This week we are in the kitchen with Chef John Kolesar from Watch Hill Catering. Open for more than two years now, Watch Hill Catering provides an elegant, upscale catering experience with innovative culinary presentations. With an emphasis on quality, positive energy and the finest hospitality, Watch Hill Catering serves as few as ten and as many as…well, no limits here! I can speak first hand for the quality of the food as I had the luxury of trying it out last fall. I was impressed with the gorgeous presentation but more importantly the taste and quality of the ingredients.
When spring is finally in bloom, Chef Kolesar loves to cook with rhubarb. He says it is the most versatile spring ingredient because it is not just something you can bake with anymore. “It can be used as a spicy ginger marmalade to go on top of your favorite fish, it can be made into rhubarb ketchup to go on top of a lamb burger and it can be incorporated into the braising reduction for my Lamb Sugo and gnocchi.”
He also loves to cook with ramps. “Ramps are great pickled or the tops can be charred and turned into pesto that can be used on top of flat bread or put on top of your favorite steak.”
As far as spring vegetables that provide the most bang for your buck, Chef Kolesar says that root vegetables go a long way. From using spring carrots on a crudité platter or getting a little adventurous and making coffee smoked carrot purée to go with braised lamb, the bright colors of the carrots mixed with parsnips and turnips make a great roasted side dish for any meal. “Spring onions are also great to use to make soup- especially paired with local mushrooms.”
We are so pleased to be sharing Watch Hill Catering’s recipe for Braised Lamb Sugo with Gnocchi pasta, Smoked Carrot Purée, Pickled Ramps, English Peas, Verano Sheep’s Milk Cheese and Rhubarb Jus. Ok- don’t panic! I know it sounds super impressive- and it is- but step by step instructions will make this one recipe that will impress your family and friends for years to come.
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If you are looking for a great local catering company please visit Watch Hill Catering for more information. With spring graduations and wedding season quickly approaching now is the time to begin looking for the catering company to best suit your needs.
Westerly Food would like to thank Watch Hill Catering for taking the time to speak with us and share this incredible recipe.
