2009 April Newsletter

 

  Feed Your Passion™ Recipes Newsletter
 
Chefs.com
 
Invest in Yourself: Get Your Culinary Education
Do you have a passion for cooking? Would you like to learn how to turn your passion into your profession? Invest in yourself this year by enrolling in a culinary program. The proper culinary training can prepare you for a fresh start in a new career. Potential job opportunities may include:
  • Specialty Cook
  • Food Preparation Worker
  • Pastry Chef
  • Baker
  • Private Household Cook
In addition to different job titles, your culinary education could lead to career opportunities in a variety of businesses, including restaurants, hotels, cruise ships, catering and more. Culinary schools offer hands-on learning environments where you can train alongside experienced faculty who've been there and can show you what it takes to succeed. You can learn to use your own creativity to make exciting new dishes and desserts. Go ahead; take the first step towards a rewarding future.

Are you ready to start down the path toward a culinary career? Get your culinary education today!
San Francisco Chicago Pasadena Portland Atlanta
Sacramento Seattle Pittsburgh Hollywood Austin
Las Vegas Dallas Orlando Scottsdale Boston
Minneapolis Miami
     

Mexican Antojitos ("little cravings")

 

 Mexico

by Claudia Alarcon

Just as Spain has tapas and the Middle East has mezze, Mexico has antojitos. Antojitos, meaning something close to little cravings, are generally made from corn dough and fried, but there are of course- exceptions.

Some antojitos are incredibly easy to make, some require various steps and are labor intensive, but the results are so well worth it. Some are well known, like enchiladas and tamales; some are more regional and require special ingredients.

Examples of an antojito is Jalapenos Rellenos (stuffed jalapenos), Papas con Chorizos, and Sincronizadas. Serve these little cravings with the salsa of your choice, and wash down with a cold Mexican beer or even better, a nice shot of premium tequila.
 
Jalapenos Rellenos Stuffed Jalapeno
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
 Ingredients
•1 12 oz. can jalapeno chiless, (whole and pickled "en escabeche") • 1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 lb. queso fresco, crumbled • salt to taste
• 2 Tbsps. olive oil • 1 tsp. dried oregano
 Instructions
Drain liquid from chiles and reserve. Make a vertical slit on each chile and carefully remove core and seeds. Rinse with cool water and drain well (soak in water and baking soda at this point, if desired). Mix cheeses well, add salt to taste and fill the chiles with the cheese mixture. Place on a platter. Combine 2 tablespoons of the reserved escabeche liquid with olive oil and drizzle over the chiles. Sprinkle with crumbled dried oregano.*
 
Chorizo Papas con Chorizos
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
 Ingredients
•2 Tbsps. vegetable oil or lard • 6 oz. Mexican chorizo
• 2 cups cooked potatoes, diced • 1 canned chipotle chile chopped
 Instructions
Heat a skillet and add oil or lard. Remove skin from chorizo and crumble onto skillet, cooking over low heat to render the fat. Add potatoes and chile (optional) and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until well seasoned, about 6-8 minutes. Add salt to taste. Use as a topping for sopes or as a filling for quesadillas.**
 
Sincronizadas Stuffed Jalapeno
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 120 minutes
 Ingredients
•24 wheat flour tortillas • 12 slices cooked ham & 12 cheese slices
 Instructions
Heat up a griddle or skillet. Place a tortilla, a slice of ham, and a slice of cheese and top with another tortilla. Cook each sincronizada on both sides until they begin to get brown speckles and the cheese is completely melted. Cut each in quarters and serve hot, with guacamole or the salsa of your choice on the side.***
  


 

Pomegranate Margaritas
SMargarita Perfect with any Mexican Antojitos

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 0 minutes

Ingredients
• 1/2 cup tequila
• 1/2 cup pomegranate liqueur
• 1/4 cup Triple Sec
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice

Instructions
In a pitcher, combine all ingredients with ice. Stir vigorously. Rim margarita glasses with sugar. Pour into margarita glasses over ice.****
 
Start the New Year Right

Thinking of investing in a culinary education? Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Contact a Financial Aid representative for planning assistance, and get started today on the road to new culinary career opportunities.

Programs vary by location.

Midwest Schools
>> The Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago
>> Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minneapolis, MN
Northeast Schools
>> Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Boston, Cambridge, MA
>> Pennsylvania Culinary Institute,
Pittsburgh, PA
Southern Schools
>> Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Atlanta,
Tucker, GA
>> Le Cordon Bleu Institute of Culinary Arts Dallas
>> Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Miami,
Miramar, FL
>> Orlando Culinary Academy
>> Texas Culinary Academy
Austin, TX
West Coast Schools
>> California School of Culinary Arts, Pasadena, CA
>> California School of Culinary Arts, Hollywood, CA
>> California Culinary Academy, San Francisco, CA
>> Kitchen Academy Sacramento
>> Kitchen Academy Seattle
>> Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Las Vegas
>> Scottsdale Culinary Institute Scottsdale, AZ
>> Western Culinary Institute, Portland, OR
 

 


 

*http://www.chefs.com/RecipeDetails.aspx?RecipeID=16128
**http://www.chefs.com/RecipeDetails.aspx?RecipeID=16126
***http://www.chefs.com/RecipeDetails.aspx?RecipeID=16127
****http://www.chefs.com/RecipeDetails.aspx?recipeID=17057

CEC2282008 - 4/09

Chefs.com
2895 Greenspoint Pkway
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169

Videos! Watch Now

Cooking Videos
Open House & Cooking Demonstrations

There's no better way to get a taste of what culinary school is really like, than by coming to an Open House and Cooking Demonstration.

Videos

Featured Articles! Educational & Informative

Take your passion for cooking to the next level.

Learn the way to a future in the culinary arts with training from leading culinary education schools.

More

Education! Culinary Cooking Schools

Culinary Cooking Schools
Explore the culinary cooking school offerings.

Pursue career opportunities in the culinary arts, pastry and baking or the hospitality industry!

More