THE WINTER BLUES

This has been a record breaking winter. 

Cold weather and snowfall we haven't seen in years. 

Customers struggling through trying to 

make the most of shortened hours. 

Spring and Summer will be here soon...just not soon enough.

In the meantime.

HEARTY MINESTRONE

1 1/4 cups dried white beans, soaked overnight and drained

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 ounces pancetta, finely diced

2 medium shallots, minced

2 large celery ribs, finely diced

1 medium onion, finely diced

1 large carrot, finely diced

1/2 fennel bulb, cored and diced

4 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

2 bay leaves

2 tablespoons tomato paste

14 oz canned plum tomatoes, chopped, juices reserved

1 quart chicken stock

Salt and freshly ground pepper

1 cup baby arugula

1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

In a pot, cover the beans with 2 inches of water and bring to a boil. Simmer over low heat until tender, about 2 hours; add water to keep the beans covered. Drain the beans and reserve the cooking liquid.

Meanwhile, in another pot, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the pancetta and cook over moderate heat until crisp, 4 minutes. Add the shallots, celery, onion, carrot and fennel, and cook until softened. Add the garlic, crushed pepper and bay leaves and cook, stirring, until fragrant. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and broth; bring to a boil. Simmer over low heat for 1 hour. Add the beans and enough cooking liquid to thin out the soup. Discard the bay leaves; season with salt and pepper.

In a bowl, toss the arugula and parsley with the lemon juice and remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Season with salt and pepper. Serve the soup in bowls; top with the salad.

FOOD ALLERGIES

I had the pleasure of working with 

Chef Jeff Bland of our Roanoke Division 

and 

Baltimore Food Fanatic Perry Canestrano 

the past few days at Virginia Tech.

We were cooking and presenting for the Premier Winter Meetings.

 The focus of today's lunch was Allergens or better said Allergen Free.

We created and executed a menu that was free of the Top 8 Allergens.

The eight foods included in food allergy labeling account for an estimated 90 percent of allergic reactions. These eight foods are:

·         Milk

·         Eggs

·         Peanuts

·         Tree nuts (such as almonds, cashews, walnuts)

·         Fish (such as bass, cod, flounder)

·         Shellfish (such as crab, lobster, shrimp)

·         Soy

·         Wheat – Gluten would encompass Rye & Barley as well.

I thought that sharing the menu we did may help you and your customers when they have the request for a specific allergen to be removed.

Remember that this is only the start of keeping allergens from food. The area, equipment and serving area needs to be addressed as well to make sure that the guest is safe. 

If you have any questions or concerns, Please reach out - bill.brooks@usfood.com 

CORN FUSILLI POMODORO

Serves 25 – 4oz portions

18 cups of diced fresh tomatoes, seeded

3 cup chopped fresh basil

2 cup EVOO

4 pound Monarch Gluten Free Corn Fusilli

1 tablespoon Coarse Sea Salt

In a large ceramic serving bowl, combine the tomatoes, basil, and extra virgin olive oil. Add in salt to taste. Let the sauce rest at room temperature to bring the flavors together.

Cook the pasta in the boiling salted water until just al dente. Reserve 2 cups of hot pasta water in case you need to add some liquid to your final dish. Drain in a colander. Add the pasta to the ceramic bowl on top of the pasta sauce, and toss to combine. Serve immediately.

RICE PENNE with ROASTED BROCCOLI

Serves 25 – 4oz portions

4 pound broccoli florets

½ c roasted garlic

2 c EVOO

1 c pasta water

1 tablespoon sea salt

1 tsp fresh ground black pepper

4 pounds Monarch Gluten Free Rice Penne

Toss broccoli florets with 1 c EVOO. Layout on sheet pan and roast in 375 oven.

Meanwhile, cook rice penne according to package instructions. Reserve 1 c pasta water.

Heat 1 c EVOO with the roasted garlic. Toss in the broccoli. Add cooked rice penne.

