Shrimp & Snap Pea Salad with Ginger-Soy Vinaigrette

There is so much to like in this salad.  Quickly cooked tender shrimp, blanched-and-still-crunchy snap peas, juicy cubes of mango, and the Asian flavored dressing with soy, ginger, lime, and a slight pop of heat.  It's seriously good but oh so simple.  It makes for the consummate meal as the weather starts warming up.  The perfect bite contains mango, shrimp, a snap pea, a few bits of chopped roasted cashew, all dressed with that beautiful vinaigrette.  The mere memory of it makes me smile!

Shrimp & Snap Pea Salad with Ginger-Soy Vinaigrette

Serves 4 as a main course

1-1/2 pounds large shrimp (about 32-36 per pound)
2 cups snap peas (about 1/2 pound, trimmed)
3 green onions, trimmed and minced

Ginger-Soy Vinaigrette
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon honey (my "tweak")
3 - 5 dashes hot sauce

Garnishes
1/2 cup diced mango
1/2 cup chopped roasted cashews
lime wedges

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add shrimp and cook 3 - 4 minutes, until they turn pink. Drain, run under cold water, peel and devein.

Meanwhile, bring another pot of salted water to a boil, drop in snap peas and boil, uncovered, 2 - 3 minutes, until just tender and still bright green. Drain and rinse immediately with cold water to stop the cooking.

To make vinaigrette: Whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, vinegar, lime juice, ginger, honey, and hot sauce in a small bowl until well-combined.

Put shrimp, snap peas, and green onions in a large bowl, add vinaigrette, and toss well. Divide the mixture among 4 plates and garnish each serving with the diced mango, chopped nuts, and lime wedges.


Source: The Beach House Cookbook, copyright 2005

Grilled Tuna with Pineapple Relish

I'm making a concerted effort to try and eat healthier. Fish always seems to fit into the category of 'healthy living', so fish it is!  Tuna, to be exact.

One of my favorite cookbooks containing wonderful seafood recipes is The Beach House Cookbook.  This book has a plethora of lighter-fare recipes full of great flavor, and the Grilled Tuna with Pineapple Relish did not disappoint.  The bulk of the recipe concentrates on the relish:  a little chopping, a little grating, a little squeezing, and it's made.  Though the recipe doesn't call for it, I also added a teaspoon of finely minced jalapeno, which added just a hint of heat. With all that lovely flavor, the fresh tuna only needs a dribble of olive oil and some s&p before going onto the grill (or, as I did this time, into the grill pan).  So quick and easy (my recipe adjectives of choice these days) without skimping on flavor at all. 

I feel healthier already!

Grilled Tuna with Pineapple Relish
Serves 6

Pineapple Relish:
1 cup chopped fresh pineapple (I used Golden pineapples - beautiful rich yellow color and incomparable flavor)
1/2 medium red bell pepper, seeded & diced
2 green onions, minced
1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon finely minced jalapeno
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon sugar (unnecessary if using Golden pineapples as they are quite sweet on their own)

6 tuna steaks (about 8 ounces each and about 1-1/2 inches thick)
olive oil
salt & freshly ground black pepper

Pineapple Relish:  Combine pineapple, bell pepper, green onion, ginger, lime, soy sauce, jalapeno, sesame oil, and sugar (if using) in a medium bowl and mix well.  Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary.

Prepare gas or charcoal grill (or heat grill pan on stove).  Brush tuna lightly with olive oil and sprinkle both sides with salt & pepper.  When the grill (or pan) is medium-hot, grill fish until it is barely opaque, about 4 to 5 minutes on each side.

Spoon generous portion of the relish over (or beside) the fish and serve at once.

Source:  The Beach House Cookbook, copyright 2005

Appetizer: Scallops with Chili & Honey

Cooking has taken a bit of a sabbatical in my home, but the kitchen is open again!  And what better way to get cooking again than with a simple but delicious recipe.  I stumbled upon this recipe at Sweet Paul's: Scallops with chili & honey on a golden wonton.  So pretty and the perfect bite.  A bit sweet with a little bite of the finely minced chili, the tender scallop contrasts beautifully with the crisp wonton.  Instead of (what looked to me like) an over-sized square wonton wrapper, I used a fluted biscuit cutter to create pretty little rounds on which to place the golden scallops.

