Chef's Kitchen

Each month, a guest chef gives us a tip that elevates their cooking or simplifies things in the kitchen; something a home cook might not know. They also provide a recipe that uses the tip, so you can practice at home. Our guest chef this month is Executive Chef Rock Silva of Walla Walla Steak Co and Crossbuck Brewing. Locally owned, you'll find award-winning food, wine, and locally brewed beer in the histor

Walla Walla native Rock Silva's hunger for all things food have taken him from Seattle to Australia. After culinary school, he worked with the industry's leaders including Jason Wilson, Michael Mina, Ethan Stowell, and Brian Clevenger. Rock hopes to share his passion for hospitality with others through his enthusiastic and honest approach. He believes that food is the single greatest element to any great party and that simple food done right with integrity, thought, and a good knob of butter is the best way to go.

Tips for cooking the perfect steak, by Executive Chef Rock Silva

1) Never cook a cold steak! Always let your steaks come up to room temperature before seasoning and grilling.

2) Natural gas is great, but lump natural charcoal is king when it comes to grilling. You'll get this rich smokey flavor that you'll never get with natural gas or propane.

3) If your steak is on fire, move it! I like to set my grill into zones, one direct and one indirect. This gives you more control and the ability to have multiple temperatures within your grill.

4) Splurge for the nicest beef available.

5) Buy a thermapen or quality thermometer and take the guess work out of your cooking.

6) Finally, rest your steaks. This is easily the most overlooked step in grilling. Let those juices mellow out and redistribute instead of losing all that juiciness on your cutting board.

An ideal side dish to go with your perfect steak

Cherry Tomatoes, Feta, Torn Herbs, Black Salt

• 1 pint mixed heirloom tomatoes, sliced in half
• ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
• ½ cup fresh torn herbs like basil and oregano
• A few good glugs of great olive oil
• Flakey black salt to taste

Arrange your tomatoes on a platter and drizzle them with olive oil. Garnish dressed tomatoes with crumbled feta, torn herbs, and flakey salt. Enjoy!

Walla Walla Steak Co and Crossbuck Brewing
416 N 2^nd Ave
Walla Walla, WA 99362

509-526-4100

wwsteakco.com

crossbuckbrewing.com

September 2021