wheat, although it can be milled from corn, nuts, rice, legumes, and some fruits and vegetables. Wheat and related species like barley and rye contain the protein gluten, Latin for "glue". The gluten gives the dough elasticity to rise and hold shape as well as vary in texture. Glutenin and gliadin are the two most key proteins found in wheat flours. The type of flour that is used is vital for getting the product right. Different flours are suited specifically to different items and can not be switched without sacrificing the recipe and desired finished product.

Texture,structure,binding, absorbing and flavor are the main functions of flour. Flour is the dominant stabilizer in any dough.

All-purpose flour: The most commonly used of flours made of a blend of hard and soft wheat and comes bleached or unbleached, that has "bleached" naturally with age. Bleached flour has less gluten than unbleached and therefore is best used for pie crusts, cookies, quick breads, pancakes and waffles etc., whereas unbleached AP flour is used for yeast breads, Danish pastry, puff pastry, strudel, éclairs, cream puffs and popovers. White wheat flour is milled from wheat kernels after the bran and germ are removed. AP flour has 8% - 11% protein.

Whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour is flour made from the "whole grain" (bran, germ and endosperm), white wheat flour is made with only the endosperm. By leaving in these other parts of the grain the flour has a grittier texture and a brownish hue. Whole wheat flour contains certain micro-nutrients that are commonly added back into white flour in the enrichment process whereas it is naturally contained in the bran and germ. Whole wheat flour also contains certain irreplaceable macro-nutrients, favored in macrobiotic diets since whole grains make up 50% to 60% of consumption therein. Whole wheat flour is also between 8% - 11% protein.

Bread flour: Bread flour is a strong white flour made from hard, high protein wheat and often bromated (enriched with potassium bromate or ascorbic acid) to promote gluten development. The increased gluten helps to create volume and texture. Bread flour is commonly the best choice with yeast products. Bread flour is 12% to 14% protein.

Buckwheat flour: Buckwheat flour is a gluten free product good for gluten sensitivities or those who have celiac disease. Due to the lack of gluten, products made with buckwheat flour will not rise or keep their shape alone and a gum substitute such as guar or xantham might be added to simulate the effect and texture. "Buckwheat flour is rich in flavanoids which are phytonutrients that help protect against disease by acting as antioxidants" - "celiacdisease.about.com". Buckwheat is also full of magnesium which helps relax blood flow and contains other nutrients that help to maintain healthy blood sugar levels which is a huge benefit to those with diabetes.

Cake flour: Cake flour is considered a weak flour, very fine in texture with a high starch content and the least gluten content of all the wheat flours roughly 7% to 10%. Cake flour is chlorinated which in the bleaching process leaves the flour slightly acidic allowing cakes to set faster and for fats to distribute more evenly through the batter therefore creating a smoother texture. This is the flour best used in recipes with a high ratio of sugar to flour.

Gluten Flour: Gluten flour is a wheat flour that has been treated to remove most of it's starch, leaving it with proportionately more of the proteins that promote gluten. Typically added to doughs made with low-gluten flours such as rye flour to add elasticity that cant be achieved by its self. Lower in calories, more expensive in the market place. Gluten flour is 13% to 15% gluten.

Pastry flour: Made with soft wheat, pastry flour falls between AP flour and cake flour in regards to protein content and baking properties. Pastry flour is used in making biscuits, pie crusts, brownies, cookies and quick breads with a tender but crumbly finished product.

Self Rising Flour: Low protein flour with salt and a leavening agent such as baking powder previously added. Used for biscuits and quick breads but never to be used in yeast applications.

Rice flour: Flour made of finely milled rice, known as "mochiko" in Japan

Fats -

Considered as stabilizers, there are many different fats that can be used in baking and just like your selection of flour, the fat you use plays a major role in the recipes outcome. When a semi-solid fat is beaten into flour it holds air bubbles and can work as a leavening agent giving the finished product a lighter texture. Liquid fats such as vegetable oil can't hold air like solid fats such as butter or vegetable shortening therefor are only used in appropriate applications.

Buttery

Butter: Butter is a product of an animals milk that has been churned until the fat separates from the liquid known as buttermilk. Most of the butter used is from cows milk but butter can be made from the milk of many different animals including buffalo, camels, ewe, goat and mares (adult female horse). Butter is used as a leavening agent and is essential in certain recipes such as puff pastry and pie crusts.

Margarine: Developed in 1869 by chemist Hippolyte Merge-Mouriez and made it's first appearance as a butter substitute for the French navy. Originally made from beef tallow and skim milk whereas modern margarine is made with vegetable oils. The original product was made by a process using margaric acid hence the name.

Shortening: Shortening is any animal product or oil based semisolid fat usually refering to Crisco and other vegetable oils that can solidify at room teperature such as cotton seed oil corn oil and soy bean oil. Suet. butter, margarine and lard are also referred to as shortening in baking. Shortening works by assisting in the formation of gluten in wheat based doughs.

Lard: Rendered pork fat. High in saturated fats, used as cooking fat or shortening.

Milk -

Raw Milk: Raw milk or (unpasteurized) is milk that hasn't undergone the pasteurization process, therefor retaining some of the vitamins and enzymes that would normally be lost in the act. Raw milk is smoother, creamier and has better flavor than pasteurized milk and has been used in baking since milk was milk (I would think). Due to all the icky pathogens raw milk should only be acquired from reputable certified sources that adhere to very strict health and hygiene standards. Any milk you would find at your average market is going to be pasteurized whereas raw milk is best purchased farm fresh. If your doing good and you drink a lot of milk you can have it delivered to your doorstep old-school style from a local dairy farm, if your lucky. The different milk varieties are all considered liquefiers in baking.

this bottle of "Robot Milk" claims to be 100% non-organic

Butter Milk: Buttermilk refers to the liquid that remains when churning butter, traditionally strained and left to ferment. Commercial or cultured buttermilk is made by adding lactic acid bacteria to 1% skim milk that is left to ferment at a low temp. for 12 - 14 hours. Slightly acidic, often used in conjunction with baking soda as a leavening agent in quick breads.

