Chef Demo: Kitchen Shaman Live

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | Jan 2, 2015 | Cooking Demos |

Next weekend you can find me cooking “Breakfast in the Afternoon” at the first annual Arizona Vegetarian Food Festival. Cooking in front of crowds is a favorite thing of mine. Although I don’t favor open kitchens (where cooks have to produce constantly while patrons look on), I do like to put on a good cooking demo.

When I found out that Arizona was to have our first Vegetarian Festival ever, I knew I must participate. The information came across my virtual desktop while we were traveling across the United States from Arizona to Kansas. Fortunately the Festival will be held in Scottsdale, a town adjacent to Phoenix, and very close to the last restaurant I worked at. After a few emails were exchanged I had secured a slot with the producers of this event. I’d like to thank Chef Jason Wyrick for sharing the link that led to this fantastic event. read more

January Food Observances

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | Dec 31, 2014 | Food Observances & Holidays |

We are deep in the throes of winter in the northern hemisphere. I’m bundling up in sweaters and long pants to help ward off the chilly 40 degree weather that hits southern Arizona. My friends in the colder places like to laugh at my attempts at staying warm. Well, here’s a great idea to stay warm yourself, celebrate National Hot Toddy Day on January 11th.

Looking towards the month of January, here are a few of the month-long celebrations: National Tea Month, National Soup Month, and National Oatmeal Month. There are many ways to celebrate these month-long observances so get creative and have fun.

Following the Spice: Clove

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | Dec 29, 2014 | Herbs & Spices, Ingredients |

There’s that jar of cloves that sits on the back shelf of the pantry until winter comes, and baking cookies and cakes and mulling cider begins. Then, suddenly, there’s cloves; the star of the winter season bringing heat and warmth to our food, and our senses. Cloves, along with her sisters, cinnamon and nutmeg and next to ginger and pepper, were valued spices in ancient and medieval times for this reason.

Tis the Season: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | Dec 24, 2014 | Desserts, Recipes |

It's that time of year when crazy holiday baking ensues. I have friends all over the country posting photos on how they set up to wage the battle of flour and sugar. As a chef who has converted to vegan and gluten free cooking I have managed to perfect one or two baked goods. Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are a particular favorite. I don't know why everything seems easier with pumpkin, but it does.

I Wrote a Cookbook!

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | Dec 19, 2014 | Books |

Sometimes as a chef I am challenged to write down recipes. The birth of this blog and website were because my spouse said, “Did you write that down? Go write it down.” I had bits and scraps of paper floating around the house with scribbles of ingredients and amounts. But there was nothing formal. So I took to writing the ingredients and process down in a notebook, then transcribed it to the blog.

As the blog grows it gets a little harder to find the recipes. I wanted a way that you could find just soups, or just tofu. And the list goes on.

So I wrote a book...

Gluten Free Pizza Dough Perfection

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | Dec 17, 2014 | Entree, Recipes |

As a chef, I usually am on the hunt for culinary perfection. While working in professional kitchens this meant perfecting the executive chef’s vision. Since I made the transition out of professional kitchens and into my own business, I drive myself even harder to find that flavor, that process, that technique that works. Each one of my recipes goes through a rigorous process: test, re-test, taste, have the spouse eat it more than once. Make sure the amounts, times, temperatures, and ingredients work. Strive for flavor perfection. read more

Following the Spice: Cinnamon

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | Dec 15, 2014 | Herbs & Spices, Ingredients |

Cinnamon sticks

Cinnamon was always on the shelf in my home growing up. Mom used it for everything from toothaches (just stick it on the gums) to cinnamon sugar on toast. She put it in a variety of dishes, which confused some of my friends and neighbors. Isn’t cinnamon a spice for baked goods? Pastries, apple pies, not spaghetti sauce and meat rubs.

It turns out my mom wasn’t wrong. She was operating on the idea that cinnamon is good for the gut, fights off diabetes, and helps reduce cholesterol. She learned these things from her mother, who learned it from her mother, and so handed down through my family. read more

Creamy Quinoa Stuffed Poblano Chilies

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | Dec 12, 2014 | Entree, Recipes |

I'm trying to find things to do with the sole survivors of my garden: poblano and jalapeno chilies. Sure, I could roast them, chop them up and throw them in the freezer for later use. This is a perfectly acceptable method for the preservation of garden abundance. But there’s this other thing you can do with chilies. You can stuff them. As a matter of fact, I made a little video that shows you how to do just that, roast, peel, and stuff a poblano chili.

Poblano Cream Sauce: Warmth for the Winter

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | Dec 10, 2014 | Recipes, Sauces |

I love chilies. Anyone who reads this blog understands that. The two plants I managed to maintain and get fruit from this year are my jalapeno and poblano chili plants. My pride and joy is the poblano chili plant. Poblanos are my absolute favorite chili. They usually carry a mild to moderate heat, but have a bit of sweet to them.

Vegan Eats in Houston-Topeka-Santa Fe

Posted by Kitchen Shaman | Dec 5, 2014 | Restaurant Reviews, Travel |

This is the second installment of the great Summer Trek (Part 1 is here). I realize it’s almost the end of November but summer vacation was really worth the trip, and there were surprises with the dining out experience.

I’ve never been to Houston, home of NASA, the Gulf Coast, and lots of Big Texas friendliness. I wasn’t, however, sure about the dining situation. Our friend lives in a suburb, pretty far away from the cultural centers where we would be able to get a quick vegan eats fix. Once we arrived, we cast about for options. read more

Author: Kitchen Shaman