944

Hey you sexy kids! Come join myself 944 Mag, Ann & George Lopez & his amazing foundation "National Kidney Org of So Cal" For the Great Chefs of LA event !

Nov 8th CBS Studio Center 12-330
All you have to do is show up, look gorgeous, mingle, eat, drink and be merry!

Honoree Chefs: Neal Fraser of BLD and Grace & Mary Sue Milliken of Border Grill

Wonderful Food Provided by only the GREAT Chef's in LALA!
Adam Horton, Saddle Peak Lodge
• Akasha Richmond, Akasha
• Benjamin Ford, Ford’s Filling Station
• Bob Lynn, La Grande Orange
• Brian Moyers, BLT Steak
• Celestino Drago, Enoteca Drago, Il Pastaio & Drago Centro
• Keven Alan Lee, EAST
• Jimmy Shaw, Loteria Grill
• Jorge Chicas, The Bazaar
• Josie Le Balch, Josie Restaurant
• Steven Fretz, XIV

& Of course amazing Beverages provided by only the best:
Piper Heidsieck! My fave! & A WIDE variety of Organic Vino Sponsors

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9KeNtOkovk&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWT-o5SvreM&feature=channel

http://www.kidney.org/site/504/images/GCLA2009Evite.jpg


See you there! xxo, Candice

Trust me, I’m a Chef… Your Stiletto Chef!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stiletto-Chef/123674940840?_fb_noscript=1

http://twitter.com/StilettoChef

http://www.stilettochef.com/


Written by: Candice Kumai

944 BLOG #6
OCT 1, 2009
STILETTO CHEF STYLE:
YOUR MOM CALLED…SHE ASKED ME TO WRITE TO YOU:
SO YOU SAY YOU CAN’T COOK???
LIFE AFTER MOM…

Once we leave our mother’s arms, say bye-bye to free flowing dinners, 7-11 pantry, that open, 24-hour fridge and the unlimited access to good ‘ol home cooking. Some of us are completely lost… “I don’t know how to cook”, “Can you teach me how to make lasagna?”, “How do you cook a proper steak?”, “Dude isn’t my Hungry Jack Frozen meal fine?” It seems as if Home Ec was long gone by 1999 and we have lost touch with food, cooking and the brilliance of a wholesome, home cooked meal.
For those of us who are lucky as sin, our Mothers (or some Fathers.. good on ya Dads!) cooked for us every day and night, passing on these culinary traditions, tips, tricks and recipes, while others had working Moms and Dad’s who were unfortunately not able to share that experience with us one on one.
So with life after Mom, (unless you have what I call, “Theo Huckstable Syndrome”, classic fridge raider and TP thief!) you should learn to keep a few basics in your pantry, and fridge for everyday cooking and especially those great dates!
FYI: Yes I am a bit of a food snob. I admit it. I have opened up a few refrigerators in my day and was repulsed by the ranch dressing (evil, creamy fat in a bottle), fatty mayo delight, whole milk, ketchup, grape jelly, Jiff, sour cream, SunnyD, Carl Buddig, El Scorcho deluxe sauce, generic bad margarine, frozen franken nuggets, frozen Hungry Man (yuckkk!), okay, I’ll stop… I just have to say this stuff all freaks me out and makes me run in the other direction.. and NO .....Fat free/ Sugar Free Junk … IT'S ALL STILL JUNK SWEETIPIE!! The ingredients below are all basic and inexpensive and everyone should utilize them in their kitchen.
Keep these on hand and I will teach you how to create your own kitchen magic…

PANTRY BASICS:
-GOOD QUALITY EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
-SEA SALT (IODIZED SALT.. GROSS DUDE!)
-BALSALMIC VINEGAR
-RICE WINE VINEGAR
-DIJON MUSTARD
-HONEY
-PEANUT BUTTER, ORGANIC, NATURAL, NO SUGAR
-SESAME OIL
-CHICKEN STOCK
-WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE
-TOMATO PASTE, THIS IS THE LADYKILLER, SO USEFUL!
-CANNED TOMATOES, WHOLE, PEELED
-CANNED GARBANZO BEANS (YEAH, CHICKPEAS ARE THE SAME SWEETIE!)
-GROUND GINGER
-GARLIC POWDER
-DRIED BASIL
-CHILI FLAKES
-CUMIN
-CORIANDER
-CINNAMON
-NUTMEG
-COCOA POWDER, UNSWEETENED
-RAW ALMONDS
-RAW WALNUTS
PPS: Throw away your old, nasty, rotting herbs from 1997.. They are as out as lipstick from the 1996 prom and the blue eye shadow circa 1998. Dump the old flour, rice, grains and baking soda/powders. After 6-12 months they are useless.
FRIDGE BASICS:
-PARMESAN CHEESE
-GRUYERE CHEESE
-FETA CHEESE
-LOWFAT YOGURT
-EGGS
- UNSWEETENED ALMOND MILK… 40 CALORIES A DREAMY CUP!
-ORANGE JUICE
-SOY SAUCE (YEAH I’M ASIAN!)
-FRESH GARLIC
-FRESH ONIONS
-FRESH SPINACH
-FRESH ROMAINE
-FRESH ROMA TOMATOES
-LEMONS
-FROZEN BERRIES
-FROZEN FISH
-TONS OF FRESH VEGGIES AND FRUITS, YEA, TONS!

