July 05, 2004

By: Phoebe Lazara
Website: http://www.1st-in-steaks.com

Sautéing, knife use, braising, sauces, and tips for making perfect steaks

With two great cooks in the kitchen, there’s twice the fun! America’s favorite cooking couple is back with CAPRIAL AND JOHN’S KITCHEN: COOKING FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

Produced by Oregon Public Broadcasting and Caprial and John, Inc., the series features 26 new episodes showcasing the popular husband and wife chef duo, Caprial and John Pence -- TV’s only married chefs. The new series will premiere nationally on public television stations in April 2004. What makes CAPRIAL AND JOHN’S KITCHEN particularly unique is its focus on the healthy benefits of family cooking and the even greater emotional benefits.

As Caprial and John say, We wanted to share our philosophy of celebrating the table and spending time together creating in the kitchen. Our current culture of packed schedules and virtual communication leaves few opportunities to spend time with loved ones and talk to each other face-to-face.

Cooking together provides the ideal setting – and purpose – for sharing. We’ve discovered that cooking with our own kids, who are now in those noncommunicative teen years, can break their bonds of silence. We are amazed at the conversations we have – and the dinners that evolve! Caprial and John’s new series allows them to share this passion for creating great food for family and friends, with a charming, relaxed style that won’t intimidate even a novice cook.

Drawing from their love affair with the robust lifestyle and culinary bounty of the Pacific Northwest, and their innovative use of Mediterranean and Asian flavors, the show takes us from local farmers markets, vineyards and bakeries to the Pences’ own kitchen and backyard.

The Pences’ infectious enthusiasm for great food – and each other – gives the show a warmth and spice equaled only by their wonderful culinary creations.

Filmed at the Pences’ International Cooking School in Portland, Oregon, CAPRIAL AND JOHN’S KITCHEN features episodes on great family food, approved and tested by the Pences’ own children, including barbecued ribs, homemade pizzas and pasta, pecan sticky buns, cheddar biscuits and ice cream sandwiches. More sophisticated fare is found in episodes devoted to choosing the right wines and preparing an ardor-inducing aphrodisiac dinner. And, drawing from some of the most popular classes offered at the school, other episodes demonstrate basic skills like sautéing, knife use, braising, sauces, and tips for making perfect steaks.

Still other episodes focus on large-scale family entertaining – summer barbecues, birthday parties, and holiday gatherings. Taken together, the episodes provide a perfect introduction to creating not only wonderful meals but also spicier marriages, closer families and priceless memories.

About The Author:

Phoebe Lazara is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-steaks.com.  Great tips on buying top quality meats, steaks and seafood from the finest ranchers and butchers.