“There's something special about plating a dish for the first time. Making something in real life match what was in your mind's eye. I see one of those long, rectangular platters with three separate compartments. The colors are almost exactly what I was envisioning. The darkness of the sesame crust and the ponzu in the first one, contrasted with the bright green cucumber beneath and the bright red sauce on top. The cauliflower-thyme puree in the middle dish, perfectly off-white and flecked with green, the orange Cajun exterior, the drizzle of lemon oil over all of it. And the taco. The perfect spice of the aioli, the cilantro smelling like home.” ColorsSeasoningsFood PreparationSaucesTacoMise Book:North of Happy Source: North of Happy
“CUBAN LECHÓN ASADO 50-pound pig 5 heads of garlic 4 cups orange juice 2 cups lime juice 1 cup sherry 1/2 cup pineapple juice 4 tablespoons oregano 3 teaspoons ground cumin 6 bay leaves 2 tablespoons black peppercorns 2 tablespoons kosher salt 5 tablespoons olive oil” IngredientsCubanPorkSeasoningsRecipe Book:North of Happy Source: North of Happy
“GYOZA IN ORANGE-BASIL BROTH FOR THE FILLING: 1 pound flor de calabaza 2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined 1/2 pound portobello mushrooms, chopped 1/2 pound shiitake mushrooms, chopped 2 red onions, chopped 6 cloves garlic 2 tablespoons ginger 2 tablespoons sesame oil FOR THE BROTH: 12 cups veggie stock 4 tablespoons ginger 1/2 cup packed basil leaves 2 tablespoons sesame oil 2 tablespoons sriracha hot sauce 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar” IngredientsVegetablesFillingSeasoningsRecipeDumplingsBrothGyoza Book:North of Happy Source: North of Happy
“NASHVILLE HOT CHICKEN SANDWICHES 2 pounds pounded chicken breasts 2 cups flour 2 large eggs 1/4 cup buttermilk 4 tablespoons hot sauce 3 tablespoons brown sugar 6 tablespoons cayenne pepper 3 tablespoons garlic powder FOR SLAW: 1 purple cabbage 2 tomatoes, diced 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped 1 julienned red pepper 2 carrots, grated 14 cup mayo 4 tablespoons olive oil 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar” IngredientsSandwichesSpicesHerbsSeasoningsChickenRecipeSlaw Book:North of Happy Source: North of Happy