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Kitchen Notes

by Nathan Hirsch - Metro Chef, Arizona

One of the best ways to enjoy Hatch chiles, from the Hatch Valley in New Mexico, is by roasting the chiles to remove their outer skin and seeds.  The easiest way to accomplish this is with your home broiler. Simply place your chiles on a sheet pan or roasting pan, and turn them every minute under the broiler until the skin is charred on all sides. Once charred, remove the chiles...

by Nathan Hirsch - Metro Chef, Arizona

There are dozens of varieties of basil around the world and it is a key component in Italian, Vietnamese, Thai and many others cuisines.  Although basil is primarily associated with the classic pesto sauce, there are an infinite number of both sweet and savory uses for this herb.  In Italy, basil is known as a symbol of love, a fitting title for the many foods it partners with and the...

by Barbara Wilder Pearlman - Metro Chef, San Fernando Valley

Radicchio is a vegetable in the chicory family, and has been around since ancient times. It is widely cultivated in Italy, especially in the Veneto region near Venice, but it is also grown year round in California with peak season lasting from mid-winter through early spring. It’s rich in fiber as well as Vitamin A, Vitamin C and calcium. It also contains intybin which stimulates the appetite...

by Chef Dennis Horton - Regional Metro Chef, South Bay/ Orange County/ San Diego

Asparagus comes from the Greek root word meaning sprout. It is native to the Mediterranean and was cultivated over 2,000 years ago.  There are many different varieties to choose from like white asparagus, violet –green asparagus, pencil thin asparagus and jumbo asparagus.  In China, asparagus is candied and eaten as a special treat, but it’s actually really easy to prepare and enjoy...