The recipe suggested adding the scallops and the honey at the same time.  I tweaked that a bit by browning the scallops first (make sure to pat them dry before adding to the pan), then added the honey, brought the "sauce" to barely a simmer, and finished cooking the scallops through.  Finely sliced green onions formed a little bed on the wontons on which to place the scallops and added yet another texture contrast. The whole recipe took just minutes to make, and, truth be told, just minutes to eat... I couldn't help myself!

A fine way to get cooking again, don't you think?!

Scallops with Chili, Honey on Crispy Wonton
Serves 4 as an appetizer

4 small wonton sheets
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon red chili, finely chopped
4 large scallops, cleaned
2 tablespoons honey
salt
1/2 spring onion, thinly sliced

Heat the canola oil in a pan and fry the wonton sheets until puffy and golden.  Drain & cool on paper towel.

Heat the olive oil in a pan, add chili and sauté for 30 sec.  Add the scallops and cook for 40 sec on each side until golden.  Stir in the honey and bring to a simmer.  Add a little salt.

Arrange wonton and spring onions on small plates, and top with the cooked scallops.  Drizzle a tiny bit of the honey and chili mixture over, and serve while hot.

 Source:  Sweet Paul blog

Fresh Tagliatelle with Mushrooms, Chestnuts & Sage

Ack.  I had this whole post written and lost it while it was still in "Draft" mode.  Auto-Save is a great feature but can be harsh if you inadvertently lose text (or an entire post) and don't have a chance to recover it before it's automatically saved.  Lesson learned.  If I'm going to save something in Draft before publishing, copy the entire post's HTML code into a text or Word document.  That's my tip for the day!

(An apology is in order here:  My photos this week are particularly poor.  Not sure what my problem is, but I will do my best to get that figured out soon!)

I do so look forward to the weekends.  It not only means leaving the stress of the work week behind, but it allows me the time to do what I really enjoy... cook!  Though I do a little cooking during the week, weekends give me the opportunity to try new recipes and more time-consuming techniques that I don't have the time (or inclination) for after a long work day.  Which brings me to this week's Weekend Blog Showcase, hosted by Ann (Thibeault's Table) this week.

I've had this recipe on file to try for a few weeks now from Take Thou Food. Being the mushroom-lover that I am, I knew it was a dish I would love. Take Thou Food is written by Sean, a young guy who is obviously a talented cook and photographer.  I loved that he made the pasta from scratch for this dish even though the mushrooms are what really take center stage in the recipe.  While Sean used a rolling pin to roll out his pasta dough, though, I used my handy, dandy crank pasta machine.  I felt like a bit of a slacker in comparison, especially given the fact that his dough looks remarkably uniform and mine, well, ... doesn't.  Nonetheless, his pasta dough was simple enough to make and will be my go-to pasta dough recipe from now on.

Sean used a combination of shiitake, oyster, button and rehydrated chanterelles in his dish, which sounded delicious.  I remembered a small bag of dried lobster mushrooms I've had stashed in my pantry for quite some time, waiting for a dish where they would really star.  So I reconstituted them in some hot water for about 30 minutes, and sliced them up along with some shiitakes and baby bellas, saving some of their steeping liquid to enhance the dish.  Perfect.

I also had a jar of roasted chestnuts on hand.  Their slightly sweet flavor and soft yet chewy texture were a wonderful addition to the recipe.This dish was so easy and so delicious, I know it will be one I will make again and again.  Thank you, Sean!

Fresh Tagliatelle (Mushroom, Chestnuts, Sage) 

Inspired by Gabby's Fettucini from La Pietra Cucina

- mixture of wild mushrooms
- 2+ tablespoons of butter
- a bunch of sage, chiffonade
- roasted chestnuts, in little pieces
- dried or fresh fettucini or tagliatelle
- 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice

1) Make the pasta. This is so easy and simple to make at home. Just combine 100g of flour, 1 large egg and a tablespoon of olive oil and blitz until it resembles wet sand. Pour out to a lightly floured work surface and knead for a couple minutes until smooth and elastic. Wrap in cling film and chill for 30 minutes.

2) After the pasta's chilled, roll it out using a rolling pin (not recommended) or a pasta machine. After it's thin enough, cut into tagliatelle and set aside until you need it.

3) In a hot pan, add a tablespoon of olive oil (Lori's note:  I added an additional 2 tablespoons of butter to the olive oil). Add the mushrooms (rehydrate any dry mushrooms per package instructions) and saute until it starts to brown and reduce in size. Finish off with a tablespoon of butter to give it a nice, rich, nutty flavor.

