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Look Who’s Cookin’ at Taste of the Hawaiian Range: Ronnie Nasuti of Tiki’s Grill & Bar

Chef Ronnie Nasuti

A favorite chef at this year’s Hawaii Chocolate Festivalon O’ahu, Chef Ronnie Nasuti of Tiki’s Grill & Barwowed attendees with his chocolate pasta dessert, which was showcased on Honolulu morning news shows. Chef makes his culinary event debut on the Big Island at this year’s Taste of the Hawaiian Range andshares a recipe for Pulehu Grass-Fed Filet Mignon.

Working in Kitchens Since 14

Chef Nasuti grew up in Massachusetts. His first restaurant gig was as a dishwasher. At 17, he became a kitchen manager at a classical Northern Italian restaurant where he assisted the chef/owner on a daily basis while honing his culinary chops. Nasuti finished four years of culinary arts in high school and further developed his trade through an apprenticeship at Boston’s Copley Plaza Hotel; the apprenticeship was sponsored by Les Dames d’Escoffier. Nasuti says Julia Child was a member of the Les Dames chapter there and he got to meet her.

In Hawai‘i he worked at Horatio’s (now Kincaid’s Restaurant) and then joined Chef Roy Yamaguchi and crew working at various Roy’s Restaurants in Hawai‘i Kai, Waikiki and Poipu, Kaua’i. Nasuti also served as executive chef at the award-winning Chez Michel, the location formerly at Eaton Square in Honolulu.

After a proven record of successful culinary stints, Chef chose to “hang his hat” at Tiki’s and has been steering the Waikiki establishment to a higher level of dining and elegance. He believes in being an effective and motivational trainer, from both the front and back of the house.

Q: How would you describe your cooking style and please give some examples.

A: A fusion of Hawaiian/Pacific Island Cuisine with American Cuisine. I believe in the locally grown food movement and have visited farms and built strong bonds with our food producers. I rely on island-fresh produce, proteins and breads to create signature items and dinner specials like Nalo Shiso-Seared Tofu Salad using Mrs. Cheng’s island-made tofu, Waimanalo greens, local tomatoes, Kula onion and a soy vinaigrette. Another is Bacon and Lemongrass-Crusted Ono served with Molokai potatoes and lilikoi chili butter sauce.

Q: Why do you use grass-fed beef (GFB)?

A: To support local farmers and to provide our clientele with something that’s healthier and tastes better.

Q: What are your favorite GFB cuts and why?

A: I like the primal cuts like filet mignon, ribeye, striploin, etc., as grass-fed beef has more “bite” than the grain-finished stuff. (Primals are the sections of the carcass—like rib, loin and round—used to create specific beef cuts.) To keep it in our price point at Tiki’s, I use primarily ground beef. We sell lots of great burgers as we are a “Grill & Bar.” I use about 210 pounds a week.

Q: Do you let patrons know on your menu they are eating GFB?

A: Our guests definitely know they are ordering Big Island ground beef in their hamburgers! It states it on our menu

Q: What other local food products are your favorite and why?

A: I love all local products. The idea of getting product that wasn’t shipped thousands of miles—in an economy we’re the bulk of—is key to our success and collective effort towards sustainability. Anything that we can get locally and is within our price point is on our menu! In addition to grass-fed beef, baby greens, herbs, lettuce, local tofu, tomatoes, potatoes, various vegetables, melons, fish and abalone are some of the local products we use. To call one a favorite, I’d say maybe opihi; though it’s not too easy to get, but defiantly a delicacy, I love octopus also.

Q: What are your favorite “fun” things to do here in Hawai‘i? 

A: I love to get in the water. I try to find more ways to do it. I got a jet ski and some paddle boards recently to give me more excuses to get in the ocean. I love to motorcycle ride also. Anything that gets me outside! I love to cook, but most of that happens indoors.

Tiki’s Grill and Bar is located at 2570 Kalakaua Ave in the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel, 808-923-TIKI (8454). www.tikisgrill.com

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 Categories: Event News Hawaii, Grass-Fed Beef Hawaii  |   Tags: Chez Michel, Hawaii Chocolate Festival, Kincaid’s Restaurant, Les Dames d’Escoffier, Roy’s Restaurants, Tiki’s Grill & Bar

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Visit the Made in Hawaii Festival this year, and be sure to see Ronnie Nasuti, of Tiki's Grill & Bar, cook the following dish during a live cooking demonstration.

Grilled Hawaiian Fish, Luau Leaf Palu Sami, Confit of Saffron Scented Hauula Tomatoes

Description: Palu Sami is a Samoan dish consisting of young luau leaves, coconut milk and onions baked or steamed until tender and custard-like. It sometimes has corned beef and can be eaten as a pupu or entree.

