On March 19th, Living the Gourmet had the distinct pleasure of being invited to the unveiling of Chef Michael Symon’s spring menu, hosted at the Institute of Culinary Education, and sponsored by BlueStar cooking products.
With a setting vaguely reminiscent of a posh modern restaurant, the night was set against an alternating backdrop of upbeat pop and reggae tunes. Photographers roamed the room, while a pair of waiters, dressed in crisp white attire, served drinks from an exquisitely set marble bar. Lines of quick chatter and reserved laughter drifted like a cloud back and forth through the room as the media in attendance mingled across overworked smartphones.
Dominating gold tones, punctuated by displays of modern art, set the visual tone for the evening. If presentation is everything, the night was already a success.
The night’s star, being a television personality, owner of eighteen restaurants, and a multiple bestselling author, it would be no surprise if Chef Symon were to present himself with an air of hard earned authority. However, from the moment I clumsily extended my hand to introduce myself across his lit stove, it was like encountering an old friend. He instantly left his set, shook my hand a second time, and offered to take pictures with the three of us from Living the Gourmet.
Not only was I was impressed and put at ease, but I was now even more eager to see what the Chef had to offer.
As if on cue, just as we finished taking selfies with the chef, waiters with trays hors d'oeuvres began making their rounds through the assembled media. It was Chef Symon’s first offering – Lamb Keftedes.
A traditional Greek item, Chef Symon’s Lamb Keftedes greet the palette with familiar Mediterranean flavors, chiefly oil roasted garlic and onion carried on well-seasoned, perfectly cooked lamb alongside faint hints of cinnamon and cumin.
The second appetizer was a zucchini fritter with feta and dill, served with a dollop of Greek yogurt. Fresh and light, the dish struck a perfect balance between the warm rustic textures of the fritter and the cool, smooth qualities of the accompanying yogurt. While never stated, I felt that this dish was meant primarily to cleanse the palette in anticipation of the main courses.
After the appetizers, Chef Symon took to his set, and began the cooking demonstration. With the night sponsored by BlueStar, Chef Symon made a number of well-placed, seamlessly integrated references to the appliances on which he was cooking throughout the demonstration, and relayed how he uses a BlueStar oven in his own home.
The first item served was a spring pea crostini, which I felt played into the fresh cooking theme of the Chef’s new book, 5-In-5, while also making for a simple yet satisfying beginning to the meal, as well as setting the tone for what was to come. This was followed by a cavatelli prepared with lemon, butter and sage, expertly demonstrating the Chef’s current ‘less is more’ philosophy.
During the preparation of the cavatelli, the Chef gave a few pointers on preparing pasta. For example, he explained that one ought to liberally salt the pasta water prior to cooking, until it’s almost ‘sea water,’ as he put it.
The finished cavatalli was a deceivingly simple dish of ground pepper, fresh sage, butter and lemon, making for an exceptionally smooth and well balanced pasta. Served family style, it wasn’t difficult to imagine the dish serving equally well in a less formal venue, or even at home.
The next dish, and main plate, was a half-roasted chicken served over a shaved asparagus salad. Again, measured simplicity was key to the Chef’s theme, with the chicken sautéed in oil, kosher salt and fresh pepper. The dish’s true elegance, however, rested in its bed of asparagus prepared with pecorino Romano cheese, wine vinegar, and orange zest, making for a harmonious and rustic Mediterranean blend of flavors.
The meal concluded with a blackberry, blueberry, and strawberry crisp dessert, served with fresh whipped cream. Lemon zest and balsamic vinegar lent the crisp a savory flavor, while a brown sugar and cinnamon topping provided a hint of sweet contrast.
When the meal and cooking demonstration had ended, I found myself thinking that with this unveiling being a sign of things to come, that we can all look forward to continued excellence from Chef Symon. With an emphasis on fresh ingredients and elegant simplicity, combined with the Chef’s infectious charisma, it was a wonderfully pleasant evening.
With that said, I can wholeheartedly recommend not only Chef Symon’s new book Michael Symon's 5 in 5: 5 Fresh Ingredients + 5 Minutes = 120 Fantastic Dinners
Pork Saltimbocca
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
- 6 (4-ounce) pieces pork tenderloin
- 6 or more fresh basil leaves
- 6 thin slices Prosciutto
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup olive oil
For the Salad:
- 4 cups loosely packed arugula
- Grape tomatoes for garnish
- Freshly grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
Instructions
- Place a piece of plastic wrap over each piece of pork and gently pound with a hammer to flatten.
- Place the flour in a shallow bowl and season with salt and pepper.
- Dredge the each piece of pork in the flour and shake off the excess.
- Wrap each piece of pork with a slice of prosciutto.
- Put a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the olive oil to the preheated pan.
- Add the wrapped pork and cook until light golden; about 2 minutes per side.
- Add the basil leaved to gently crisp; remove and to serve over the pork and arugula.
- Plate the arugula.
- Combine the ingredients for the salad dressing and drizzle a little over the salad.
