Nashville TN – The Salted Table

(ENDED) Cooking Class: Southern Supper + Stories w/ University School Evening Classes

Do you enjoy cooking classes? Do you like the one-on-one interaction with a culinary professional? Do you enjoy eating a meal you got to watch be prepared in front of you? Well, I’m offering you just that on February 9, 2018!

It’s going to be my third year teaching a cooking class with my friends at The University School of Nashville, and I’m truly excited for this year’s class. I’ve decided to share with you some stories from my life growing up in East Tennessee. And I hope that doesn’t feel as boring as I think it does, because you haven’t lived until you’ve gotten off the school bus and seen squirrels being skinned or a turtle boiling in an extra large stock pot. Also, spoiler alert, I don’t recommend this class for my vegetarian/vegan friends. Sorry.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to experience a class with The University School of Nashville, then you are missing out. There will be wine, delicious food to gather around, and hopefully you’ll leave with some ‘new’ friends who love a good meal just like yourself! Did I mention, there’s wine?

Once you register for the class by clicking this link, you will receive an email from USN about the location of the class. Its typically in the home of a parent of a child who attends USN, and the kitchen is always spacious and houses everyone comfortably for the evening. There’s no worrying about the tall guy standing in front of you like a concert at Exit/Inn (you Nashvillians understand where I’m coming from).

Feel free to bring an apron with you if you would like to assist me with any chopping, stirring or maybe just some taste-testing. I encourage all of those things whole-heartedly! I’ve always been a believer that food taste best when enjoyed with company, and I look forward to sharing that belief with you. And I’ll leave you to be the judge once the class is over!

Not too mention! Half the fee goes to fund a need-based scholarship endowment at USN. So you’re eating for a good cause! At least, that is how I see it! There’s more info below from the USN Evening Classes website below. See you there friends!

HOW TO REGISTER

Online: Go to the Class Catalog to sign up for classes. We accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.

Phone: Call 615-321-8019 between 9 am and 3 pm weekdays beginning Thursday, December 7th. Have your class numbers and VISA/MasterCard/American Express credit card information ready. Please do not leave registration information on the voice mail system: it will not be processed.

Mail: Print out the registration form and mail it with a check (made out to USN Evening Classes) or your VISA, MasterCard, or American Express credit card information to:

USN Evening Classes, 2000 Edgehill Ave., Nashville, TN 37212. Registration forms will not be processed until December 7th, 2017.

Students are not considered registered until full payment is received. Students will receive a confirmation vie email or mail. Please note: only registered students may attend class. We do not allow students to bring guests. Students may enroll in most classes up to the date of the class, space permitting. Instructors cannot accept fees.

These images were taken for a photoshoot for Trim Menswear by my talented friends at Eesome Co. If you check the website, you might see a familiar face! And grab some incredibly comfortable t-shirts while your at it!

Roasted Grape Vinaigrette

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I hated grapes as a kid but I made an exception for them if they were peeled. Yes, I was that kid and it still pertains to some tannic skinned fruits today. I also didn’t like the seeds which just made me all kinds of high maintenance for my mom when trying to get me to eat them – whether it be an afternoon snack or snook into my Marvel comic laced lunch box. 5b9e1356-8d89-4234-978c-d4cf317d2f31

aac18d07-cd28-4cbb-970a-25da0a8e3c62 And then when I was around 6 or 7, I’m not sure, we found out that I was allergic to everything that bloomed or breathed in nature. It was a rough life as a kid but it was a good life nonetheless, once you find out all the things you’re allergic to, you simply calculate your next move, like chess, and carry-on. There were moments when I’d reach for something and forget to read the label, a few arm scratches later and all my senses were aroused and I was scrambling for Benadryl and a puff of my inhaler. Yes, allergies and asthma is no fun as an energetic youth who had a passion for life the way I did. But I survived and I’m here to tell you all about it.

These days my allergies have somewhat tamed down. I no longer require a weekly visit to get allergy shots and I am able to eat half of the foods I used to be allergic to. So I occasionally enjoy a handful of grapes as long as they’re washed thoroughly – because I learned that with some of my allergies it was about the tree or vine that the fruit itself grew on…interesting huh? 3fa33a5e-400a-4597-8750-3ea5fef82c62

I later learned that it was called OAS, Oral Allergy Syndrome, and it happens when one eats raw or uncooked fruit. You can read more about it here. Once I discovered that it had a name, life became a little bit easier and I was like give me all the fruit pie I can stand! And one frustrating thing about the allergy is that I didn’t always have symptoms – it happened when I was about 7 or 8 years of age. And till this day, there are those days where I all I long for is a juicy peach or sweet gala apple to be devoured in the palm of my hand.

