Rancho La Puerta's Chef Reyna Makes Curried Carrot & Parsnip Soup, Fennel, Tomato & Cucumber Salad
Chef AJ LIVE! - A podcast by Chef AJ - Saturdays

Join Chef AJ and Chef Reyna this August for a cooking retreat: https://rancholapuerta.com/chef-aj-retreat/ PRE-ORDER MY NEW BOOK SWEET INDULGENCE!!! https://www.amazon.com/Chef-AJs-Sweet-Indulgence-Guilt-Free/dp/1570674248 or https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1144514092?ean=9781570674242 Save Your Receipt! We will be offering bonuses for pre-orders ASAP. GET MY FREE INSTANT POT COOKBOOK: https://www.chefaj.com/instant-pot-download MY LATEST BESTSELLING BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1570674086?tag=onamzchefajsh-20&linkCode=ssc&creativeASIN=1570674086&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.1GNPDCAG4A86S Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide medical advice. The content of this podcast is provided for informational or educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health issue without consulting your doctor. Always seek medical advice before making any lifestyle changes. Executive Chef Reyna Venegas Executive Chef Reyna Venegas prepares fresh and delicious food that energizes, inspires, and nourishes guests. She fuses the culinary and cultural heritages of her own Northern Baja roots with the nutritious “spa cuisine” pioneered 80 years ago by Rancho La Puerta co-founder Deborah Szekely. At La Cocina Que Canta, “The Kitchen That Sings,” Chef Reyna teaches healthy eating as a celebration of life in farm-to-table cooking classes. As a lifelong learner, Chef Reyna graduated from the University of California, San Diego’s Integrative Nutrition program, which focuses on how food promotes wellness. She is also a graduate of the Culinary Art School in Tijuana, and holds a Pastry Degree from the Lycée Technique et Hôtelier de Monte-Carlo and Fondation Turquois. She and her husband Chef Marcelo Hisaki own Restaurante Amores, a hidden culinary jewel in the heart of Baja. She recently managed Team Mexico in the Bocuse d’Or Finale 2023, a prestigious culinary contest in Lyon, France, receiving the social commitment award as a recognition to the Mexican team’s involvement in support of migrants’ food insecurity in Baja California. She currently collaborates with Team Mexico on their way to the Bocuse d’Or Americas 2024. Fennel, Tomato & Cucumber Salad INGREDIENTS: 1 large fennel bulb, sliced thin 2 Persian cucumbers, sliced thin ½ red onion, sliced thin 2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half 1 cup mint, minced 1 tablespoon dried oregano ¼ cup apple cider vinegar ¼ cup orange juice DIRECTIONS: In a bowl combine the onion with the vinegar, orange juice and crushed oregano, let sit for 20 minutes. Combine the fennel, tomato, cucumber and mint. Toss well and adjust seasoning to taste. Curried Carrot & Parsnip Soup INGREDIENTS: 4 cups carrots, diced 2 cups parsnips, diced 1 cup fennel or celery, sliced ½ onion, diced 3 garlic cloves, peeled 1 tablespoon curry 2 cups coconut milk 4 cups vegetable broth 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast Pepper, to taste Dukkha, to garnish DIRECTIONS: Heat a pot at medium high heat and sprinkle with some water, add the onion, fennel/celery and garlic. Cook until golden brown, sprinkle with more water if needed to prevent the vegetables from burning. Add the carrots and parsnips, cook for 5 more minutes. Add the curry powder and toast for a minute to release all the aromas from the spices. Pour the coconut milk and vegetable broth. Once the soup boils add nutritional yeast and pepper and reduce the heat to simmer for 5 minutes or until all the vegetables are soft. Blend until smooth and serve topped with dukkha.