Chefs of Santa Barbara - Spiritland Bistro

31 West at Hotel Andalucia
Ballard Inn
Beach Grill at Padaro
Bistro 1111 at the Radison Hotel
Café Buenos Aires
Citronelle
El Cazador
Epiphany
Holdren's Steak & Seafood
Lucky's
Miró at Bacara Resort & Spa
Olio e Limone Ristorante
Pizza Mizza Cafe
Quantum Restaurant & Lounge
Rodney's Steakhouse
at Fess Parker's Doubletree Hotel
Santa Barbara City College
Culinary School
Spiritland Bistro
The Taj Café
•••
El Encanto
Holdren's Steak & Seafood
Opolo Vineyard
P.J. Milligan
Tre Lune

Chef Joel Koch of Spiritland Bistro

2 lbs. spinach *
1/2 lbs. crimini mushrooms*
8 oz. feta cheese *
2 lbs. chicken, cubed * (optional)
3-4 tbsp. Greek oregano
2 tbsp. nutritional yeast
1 tbsp. paprika *
1 tsp. salt and pepper
1 box phyllo dough *
2 c. unsalted butter, melted *
* available organic

Thaw phyllo dough properly. Brush melted butter lightly on phyllo sheet and place in 9"x13" baking dish. Continue until you have used 10 sheets of phyllo. Sauté spinach, mushrooms and chicken and spread on top of the phyllo. Season with Greek oregano, nutritional yeast, paprika, salt and pepper. Continue to butter and layer the rest of the phyllo until all is used. Refrigerate for one hour then cut portions (cuts easier this way). Bake covered at 375° for 35 minutes, then 10 minutes uncovered.

An interview with Chef Joel Koch:

Who or what inspired you to start cooking?
My passion for creativity and my love for food.

What is your signature dish?
Mediterranean fusion - a combination of Greek Mousaka and Italian Risotto Cakes.

What three ingredients do you always have on hand to cook with?
Sweet basil, coriander and fresh galangal.

What is your most versatile cooking utensil or gadget?
Asian mandoline.

Who does the cooking at home?
Although I am only at home 1-2 days a week for dinner, I do the cooking.

What is your cooking motto?
Positive energy and lots of love.

What is the greatest compliment you've received for your cooking?
I am very humble, but I have been told by many that I have created a new niche in Santa Barbara called "organic global cuisine," and that I have been blessed with an amazing talent to be able to create so many different flavorful cultural dishes with a California twist.

Spiritland Bistro - Organic Global Cuisine
230 E. Victoria
Santa Barbara
966-7759
www.spiritlandbistro.com

Intimate bistro featuring a different international cuisine each week in addition to the regular menu, with 90% or more organic ingredients in every dish including poultry, seafood, vegan and specialty raw food dishes.

5:30-9:30 p.m., Wed-Sun (until 10 p.m. Fri/Sat)
$$-10-20

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