Posts for July 28th 2009

Guess Who

Name That Dish!

This French fry dish is a French-Canadian specialty.
This French fry dish is a French-Canadian specialty. Do you know what it's called?

Name That Dish!

summer

Summer of Salads: Watermelon, Feta, and Arugula Salad

It wouldn't be the Summer of salads without the most refreshing medley of them all: watermelon, feta, and arugula.

It wouldn't be the Summer of salads without the most refreshing medley of them all: watermelon, feta, and arugula. I have to admit I'm not too crazy about arugula, feta, or red onion as stand-alone items, but the first time I tried them together with melon, I was blown away. The crisp sweetness of the watermelon is a wonderful counterpoint to the leafy, slightly bitter arugula, and the saltiness of the feta finds itself mellowed by juicy, pungent red onion.

Though this salad only has a handful of ingredients, each one plays an equal part in adding to the complexity of the dish. Arugula wilts quickly when wet, so hold off on the dressing until right before serving. Find a delicate and balanced recipe after the break.

recipes

Expert Chilled Zucchini Soup

From Bon AppétitExpert Chilled Zucchini SoupIngredientsCilantro Cream: 1/2 cup sour cream 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 1 small garlic clove, pressed Shrimp: 1 pound peeled, cooked medium shrimp 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel Soup: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium onion, sliced (about 2 cups) 2 garlic cloves, sliced 6 medium zucchini (about 1 3/4 pounds), cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds 4 cups low-salt chicken broth 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, plus sprigs for garnish Directions Make cilantro cream: Whisk sour cream, cilantro, and garlic in small bowl to blend.

From Bon Appétit

Expert Chilled Zucchini Soup

Expert Recipe For Chilled Zucchini Soup

Ingredients

Cilantro Cream:
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 small garlic clove, pressed

Shrimp:
1 pound peeled, cooked medium shrimp
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel

Soup:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, sliced (about 2 cups)
2 garlic cloves, sliced
6 medium zucchini (about 1 3/4 pounds), cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
4 cups low-salt chicken broth
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, plus sprigs for garnish

Directions

  1. Make cilantro cream: Whisk sour cream, cilantro, and garlic in small bowl to blend. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and chill. (Can be made 1 day ahead.)
  2. Prepare shrimp: Combine all ingredients in medium bowl. Cover and chill at least 4 hours or overnight. (Can be made 1 day ahead.)
  3. Make soup: Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onion; sauté until tender, about 8 minutes. Add garlic; stir 1 minute. Add zucchini; stir to coat. Stir in broth; bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until zucchini is tender, about 10 minutes. Cool to lukewarm. Add chopped cilantro. Working in batches, puree soup in blender until smooth.
  4. Transfer soup to large bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and chill until cold, about 4 hours. (Can be made and chilled up to 1 day ahead.)
  5. Divide soup among bowls. Top each with shrimp, dividing equally. Spoon dollop of cilantro cream over each, garnish with cilantro sprigs, and serve.

Makes 6 first-course or 4 mail-course servings.

recipes

Beginner Chilled Zucchini Soup

From Eating Well Beginner Chilled Zucchini SoupIngredients3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth 1 1/2 pounds zucchini (about 3 medium), cut into 1-inch pieces 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon or dill or 1 teaspoon dried 3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese (3 ounces) 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper Directions Place broth, zucchini and tarragon (or dill) in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat.

From Eating Well

Beginner Chilled Zucchini Soup

Easy Recipe For Chilled Zucchini Soup

Ingredients

3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 pounds zucchini (about 3 medium), cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon or dill or 1 teaspoon dried
3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese (3 ounces)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Directions

  1. Place broth, zucchini and tarragon (or dill) in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat.
  2. Reduce to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until the zucchini is tender, 7 to 10 minutes.
  3. Puree carefully in a blender, removing the center piece of the blender lid and loosely covering the hole with a folded kitchen towel, in batches if necessary, until smooth.
  4. Return the soup to the pan and heat over medium-high, slowly stirring in cheese until it is incorporated. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper. Serve chilled.

Makes 4 servings, 1-1/4 cups each.

Nutritional information per serving: 115 calories; 5 g fat; 19 mg cholesterol; 7 g carbohydrate; 10 g protein; 2 g fiber; 448 mg sodium; 452 mg potassium.

POPSUGAR News

Video of Jessica Simpson's Insensitive Slipup, Channing vs. Patrick Faceoff, and More!

Check out how Channing Tatum's dirty dancing stacks up against Patrick Swayze's famous moves.

Check out how Channing Tatum's dirty dancing stacks up against Patrick Swayze's famous moves. Watch video of Jessica Simpson's most recent controversial remark! Plus, diamonds made out of Michael Jackson's hair — ew — and an Olympian's embarrassing swimsuit moment. Check out today's PopSugar Rush!

Travel

Noteworthy Nibbles — July 28-Aug. 4

Although I can't make it to the official celebration in Wisconsin, I'll be observing National Mustard Day this weekend.

Although I can't make it to the official celebration in Wisconsin, I'll be observing National Mustard Day this weekend. But I'm really salivating over the photos from the Maine Lobster Festival, and I'm curious to try a so-called Rocky Mountain oyster at the appropriately-dubbed Testy Festy. What looks most appetizing to you? Here's what's going on between now and next Tuesday in the food festival world.

To see the rest, read more

summer

Watermelon, Feta & Arugula Salad

From Everyday Food Watermelon, Feta & Arugula SaladIngredients2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar 2 tablespoons olive oil Coarse salt and ground pepper 3 bunches arugula (about 12 ounces total), thick stems removed 1/4 medium red onion, thinly sliced 1 1/2-pound piece chilled seedless watermelon, rind removed, cut into small chunks (2 to 3 cups) 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled Directions In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar and oil.

From Everyday Food

Watermelon, Feta & Arugula Salad

Classic Recipe For Watermelon, Feta & Arugula Salad

Ingredients

2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
Coarse salt and ground pepper
3 bunches arugula (about 12 ounces total), thick stems removed
1/4 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1 1/2-pound piece chilled seedless watermelon, rind removed, cut into small chunks (2 to 3 cups)
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar and oil. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. In a large bowl, combine arugula and onion; toss with dressing to taste. Gently toss with watermelon and feta, and serve.

Serves 4.

summer

Let's Dish: What Foods Do You Look For at The Fair?

Next month, some of my friends are making the trek out to Sacramento from the Bay Area to hit up the California State Fair, where a number artists — including one of my favorite country music stars — is performing.

Next month, some of my friends are making the trek out to Sacramento from the Bay Area to hit up the California State Fair, where a number artists — including one of my favorite country music stars — is performing. But the state fair doesn't have to put on an elaborate musical production to get me to show up; I'd be there for the food alone! After all, who can say no to mile-high strawberry daiquiris, elephant ears, garlic fries, and those giant smoked turkey legs?

My personal can't-miss item at any festival or fair is the funnel cake, which I always get because I'll never make it at home. What do you enjoy at Summer fairs?

Source: Flickr User Jamiesrabbits