Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar
FlemingsSteakhouse.com
380 K St., Downtown; 619-237-1155
8970 University Center Ln., La Jolla; 858-535-0078
What Top San Diego Chef, Christopher Gardner, feeds his kid:
"This sauce will work for any of your favorite pastas, like elbow, rigatoni or orzo."
Cheese Sauce
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2 oz. butter/margarine
2 tablespoons flour
1 ½ cups heavy/whipping cream
1 ½ cups half & half
1 teaspoon salt
Pinch of white pepper or finely ground black pepper
*¼ cup small chopped onion or leeks (optional)
*1 tablespoon minced garlic (optional)
2 cups grated cheese (your favorite). Add more or less, to your liking.
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Melt butter in a saucepan on medium heat. Add onions and garlic (if desired), and cook for two minutes. Stir in flour until a smooth paste appears, and has cooked to a light golden color. Add heavy cream, half & half, salt and pepper, stirring until slightly thickened. Add cheese, a little at a time, and stir for a smooth creamy finish.
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Christopher and his wife Bethney have two daughters: Olivia Valentine, 5, and Madeline Grace, 3. Like many children, they love Disney, playing with their dolls, dressing up, singing and dancing. Aside from being “girly” girls, they also like to hike and are interested in bugs.
Chris says, “No matter what I prepare, the girls always seem to argue on who will help stir and who will mix. Still, as much time as I spend cooking at Fleming’s, the time at home cooking with Olivia and Madeline is priceless. Olivia even has her own chef jacket.”
Chris and Bethney introduce the girls to “new” vegetables while they are raw and fresh. Both of my daughters like different vegetables; for instance, one may like raw carrots while the other loves avocado.
Chris says, “I like to combine vegetables in familiar dishes such as adding fresh vegetables to rice and noodle dishes. I try to insist that our girls taste them before they decide they do not like it. To help along with the appreciation process, I try again, as the next day they may have changed their mind. My wife and I also talk to them about what they’re eating, and it helps them get excited.”