Adjust seasoning. Add pasta water if necessary.

Shredded Kale Salad

25 – 3 oz portions

2 bg Cross Valley Farms Shredded Kale

3 c dried cranberries

1 c EVOO

½ c fresh squeezed lemon juice

3 c garbanzo beans, drained, rinsed, patted dry

Sea Salt

Cracked Black Pepper

Deep fry the Garbanzo Beans in Rice Bran Oil until crispy. Drain well.

Toss together all of the ingredients. Season with sea salt and pepper.

Serve immediately.

Arugula Salad

25 – 3 oz servings

1ea/3lb cs Arugula

1lb Red Onion, peeled, shaved thin

3lb Ribbon Cut Hash Brown Potato

1 ½ c Lemon Olive Oil Basil Dressing

Sea Salt, Cracked Black Pepper

Place the shaved red onion in ice water and hold until service.

Deep fry the hash brown potatoes in rice bran oil until crispy. Drain well.

For service, toss together the arugula, red onion and LOB. Season.

Add the crispy potatoes at the time of service.

LOB

3 cups

2 c EVOO

¾ c fresh squeezed lemon juice

½ lb fresh basil, cleaned, destemmed

2T water

Sea Salt & Black Pepper

Place all ingredients in blender. Pulse until dressing emulsifies.

Adjust seasoning.

Roasted Pork Loin with Housemade Pear Sauce & Cider Jus

25 – 4 oz Servings

8 lb Pork Loin

1 lb Peeled Shallots, cut in half

Sea Salt & Black Pepper

4 c Apple Cider

Season pork loin with salt & pepper.

Lay atop the shallots in roasting pan.

Roast at 350 until internal temperature of 145F.

Allow pork loin to rest for 20 minutes on cutting board.

Meanwhile, place roasting pan on burner with shallots.

Slowly add the cider to deglaze the pan.

Strain the jus and keep warm.

Pear Sauce

3 cups

2 lb fresh pear, peeled, cored, cubed

1 c golden raisins

½ c Apple Cider

Place all ingredients in sauce pot.

Cook on low until pears soften.

Keep chunky or puree for smooth sauce.

Crispy Brussel Sprouts  with Frizzled Leeks

25 – 4 oz Servings

4 lb Cross Valley Farms Shaved Brussel Sprouts

Sea Salt & Black Pepper

1 lb leeks(white section only), fine julienne

Deep fry brussel sproutsin rice bran oil, in small batches, until crispy and brown.

Season with salt & pepper.

Fry leeks in rice bran oil until crisp and browned.

Toss leeks and brussel sprouts together.

Serve hot.

Caramelized Sweet Potatoes

25 – 3oz Servings

4 lb Peeled Sweet Potatoes

¼ c EVOO

Sea Salt & Black Pepper

Cut sweet potatoes into 2” cubes.

Toss with EVOO and salt & pepper.

Lay on sheetpans and roast at 425F until brown and tender.

Serve hot.

Maple Baked Apples with Golden Raisins

25 Servings

25 ea Rome or Gala Apples

25 oz Pure Maple Syrup

25 oz Golden Raisins

Remove the core of each apple leaving a small amount at the bottom of each.

Place into greased hotel pan, side by side.

Place 1oz ea of maple syrup and raisins into each apple.

Cover with foil and bake at 350F for 30-40 minutes.

Keep warm until service.

  

COMFORT FOOD AT ITS BEST

As more than half the country struggles with temperatures and wind chill in negative double digits, warm flavorful, full of delicious fat food is the way to go. Here are a couple to try.

These are not New Year's Resolution diet food but hearty, good for the soul dishes.

