Blog entries

Chef Michael Feker Offers Affordable Cooking Demonstrations

Chef Michael Feker — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 19:28:29 +0100

Infused with Invaluable Information ...

Milwaukee’s celebrity Chef Michael Feker continues to pursue his culinary campaign to get his guests back to their kitchens and cooking again through his Lunch and Learn cooking demonstrations. Feker welcomes guests to his Culinary Studio, CMF's School of Culinary Magic located in Milwaukee, where they dine at his Chef's Counter as he breaks down culinary techniques, analyzes ingredients and reveals the magic of simplicity in creating unique and ...

The Aromatic World of Fresh Herbs

Chef Michael Feker — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Today we touch on the vast, aromatic world of Herbs - An amazing way for us flavor junkies to enhance an infuse distinct flavors to our culinary experiences.

This weeks subject comes from an inquiry by John Zabinski via my personal website - www.michaelfeker.com - where you can email any and all culinary questions and receive a personal response from me! Your fellow Fekeroodie wrote:

On April 3 on WISN you were on a cooking with herbs segment.&n...

IL MITO's Brunch Zeppole

Chef Michael Feker — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 15:27:19 +0100

Zeppole or Italian Breakfast Fritters served at IL MITO for Brunch with Chocolate Spread

ingredients

2 quarts vegetable oil for frying

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 pinch salt

1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup ricotta cheese

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting

directions

Heat oil in a deep-fryer to 375-degrees F
In a mediu...

Fekerized Blackened Tilapia

Chef Michael Feker — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 01:40:25 +0100

Tilapia is a mild, light fish that offers many health benefits: it is a great source of potassium, heart health phosphorus and niacin, as well as vitamin B12. Taste this amazing creation IL MITO April 16 - 20, 2011.

Serves 4

ingredients

4, 6-8 oz Fillets of Tilapia

2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

Sea Salt

Non-Stick or Cast Iron Pan

ingredients for the blackening rub

3 Tbsp Corn Starch

1 ...

Feker's Gluten Free Fish Fry

Chef Michael Feker — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:56:05 +0100

Eating gluten free should never mean eating flavorless foods. It feeds my culinary soul to be able to provide my guests with healthy, flavorful options and get them addicted to my food and passion for life. This amazing creation is available to all my guests at IL MITO Mar 31 to Apr 6

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose rice flour (for non-Gluten Free use regular flour)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground pepper / w...

Chef Feker's Lemon Scented Meatballs

Chef Michael Feker — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 18:25:54 +0100

Lemon Scented Meatballs

Ingredients

1 lb ground veal (or substitute 1/2 lb ground turkey and 1/2 lb ground pork)

1 large egg

1 garlic clove, thinly sliced

4 lemons, zested and juiced

½ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

¼ bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley, ,finely chopped to yield ¼ cup, plus extra for garnish

4 slices white sandwich bread, soaked in 2/3 cup milk, then torn into chunks

Salt ...

Fettuccine a la Carbonara

Chef Michael Feker — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:56:28 +0100

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 pound pancetta, diced into 1-inch cubes
4 slices of prosciutto cut in shreds
1/2 lb asparagus cut in 1 inch pieces and set aside
1/2 cup of frozen peas
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
6 eggs, at room temperature
1/2 cup heavy cream, at room temperature
1-1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 pound dried fettuccine
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions

Heat a large sauté pan, until h...

Obesity and Being Healthy by Eating Local, Interview

Chef Michael Feker — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 21:16:31 +0100

What is obesity?

The Webster dictionary defines obesity as a condition characterized by the excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body. From my culinary viewpoint, obesity is the consumption of the unhealthy foods, filled with ingredients, preservative and additives that our bodies cannot properly digest and reserves. Childhood obesity is an epidemic that is endangering the future of America. According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), “More than one third of US ...

Chef Feker's NY Strip with Balsamic Reduction

Chef Michael Feker — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 19:35:47 +0100

Yield: Makes 2 servings

Active Time: 10 min

Total Time: 30 min

Ingredients

2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns
2 (3/4-inch-thick) NY Strip (8 OZ each)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

2 oz of heavy cream

1/ 2 cup beef broth

Direction

Coarsely grind peppercorns with a mortar and pestle or pepper grinder. Pat steaks dry, brush wi...

Gluten-Free Saffron & Basil Breast of Chicken

Chef Michael Feker — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 18:17:07 +0100

Ingredients

Several threads of saffron soaked in 1/4 cup of warm white wine.

Sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste

5 tablespoons of olive oil

1/2 cup of corn starch

1/2 cup of chicken broth

1/4 cup of wine

2 tablespoon of fresh squeezed lemon juice

1 yellow bell pepper

1 tomato

2 cloves of garlic

3/4 cup of fresh basil

4, 6 oz breast of chicken

Directions

o Wash the...

Healthy Lake Trout Espanola

Chef Michael Feker — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:51:58 +0100

Serves 6

Ingredients

1 tablespoon Olive oil
1 shallot, cut in rounds
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon finely minced fresh rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon of capers
1 tablespoon of Spanish paprika
½ cup of fresh Italian parsley chopped
½ cup fresh basil
1 (16-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 (4-ounce) Lake Michigan trout fillets
1/3 cup of EVO
1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
&fr...

