Sam Slattery’s earliest memory of cooking is of standing on a chair in his kitchen while his father taught him to make eggs. At Alvirne High School he was a member of the culinary arts program, and he furthered his studies at Lakes Region Community College, where he earned an associate degree in culinary arts. Today he is the lead line cook at Stella Blu in Nashua, where he runs the weekly dessert specials and prepares charcuterie roll sushi and shucks oysters at the raw bar station on the weekends.
What is your must-have kitchen item?
KitchenAid mixer.
What would you have for your last meal?
Fried clams.
What is your favorite local eatery?
My favorite local eatery is probably a tie between the Himalayan Curry House in Nashua or the Tuckaway Tavern in Raymond.
Name a celebrity you would like to see eating in your restaurant?
Billy Strings, considering I’m a huge fan and if I’m not working at Stella on a Saturday night chances are I’m traveling to see my favorite band.
What is your favorite thing on your menu?
The pan-seared duck breast with sweet chili glaze.
What is the biggest food trend in New Hampshire right now?
One food trend I’ve noticed across New England is birria tacos or burritos, both in food trucks and restaurant special sheets.
What is your favorite thing to cook at home?
French onion soup.
Corn flake fish tacos
From the kitchen of Sam Slattery
Haddock cut into 3-inch pieces
Corn tortillas
Breading:
3 cups corn flakes
1 cup sesame seeds
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 Tablespoons red pepper flakes
Coleslaw:
1 head red cabbage shredded
3 carrots shredded
2 cups frozen mango
2 jalapenos
1 cup rice wine vinegar
Cilantro lime crema:
1 lime zested and juiced
1 bunch of cilantro
1 cup sour cream
2 Tablespoons garlic powder
1 Tablespoon cumin
1 Tablespoon coriander
salt and pepper
Simmer mango, jalapeno and rice wine vinegar together until soft, blend on high until smooth, fold over shredded cabbage.
Bread haddock using a flour batter and the corn flake mix, then fry until 165 degrees internal temperature.
Blend all cilantro lime crema ingredients until smooth.
Toast tortillas in a pan or on a hot grill and assemble the tortilla with coleslaw, then fish, and top with crema.
Featured photo: Sam Slattery, lead line cook at Stella Blu. Courtesy photo.