Cream: Not often used as liquid in doughs and batters except in a few specialty products. In these instances it serves as a shortening and a liquid due to its fat content. Cream is more important in fillings and toppings.

Starches -

Starches are complex carbohydrates that are made from glucose these carbohydrates are classified as polysaccharides. Whole-wheat flours includes the bran, endosperm and germ. The bran makes this type of flour a high starch flour. Cracked wheat flours are similar to whole-wheat flours and are high starch flours too. AP flour or White flour is a wheat flour where much of the starch and bran have been removed, making this a low-starch, high-protein flour. Starch has a very distinct role in the baking process. Starch helps to produce fermentable sugars for yeast fermentation, serves as a reservoir for water absorption and as diluent for gluten contributing to the viscoelastic properties of the dough, very scientific.

"1. A naturally abundant nutrient carbohydrate, (C₆H₁₀O₅)_n, found chiefly in the seeds, fruits, tubers, roots, and stem pith of plants, notably in corn, potatoes, wheat, and rice, and varying widely in appearance according to source but commonly prepared as a white amorphous tasteless powder." - http://www.thefreedictionary.com/starch

Corn starch - Products that are thickened with cornstarch set up like gelatin when cooled. For this reason cornstarch is used in cream pies and other products to better keep their shape.

Waxy maize - A modified starch that becomes a clear, soft paste when cooked and maintains the same consistency when hot or cold. Different starches can be modified from their natural form to act or react differently in use, waxy maize is modified specifically not to break down when frozen.

Instant starches - Another modified starch that is pregelatinized to thicken cold liquids without cooking.

Gelatins and Pectins -

Pectin is a water soluble fiber used primarily in cold confections.Pectin is abundant in apples, plums, cranberries and citrus peels. Gelatin is an animal protein extracted primarily from pigs skin though cow bones and hides may be used.

Sugars and liquid sugars -

Sugars and sweeteners play a valuable role in baking. Ofcourse, sugar is sweet and adds a sweet flavor. Sugar gives tenderness and fineness of texture to a baked product by weakening the gluten structure. Sugar gives crust a rich color and helps to increase the keeping qualities in a product by retaining moisture. Sugar also acts as a creaming agent with fats.We commonly use the word sugar when referring to regular granulated table sugar (sucrose) derived from the sugar cane or beet. There is "fine" and "ultra-fine" grain sugars that are best used in cakes and cookies because they help make a more uniform batter and support higher quantities of fat. There is also a coarser grain sugar called "sanding sugar" that is used for coating doughnuts, cakes and other items.

Confectioners' sugar - Also known as powdered sugars, these types are ground to a fine powder and mixed with a small amount of starch to prevent caking. They are classified by fineness of grind, 10x being the finest, 6x being the standard confectioners sugar and 4x and xx are used for dusting when a less fine sugar is required.

Molasses and Brown Sugar - Concentrated sugar cane juice is known as molasses. A thick syrup that pours very slowly, hence the expression "slow as molasses". There is a couple different varieties of molasses that one can procure. "Sulfured molasses" is a natural bi-product of sugar refinement as it is the product that remains after most of the sugar has been extracted from the cane juice. "Unsulfered molasses" is not a natural bi-product of sugar and is specially manufactured with a "less bitter" taste. Molasses contains large amounts of sucrose, other sugars, acids and traces of natural impurities.
Brown sugar is mostly sucrose but also contains certain amounts of molasses and impurities, the more molasses the darker the sugar. Due to the acid content of brown sugar and molasses when used with baking soda they can provide leavening.

Corn syrup

Corn Syrup - Corn syrup is a liquid sweetener mainly consisting of glucose but still contains other sugars.It is made by converting cornstarch into simpler sugars by using enzymes. Corn syrup helps to retain moisture and is commonly used in icings and candy making.

Glucose syrup - Unike corn syrup, glucose syrup contains no other sugars, just pure glucose. Glucose syrup can be substituted with light corn syrup in a baking recipe. This product is colorless and nearly tasteless.

Honey - Containing mostly glucose and fructose and other compounds that give it flavors that vary by its sources, Honey, um... comes from bees. Honey is mostly used for flavoring due to its sweet-sweet taste and not-so-sweet cost. Honey stays smooth and resists crystallization because it contains "invert sugars" and can also, like molasses, be used as a leavening agents with baking soda due to its acid content.

Malt Syrup - Malt syrup is used to add flavor and crust color to breads. Used primarily with yeast products serving as food (fermentable sugar's) for the yeast. Its a yeast feast.

Salt -

Salt is not only used for flavor in baking. Salt strengthens gluten structure, making it more stretchable (viscoelasticity) and improving the breads texture. Salt inhibits yeast growth therefor it is important in controlling fermentation in bread doughs and preventing undesirable wild yeast growth. The amount of salt used in a recipe should be carefully controlled for these reasons.

Leaveners -

Yeast - Yeast is a living organism that is grown in a giant petri dish under extremely controlled conditions. In baking yeast feeds on fermentable sugars turning them to carbon dioxide and alcohol that is trapped as gas in the dough forming air pockets therefor causing the bread to rise in natural process. Yeast can be found in a couple different forms:

Fresh yeast - Also called compressed yeast is moist and perishable, preferred by professional bakers. Fresh yeast can be purchased in 1lb. packages.

Active dry yeast - Dry granular form that needs to be rehydrated in 4 times its weight in water before use.

