Crispy Turkey Enchiladas

In this episode of Kitchen Essentials, we visit sushi master Nozomu Abe at his celebrated omakase restaurant, Sushi Noz in NYC. Noz has been perfecting his craft for over 20 years, and it shows in his obsessive attention to detail when it comes to his food and the exclusive dinner experiences he offers. At Sushi Noz you will find Edomae sushi, a style that focuses on the treatment of ingredients through preservation of the fish, and a particular preparation of the rice. These processes are all part of the performance Abe puts on for his diners at his counter every night. When it comes to his favorite tools, he shows us both his prep and counter knives; His binchōtan coals and gril,l which he brings out to show customers how he sears and smokes delicate morsels of tuna or eel. After that he talks to us about the most important element of sushi, and the tool that is essential for him to make it: the rice and his traditional hagama. Setting the stage for his performance, is a space carefully curated to look, smell and feel like a traditional omakase in Japan, complete with a traditional hinoki refrigerator that he specifically commissioned for the restaurant, and a beautiful collection of Japanese ceramics both old and new, that lend the final touches to this unique food experience.

In this episode of Kitchen Essentials, we visit the amazing Einat Admony, owner and head chef of Balaboosta, Kish-Kash and the Taïm chain in NYC. Einat is an expert on all things couscous - to the point that the entire menu at her former restaurant, Kish-Kash, to the Moroccan preparation of these delicious semolina pearls. She talks us through her favorite, and ultimately essential tools, that she uses in the kitchen to make delicious couscous-centric creations. Everything from her favorite brand of semolina, to a kish-kash (Moroccan sieve specifically used to make the beads), a double boiler, a spray bottle, and an ancient cooking tool that is making a comeback, called spurtle. Watch to learn how Einat makes couscous by hand, and why these are her essential tools.

In this episode of Kitchen Essentials, we visit Jered Standing, owner and head butcher at Standing's Butchery in Los Angeles. Jered talks us through his favorite tools as he demonstrates how he breaks down a pig to make sausages. Everything from a boning knife, to a bone saw, all the way to the sausage stuffer, with an unexpected incursion from a utility knife. Watch to learn more about why these are Jered's essential tools and how he uses them in his butchery.

In this episode Guillermo visits Kings County Distillery, New York City’s oldest distillery after prohibition (opened 2010). While Head Distiller and co-owner Colin Spoelman gives a tour of the 119-year-old facility, they talk about the illegal origins of the spirit, bringing Kentucky moonshine to Brooklyn, and how to make it in a DIY distiller set up.

Offal is having a big moment in the food world, which prompted Guillermo (a self proclaimed offal lover) to visit chef Jeremy Salamon (one of NYC's youngest LGBTQ+ rising star chefs) at The Eddy, right on time to celebrate Pride month. Jeremy's critically-appraised, mostly Hungarian menu, was inspired by his grandmother’s recipes. Offal is a staple of Eastern European cuisines, so it made sense to make delicious pastrami beef tongue. Let's tongue for Pride! PS: The Eddy will be closing its doors this Monday 6/17 after dinner service - New Yorkers: the restaurant will be offering all guests a 25% discount on their check (no minimums, no maximums, no questions asked).

To celebrate World Pride in NYC (50 Years of the Stonewall riot) Guillermo visited chef and restaurateur Brian Washington-Palmer, at his newest venture, Ruby's Vintage Harlem. They talked about his experience as a gay man of color in the food and restaurant industry, and what Pride means to him today.

In this episode Guillermo visits Haven’s Kitchen, part café and part cooking school, to learn how they are working to reduce food waste, and promote sustainability to improve the lifestyles of consumers and home cooks. Guillermo meets with head chef instructor Alexis Delaney, to make a zero-waste gazpacho using ugly produce, and even pickling watermelon rinds. They talk about the problem of food waste, and what we can all do to contribute to a larger solution.

Chefs Nick Montgomery and Akira Akuto have had a big year, thanks in part to their restaurant Konbi being named Bon Appetit's Best New Restaurant in America. In this episode of Kitchen Essentials, we visit the sandwich shop in Echo Park, Los Angeles to talk to Nick and Akira about their favorite kitchen tools, which include: a German egg slicer, a Japanese chef knife, a Thermapen, and a rubber spatula. Shop Nick and Akira's Kitchen Essential Picks.

In this episode, Guillermo visits Chef Pierre Thiam at his fast casual restaurant, Teranga, where he serves Senegalese-inspired grain bowls— AKA, the ultimate power lunch. Chef Thiam's goal is to educate health-conscious American consumers on these superfoods, while also improving the lives of producers by restoring biodiversity to the planet through highly sustainable ancient crops. Together they make a Yassa Bowl using West African red rice, one of the super grains highest in nutritional value today.