Gourmet Food

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Saturday, April 27, 2013

Rustic Onion Tart with Olives, Capers, and Anchovies

If you like strong pungent flavors, then this tart is for you.  As far as the anchovies, don't let them turn you away from this tart.  The anchovies veritably melt into the dish and there is just a hint, JUST A HINT, to add depth to the topping.  I sneak in anchovies in many of my seafood stews and no one is the wiser.  I remember my husband and I ordering pizza at Lake Maggiore in Italy.  I ordered a Mediterranean pizza which was simply pizza dough, tomato sauce anchovies.  He couldn't watch me eat it.  But for me it was yummy.  And so is this.  From Fine Cooking magazine: Rustic Onion Tart with Olives, Capers, and Anchovies


1 lb. homemade or store-bought pizza dough, thawed if frozen 
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 
2 lb. yellow onions (about 4 medium), halved through the root and thinly sliced crosswise (see below) 
Kosher salt 
1 large clove garlic, minced 
4 anchovy fillets, rinsed, patted dry, and chopped 
1 Tbs. chopped fresh thyme 
All-purpose flour, as needed 
1 Tbs. capers, rinsed and coarsely chopped 
15 Kalamata or Niçoise olives, pitted and slivered 

Position a rack in the center of the oven, set a pizza stone on the rack, and heat the oven to 450°F. (If you don’t have a pizza stone, set a rimmed baking sheet upside down on the rack to serve as a baking platform.) Let the pizza dough come to room temperature.
Meanwhile, heat 1 Tbs. of the olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering hot. Add the onions and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until the onions are golden and softened, about 10 minutes. Make a space in the skillet and add the minced garlic. Let sizzle until fragrant, then stir into the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, to blend the flavors, about 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt. Remove from the heat.

In a 1-quart saucepan over low heat, heat the remaining 3 Tbs. oil with the anchovies and thyme. Cook, stirring and breaking up the anchovies with a wooden spatula until they’re dissolved, about 1-1/2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
Cut the pizza dough in half. Working with half at a time on a lightly floured surface, use your fingers to flatten and stretch it. Then, using a lightly floured rolling pin, roll the dough into a 9x13-inch rectangle (rounded corners are fine). If at any time the dough begins to shrink back, let it rest for 10 minutes and then roll again. Transfer the dough to a piece of parchment. Brush the dough with half of the anchovy oil, then spread with half of the onion mixture. Sprinkle half of the capers and olives evenly on top. Slide the parchment and dough onto a pizza peel (or an inverted baking sheet), then slide the parchment and dough onto the hot pizza stone (or baking sheet). Bake until golden-brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Prepare the second tart while the first cooks.
Remove the first tart from the oven and transfer to a cutting board. Bake the second tart. Let the tarts cool for at least 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

nutrition information (per serving):
Calories (kcal): 320; Fat (g): 13; Fat Calories (kcal): 120; Saturated Fat (g): 1.5; Protein (g): 13; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 7; Carbohydrates (g): 38; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 1.5; Sodium (mg): 1490; Cholesterol (mg): 20; Fiber (g): 3;
photo: Scott Phillips
From Fine Cooking 121 , pp. 49
December 19, 2012

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Cleansing Ginger-Chicken Soup

I have quite a few friends into "cleansing". But this is more for the upset tummy type of cleansing.  Ginger apparently has anti inflammatory properties.  Plus this soup is just plain good.  When I was sick as a child with an upset tummy,  my grandmother used to rub my tummy and sing Swing Low Sweet Chariot.  This isn't as good as a grandmother's love, but give it a try...From Epicurious.com

Ingredients:

  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 8 ounces unpeeled scrubbed ginger, cut into 1/2"-thick slices
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 10 whole black peppercorns
  • 1 3-pound whole organic chicken, cut into 7 pieces (2 breasts, 2 legs with thighs attached, 2 wings, 1 back)
  • Kosher salt
  • Cilantro leaves (optional)

preparation

Combine the first 5 ingredients in a large heavy pot. Add chicken, placing breasts on top. Add 6 quarts water (preferably filtered or spring water); bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover with lid slightly ajar. Reduce heat to low; simmer until chicken breasts are just cooked through, about 30 minutes. Transfer chicken breasts to a plate; let cool, then cover and chill. Continue to simmer soup, uncovered, until broth is fully flavored, about 2 1/2 hours longer. Return breasts to soup to rewarm, about 5 minutes.
Remove chicken from broth. When cool enough to handle, coarsely shred meat; discard skin and bones. Place a fine-mesh sieve over another large pot; strain broth, discarding solids in strainer (you should have about 8 cups broth). Season with salt.
Rewarm soup. Divide chicken among bowls. Pour hot broth over, dividing equally. Garnish soup with cilantro leaves, if desired.