BONUS: SCORE DUDE: (NOT A MUST, BUT A PLUS)
- 0% GREEK YOGURT
- FRESH BASIL
- WHITE TRUFFLE OIL (HEAVEN IN A BOTTLE)
- WHITE VINO TO COOK WITH
-RED VINO TO DRINK
- SMOKED PAPRIKA
-ANCHOVIES
-ROASTED RED PEPPERS
-OLIVES
-BLUE STILTON CHEESE
OKAY HERE ARE 2 OF MY BASIC RECIPES TO HOLD YOU DOWN ON YOUR NEXT HOT DATE! … Go to it dude… you only live once! (We can go over a million marinades, sauces & dressings right from the pantry (another blog!)

Sweet Grilled White Peach and Spinach Salad:
Feta cheese, fresh blueberries and a classic champagne vinaigrette


CHEF CANDICE KUMAI
SERVES 4
FOR THE DRESSING
(Can be refrigerated for 1 Week)
1 C Champagne Vinegar
¼ C Pulp Free Orange Juice
2 T Dijon Mustard
2 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Sea Salt to Taste

FOR THE SALAD
1 Large Bag of Organic Spinach, pre washed and dried
4 Large White Peaches, Grilled with a brush of Ex Virg Olive Oil and sea salt
Feta Cheese- to taste…minimal to keep it “skinny”… adds salt and fat
1 C Fresh Blueberries
Walnuts if desired
ASSEMBLY
In a Plastic Squeeze Bottle Pour in the 1 C Champagne Vinegar, the ¼ C Orange Juice, the 2 T Dijon and the sea salt to taste.. Shake up.. and save!
Toss the Spinach with the blueberries, grilled peaches (cooled) and top with the feta and walnuts.. Serve in a large salad bowl with wooden tongs.
_____________________________________________________________
Caramelized Pear and Gorgonzola Cheese Flatbread with Walnuts and Caramelized Onions

Chef Candice Kumai
Serves 8 , Flat bread cut in ½
4 flatbreads, like Lavash, Pita, Naan
1 Med Sweet Onion thinly sliced
2 pears, thinly sliced
Top with:
½ -3/4 Cup Chopped Walnuts, raw preferred
½- ¾ C Gorganzola Cheese, crumbled to top breads
1 bunch Fresh Basil, chiffonade (cut into long, thin strips)

Thinly slice the pears, remove the core. Place in a saute pan on medium heat with a small amount of ex virg olive oil, add thinly sliced onions. Cook slow, stirring until they start to turn golden brown & the natural sugars are released. Remember low and slow!
* Grill the flatbreads in grill pans, crisp up the bottom with nice grill marks. Remove flatbreads from pan. Brush with a little Ex Virg Olive Oil and sprinkle a bit of sea salt.
Top with caramelized pears & onions. Add the gorgonzola, walnuts and basil. Cut into halves or quarters and serve warm. Makes a great compliment to a luscious green salad, and a perfect appetizer for parties!
Don’t think that your conventional food is bad.. it’s REALLY AWFUL!!! Start thinking outside that box of cake mix, the sugary dream cereals, fatty chips, sugary sodas, nasty margarine, super fatty dairy all of it with no nutritional substance. Get the basics down and we will have you cooking in no time. It is the only art form where you use all 5 senses. Sight, Hearing, Touch, Smell, and Taste. Simply Amazing!

PS Your Mom called, she asked me to send you this BLOG!

Trust me, I’m a Chef… Your Stiletto Chef! xxxo
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stiletto-Chef/123674940840?_fb_noscript=1

http://twitter.com/StilettoChef

http://www.stilettochef.com/

Written by: Candice Kumai

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944 BLOG #5
Sept 24, 2009

STILETTO CHEF STYLE:

BURGERS, FRIES, SHAKES… OKAY TO STUFF YOUR FACE?
THE PROPER WAY TO BALANCE YOUR BODY



Well since I've been coined a “Healthy, Californian Lifestyle Chef”, probably from the fabulous book and amazing show “Cook Yourself Thin”, that I so often get asked “Do you eat fast food and burgers?” Well, I’ll be honest, no, I don’t eat fast food. I’m actually repulsed by the sick scent of cheap plastic meat and pre-packaged, frozen, freeze-dried, over processed dirt. I can’t remember the last time I was at a red and yellow splattered McDonalds or an extremely over marketed, volcano explosion, el scorcho deluxe & flamin’ hot sauce Taco Bell. Gross. (Ok fine, college, ha! Different date in the timeline.) However I’m not going to lie. I do love my occasional breakfast burrito and or juicy premium burger with Prime lean beef and perfectly crisp and golden sweet potato fries. I grew up in sunny San Diego…Big, fat breakfast burritos are in my blood…and so are chips and guacamole! Let’s get real. We’re all going to come across doughnuts, fries, pizza, burgers, tacos & milkshakes in our everyday encounters. Some of us are haunted by the breakroom doughnuts and the fast food 20 minute drive thru lunch break every day! Whatever your fast food vice leans towards, it’s just a part of food reality.