Instant dry yeast - Also known as rapid rise or quick rise yeast does not need to be dissolved in water before use because it absorbs water very quickly. It produces more gas than regular dry yeast therefor less is needed in proportion.

Baking Soda - A.k.a. sodium bicarbonate. With moisture and acid in cooperation baking soda releases carbon dioxide that leavens the product. The gas is released faster at higher temperatures though heat is not needed for the reaction. When using soda the product must be baked immediately or the gases will escape. Acids that react with baking soda include; honey, molasses, fruits (citric), buttermilk, cocoa and chocolate or sometimes cream of tartar. The amount of soda is generally the amount needed to balance the acid.

Baking powder - A mixture of baking soda plus an acid. Single-acting baking powder needs only moisture to be able to release gas. Like baking soda when used the product must be baked immediately or the gas will be released prematurely.

Baking ammonia - A.k.a ammonium carbonate. This wonderful little chemical leavener decomposes in moisture with heat during baking, releasing carbon dioxide. No acid is necessary for the gas to be produced. Only to be used in smaller products so the ammonia gas can be completely expelled. Good for products like cream-puffs where quick leavening is desired.

Air - Incorporating air into a batter is another common leavening practice. In the "creaming method" fat and sugar is beaten together to incorporate air, common in cookies and cakes. In the "foaming method" eggs are beaten to incorporate air, whole eggs or just plain egg whites. Whole eggs are used for sponge cakes while only egg-whites are used with angel-food cake, meringues and souffles.

Steam - Water expands to 1,600 times its original volume when it turns to steam. Since all baked products contain some form of moisture steam is an ever-present leavening agent, though not always notable or important. In most instances products relying on steam are started at high temperatures to achieve maximum steam/ leavening. "Cream puffs, puff pastry, pop-overs and pie crust use steam as their major or only leavening agent". Steam is used to generate roughly 80% of the worlds electric energy.

Eggs -

Eggs come from "oviparous" animals (animals that lay eggs), Birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish even insects and arachnids. Chicken eggs are the normal choice of most bakers and they usually come in one of three forms; whole eggs, frozen eggs (whites, yolks and whole with extra yolks) and dried eggs (whole, whites and yolks). Egg proteins coagulate and add structure to baked products making them essential in products with high sugar and fat contents that weaken the gluten. Too much egg can make a product tough and chewy unless tenderized by high fat and sugar, thats how you get chewy cookies. Egg yolks help make smooth batters due to natural emulsifiers contributing to both body and texture. The fat in egg yolks work as a shortening which is important in products that lack other fats. "Whole eggs are about 70 percent water, egg whites about 86 percent water and egg yolks about 49 percent water." Eggs add flavor, nutritional value and color in batters as well as crust. The platypus and the echidna are the only two egg laying mammals, classified as "monotremes", you probably wouldn't want to bake with their eggs . -K.C.C.

References

source: "Cuisine Foundations" p.356-357

source:http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_animals_lay_eggs
source: "Cuisine Foundations" p.933
source: "Cuisine Foundations" p.928-929
source: "Cuisine Foundations" p.925-927

source: "Cuisine Foundations" p.360

source: "Cuisine Foundations"p.392-393
source:http://www.joyofbaking.com/Butter.html

source:http://hubpages.com/hub/Different-Kinds-of-Leavening-Agents

source:http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t--1189/types-of-edible-solid-fats.asp

source:http://whatscookingamerica.net/Bread/FlourTypes.htm

source:http://www.epigee.org/fitness/macro_diet.html

source:http://www.ochef.com/219.htm

source:http://whatscookingamerica.net/CharlotteBradley/BuckwheatFlour.htm

source:http://celiacdisease.about.com/od/cookingglutenfree/a/FlourBasics.htm

source:http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-bromated-flour.htm

source:http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100810063513AAftpWU

source:http://cooklikeyourgrandmother.com/2010/02/the-difference-between-pasteurized-and-ultra-pasteurized-milk/

source: http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=8904

source:http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/b/butter-margarine.htm

source: :http://www.livestrong.com/article/398336-pectin-vs-gelatin/#ixzz1JBgJWzlI

Delicious Dictator

2011-04-07T19:54:00.000-07:00

Napoleon:

In France the Napolean is known as "mille-feuilles" (a thousand leaves). It is constructed of layers of puff pastry with pastry cream, whipped cream, fruit or jelly and iced with fondant, chocolate or confectioner's sugar. The Napolean as we know it is believed by many to have been developed in France during the latter part of the 19th century. The Danish people have been told for generations that a Danish royal pastry chef invented the dessert in the 1800s on a state visit between the Emperor Napoleon and the King of Denmark, in Copenhagen. Apparently some sources think that the chocolate lines on the pastry appear to form the letter "N" for Napoleon, I don't see it. Some people believe that the dessert was actually a French invention after all, and that it was indeed Napolean's favorite sweet treat. It's been said that he ate so many of them on the eve of Waterloo that he lost the battle distracted by his dessert, maybe feeling too stuffed to fight.

Most food historians would disagree believing that the name is the result of a misunderstanding of the French word "Napolitain" which should have been translated as "Neopolitan" pertaining to Naples but it sounds like Napoleon when your mouth is full of cake. "Napoleans" in design, are very much like the French "mille-fueille" or the Italian "mille foglie" both of which mean "a thousand leaves". Marie-Antonin Careme, writing at the end of the 18th century, considered it of "ancient origin." Interestingly, I found that the similar layered Italian dessert Tiramisu is said to have been invented by Sienese chefs in the late 1600's to honor the Grand Duke Cosmo III de' Medici who also was known for his sweet tooth, much like the Danish legend of the precious Napolean and the French mille-feuilles, only 200 years earlier. -K.C.C.

