About Chef Z

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Chef Jeff Zahniser is a Certified Executive Chef and a Certified Culinary Educator. He is currently working as a Culinary Instructor for Liberty Ranch High School in Galt, California. Chef Z, as his students call him, has had a varied and interesting career since graduating with honors from The Culinary Institute of America. Chef Z was the Executive Chef at the City Hotel in Columbia, CA, has owned and operated his own catering company in Los Angeles, CA, and was the Executive Chef for Wyndham Hotels in Southern California. Chef Z strives to create a positive experience learning life lessons in the kitchen. Chef Z was named Sacramento County Office of Education Teacher of te Year and went on to be named Teacher of the Year for the entire county. Chef Z teaches Culinary Arts 1 & 2. He also teaches Introduction to Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts Chef Z’s students have gone on from these program to get jobs at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite, Tuolumne Meadows Lodge and Bear Valley Ski Resort. Many of his students have matriculated into many other post-secondary programs around the state.

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

 

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Chicken Marsala

INGREDIENTS

  • 1-½ lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded ¼-inch thick (see note), or chicken tenderloins
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 8 ounces Crimini or button mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped shallots, from 1 medium shallot
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  •  cup chicken broth
  •  cup dry Marsala wine
  •  cup heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley, for serving (optional)

METHOD

1.Place the flour, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a ziplock bag. Add the chicken to the bag; seal bag tightly and shake to coat chicken evenly. Set aside.
2.Heat the oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. (Use a stainless steel pan for the best browning. Nonstick will work too, but you won’t get that nice golden color on the chicken.) Place the flour-dusted chicken in the pan, shaking off any excess first, and cook, turning once, until the chicken is golden and just barely cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes total. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
3.Heat the oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. (Use a stainless steel pan for the best browning. Nonstick will work too, but you won’t get that nice golden color on the chicken.) Place the flour-dusted chicken in the pan, shaking off any excess first, and cook, turning once, until the chicken is golden and just barely cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes total. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
4.If chicken breasts are large and thick they can be cut in half horizontally then pounded thin.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016