My stand on it all: everything in moderation. I have to say it’s your personal responsibility to take control of what you consume on an everyday basis. Sure you can have creamy, heavenly Mac n’ Cheese, Red-velvet cupcakes, a slice of veggie pizza or a handful of fries in honey BBQ sauce. BUT you CANNOT have that every day! I still don’t understand how some individuals don’t understand this concept. If you’re consuming about 5,000 calories everyday (the amount in roughly all these junk foods combined) that’s not ideal, nor is it healthy for maintaining a normal weight. That’s a nish nish!




You’ve got to learn when to say when. If you can’t control your everyday eating habits, you’ve got to re-train and re-think the way you look at food, in the same way as kicking any other bad habits. You have to keep positive with change, mind your triggers and keep track of what’s really causing you to eat. Are you even hungry? Did you really get forced into the line at Jack in the Box at gunpoint? Umm no.

My friend Alison recommends Tony Robbins (Yes! Who doesn’t love a little Tony!) “Giant Steps”. His audio download helped my thought process on action and making changes in your life; it truly is our actions that set us all apart!

http://www.audible.com/adbl/entry/offers/productPromo2.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0841220246.1253765874@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccjadeigifgfhgcefecekjdffidfji.0&productID=BK_SANS_000854

Not just with consuming unhealthy eats, but with every bad habit we come across, we have to consciously catch ourselves and say: “Is it really necessary?”, “Am I really even hungry?”, “Maybe this isn’t the best choice for today.” Learn to re-think those crazy patterns and bad habits, be positive and tell yourself: “I love you so much I’m going to take care of you, and keep you looking and feeling at your optimum health! I deserve it!” Heck yes you do honey!

Think of everything that you put into your body as high quality fuel for that sexy figure of yours. You cannot expect to look like Giselle or Tom Brady shoveling pizza, burgers, potato chips and ranch dressing into your diet. Get real dude. Instead learn to eat proper complex carbohydrates: My favorites: Quinoa, oatmeal, bran, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, barley, yams & sweet potatoes! Yum!

http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/nutrition/carbohydrates/overview.html

Try to incorporate lean fish and lean vegetable protein into your diet! My favorites: tuna, salmon, snapper, mahi mahi, butterfish, legumes, garbanzo beans, kidney beans , black beans, walnuts, almonds, cashews...and I absolutely am the biggest fan of TOFU you’ll ever meet! Soy protein is lean, mean and oh-so sexy!

Click here for more:

http://www.womenfitness.net/protien-option.htm

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=111

And #1…For goodness' sake learn to eat Mother Nature’s gorgeous fruits and veggies! They are all unique in there own way, full of nutrients and again, they are feel good foods that you can fill up on with no guilt, low calories, and high quality, natural vitamins, minerals and protein! My favorites: Spinach, kale, romaine, portobello mushrooms, yellow & green squash, red bell peppers, asparagus, kabocha squash, green onions, snap peas, snow peas, bamboo shoots, root veggies, beets, parsnips arugula, watercress, endive, eggplant... just a few of my faves!



My Favorite Fruits: White peaches, nectaines, berries, bananas, Fuji apples, heirloom tomatoes, roma tomatoes, plums, bosc pears, persimons, blood oranges, tangerines, red grapes, strawberries, kiwi, pomegranate, pineapple and mango (when in season)… so so deelish!



Keep it sexy people, as always, keep it real. Save that slice of decadent, flourless chocolate cake for your next night out with the girls! Or keep the dreamy mac 'n' cheese to a minimum; how about out on a date night & share it with your honey? Pass on those nasty doughnuts in the break room - they are little bites of evil - and pack a bag of homemade granola or a handful of spiced almonds. Pass on the dirty drive thru and pack a lunch of fresh spinach topped with garbanzo beans, tuna and roasted red peppers, sack lunch the next day with a fresh pita wrap filled with Fuji apples, hummus, Greek Yogurt and arugula! Bananas, apples and peaches are already pre-wrapped by Mom Nature kids! Keep conscious of what is going into your gorgeous body, take care of you, love you and stay with that healthy, positive attractive attitude. If you’re putting healthy, gorgeous, natural, vibrant, colorful, lean, mean, glowing foods into your body, just picture what you will look like on the outside: lean, mean and killing it! You stunner you - go find those stunna shades! xxxo




