How does a few minutes in the kitchen with Chef Janos Wilder sound?
Yeah, it appealed to us, too.
Wilder, owner of Janos and J-Bar restaurants, is the first in the Star's new online video series, "Cooking With the Star."
He whips together an appetizer — Roasted Fig, Foraged Mushrooms, Serrano Ham and Prickly Pear Syrup — a dish he made up on the spot and now features on his Janos menu. It combines the sweetness of a soft fig dancing with the earthiness of mushrooms, peppery watercress for a bit of jazz, ham for a hint of salt, and prickly pear syrup for a touch of the desert. The flavors meld together to make a silky, sophisticated appetizer.
In the process, he gives tips on cooking, plating and choosing ingredients.
"Cooking With the Star" will appear monthly in our Wednesday Accent sections and remain online.
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Check out "Cooking With the Star" video and the recipe for Roasted Fig, Foraged Mushrooms, Serrano Ham and Prickly Pear Syrup at www.azstarnet.com/food.