Chef Michael's Blog

Chef Michael Laukert

Chef Michael Laukert

Volpi Foods welcomes Michael Laukert, renowned chef, specialty food consultant and former Culinary Director for Michael Chiarello’s NapaStyle television series on Food Network, PBS and Fine Living.

In addition to writing this blog, Chef Michael is consulting with Volpi to develop recipes utilizing Volpi Italian meat products.

To read more about Chef Michael, click here.

‘House-Cured’ Pancetta – Salt Cure Completed

‘House-Cured’ Pancetta – Salt Cure Completed

The ‘House-Cure’ Pancetta curing time is over and everything looks great! It is now time to move on with a  good rinse, dry and string up for aging.  However, before I get into the next steps let me recap…. A quick look back at day six brought... Read More >
Day Three, Four and Five with our ‘House Cured’ Pancetta

Day Three, Four and Five with our ‘House Cured’ Pancetta

Update for Day Three, Four and Five: It is the morning of Day Three time to check in on our progress with our ‘house-cured’ pancetta project. After unwrapping the sheet pan, notice additional moisture released overnight.  It measures out to... Read More >
Day Two – House-Cured Pancetta

Day Two – House-Cured Pancetta

Update for Day Two: It was exciting to unwrap our ‘house-made’ pancetta today and check the progress after 24 hours.  As expected there was a decent amount of moisture released from the pork belly and almost no sign of the curing salt mix. ... Read More >
House Cured Pancetta – Day One

House Cured Pancetta – Day One

I can honestly say that I am as excited as ‘a kid in a candy store’, my pork bellies have arrived and they are beautiful!  I can suggest a few ways to order your own pork belly, first a local butcher that provides a ‘hands-on’ operation... Read More >
Simple, Straight-forward Easter Brunch Menu

Simple, Straight-forward Easter Brunch Menu

There is certainly something that can be said towards the excitement and anticipation of Easter weekend.  Our children are enjoying Spring break from school; families are scurrying about preparing for the first big celebration and gathering... Read More >
Our ‘Bacon’ has an Italian cousin – PANCETTA

Our ‘Bacon’ has an Italian cousin – PANCETTA

There is no doubt there has been a movement taking place in the culinary world that has brought ‘pork’ to a completely new and higher level of importance – ‘Pork is King’!  Many familiar faces on Food Network as well as notable Chef’s... Read More >
SPRING is in the air…..

SPRING is in the air…..

This weekend marked that time of year where for most of the country clocks moved ahead one hour, bringing a smile to our faces for those extra moments of sunshine that each new day will bring.  March 20, 2010 is the ‘official’ first day of Spring... Read More >
Gourmet Italian Food for XXI Olympic Games Weekend

Gourmet Italian Food for XXI Olympic Games Weekend

There certainly has been a buzz in the air here in Colorado when it comes to the XXI Winter Olympiad.  No doubt part of the reason being that Colorado Springs is home to the USOC and we have one of our countries Olympic training centers.  I find... Read More >
Italian Cuisine and Culture Inspire a Great Meal

Italian Cuisine and Culture Inspire a Great Meal

Mother Nature sure has a way to provide influence over one’s day to day activities.  The cold temperatures and blankets of snow that covered most of the country over the past few weeks have kept me inside more than usual and finally presented... Read More >
Italian cured meats where “Less is more”

Italian cured meats where “Less is more”

There is plenty going on in this crazy mixed up world these days.  No doubt that each and every one of us has set aside a little time in our daily routines and have taken a good look at ourselves to see where we really are and put into perspective... Read More >

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