For 4 people:

• Luau leaves (young/tender) 20 leaves
• Onion (½ inch dice) ¾ c.
• Coconut milk 3-4 c.
• Hauula tomatoes (peeled, seeded & diced) 2
• Shallots (sliced) ½ c.
• Virgin olive oil as needed
• Fresh local lemon as needed
• Fresh local limes as needed
• Hawaiian fish filets (7oz.) 4
• Saffron threads 1 pinch
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Palu Sami:

1. Cut 4 squares of tin foil 12” square and lay them out.
2. Layer the leaves–large to small–5 pieces for each portion.
3. Bend foil into a bowl-like shape and fit luau leaves inside.
4. Divide diced onions into each luau foil bowl.
5. Add ¾ to 1 cup of coconut milk. (Amount of coconut milk could vary depending on the size of the leaves.)
6. Fold two opposite foil corners over each other in the middle. Take the other two opposite corners and twist together like a Hershey’s Kiss bundle in the middle.
7. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes at 350 degrees F.

For the Tomato Confit:

1. Add the tomatoes, shallots and saffron in a non-reactive, ovenproof pan or casserole dish.
2. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and barely submerge with virgin olive oil.
3. Bake in the oven with the Paul Sami for 1 hour or until tomatoes lightly dehydrate in the oil. (There will be almost no bubbles in the pan.)

To complete the dish:

1. When the first two components are finished baking, remove from the oven and allow the Palu Sami to set.
2. Now grill your fish filets with a little bit of salt and pepper and some of the oil from the confit.
3. Unwrap Palu Sami and plate with fresh grilled fish and tomato confit.
4. Squeeze fresh lemon over fish and serve!

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - On Sunday, May 22nd, the Arthritis Foundation hosts the 2011 Hawaii Arthritis Walk at Ala Moana's Magic Island. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 9 a.m. The event features a one-mile or three-mile course with activities for the entire family, a Keiki Zone, live entertainment, food, beverages and arthritis information.

The Arthritis Walk is the Arthritis Foundation's annual nationwide signature event that raises funds and awareness to find a cure for the nation's leading cause of disability. Participants walk as individuals or in teams in honor of a friend or family member with arthritis. People with arthritis wear blue hats to signify their action in taking control of their condition.

Watch the video to see Ronnie Nasuti, executive chef of Tiki's Grill & Bar demonstrate how to prepare tapenade-crusted fish filet seared and served atop, whole wheat pasta, fresh spinach, artichoke hearts, garlic, olive oil, fresh herbs and sun-dried tomatoes.

Recipe courtesy of Ronnie Nasuti, Executive Chef, Tiki's Grill & Bar

The Benefits of Eating Healthy

Hawaii Swordfish
Hawaii Swordfish is an excellent source of lean protein. It is rich in niacin, vitamin B12, phosphorus and selenium and it is also low in sodium. Hawaii Swordfish is a good source of vitamin B6 and iodine. Hawaii Swordfish also provides about 1200 mg of omega-3's (DHA and EPA) per 4 ounce serving of fresh fish.

Olives
The Vitamin E contained in olives is the body's primary fat-soluble antioxidant. Antioxidants help to strengthen the body's immune system; reducing the severity of asthma, cancer, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, premature aging, as well as delaying the effects of aging. Olives contain compounds called polyphenols that appear to have significant anti-inflammatory properties. The juice of the olive, otherwise known as olive oil, is a delicious source of antioxidants. This oil is monounsaturated, and it has a positive effect on the cholesterol level in our blood streams, by helping to reduce it. Monounsaturated fats are an important part of our diets. These oils act to keep cholesterol from sticking to our artery walls, and thus combating against diseases such as heart disease and strokes. Not only that, but they help to control blood sugar, a big plus in offering protection against diabetes.

Artichokes
Most rheumatism and arthritis problems are linked to liver function. This is why artichokes, with choleretic and cholagogic properties, accelerate the transportation and elimination of bile, and considerably increase diuresis, thus removing excess congestants from tissues and joints. Artichokes are therefore recommended for cases of rheumatism and arthritis, in general, given the importance of liver function in the development of these illnesses.

Balsamic Vinegar
Balsamic vinegar contains all mentioned nutrients. This is the reason why it can prevent stroke. Balsamic vinegar should be consumed regularly in order to balance cholesterol in blood. Another important thing is that it lowers high blood pressure. It helps people who suffer from osteoporosis since it is healthy for our bones. It can ease headaches and prevent occurrence of new headaches. It can help in digestion process and it can boost metabolism. However, it can suppress appetite in a natural way. Amino acids from it help in reducing aging symptoms. It is rich not only in amino acids but also minerals and thus can help treating anemia, chronic tiredness etc.

Lemon
The incredible, amazing lemon may help with wrist arthritis, knee arthritis, or arthritis in any joint. Lemon is a popular fruit when it comes to therapeutic properties.

Recipe courtesy of Ronnie Nasuti, Executive Chef, Tiki's Grill & Bar

May 22 is also National Gout Awareness Day. Gout is one of 120 different forms of arthritis. Hawaii has one of the highest percentage of people who suffer from gout in the United States.

For more information about the Arthritis Foundation, visit www.arthritis.org.
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