Daniel Porubiansky
No matter how you say it, tomatoes go with just about any meal.
Friday, August 14, 2015
Friday, August 7, 2015
Taste of summer: Chef uses fresh tomatoes in variety of dishes
August 06, 2015
The Porubiansky Family Tomato Salad features sliced tomatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper, basil, and goat cheese. Chef tip: Drizzle a little balsamic or white wine vinegar to freshen this salad up. The Porubiansky family eats this one at least once a week in the summer.
The Summer Salad features chopped tomato, sliced cucumber, and sliced onion. Add olive oil, salt, pepper, and basil. Chef tip: Add a splash of red wine vinegar to brighten up this salad.
He will be sharing his expertise Aug. 13 on WXIA-TV’s Atlanta & Company show.
The well-known local chef uses tomatoes, when in season, an assortment of ways, he said, whether for the restaurant or at home for his family.
“At Century House Tavern we use tomatoes in a variety of ways, but my favorite is just a simple salad of raw sliced tomatoes of as many varieties that I happen to have on hand at the time,” Porubiansky said. “This version is simple but perfect: drizzle a little olive oil, sprinkle with a touch of salt and pepper, then add a little fresh basil and voila.”
The chef advises that cooks taste each tomato and see the different characteristics of each one — sweetness, acidity level and flavor.
“It is a lot of fun and absolutely delicious. Add a little fresh cheese and you have a great little course. I personally like goat cheese, but you can use a variety of different types such as mozzarella or Pecorino,” he said.
With locally grown tomatoes reaching their peak, this is the perfect time to experiment.
“There really is no substitute for a garden fresh tomato. Chopped, diced, sliced, stewed, sautéed, grilled, braised, baked, raw, snack, appetizer, salad, entrée and for desserts” the chef said. “Tomatoes are one of my favorite things on the planet. Yes, I called it a thing because it is one of the most versatile vegetables. Or is it a fruit? I will let you debate and decide. You can’t go wrong playing and creating with them and this is the time of year while they are fresh.”
Porubiansky says he uses tomatoes for sauces, vinaigrettes, pastes, soups, and sorbets. He chooses among tomatoes that are all colors of the rainbow — red, yellow, orange, green, blue (the newest color), pink, striped, the list goes on and on.
They come in all sizes as well, including large, medium, small, and extra small (the rare and delicious currant). They can be sweet, sour, acidic, juicy, but the one thing they cannot be is dry, he said. And each one has its own individual flavor.
“They are currently in season and available in both your own backyard and your local farmers market,” the chef said.
While diners love the choices at Century House, tomatoes and tomato salads can be an easy side or snack at home as well.
“At home we often send our kids to school with healthy snacks in their lunch. One of those snacks they like best is cherry tomatoes from our garden and cucumber spears, both of which are in season, healthy and delicious,” Porubiansky said. “We also add them to kebobs for grilling on my days off from work.”
When the garden overflows with fresh tomatoes, it is a good time to preserve them for enjoyment throughout the year, he said.
Porubiansky will be making the pictured dishes on Aug. 13th on WXIA’s Atlanta & Company.
Heirloom Tomato Salad a la Century House Tavern.
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Olive oil, salt, pepper, and basil.
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Thursday, June 11, 2015
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
CENTURY HOUSE TAVERN, WOODSTOCK, SPRING MENU
Malika Bowling American, Dates, Outdoor Dining, Restaurant Reviews, Southern
When you think of fantastic OTP dining, your mind, naturally goes to Roswell, right? Sure they have fantastic restaurants like Table & Main, Osteria Mattone and Foundation Social Eatery. But don’t discount Woodstock. Cause then you’d miss out on Century House Tavern. Located in historic downtown Woodstock, Century House Tavern is located in what was once The Hubbard House, named after the family that lived there for six decades.
Before we talk about the food, let’s talk about the incredible wine list Century House Tavern has. If you are a wine lover, you need to visit and sample some of the unique finds. For whites, the Chilean Sauvignon Blanc and a Pinot Gris from Washington were quite pleasant for this non-white wine fan. Then there was the Bordeau blend that we had with our steak. Marvelous!
A Foie Gras on brioche paired with Prosecco was a sweet start to our meal. While I enjoy asparagus, I don’t usually get excited about it as a dish, but pairing it with a poached egg and bacon bits? If I could start every day with this for breakfast, I wouldn't mind that a bit. Not sure that I would order this dish during dinner though.
Next up was perfect seared scallops, served over artichokes, English Peas and Fava Beans. Fava Beans are popping up everywhere, have you noticed? The sweetness of the scallops was a terrific pairing with the citrusy Pinot Gris. This light dish is the epitome of spring time food, dare I say spring in a bowl.