Trust me, I’m a Chef… Your Stiletto Chef! xxxo

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stiletto-Chef/123674940840?_fb_noscript=1

http://twitter.com/StilettoChef

http://www.stilettochef.com/
Written by: Candice Kumai

944 BLOG #4
SEPT 16, 2009

STILETTO CHEF STYLE:

5 ULTRA SUPER “SEXY FOODS”

You drive that 2010 LR3. You wear the hottest Christian Louboutin’s out to date. You make sure everyone sees you strutting out in Soho or on Robertson. Only the finest bubbly will do, and that rock on your ring finger with those nasty acrylic nails is so big you can hardly wave hello to the doorman you walk past every day on your way out to Saks…. However, funny that the food you put in your body is worthless trash, pre-packaged, nasty 100 calorie packs, corn syrup cola, boxed microwavable Franken-nuggets dipped in ranch dressing and sweet & sour corn syrup sauce, & “salads” with 2 cups of fried croutons, cheese, tortilla strips, more ranch, and oh yeah bacon bits! Don’t forget those!

If you choose to fill up on premium fuel for your LR3 , why would you not choose premium fuel for your body? Huh???? Let’s get some common sense knocked into your head people…

Nasty Foods= Nasty Waistline
Sexy Foods = A Sexy Waistline … Feel me?

Here are my TOP 5 ULTRA “SEXY FOODS”, not only are these foods great for your body and mind, they give you the proper nutrition your body needs as well as some beauty benefits that are a bonus! Score dude… Read and learn


1-AVOCADOS- MOTHER NATURE’S SEXIEST FRUIT!



Growing up in sunny Southern California, I could never get enough of this amazing green, luscious, beautiful sexy food! I buy at least two avos every week and I know that when I’m cooking with them or serving them to friends, (avocado, strawberry and spinach salad with a balsamic glaze, skinny guacamole, avocado and Cajun seared ahi poke, or just a plain, sliced avocado on pumpernickel, with lean turkey, sprouts and a few tomato slices) I’m treating everyone to great health benefits!

Very similar to one of my favorite oils, extra virgin olive oil (but that’s another blog), avocados also contain healthy monounsaturated fatty acids. Yes, I said “HEALTHY FATS”; it’s not an oxymoron, it’s Mother Nature sweetheart, (yes, we can go over that another day as well.) These are the "good fats" that can aid in lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, while improving HDL (good) cholesterol levels! Avos also contain antioxidants, fiber, potassium, magnesium, and folate. Studies show that avocados are “nutrient boosters”, meaning they aid the body in absorption of even more nutrients from other foods.

Reasons why I am absolutely in LOVE with avocados and you should LOVE too…

- Avocados are an amazing “sexy food” that contain plenty of monounsaturated fats (aka “good fat”!), vitamin K, dietary fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, folate, copper

- This fabulous fruit (yes, fruit honey!) is packed with more potassium than a medium banana- almost 900 grams of potassium to be exact!

- Avocados are a VERY healthy substitution for fattening condiments such as mayonnaise, fatty ranch dressing and or cream based spreads

- Avocados carry 81 micrograms of lutein; which may help maintain healthy eyesight as we get older and are not able to see if he’s as cute as we remembered?

- Avocados are naturally cholesterol and sodium free

- The best part about this natural beauty bar: it contains vitamins A, B and E all great for nurturing the skin from the inside and out! Yes! You can mash up that avocado in a bowl and spread it on your gorgeous face to make a natural moisturizing mask. Now that my friends is definitely a “Sexy Food”! Heck Yes!

For more sexy on avocados:
http://www.avocado.org/healthy-living/nutrition

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=5


2- OMEGA 3 RICH FOODS- SALMON, HALIBUT, SCALLOPS, SARDINES, FLAX SEED, FLAX OIL, WALNUTS, BASIL…



Omega 3s are essential to a sexy you, they help aid in both physical and mental health and can be a simple addition to your everyday diet! Omega 3s are a type of polyunsaturated fatty acid. They can be found only in foods like fish, seeds, nuts and plants. Omega 3 fatty acids are called “essential fatty acids” because your own body cannot produce them, you can only receive these “essential fatty acids” through proper food consumption.

Foods like walnuts, salmon, sardines, fresh basil, flaxseed, all contain these amazing Omega 3 Fatty Acids that are essential for optimal mental health, (may help with depression, concentration and may even help improve with learning and memory). Remember it all starts with that sexy brain of yours! But of course, thinking sexy, Omega 3s are also essential to our physical health as well: These beneficial fatty acids can help aid in improving circulation, helping to keep our skin soft and the fatty oils in these foods also keep your hair full of shine and natural gloss! Now I’ll eat salmon, flax seeds and walnuts any day for health and beauty benefits. Who needs a hair stylist when you’ve got a sexy date with salmon?

