The "China Box"

On a trip to Costa Rica with my wife and her family I was exposed to what they call a “China Box.” It was one of the most interesting concepts I had ever seen and produced one of the best tasting and juiciest whole roasted pigs I have ever tasted.

The ”China Box” is made up of a oak box with a steel top. Wood that has been lit on fire and allowed to amber is than placed on top of the steel cover. This created a slow roasting mechanism. The pig is butterflied and placed in a steel mesh holder which is lowered into the box. The box has a small drainage tube for all the fat that needs to render.  

The end result is a whole roasted pig. The skin is crispy and full of flavor. The meat on the inside is tender and juicy. Pork is eaten with tortillas and a variety of Costa Rican salads.

This was one of the cooler things I have seen. I just wanted to sare it with all of you!

Flavored Olive Oil

While going through culinary school I learned a lot about infused oils. An infused oil is basically an oil that has been altered to take on the flavor of another ingredient, usually a spice or herb. There are two ways to infuse an oil. There is the cold infused method and there is the warm infused method. To simplify it, both methods essentially involve steeping the spice in the selected type of oil.

What I know about flavored oils, or at least what I thought I knew, all changed last summer on a trip to Sonoma, California. My wife Cristina and I were there on our vacation with the intention of going wine tasting. That was until we walked into Jacuzzi Family Vineyard. It was the first time I had ever been exposed to an olive oil tasting room. While The Olive Press is a separate company it is located inside the winery and they are set up similar to a wine tasting room.

We walked around and tasted oils that were very similar to those I experienced in culinary school. Then I tried citrus olive oils. I tried Blood Orange olive oil, Lime olive oil, Clementine olive oil, and Limonato (Meyer Lemon) olive oil. The only olive oil I did not try was the Jalapeno olive oil, simply because I have never been a huge fan of Jalapenos.

Immediately after tasting these oils, my mind began to race and recipes just started forming like rapid fire using these oils I had just experienced. I had to buy some. So I then made my big "MISTAKE," I asked the associate about the citrus infused olive oil. I then received a very informative lesson on how they make they make their citrus oils. They actually press not infuse the citrus rind with the olives. This gives the olive oils a rich and robust citrus flavor followed by a familiar earthy olive oil flavor.             

The Olive Press also carries a variety of flavored balsamic vinegars, which can be paired quite well with any of their oils. A personal favorite of mine, for dipping bread in, is the blood orange olive oil and black currant balsamic.  It also makes a great combination for cooking. Look for recipes using these oils in next months newsletter.

If you are interested in flavored olive oils and are from the Greater Los Angeles area and don't want to drive to Sonoma for an olive oil tasting, there is a company in Agoura Hills, California named The Olive Vineyard that makes and sells flavored olive oils.  I even have some of their products in my kitchen as well.  I recommend that everyone do an olive oil tasting, whether it is at The Olive Press in Sonoma or The Olive Oil Vineyard in Agoura Hills. An olive oil tasting is something that every foodie should experience.

For More information, visit the sites below.
The Olive Press
www.theolivepress.com
The Olive Vineyard
www.theolivevineyard.com

THE ELUSIVE FOODGASM!!!!!!

I did not learn what a “foodgasm” was until I went to culinary school. After which I was sure that that I had experienced several throughout my life but that I simply did not know it. The first “foodgasm” that I remember having was when I was in culinary school. It came from what I believe to be a very unlikely source. I have never been a fan of Bloody Marys, but when one of my chef instructors made a Bloody Mary Consume, I was overcome by my first “foodgasm.”

 A "foodgasm" is a very intense sensation one gets when they eat something so amazing that they experience ecstasy. Most people have actually had a "foodgasm" and simply failed to comprehend the experience. It begins when the food hits the table. You are overcome by the complexity of the aromas that surround you and your mouth begins to water. While the appearance of the food adds to the overall experience, it does not influence it. As you take your first bite, your taste buds explode. The hair on the back of your neck stands up. You begin to breath a little harder. Every time you chew the flavor become more intense. Before you know it you have a feeling of complete satisfaction. The sensation is so intense that you actually feel mental, emotional and even physical satisfaction.

That is what a "foodgasm" is!