Pork Scallopini with White Beans

Chef Michael Feker — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 16:01:25 +0100

Ingredients

2 lbs of Pork Loin cut in medallions and pounded
Flour for dredging (or corn starch if you are gluten intolerant)
2 oz of kalamata olives pitted and chopped 1 cup of pork or chicken stock
1/2 cup of dry white wine
Juice of 1 lemon
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 (8.5-ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes in oil,
4 tablespoons oil reserved and tomatoes chopped
1/3 cup pine nuts
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped (from about 10 sprigs) ...

Thanksgiving Leftovers Feker Style

Chef Michael Feker — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 19:28:38 +0100

Giving thanks will be more apparent after cleaning out the refrigerator. This soup is a hearty heart warming meal in a bowl. Enjoy it and always remember that your culinary creations are meant to feed your culinary soul. Any questions, contact me or find me on Facebook or Twitter!

Chef Feker's Turkey Squash Soup

2 poblano peppers
2 red bell peppers
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound leftover turkey , cut in cubes
12 green onions, cut in ¼ inch p...

Sweet Potatoes with Aromatic Maple Butter

Chef Michael Feker — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 17:08:11 +0100

Sweet potatoes are native to the tropical parts of South America, and were domesticated there at least 5000 years ago. Besides simple starches, sweet potatoes are rich in complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, beta carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin B6. Pink and yellow varieties are high in carotene, the precursor of vitamin A. Sweet potato varieties with dark orange flesh have more beta carotene than those with light coloured flesh.

Research has shown that sweet potat...

Shrimp with Apricot and Ginger Glaze

Chef Michael Feker — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 20:17:45 +0100

Planning your holiday event can be hectic. Budgeting your time and having a plan organized for yourself will greatly reduce your stress. Please try my simple recipe for this amazing shrimp appetizer, a great starter for your event.

Shrimp with apricot ginger glaze

Prep Time: 15 minutes prep

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

3/4 cup of natural apricot preserve

Chef Feker of IL MITO Presents Chicken Chili

Chef Michael Feker — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 15:51:05 +0100

Serves 6

Ingredients

1 Lb Ground Chicken/hormone free preferred

6 oz Dried Red Kidney beans soaked overnight

4 oz Dried Green or red lentil soaked overnight

1 large onion diced

2 medium carrots diced

8 cloves garlic chopped

1 head fennel diced

1 C chopped basil (a little reserved for garnish)

1 T fresh thyme, chopped

1 T fresh oregano, chopped

1 C Red Wine

1 C White Wine

2 Qt Chicken stock...

IL MITO's Sought-After Pumpkin Ravioli

Chef Michael Feker — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 17:05:53 +0100

Serves 6 or 24 Raviolis

Ingredients

Ravioli

3 and 1/2 cups flour
1 and 3/4 cup water
1 Tbsp salt
1 Tbsp EVO

Directions

Knead all ingredients by hand until dough forms.
Refrigerate 1 hour.
Roll through pasta maker. Cut in 4x4 in squares to form raviolis.
Fill with filling and seal with egg wash.

Pumpkin Filling

1/2 large onion, finely diced
1/3 lb. butter
2 lb. 1 oz. pumpkin puree (2x 16 oz cans)
1/2 lb. cream cheese
1/...

Zinfandel Poached Pear

Chef Michael Feker — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 16:26:57 +0100

My Dear Fekeroodies,

Join me at my restaurant, IL MITO Enoteca in Wauwatosa and try this one for yourselves after your lunch, Sunday Brunch or dinner!

Chef Feker's Zinfandel Poached Pear-

6 Bartlett Pear

1 Bottle Zinfendel

1/3 C Brown Sugar

1/3 C White Sugar

1 Cinnamon Stick

1 Star Anise

2 Bay Leaves

Zest from One Lemon

- Place the wine, sugar, cinnamon, star anise, bay...

IL MITO's Fekerized Angel Hair with Organic Vegetable Symphony

Chef Michael Feker — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:12:42 +0100

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 pounds very ripe tomatoes roasted
8 oz basil
8 oz arugula
8 oz watercress
1 can artichoke hearts drained and cut in quarters
1 pound asparagus tough parts removed and the tender pieces trimmed
8 oz of fresh frozen peas
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil plus
2 tablespoons finely sliced garlic
Salt, p...

Chef Feker's Fire Roasted Chicken and Tomato Risotto

Chef Michael Feker — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:42:46 +0100

Serve: 8

Ingredients

8 cups chicken broth
1 cup of dry white wine
2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 cups Arborio rice
16 spears of asparagus end cut and he rest cut in 1 inch pieces
½ onions diced fine
4 cloves of garlic chopped

1 cup of shredded smoked chicken
½ of cup of fire roasted tomatoes run through a food mill or pureed
1 cup of loose leaf of basil shredded

3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, ...