Napoleon was known for riding his Ducati to get dessert

REFERENCES -

source: http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodpies.html

source: Larousse Gastronomique, Jenifer Harvey Lang, 1988 (p. 777-8)

source: François Pierre de La Varenne "Cuisinier françois" 1651.

source: http://www.funtrivia.com/askft/Question17447.html

source:Rare Bits: Unusual Origins of Popular Recipes, Patricial Bunning Stevens (p.202).

source: Oxford Companion to Food, Alan Davidson [Oxford University Press:Oxford] 1999 (p. 586-7)

Haute-Dogs

2011-03-08T18:56:00.000-08:00

The Serendipity3 "Haute-Dog"

                      The Next Big Thing... Artisan Hot Dogs?

    I normally try to set my culinary sites somewhere above a fancy hot-dog. With my experience and education i would hope that the direction of food isn't something so common but it would seem to be that exactly. According to a recent poll these gourmet wieners are looking like the future of high volume, short order restaurants and fine dinning establishments alike. On the foodfrenzy.com site they are currently hosting a poll asking what you think the next big food craze is going to be. Several options jumped out at me right away; gourmet sliders, innovative pies, food trucks and of course artisan hot-dogs. I voted dogs, checked the results and sure enough I was not alone.

    Stuggy's in Baltimore boasts a bison-dog for $6.00 a la carte, while Senate Restaurant in Cincinnati offers the "Croque Madame", a $10.00 all beef hot dog with bechamel, black-forest ham, on a brioche bun topped with a poached egg... yikes. Last year the New York restaurant "Serendipity 3" introduced the Serendipity 3, foot long "Haute-dog". Grilled in white truffle-oil resting in a salted pretzel bun toasted with truffle butter and topped with chopped scallion and medallions of duck foie-gras, this fancy wiener is a winner at $70 a pop. "The Haute-dog" was awarded The Guiness Book's "worlds most expensive hot dog" title. Top it off with some heirloom tomato ketchup, truffle mustard and caramelized vidalia onions and you are ready for the best ball game ever. In Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut we have my personal favorite "Spike's Junkyard Dogs". Don't let the name fool you, Spike's has been doing the "fancy" hot dog thing since 1991 and I've been eating their 100% all beef dogs ever since. This place is a Rhode Island staple, anyone who claims they are from R.I. and doesn't know Spike's is probably lying or being sarcastic. Sure they don't have foie-gras on the menu but with their variety of 30 plus styles and endless topping options, Spike's is sure to please even the most sophisticated palate. Plus the prices at Spike's are also quite palatable.

    If your culinary aspirations are similar to mine then hot dogs aren't even on your radar, trust this doesn't mean that fine dinning has gone out the window. We should all be aware of the latest food trends, in this industry, like any other, knowledge is power! Go eat a hot dog, it's what all the cool kids are doing! - K.C.C.

"Hey, look at me I'm Mr. Popular!"

"http://www.senatepub.com/senate-pub-menu.html" "http://www.stuggys.com/""http://foodfrenzy.ocregister.com/2011/02/10/poll-whats-the-next-big-food-fad/33316/"

Liberian Cuisine

2011-03-05T22:11:00.000-08:00


"Rice and Pigeon Pea with Plantain and Fufu Porridge with Key West Shrimp" is probably not what you will be eating in Liberia

LIBERIA

    One of my closest friends is in grad school at Columbia University studying human rights and was recently selected with a handful of other students to travel to Liberia to work with his school and the U.N. to do some social research. I've asked him to take pictures of different native foods and restaurants and document some of the traditions and eating habits of Liberia while he's abroad. He said he will when he goes but being the curious type I decided to do a little research of my own. So this is some information that I dug up on Liberian Cuisine. Hopefully my buddy, and anyone else who reads this will have a little advantage knowing what there is to eat when you happen to find yourself hungry in Liberia.

Founded in 1822 for the resettlement of freed American slaves. At one point Liberia was known only for it's hospitality, academic institutions, rubber industry and iron mining. The root of the words liberation and liberty, Liberia gets it's name from the Latin word meaning "free". Liberia suffered a 7 year civil-war between (1989-1996) which brought about a steep decline in the living standards of the country, including its education and infrastructure. The capital city of Liberia is Monrovia which was named after the 5th U.S. president James Monroe. Throughout Liberia they use American currency and speak the English language. Most modern Liberian culture and foods are adapted from African American culture while over recent years fufu and other African dishes have made appearances in popular vegetarian and vegan menus.

    Many Liberians grow their own rice, sugar cane, and cassava (commonly known as yuca). Rice is regularly eaten much more than any other starch but imported rices are preferred over the local brands quality. Most cooking is done with either palm oil or palm butter. Wine is also made from the palm nut which I would imagine serves as an excellent pair with a big ol' goat dinner! Yuca leaves and potato leaves are both boiled and eaten like spinach. "Fufu" (basically a ball of seasoned dough cooked various ways) can be made from rice, plantain, cassava, corn, or yams, dried, pounded until ground, boiled, and then rolled into a ball. Another traditional version of fufu is called dumboy. Goat soup is the national dish of Liberia and is served on important occasions, everyone in Liberia loves it when celebrating, except for the goats.

   Farmed Liberian fruit trees include different citrus varieties, alligator apples, papayas, mangoes, and avocados. Pineapples grow everywhere in the wild of Liberia. Other agricultural crops include cassava, rice, sugarcane, plantains, bananas, lemon grass and ginger. A regular Liberian dinner consists of dumboy or fufu served with palm butter and palava sauce, meat stew, country chop (a mixture of meats, fish, and greens cooked in palm oil), "jollof" rice, and beef internal (offal) soup. Rice bread and sweet potato pone are served for dessert, and ginger beer is the traditional beverage. Coffee is available throughout Liberia but is only served on special occasions. In the capital city of Monrovia, there are some modern restaurants, but in most towns there are just small "cook shops" that offer stews and fufu whereas most of Liberia is impoverished and can't afford to dine out. Most cooking is still done outside on a stone hearth, just like Mama used to make! - K.C.C.

