George Hirsch Lifestyle TV Series Releases Today

George Hirsch Lifestyle TV Series

Check Local Listings RELEASING NATIONWIDE ON PUBLIC TELEVISION April 5th

In every episode George invites you into his home-studio kitchens where he cooks, bakes and even grills his mouthwatering favorite recipes, such as; apple strawberry rhubarb pie, oven-fried garlic chicken and pork tenderloin sliders. George also will take you to visit his favorite local places and sources for fresh ingredients—taking viewers behind the scenes to drop-in on sustainable artisan producers in the heart of the Hamptons.

Chef George Hirsch

Celebrity Chef George Hirsch is at the heart of quality cooking & lifestyle in-and-out of his Hampton's home kitchen—sharing his deep culinary knowledge and well-honed techniques for the at-home cook and better living lifestyle enthusiast. 

Make & Bake Pizza

Everyone likes the thought of tossing pizza dough high up in the air. You must try it at least once. Today I have an easier method and you can still be creative while having fun tossing on your own toppings like grilled veggies, seafood, meats and nuts. The choices are endless, I encourage you to make your own designer pizza pie. 

Solution: When you just don't have the time for making a dough, Fabulous Flats makes an excellent substitution. Their Tandoori Naan and Stone-Baked Pizza Crusts are authentic and truly fabulous. The flatbreads are preservative-free and contain no hydrogenated oils and no trans fats. I really like making it with their whole wheat variety which has a made-from-scratch taste because of the hearth baked nutty flavor. I’ve mentioned before, I admit I'm a pizza snob who will travel 50 miles for a great pie, so I won't steer you wrong!

When the Gorgonzola melts, it becomes creamy and gives the pizza a nutty flavor. Top with pecans for additional nuttiness that is ideal with the creamy cheese. Ideal for luncheon entrée or dinner appetizer served a tossed green salad.

Grilled Three-Cheese Naan Pizza

(Adapted from Grilling with Chef George Hirsch with Marie Bianco)

Makes four appetizer servings
 

1 pre-baked Naan Bread Crust
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola
1/2 cup goat cheese or feta
6 fresh basil leaves, lightly torn
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
Fresh ground black pepper, to taste

Pre heat grill to medium or an oven to 400 degrees F.

Brush Naan on both sides with olive oil. Top Naan on one side with cheeses leaving a half-inch border around crust. Place Naan on grill top shelf or bake on a pizza pan for about five minutes until crust is crisp and cheese is melted. Remove top with fresh basil and pepper, serve immediately.

image, © Kristen Johansen | istock

The Bread Crumb

Meeting Manuela Goeb at her Bakery and Pastry Shop in Kenmare was one of the highlights filming for my TV series in Ireland. The food she produces is with a living well approach, using only all natural ingredients and made in the same authentic German bakery traditions she was raised with in Franconia. Keep in mind, the finest Kerry Butter is one of the key ingredients in her baked goods.

We had so much in common; with my early days as a chef being trained by some of the finest German bakers. Manuela knows her dough. I look forward to seeing Manuela again and enjoying her delicious sour dough bread. If traveling to Ireland and you make your way to Kenmare, be sure to tell Manuela hello for me.

The Bread Crumb, New Road
O'Shea's House
Kenmare
Co. Kerry Ireland

images, Hirsch Media

Going Dutched

If you start off using the best ingredients, the proof is in the pudding; as is the case with my Chocolate Torta recipe; I use the Droste brand of cocoa which is dutched cocoa.

Dutched cocoa means the cocoa underwent a process that results in milder chocolate flavor notes by reducing acidity. The dutching process can also change the color from light red to brown to black. Dutched cocoa works well in chocolate desserts such as devil’s food cake or brownies.

My Torta Recipe requires just a simple whisk, spoon or spatula to do the job. Mix by hand + bake. Forty-five minutes later you’ll be savoring this delightful Italian Pastry!

George's Chocolate Torta

Recipe by Chef George Hirsch | Makes 12 servings 

chefgeorgehirsch.com 

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1-1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsweetened Dutch cocoa powder
1-1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup water
1/3 cup sweet butter, melted
1 egg, beaten
1 egg white, beaten into whole egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Confectioners sugar

Preheat oven to 325°. Lightly grease a 9-inch cake pan; set aside.

In small bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt; set aside.

In large bowl, combine cocoa and granulated sugar until blended. With wire whisk, beat in water, then melted butter, egg, egg white and vanilla until smooth. Add flour mixture and beat until smooth. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. On wire rack, cool for ten minutes in pan. With small spatula, loosen cake from sides of pan. Remove to a wire rack and cool completely. Place on plate and sprinkle with confectioners sugar. To serve, cut into small wedges. 

Say Cheese

It's no secret, among those that have seen my TV shows how much fondness I hold for my friends in Ireland. It is truly one of the most friendly and hospitable lands on earth. I actually think the phrase tender loving care was born there. Here's proof, in this TV ad from KerryGold. 

Dubliner Cheese: Once you try it, you'll be hooked. I am. It was first described to me as a mixture between Cheddar and Parmigiano Reggiano. This description is quite accurate. Dubliner tastes of a mature Cheddar with the sweet aftertaste of Reggiano. Created by the Irish company Kerrygold and named after Ireland’s capital city, this cheese shares traits with several well-known cheeses but the combination creates a flavor that is completely unique.