I wish I’d paced myself better. The Sous Vide tenderloin didn’t get the justice it deserved with us beginning to get quite full. It was so juicy and flavorful though. and kudos to the staff on the Bordeaux blend it was paired with. And a Creme Caramel for dessert is the perfect sweet ending to share with your sweetie.
This works for a group get together or a date night. Woodstock is lucky to have Century House Tavern as as a break from the other uninspiring restaurants. Beer lover? Not to worry. They have a terrific beer selection, including selections from Reformation Brewery, also located in Woodstock.
Century House Tavern 770.693.4552
Thursday, May 7, 2015
HEALTHY EATING WITH CAROLYN O’NEIL
Hyper-local sourcing trending on menus
By Carolyn O'Neil - For the AJC
Tender green asparagus spears signal that spring is in full swing on restaurant menus. But when you order a plate of jumbo asparagus topped with a poached egg, bacon lardons and brioche croutons at the Century House Tavern in Woodstock, chef Daniel Porubiansky sends another sign of the times.
Carolyn O’Neil is a registered dietitian and author of “The Slim Down South Cookbook.” Email her at carolyn@carolynoneil.com.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
In season: beets
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
By C. W. Cameron - For the AJC
Tim Stewart and his wife Nichelle have lived in the Free Home
community of Cherokee County for more than 40 years. Several generations of
Stewarts kept big gardens there, and as teenagers Stewart and his brother would
sell watermelons for pocket money. When he established his family in Free Home,
Stewart kept the tradition of putting in a big garden and set up a farm stand
to sell extra fruit and vegetables for “vacation money.” About six years ago,
the family turned their hobby into a business, establishing Rockin’ S Farms.
Nichelle Stewart manages the seasonal Saturday morning Woodstock
Farmers Market where Rockin’ S sets up a booth. The Stewarts still keep a stand
on the farm as well and offer their customers the chance to preorder produce
which can be picked up on Tuesdays and Fridays. When they have a bounty, they
also sell at the Thursday evening Sweet Apple Farmers Market in Roswell.
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Beet Risotto (styling by
Chef Daniel Porubiansky )
(Photography by Renee
Brock/Special)
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If that wasn’t enough, they also offer farm camp for children ages
3 to 13, with sessions available during spring break and for 10 weeks during
the summer.
Among the many winter crops they plant, beets are a customer
favorite. Right now Stewart is growing “Detroit Red,” an heirloom variety
that’s probably the standard for red beets. The beets themselves are uniformly
sweet and the greens are just as tasty.
“You can plant beets pretty much any time. But it can be a gamble. Some years, we plant it and it comes on and grows. Some years we plant it and it rots in the ground. When we plant in January, we should have harvestable beets come March. Baby beets are ready in 40 days, and larger ones are ready in 50 to 75 days, depending on the weather,” said Stewart.
“You can plant beets pretty much any time. But it can be a gamble. Some years, we plant it and it comes on and grows. Some years we plant it and it rots in the ground. When we plant in January, we should have harvestable beets come March. Baby beets are ready in 40 days, and larger ones are ready in 50 to 75 days, depending on the weather,” said Stewart.
Weather is the critical factor for Stewart since he doesn’t grow his beets in a tunnel house or with row covers. “We just plant it and hope for the best.” He grows his beets in the cooler months, putting in a crop in late August or early September which should yield a harvest by November. Then he plants again in January for a second crop.“You can plant beets pretty much any time. But it can be a gamble. Some years, we plant it and it comes on and grows. Some years we plant it and it rots in the ground. When we plant in January, we should have harvestable beets come March. Baby beets are ready in 40 days, and larger ones are ready in 50 to 75 days, depending on the weather,” said Stewart.
“They just don’t grow as well in hot months for us. A lot of
people will argue about that and plant them in May, but I’ve never had luck
with them then.”
What he doesn’t have any trouble with is selling his beets. “Our
customers love it when we bring gold beets, or the long cylinder types. And
people love the tops. They juice the greens or put them into salads.”
Stewart’s personal favorite way to enjoy a beet is roasted with
olive oil and salt. “They’re high in iron, and we have lots of customers who
juice them leaves and all. I have a shake like that every morning.”
Beet Risotto with Roasted and Pickled Beets
This recipe comes from Daniel Porubiansky, executive chef/partner of
Woodstock’s Century House Tavern. Porubiansky is one of the Stewarts’ biggest
fans. “I love using local produce at Century House Tavern and Rockin’ S Farm is
a major part of the local produce on my menu. In fact, I credit them on my menu
along with other local farmers here in the Woodstock area. Tim and Nichelle are
two of the most genuine people you will ever meet. Their local produce inspires
my ideas for the menu on a weekly basis.”
