Live Fire Cooking Techniques at Dunsmoor
Recipe Overview
Overview
At Dunsmoor, the philosophy of cooking revolves around simplicity and quality. The chef emphasizes the importance of using fresh, high-quality ingredients while employing traditional techniques that honor the past. The absence of electric machines in the kitchen allows for a more hands-on approach, where every dish is crafted with care and attention to detail.
The process of preparing dishes begins with sourcing the best ingredients, such as wild oysters and fresh tuna, which are treated with respect to enhance their natural flavors. The chef’s commitment to live fire cooking not only adds a distinct smokiness to the dishes but also creates a warm and inviting atmosphere for diners.
One standout dish is the cornbread, which is made using a blend of cornmeal, baking powder, and a touch of buttermilk. This recipe is a nod to traditional Southern cooking, yet it incorporates modern flavors like New Mexico green chilies and aged cheddar. The result is a cornbread that is both comforting and innovative, appealing to a wide range of palates.
Overall, Dunsmoor offers a unique dining experience that celebrates the art of cooking with fire, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in culinary exploration. The chef’s passion for food and dedication to quality shine through in every dish, ensuring that guests leave with a memorable experience.
Recipe Details
Steps & Tips
Gather ingredients and tools for cooking without electric machines.
Review the menu and make necessary changes based on available ingredients.
Tip: Cook oysters in the wood oven for better flavor.
Begin building the fire using spent menus and wood chips.
Tip: Use fatwood as a natural fire starter for easier ignition.
Arrange logs in a staggered manner to create a fire base.
Use fatwood and other materials to ignite the fire.
Tip: Aim for clean charcoal smoke taste, avoiding bad smoke flavors.
Wait for the fire to burn down into coals before cooking.
Tip: Cooking over charcoal provides a depth of flavor that cannot be achieved in a sauté pan.
Discuss the menu for the night with the sous chefs.
Start cutting and portioning the wild Boston bluefin tuna.
Wrap the cut tuna to air dry until service.
Combine cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
Tip: Mix dry ingredients thoroughly to avoid lumps in cornbread.
Add beaten eggs and buttermilk to the dry ingredients.
Tip: Use aged cheddar for a sharper flavor in cornbread.
Tip: Let cornbread batter sit before cooking to improve texture.
Pass the cornbread batter to the wood oven station.
Perform final checks to ensure everything is ready for service.
Ingredients
Ingredient: Dairy
→ Substitution: Almond Milk
Ingredient: Eggs
→ Substitution: Flaxseed Meal + Water
Nutrition
Skill Level
Frequently asked questions
Below you will find answers to the most common questions about this recipe.
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Interesting Tidbits
- •Cooking with live fire enhances the flavor of ingredients, providing a unique depth that cannot be achieved with standard cooking methods.
- •Using a mortar and pestle allows for better flavor extraction from herbs compared to mechanical methods.
- •The technique of smoking quail involves careful temperature control to avoid overcooking.
- •Cornmeal can be combined with various ingredients to create unique cornbread variations, such as adding cheese and chilies.
