Long Live The King

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So what does it take to create a company that keeps producing the same superior quality products for more than one-hundred years? King Oscar's explanation might sound simple, but it's true.

You start a company. You make good products. The word gets out and more people want what you make. You grow. You expand into new markets. And all of a sudden you are over 100 years old. - King Oscar

The Rich Norwegian heritage of King Oscar might have a bit to do with it too. Maybe the only thing that has changed is the way you open the can; keyless entry. 

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Anchovies are a perfect addition to my no yolk dressing. May even fool the authentic Caesar Dressing diehard with a discriminating palate adding a little saltiness without the non-lover anchovy bite. And, served with my Tomato Tapenade becomes a perfect entertaining starter!

George Hirsch no yolk Caesar Salad

No Yolk Caesar Dressing

Makes 2 servings

chefgeorgehirsch.com | George Hirsch Lifestyle

With the backside of a tablespoon, combine 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 2 cloves fresh garlic (or I really prefer 4 cloves of caramelized garlic and a Tablespoon of Dijon mustard together, into the bottom of a wooden bowl. Add lemon juice from half a freshly squeezed lemon and a few anchovies to taste. Crush anchovies into a paste with back of the spoons. Finally, whisk in 4 Tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, until emulsified. 2 Tablespoons freshly shaved Parmigiano Reggiano. Set aside. Note, dressing can be refrigerated for up to one week.

Wash and dry Romaine lettuce leaves. Add Romaine lettuce leaves to wooden bowl. Add dressing, and toss. Add fresh made croutons and top with freshly shaved Parmigiano Reggiano and freshly ground pepper. Serve with additional whole anchovies on the side. 

George Hirsch Living it UP! cooking & lifestyle book
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Pasture Awareness

The Bottom Line: Poultry and eggs pasture raised taste better than those raised in confinement. 

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Pastured poultry (not referring to pasteurization process, that's for foods such as milk, cheese and beer) is a technique used for raising chickens or other poultry right on green pastures. The birds are always kept on fresh pasture by systematically moving them around every few days, which allows the birds to be raised in a cleaner, healthier environment. And fed the old fashioned way- on fresh green pasture grass and with wholesome grain. 

'Pastured living' is not only good for the chickens- but chickens managed correctly, are good for the pasture. Hens are brillant at finding and eating small seeds, insects, and tender grass and leaves. Their manure leaves behind a healthy shot of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. The trick is to move the hens before the pasture has been pecked and scratched to death.

Although there is nothing new here, since farmers have been raising poultry on pastures for centuries in this manner. In fact, most domesticated poultry was raised outdoors until the 1950s when large confinement egg and poultry operations found they could mass produce product confined in restricted conditions. Even though the majority of poultry is now produced in high-density factory farms, the good news is a rising number of growers have chosen to raise their poultry in outdoor free range pastures instead of indoor confinement to produce a high quality, farm-fresh, all-natural product. Which brings us back to quality, quality, quality. That's good stuff.

The pastured poultry movement has found great support among consumers, chefs and restaurateurs because of the high quality and unsurpassed flavor of such products. And so, local farmers continue to see growth with demand for premium-priced pasture-raised poultry and eggs. 

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Nutritional Benefit: Deep-yellow-yolked eggs, the sign of natural chock full of beneficial Omega 3 fatty acids.

In Season: Pastured eggs are seasonal, hens lay less as the days get shorter. In industrial confined egg operations they use artificial lights. However, while the ladies are resting and not earning their keep, they are eating even more expensive grain because of shorter daylight and colder days. Just one of the reasons why pastured eggs will cost more.

Inspiration: See what hard work, dedication, and pride in what the natural earth creates. Chris and Holly of Browder's Birds Mattituck, on the North Fork LI are career changers who run Long Islands's only organic & pastured poultry farm. On the west coast Soul Food Farm owners Alexis and Eric Koefoed raise pastured chickens for both eggs and meat. They turn sunlight, grass, bugs, and high-quality domestic feed into animals that live a healthy and humane life --free to roam in fresh air and peck and take dust baths — and then into delicious and healthy food. They are driven by the belief that "You are what you eat, and what you eat, eats." Soul Food Farm, Vacaville, CA.

Resources: For more information on where to find pasture eggs near you:

American Pastured Poultry Producers Association

Rodale Institute

When eggs are this good they need to take center stage, or center of the plate. So here's my Eggs Benedict Recipe, taken from Know Your Fire cookbook by George Hirsch with Marie Bianco.

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Know Your Fire cookbook by George Hirsch with Marie Bianco

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Restaurant Hunter TV Pays a Visit

Two-time Emmy winner Rob Petrone, host of TV’s Restaurant Hunter took a road trip to the East End, aka the Hamptons see what exactly what George Hirsch Lifestyle is all about. What he found was exactly what you see on my public television series. We made a few stops at a couple of local sources for vegetables, cheese, seafood, meat, and wine. Next, with cameras in tow, we returned to my patio to grill and entertain George style, while chatting about how food has changed throughout my career as a chef. 

Afterward, we continued to eat, and sip on some local small batch cream soda, while Rob sought the reason why after 20 years of television filming all over the world I would film entirely in the Hamptons. My response, “this is how I was raised - the bounty of the eastern part of Long Island, its farms, seafood, dairy, and now producers of wine, small craft beer, and beverages, raising livestock, and local artisan producers highlights what is happening all across this country. That is why I am so delighted to share my community of year-round friends in the Hamptons. My viewers are able to take away a lifestyle that is good for you for their own daily experiences. There will never be any ‘throwdowns’ or ‘restaurant disasters’ on my show. It’s about inspiring, and education through a visual food experience; hence my last line in each episode is “if I can do it you can do it.”

Rob Petrone Market Fresh Shopping with George Hirsch 

Milk Pail Farm Stand

George Hirsch Grilling for Restaurant Hunter

Chrusciki

This time of year, particularly near Easter, reminds me of Polish Chrusciki, aka fried ribbons, angel wings and many other names. Throughout all of Europe just about every country has their own version and influence behind this easy but special treat. 

Simply, the ribbons of sweet dough are simply fried and covered with powdered sugar or honey. It is hard to have just one, but you won't be eating these everyday, so just enjoy this sweet holiday treat. BTW, good for dunking.

For My Recipe For Chrusciki