pork to purslane

I teach students at a local high school in the Mission district of San Francisco.? Many of the students I encounter claim their meals revolve around vending machine snacks (primarily “Flamin’ Hot Cheetos”) and KFC.? Most of them look at me like I’m from outer space whenever I hold up fresh, whole vegetables; brussels sprouts, fennel, cauliflower and beets appear totally foreign.? I once met a young boy who had never seen or tasted a blueberry; recalling the look that fell upon his face with that first bite brings tears to my eyes all over again.? So I teach them what I know in hopes that, by the second time they try something new, they’ll actually like it – even love it. ?And most of the time, this proves to be the case. ?A piece of stand-out evidence came at ten o’clock on a Saturday night, when one of my students sent me a message: “Chef M, can you please email me the recipe for caramelized brussels sprouts? ?I want to make it for my mom tomorrow night.” ?Truly, these kids have the ability to crack open my heart like little else can.

But it’s not all about cooking and eating.? The food is really just the vehicle for reaching greater goals.??The program is designed to use food to awaken mindfulness (so important in a time when teenagers’ eyes are almost continuously fixed to the screen of their phone), foster confidence and empowerment, build leadership skills, and connect the students to their community.? All tall orders, I know – but Food can handle it.

 

Lately, I’ve been working with the students to develop healthier snacks that are easy to prepare and that, most importantly, they actually like.? For the first several weeks of recipe testing, they seemed to be focusing entirely on sweets: granola bars, oat cookies, almond-stuffed chocolate-dipped dried apricots.? I pushed them to create a savory option, but inspiration was nil. ?Fortunately, my intern mentioned a puffed rice snack that is a popular street food throughout southern India.? According to the results of a quick Google search, there are many versions of this nosh, but most recipes agree it should be loaded with peanuts, fresh chiles, salt, sugar and spices – perfect for those teenagers who opt for peppery, pungent, florescent orange chips.

The first few attempts were a miss.? They wanted something that was less salty, a tad sweeter and a little less hot.? The snack needed to last for days and needed to be eaten easily by hand (most recipes resulted in a trail-mix-like concoction, in which all the tiny rice pieces remained separate).? So I had to take a step back from all of the recipes and suggestions and invent something new that would satisfy their palates and suit lifestyles. Finicky teens?? Yes.? But the students’ feedback led me to develop a wonderful recipe that is equally addictive to adults.? As always, my students prove to be my greatest teachers.

1 quart crisp puffed brown rice?(unsweetened); often sold in the cereal or bulk aisles of health-food stores

3 tablespoons coconut oil?(you want the virgin, non-deodorised stuff here, preferably organic)

1 1/2 teaspoons tandoori spice?(I used?Epicurious’s recipe, but it is also available for purchase online)

RAW FETA WITH PRESERVED LEMON, ALEPPO PEPPER + FRESH MINT

 

There are some Saturdays – despite that I’ve cooked or led cooking classes every day, all week – I can’t wait to get into the kitchen.? I’ve just spent two or more hours wandering around farmers’ stalls, admiring seasonal beauty, desiring to taste everything, envisioning the week’s meals.? The inspiration is irresistible.

By the time I return home from the market, I am often in need of a quick snack before I start up the stove.? And this small treat can include of the most satisfying bites I have all week – rummaging through brimming bags with anticipation, a certain little something will just?feel?right.? In the summer, more often than not, that something is strawberries or stone fruit. I soon find myself standing over the kitchen sink, as ruby juice rolls down my chin.? I love to steal a handful of luscious Barhi dates and raw almonds, which offers immeasurable pleasure for such simplicity.? If I managed to score fresh eggs that morning, I may scramble them with creme fraiche and a handful of torn wild greens: fava leaves, purslane, arugula, dandelion and chive.? And there is always good, crusty bread, licked with healthy dose of softened butter.

A couple weeks ago, it was a pint of raw, sheep’s milk feta that caught my eye.? I layered thick slices of the tangy cheese with diced preserved lemon, Turkish red pepper, fresh mint and olive oil.? Smeared on flatbread, it was the perfect balance of mildness and piquancy, brightness and intensity.

What are some of your favorite after-shopping snacks?

RAW FETA WITH PRESERVED LEMON, ALEPPO PEPPER + FRESH MINT

3/4 pound raw sheep’s milk feta, cut into large cubes

1 preserved lemon

1 teaspoon Aleppo red pepper?flakes

handful baby mint leaves

extra-virgin olive oil

crispy flatbread or lavash, to serve

Cut the preserved lemon in half and discard the inner flesh; finely dice the rind. ?In a small bowl or jar, shower a single layer of feta with a sprinkling of preserved lemon, red pepper flakes, baby mint leaves and olive oil; continuing layering until all of the feta is used.? Serve with flatbread or lavash.

SHAVED CAULIFLOWER + FENNEL SALAD WITH BACON AND PARM

Just popping in for a quick moment to share a recipe for a simple salad. ?If you are one of those who shun fennel on account of its licorice-like flavor, then please try this dish; I’ve seen opponents convert right in front of my eyes!

SHAVED CAULIFLOWER + FENNEL SALAD WITH BACON AND PARM

4 slices bacon, 1/4” inch thick

1 large shallot

1 medium head cauliflower, trimmed and quartered

2 medium bulbs fennel, trimmed and quartered

1 tsp dijon mustard

1 1/2 tsp sherry vinegar

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

handful of fresh parsley leaves

4 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Slice bacon bacon into lardoons, about 1/2” thick.? Fry bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy; drain bacon on a paper towel, but reserve fat.

Thinly slice shallot; toss with 1/2 tsp sherry vinegar and set aside.

In large mixing bowl, whisk together dijon, 1 tsp sherry vinegar, a pinch of salt, a few grinds of black pepper and 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil.? Add 1 tablespoon reserved bacon fat; whisk to emulsify.

On a mandoline, thinly slice cauliflower and fennel.? Roughly chop parsley.? To the bowl with the vinaigrette, add the bacon, shallot, cauliflower, fennel, parsley and a pinch of salt; gently toss to combine.? ? Shave cheese (I use a vegetable peeler) over the top and gently toss one final time.? Serve immediately.