The Classic Salad

The classic salad: for the can't boil water set...I ALWAYS rinse my lettuce in a lettuce spinner.  You'd be surprised what you find in the spinned "off" water...Put in fridge for 15-20 minutes to allow to crisp up.  I leave it in the spinner after I've poured out the water. Please leave in the anchovies.  Once they're in they add a depth of flavor that I promise you you will not taste. From Bon Appetit:



ingredients

  • 1 small garlic clove, chopped
  • 1 anchovy fillet packed in oil, drained, chopped
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup (or more) extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 9-ounce head of freshest-possible lettuce, leaves separated, torn if large (about 6 cups)
  • 1/2 cup minced chives

preparation

Using a wooden spoon, mash garlic, anchovy, and a pinch each of salt and pepper in a large bowl. Stir in vinegar, then 1/4 cup oil. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and more oil, if desired. Add lettuce leaves and chives just before serving and toss to coat.

Classic Salad



El Real Restaurant, Houston Texas

I was desperately in need of some REAL Tex Mex.  Craving it actually.  Where I live, there is a huge hole when it comes to really good Tex Mex.  My sister lives in the hip Houston neighborhood of Montrose.  So the first thing she asked when I told her I was coming to visit was, "so you want Tex Mex, right?"  Damned straight sister.  Within walking distance from her house is Bryan Caswell's (Top Chef Masters) newest restaurant El Real.  It's located in an old theater building and while you eat, they show old westerns on a huge screen.  When we were there they were showing Rawhide episodes.  I was dying for some beef enchiladas but the menu was so varied, I went wild an ordered a plate with a pork tamale, beef enchiladas, and a puffy chicken taco served along with refried beans topped with gooey cheese and rice (Leo's Deluxe Platter).  I didn't order a margarita but my sister did so I took a sip and it was one of the best I've ever had.  It had a kick to it as if it had some cayenne pepper in it.  I had a Silver Patron on ice.  Here is a sampling of their menu:


COMBINATIONS PLATES
Served With Rice And Refried Beans
Chingo Bling   14.95
Smoked chicken relleno, chicken enchilada with salsa verde, pork tamale
Leo’s Deluxe  Platter   14.95
2 beef enchiladas, chicken puffy taco, pork tamale
The Original Regular Dinner 12.95
2 Cheese Enchiladas, Chili Gravy, Tamale
Flaco Jimenez Plate 11.95
Refried Bean Chalupa, 2 Flautas, Guacamole Salad
Roosevelt Special 13.95
2 Cheese Enchiladas  With A Fried Egg, Refried Bean Chalupa, Beef Crispy Taco



If you're in the Houston area, try this restaurant.  You will not be sorry! Located at: 1201 Westheimer






Friday, April 19, 2013

Braised Halibut with Leeks, Mushrooms and Little Neck Clams

I made this last nigh for dinner and it was excellent.  I made a few small changes.  I served it with the black rice I blogged about earlier and I reduced the broth to 2 cups instead of three. Plus I added a cup of cherry tomatoes cut in half.  I added them when I braised the leeks and mushrooms.  Since I served it over the rice, having it too soupy didn't seem appealing to me.

