I do get to take some fun and interesting trips to learn about tires: After my initial MXM4 tire test drive in an Audi A4 2.0 over gorgeous moss laden Palmetto tree lined sun dappled roads, Jeremy Bearman, a Michelin One Star Chef, prepared a wine paring feast for the taste buds while I learned about the new Michelin MXM4 touring tires. I mingled with other automotive media and press members on the lawn of the balmy and beautiful Sanctuary on Kiawah Island, near Charleston South Carolina. Curiously, the event was about why adding sunflower oil to the tire recipe bakes up tires that perform better. I also made a new friend of Canadian food blogger Shari Goodman of Whisk: a food blog, who took pictures while we were both delighted and impressed with the amazing treats for the palate and interesting no butter was used to enhance the flavors, sorry Julia Childs, butter does not always make things taste better!

At Rouge Tomate in New York City, our chef for the evening, works in collaboration with culinary nutritionist Nattalla Hancock who adheres to the principles of SPE®, a nutritional charter that offers a balanced approach to sourcing, preparing and enhancing food. They use local and sustainable ingredients whenever possible, compost and donate much of this to New York students for teaching workshops on sustainable vegetable gardening. Applying the principles of the nutritional charter SPE®, Rouge Tomate provides a harmonious alignment of balanced cuisine, well-being, and social and environmental consciousness. This nutritional approach demonstrates a genuine respect for the integrity of ingredients used in crafting balanced, healthful and flavorful dishes.

The new Michelin Primacy™ MXM4® tire uses sunflower oil – common in light cooking recipes – to create the unique rubber compound that delivers its incredible performance and bears also the Michelin GREEN X energy-efficient seal. It turns out that sunflower oil, used in the patented Michelin Helio Compound™ technology, allows this new luxury performance tire to maintain its edge in wet and snowy weather while still delivering safety, all-weather handling, great ride quality and comfort that luxury consumers demand.

Many of Michelin's most fuel-efficient Original Equipment (O.E.) and replacement tires are branded with their Green X symbol to provide visual confirmation of the tire's positive contribution to vehicle fuel efficiency and the global environment.The application of the Green X symbol is determined by laboratory testing on a model-by-model, size-by-size basis.

As a result of this innovative material made with sunflower oil and its use during the complex manufacturing process, the Primacy™ MXM4® tire stops up to 19 feet shorter in wet conditions than a leading competitor.

Utilizing the latest Michelin technology, the Michelin Primacy™ MXM4® tire is greatly improved over the Michelin Pilot® MXM4® including:

• 23 percent better wet braking
• 14 percent better wet handling
• 7 percent better dry handling
• 12 percent better rolling resistance
• 14 percent better wear life

This recipe was specially created by Chef Jeremy Bearman for the Michelin Primacy MXM4 tire launch event. 

Ceviche of Local Fish with Tropical Fruits and Kaffir Lime infused Sunflower Oil

Serves 4 people
Ingredients
8 pcs Shrimp deveined with head and tail removed
8 oz Sliced Sushi Grade Fluke
8 oz Calamari cut into small pieces
½ cup cucumber diced
½ cup red onion sliced
2 jalapenos julienne
Juice of 3 limes
¼ cup diced mango
¼ cup diced Pineapple
¼ cup diced kiwi
¼ cup diced papaya
½ cup sunflower oil
5 leaves kaffir lime
1 tbsp chopped cilantro
1 tbsp chopped mint
Sea Salt
Micro Cilantro to garnish
¼ cup toasted sunflower seeds to garnish

Procedure Shellfish

In a hot sauté pan, add about 1 tbsp of sunflower oil.  Wait until the oil is just about to start smoking then turn flame off and add the shrimp and calamari. 

Season with salt and pepper then Cook for just about 10 seconds or until seafood is just barely cooked.  Remove the seafood from the pan and cool quickly on a plate in the refrigerator. 

Procedure Ceviche

Add the chilled seafood along with the fluke to a bowl.  Add the cucumber, red onion, jalapeno, cilantro, mint and two tablespoons of the kaffir lime oil. 

Season well with salt; toss all together then let sit for at least 5 minutes.  Plate the ceviche equally amongst four bowls and garnish with the pieces of tropical fruits, micro cilantro and toasted sunflower seeds.

Procedure Sunflower Oil

Place a ½ cup of sunflower oil in a very small pot or pan.  Bring the oil to a temperature of 180 degrees fahrenheit and toss in the kaffir lime leaves.  Let the leaves steep in the oil until there is a strong flavor imparted. Strain out the leaves and chill the oil.

You can find an AskPatty.com Certified Female Friendly® Michelin tire dealer near you here.

In part two of my story, I will actually test drive on MXM4 tires in these conditions and will report my own finding on these claims.Check out the beautiful video of my initial test drive here:

Jody DeVere
CEO
www.certifiedfemalefriendly.com
www.askpatty.com

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WE HAVE NO CONFLICT, ARE UNPAID, AND ARE EXPRESSING OUR OWN OPINIONS. REVIEW IS BASED ON AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE THESE TIRES AT A MICHELIN-SPONSORED MEDIA ROAD TEST EVENT.