Araxi: Roots to Shoots – James Walt

March 12, 2017 by
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Araxi: Roots to Shoots: Farm Fresh Recipes by James Walt and Andrew Morrison is the follow up to Araxi: Seasonal Recipes from the Celebrated Whistler Restaurant, a Gourmand World Cookbook Award winner for Best Chef Book in Canada.

This stunner of a title shares 80 classic recipes from Araxi’s dining room in Whistler and signature Longtable events. These events are spectacular experiences where Walt crafts an exclusive four-course menu showcasing his internationally recognized farm-to-table dishes at the base of Mount Currie at the breathtaking North Arm Farm.  Gordon Ramsay calls Araxi the best restaurant in Canada and after looking at this book you will understand why. 

The recipes in this title are fine dining at its best but are adapted for the home cook. You won’t need a culinary degree to recreate these dishes in your kitchen – you will just appear as to have gotten one. 

When I first took a look at Araxi Roots to Shoots, I immediately ordered Walt’s first cookbook Araxi: Seasonal Recipes from the Celebrated Whistler Restaurant before I shared how amazing the Araxi titles are. I wanted to make sure I procured my copy before they were snatched up (this isn’t my first rodeo). For anyone who wants to cook like a chef, wants to find inspiration and draw on Walt’s creativity – you need this book too!

Special thanks to Figure1 and the author for allowing us to share a recipe with our members. Be sure to head over to our contest page to enter our giveaway open to US and Canada members.

Peperonata with Buffalo Mozzarella

Nothing says summer to me like this dish. The peperonata keeps well for three to four days and actually tastes better the day after it is prepared. Serve it with some good crusty bread and a quality buffalo mozzarella. Look for this soft cheese-we make some great ones here in Canada-in most cheese shops, deli counters or Italian grocers.

 
Serves 4 to 6 as part of an appetizer platter


1/3 cup + 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
6 shallots, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
3 large bell peppers (1 red, 1 yellow, 1 orange), seeds removed, thinly sliced
1/2 cup sherry vinegar
1/4 cup raisins, soaked in warm water until plump, then strained
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
Sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste
1/4 cup pinenuts, toasted
10 mint leaves, very thinly sliced
5 balls buffalo mozzarella, each 4 to 5 oz, cut into quarters
2 Tbsp balsamic crema or balsamic vinegar
2 sprigs fresh mint, for garnish


Heat the 1/3 cup olive oil in a medium saucepan on medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the peppers and cook until softened, 8 to 10 minutes, then add the vinegar, raisins and sugar. Cook until the vinegar has evaporated, 4 to 5 minutes, then remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper.
 
Once the peperonata has cooled, fold in the pinenuts and mint. Mix thoroughly and check the seasoning. Arrange the peperonata on a serving platter.
 
Place the buffalo mozzarella on the peppers, drizzle with the 3 Tbsp olive oil and the balsamic crema (or balsamic vinegar), and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with some fresh mint leaves and serve.
Category: Book News, Recipes

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18 Comments

  • lgroom  on  March 12, 2017

    Another beautiful cover.

  • rchesser  on  March 12, 2017

    Yes I do enjoy restaurant/chef cookbooks!

  • hippiechick1955  on  March 12, 2017

    There's nothing better then a cookbook written by a restaurant chef. After all, our obsession with eating out in America proves we love their food.

  • Uhmandanicole  on  March 13, 2017

    This book looks beautiful. Would love to get my hands on it

  • meggan  on  March 13, 2017

    According to Eatyourbooks, 120 books in my collection are restaurant and professional chef tie ins – so, yes!

  • Nancith  on  March 13, 2017

    I like the fact that these restaurant recipes are adapted for someone like me.

  • kitchenfrolic  on  March 17, 2017

    I like restaurant/chef cookbooks, but only if they're done properly.

  • RSW  on  March 17, 2017

    Yes. They have unique recipes.

  • fiarose  on  March 18, 2017

    i do love restaurant/chef books, especially if they have stories or behind the scenes details! i love hearing about the restaurant life, and i feel like i'm in on the secret.

  • Siegal  on  March 22, 2017

    I love all cookbooks chef and otherwise

  • edyenicole  on  March 25, 2017

    Yes, I do like them.

  • bcarpenter  on  March 28, 2017

    I'm from Canada but had never heard of this restaurant. Looking forward to trying the recipe.

  • anastasiiap  on  March 30, 2017

    I love restaurant/chef cookbooks when they have family-friendly recipes which can be cooked at home

  • cseychew  on  April 12, 2017

    Utterly obsessed with root vegetables, which is great since we have such a long winter. Would love some fresh ideas for preparing them!

  • imaluckyducky  on  April 13, 2017

    Yes, I do like chef/restaurant cookbooks! Great inspiration

  • ddenker  on  April 18, 2017

    I love all cookbooks – including chef/restaurant ones.

  • lebarron2001  on  April 19, 2017

    Yes I like restaurant/chef cookbooks.

  • TrishaCP  on  April 19, 2017

    I like restaurant/chef cookbooks, provided that it's the right restaurant/chef. There can be issues with portion sizes in their books (failure to convert a large batch recipe to a home-cooking size effectively) and if there are too many sub-recipes, I probably won't be that interested.

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