Hotel Restaurant Week - Atlanta

So you don’t think you can afford to eat at a high-end hotel? Think again, at least for a week. From March 31^st – April 7^th, you can experience a three (3) course meal with white-linen service at an Atlanta hotel for only $30!

Just in time for Spring Break, Hotel Restaurant Week (HRW) will celebrate its annual week-long evening dining event. HRW is an opportunity to discover the acclaimed cuisine, service and experience that only a hotel restaurant can deliver. Guests simply make a reservation at a participating hotel and select from a special three (3) course dinner menu for $30, plus tip and tax.

Still think that’s too much? A dinner at a restaurant such as Applebee’s runs close to that amount and you end up dealing with much more noise, distracting televisions, and long waits.

Let’s do the math based on what you may order from Applebee’s:

Appetizer: Spinach Dip - $7.59

Entrée: Cajun Shrimp Pasta - $12.99

Dessert: Maple Butter Blonde - $5.49

Total: $26.07

For $3.93 more, you can enjoy a better ambiance and top notch service. If you want to treat yourself during Spring Break, consider this option! Visit www.hotelrestaurantweek.com for a list of participating hotels. Don’t pay attention to the date at the top of the website. I think they were so excited, they forgot to change it from last year’s dates.

Remember to make reservations!

From a Slave to an Author

As I embark upon the release of my very first literary project, something hit me like a ton of bricks. this is monumental for my bloodline. No one has ever written and published a book in my lineage that I am aware of - let alone a cookbook.

One of my greatest possessions is a book by Rufus Estes, the First African-American Chef to write a cookbook. I keep this book on my desk at home and often carry it with me to work. I have never tried any of the recipes inside. That's not why I have it. I use it a motivation and a reason to try not to make excuses.

Rufus Estes was born a slave but managed to become a chef and write the first cookbook written by a Black man.

Today, I and many other Black chefs can follow in his footsteps.

For more information on my book release, visit: www.chefdesmond.com/events

Sweet and Sour Shrimp (with Homemade Sauce)

 

For Sweet and Sour Sauce:

Ingredients…

4 ripe plum tomatoes, seeded

2 ounces agave nectar

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Juice of 1 lime

1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce

Directions…

Place all ingredients into a food processor and blend for 30 seconds. Reserve.

For Shrimp and Vegetables:

Ingredients…

1 pound large (16-20) count shrimp, peeled, cleaned, de-veined

2 ounces bok choy, chopped

2 ounces red onion, julienne

1 ounce carrots, shredded

2 ounces red pepper, julienne

1 ounce celery sliced thin

½ cup fresh pineapple, cubed

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 

Directions…

In a heavy sauté pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onions, peppers, celery, and carrots. Cook for 2-3 minutes.

Add shrimp and cook for3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add sauce and cook for 3 minutes. As sauce begins to simmer, add bok choy and pineapples.

Cook additional 2-3 minutes or until shrimp reaches 145 degrees for 15 seconds.

Serves 4

Combating Food Deserts

If you are not familiar with the term Food Deserts, they can be described as areas within cities where healthful, affordable food is difficult to obtain. Food deserts are usually found in rural and urban areas - mostly in low-socioeconomic minority communities. They are associated with a variety of diet-related health problems and are also linked with supermarket shortage.

In the African American and other minority communities, the numbers for Obesity and Diabetes are greater than that of the more affluent neighborhoods. Take Atlanta for example. The map below (as reported by the Atlanta Regional Commission) shows the difference in access to Fast Food versus Fresh Food by area. I added the black square to highlight that area I grew up in.

The Atlanta Regional Commission states that, "the blue and green indicate better access to fast foods, while the browns indicate better access to fresh foods. In general, residents living along the GA 400 corridor have the best access to grocery stores, while the residents living in west Atlanta and south of I-20 have the best access to fast foods."

You will notice that the area where I grew up has a high availability of fast foods, but not fresh foods. 


The same, I'm sure can be said for many cities in America. I stumbled upon a video about the lack of fresh food available in West Oakland, California. The greatest thing about this video was that there was a solution being offered and executed by the folks at Mandela Market Place - bringing the fresh food to the hood. Check out the video below.

We all know that most major supermarkets will not bring their business to the hood. The question is, what else can be done with the resources that we already have?

Merry Chocolate!

Mr. FedEx rang the doorbell this afternoon with a package for Desmond's Culinary Services. The box was too large to contain a check and too small to house a full set of Global knives (if anyone from Global reads this, holla at me!). It was, however, the perfect size to hold my box of exotic collection of Haut Chocolat by Vosges Chocolate. This is not your average chocolate!

These truffles are made with ingredients such as Chinese Star Anise, Guajillo & Pasilla Chillies, Fennel, Candied Violet Flower, and Wasabi. Some even contain liqueurs like  Cointreau.

I have never been a big fan of Dark Chocolate as it is a little too bitter for my palate - but I had to taste them all. I actually liked the Tanzanie Dark Chocolate though! My best experiences were with the Milk Chocolate varieties. I decided to share my top three:

#3 - Wink of the Rabbit

Soft Caramel, Milk Chocolate, and Organic New Mexican Pecan

#2 - Naga

Sweet Indian Curry Powder, Coconut, and Milk Chocolate

#1 - Gianduia

Crunchy Hazelnut Praline, Milk Chocolate, and Praline Bits

The most surprising to me was the Naga. I never knew Curry and Chocolate could marry so well!

Great Christmas Gift!!!

Whole Grain Risotto

1 cup Short Grain Rice Blend  

2 cups Cold Water

1 tablespoon Salted Butter

¼ cup Fresh Parsley, chopped

½ cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese

Kosher and Pepper, to taste

Instructions:

In a heavy sauce pan combine rice, water, butter, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Mix well and reduce to a simmer. Cover and let cook for 40 minutes.

Uncover and fluff with a fork. Add cheese and parsley and mix well.

Serves 4

Vanilla Apple Crisp with Cognac Cream Sauce

For Apple Mixture:
4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled and cubed

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon cornstarch 

Directions...
Melt butter over medium high heat
Add apples and saute for 2-3 minutes
Add both sugars and mix well, cooking for 5 minutes; stirring occasionally
Mix in vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch
Remove from heat and cover


For Topping:
2 cups old fashioned oats
4 oz butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon flour


Directions...
Combine oats, flour, and sugar
Cut butter into the mixture and rub together with your hands to make a crumble

To Assemble:
With a slotted spoon, remove the apples from the pan (reserving the liquid) and place in a greased baking pan
Top with oats mixture and back at 375'F for 15-20 minutes until topping is golden brown

For Sauce:
Reserved liquid from apples
1/4 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon cognac (Conjure is suggested)

Directions…

Add heavy cream to the reserved liquid form the apples, mixing well
Mix in cognac and bring to a simmer
Remove from heat and drizzle on top of apple crisp