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Food Society Members Feast at Chef Chu’s

By Leith Steel
Photos courtesy Amy Sherman



Chef Chu describing his dishes

Better late than never, members of the SFPFS decided, as they and their guests headed off to Chef Chu's in Los Altos March 14 to celebrate a the Year of the Golden Pig. Chef Chu greeted us with effusive hospitality and proceeded to put on a lavish banquet that combined traditional new year’s dishes with his newest creations.


Gold Crown Hidden Treasure
Kabocha squash filled with traditional New Year Buddha's Delight (jai), garnished with fresh vegetables



The chef, author of Chef Chu’s: Quick, Healthy, Simple, Delicious, demonstrated remarkable skill in adapting traditional dishes to an American palate without losing their authenticity—a testament to his thirty years in business.


Treasure Duck with Good Luck Charms: Whole duck braised in an aromatic soy sauce, served over taro with a chain of gold coins symbolizing prosperity


He presented each dish as it marched out of the kitchen explaining ingredients and symbolic significance. Highlights included a spoon-tender and wonderfully aromatic braised duck, a miso marinated steak and a gorgeous golden kabocha squash presented whole and cut open to reveal a vegetarian stuffing resplendent with mushrooms, asparagus and other vegetables. The simple steamed white rice that usually signals an end to the feast was replaced by a combination of grains and dried fruits wrapped in a lotus leaf. It was at once sweet, savory and tart with the hint of the nuttiness that comes from whole grains.


Wok-seared Steak Medallions with Lime-Miso Dressing
Rare-seared beef steak tossed with lime-miso dressing, basil & purple onion, served over a bed of watercress and cherry tomatoes



Chef Chu was kind enough to donate wine from the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains to accompany the meal. We drank both a Chardonnay and a Cabernet from King’s Mountain Winery. Chef Chu's energy and enthusiasm was contagious and members left happy and stuffed with delicious food and information about Chinese culinary traditions.
 

 

 

 


 


 

 
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