4) Add in sage a minute before the mushrooms finish cooking.

5) This is where you gotta multitask: if you're using fresh pasta, cook it in salted, boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes before the mushrooms finish cooking. If you're using dried pasta, you want to cook it just before al dente and by the time the mushrooms finish cooking so about the same time you start sauteeing the mushrooms. Overcooking the mushrooms is more forgivable than mushy pasta though.

6) Add a splash of the mushroom stock from the liquid the dried mushrooms were in and squeeze about a tablespoon of lemon juice over the pan.

7) Toss in your pasta with the chestnut bits and toss a few times until well incorporated.

8) Finish the pasta with another tablespoon of butter and mix. Serve immediately.

Orange-Pomegranate Tarts

We've made it to the weekend.  Thank goodness!  It's time for Weekend Blog Showcase.  Join Ann (Thibeault's Table) and me in showcasing recipes from the beautiful and delicious blogs that surround us in the virtual world.  Find out how to participate at the end of this post.

My blog of choice this week is the beautiful Amber's Sprinkled with Flour.  I was totally taken with her Orange Pomegranate Tarts.  The flavors and the colors are so stunning that I knew this was going to be my recipe to try this weekend.  And I was not disappointed.  The orange custard is amazing.  And the pomegranate arils? They so beautifully contrast with the pale orange custard visually while offering that amazing textural 'crunch' to these tarts.    I have to admit that I stayed within my comfort zone and made my normal pie crust (using all butter this time).  A little sugar added to the pie dough would have been in order, but I forgot it.  Nonetheless, the crust did turn out flaky.  When making the custard, instead of using the optional vanilla extract, I thought this would be a great opportunity to use the Fiori di Sicilia I have stored in my fridge. It's a lightly floral orange/vanilla extract, and this tart was the perfect foil for using it, though pure vanilla extract would have been wonderful, too.  (I often use the Fiori di Sicilia in oatmeal cookies.  It adds that background je ne sais quoi that people can't seem to put their finger on.  Really delicious!)

I will be making this custard again, no doubt about it.  Thank you, Amber!

Orange-Pomegranate Tarts

Orange Pastry Cream

1 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar (divided)
finely grated peel from one orange
1/8 teaspoon vanilla (optional - I used fiori di sicilia)
3 large egg yolks
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, room temperature

In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolks together with 2 tablespoons of the sugar, and the flour until well incorporated. Set aside. In a small, heavy-bottomed pan, place the milk, orange zest, and the other 2 tablespoons of sugar, and heat until barely boiling. Remove from heat and pour half of the milk mixture into the yolk mixture, whisking until combined. Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan and put on medium-low heat, whisking constantly until mixture is thick (about 2-3 minutes). Remove from heat and add the butter, stirring until melted. If desired, press the pastry cream through a sieve over a bowl. Store in the refrigerator with plastic wrap pressed on the surface for up to 3 days.

Crust

1-1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup unsalted butter (chilled and diced into small cubes)
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup ice-cold water

In a food processor, place the flour, butter, sugar and salt.  Pulse 10 times.  With food processor running, stream in cold water little at a time until dough comes together.  Tip out onto a lightly floured surface, and pull dough together to form a disc.  Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Roll dough and cut out large enough circles of dough to fit into bottom and sides of 4-inch tart shells. Place into tart pans and prick bottom and sides.  Place tart shells on a cookie pan and bake for 15 minutes.  Remove from oven and cool completely on a rack.

Remove the tart shells from the pans, and place on serving plates.  Fill the cooled shells with the prepared pastry cream, then sprinkle the pomegranate arils over the top.
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To participate in Weekend Blog Showcase, pick a recipe from a blog other than your own (Tastespotting and Foodgawker are great places for inspiration), make the recipe and post about it on your own blog, crediting the originating blog with the recipe.  Then sign into Mr. Linky.  That's all there is to it!  Ann and I look forward to your participation!

Weekend Blog Showcase: Orange-Scented Macaroons

First, my apologies for missing Weekend Blog Showcase last week.  I came down with a horrible cold that had me asleep most of last weekend and a nagging cough that drove the few co-workers who had to work the week of Thanksgiving a bit crazy.  Ah well.  I'm much better and ready to cook!  My thanks to Ann (Thibeault's Table) for hosting last week!