Ingredients:

Serves 4

What You'll Need
4 oz. (½ cup) unsalted butter
½ lb. oyster or hen of the woods mushrooms, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
3 large leeks, white and light-green parts only, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 cups lower-salt chicken broth
4 skinless Pacific halibut fillets (about 4 oz. each)
16 to 24 small clams, such as Manila or littlenecks, scrubbed
1 Tbs. finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half (optional)

Melt the butter over medium heat in an 11- or 12-inch straight-sided sauté pan with a lid. Add the mushrooms and leeks (and tomatoes if using) and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook gently, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the broth, raise the heat to medium high, and bring to a boil.
Season the halibut with salt and pepper. Nestle the fish and clams among the vegetables in the skillet. Bring the broth back to a boil, cover tightly, and reduce the heat to low. Cook gently until the fish is just cooked through and the clams have opened, about 7 minutes. If all of the clams are not open, remove the fish and the open clams and continue cooking until the remaining clams open, another 2 to 3 minutes. Discard any clams that haven’t opened by this time.
Serve the fish in warmed shallow soup bowls, topped with leeks and mushrooms, surrounded by clams and broth, and sprinkled with chopped parsley.

serving suggestions

To make it a complete meal, serve with a green side salad and Steamed Jasmine Rice



nutrition information (per serving):
Calories (kcal): 480; Fat (g): 28; Fat Calories (kcal): 250; Saturated Fat (g): 15; Protein (g): 40; Monounsaturated Fat (g): 7; Carbohydrates (g): 17; Polyunsaturated Fat (g): 2.5; Sodium (mg): 460; Cholesterol (mg): 125; Fiber (g): 3;

I'll Head to These Restaurants That Serve These Foods ASAP

On my travels, I've had my share of funky foods.  Mostly local delicacies like a 100 year old egg while in China, squid ink in Japan, wild game in Africa, etc etc.  I try to avoid places like McDonald's and Pizza Huts, US chain restaurants.  When I was in Kota Kinabalu on the island of Borneo, I was walking around looking for somewhere to eat.  I'm not Anthony Bourdain and just plunk my rear in any place to eat.  So going against my grain of no US chains, I stop at a Starbucks.  Yes a Starbucks.  I asked for a ham and cheese sandwich.  I forgot I was in a Muslim country.  I didn't get ham.  I was afraid to ask what it was.  But I ate it and didn't have any, ahemmm, issues afterwards.  I found this article on the USA Today web site on foods that US chains serve at their restaurants around the world.  You're not getting me to eat this stuff.


We may be the fattest nation in the world, but that doesn't mean we have the market cornered on fast food. Put down your French fries and brace yourself for some cold, greasy truth—our very own fast-food chains are cheating on us overseas! Read on to see which delicious menu items you can't get in America's Pizza Huts, KFCs, and more.
Cheese Burger Crown Crust Pizza
Pizza Hut, Middle East
Did you think stuffed-crust pizza was the pinnacle of mankind's achievement in pie innovation? You poor, naive fool. Clearly, you've never been invited to the "Crown Crust Carnival" that rages at Pizza Huts in the Middle East, where you can dine like royalty on a Cheese Burger Crown Crust Pizza: a pizza topped with beef, tomatoes, lettuce (keeping it healthy), and Pizza Hut's special sauce, with a ring of grilled mini cheeseburgers on top of the crust. Worried that consuming that much red meat isn't good for you? Take charge of your health and feel better about yourself by opting for the Chicken Fillet Crown Crust Pizza, which has chicken fingers in place of the cheeseburgers.
Gouda Shrimp-Cutlet Sandwich
KFC, Japan
Surf and turf is a beloved and traditional menu option in the United States, so why does KFC deny us this sandwich where the "surf" is shrimp and the "turf" is deep-fried cheese? You'll have to go all the way to Japan if you want to get your hands on the Colonel's secret weapon, the newest invention in the fast-food arms race: a Gouda Shrimp-Cutlet Sandwich, in which a hunk of cheese is stuffed with shrimp and then deep-fried.
Mega Mac
McDonald's, United Arab Emirates
Remember that classic commercial jingle for the Big Mac that brags about "two all-beef patties"? Well, UAE diners are probably laughing at its quaintness while they unhinge their jaws and shove a Mega Mac down their throats. That's right—while we get Ronald McDonald's pity ration of two patties, other countries are getting Big Macs made with four layers of beef and three buns. Stage a dine-in protest by ordering two Big Macs and combining them into a homemade Mega Mac. Toss your extra bun on the floor in disgust or set it on fire to really get your point across.
Green Tea Blizzard
Dairy Queen, Thailand
Green tea has been shown in studies to help fight cancer and heart disease, but apparently Dairy Queen isn't concerned with our health: They only offer the Green Tea Blizzards in Asia. Thanks for nothing, Dairy Queen—we'll just cry into our boring Oreo Blizzards while we wait for Death to tap us with his icy hand from the next booth over.
Dry Pork and Seaweed Donut
Dunkin' Donuts, China
You know what the problem is with American donuts? The complete lack of meat. How are we supposed to get our protein if our breakfasts only consist of chocolate or glazed donuts? Dunkin' Donuts in China is on top of this problem with a donut suitable for breakfast, lunch, or dinner—the Dry Pork and Seaweed donut, a traditional pastry topped with dehydrated and pulverized pig and globs of seaweed.
Mac 'n' Cheese Pizza
Pizza Hut, Germany
Sure, regular pizza is a delicious blend of carbs and cheese, but wouldn't it be better if it had even more of both? Germans certainly thought so, and their market demanded satisfaction from Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut's German Facebook fans liked it the best, and thus the Mac 'n' Cheese Pizza, a pie topped with pasta and smothered in cheese sauce, was born.
Tower Burger
KFC, Australia
This is a travesty! KFC is named after a U.S. state, yet while we must make do with only two sandwich choices, other countries have more than double the options on their abundant menus. Take the Tower Burger, for example: Available at KFC in Australia, it's a fried-chicken patty topped with a hash brown, tomato sauce, cheese, lettuce, and sweet mayo. Thanks for nothing, Colonel.
Jelly and Ice Cream
Burger King, U.K.
Jell-O is America's "most famous dessert" (at least according to the probably biasedJell-O Gallery website), yet our Burger King menus are devoid of any gelatinous treats. Only in the U.K. can you order a Whopper and a Jelly and Ice Cream, which is strawberry-flavored "jelly" (the British version of Jell-O) topped off with ice cream. "Warning," brags Burger King's British website, "This product is prone to wobbling." Our lips are wobbling right now as we struggle to hold back tears over not being able to order this.


