The Truth About Zenchef… and some Soup too
A good friend saw an old picture of me as a rebellious beach bum in Hawaii and was first to notice a certain resemblance between your Zenness and Che Guevarra – the Argentinian revolutionary. [Skeptical murmur] .. Now, i usually try to maintain a certain level of privacy and decency on this blog but this was too good to pass. I had to ask all of you.. whaddya think?
At first I thought it was ridiculous and i dismissed it with a flick of my hand until i received a far more convincing argument, a closer look:
With the caption: “Listen a**hole! Che Guevarra IS your father!” (er..maybe it wasn’t worded that way, i forgot.)
Holy Chimichurri! ! Saint Mary mother of God!.. Could Che Guevarra in fact be..err.. my dad!? [zen sweating profusely]. It didn’t stop there, nooo! I was accused of knowing it all along and that my blogger name was a secret code: zenCHEf. Damn! I had a horrifying nightmare the following night…
Darth Palin!.. Sarah Vader!?.. My parents!?? .. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
Darth Palin!.. Sarah Vader!?.. My parents!?? .. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! Geesh… i just scared myself!!
Sorry, i lost track… err… oh yes.. My dad! Now i think of it, I never asked mom about that Argentina vacation before i was born … gulp! And i never asked her about that picture i found in a cardboard box in the attic of the old country house…
Hmmm!? … No no.. nevermind!
I kind of question the revolutionary genes in me, though. I’m barely a dictator in my own kitchen, when there’s only me and the dog… the dog takes over!.. and i don’t even have a tattoo for chrissake!!
Therefore, as an homage to the father i’ve never met, I am renaming myself Chef Guevarra (at least until tomorrow)
Hasta la victoria siempre friends!
Oh yes, you’re getting a recipe too! It’s Halloween so have a funky version of Butternut Squash soup with Spiced Apple Compote. It’s really delicious!
Chef guevarra picture was borrowed from here.
(makes 8 servings)
Butternut Squash Soup w/Spiced Apple Compote
Recipe adapted from Daniel Boulud
For the soup:
- 2 small butternut squash (1 1/2 lb each), skin removed, seeded and diced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large onion, peeled and finely sliced
- 1 tablespoon Madras curry powder
- One 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
- 1 clove of garlic, peeled and sliced
- Salt and pepper
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
- 4 cups chicken stock
For the apple compote:
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 vanilla bean, seeds only
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 granny smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- In a large stockpot, melt the butter and add the onions. Cook until tender but not colored, about 10 minutes. Add the curry powder, ginger and garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add the squash, season with salt and pepper and saute for for 1 or 2 minutes.
- Stir in the coconut milk and chicken stock, bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cook until the squash is tender, about 20 minutes.
- While the soup is simmering, toast the coriander seeds and cumin in a small pan, until fragrant – about 2 minutes. Finely grind in a spice grinder.
- Cook the butter in a small saucepan until golden brown and add the apples and the vanilla seeds and cook until caramelized. Add the apple cider and cook until evaporated. Add the spices to the apples and puree in a food processor until smooth.
- Puree the soup in a blender until smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary. Serve with the spiced apple compote and a little scoop of sour cream. Enjoy!
Tags: Soup
November 1st, 2008 at 6:36 am
BWAH! Chef Guevarra! That is too funny. I’d rather like to think of the resemblance as to Colin Farrell. Is that better?! Go on, you can thank me!
Meanwhile…
The soup is simply stunning. I usually think just a pile of orange goo looks good enough for squash soup but you have really inspired me to step it up! Awesome flavor combinations, too– maybe I should surprise my family with this!
November 1st, 2008 at 10:09 am
You are a NUT!
And a revolutionary in the kitchen!
I posted a butternut squash recipe this a.m. too.
Making the B.S. soup today (that would be butternut squash).
Stacey
November 1st, 2008 at 10:14 am
Qué pitié que dans mon pannel de dégustateurs ils n’aiment pas le coconut milk. Ca doit pourtant aller main dans la main avec la courge. Dis moi tu me fais une pub folle sur ton blog en ce moment
je suis dans mes petits souliers, moi 
November 1st, 2008 at 10:45 am
Yea you most definitely have a Colin Farrell thing goin’ on. Good call, Manggy. And that soup..so zen/colin-ish.
can’t wait to make that!
November 1st, 2008 at 11:19 am
The revlotionary in the kitchen serving it up to the upper echelons. Thats is the perfect soup. Im getting ready to make some apple compote.
November 1st, 2008 at 2:24 pm
viva la revolucion! or viva las vegas?
There’s only one way to handle the Sarah Vader proof, as convincing as it may seem. Think ostrich. Cue denial. You can hate yourself later. Right now, there’s cooking to do!
November 1st, 2008 at 2:56 pm
You are so hilarious!!! Really I dont think dear, Che Guevara is your Dad and really I dont think Che Guevara cooked so nice how you, poor man at the forest, maybe they eat wyho know!!!
And about your nightmare with S.P. dont worry is only a nightmare.
Really nice soup, heyy (you really think I may help you in NY??) Aahh! Im kidding!!! I dont coming before because I was without internet. Now Im come back!!! xxGloria (Chef Zen do you like tangerines???) see my blog
November 1st, 2008 at 5:28 pm
I don’t know… Che would never smoke a “cigarette” like you were in the photo. He’s Cuban, all the way, and wouldn’t touch the camels. He might use coconut milk in the kitchen though.
November 2nd, 2008 at 9:39 am
An astute observation from your friend, Zen-Man. As Che once famously said, “I don’t care if I fall as long as someone else picks up my gun and keeps on shooting.” On in this case, making soup.
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:09 am
Lovely soup – LOL – I love your life…and the similarities in the pics are staggering!
