Down home comfort food with a kick

Food does not have to be expensive and fancy to be great, comfort foods are the perfect example.

Sometimes all you need is a nice bowl of macaroni and cheese or one of mom's favorite recipes to put you in a better mood.

Eric Gitenstein, Executive Chef for Bliss/ReBAR shares some American Classics with a twist that will take you back in time.

Bliss Naked Mac N Cheese
1C Heavy cream
4C shredded white cheddar
4C shredded pepperjack
Kosher salt
2C Macaroni
2tbl cooked & chopped bacon
1 tsp chopped parsley
1 pinch toasted bread crumbs

In pot add water and enough salt to make the water "taste like the ocean". Place on high heat and when it has reached a rapid boil, add pasta and cook until al dente. In separate pot/large sauté pan place heavy cream and allow to reach a simmer; once simmering whisk in all the cheese and stir until evenly melted. Once pasta is cooked, toss in the hot cheese sauce and place in a dish. Garnish with toasted bread crumbs and chopped parsley.

Tempura Shrimp Tacos
9 shrimp, raw, peeled & deveined
Tempura batter (1C flour, 1C corn starch & 1.5C soda water)
½ C Pico de Gallo
3 Corn tortillas
Shredded cabbage
Cooking oil
Kosher salt

In sauté pan add enough oil to fill pan ½ way. Put on medium high heat and allow oil to reach a simmer. Dip shrimp in tempura batter and shake off excess batter; drop in hot oil and allow to cook through (3-4 minutes). While shrimp is cooking make pico de gallo ( mix 1C diced tomatoes, ¼ C diced & seeded jalapenos, 1/4C diced red onion, 2tbl chopped cilantro, the juice of 1 lime, and kosher salt to taste). Warm up tortillas. Once shrimp are cooked, remove from oil and place inside warm tortillas (3 shrimp per). Garnish with pico de gallo and shredded cabbage.

Eggplant Sandwich
2-3 slices marinated eggplant ( eggplant marinade: 1C apple cider vinegar, 1tbl red chili flake, Spanish paprika, black pepper, 3 C oil. All ingredients blended together)
1 pretzel bun sliced and toasted
2-3 tbl tomato jam
2 tbl goat cream cheese
1 oz green lettuce of your choice

After making marinade, place slices of eggplant in marinade. Season each side of the eggplant and sear in a pan on both sides. On one side spread tomato jam and on other side spread goat cream cheese. Place cooked eggplant slices on the bottom and green lettuce on top. Close sandwich, slice in half and enjoy!

Bliss/ReBAR
Phone: 602.795.1792
www.blissonfourth.com
Email: info@blissonfourth.com
Address: 901 N 4th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004