   Not to come across as if I'm confused of current global events and the ongoing political revolution in Libya. My friend is going to Liberia, there is a difference. Liberia is a very small country (43,000 sq. mi.) slightly larger than the state of Ohio to the south west while Libya is one of the Largest countries in Africa (679,362 sq. mi.) to the very north of the continent. Libyans eat some really interesting stuff too. Some of which looks delicious! Check it out here: http://libyanfood.blogspot.com/

"Monkey works, baboon draws." - Old Liberian proverb meaning "Why should I work and you take credit?"
Here are my sources:
"http://www.theworld.org/2010/07/liberian-proverbs/""http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/6618.htm" "http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Liberia.html" "http://www.answers.com/topic/liberia" "http://www.johnmariani.com/archive/2007/071202/index.html""http://www.factsmonk.com/liberia_facts"

Fufu with Vegan stew

Featured Ingredient : Ankimo

2011-03-02T23:18:00.000-08:00

                                                              Ankimo

   We all know what foie gras is, the delicious liver of a force-fed duck or goose, literally meaning "fat liver". This french delicacy is ever controversial due to the gavage (force-feeding) of corn a process that is outlawed in many places due to it's inhumane nature. Where there is controversy there is usually a nice price tag to go with it. Under French law foie gras is declared as a protected cultural and gastronomical delicacy of the heritage of France.

   In Japan they have a similar delicacy, "ankimo". Monk fish is the name of a variety of North West Atlantic bottom dwellers most commonly the "Angler fish". You know the scary looking black sea monsters with the single antenna with a light on it used to lure in prey, that you might have seen on the Discovery channel, yeah that's the one. That "lure" is called the "esca" and it helps these beast get their dinner and enables them to grow up to 5 ft. in length. Eventually, after many a seafood dinner they wonder into the wrong net and become dinner for us!

So what do these hideous sea monsters have in common with foie gras? The liver of Monk fish is also a national delicacy and it is known as ankimo. Just like with foie gras there is controversy surrounding ankimo too. Over recent years the demand for the delicious fishes liver has grown at such a rate that it has caused the monk fish to be severely over fished to the point that there is a ban on trawling and gill-netting in many places. Apart from the liver (ankimo) only the tail of the monk fish is ever consumed. Similar to a fine pate' in texture ankimo is often prepared smoked or steamed and less likely to be prepared pan seared like its avian cousin, though I think it might be delicious with its rich and buttery flavor. Monk fish is more available during the spring and summer months though it is said to have a a better taste and texture when caught in the winter, liver and tail-fillet alike. Ankimo can be found in finer sushi restaurants all over the place year round though obtaining it for personal use could be tricky unless you know the right fish monger. - K.C.C.

"Dude close your mouth, your breath stinks!"

Sign up and subscribe!!! Contact me thebleuribbon@gmail.com

references:
"http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/30026", "www.answers.com/topic/foie-gras" "http://www.sustainablesushi.net/the-fish/ankimo/""http://www.puritan.com/vf/healthnotes/hn_live/food_guide/monkfish.htm"

Apples to Oranges

2011-02-28T21:10:00.000-08:00

Gerson Therapy

       Max Gerson was a German physician who began practice in the early 1920's. His name is best known for his methods and regimen for treatment of various diseases and sickness with diet and nutrition. As a resident physician Gerson had suffered from migraine headaches that he decided to try to resolve by means of dietary change, eliminating certain foods and adding other healthy, nutrient rich foods. This approach of treatment eliminated his headaches all together whereas the pharmaceuticals he had previously taken and prescribed to his patients daily only addressed the symptoms and in most cases temporarily. Gerson began prescribing his migraine treatment to his patients with much acknowledged success. One of Gerson's earliest patients reported that their skin lesions caused by tuberculosis had cleared up while on Gerson's diet, something that no other "modern treatment" had helped to cure or even suppress. Pulmonary surgeon Ferdinand Sauerbruch heard of his success and invited Gerson to conduct a clinical trial of his therapy at Sauerbruch's tuberculosis ward in Munich, Germany. Gerson conducted treatment on 450 Tuberculosis patients with 446 patients that fully recovered, a percentage so unheard of that it was immediately disputed as lie and discredited by skeptical peers and further denied by the large pharmaceutical companies that ran all of the major hospitals.

      This was just the beginning of Gersons battle, skeptical public, "Big-pharma-paid doctors", and money motivated pharmaceutical manufacturers became the enemy of Gersons ideas and the "alternative medicine" label soon became synonymous with his name. Some side with the big pharmaceutical companies, including most hospital doctors who are forbidden by law to prescribe any dietary or nutritional treatment to their patients in the U.S., and on the other hand are offered "bonuses" as encouragement for prescribing the manufacturers new products. Political physicians condemned Gerson publicly. Some patients have researched Gerson treatment and found record of overwhelming successes with no risks such as that of chemotherapy, abrasive surgeries, or dangerous chemical medications and realized there is no threat of worsening their condition and everything to gain. Though Max Gerson passed away in 1959 the battle still remains. Gerson therapy is still treated as "Quack-medicine" and the big drug companies are still amongst the most powerful in the world, "treating every ill with a pill".

