“No one is born a great cook, one learns by doing” -Julia Child
This week’s recipe is… Pumpkin Risotto!
This week we have something special. Our weekly recipe of Pumpkin Risotto is joined by a fancy and delicious appetizer: Brushetta! This appetizer is a mixture of ripe tomatoes, garlic cloves, fresh basil leaves, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Once prepared, add toss them on top of crackers or toasted baguettes, and ta da! It’s ready to eat. Now, you might be like me and be wondering, “Whats a baguette?” A baguette is a long thin loaf of french bread. It’s also sometimes called a French stick, French loaf, or French bread.
French Bread
Now that we’ve talked about our yummy Bruschetta, we’re ready for the main course! Pumpkin Risotto is a special version of classic Italian slow-cooked rice dishes. It’s special rice (Carnaroli rice) releases some of its starch into the broth, which creates it’s own unique, delicious sauce. But who came up with Pumpkin Risotto? Where did it come from? And why does it taste so good? All that is coming up next, when we dive into the history of Pumpkin Risotto!
PUMPKIN RISOTTO HISTORY
Like many of our other dishes, our story begins in the delightful country of Italy. And similar to other cuisines, the history is clouded with uncertainty, and many opinions. Even so, there are some things we do know for sure about our perfectly pleasant Pumpkin Risotto. Many have come to the conclusion that rice was introduced to Italy by the Arabs in the Middle Ages. Once introduced to Italy, farmers found it to be perfectly suited to grow in the humid Mediterranean. As rice grew in popularity it eventually made its way to an area known for its use of slow-cooking.
That region is known as Milan. Once rice and slow cooking were combined Risotto and other classic Italian slow-cooked rice dishes emerged. But who was the first person to slow-cook rice? Unfortunately the question remains unanswered to this day. There is a recipe that contains the word “risoto” dating back to 1854 written by Giovanni Vialardi, assistant chief chef to kings, but whether or not he was the first one to cook it is uncertain.
Now for our last question… why does it taste so good? The starchy component of the dry grain mixes with the stock which creates a thick creamy sauce. This sauce, when mixed with other spices, is what makes this recipe so versatile. All sorts of ingredients can be added such as scallops, lobster, sausage, mushrooms, asparagus, and even duck. The list goes on and on as there are so many ways to cook Risotto.
TRIVIA
Question: Which part of the meal is Risotto usually served? (E.g. First, second, third…)
Answer: Primo (first course)! Risotto is usually served on its own before the main course!
Question: Why are baguettes (french bread) so long?
Answer: According to a legend, it was Napoleon who requested for the baguette to have a long shape. This made it easier for soldiers to carry the bread.
Junior Chef Stars – The Premiere Cooking School for Kids and Teens
We hope you enjoyed this week’s recipe! November has arrived! Now is a great time to give your child the gift of a November or December Cooking Class!
To see a list of our upcoming classes, click here!
Simmone is one of our fantastic Chefs at Junior Chefs Stars. Born and raised in San Francisco, Chef Simmone’s fondest memories where growing up in the kitchen with her grandmother and mother cooking and baking using food to bring the family together. A tradition that she continues with her own son. When Chef Simmone is not cooking in the kitchen you can find her on the soccer field referring youth soccer and coaching baseball.
(ServSafe, First Aid & CPR Certified)
Jeff
Chef Jeff joined Junior Chef Stars while in pursuit of a lifelong dream: having a job title that rhymes with his first name. He comes with a background in summer camp coordinating, a marketing degree from the University of Kansas, and experience in the software industry. He’s excited to serve as the Senior Program Coordinator, while simultaneously serving up delicious 5 star-level cuisine with all his awesome students.
(ServSafe, First Aid & CPR Certified)
Marley
Here’s the real runner of the show, our CEO, Chief of Chewing & Executive Shedder. Marley LOVES food, ALL kinds. He practically begs to take a bite of anything that gets in his rural area. But with his love for food comes his love for people, he is a social ninja who somehow gets everyone to love him upon first impression! Greeting them at the door being nothing but a ball of positive energy. In tough times, we look to Marley for solutions.
(Eating & Chewing Certified)
Mary
Mary, a 2017 addition to the Junior Chef Stars Team, does a super job as our Operations Manager helping keep our executive teams ducks in a row, as well as being one of our talented instructors. Her managerial skills are only part of what she brings to the table – Mary is a certified baking fanatic and loves to bring in delicious treats to share with our team!Mary grew up in Utah and moved to the Bay Area as a teenager. She grew up loving to cook and bake with her mother Dorothy, another amazing baker (we can verify this). When Mary isn’t working she loves all things gardening and never turning down a belly rub from her adorable cat Rex, whom we all think looks like the cat from Puss in Boots.
(ServSafe, First Aid & CPR Certified)
Ivy
Cooking and baking has always been a fun activity in Ivy’s family, especially baking sweet treats that can be shared with others. Comfort food is a staple in her home, and she loves to share all different recipes with family and friends. Ivy has experience in Early Childhood Education and has previously worked as a teacher aide with kindergarteners at local schools in Pacifica, where she currently lives and grew up. (ServSafe, First Aid & CPR Certified)
Russell
Chef Russell is one of our fantastic Chefs & Marketing Specialist at Junior Chef Stars. Growing up in the Bay Area he was exposed to all sorts of foods, he was taught by his father, a former chef the proper culinary skills in the kitchen. With the formal education at school and etiquette of the food industry he was inspired to cultivate his own dishes at home. Russell loves experimenting with flavors and sharing his creations and knowledge of food with others. (ServSafe, CPR & First Aid Certified)
Tabitha
Tabitha is one of our fantastic Chefs & Program Coordinators here at Junior Chef Stars. Tabitha has been with us since 2012. She teaches many of our summer camps, classes and parties. Tabitha was born and raised in Pacifica, CA. She graduated in 2011 from San Francisco State with a BS in Sociology. She has enjoyed learning how to cook authentic Latin cuisine from her mother and Grandmother since she was a little girl. She brings with her a passion for cooking and years of experience working with children. – (LOA) (ServSafe, CPR & First Aid Certified)
Joel
Joel serves as the Business Manager for Junior Chef Stars. He has an extensive knowledge of all things business. Joel graduated from California State University, Bakersfield with a Bachelors of Science in Business Management. Joel has worked in the banking and finance industry for over 11 years and has now found his place at Junior Chef Stars. He has grown up learning to cook all things from his Mother. Joel enjoys spending time with his family learning how to create exciting new dishes and sharing his heritage through the medium of cooking with all of the staff and students here at Junior Chef Stars. (ServSafe, CPR & First Aid Certified)
Brian
Chef Brian is Junior Chef Stars Owner. He attended the California Culinary Academy of San Francisco in 2001 for its famed Le Cordon Bleu’s Hospitality Management program. Brian brings with him many years of sales, business management, marketing experience and of course his culinary expertise.
Brian gained a passion for cooking from being in the kitchen with his Father and Grandfather as a small child. His favorite cooking memory is baking chocolate chip cookies with his mom as a child. Brian currently lives in Pacifica with his partner and his dog. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and passion for cooking with others and spending as much free time as he has in the kitchen with his friends and family. (ServSafe, CPR & First Aid Certified)
1027 Terra Nova Boulevard