I love just about anything almond.  So when I came across these on  Foodgawker one day, I did a little happy dance inside my head.  I hightailed it right over to Hungry Rabbit for the recipe.  These delicate little cookies are simple to make and have a wonderful orange-y almond flavor.  It's a terrific combination.  Ken advises to leave these alone for a couple of days as the flavor improves.  I'll take his word for it and pass along the admonition.  I know they were amazing as soon as they were cool enough to sample (you know I had to try one).  I love these!  And I also love Ken's blog.  Hungry Rabbit has wonderful photos and great recipes (seems that all my favorite blogs do!)  I'll be visiting often.  Thank you, Ken!

Orange-Scented Macaroons

2 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon pure orange extract (optional)
1 pound almond paste, separate into 1 inch pieces
Pinch of table salt
1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted, plus more for rolling and coating (about 1 cup)
Zest of 2 oranges
1 tablespoon orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier or Triple Sec

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with nonstick baking mats; set aside.
2. Whisk one egg white and extracts in a small bowl until combined, set aside.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, Add almond paste and salt, beat on medium speed until soft, about 2 minutes. Add egg white mixture and beat to combine, about a minute.
4. Reduce speed to low, add confectioners’ sugar slowly and beat until combined, about 1 minute. Add orange zest and orange liqueur; beat until evenly distributed, about 1 minute.
5. Lightly dust work surface with confectioners’ sugar. Turn dough out onto work surface; roll into 3/4-inch-thick logs (3 or 4), about 18 inches long. Cut each log crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces. Roll each piece into a ball.
6. Lightly beat remaining egg white. Coat each ball with egg white and roll in sugar, tapping to remove excess; transfer to prepared baking sheets. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
7. Pinch each piece of dough with three fingers to form an irregular pyramid shape. Bake until lightly golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer baking sheet to a wire rack and cool completely.

Yields about 6 dozen

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To participate in Weekend Blog Showcase, pick a recipe from a blog other than your own (Tastespotting and Foodgawker are great places for inspiration), make the recipe and post about it on your own blog, crediting the originating blog with the recipe.  Then sign into Mr. Linky.  That's all there is to it!  Ann and I look forward to your participation!

Eggplant & Garlic Salad

When I have a chance to put my feet up for a little bit, I often find myself trolling the food photo sites like Tastespotting and Foodgawker, oohing and aahing over many of the beautiful culinary creations, the gorgeous photography, and the inspiration to expand my own recipe repertoire.  This simple but unbelievably delicious recipe is a result of one of those trolling sessions.

Eralda, of The Split Pea fame, posted this recipe from her parents' native Albania.  As a fellow eggplant-lover, I was anxious to give it a try.

I was unable to locate any Chinese eggplants at my local grocer's but was able to locate some slender Italian aubergines.  Perfectly acceptable!  I bought two but one sufficed for my meal.

While Eralda leaves her garlic totally raw, I decided not to mince mine quite so fine, putting the garlic along with the olive oil called for in the dressing into a small ramekin and microwaving the mixture for about 30 seconds.  It was just enough to take the "bite" out of the garlic, leaving it a bit softer and mellower.  Heating the oil a bit with the garlic also pleasantly flavored the olive oil.

This is a delicious salad and I will be making it often. Thank you, Eralda!

Eggplant and Garlic Salad

6-7 small Chinese eggplants (or 2 slender Italian eggplant)
3 tablespoons whole wheat or unbleached flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons canola oil for frying
1 medium garlic clove, very finely chopped
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt for sprinkling the salad (Eralda used fleur de sel, so I did, too.  Perfection!)

Wash, remove ends, and slice the eggplants lengthwise (1/4 inch). Mix the flour, salt, and pepper into a dish or pie plate.  Heat the canola oil in a large skillet. Toss the eggplant slices in the flour mixture.

When the oil is hot, add the eggplant slices in on layer. Cook on high heat (the higher the temperature of the oil the less oil they will absorbe) until brown on each side, about 1 minute or less per side.  To test for doneness, pierce with a fork. If the fork is easily inserted, the eggplant is done.

Remove eggplant from heat and drain on paper towels. Arrange on a plate, sprinkle with the garlic*, salt, and drizzle with the olive oil and the vinegar.

*Alternatively, put the minced garlic and olive oil in a ramekin and microwave for 20 - 30 seconds.  Remove from microwave and whisk in the red wine vinegar.  Season the cooked eggplant with salt & pepper, and drizzle the garlic, olive oil & red wine vinegar dressing over the plated eggplant.