In observation while using fresh fruit and vegetable juices Gerson had proposed that artificial fertilizers and pesticides were fueling what he called an epidemic of degenerative diseases, and began to advise his regional government on agricultural practices.Third party scientific research made it apparent that fruits and vegetables that were commercially treated were significantly lower in nutrients and came with their own brand of poison in the applied pesticides and growth steroids. Some people dont mind the extra chemical applications in their fruits and vegetables, then again some people aren't bothered by second hand smoke from tobacco but are well aware of and wouldn't deny the hazardous effects that it can have on the body. Gerson's treatment revolves around fresh fruit and vegetable juices administered hourly to patients to help more immediately address the bodies toxicity and deficiencies, focused on the liver and kidneys, the bodies filtering organs. The idea is to help the body rejuvenate to a point that its natural, instinctual healing functions are restored with the help of vitamins, minerals and liver detox.

Then there is the ever controversial coffee enemas. The vast majority of anti-Gerson articles and slander campaigns focus their assault on Gerson's less than traditional coffee enema regimen, such a taboo makes an easy target. The coffee enema is a treatment used to help the liver filter by the caffeine absorbed by the colon's hemorrhoidal vein to the portal system then to the liver. The caffeine stimulates the livers bile ducts to open, releasing toxins into the intestinal track for excretion. As strange as this sounds, is one to choose to have poisonous radiation pumped through their body as in chemotherapy, killing both good and bad cells with unpredictable results or coffee enemas, just sort of weird and hard to understand? In the case of a patient with an inoperable, incurable disease with terminal diagnosis the choice is almost not an option, they do whatever the doctor has prescribed. Why would we be so quick to write off the research and success of one of histories greatest medical visionaries but except the notion that a disease is "just incurable". Many people with disease live and die in a hospital and are never once made aware of the importance of nutrition and detox, instead they are fed jello, white bread, ginger-ale and pills . If the intake of vitamins and minerals can undoubtedly prevent disease then why is it so hard to think that the same factors cant help restore the bodies natural healing functions? - K.C.C.

Letter from the editor -

Whats up,
I am interested in this stuff mostly because it is focused on the "healing power" of good food. This therapy is based mostly on raw food diets and juicing ingredients in their purist form, just straight up food. With all the seasoning and techniques in the world there would be nothing for a chef to prepare without the blessings of our farmers. Many people are becoming aware of the Gerson treatment lately due to the documentary "The Beautiful Truth" by director Steve Kroschel featuring commentary from Charlotte Gerson in 2008. The film was both informative and touching and inspired me to do my own research on the topic. With further investigation into Gerson therapy I only found a couple things that I personally would have a lot of trouble with; the "coffee enemas" and the rule that there is to be no consumption of SALT while in treatment! One of my favorite quotes I've heard "Salt is the engine of flavor" - Geoffrey Zakarian on Chopped. So true! Salt is essential but I guess in the case of fighting a serious disease I could go without. To learn more check out the sites below or fish around in the library or online there's plenty of info out there. Glad to share, sharing is caring. Thanks for reading, go eat a carrot! - K.C.C.

"www.organiclifestylemagazine” “www.healingdaily.com""www.gersonretreat.com" "www.gerson.org"

Myths

2011-02-24T20:26:00.000-08:00

Don't wash Cast Iron with soap?

The seasoning layer on the surface of the pan is formed when the pan is heated while in contact with some fat or oil. Flax seed oil is most commonly used to deliberately achieve this effect before using the equipment to cook with. The result is a chemical reaction with the fat molecules called "polymerization" in which small fat molecules gather together to form larger ones that then bind to the cast iron surface.This "fat polymer" is what we call the seasoning layer, and guess what... it isn't dissolved by soap. However, I would strongly suggest against this. While using soap might not actually ruin your cast iron the seasoning will definitely taste like it. Well yeah, I guess that would be what you call ruined! I admit I am guilty of having washed some of mine every "wrong way" imaginable before learning the proper way to care for my cast iron. I have pieces that I can remember having cooked with after having washed with soap and don't remember ever tasting it at the time. I've seasoned them since and still use them today, they are unstoppable. It really is all about the seasoning of the pan. It gives proteins a one of a kind flavor in searing that I personally am a huge fan of.

TRUE
Do not wash your cast iron with soap and definitely don't use harsh detergents, abrasive scrubs, dishwashers, or soaking to clean them. The best way to clean them is with Salt. With a moist towel, the salt acts as a natural abrasive and dissolves any attached food without harming the seasoning.- K.C.C.

"http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2082121/the_best_way_to_wash_a_cast_iron_pan.html"
"http://www.kitchen-myths.com/"

In Vitro

2011-02-22T18:41:00.000-08:00

Look at that marbling!

                                                                   "IN GLASS"

      "In vitro" is a phrase used to describe a procedure that takes place "in glass" which is the latin translation of the phrase. This term is used by the science community to describe a method of containing cellular biology within controlled circumstances. Instead of working on the molecular level within a living organism or cell "in vitro" or "In glass" refers to the glass test tubes and petri dishes used for in vitro molecular science. You might ask, "What could this possibly have to do with food?"

       In vitro meats were proposed as early as the first stem cell research. Discussion of the possibility of making an abundance of oranges out of just one orange cell, a fish fillet from one molecule or a butcher shop with no need for a butcher soon became the focus of a large part of the stem cell research community. In vitro meat, or "cultured meat" is in essence animal meat product that is grown in a laboratory having never at any point been part of an actual living animal. This is where this starts to get very unsettling very quickly. "Instead of genetically creating a whole animal "clone" why not just grow a tenderloin alone?" No fat, no butcher, no immediately discernible difference from a real beef tenderloin. Picture if you will, a huge cut of "meat" completely resembling a cows muscle growing rapidly beneath a plastic dome with many tubes and wires fed into it. To me this sounds disgusting and way too futuristic to really be the focus of some of the worlds smartest molecular biologist. Unfortunately, it is.