9 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1 medium onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 bay leaf
2 cups Arborio rice
1 cup white wine
8 cups chicken stock, divided
2 large red beets, divided (about 3/4 pound each)
1 cup water, plus more if needed
Salt and pepper
4 tablespoons shredded Parmesan
6 sprigs parsley, leaves picked from stem and finely chopped
Roasted Beets (see recipe)
Pickled Beets (see recipe)
In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat.
Add onion and bay leaf and stir constantly for 2 minutes. Add rice and continue
to stir. When the rice begins to stick, add white wine and stir until the wine
is reduced. In 1/2 cup portions, add 6 cups chicken stock and continue to stir
for the next 18 minutes. If not serving immediately, remove from heat and place
on rimmed baking sheet in a thin layer. Cover and refrigerate until ready to
use. This step may be done a day or two in advance. If serving immediately,
keep warm.
While rice is cooking, make beet puree: In a small skillet, melt 1
tablespoon butter over medium heat. Peel and cut one beet into 1/2-inch dice.
You should have about 2 cups diced beets. Add to butter and cook for 2 minutes,
stirring occasionally. Add water, increase heat and bring mixture to a boil.
Boil until liquid cooks away and beets are tender. If liquid is gone before
beets are tender, add a little more water and continue to cook. When beets are
tender, move them to the jar of a blender, add 2 tablespoons butter and puree.
If not serving immediately, move to a small bowl, cover and refrigerate until
ready to use. This step may be done a day or two in advance. If serving
immediately, set aside.
While rice is cooking, peel and juice the second beet. Reserve 1/4
cup liquid and save the remainder for another use.
When ready to serve, bring remaining 2 cups chicken stock to a
boil. Add to risotto and stir until risotto is warmed through. Season to taste.
Add remaining 4 tablespoons butter, reserved beet juice, beet puree, Parmesan
and parsley. Taste for seasoning and divide between serving plates. Garnish
with pickled and roasted beets. Serves: 6
Per serving: 497 calories (percent of calories from
fat, 37), 22 grams protein, 61 grams carbohydrates, 2 grams fiber, 22 grams fat
(11 grams saturated), 49 milligrams cholesterol, 186 milligrams sodium.
Roasted Beets
Trouble finding baby beets in several colors? It’s fine to just
use one or two colors instead. And if you can’t find baby beets at all,
substitute 1 large beet in place of each bunch, expecting that the large beets
will probably take 1 hour to cook.
1 bunch each baby red, baby gold, and baby candy stripe beets
1 teaspoon cumin seed, divided
1 teaspoon salt, divided, plus more if needed
3 sprigs thyme, divided
3 tablespoons olive oil
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Remove greens from beets leaving a 1/2-inch stem. Wash thoroughly.
Reserve greens for another use.
On a 12-inch square of aluminum foil, arrange one bunch of beets.
Sprinkle with 1/3 teaspoon cumin seeds and 1/3 teaspoon salt. Add one sprig
thyme and tightly seal package. Repeat with remaining two colors of beets.
Arrange foil packages on a rimmed baking sheet and bake 30 minutes or until
beets are tender. Remove from oven, carefully open foil and let beets stand 5
minutes. Peel beets and cut them into bite-size pieces. Gently toss with olive
oil and salt to taste. Should be prepared when ready to serve risotto. Makes: 3
cups
Per 1/4-cup serving: 33 calories (percent
of calories from fat, 90), trace protein, 1 gram carbohydrates, trace fiber, 3
grams fat (trace saturated fat), no cholesterol, 183 milligrams sodium.
Pickled Beets
3/4 cup red wine vinegar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup water
3 bay leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons coriander seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons fennel seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons mustard seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons peppercorns
3 medium beets – one each, gold, red and candy striped
Make pickling liquid: In a small saucepan, combine vinegar, sugar,
water, bay leaves, coriander seed, fennel seed, mustard seed and peppercorns.
Bring to a boil. Set aside to cool.
Peel beets and slice thinly on mandoline. Keep each type of beet
separate in its own glass, ceramic or stainless steel bowl. Divide pickling
liquid between bowls of beets, taking care to divide spices evenly. Cover and
refrigerate. Must be done at least 1 day in advance, and can be done up to 2
days in advance. Makes: 3 cups
Per 1/4-cup serving: 70 calories (percent
of calories from fat, 3), 1 gram protein, 16 grams carbohydrates, 1 gram fiber,
trace fat (no saturated fat), no cholesterol, 17 milligrams sodium.
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