The Edible Garden - October 16th, 2010 - Cooking Demonstrations at the Conservatory Kitchen at New york Botanical Gardens with Mario Batali, Michael Psilakis and Marc Forgione and Book Signings.

The Edible Garden

 

Through October 17

     The Edible Garden - October 16th, 2010 - Cooking Demonstrations at the Conservatory Kitchen at New york  Botanical Gardens with Mario Batali, Michael Psilakis and Marc Forgione and Book Signings. 

     The day was gorgeous but windy and there was plenty of food to taste at the NYBG which was amazing. A culinary giant, an Iron Chef of America Mario Batali stepped on the stage to cook for the eager audiences and fans and afterward proceeded to the special area where he did the book signing for everyone who was interested in purchasing the book. The line was tremendous and the signing continued for over an hour. Smiles were everywhere and Mr. Batali was a gracious and friendly with his fans while signing the book "Molto Gusto: Easy Italian Cooking" and also answering questions and giving advice on cooking and shopping for the freshest herbs and veggies.

#1 Mario Batali


#2 Mario Batali


#3 Mario Batali


#4 Mario Batali


#5 Mario Batali


#6 Mario Batali


#7 Mario Batali

Mario Batali

Mario Batali

Mario Batali

Mario Batali

Mario Batali and Anna Kuchma

People waiting in line to get the Cookbook Signed by Mario Batali

The Edible Garden
Recipe featured at the Final Festival Weekend demonstration, 
October 16


Mortadella Ripiena (Stuffed Mortadella)
  By: Mario Batali, chef and author of Molto Gusto: Easy Italian Cooking


Ingredients (Serves 6)
24 thin slices mortadella 
12 ounces fresh soft goat cheese or fresh ricotta, cut into 12 equal pieces
12 fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Toothpicks

Instructions
1.   Stack 2 slices of mortadella on top of each other. Place about 1 ounce of the cheese in
the very center of the mortadella. Press a basil leaf down on top of the cheese.
2.   Fold the bottom of the mortadella over the cheese, then fold over the sides and roll up
the cheese in the mortadella (like a burrito). Secure each one with a toothpick. Repeat
with the remaining ingredients.
3.   In a 12-inch nonstick saute pan, heat olive oil until relatively hot. Add the mortadella
packets, flat side down. Cook for two minutes, turn them over, and cook for one more
minute or until golden brown. You can also dredge the packet in a little bit of oil and
place it on a grill.
4.    Serve the mortadella packets with a fresh basil leaf on top.
                                                                                Recipe courtesy of Molto Gusto (ecco 2010)

     Michael Psilakis - Chef and Owner, Kefi, and Cookbook Author was really fun especially during he presentation. Full of energy and various tips on how to achieve something great tasting opnly with few ingridients available at the herb garden was his task which he nailed perfectly. The Salad "Tomato, String Bean, and Artichoke Salad" was delicious.

#1 Michael Psilakis Chef and Owner, Kefi, and Cookbook Author


#2 Michael Psilakis Chef and Owner, Kefi, and Cookbook Author


#3 Michael Psilakis Chef and Owner, Kefi, and Cookbook Author

Michael Psilakis 

Michael Psilakis

Michael Psilakis

Michael Psilakis

The Edible Garden
Recipe featured at the Final Festival Weekend demonstration, 
October 16
Tomato, String Bean, and Artichoke Salad
By: Michael Psilakis, chef and owner, Kefi, and cookbook author
 

Ingredients (Serves 4, or more, as part of a larger spread)
¼ pound green beans, ends trimmed
¼ pound yellow wax beans, ends trimmed
1/3 to ½ cup red wine vinegar and feta vinaigrette
2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
4 vine-ripe tomatoes, preferably heirloom, cut into rough wedges
3 pieces artichokes   
½ piece cucumber
2 sprigs spearmint 
2 pieces shallot
1 teaspoon dry Greek oregano
½ small red onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings
6 small, picked sprigs parsley, torn
6 small, picked sprigs dill, torn
16 leaves of fresh mint, torn
Kosher salt and coarsely cracked
Black pepper

Instructions
1.   Prepare an ice water bath and bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch the beans
until tender but still snappy, about 3 minutes, then shock them in the ice water bath
and swish around. Drain well and dry on a clean towel.
2.   In a bowl, combine the beans, vinaigrette, feta, tomatoes, oregano, red onion,
cucumber, shallot, artichokes, and torn herbs. Toss well with clean hands. Taste and
adjust the seasoning with kosher salt and pepper.
3.   If you wish, add toasted chunks of day-old bread, brushed with extra-virgin olive oil
and seasoned with sea salt and pepper.
 

     Marc Forgione cooked for the audiences

Marc Forgione

Marc Forgione

• Barbeque Baked Oysters with Bacon Powder and Ararat
• Barbeque Baked Oysters with Bacon Powder and Ararat
        By: Marc Forgione, chef and co-owner, Marc Forgione
  
  #1 Marc Forgione Chef and Co-Owner, Marc Forgione
  
  
  #2 Marc Forgione Chef and Co-Owner, Marc Forgione
  
  
  #3 Marc Forgione Chef and Co-Owner, Marc Forgione
  
  
  
  Ingredients
  for the oysters
  ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  ¼ cup unsalted butter
  1 red pepper
  1 jalapeno pepper
  ½ red onion
  2 tablespoon Ararat  
  ¼ cup pepper jack cheese
  2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  2 tablespoons chopped chives
  1 ½ cup milk
  1 dozen shucked hummock island oysters
  1 cup barbeque sauce
  
  for the bacon powder
  4 thin slices bacon
  
  Instructions
  1.   Saute the vegetables in the butter, then once soft, add the Ararat. Whisk in the flour
  and cook for about 1 minute on medium heat.
  2.   Whisk in the milk and transfer to a pot. Cook it on medium heat, stirring every
  minute or so for about 15 minutes (until you can not taste the flour). 
  3.   Cover each oyster with the béchamel and brush each with the barbeque sauce. 
  4.   Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake 4 thin slices of bacon until crispy. Pat
  them dry with a paper towel and mince. Leave it in a warm place on a plate lined with
  a paper towel until crispy again. 
  5.   Broil the oysters until the béchamel is bubbling (about 2-3 minutes). Sprinkle with
  bacon powder and a little more Ararat. Serve with lime wedges and cilantro sprigs. 
• Chili Lobster with Texas Toast
• Olde Salt Clams, Black Garlic Jus, Braised Pork Belly 

Marc Forgione

Marc Forgione

The Edible Garden
Recipe featured at the Final Festival Weekend demonstration, 
October 16


Olde Salt Clams, Black Garlic Jus, Braised Pork Belly
      By: Marc Forgione, chef and co-owner, Marc Forgione

Ingredients
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 cup white wine
1 cup chicken stock
1 pound olde salt clams
2 tablespoon black garlic puree
Koppert cress pea shoots
4 Matstutake mushrooms
4 slices pork belly
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Crusty bread
Red pepper flakes

Instructions
1.   Saute the garlic and parsley in the olive oil until the garlic is toasted. Add wine, stock,
and clams and cover until the clams open. While the clams are cooking warm 4 bowls
in the oven. 
2.   Place the thinly sliced pork belly on each plate, some pea shoots, and thinly sliced
matsutake mushrooms. 
3.   With a slotted spoon, divide the clams into the 4 bowls, then return the pot back to
temperature and whisk in the black garlic puree. Ladle the broth into each bowl and
serve with bread and lots of chili flakes. 



Here is a Slide show of all the pictures