Chef Cali Bergold and Carson Pazdan on WGN

The Kids Feeding Kids Club was founded in 2008 by 5-year-old Carson Pazdan.

Inspired by his love to cook and experiment in the kitchen, Carson wanted to create his own cookbook featuring all of his recipes as well as those from other children. He dreamed of a cookbook designed by kids for kids. This idea evolved into a vision of creating a club for kids where they can directly impact the lives of other children and help stop hunger. The organization’s mission is to feed hungry youth through fundraising and volunteering, building awareness, compassion and a foundation of philanthropy that will last a lifetime. It is the organization’s belief that the earlier children are introduced to community service, volunteerism and charity work, the more likely they are to stay engaged in these activities into adulthood thus making the world a better place.

To learn more about the cookbook, and donor opportunities, please visit kidsfeedingkids.info

Worms and Eyeballs

INGREDIENTS
1 lb. bucatini pasta (hollow spaghetti)
1 sm. red bell pepper
1-1/2 lbs. ground chicken breast
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 Tbs ginger, chopped
2 scallions, finely chopped
2 Tbs hoiser sause (Chinese BBQ)
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
3 Tbs vegetable oil
1 cup preshredded carrots
1 cup bean sprouts
1 cup snow pea pods (cut into pieces with scissor knife)
1/2 cup tamari

PROCEDURE
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Put a large pot of water to boil for the pasta. Cut off a quarter of the bell pepper and have your grown-up helper (GH) chop it finely. Slice the rest of the pepper yourself. Combine chicken, garlic, ginger, scallions, finely chopped peppers, hoisin sauce, salt and perpper in a bowl. Roll the mixture into meatballs the size of chicken eyeballs and place balls on a nonstick cookie sheet, coated lightly with 1 Tbs vegetable oil. Roast the chicken eyeballs for 10-12 minutes. When the past water comes to a boil, cook pasta according to directions. When the pasta is almost cooked through and the eyeballs are about 5 minutes away from coming out of the oven, start stir-frying the veggies. Heat a large nonstick skillet over high heat and add remaining 2 Tbs of vegetable oil. Stir the veggies for 1 minute. Have our GH drain the noodles and add the worms to the veggies. Pour in the tamari while the GH tosses the worms and veggies to coat. Transfer noodles to serving platter. Remove the eyeballs from the oven, roll them on top of the worms, then serve.

Last of Summer Dinner Menu … Patio Party on the Mansion Grounds

Amuse Bouche

Champagne and caviar
1996 Joseph Perrier Brut Champagne

1st course

Irish organic tuna tartare tower
28 year old balsamic reduction, avocado, McWethy hydroponic tomatoes
2003 Moreaux Sancerre “Les Bouffants”

2nd course

Seared diver sea scallop
Goat cheese polenta, sweet pea sauce, micro greens
2003 Hartford Court “Three Jacks” Russian River Chardonnay

3rd course

Seared Hudson Valley foie gras,
Caramelized apple hash, maple ginger syrup
1999 Ch. Rieussec 1er Cru Sauternes

4th course

Dijon crusted New Zealand lamb rack
Truffle whipped potatoes, shiraz reduction
2002 Robertson “No. 1 Constitution Road” Shiraz - S. Africa

5th course

A selection of fine Spanish cheeses, grapes, nut bread, quince jelly
Delaforce “His Eminence’s Choice” 10 Year Tawny Port

Dessert

Warm chocolate soufflé
Berry mint salad
NV Elio Perrone “Bigaro” - Piemonte

Garlic and Oregano Poached Sea Bass

There are several different ways to cook with liquid. The most obvious is poaching, in which the fish is simply simmered in water or other liquid until it is done. This easy method consistently results in a moist piece of fish and works well with a fillet, whole fish or sizeable section of fish. Cooking with liquid cannot give fish a nice brown crust, but it does have several advantages. The liquid gives more flexibility because the fish does not dry out so quickly. The liquid also eliminates the need for some of the cooking fat you would use with other methods.

Makes: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS
For poaching …
2 cups white wine
2 cups fish or veggie stock (or water)
2 tablespoons rice, sherry or white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sea salt
10 peppercorns
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon dried oregano
4, 4-5 oz. sea bass fillets, skin off

For Tomato and Basil Sauce for Sea Bass …
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
3 tablespoons garlic, minced
2, 28 oz. cans whole pear tomatoes, pureed
1, 28 oz. can tomato sauce
1.5 oz. fresh, whole basil leaves
Sea salt, pepper, sugar to taste

PROCEDURE
Combine all poaching ingredients in a deep skillet or pot large enough to hold the fish and liquid in a single layer. Bring liquids and spices to a boil, uncovered, over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Place sea bass in liquid. Cover the pan and adjust the heat so that the liquid is gently simmering; cook for about 8-10 minutes (in general, 8-9 minutes per inch of thickness - all fish is cooked through when an instant read thermometer reads 137 degrees - usually, 135 degrees leaves just a hint of translucence and more moisture and is done enough for most people). Remove the fish. Serve with sauce.

For sauce…
Heat olive oil in large pan. Add onions and garlic and sauté until translucent. Add the tomato puree and sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and add whole basil leaves. Cook for about 20 minutes. Season to taste with sea salt and pepper (and sugar if needed). Remove basil leaves and stems before serving.

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