Hello from Huckleberry Hill. During the pandemic the PBFW event for 2021 has been postponed. We sure do hope that next April 2022 we can have this amazing gathering return to Pebble Beach. Luckily, I have been invited to past gatherings and sure am taking a moment to cherish those fun memories. Enjoy this favorite recipe, shared by my friend and talented chef Lorena Garcia. Take care and be healthy.
XO, Maxine (A.K.A. “Molly”)
At the Pebble Beach Food & Wine events, we fell in love with Chef Lorena Garcia, celebrating Latin American foods. The fire pits at Spanish Bay were the beautiful Pacific Coast setting to our feast.
You are Invited: The Venetian’s exclusive party at the outdoor fire pits at the Inn at Spanish Bay. Chef Lorena Garcia is hosting, serving dishes inspired by her restaurant Chica, and we’ll be mixing cocktails from our cocktail bars The Dorsey and Rosina.
DJ playing, cocktails flowing, Chef Lorena’s tacos and Cuban sandwiches were amazing! Beyond that we were inspired by sweet and salty plantain chips, fresh salsa, creamy guacamole, gourmet tacos and fried sweet bread with berry and custard sauces. Yummy! It was a culinary delight of comfort foods! Craving a bit of Vegas flair, with Pebble Beach Food and Wine inspired techniques? Enjoy making Chef Lorena Garcia’s ‘over the top’ delicious Cuban sandwiches at home!
At Huckleberry Hill, we can’t get enough of these cheesy delights! What is your favorite take on a grilled sandwich?
I would love to hear your tips and tricks, contact me at huckleberryhilladventure@gmail.com. Huckleberry Hugs, Maxine (A.K.A. “Molly”)
-Chef Lorena’s Deliciously Addictive Cuban Sandwich-
1 Hoagie Roll
3-4 Turkey Slices
2-3 Fresh Pork Slices
2 Provolone Cheese Slices
A layer of Pickles
1 tablespoon Cilantro Mustard spread (see recipe below)
Cilantro Mustard Spread
1/3 Cup plus 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
¼ cup grated Parmiginao-Reggiano cheese
2 teaspoons white vinegar
1 ½ teaspoons fresh lime juice
½ small garlic clove
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
Pinch freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
1. Place the mayonnaise, cilantro, Parmesan cheese, vinegar, lime juice, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper, and 1-½ teaspoons of water in a blender. Puree until completely smooth.
Side Dish: Caramelized Hot peppers
4 jalapeños thinly sliced
4 habaneros peppers thinly sliced
1/2 cup of white vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
2 cinnamon sticks
3 cloves spice
Directions:
Place the sugar, liquids and spices in a small sauce pan at mid heat until sugar dissolves, place peppers, mid low heat cook until caramelized about 20min.
Reserve until use.
-About Chef Lorena Garcia–
Since she’s been cooking professionally, Lorena Garcia has been focused on bringing the flavors of Latin cooking–one of the great cuisines of the world –to a wider audience.
Lorena’s newest and most ambitious restaurant project has landed her on the world famous Las Vegas Strip. CHICA at The Venetian is a stunning celebration of Latin American cooking and hospitality showcasing flavors, influences and techniques from Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico combined and reimagined in Lorena’s distinct global style.
As one of the country’s top celebrity chefs best known for her television roles on Top Chef Masters, America’s Next Great Restaurant, and multiple shows on Telemundo, Lorena has also published two bestselling cookbooks. Though she originally studied to be a lawyer, she realized she had different calling and enrolled in cooking school. She graduated with a Bachelors degree in culinary arts from Johnson & Wales University and recently received an honorary doctorate in culinary arts. She took her first job as an apprentice at the Ritz in Paris, and then worked her way through Italy, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and China amassing an arsenal of classical techniques and hard-core restaurant experience.
Lorena’s passion and energy land her regularly on television. Fans know her from her appearances on HSN, showcasing her fresh and modern line of cookware with a splash of Latin flair known as the Lorena Bella Kitchen Collection. Along with her appearances on Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters” and “Top Chef All-Stars,” NBC ‘s “The Biggest Loser” and “America’s Next Great Restaurant,” she has also been featured on the CNN special documentary “Latinos in America” and as a guest on such talk programs as The Talk, The Chew and Today. Her recipes have been featured in publications such as People Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Saveur, and she has been profiled in business magazines including Kiplinger’s and Entrepreneur.
We hope to see you next year. Mark your April 2019 calendar for Opening Night, PBFW’19:
This week, our ‘Huckleberry Hill Famiglia‘ enjoyed four days of amazing fun, food and wine.
The setting, people and desire to enjoy life is a perfect venue for an over the top getaway!
The PBFW kicks off the festival with a first night gala event. (LOL, looks like we had a bit too much wine…click on this video below to get Nonna and I “back on our feet”!)
The 2018 event begins, as it always has, with a grand Opening Night Reception at Spanish Bay, described by the CLM marketing team as a “night of unbridled indulgence.” It’s a strolling event, with guests sampling cuisine from 23 of the top chefs, along with 200 different wines. Four fabulous days are filled with cooking demos, luncheons, dinner parties and the signature LEXUS Grand Tasting Events.
Ticket and Event information: Pebble Beach Food & Wine. See you next year!