Here’s a fantastic link with a list of foods that contain plenty of Omega 3’s:

http://www.nutritiondata.com/foods-000140000000000000000.html

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204348804574407372661465700.html?mod=googlenews_wsj





3-QUINOA “MOTHER GRAIN” OF THE INCAS





Pronounced KEEN-Wah, this “sexy food” is always on my plate and at my dinner parties without any hesitation. Quinoa is definitely my wingman to staying fab, healthy and sexy! I often refer to it as “ Nature's Couscous”, because most people cannot tell the two apart just by first glance or consistency. That’s where I’m trying to convince you to convert to quinoa.

Quinoa is a grain-like seed that contains all 9 essential amino acids making it a complete protein, meaning it’s a great source of protein for vegetarians. Guess what? Your boring plate of couscous (which is pasta! Duh!) is NOT a complete protein. Quinoa can also help the body absorb more nutrients with the help from its natural minerals, potassium and manganese.

With the same texture, consistency and visuals as couscous, and more nutrients, packed with protein and it's gluten free…I’m not even going to assume that you will look at couscous ever again, right? It’s no wonder that quinoa is regarded as the “Gold of the Incas”; it’s pure delight!

More on this amazing complete protein packed “sexy food”:
http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?site=MensHealth&channel=nutrition&category=food.for.fitness&conitem=b19f96cf917d1110VgnVCM20000012281eac____
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=142



4- ANTIOXIDANT RICH BERRIES- “SEXY BERRIES”


Blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, currants, strawberries, raspberries! And no, I’m not talking about Captain Crunch Berries either. Berries are a spark of delight from childhood: handfuls, bowls with yogurt and a sprinkle of granola, sounds delightful! The most fantastic part about consuming these little bits of heaven? They contain plenty of vitamin C, E and antioxidants and can also help in keeping your skin smooth and sexy by helping your body with the natural manufacturing of collagen! Wow. So you can kill two birds with one stone; by snacking on some delicious berries, you’re getting all the proper nutrition your body needs, while making your skin glow and stay “youthful” in appearance all at the same time.

These “sexy berries” I talk about are also loaded with mega important antioxidants. Antioxidants are truly essential to a healthy and balanced diet because they protect your precious body cells from the damaging effects of oxidation. Antioxidants are disease-fighting compounds, that scientists find can help prevent the stress of oxidation,. This natural process occurs during normal cell function. But by eating more antioxidant rich foods you can help prevent this oxidation process which can aid in a much healthier you and possibly anti-aging. Now that my friends is a SUPER “sexy food”!


The scoop on berries:
- Hide quoted text -
http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/the-miracle-berry/e96b323b0b803110VgnVCM20000012281eac____/health/healthy.living.centers/anti.aging
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=8528046
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1724258/best_antioxidantrich_fruits_.html?cat=5


5- YOGURT- GREEK YOGURT, LOWFAT YOGURT, ACIDOPHILUS, PROBIOTICS…Definitely my #1 Favorite “Sexy Food”





If you went to raid my refrigerator right this second you would find at least 5 different types of yogurt, 2 bottles of Acidophilus and an occasional bottle of Kiefer and maybe a soy yogurt too. And no, I will not date a guy that sneers at yogurt, I’m that deeply in love with it! I am so in love with the stuff I’m constantly having a bite, heck I’m blogging right next to my 32 oz container of creamy, smooth, low-fat vanilla heaven as we speak, spoon in hand and smile on my face. Yeah, it only takes about $3.29 to make me happy!

You see, yogurt is one of those “feel great” foods where after you have a taste, you know that you are fueling your body with proper nutrition. It keeps me looking and feeling sexy with the help from “good bacteria’ or live active cultures aka Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, (fancy! Oh my!) These live active cultures are what help convert pasteurized milk into yogurt! It’s similar to the fermentation process which beer, wine and even cheese go thru; where good bacteria/organisms ferment and create these fantastic foods. The fermentation process in general is what makes yogurt so unique.

Now I just love yogurt due to all of the amazing health benefits it contains:

- Naturally helps boost immunity
- Contains Calcium, protein and potassium
- Can help lower LDL Cholesterol and raise HDL
- Helps aid in digestion (movement people!)
- May help you keep that skinny waist!
- Helps lower blood pressure

For a little more MD on Yogurt check out: (Ladies, this one’s for you!)

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/benefits-of-yogurt
http://eating.health.com/2008/02/01/worlds-healthiest-foods-yogurt-greece/

Hope that you can take from this informative blog now and make yourself a bit sexier through those foods that fuel you! Remember…

Nasty Foods= Nasty Waistline

Sexy Foods = A Sexy Waistline ….Donezo!

