Nathan’s Turner’s New Book Is An Ode To His Golden State Of Mind, Palette and Palate

Author:

Nathan Turner’s designs channel the laid-back luxe of the California he knows so well. The Golden State native, who grew up in the Bay Area, spent vacations at his family’s Northern California ranch and now lives and works out of Los Angeles, understands the casual yet chic indoor-outdoor style that runs from the redwoods north of San Francisco through the mountains of the Sierra Nevada down to the beaches of Southern California and San Diego.

His new book, ‘I Love California: Live, Eat, and Entertain the West Coast Way’, expresses the California spirit as seen through his sight and taste, capturing the homes, people, and food of each unique location in glorious, sun-drenched detail. Simple recipes and Turner’s insider tips and tricks for entertaining appear alongside never-before-seen interiors belonging to friends, family and clients. The book even includes Turner’s signature dishes for California comfort food, such as his family’s cioppino, marinated tri-tip steak and a piquant cinnamon and chile-spiked Mexican chocolate cake.  

“From my family’s ranch to those first dinners at my shop to the meals I cook now for friends and family, it’s all influenced the way I entertain and live…which I call California Casual,” says Turner. “To me, it means a laid-back room, a friendly host, and a beautiful table with simple recipes and fresh ingredients. Being a decorator, I love to create stylish, effortless design that enhances, not distracts from, the meal. It’s a table you’d love to eat at.”

Taste his style with this simple recipe for slow-cooker pork chile verde. Inspired by Rancho Santa Fe, it’s the perfect easy dinner for a dozen. And take a tip from Turner: “Don’t make it all,” he counsels, “give yourself a break and supplement homemade dishes with things you buy,” whether that’s dessert from the local bakery or sides from your favorite restaurant or a salad of fresh greens from the farmer’s market. Gather up your most colorful dinnerware, strew the table with local greenery and mix up a fruit-filled, festive cocktail. Now, you’re entertaining the Nathan Turner way. Talk about West Coast Wow!

 

Slow-Cooker Pork Chile Verde

 

1 pork shoulder, 3-4 pounds

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

2 16 ounce jars salsa verde

 

Season pork all over with salt and pepper. In a large sauce pan, sear over medium heat on all sides. Place pork in a slow cooker and cover with salsa. Cook for 8 hours on low. Remove and let cool slightly. Shred and add some sauce back in to keep the pork moist.

 

Serve with warmed corn tortillas, crumbled cotija cheese, chopped white onion, fresh cilantro, sour cream and pico de gallo. 

Find I Love California: Live, Eat, and Entertain the West Coast Way’ by Nathan Turner here. And, if you’d like to bring some Nathan Turner style to your decor, check out his curation with Charish to find everything from vintage flatware (Turner’s favorite!) to beautiful plates (he’s got a huge collection of antique China), garden stools, tables, chairs, pillows and more! After all, as he says, “What good is a pretty house, if there’s not a pretty table with delicious food to go with it!”