Chef Cristeta Comerford

Foodie's delight proudly presents Cristeta Comerford the Whitehouse Executive Chef since 2005, who has been featured on CNN's Talk Asia. For fifteen years she has been working her culinary artistry at this famous address, the first female Executive Chef in the Whitehouse of Filipino descent. During this time she has cooked for America's First Families, such as the Clinton, Bush and currently the Obama family.

In this episode, interviewed by Hala Gorani in the Whitehouse kitchen, the Sampaloc-born Ms. Comerford talked about her humble beginnings in the Philippines, thankfully her father noticed her talent in cooking and encouraged her to go to culinary school. In her early twenties she immigrated to the U.S., received her bacherlor's degree in food technology from the University of the Philippines, studied French cooking, worked in various restaurants and hotels before being recruited in the White House under the Clinton administration. Retained by the Obama's, Ms. Comerford is humbled by her position serving the First Family.

Her secret ingredient, using fresh vegestables grown from the organic vegetable garden on White House's south lawn.

Here's Cristeta Comerford's recipe for creamed spinach soup, one of Michelle Obama's  favorites:

No Cream Creamed Spinach
Serves 6

2 pounds baby spinach, washed and cleaned
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 shallots, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
Salt and freshly ground pepper.

1. Blanch half a pound of spinach in salted, boiling water. Immediately, “shock” the blanched spinach in a bowl of iced water. Drain and squeeze out the excess water. Puree in a blender. Set aside.

2. In a large skillet, sweat the shallots and garlic until translucent. Add the rest of the spinach leaves. Toss and sauté until wilted. Fold in the spinach puree. Season with salt and pepper.

It doesn't sound that intricate, I will surely try this recipe and post photos. Do share your comments if you've tried this recipe as well...

Sushi and more...

Mirin, soy sauce, salt, sugar... the basic ingredients of any japanese dish.
Yuzo, miso, natto, senbei, ogura yukan, macha green tea from Uji and more. A household name in Japan for more than 100 years, Meidi-Ya store is well known by the locals for their fresh sushi and caters traditional ingredients for expats in Amsterdam. The only store outside of Japan, Meidi-Ya Amsterdam is celebrating their 30th anniversary. Everyone is invited, a festival of Food and Drink of Japanese and other asian cuisine, this will be held in Amstelveen on 25 September and 10 October. It is the place to be, if like me, you love asian cuisine... Kimchi workshops and green tea tastings, a delightful treat!

enjoyed fresh sushi at their store

green tea

Purukogi

          

Terimah kasih, Malaysia!

A selection of the yumminess we enjoyed while on holiday in Malaysia. We had so many tasty, cheap and lovely dishes that I couldn't resist to eat first instead of to shoot first... fortunately some of my photos were ok. 

chicken satay 

for breakfast

breakfast dessert

fresh lobster

it was a lovely lobster...

                         

where do those cupcakes come from?

American Bakery... I totally recommend this bakery, best cupcakes and cookies I've had in Amsterdam. Does it compare to the "Magnolia cupcakes" in the States? We'll find out... Though it is kind of addictive, the cupcakes, everytime I'm in town I have the urge to walk past by their window and stare at the loveliness behind it... I try to control myself not to give in to my addiction. 'Crackcakes' maybe a little ;) Fortunately the bakery is still a local secret as there are no waitinglist or long lines at the door.

               

mussels in beer, dessert homemade brownie, pecan icecream and summer berries

Mussels cooked in beer, with lots of garlic and onions.

        

For dessert home made brownies with pecan icecream and very berries.

 

vicky cristina barcelona and summer delights...

My ultimate movie snack for this hot summer night, Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelon and ofcourse Javier Bardem... 

Chocolate cake roll served with strawberries and cherries.

Delightfully sweet strawberries.

a lovely summer's day

Wine and dined at the Hotel deGoudfazant, as a treat for my mom's birthday. It's quite hard to shoot first and eat later... So, lots of appreciation to my family who were patient enough for putting up with me and my camera. 
Here is a glimpse of our fine meal. It was a feast on our taste pallet.

home made smoked mackerel with wild mushrooms

Bel pils, belgian beer 

 plat de charcuterie

  rosé wine has just been poured

lamszadel, this was gobbled up in just a few minutes

 

one of the desserts very berries 

first rosé wine of the summer