LOVE SUSHI???? CHECK OUT A GREAT NON PROFIT EVENT ILL BE HOSTING WITH OTHER “TOP CHEF “ VETERANS…. THIS SUNDAY SUSHI MASTERS CLICK BELOW:
http://www.jaccc.org/09sushimasters.htm


Trust me, I’m a Chef… Your Stiletto Chef! xxxo

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stiletto-Chef/123674940840?_fb_noscript=1

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http://www.stilettochef.com/

944 BLOG #3
SEPT 10, 2009

STILETTO CHEF STYLE:
THE WAY TO HER HEART: WINE, CHEESE & CHOCOLATE

So you say you have no idea how to make her feel like the queen that she is? You think that your good looks, charming personality, nice ride and cheesy pick up lines will win her over!? Ha, not a chance! If you want to stand out from the pack these days you’ve got to step your game up…

I must say, I have been quite disappointed recently with the lack of food and wine knowledge that men are able to roll with. Your best ammo should live in that big ol’ noggin you’re carrying around! That brain of yours! Learn to store seemingly useless tidbits about the dating holy trinity…wine, cheese, and chocolate! Because that my friends will win over any girl's heart. Not to mention if you know when to deftly make a suggestion…you just might get to that second date. C’mon guys, don’t be afraid to show us that your Mom raised a proper gentlemen that has a trick or two up his sleeve! Believe me, we’ll be asking for seconds if you do…





WINE, CHEESE & CHOCOLATE
Don’t worry if you can’t cook, couldn’t write a poem to save your life, or are just too lazy to hop the fence to pick her some flowers… a little knowledge about wine, cheese, & chocolate will save the date!

FIRST START OFF BY GRABBING THE WINE LIST WITH THE CONFIDENCE OF A MAN WHO KNOWS RED WINES

RED WINE: Listed below are 3 RED WINES recommended by my favorite Sommelier Miss Shannon Latting & a brief description of why women will love these RED VINOS!
… and no, 2 Buck Chuck is NOT impressive!

PINOT NOIR: A hard grape variety to cultivate and care for, shows your lady friend that you are in tune to seasonal rhythms and that you appreciate the subtleties that make her unique! With hints of cherries and soft grape like kisses, you cannot go wrong with this choice. It’s one of my personal favorites and it’s very versatile for food pairing as well. Hint: Look for labels from California (Napa or Central Coast) or Oregon for best value.

MALBEC: From Mendoza, Argentina, Malbec is the heartbeat of Argentina’s wine industry. This selection will show her you that you are an international man of mystery that knows a thing or two about bold quality when you see it. With hints of deep plum, dark currants, blackberries, figs and even chocolate, she’ll know this is a winner. There’s just something so succulent and seductive about a man who knows a good South American wine!

RIOJA: Spanish is just so sexy… why? Rioja is the only wine region in Spain that has the designation DOC (Denominación de Origen Calificada), which is the highest classification in Spain. The area is known for it’s rose-colored soil, and I have to admit, roses are just classicaly romantic. Choosing a Rioja will show her you know both quality and classification. Some of the grape varieties used to make Rioja are Tempranillo (my favorite) �“ a delicate, berry flavor; Garnacha Tinta �“ more on the peppery side; Graciano �“ hints of blackberry; and Mazuelo �“ a tannin.

Confused yet? Here’s a cheat sheet, print it out and give a quick review before you head out for the night. This wins you massive points Mister!

http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/50-wines-you-can-always-trust/sidebar/10




SECONDLY, A LITTLE CHEESE (BOARD) ON THE DATE IS A GOOD THING

CHEESE: A cheese board is the easiest, most simple and rustic way into a girl’s heart. First off pick up a few lovely cheeses from your local grocer. (3-5 is good, don’t overwhelm her, plus I guarantee you’ll forget which is which ). I always love a great sharp blue cheese on board, I suggest a Stilton or Roquefort. Second a cream Brie allows for a change in texture, try a triple cream, or throw in a wild card like a creamy Chevre. And you simply cannot forget a smoky Gouda! Gouda is Goooooodaahh! Not only that, but more than likely she will be familiar with the Gouda so she feels like you have something in common. I also think a hard cheese like a Parmigiano Reggiano or a Swiss Gruyere (fantastic with Fuji apples) finishes off a cheese board nicely. And guys don’t forget to choose a few sides…a cheese board without accents is like a woman without that fabulous new clutch! Spill a handful of dried figs next to the blue cheese, a bunch of grapes on the vine next to the cream Brie, a couple of dried apricots, smoked almonds, sliced apples and of course a beautiful sliced baguette or some whole wheat crackers. Trust me, she will DEFINITELY stick around for desert after a well laid out cheese board.

If you didn’t understand a blurb of what I just said.. do your research, learn about these different cheese varieties and use your noggin! Or the sites I provided for you, lazy!

http://winemonger.com/catalog/winemonger-talk/wine-and-cheese-pairing/2006/07/15/

http://www.ilovecheese.co.uk/ThePerfectCheeseBoard.html

http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/patricias-perfect-cheeseboard



LAST BUT NOT LEAST, ALWAYS LEAVE HER WANTING MORE (CHOCOLATE)!