CASSOLET

1 lb. dried great northern beans
10 tbsp. duck fat or olive oil
16 cloves garlic, smashed
2 onions, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 large ham hocks
1 lb. pork shoulder, cut into 1"cubes
1⁄2 lb. pancetta, cubed
4 sprigs oregano
4 sprigs thyme
3 bay leaves
1 cup whole peeled canned tomatoes
1 cup white wine
2 cups chicken broth
4 confit duck legs (optional)
1 lb. pork sausages
2 cups bread crumbs

1. Soak beans in a 4-qt. bowl in 7 1⁄2 cups water overnight. Heat 2 tbsp. duck fat in a 6-qt. pot over medium-high heat. Add half the garlic, onions, and carrots and cook until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add ham hocks along with beans and their water and boil. Reduce heat and simmer beans until tender, about 1 1⁄2 hours.

2. Transfer ham hocks to a plate; let cool. Pull off meat; discard skin, bone, and gristle. Chop meat; add to beans. Set aside.

3. Heat 2 tbsp. duck fat in a 5-qt. dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add pork and brown for 8 minutes. Add pancetta; cook for 5 minutes. Add remaining garlic, onions, and carrots; cook until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Tie together oregano, thyme, and bay leaves with twine; add to pan with tomatoes; cook until liquid thickens, 8–10 minutes. Add wine; reduce by half. Add broth; boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, uncovered, until liquid has thickened, about 1 hour. Discard herbs; set dutch oven aside.

4. Meanwhile, sear duck legs in 2 tbsp. duck fat in a 12" skillet over medium-high heat for 8 minutes; transfer to a plate. Brown sausages in the fat, about 8 minutes. Cut sausages into 1⁄2" slices. Pull duck meat off bones. Discard fat and bones. Stir duck and sausages into pork stew.

5. Heat oven to 300˚. Mix beans and pork stew in a 4-qt. earthenware casserole. Cover with bread crumbs; drizzle with remaining duck fat. Bake, uncovered, for 3 hours. Raise oven temperature to 500˚; cook cassoulet until crust is golden, about 5 minutes.

SERVES 6 – 8

PULLED PORK MAC n CHEESE

One 4-lb.Chef’s Line smoked pork butt

1 lb dried ridged pasta, preferably radiatore

Kosher salt

2 oz unsalted butter

2 small yellow onions, chopped

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3-1/2 cups whole milk

1-1/2 cups dry white wine

2 Tbs. finely chopped fresh sage leaves

Freshly ground black pepper

4 oz. grated Gruyère

4 oz. grated Emmentaler

4 oz. grated fontina

2/3 cup panko

2 oz. finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

2 T extra-virgin olive oil

2 T thinly sliced fresh chives

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 325°F.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of well-salted water according to package directions until just barely al dente. Drain and set aside.

Shred the pork by hand, pulling it into 2-inch-long pieces. Discard the bone and any excess fat. Set aside 1 lb. of the pulled pork (about 4 cups) and save the rest for another use (see "Leftovers," below, for ideas).

Raise the oven temperature to 350°F. Melt the butter in a large 8-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, reduce the heat to low, and cook, stirring frequently, until golden and very soft, about 20 minutes.

Whisk in the flour and cook for 30 seconds. Whisk in the milk in a slow, steady stream. Raise the heat to medium high and whisk constantly until the mixture begins to thicken and bubble, 3 to 5 minutes.

Whisk in the white wine, sage, and a 1/2 tsp. each salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a low simmer, whisking constantly.

Reduce the heat to low and use a wooden spoon to stir in the Gruyère, Emmentaler, and fontina. Stir in the reserved pork and pasta until well coated. Pour the mixture into a 12-inch cast-iron skillet.

In a small bowl, mix the panko, Parmigiano, and olive oil. Sprinkle evenly over the mixture in the skillet.

Bake until the topping is browned and the cheese sauce is bubbling through the topping and around the edges of the skillet, 40 to 45 minutes. (If the topping begins to brown too deeply, tent loosely with foil.) Let the macaroni and cheese rest for at least 15 minutes. Sprinkle with the chives and serve.