Veg. Shammi
Subway, India
Vegetarians are getting the shaft at American Subways, which have only two meatless options: a sad "Veggie Delite" (a.k.a. salad on a roll) or a floppy "Veggie Patty" (made of no identifiable vegetables known to mankind). Yet in India, they have a buffet of options (literally!). Our favorite is the mouth-watering Veg. Sammi, a kebab made from lentils, garlic, and onion served on fresh bread.
Nacho Fries
Wendy's, Japan
We bet Dave Thomas is rolling over in his grave at this corruption of Wendy's classic fries. Indecisive eaters in Japan no longer have to make the wrenching choice between nachos and fries—they can have both with Wendy's Nacho Fries, a dish of fries topped with guacamole, chili, cheese, and jalapeno peppers. Americans have to trek to both the Wendy's and Taco Bell drive-through windows if they want to dine on something that awesome. Your move, USA.

SmarterTravel.com features expert travel advice and unbiased coverage of travel deals.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Sesame Stir Fried Beef with Sugar Snap Peas

I made this this evening for dinner.  I mainly make chicken or seafood stir fries but since this uses flank/flatiron steak, I deemed it OK (cost, ya know?)  I also cut back on the oil.  The meat cut used is a little fatter than some so you don't need to add in any more oil after stir frying the beef.  I also used the minced ginger in the "squeeze" bottle tube.  If I buy fresh ginger, it always ends up going bad in the fridge.  So, in this recipe, I just squeezed in about a tablespoon to two.  Depends on how you like ginger.  Also the hot sauce used wasn't enough for me.  So I ended up using some wasabi paste add heat.  Or just increase the chili sauce.  Watch out for the sodium!  I also had some baby bok choy in the fridge and chopped it up to add another layer of flavor.  Serves 4


1 lb. flank steak or skirt steak, cut into thin strips 
1 Tbs. plus 1 tsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce 
1 Tbs. plus 1 tsp. Asian sesame oil 
Kosher salt 
1 Tbs. ketchup 
2 tsp. rice vinegar 
1 tsp. granulated sugar 
1 tsp. Asian chili sauce (like Sriracha) 
2 tsp. sesame seeds, toasted 
3 Tbs. canola or peanut oil 
3 Tbs. finely chopped ginger 
10 oz. sugar snap peas, ends trimmed 
1 tsp. cornstarch 

