Chefs Kitchen: cooking tip

Chef's Kitchen

Each month we bring a guest chef into our Chef's Kitchen column to give us a tip that elevates their cooking (and hopefully ours). They also provide a recipe that showcases their tip. Our guest chef this month is Executive Chef Dan Ratigan of The Fireside Restaurant. The Fireside is located at the Resort at Port Ludlow and offers casually elegant Northwest cuisine. Chef Ratigan and his culinary team prepare a farm-fresh menu which changes daily in order to utilize the bounty of the region. Whether you're inside next to the fireplace, at a window table or on the veranda enjoying the view of the Olympic Mountains and tranquil Ludlow Bay, you'll have found a memorable and peaceful getaway.

Originally from upstate New York, Dan Ratigan arrived in the Pacific Northwest at age 14 and worked his way up through many of Seattle's finest restaurants before taking the helm at The Fireside Restaurant in 2007. Since then, Chef Dan has worked to create seasonal menus featuring Northwest gastronomy at its best. He has developed long-lasting relationships with a network of local chefs, restaurants, winemakers, artisans and farmers in an effort to support increased local purchasing and crop growth here in Washington.

Executive Chef Dan Ratigan

Taming the Brussels sprout, by Executive Chef Dan Ratigan

When working with CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) to regularly provide the ingredients for your meals, often some of my favorite dishes come from the produce harvested in the late fall and winter months. Items such as Brussels sprouts are sometimes overlooked in the summer months but are a welcome fresh addition during the winter season. When preparing Brussels sprouts from the stalk, snip the end of the sprout, cut in ½ and THEN wash. You do this because as the sprouts grow, dirt can collect on the inside and so the final layers may be gritty. This prevents the grit from becoming a part of your meal.

The Fireside
One Heron Road
Port Ludlow, WA 98365
360-437-7412
877-805-0868

http://portludlowresort.com

See website for restaurant hours

Click here to see Dan's recipe

December 2012

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