AMAZING FOOD by CHEF COLIN BEDFORD of FEARRINGTON HOUSE

I had the pleasure of trying Chef Colin's 

Chanterelle Risotto with Carolina Moon Cheese, Foie Gras and Apple Espuma,

at the recent Star Chef's Rising Stars Carolina's in Charleston, SC.

Not only that, US FOODS supplied the key ingredient, Chanterelle Mushrooms.

The season was coming to the end and to make sure the Chef was covered,

I also sent him Hedgehog mushrooms. He was able to use both in his dish and was 

very pleased that we took care to ensure a great event by supplying him with both.

Just another reason...

Fearrington House

http://www.fearrington.com/the-fearrington-house-inn

First Course

Julian Goats Cheese with Pine Pickled Beets & Port Ribbons

Pine Nuts, Pole Beans, Horseradish, Frisée

Buttermilk Fried Oyster with Cheshire Pork Prosciutto & Globe Artichokes

Sunchoke, Green Olive, Passionfruit, Lemon Vinegar

Turnip and Vanilla Soup with Hazelnut Financier, Truffle & Soy Bubbles

Pear, Madeira, Beech Mushroom, Watercress

“Ham & Eggs” – Pressed Local Ham Hock with Quail Egg

Beluga Lentils, Pineapple, Curly Parsley, Brioche

Rosemary Cured Venison with Pistachio Butter & Aerated Bitter Chocolate

Orange, Fennel, Pearl Onions, Mâche

Shrimp with Red Wine Braised Salsify, Quinoa, and Honeycomb

Apple, Ice Lettuce, Elderberry Capers, Lemon

Second Course

Smoked Sweetbreads with Melted Onions & Honey Mustard

Raisins, Butternut Squash, Black Barley, Pork Crackling

Skate with Vanilla Couscous, Kohlrabi & Champagne Sabayon

Broccoli, Grapefruit, Edamame, Brussels Sprouts

Mushroom Ravioli with Garlic Custard & Parsley Root Cappuccino

Maitake Mushroom, Walnut, Leeks, Red Russian Kale

Herb Mousseline Wrapped Pheasant with Smoked Confit Ragout & Parkin

Medjool Date, Turnip, Celery, Thyme

Seared Foie Gras with Rosemary “Crumpet” & Muscovado Sugar Streusel

Celery Root, Matsutake, Romanesco, Huckleberries

Sea Bream with Roasted Chestnuts, Truffle & Apple Butter

Cardoons, Squash, Garlic, Samphire

Main Course

Seared Lamb Loin with Potato Pavé & Pine Nut Crumble

Rutabaga, Thumbelina Carrots, Madeira, Garlic

Sorghum Glazed Duck Breast with Sunchokes & Preserved Blackberries

Red Cabbage, Duck Leg, Cauliflower, Baby Carrots

Heritage Farms Pork Tenderloin with Applewood Smoked Bacon & Cider

Sweet Potato, Quince, Cippolini, Swiss Chard

Roasted Striped Sea Bass with House Cured Bacon & Butternut Squash

Kale, Mushrooms, Pencil Leeks, Maple

Butter Poached Lobster with Spiced Pumpkin Velouté

Tapioca, Brussels Sprouts, Pecans, Sherry

Glazed Beef Striploin with Calvander Beignet

Beet, Savoy Cabbage, Salsify, Bay Leaf

Roasted Spaghetti Squash with 62 Degree Farmers Egg & Black Truffle

Sweet Potato, Fiscalini Cheese, Butternut Squash, Red Pearl Onions

John Dory with Seafood Mousse, Potato Purée & Gewürztraminer

Black Truffle, Yuzu, Fennel, Broccoli

Dessert

Mutsu Apple Crumble with Brown Butter & Sea Salt Ice Cream

Vanilla, Fudge, Walnut, Verjus

Pumpkin & Orange Tart with Bitter Chocolate

Caramel, White Chocolate, Four Spice

Meyer Lemon & Ricotta Mousse with Pawpaw Sorbet

Coconut, Yoghurt, Granola, Meringue

Valrhona Cœur de Guanaja Chocolate Soufflé

Hot Chocolate Sauce, Whipped Cream

A Selection of Artisan Cheeses

House made Chutney, Apricot & Oatmeal Bread

89 for three courses, 99 for four courses

TODAY IS ANOTHER DAY ON THE ROAD TO BEING YOUR BEST!