Toss the beef with 1 tsp. each of soy sauce and sesame oil and 1/4 tsp. salt. In a small bowl, mix the remaining Tbs. each of soy sauce and sesame oil with the ketchup, vinegar, sugar, chili sauce, and half of the sesame seeds.
Heat 1-1/2 Tbs. oil in a large (12-inch) skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until it loses its raw color and browns in places, about 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a large plate. Cook the ginger with the remaining 1-1/2 Tbs. oil until it sizzles steadily and starts to brown lightly around the edges, about 1 minute. Add the snap peas, sprinkle with 1/4 tsp. salt, and cook, stirring, until they turn bright green and start to brown in places, 1 to 2 minutes. Add 1/3 cup water and cook, stirring, until about half of the liquid cooks off and the peas start to soften, about 1 minute. Add the soy sauce mixture and beef, and cook, stirring, for a couple minutes until the mixture heats through and coats the peas and beef. Whisk the cornstarch with 1/4 cup water; add to the beef, and cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens, about 1 minute. Sprinkle with the remaining tsp. sesame seeds, and serve.

serving suggestions

Keep it simple: serve with steamed rice.

Compliments of Fine Cooking magazine.




Sunday, April 7, 2013

Penzey's Spices

I sent my recipe for the baked halibut to a friend of mine and she commented on how many spices were in it.  I said that I use a mail order company called Penzey's Spices.  They have a great online store.  I've been buying from them for years.  And they have many spice mixes for all occasions.  I told he that I use their "Jerk" spice mix for the sauce for the fish.  I've bought their gift boxes for the griller I need a gift for, a box for the newly weds and a gift box for meat lovers. I certainly don't get any kick backs from these folks.  I just love their products.  www.penzeys.com. Berbere

Here is the list for spices from just A-E:


Warm Tuscan White Bean Salad

Here's another recipe from Mccormick's web site.  I'm going to make this with grilled chicken and some sauteed kale.  Yum!



Calories, 148, sodium, 465mg, fat, 8g, protein, 5g

Serves 6-2/3 cup serving size


 Fiber Rich   Low Calorie


Lemon Vinaigrette:3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons snipped fresh chives
1 tablespoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Parsley Flakes
2 teaspoons McCormick® Gourmet Collection Mediterranean Spiced Sea Salt
1 1/2 teaspoons McCormick® Gourmet Collection Thyme Leaves
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Black Pepper, Coarse Grind
1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Rosemary, Crushed


2 cans (15 ounces each) white beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup diced tomatoes
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided

1. For the Lemon Vinaigrette, mix oil and lemon juice in small bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Add chives and seasonings; mix well. Set aside.
2. Mix beans and tomatoes in large skillet. Cook on medium heat 5 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Add Vinaigrette and 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese; mix lightly.
3. Sprinkle salad with remaining 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese before serving.

Roasted Balsamic Beets

I was perusing my latest Southern Living magazine and saw an ad for McCormick spices that included some great recipes.  So I went to mccormickgourmet.com, and yes, indeedy, they have all kinds of great recipes (that use their spices and products, duh).  Here is one that caught my eye.  I love the fact they've used two different colored beets that really brings  jewel tones to the dish.  I ate at Tom Colicchio's Craft restaurant and they had a salad very similar to this.





Makes 12.  Calories, 73, sodium 174mg, fat, 1g, protein, 2g

 Fiber Rich   Low Calorie   Low Fat

3 1/2 pounds assorted small beets, trimmed and cleaned
3 small red onions, each cut into 8 wedges
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons McCormick® Gourmet Collection Rosemary, Crushed
1 1/2 teaspoons McCormick® Gourmet Collection Thyme Leaves
1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Sicilian Sea Salt
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Wrap 3 beets at a time in foil. Place in shallow baking pan.

2. Roast 1 hour or until beets are tender when pierced with small knife. Cool until able to handle. Peel then quarter beets. Toss beets, onions, oil, rosemary, thyme and sea salt in same baking pan.

3. Roast 35 to 45 minutes or until onions are tender. Drizzle balsamic vinegar over vegetables. Roast 5 minutes longer or until vinegar is the consistency of syrup. Gently toss vegetables before serving.