Whether he is preparing delightfully tasty meals at a Seattle restaurant or cooking in his own home, Chef Chad Christian Clift believes that the best meals are the ones that are based on simplicity. Working with Asian cuisine has heightened this philosophy, and given him a chance to broaden his definition of simple elegance. There is truly something to be said for keeping a meal or menu item simple. This by no means implies that the item has to be boring, but simply that it is uncomplicated enough to allow the natural beauty and flavor shine through. In decades past, the trends in the culinary world gravitated toward meal preparations that were very complicated. Ingredients were cooked in various forms, after being treated a certain way, and then layered in heavy sauces. Presentations were elaborate and took much time to pull off. While these types of meals were pleasant to eat, they did not always do the ingredients of the meal justice.
In keeping with the more simplistic train of thought, Clift starts his menu planning with local ingredients that are fresh and full …show more content…
Some of the items on his list are more expensive than others, but when it comes to kitchen tools and gadgets, you definitely get what you pay for. He believes that everyone should invest in the tools and appliances for their kitchens. When taken care of properly, they will last for years. Any home cook or chef should first be concerned with their knives. It is almost impossible to prepare a great meal without a kitchen knife. Clift recommends purchasing a 7 inch Santoku style knife. Used by Japanese Chefs as their primary cutting implement, a Santoku knife is incredibly versatile. It does not particularly matter what brand is purchased, as long as the blade is stainless steel, and travels the full tang of the