- Place the warm pork over the salad, followed by the crisped basil leaves and grated Parmesan or Romano cheese.
- Garnish with the tomatoes and serve.
Notes
Adapted from: Michael Symon’s 5-in-5
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Written by Michael Pappas | Catherine Pappas
1
Comedy Plus says
Wow, you're really rubbing elbows with great chefs. Awesome. I'm so proud of you.
Have a fabulous day. Big hugs. ♥♥♥
★★★★★
Jerry E. Beuterbaugh says
Wow, what a wonderful evening, and what a wonderful account of it! You are a great writer.
★★★★★
Michelle says
I am so envious, beyond envious. Chef Michael Symon is fantastic. This dish looks incredible. What a great time you had.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
It sounds like a great even, and everything looks so delicious.
allie@Through Her Looking Glass says
I am so glad you had this awesome opportunity Catherine. What a beautiful evening you all had!!!! Thank you for sharing this great recipe for Pork Saltimbocca. Gorgeous dish, loved all the great pictures.
★★★★★
tanna says
I LOVE Michael Symon! He is an amazing chef. I'm so glad you enjoyed such a wonderful evening... now, that's "work" that is pure joy. 😉 The pork saltimbocca looks so good! Thank you.
I'm so sorry to hear about your brother. Hope he continues to improve daily!! I've been MIA, too... doing taxes. Yuk! Hope you have a wonderful week, dear Catherine! blessings ~ tanna
ps LOVED the photos of you, Michael and Tammy with Michael Symon. You have a beautiful family.
Anne-Marie @ This Mama Cooks! On a Diet says
I love Michael Symon, too. What a wonderful evening you had!! I'm going to put his cookbook on my wish list right now!
Beauty Follower says
I would log ego try the crostini!!!
http://beautyfollower.blogspot.gr
Big Daddy Dave says
Catherine, It looks like you and the family had a great time at Chef Symon's cooking demonstration. You look very happy in that photo with the chef! Love the spring pea crostini, the beautiful cavatalli and that roasted chicken served over a shaved asparagus salad! What a meal that would be! Thanks for the recipe re: the pork saltimbocca...it's my kind of food with my favorite kind of meat! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Ginny Hartzler says
WOW! You really got my heart pumping, I am so excited!!! I really like Symon and have this book, 5in5. Do you watch the cooking competitions on Food Network? We are watching him now, competing with Flay, Guarnicelli, and a couple others. I also watch him on The Chew. What an awesome day, I would have LOVED to be there. And you got such a good picture with him!
Ordinary J says
I recognize that he is one of the Iron Chefs even though I haven't had a TV since 2003.....
Nee says
Hi Catherine ,
What a wonderful experience you had and the smile on your face said it all , the food looks delicious I love Chef Symon , he makes everything seem so easy .
Catherine , you have a gorgeous family , Michael looks like I expected him to from listening at his voice .
I do so hope your brother is improving and continue to get well . Catherine with God's grace everything is possible just believe my dear .
I will pray for your dear brother , I also put you and all your family on my group's prayer list . I understand what you are going through , same here ... but remember dear , there's a silver lining behind every dark cloud .
Blessing to you and your family Nee 🙂
Nee says
Dear Catherine , I know you had a great time by the smile on your face , I am so proud of you , we have a celeb in our midst.
I love Chef Symon he makes everything seem so easy . Catherine , your kids are gorgeous and you look so proud , you go girl . Michael looks like I expected him to by his voice .
Hope your brother is improving and my family is praying for him and I put him on my group pray list . Didn't know his name know his name , so we are praying for Catherine Pappas brother in NY , no problem God know who he is . Take care and remember there's a silver ling behind every dark cloud .... Nee 🙂
christine says
Oh.My! I am so jealous. What a night and experience! Oh yeah and the food looks great, too, lol.
Liz says
Oh, man does this pork look amazing!!! And what a fun event!!! I've been thinking of you both over the past few days. xo
[email protected] says
How exciting Catherine. Looks like you had an amazing evening!
Libby with Lemony Thyme says
What a wonderful evening you had and your descriptions of each course was mouthwatering. I think I'm really going to enjoy Michael's new book, especially heading into summer. Your pork saltimbocca looks divine.
★★★★★
peter @feedyoursoultoo says
What a great evening and a great recipe.
Elena says
It looks like you had a beautiful evening! Your pork saltimbocca looks delicious!
★★★★★
Kathy says
Wow…looks as if you had a marvelous time! I love Michael Simon…he is so real and down to earth! Love him on the Chew!
The Saltimbocca looks great…a must try! Nice post, Catherine!
Chiara says
saltimbocca looks delicious Catherine,wonderful evening for you and your family, a hug !
Joanne T Ferguson says
What a fun evening this would have been and awesome recipe! Pinned and shared!
Susan | LunaCafe says
Wow, what an adventure. And every dish looks fantastic. Michael Symon is one of my favorite chefs.
★★★★★