CHOCOLATE : Ok, this is a no brainer my friend. To close the deal and really make her smile, Dark Chocolate is your new wing man. Not only is it absolutely decadent, it's heart healthy too! Although I have never personally had anyone do this for me. I think dark chocolate covered strawberries are about the sexiest thing known to women! I recommend choosing a dark chocolate with a minimum of 50% cocoa. The higher the % of cocoa, the less sugar and the more flavonoids (natural antioxidant) that the chocolate contains . A handful of lovely single chocolates are impressive as well. If you really want to go above and beyond place the chocolates on a platter, grab a gorgeous bottle of Prosecco, Champagne or Cava and sit her down for a nice foot rub.. now that’s a perfect way to her heart! And guys, NO HEART SHAPED BOXES of mixed chocolates…leave that one on the shelf for the dust to collect!

http://www.chocolate.com/articles/chocolate-by-the-numbers.html
http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/chocolate-champions
http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20040601/dark-chocolate-day-keeps-doctor-away

I’m not suggesting that you have to go out of your way to purchase all 3 of these items, nor am I saying this is the only way to make her night. I’m just a foodie in the know, and if there’s one thing I’m certain of its that girls love a guy who goes out of his way to plan, research, and accomplish a great night all on his own. So get that research done. Print a cheat sheet to take with you to the men’s room. If you want a classy lady I'd suggest becoming a bit of a gentleman.

Trust me, I’m a Chef… Your Stiletto Chef! xxxo

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Written by: Candice Kumai

944 BLOG #2
SEPT 8, 2009

STILETTO CHEF STYLE:
IN SEASON, IN STYLE. AND NO, I'M NOT TALKING FASHION…

Keep it in season my friends! Just like that sexy pair of Chloe fall boots, that amazing pleated, double-breasted coat in the winter, and your hot Maxi dress in the summer, you too can keep what you eat in season and in style, sweetheart. You’ve got to get with it and learn that staying in season is not just about fashion. It’s a lot easier to shop for that perfect tomato or peach compared to shopping for that perfect pair of leather pants or chain-covered booties. Trust me. Mother Nature has made it so easy by already picking out what you should eat! Now, as for what to wear??? Ha! Well that’s all on you my pretty.

Look there are already plenty of tools that exist to teach you to how to eat in Season! Who knew!? Easiest way to figure it out, without calling Old Mac Donald or mad science research, is to go to a farmers market or the grocery store and look for the sales in the produce aisles. If you hit up your local farmer’s market, everything should be IN SEASON and as fresh as it ever could be! If you go to your local grocery store, look for the corn that’s 5 for a $1 (insane deal) and the nectarines that are .77 cents a pound! Yeah, that means they're in season, my friend. I'm no economist, but a surplus of anything will tend to lower its cost; that’s just a no brainer (like when you get those bad irregular jeans at your secret discount store; surplus baby!). Also, it may be too optimistic, but if your local grocery store promotes locally grown and in season products also, you should be able to keep your eye out on the local grocery store's advertisements for what’s in season, on sale, and at it’s peak in flavor!

For example, there are items peaking right now that you should be looking for (in September). Early fall/late summer is a gorgeous time of year to be eating fresh and in season! The vibrant colors from fresh Italian squash, sweet red grapes, fresh crisp Gala apples, and gorgeous bright-eyed asparagus are just a few of the options in my local area that are in season right now! Click here to see what’s best for you in your local area: http://www.sustainabletable.org/shop/eatseasonal/

Not only is eating in season, good for you (more nutrients in the food when it's in season), it’s also a great way to save $$$ so that you can buy that fabulous Miu Miu Handbag or that hot pair of Louboutin stilettos you’ve been drooling over....and still fit into those bargain designer jeans you bought because it's so healthy! So hmmm lets see:

EATING IN SEASON IS FABULOUS BECAUSE:

1.) Staying in season is easy to follow: Mother Nature wrote the calendar for us! If you stay in season with fashion trends, why haven’t you been staying in season with food?

2.) Eating in season: more nutrients, better quality food, vibrant colors, and gorgeous varieties to choose from. Gorgeous food = a gorgeous YOU! You are what you eat, sister!

3.) Eating in season saves us $$$!! So that you can stick to your budget for all the fab Fall fashion coming up! You can also save by buying in bulk at peak season and freezing for later use throughout the year. Yeah now you’re getting smart, sexy!

4.) Eating in season keeps you looking fabulous! Stay in tune with your body and the seasons around you by eating healthy and keeping up with a well balanced diet. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables throughout the course of your day.