     Lucky for us, in vitro meats are not yet deemed to be safe for public consumption and at this point production of cultured meats is far more expensive than that of commercially raised, umm ..."real animals". In 2008 PETA offered a $1 Million prize to anyone who could develop an "in vitro-chicken-meat-product" composed of only chicken starter cells from initial development stages. Funding for in vitro meat is still plentiful, with the costs of conventional farming techniques constantly rising and the rising world population many scientist predict that in vitro foods will play a major part in our worlds food supply by the year 2050. Gross! - K.C.C.

   Any questions or contributions for The Bleu Ribbon please email - thebleuribbon@gmail.com - Thanks!

"http://www.slashfood.com/2011/02/01/in-vitro-meat-still-not-on-the-table/" "http://www.answers.com/topic/in-vitro" "http://www.futurefood.org/in-vitro-meat/index_en.php"

Cattle-tale

2011-02-19T19:09:00.000-08:00

                            "Were you grazed in a barn?"

                             Organic and Naturally raised Livestock
                                                               &
                                         Organic fruits and vegetables

      The term "naturally raised" means that the meat comes from an animal that was raised organically from weaning without antibiotics, growth hormones, synthetic pesticides and herbicides and was raised on a natural grass and hay fed diet. No herbicides or any other unnatural toxic substances are ever applied onto organic crops and pastures. Organic cattle are not force fattened on high grain feed concentrates like the commercially raised variety. They are never given any steroids, antibiotics or hormone implants. Naturally raised cattle are treated humanely and allowed to roam freely. Several studies by independent organizations have shown differences in vitamin concentration in organic versus commercially grown and raised animals. Naturally raised, grass fed cattle have a naturally alkaline rumen, necessary in proper natural intestinal functions. The animals healthy intestinal and digestive functions minimizes the possibility of E-coli contamination. Naturally raised, grass fed beef is leaner, higher in beta-carotene, higher in vitamins A & E, higher in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) which is an anti-carcinogenic and the meat is also higher in omega 3 fatty acids.

      Because organic fruits and vegetables are produced naturally, they are best eaten in season. Buying organics when they are in season will greatly reduce your costs as well as buying in bulk from a local farm. Most farmers will be willing to sell in bulk in order to insure maximum profit from each harvest and reduce waste. In many cases organic produce and meats will cost more than commercial. Organic farms tend to be smaller than conventional farms and make less produce and raise less livestock therefore making them more expensive. Organic farms are more labor-intensive and receive fewer subsidies than conventional farms since there is less demand for organic foods.With time organic prices should continue to decrease as the demand for organic food increases and more organic food suppliers enter the market and that's good for you. Many factors may influence your decision, including taste, price, and availability. When choosing between organic and conventional produce consider your options, consider the methods and care taken to grow or raise each type of food. Try them, make your own comparison and then make an informed decision. - K.C.C.

What's in season? January - March

2011-02-18T21:48:00.000-08:00


	Seasonal Guide to Fruit & Vegetables

	January - Midsummer - Fruits apricot, banana, berries - blackberry - blueberry - boysenberry - gooseberry - loganberry - mulberry - raspberry - strawberry, cherry - morello (sour), currants - red currant - black currant, lemons, lychee, mango, mangosteen, melons - honeydew - rockmelon - watermelon, nectarine, passionfruit, peach, pineapple - smooth leaf, plum, prickly pear, rambutan, starfruit, tamarillo. January - Midsummer - Vegetables asparagus, avocado - reed, beans - butter - green - snake, capsicum, celery, choko, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, okra, onions - salad - spring, peas - green - snow - sugar snap, radish, squash, sweetcorn, tomato, zucchini, zucchini flowers. February - Late summer - Fruit apple - aba, banana, berries - blackberry - blueberry - boysenberry - loganberry - raspberry - strawberry, fig, grapes - cardinal - muscat - sultana - waltham cross, guava, kiwifruit, lemon, lychee, mango, mangosteen, melons - honeydew - rockmelon - watermelon, nectarine, orange - valencia, passionfruit, peach, pears - howell - red sensation - williams, plums, prickly pear, rambutan, rhubarb, starfruit, tamarillo. February - Late summer - Vegetables avocado - reed, beans - borlotti - butter - green - snake, capsicum, celery, chilli, choko, cucumber, daikon, eggplant, leek, lettuce, okra, onions - brown - salad - spring, peas - green - snow - sugar snap, radish, squash, sweetcorn, tomato, zucchini, zucchini flowers. March - Early Autumn - Fruit apples - aba, cox's orange pippins - gala - jonagold - jonathan - mutso, banana, berries - raspberry - strawberry, breadfruit, feijoa, figs, grapes - cardinal - currant - muscat - purple cornichon - sultana - waltham cross, guava, kiwifruit, lemon, limes, mango, mangosteen, melons - honeydew - rockmelon, nashi, nectarine, nuts - almond - chestnut - hazelnut - pistachio - walnut, orange - valencia, papaya, passionfruit, peach, pears - beurre bosc - howell - josephine - packham - red sensation - williams, persimmon, plums, pomegranate, rambutan, rhubarb, tamarillo. March - Early Autumn - Vegetables asian greens - bok choy - choy sum - gai laan - wonga bok, avocados - fuerte - shepard, beans - borlotti - butter - green - snake, capsicum, celery, chilli, cucumber, daikon, eggplant, leek, lettuce, okra, olive, onions - brown - red - spring, peas, potato, pumpkin, shallot, silverbeet, spinach, squash, sweetcorn, sweet potato, tomato, zucchini. Hope this list helps you to become more familiar with most of the fruits and vegetables of the season! The majority of information herein was found and can be seen at www.greenlinedelivery.com. This is a great website for information on ordering and purchasing seasonal organic foods. They service hospice care, private chefs, special dietary needs customers that sort of thing. Check it out, see what else there is to eat! - K.C.C.

