Culinary's "Concepts"

Straight from our produce supplier: 

The green asparagus market continues to be very short of product and subsequently high in price. The reduced volumes are due to ongoing weather issues in both Central Mexico (wet) and Peru (cold). We are currently receiving approx. 25% of the weekly volumes that we should be getting and arrivals are sporadic due to the time taking to clean and pack the asparagus at the shed. We do expect supplies to be short for the next 2 – 3 weeks.

SOLUTION?  White AND Purple asparagus are available, cheaper than green--so add some color to your vegetables! 

Now, I'm not usually one for gimmicky food presentation ideas, but this one was just TOO CUTE not to share.  Perfect for a child's birthday party, an office celebration, or a picnic, this dessert pretty much combines the 2 best sweets around--cookies and cupcakes!  Definitely try this one at home! 

The inside scoop from the experts at Moceri Produce:

• Berries:  Strawberries currently have great quality and fair prices.  Check out organic blackberries from Stehly Farms—outstanding! Prices will be higher on blueberries and raspberries this week. 
  
• Tomatoes: Cherry and grape tomatoes from Baja are showing very good quality and prices are reasonable. Heirloom tomatoes--scarce right now due to the cool weather, expect high prices for a limited time.
  
• Eat your Veggies!: All leafy greens are in good shape this week as weather has been mild.  Check out Romaine hearts, Green, red, and Napa cabbage, Bok Choy and celery—good quality and prices right now!
  
• Seasonal Specialty Items:  Sharlyn Melons are here--known for their sweet flavor and firm texture.  Mango Nectarines and Gold Velvet Apricots are some specialty stonefruit available now.  All colors of Figs are at the best prices they will be all year, take advantage while you can!  Chanterelles and Morels are rounding out the seasonal goods in the mushroom catergory!

• (Please Select One, or Both for an additional $1.25)
• Mixed Greens Salad with Shaved Carrots and Sesame Ginger Dressing
• Traditional Macaroni Salad with Celery, Hard-Boiled Egg, and a Light Mustard-Mayo Dressing
• Steamed Rice
• Pineapple Upside down Cake

• With Italian Sausage, Broccoli, Parmesan and Mozzarella Cheeses, in a Spicy Tomato Crème Sauce
• Assorted Rolls and Butter
• Mixed Greens Salad with Fresh Basil, Tomatoes and Cucumber
• Traditional Italian Tiramisu

Well now you can!  These photos really do a great job in illustrating just HOW HARD our chefs work when they are on site.  They have the "plate-up" process down to an artform!  

Hot foods? Check. Assembly line in place? Check.

Servers with trays, waiting in the wings? Check.

 

Each member of the team is essencial to complete the process. 

Garnishes complete the look.

 

The team eyes their hard work with pride.

 

The finished product!  A masterpiece!  Now repeat that 400 times....

ASIAN LETTUCE WRAPS--$13.85 per person

• Cilantro Lemongrass Chicken (or Soy Scallion Beef for an Additional $1.00) to be Wrapped in Soft Butter Lettuce leaves with Mung Bean Noodles, Served with Sweet Chili and Hoisin Sauces
• ORZO with Sweet Peppers. Roasted Garlic, Red Onions, Scallions and Sesame Seeds
• DOUBLE FUDGE BROWNIES

• With Grilled, Sliced, Marinated Chicken Breast, served over Mixed Baby Greens, with Pineapple Chunks, Ripe Tomatoes, and Black Beans, with a Citrus Coconut Dressing
• ASSORTED ROLLS AND BUTTER
• PASSION FRUIT OR BANANA PANNA COTTA (Please Select One), Garnished with Fresh Fruit
  

• Freshly Griddled Chicken Gyros or Falafel Patties (Please Select One), Served with Fluffy Pita Bread, Homemade Tzatziki Sauce and Caramelized Onions
• GREEK SALAD with Diced Cucumbers, Crumbles Feta, Roma Tomatoes and Kalamata Olives
• APPLE CINNAMON TURNOVERS With Raisins and a Flakey Puff Pastry Shell