I won’t even tell you about how heartbroken I was when tomatoes got thrown in to the mix…le sigh. Any who, I’m done depressing you about my allergy problems, let’s get to the roasted grape vinaigrette. I really hope you all will give this a try. It’s really delicious and I believe that it would be great on/in a variety of things from salads, wraps to your yogurt bowl (yes, your yogurt bowl). 2de95a07-f590-422b-8f58-8bb9f9e19256

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Roasted Grape Vinaigrette

1.5-2 lbs seedless grapes
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (optional)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp kosher salt (to taste)

Method

1.Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Remove your grapes from the vine, rinse them thoroughly and pat them dry. Place them in a bowl and toss them in 1 tablespoon oil, and sprinkle a about a teaspoon of salt making sure that everything is coated evenly. Pour onto a sheet pan and roast for about 16-20 minutes, or until skin begins to wrinkle and juices begin to caramelize on the pan. I used my Williams-Sonoma Gold Touch non-stick pan for easy clean up.

2. Once the grapes are room temp or completely cooled, transfer them into a blender with the oil and puree until smooth. There is no need to stream in your oil. Scrape down the sides and once your puree is nice and smooth, add your vinegar, sugar and a little salt as you go until it is seasoned to your liking.

3. Transfer your vinaigrette to an airtight container and keep it in your fridge, it will keep a little over a week if you let it last that long.

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Grilled Bone-In Ribeye & Garlic Butter Asparagus from America’s Test Kitchen’s Master Of The Grill Cookbook

America's Test Kitchen, Food photography, black chef

I’m not sure why 2016 is in such a rush but it may be causing me to lose track of time. It only seems as though yesterday, I was driving down the highway admiring Spring’s cascade of honeysuckle that laced both sides of the road. It feels like every year, I’m constantly reminding myself to pick honeysuckle to make simple syrup and I never get around to it, but I digress – we’re here to talk grilling.

Why, yes – Summer crept in like a thief in the night and without any apology but I’m not complaining. The Tennessee heat is harassing every brow and back with puddles of perspiration, children are frolicking across freshly mowed lawns and backyards are sending up billowing smoke signal invitations to everyone in the neighborhood. Summer is an open invitation to keep your house cool and your oven in hibernation while the grill carries the load for a while. I’m honored to be partnering with America’s Test Kitchen to share some grilling tips and flawless recipes for your summer entertaining. ATK’s latest addition to their extensive cookbook collection is all about grilling, and it spares no details when it comes to all the tools and knowledge you’ll need to be a Grilling Guru this season.

asparagus, food photography, americas test kitchen, health eating

Grilling, Charcoal, Chimney Starter, ATKgrill

I have a pretty extensive cookbook collection and they all serve one purpose or another, they all have their tips to offer, some, I’m a die-hard believer in and others I take with a grain of salt. But this cookbook, or better yet – ‘guide,’ shall we say, in particular, is pretty much spot on with the techniques and approaches to what I feel is intimidating to the masses.

Americas Test Kitchen, Grilling Food

Ribeye Steak, Recipes, Grilling, Americas Test Kitchen

When I grill I use one-hundred percent all-natural hardwood lump charcoal, I like the flavor it imparts and I’ve used it for so long I couldn’t tell you why I left behind all the other options as it pertains to flavor, but I won’t be changing back anytime soon. I will say that I learned a little something during this process that was never apart of my barbecuing/cookout experiences growing up in East Tennessee. We never used a charcoal chimney – it was simply crumbled up newspaper nestled in the bottom of the grill and the charcoal arranged evenly over the top, a generous squeeze of lighter fluid and dinner was in motion. I must say though, I will never touch lighter fluid again due to my palate still having nightmares about the harsh aftertaste it leaves behind from excessive usage. I prefer the lump charcoal, it burns clean, quick and easy, and the flavor is awesome. But I always encourage everyone to do their research, and find what works for you.

When flipping through the book to find recipes to share with you guys, I wanted to do something different but since whatever I chose to prepare would also be dinner – I went with beef…because beef. I didn’t purchase anything too expensive, I purchased two bone-in ribeye from a local grocer for about twenty-six bucks and a bundle of asparagus for about three bucks. And compared to what we would’ve spent on a steak dinner out, this was a great deal in my book. I cooked the steak to medium but there are instructions in the book to guide you along on how to cook the meat to your preferred temperature. Remember, thermometers are always your best friend when cooking meat, or really most things in the kitchen!