Thought today we needed a little comfort food given the weather
and time of year.

One of my very favorites, MELT Bar & Grilled in Cleveland, OH. 

5 locations in Ohio and hopefully more to come in other markets.

Just a little nudge to my friends in Cleveland that had to experience the New England Patriots coming back for a third week in a row.

Kindergarten: fresh baked bread, choose your favorite cheese and add-ons to customize it! - $6.50 V, VG

Wake & Bacon: farm fresh fried eggs, hickory bacon, american – $9.00 VA

Monte Cristo: honey ham, smoked turkey, swiss, american, crispy battered & deep fried, mixed berry preserves – $11.50

Chorizo & Potato: fresh ground spicy sausage and potato hash, sharp cheddar – $9.00

Parmageddon: potato & onion pierogi, fresh napa vodka kraut, sautéed onions, sharp cheddar – $10.50V, VG

Cleveland Cheese Steak: flavorful braised pulled beef brisket, garlic mushrooms, sautéed onions & peppers, rosemary onion aioli, provolone – $12.50 VA, VG

War Pig: espresso & ancho rubbed pork, seared pork belly, honey ham, tamale cake, house made mole sauce, crispy chicharrones, pepper-jack - $12.00

Hungry Hungarian: pulled roasted chicken, rich paprikash sauce, homemade herb spaetzle, muenster – $11.00 VA

Dad’s Meatloaf Dinner: homemade meatloaf, hickory bacon, chipotle ketchup glaze, potato & onion croquette cakes, crisp lettuce, fresh tomato & muenster – $13.00 VA

Backyard BBQ: roasted pulled chicken, braised beef brisket or roasted pulled pork, thick cut battered onion rings, sweet bbq sauce, sharp cheddar - $11.00 VA, VG

Wet Hot Buffalo Chicken: crispy breaded chicken, spicy buffalo sauce, creamy celery slaw, crumbled blue cheese, ranch dip – $12.00 VA, VG

Curry Chicken Melt: roasted pulled chicken bathed in sweet & spicy curry, ginger & lemongrass lentil cakes, mango chutney, pepper-jack – $11.50 VA, VG

Parma, Italy: crispy breaded chicken, sun-dried tomato pesto, roasted garlic, provolone – $11.00 VA, VG

The Dude Abides: homemade meatballs, fried mozzarella wedges, rich marinara, provolone & romano – $13.00 VA

Godfather: 3 cheese lasagna, fresh fennel-oregano pasta sheets, hearty red sauce, provolone & romano - $12.00 V

Purple Parma: crispy breaded eggplant, rich marinara, roasted garlic, provolone – $10.00 V, VG

Fish & Puppies: crispy battered jumbo haddock, cornbread hushpuppies, sweet slaw, jalapeno tartar spread, american – $14.50

Shrimp Po Boy: pan fried shrimp, cornbread hushpuppies, tomato-chipotle jam, white bbq sauce, arugula, pepper-jack – $14.50

Big Popper: fresh jalapeno peppers, cheddar & herb cream cheese, crispy battered & deep fried, mixed berry preserves – $10.50 V

Mushroom Melt: garlic mushrooms, caramel port onions, arugula, provolone – $10.00 V, VG

Peanut Butter & Banana: caramelized banana, house made peanut butter, sweet cream cheese, candied peanuts, mixed berry preserves - $9.50 V, V