 Executive Chef David Maini of Michael Jordan's Steak
House
at the Mohegan Sun in
Uncasville,
Connecticut tributes his success and passion for cooking to his
grandmother. His fondest memories are of being in her kitchen and
learning to
cook as he watched her in action. He graciously shares a delicious taste
of the
restaurant with his recipes for Waygu Tartare and Pan
Seared Grouper that would make his grandmother proud.
Although Chef David Maini was
born and raised in Rhode Island in the United States, he has a diverse international
culinary background having lived and worked throughout the United States and Europe
before joining Michael Jordan's group of restaurants.
His grandmother grew up in Florence, Italy
before moving to the United
States, and from her he learned tradition
and passion for cooking. By the time that he was 12 years old, he started
working as a dishwasher in the family restaurant, learning the business from
the ground up. He honed his culinary craft at the Rhode Island School of Design
where he graduated from their culinary program, which he described as a
wonderful experience. Upon graduation, he worked at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, as a Corporate Chef for Morton's, had his own
restaurant in Atlanta, and worked throughout Europe developing his technique and individual style.
Chef David Maini
His vision for the two
Michael Jordan restaurants that he runs is to keep it fresh, keep it different.
He likes to change the menus at least twice per year; however, at the request
of the regular customers, he tries to keep at least some of the items on the
menu constant.
Chef David Maini's philosophy
is that cooking is the most social thing that we can do, and a chef's job is to
please others, which in turn gives pleasure to the chef. It is important to
remember that it is all about the diner. He feels fortunate that there are so
many local farms in the area, many local purveyors of organic products, and of
course, New England has great seafood so his
choices for quality products are endless.
When not working in the
kitchen, he enjoys spending time with his wife cooking at home together or
going out and dining at new restaurants. He graciously shares his recipes for
Waygu Tartare and Pan Seared Grouper.
Waygu Tartare
Ingredients:
|
3
|
Ounces
|
Waygu Sirloin, finely diced
|
|
2
|
Tablespoons
|
Capers, minced
|
|
2
|
Tablespoons
|
Cornichons, finely diced
|
|
1
|
Teaspoon
|
Dijon Mustard
|
|
1.5
|
Teaspoons
|
Worcestershire Reduction
|
|
1
|
Teaspoon
|
Red Onion, finely diced
|
|
|
|
Grey Sea Salt, to taste
|
|
|
|
Ground White Pepper, to
taste
|
Method: In chilled mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix
thoroughly. Using a small square, or triangle mold, neatly shape mixture,
centered on plate of choice. Garnish Tartare with fresh made Yukon Gold potato
chips seasoned with white truffle, fresh rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Pan Seared Grouper
Ingredients:
|
3
|
Ounces
|
Waygu Sirloin, finely diced
|
|
2
|
Tablespoons
|
Capers, minced
|
|
2
|
Tablespoons
|
Cornichons, finely diced
|
Method for squash puree: roast 1 lb of butternut squash (or favorite squash)
with butter, honey, salt, and white pepper in 350° F (177° C) oven for 30
minutes, Puree with vegetable stock, whole butter, and splash of cream,
reserve.
Method for truffle butter: soften 1 lb of unsalted butter, mix in black truffle
shavings with 1 tablespoon of truffle oil, and refrigerate.
Method for grouper: In sauté pan, heat olive oil, season grouper with
salt and pepper and sauté 3 minutes each side. Place in 350° F (177° C) for an
additional 9 minutes until just cooked through.
Presentation: In large bowl or raised plate, make pool with puree,
sauté mushrooms in butter, and place around puree. Place fish on puree, add
truffle butter dollop over fish, add basil oil around puree, top fish with organic
seasonal micro greens, and serve.
Michael Jordan's Steak House
Michael Jordan's Steak House serves dinner Sunday through Thursday from 5:00 pm until 11:00 pm, and the lounge is open from 4:00 pm until 11:00 pm. On Friday and Saturday, the
restaurant serves dinner from 5:00 pm
until midnight, and the lounge is open from 4:00 pm until midnight.
Read about Michael Jordan's Steak House
in the Restaurants section.
Michael Jordan's Steak House
Mohegan Sun
1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard
Uncasville, Connecticut 06382
United States
Toll-Free: +1-888-MOHEGAN
(1-800-777-7922)
Reservations: +1-888-226-7711
Website: www.MichaelJordanSteakHouse.com
Website: www.MoheganSun.com
 Read
about Mohegan Sun Hotel in the
Hotels and Resorts section.
© May 2010. Luxury
Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com All
Rights Reserved.
|