Americas Test Kitchen, Steak Recipes, Grilling

I’ve been reading this book on and off for the last three weeks and I’m amazed at all the info that is crammed into roughly 430 pages, everything you ever wanted to know about seasoning, proper tools, recipe tricks, and more that will definitely equip to you to be a master of the grill. I hope you guys enjoy these two recipes as much as I did. The steak was so full of flavor and juicy, and the asparagus was a garlic-y, buttery dream with a little char for intrigue. Trust me when i say this won’t be just another book that collects dust on the shelf, you can purchase the book here. Cheers to grilling perfection!

Americas Test Kitchen

The Ultimate Steak
2 (1 1/4-to 1 1/2 pound) double-cut bone-in ribeye steaks, 1 3/4 to 2 inches thick, trimmed
4 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons pepper

1. Set wire rack in rimmed baking sheet. Pat steaks dry with paper towels and sprinkle all over with salt. Place steaks on prepared rack and let stand at room temperature until meat registers 55 degrees, about 1 hour. Rub steaks with oil and sprinkle with pepper.

2A. FOR A CHARCOAL GRILL Open bottom vent half-way. Arrange 4-quarts unlit charcoal briquettes even layer over half of grill. Light large chimney starter one-third filled with charcoal briquettes(2 quarts). When top coals are partially covered with ash, pour evenly over unlit coals. Set cooking gratin place, cover, and open lid vent halfway. Heat grill until hot, about 5 minutes.

2B. FOR A GAS GRILL Turn all burners high, cover, and heat grill until hot, about 15 minutes. Turn primary burner to medium-low and turn off other burner(s). (Adjust primary burner as needed to maintain grill temperature around 300 degrees.)

3. Clean and oil cooking grate. Place steaks on cooler side of the grill with bones facing fire. Cover and cook until steaks register 75 degrees, 10 to 20 minutes. Flip steaks, keeping the bones facing fire. Cover and continue to cook until steaks register 95 degrees, 10 to 20 minutes.

4. If using charcoal, slide steaks to hotter side of grill. If using gas, remove steaks from the grill, turn primary burner to high, and heat until hot, about 5 minutes; place steaks over primary burner. Cover and cook until well browned and steaks register 120 to 125 degrees (for medium-rare) about 4-minutes per side. Transfer steaks to a clean wire rack set in rimmed baking sheet, tent with aluminum foil, and let rest for 15-minutes. Transfer steaks to carving board, meat from bone, and slice into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Serve.

Grilled Asparagus

Serves 4 to 6
Use asparagus that is at least 1/2 inch thick near the base. Do not use pencil-thin asparagus; it can not withstand the heat and will overcook. Age affects the of asparagus enormously. For the sweetest taste, look for spears that bright green and firm, with tightly closed tips.

1 1/2 pounds thick asparagus spears, trimmed
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3 minced garlic cloves
Salt and pepper

1A FOR A CHARCOAL GRILL Open bottom vent completely. Light large chimney starter three-quarters filled with charcoal briquettes (4 1/2 quarts). When top coals are partially covered with ash, pour evenly over grill. Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, about 5 minutes.

1B FOR A GAS GRILL Turn all burners high, cover, and heat grill until hot, about 15 minutes. Turn all burners to medium-high.

2 Brush asparagus with melted butter and season with salt and pepper.

3 Clean and oil cooking grate. Place asparagus in even layer on grill and until just tender and browned, 4-10 minutes, turning halfway through cooking. Transfer asparagus to platter and serve.

This post was written in partnership with America’ Test Kitchen. All thoughts and opinions are mine. Master Of The Grill

Salted Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies & The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap

Peanut Butter, Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Cancer, Pediatric Cancer, Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap, Cookies for kids Cancer If doctors would prescribe baking to their patients, one might say “that the world would be a happier place.” I know, I know, don’t judge me for possessing a bit of childlike whimsy. But what if cookies had the capability of curing the worst of illnesses? And what if you could choose the type of cookie that cured your unwanted illness or disease? What if a chocolate chip cookie were capable of curing the chickenpox , a simple sugar cookie doused with sprinkles could cure pneumonia or just maybe a salted peanut butter chocolate chip oatmeal cookie took away your cancer?

My cookie choice for this year’s Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap was inspired by this notion, the notion that cookies have the power to heal. And it was my desire to chock this cookie full with all of my favorite things from chocolate to peanut butter and a warm bowl of oatmeal in the morning. So needless to say, these cookies are best enjoyed fresh from the oven. And don’t cut your self short, I used Ghirardelli chocolate chips, Good Spread Peanut Butter, Dixie Crystals brown sugar, local eggs, and Land O’ Lakes unsalted butter. Lets cut to the chase, if you’re trying to cure an illness or disease, you should probably use the best ingredients available. The Salted Table

If you’re not familiar with the Cookies for Kid’s Cancer, its a non-profit formed to fund research for pediatric cancer, the #1 disease killer of children in the U.S. It’s an organization that is near and dear to me since my father in law, and wife have both fought the disease and my mother in law was currently diagnosed with it. We never plan on life handing us these tragic occurrences but when they do, a cookie in hand couldn’t hurt anything.

