Tuesday, November 25, 2014

The Scent of Christmas - 5 Course Dinner

In Alberta it is incredible how adaptive we must be to keep up with the challenges of the change of season. Now that we are almost through November we are finally getting used to fighting the cold, bundling up and let's not forget shovelling snow.

Something I actually enjoy about coming into this chilly season is the way our diets, tastes and cravings change as well.


As I chef I love how I have the constant opportunity to write new menus. I can make adjustments to alter a certain meal to feel more in tune with the season, while also using  fruits & vegetables in their peek. This time of year I find my spice rack to have clove, nutmeg and cinnamon a lot closer to the front of line.

Here are some shots from a recent 5 course dinner. A meal Made to embrace the holiday season.

 Green Apple Cheese Pate'- served on a toasted cinnamon crostini.

 Harvest Zucchini- Scored green courgette stuffed with aspargus, red onion and mushroom


Breeze Salad - Hand picked mix of Organic baby greens with tomato, sunflower seed and a brown sugar vinaigrette.
 Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Irving's farm bacon and fried sage.

 Chicago Fillet Mignon with double potato & asparagus


 Mocha PannaCotta Cocoa - Set cream with a hint of mocha, Callebaut chocolate and Sambuca strawberries


We are completely booked for the year of 2014! Thank you for making Chef Sheridan your choice for a private chef.


Please inquire for your dinner party in 2015 - some spots still remaining in January and February.






Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Are there any allergies you don't have?

A menu for 14 hungry and diverse guests is usually something which requires a little more planning when writing a menu.

 But how about 14 guests with 5 different allergies looking for a menu everyone can enjoy? 


Hmm that is a doozy. We can start things off with the celiac eliminating any sort of gluten on the menu, then throw in the typical nut allergy, okay now so no soy or egg, those are a no no. And lets just wrap the whole thing up with a very inconvenient dairy allergy.


On the light side you know there is a lot of food out there and still many ingredients for me to work with, but my head was a little sore from banging it against the wall. So any ways here is the menu.



                   


Dinner was hosted on an acreage south of Edmonton, Guests gathered around a long table to bask in the summer sunset.
Dinner was a success, and all were happy to enjoy a dinner with their loved ones on this special day.
Ryan from Ryan + Beth Photography  http://www.ryanandbeth.ca/ Shot some amazing photos from the whole day event and excited when I was able to make him a plate of his very own- did I mention he is vegan?



Intimate multi course dinners in the comfort of your own home. Its doesn't get any better than that.
Only a few spots left for the 2014 Christmas season inquire about a date today!
Book now for 2015!

www.chefsheridan.com


Wednesday, August 6, 2014

New 400 calorie cookbook in the making with Company's Coming


 A new Cookbook set to hit the bookshelves in January 2015 entitled "400 Calorie Mains". - Chef Sheridan McLaren

Here lies a cookbook which features many of your favourite foods constructed into health conscious and calorie wise servings.
When it comes down to healthy, low calorie food the common misconception sometimes falls toward bland and boring, but when writing recipes for this book we had a much different approach.

More calories per portion does not always translate to a better bite, there are ways to improve flavour & moistness of meats beyond the typical butter and salt bath. Here are the 3 main ways I was able to create recipes for this cookbook with more bang for their low calorie bite.


 Selection of Choice Cuts of Meat

In any animal we eat whether it be chicken, cow, fish or elk, there are cuts of meat in each animal which require different methods of cooking, have more or less fat, have good or better tastes and so forth.
When searching for a calorie wise meal we can choose cuts of meat which are leaner and therefore less calorie dense- and believe me this doesn't we are crossing beef steaks off the menu

These recipes use proteins like beef tenderloin, halibut, and lobster to create a dish with less calories and fat.
The way our meat is cut can also impact how it cooks and therefore tastes. Recipes choose thicker cuts of meat to retain more moisture during the cooking process.


 Marinades 

Marinades are useful because they allow complex and diverse flavours to absorb into foods like meats and vegetables before they are cooked. Even in just 10 minutes with the right mixture and cut of meat, we can make an astounding difference.
Marinades in this cookbook use a variety of cold pressed oils, vinegars, herbs, citrus juices and spices develop epic flavour. When you have a great marinade you truely do not need as much sodium or fat to make a dish enjoyable.


 Portion Control/ Macro-Nutrient Division

It is clear to see that less of something is going to provide you with fewer calories. However some calories-  like those provided by simple sugars and refined carbohydrates don't have the staying power or glycemic rating of others. When sourcing our 400 calories from more complex carbohydrates and proteins, our body can better metabolize this energy which in-turn creates the feeling of being full and comfortable last longer. Recipes from this book can provide the feeling of satiety longer than a typical 400 calorie portion because of the quality and ratio of the macro-nutrients in each serving.



Together the team at Company's Coming comprised a book of 75 recipes for the "400 Calorie Main" Cookbook. 1/3 of the recipes featured in the book are of my creation.