5.) Support local farmers in your area. I really can’t stress this part enough! Find out where you can shop locally grown produce; support local farming and eat what’s in season and closest to you in your area! Oh and just a bonus, I hear that the farmers market can also be a great place to find other hot and sexy people…. Like attracts like, right? Search for it!! http://www.sustainabletable.org/shop/eatseasonal/

Dying to know what’s in season now!? Check out some of my go-to sites:

http://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?id=Seasonalfoodguides

http://www.fieldtoplate.com/guide.php

http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/?page_id=996&gclid=CNvY3-6w4pwCFR0Sagod8hsoKA

http://www.sustainabletable.org/shop/eatseasonal/

I hope this helps with your crazy hectic work week! In fact, if you stopped the coffee refills, emails, and doughnuts long enough to read this you're probably already on your way! So, why not instead of all that, tomorrow you can pack that fresh Gala apple or that sweet, ripe banana that Mother Nature already pre-packed for you. Jump on the bandwagon of healthy eating and make some lifestyle changes today. If you want to keep that figure lean, mean, and in season, you’ve got to eat that way too.

Trust me, I’m a Chef… Your Stiletto Chef! xxxo

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http://www.stilettochef.com/
Written by: Candice Kumai

SEPT 3, 2009

STILETTO CHEF STYLE:

MODERN COOKING, FOOD AND A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

 

 So, I was thinking since this is Blog NUMERRRRO UNNNO … I'd like to take a  moment to introduce myself....  Candice Kumai...aka the “Stiletto Chef"...the name bestowed upon me in culinary school. A San Diego surfer girl, born and bred Carlsbad local. I grew up in the modeling and fashion industry in Los Angeles & parts of Asia starting from the age of 15. I paid my way through college working as a model and suddenly had a change of heart. Instead, I heard a calling from the unknown world of culinary arts when I was about 20 years old. A nasty transition.... Most thought I was insane (well yeah I am, but I love insane; it's thinking outside the box; trendsetting, chasing, dreaming). But truly, I went from a world of deprivation to a world of gluttony. I had never seen so much FAT being used at restaurants and in culinary school. It was the ultimate oxymoron.. a model… who cooked…. “Yeah flippin’ right!” They’d all say.. This chic prob eats lettuce and cotton balls right?

Hahha...Hardly! In fact, I remember gaining quite a bit of weight during my tenure of baking and pastry classes at Le Cordon Bleu’s California School of Culinary Arts...almost 20 pounds to be exact. Eeeek! Seemed like my modeling days were numbered...Until I realized I couldn’t afford to lose the modeling jobs if I wanted to be able to afford culinary school. So, I had to get very serious about maintaining my weight. YES Serious! It all became a game of give and take. If I wanted to stuff my face with bear claws, apple turnovers (and once, yes, I’ll admit there was a long drive to some fit modeling clients where I ate a whole loaf of focaccia bread that I baked for myself; man I’ll never forget how good that was but I felt so bad after). I had to learn how to balance my eating with exercise or moderation or something!

 At some point I was smuggled out of culinary school and dropped into the first Season of Bravo’s “Top Chef,” in San Fran, then was a food expert and on-air host at HSN in Florida, cooked with Mister Wolfgang Puck, cooked for some fabulous celebs in the Hamptons and Hollywood hills, cooked VIP events at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel, co-wrote recipes for the now #1 NY Times Best Selling cookbook “Cook Yourself Thin,” and hosted Lifetimes new cooking/ lifestyle series “Cook Yourself Thin” in NY...  and don’t forget this was all for a girl coming from a background of cooking with flavor, not a yucky medicinal standpoint! So maybe, just maybe, I could give some proper insight and a younger, more modern perspective on food, lifestyle and how to stay absolutely fabulous, honey!

 Now you don’t have to trust me, believe every little blurb or even listen to a peep I say. I just want you to know deep down inside I didn’t get into this messy, crazy and harsh industry of Food TV for nothing. In fact, I got into this mess for you my friend! So if I’m babbling about how “FAT AMERICA” has fallen out of their lazy-boys or how your night of “Never Ending” pasta bowls at a certain chain of Italian restaurants isn’t my cup of  bubbly, well...just hear me out. I care about you, the way you eat, the way you look at food, and your overall health. I love food as much as the next person and I want you to be able to love it too!

I’m excited to share with you my culinary adventures for the next four months. Everything from my endeavors in Food TV, the restaurant industry in LA and NY, food writing, recipe testing, culinary consulting, to never ending food events with prestigious Chef’s across the Nation, as well as many, many long hours of research, food studies, and personal experience. Also, I'll keep you updated on the latest in food, health and staying fabulous from a modern and hip foodie’s perspective. Food is the one thing that centrally ties our lives together so we might as well make it a healthy, positive, and happy part of your life. So get ready to embark on this journey and into a new foodie lifestyle! 

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Trust me, I’m a Chef… Your Stiletto Chef! xxxo

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