Featured Ingredient

2011-02-17T23:15:00.000-08:00

                                                            JAGGERY A.K.A GUR

       Whats so sweet about jaggery? Jaggery is a vitamin rich unrefined non-centrifugal whole cane sugar. A product of raw sugar cane juice concentrate with out separation of the molasses and crystals. Jaggery is traditionally consumed in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. Jaggery is not just made from sugar cane alone, it is also produced from palm tree sap in different varieties; date palms, coconut palms and sago palms.

      Jaggery has been said to have health benefits and healing potential due to its high content of mineral salts, plus its the purist form of sweetener available, completely free of chemical process or enrichment. Gandhi was a big jaggery advocate and he used it in his own diet regularly supposedly to prevent throat and lung infections. This stuff can prevent infections?

    In this age of gastronomical awareness we are living in, there are literally dozens of "natural sweeteners". In my opinion there is one true original that will always be king, SUGAR. What is more natural than raw sugar, JAGGERY. Gandhi loved it, palms produce it, high mineral salts, no chemicals, this stuff is awesome.

Still not sweet on jaggery? Heres a bunch of other crazy uses and interesting facts about jaggery I dug up.

          Construction

Sugar cane jaggery is often used as a lining for inner walls of earthen ovens and is used for seasoning them. Even just a few decades ago, jaggery was used as a building material, particularly in those places where cement was not available. It was mixed with lime, sand and clay and used as cement for joining bricks. Jaggery, which is predominantly sucrose, upon reacting with calcium carbonate in lime and silica in clay, formed a very strong bond and becomes very hard with drying. Some examples of such buildings can still be seen in West Bengal and in other parts of India.

Destruction

Low quality jaggery, mixed with dust of tobacco, is used as tooth paste in many parts of India. It is so widely used that government earns some handsome revenue out of that. It is very popular and very addictive at the same time (I need not mention here that it is very harmful for the teeth and for overall health). Some people can be seen rubbing this crazy stuff on their teeth all day and night, very lazily. It is said to be a common sight in villages of India still.

Religion

Among Hindus, it is customary to take a bite of jaggery after attending funeral, along with Margo leaves, crushed black pepper and to touch fire and iron, as it is said to purify. In certain religious ceremonies and rituals, small idols of jaggery, rice paste and turmeric are prepared and offered to their regional Gods and Goddesses.

Irresistible

There are recorded instances where jaggery had been used as bait for hunting wild animals. It was dumped in the open so that wild animals would come attracted by its smell and fall prey to the hunters. Since jaggery contains salt in it, besides being sweet and having a strong aroma, animals like to lick it. Mixed with a number of ingredients such as ant eggs, ghee, edible oils, cardamom powder, nutmeg powder, mace, poppy seeds and a few other more expensive items, jaggery forms excellent fishing bait.

                                                                                                                              -K.C.C.
Anyone who wants to contribute to The Bleu Ribbon contact me at:            thebleuribbon@gmail.com

"www.answers.com/topic/jaggery" "www.wisegeek.com/what-is-jaggery.htm" "www.ask.com/wiki/Jaggery" "www.shahujaggery.com/Jaggery.html"

The Bleu Ribbon Newsletter & Blogspot

2011-02-16T21:34:00.000-08:00

                              The Bleu Ribbon Blog

      "The Bleu Ribbon" is a new independently organized, monthly news letter designed with the intention of giving the L.C.B. Boston students a new voice and way to share. The entire Le Cordon Bleu Boston community can benefit from our news letter by using it as an outlet to express themselves in various ways. Our plan for "The Bleu Ribbon" is to act as a mediator between students and staff, freshmen and upperclassmen, and everyone in between. A common ground! Email any question you may have about our academic and culinary community and we will go to the appropriate sources and get you answers. Submit an article, interview, short story, recipe, comic, puzzle or commentary to be featured in our own, student organized, independent news letter. We plan to feature interviews with our own Le Cordon Bleu chef instructors, academic faculty, enrollment representatives, financial aid counselors and even the schools president. No issue is too small or too large to try to shed some light on with this new, student driven, monthly news letter. Anyone can be a part of "The Blue Ribbon" with the common mission of bettering our culinary and academic community with communication and information. Don't deny yourself this opportunity to be heard, get involved, use your voice!

     We are working on a " month in review " approach so March's post is about February, April's issue is about March and so on. Any event dates, class or seminar scheduling will need to be submitted within a week before the first of the month which it takes place in, to be promoted. Teachers are also strongly encouraged to make submissions or suggestions to "The Bleu Ribbon" while our main focus is student voice and representation. All submissions will be anonymous unless otherwise indicated so don't be hesitant to email us about serious or sensitive issues, we will address them as tactfully and diligently as possible. We are relying on student submissions and volunteering to make this work to it's best potential, don't slack, this is for all of us!

Do you have a question about what to look forward to in your L.C.B. experience?
Do you have a special recipe or piece of art that you would like to share with your fellow students and teachers?
Would you like to share your story, culinary experience or personal opinions with the L.C.B. Boston community?
Do you love to cook? Do you like to entertain? Got something to say?

                                                                                         Please send all submissions to :
                                                                                         - thebleuribbon@gmail.com -

       THE BLEU RIBBON BLOG                              COMING SOON TO PAPER AT L.C.B. BOSTON

Letter from the editor-
     This is a student organized news letter and is not formally affiliated with Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts but I hope anyone writing about a serious beef with the school, teacher or peer, using really obscene or vulgar language, racist, sexist, generally negative stuff please grow up, don't be a jerk, we wont print it. Have fun, be funny, be honest with your opinions but please keep it mostly professional, say "business casual". This isnt a complaint box or means to share your "dirty laundry" show respect for our school, our art and your passion for cooking. At the end of the day, the food is the focus. We're all in this together to have the best learning experience possible.
                                                                                     - K.C.C.