-DTW
http://www.everydaycookin.blogspot.com
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:44 am
OMG!!! You are Che’s son! The picture of Chef Guevara just cracked me up! I’m glad you found your origins. Hasta la victoria siempre ZenCHEf! Now pass the soup cause it’s getting coldish!
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:46 am
har har har! she’s right! there’s that certain rebellious “i know i’m tough s**t look”. But I think you’re sexier because you seem to be sporting a six-pack in your picture on the beach and most importantly, your cooking rocks! Your butternut squash soup looks delish! It’s my favourite autumnal soup!
xxxxx
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:28 pm
This post is way too funny! Love the photos! Your soup looks perfect for today since it is raining and I need something cozy and warm!
November 2nd, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Nice blog and beautiful picture…with my love of Spanish/flamenco musica and foods, I think we share the same father…and a similar humor!
November 2nd, 2008 at 6:24 pm
You crack me up…this is f-ing hilarious but the Colin Farrel resemblance is truer.
A most elegant soup, reserved with ingredients but complex with curry, coconut milk and ginger.
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:56 pm
All of these pics are priceless. I mean giving the ‘hang ten’ sign… hilarious! I had no idea you had so many alter egos. You’re the multi-personality chef!
I think I would rather be the son of Vader than Palin though… what do you think?
November 2nd, 2008 at 7:56 pm
zenman, i just love you, ya know. you’re too funny!!! i soooo wanna adopt you. hahaha.
the soup looks good!!!
ps: you look better than your long, lost father (che). no lie.
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:02 pm
A little trick or treating, for sure! And that soup looks like an amazing treat!
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Yes, and Fidel Castro is The Godfather.
(Come here…. “hugs”)
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Are those pumpkin seeds?!
I swear, I’ve been thinking about this soup for weeks now… Butternut with a little curry, topped with an apple compote and toasted pumpkin seeds.
This is crazy! I want it!
I love that picture of you. You do look like a beach bum. This is when you stole the pineapple, right?
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:50 pm
oh yum! That looks fantastic. I love butternut pumpkin but never tried it with apple! Nice!
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:31 am
I made a very similar butternut squash soup today! Wish I had read this first though…i love the addition of the coconut milk! Yummy!
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:06 am
Wow! There really is a striking resemblance. Also the other commenters have something with the likeness to Colin Farrell. I can see that too. Yummy! I mean the soup. ; )
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:24 am
The Che Chef photo is the best!, along with the soup!
Everyone else has complimented you sufficiently I think than for me to add my 2 cents.
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:17 pm
That must be why you’re such a socialist.
What are you chilling for tomorrow night? I have a bottle of Krug that I’ve been saving…
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:34 pm
the soup sounds heavenly. love the recipe. you make mighty amazing food. you should do this for a iving…
as for the parental dispute… i just don’t know… we need another video.
November 4th, 2008 at 3:46 am
muahhahahaahhah! what a great similarity of character and faces not forgetting the awesome delicious bright orangy soup!
November 4th, 2008 at 11:44 am
hahahaha–your cooking does have a revolutionary feel to it
Soup is looking good, and I’m ready to pack up and head off to Hawaii right now.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
gorgeous presentation!
November 4th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Amazing!I was planning to make this very soup, but had no recipe.
November 5th, 2008 at 5:51 am
Chef Guevarra, I did forget to put bananas in my baked goods!
Thanks for noticing. :p
My friends are pestering me to make pumpkin soup. I’ll just ask them to visit your page and drool all over your chef guevarra photo BWAHAHAHAHA
btw…i wanna read u from my reader but failed to do so…care to email me your rss feed?
November 5th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Too too funny! Very Euro on vacation. And the soup sounds rich with a lot of zesty zenness!
November 6th, 2008 at 3:24 am
Haha hilarious!
Happy belated spooky Halloween!
November 7th, 2008 at 12:45 am
is that really you? its so badass! i would have to agree with the colin farrell.
I love the sweetness of butternut squash. thumbs up zen!
November 7th, 2008 at 11:13 am
after reading that, I still feel like its halloween today! AHAHHA!
November 7th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Gosh, you did not have to give us a recipe too but thanks. It is always such a hoot and pleasure reading you.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
rofl about all the che history and photos. As for the soup/apple combo, that sounds delicious. I love butternut squash, but never considered countering it with a good apple garnish like that.
November 9th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Hilarious! you’re a master w/ the photoshop. there were years in my early 20’s when all i was attracted to were men/boys that looked like che! i think you look awesome! as does that soup.
November 9th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Just got back from buying the ingredients for this soup. A bit nervous – with the apple compote, it’s a step above my usual soups. Unless I completely distroy it, I’ll post about some time in the near future.
Thanks!
November 10th, 2008 at 4:06 am
Haha! BTW was that photo of you at 1000 peaks beach on maui??? really looks like it! I miss Maui sooo much… What was i thinking when I hauled my warm butt to London…? Anyway the soup sounds delish! I’ve just made pumpkin risotto
November 10th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Too funny! There is quit a resemblance! I love the flavor combinations in this soup. I’m definitely bookmarking this one to make … seems like it would make a great Thanksgiving starter. Thanks!
November 15th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
So … have you had it confirmed yet Che(f)??
Even before I read your schpiel I did a little double take…
November 7th, 2009 at 12:32 am
OMG, just found this… hilarious. you’re getting too serious in your posts nowadays, worrying about bad pictures. c’mon, we need more jokes.
–kidding. i know how it feels when pictures just won’t come out right. anyway, awesome post!
December 14th, 2009 at 6:47 am
Dear CHEf, when i was looking for a soup idea, i found this paqge and I seriouslly P*** in my pants, so what people think well it’s true….good soup btw!!