acai

Sorry for the lack of post-worthy material (and lack of posts in general).  We just broke records for breakfast covers as well as enduring all day mayhem during this Spring Break period (which will roughly last for the next 10 days or so).  There are many sides to a chef's 'job' and knowing how to cook and exhibiting creativity is only a part of that job.  The rest of it is knowing how to get a kitchen full of 20 cooks or so to all flow cohesively and function like a well-oiled machine.  It means constantly keeping people in check from the line to the waitstaff to the food runners to the beverage manager to stewarding to anyone else who steps into your territory.  This is the sort of thing that makes 'chefs' choke on competition reality shows... unless you are eliminated for your cooking skills or knowledge which means you shouldn't even be there in the first place.

So what better to post about during this period of massive time and energy consumption?

Acai berries!  (Pronounced uh-SAH-ee)  One of the great superfoods of the world as Chef K pointed out to me quite some time back when he was researching superfoods for a Heart Association dinner.  Acai berry is one of those natural miracle foods that can supposedly do wonders for your health.  The Mona-Vie brand is a popular blend.  It's difficult to find pure acai unless you live in Brazil, and getting a great blend is an art in itself.  So how does the Mona-Vie taste... intense!  It's one of those substances that gets your body humming after ingesting a small amount, and I honestly have not felt that kind of 'uneasiness' since eating pure bee pollen in Santa Fe years ago.  I don't know if these foods commonly cause this reaction in people or if my body has a natural aversion for anything too good for me... maybe I should just stick to Amstel Light which gets me humming later in the day.

Anyway, we have a case of these bottles (not counting the one I brought home) and look forward to adding some gelling agents to them and incorporating them into dishes some time after the Spring Break holiday.

Comments

[foodplayer]

If you drink that with pork belly, you won't get that reaction.

[chadzilla]

That's a curious thing, Linda. Why is that?

[foodplayer]

What? you've never heard of the pork belly effect? When pork belly is consumed with health food, it is guaranteed to produce feelings of euphoria and well-being. Same goes for bacon.

[plinio sandalio]

hey chad!
there are a few companies where you can get frozen puree of acai unadulterated, as well as powders. im using acai in my dessert menu. these are my sources.

www.acairoots.com
www.ititropicals.com
www.sambazon.com

enjoy!
p