When these cookies came out of the oven, I couldn’t help but to smile. For One, they smelled like an autumn day from my childhood — two, they were purty, and when cookies come out looking beautiful and idea, it always puts a smile on this ol’ heart and its my hope that they will do the same for you. Merry Christmas to you and yours, be sure to eat your fair share of cookies, they may keep you from an unwanted illness…fingers crossed and prayers up. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Salted Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup AP flour – unbleached
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp kosher salt
1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, room temp
½ cup Good Spread peanut butter
½ cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup light brown sugar
½ teaspoon Nielsen Massey vanilla extract
1 medium egg
½ cup Quaker old-fashioned oats
1 cup Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips

1 Tablespoon of kosher salt for sprinkling

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheet pans with Dixie Crystals silicone baking sheets.

2. Whisk together the AP flour, baking soda & salt; set aside.

3. On medium speed, cream together the butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract, about 2 minutes or so. Add the egg and beat to combine. On low-speed, slowly add the flour until just combined. Stir in the old-fashioned oats, and then the chocolate chips.

4. Use a large ice cream scoop (roughly 3 tablespoons) & drop dough onto silicone baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Sprinkle with kosher salt according to your preference. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden (slightly undercooked). Cool completely on the silicone baking sheet & then store in an airtight container. Do not put cookies in the fridge…unless you like cold cookies.

Cast-Iron Skillet Chipotle Chili

Cast-Iron Chipotle Chili We could go around in circles discussing whether or not ‘real chili’ has beans in it or not. But I’m simply going to shut down that discussion because I’ve never known chili to ‘not have’ beans in it until I saw something about it on a cooking show, and all the Texans were giving the rest of us ‘bean in our chili’ eaters the “thumbs down”. And that’s ok…we forgive them!
In my book chili is an all year around meal because you can dress it up or dress it down according to the season. In the Spring, maybe you want a chili chock-full of full of fresh vegetables, and in the Summer maybe you desire something like a white chicken chili in a light broth. But it is indeed, undisputed that when the breeze begins to roll in from the hills and those leaves begin to burst into shades of burnt orange, cranberry and coffee — I want all the beef and canned tomato goodness with a kiss of peppery heat that one can stand, to fill my bowl to the brim. And this recipe gives you nothing less than that. Cast-Iron Chipotle Chili : The Salted Table
This recipe is also great for the adventurer within, so maybe you want to have a campfire in the backyard and invite a few friends or hang with the kids, maybe there’s a camping trip in your near future? This is the chili you’re gonna want for those “chili” nights in the wilderness.

You may be wondering why this chili isn’t smothered in avocado, sour cream, cheese and onions. If you are a lover of toppings then feel free because this chili may need to be cooled down if you’re sensitive to heat but I tend to be a purest if something’s made well and this chili is pretty darn perfect! So grab a warm blanket and eat a bowl…or two for me. The Salted Table Food Blog, The Salted Table, Nashville TN, Nashville Food Bloggers, Chefs, Personal Chef, Food Photography, Food Styling

Cast-Iron Skillet Chipotle Chili

1 lb 80/20 ground beef
3 Tablespoons Chipotle Chilies in Adobo (diced)
2 14.5 oz cans Red Beans
2 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes
3 Heavy Tablespoons Chili Powder
2 Tablespoons Ground Cumin
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt (to taste)

Method
1. Place your cast-iron over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef and crumble with a wooden spoon. Stir occasionally, breaking down the chunks of beef until meat is fully browned/cooked. Allow the liquid from your beef to reduce by half then, add your chipotle chiles, chili powder, ground cumin, granulated garlic, and salt. Stir until spice are incorporated into the beef but be careful not to burn, you may need to turn down your heat.

2. Drain excess liquid from your beans and add them to the beef along with your tomatoes. While occasionally stirring, you’re going to allow this to cook for about 20-30 minutes until the liquid begins to thicken and you have a hearty looking chili. Then you can taste to see if you need to add anymore seasoning. Cast-Iron Skillet Chipotle Chili, Quick Chili Recipes, Cooking, Dinner, Camping Food, Autumn Chili, Autumn Foods, Nashville TN, Food Photography

Notes:

Using dry beans: If you opt to use dry beans, simply soak them in luke warm water the night before you prepare the chili, this will cut down you’re cooking time though the beans will still need to be boiled off before allowing to cook in a cast-iron skillet. Cast-Iron Skillet Chipotle Chili