Here are some photos of my recipes from the shoot.

Food styling - Ashley Billy
Photography - Sandy Weatherall http://www.jinseiphoto.ca/
Ruby Red Lobster Tail
Gluten free

Market Mushroom
Vegetarian




Unrolled Maki
Vegetarian


Blue Cheese Beef Tenderloin
Beef-a-tarian


Keep your eyes out for the new book!

Visit my Website at www.chefsheridan.com

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Skate Camp @ Millennium Place Sherwood Park

Blank Skateboard shop of Sherwood Park was back for it's 4th year to run a 1 week Skateboard camp at Millennium place.

Myself and other volunteers coached kids ages 9-12 to get out and active and to learn some new tricks to show off in the skate park.

We all know eating healthy is a big part to give us the fuel to be active, So I gathered the troops around to learn a little bit more about making healthy food choices.

We talked about healthier choices like fruits, vegetables and whole grains can better supply us with the energy and endurance to land kick flips and make higher ollies.


We rewarded the top 3 improved skaters with their own copy of my cookbook "Healthy Family Recipes" then wrapped up our chat with some fresh fruit and powerslides!

Thank you to all volunteers and skaters, lots of fun see you again next year!

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Local Flavours @ Taste of Edmonton

I am proud to announce another year back at the Taste of Edmonton as a feature Chef!


An evening pop-up event in the Sip'n Savour Tent  features foods from vendors from the Down town city market.

Chefs will prepare appetizers using ingredients found at the city market to showcase the bounty of our local agriculture.

Join myself and Chef Annand Ollivierre from Red Fife catering for an exciting evening of taste!
Purchase tickets today through Tix on the Square. http://www.tixonthesquare.ca/event/detail/8524/

Tickets are only 12$!


My menu features 

*Raspberry wine braised elk 

*Herb roasted baby potatoes with goat fresco          

*Vibrant summer green salad with apricot vinaigrette.

Chef Sheridan.com


Monday, June 2, 2014

Spot Light on Alberta food

What I loved my most recent dinner party was its special focus on highlighting Alberta Agriculture.
At this stage of the season the bounty of fresh grown greens, herbs vegetables is becoming greater by the day. The farmer's Markets are getting into action and after a cold long winter Alberta is showing everyone the diversity and glory of our local agriculture.


Innisfail  Lamb Rack - crusted with fresh bread crumbs rosemary and dijon. Brown butter potatoes and rocket.


Press Salad - Baby char, spinach & kale tossed with bacon, goatcheese, pumpkin seeds & red Banana.
Maple & white balsamic viniagrette made with Alberta cold pressed canola oil.



Spring Chicken - Citrus and herb rubbed chicken with double potatoes and heirloom carrots.
Micro greens and Jus.


Apple & Blueberry Crisp - Chef's Signature cinnamon & vanilla bean icecream and walnut crumble.


As we grow deeper into our Canadian summer, farms and greenhouses will continue to show us the lush glory our Alberta sun. Do yourself a favour and visit your local farmer's market and support our local producers. Impress yourself with some new home grown additions to your eating routine.

Booking Dinners for Late July. Reserve your spot today!
-Chef Sheridan

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Who Doesn't Wanna be Cooking Outside Anyways

Here's to beer, burgers and barbecues!



I'm not sure what it is, but there is something about the start of spring when you get those first couples days of pure beauty. Calm breeze, blue bird skies and that lonely barbecue in your backyard giving you the eye.

Embrace this opportunity and cook it up for your family and friends. Get up and out, pop by your local grocer and pick up some fresh ingredients  how about ground beef, parsley, jalapeƱo havarti, dill pickles, iceberg lettuce and some roma tomato; anything and everything you think is going make a burger best for your bite. Just wing it or loosely follow a recipe.


I know the jolly hamburger may have received bad rap from a few fast food chains, but a good ol home made burger made right can be a great addition to healthy balanced diet.
Try choosing extra lean ground beef, fresh cut vegetables and whole grain buns. Make a custom sauce or aoili with fresh garlic. And skip on buttering the bun will ya?
Consider your side dish as well, do away with the fries for today and go with a fresh salad that is light on dressing. Fresh is always best, making a quick salad is a five minute job if you have a good recipe. I have 7 tasty, healthy and best of all quick salad recipes in my cookbook" Healthy Family Recipes"- Company's Coming.
*****Left to Right*****
Bison burger with blue cheese, caramelized red onion & tzatziki

Alberta Beef patty, Canadian cheddar, leaf, tomato, red onion,dill pickle and garlic aoili.

Alberta Beef patty, swiss, portabella, arugula garlic aoili.

Looking for a good burger recipe?


-Rocket Red Sliders Featured in ``Healthy Family Recipes`` - Company`s Coming

It's Spring In Edmonton be happy, Cook something, and follow Chef Sheridan


www.ChefSheridan.com   @ShefSheridan