Posts for July 6th 2009

salads

Grilled Tuna Salade Niçoise

From Gourmet Grilled Tuna Salade Niçoise Information Category Salads, Seafood Cuisine French IngredientsFor dressing 1/4 cup red-wine vinegar 2 1/2 tablespoons minced shallot 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1 large garlic clove, minced and mashed to a paste with 1/2 teaspoon salt Rounded 1/2 teaspoon anchovy paste 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme 1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil For salad 3/4 lb green beans (preferably haricots verts), trimmed 1 1/2 lb small (1- to 2-inch) potatoes (preferably Yukon Gold) 1 1/2 lb (1-inch-thick) tuna steaks Vegetable oil for brushing 1/4 cup drained bottled capers (1 1/2 oz) 3/4 lb Boston lettuce (2 heads), leaves separated and large ones torn into pieces 1 pt cherry or grape tomatoes 2/3 cup Niçoise or other small brine-cured black olives 4 hard-boiled large eggs, quartered 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley and/or basil Directions Make dressing: whisk together vinegar, shallot, mustard, garlic paste, and anchovy paste in a small bowl until combined well, then add oil in a slow stream, whisking until emulsified.
Grilled Tuna Salade Niçoise

Grilled Tuna Salade Niçoise

Tuna Salad Niçoise Recipe

Ingredients

For dressing
1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
2 1/2 tablespoons minced shallot
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 large garlic clove, minced and mashed to a paste with 1/2 teaspoon salt
Rounded 1/2 teaspoon anchovy paste
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
For salad
3/4 lb green beans (preferably haricots verts), trimmed
1 1/2 lb small (1- to 2-inch) potatoes (preferably Yukon Gold)
1 1/2 lb (1-inch-thick) tuna steaks
Vegetable oil for brushing
1/4 cup drained bottled capers (1 1/2 oz)
3/4 lb Boston lettuce (2 heads), leaves separated and large ones torn into pieces
1 pt cherry or grape tomatoes
2/3 cup Niçoise or other small brine-cured black olives
4 hard-boiled large eggs, quartered
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley and/or basil

Directions

  1. Make dressing: whisk together vinegar, shallot, mustard, garlic paste, and anchovy paste in a small bowl until combined well, then add oil in a slow stream, whisking until emulsified. Whisk in thyme, basil, and salt and pepper to taste.
  2. Cook beans in a 4- to 6-quart pot of boiling salted water , uncovered, until crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes, then immediately transfer with a slotted spoon to a bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking.
  3. Add potatoes to boiling water and simmer, uncovered, until tender, 15 to 20 minutes, then drain in a colander. Halve potatoes while still warm (peel if desired) and toss with 2 tablespoons dressing in a bowl, then cool.
  4. Prepare grill for cooking. If using a charcoal grill, open vents on bottom of grill, then light charcoal. Charcoal fire is medium-hot when you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 3 to 4 seconds. If using a gas grill, preheat burners on high, covered, 10 minutes, then reduce heat to moderately high.
  5. Brush tuna with oil and season with salt and pepper, then grill on lightly oiled rack, uncovered, turning over once, until browned on outside but still pink in center, 6 to 8 minutes total. Let tuna stand 3 minutes, then break into large (3-inch) pieces. Transfer tuna to a large platter and drizzle with 2 to 3 tablespoons dressing and top with capers.
  6. Transfer potatoes to platter with tuna, reserving bowl.
  7. Drain beans and pat dry. Toss beans in bowl with 1 tablespoon dressing and salt and pepper to taste, then transfer to platter.
  8. Toss lettuce in bowl with 2 tablespoons dressing and salt and pepper to taste, then transfer to platter.
  9. Toss tomatoes in bowl with 1 tablespoon dressing and salt and pepper to taste, then transfer to platter.
  10. Arrange olives and eggs on platter and sprinkle salad with parsley and/or basil. Serve salad with remaining dressing on the side.

Serves 6.

recipes

Vichyssoise

From Fine Cooking Vichyssoise Information Category Soups/Stews, Cream Cuisine French Ingredients4 medium leeks, trimmed and washed as directed opposite, sliced 1/8 inch thick (about 3 cups) 2 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick (about 4 cups) 2 cups whole milk Kosher salt 1 cup heavy cream 1 Tbs.
Vichyssoise

Vichyssoise

Vichyssoise Recipe

Ingredients

4 medium leeks, trimmed and washed as directed opposite, sliced 1/8 inch thick (about 3 cups)
2 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick (about 4 cups)
2 cups whole milk
Kosher salt
1 cup heavy cream
1 Tbs. thinly sliced fresh chives, for garnish

Directions

  1. Combine the leeks, potatoes, milk, and 2 cups water in a 4-quart pot.
  2. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add 1-1/2 tsp. salt, reduce the heat to medium low, and simmer until a potato slice falls apart when you poke it with a fork, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the cream, and let cool briefly.
  3. Purée the soup, preferably using a regular blender and working in batches, filling it only half way each time.
  4. Strain the puréed soup through a fine sieve. Let cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally (stirring prevents a skin from forming), and then refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
  5. Before serving, thin the soup with water if necessary—it should be the consistency of heavy cream. Season to taste with salt. Serve cold in chilled bowls, garnished with the chives.

Makes 6 cups.

Appetizers

Marinated Goat Cheese, Olives, Artichokes and Tomatoes

From Food & Wine Marinated Goat Cheese, Olives, Artichokes and Tomatoes Information Category Appetizers, Vegetables Cuisine French Ingredients1/2 cup pine nuts 1 1/2 pounds fresh goat cheese, softened 2 teaspoons chopped rosemary 2 teaspoons chopped thyme 1/2 teaspoon hot paprika Salt 1 quart extra-virgin olive oil 20 cooked baby artichoke hearts, from the deli counter 1 cup red cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes 1 cup Niçoise olives Toasted baguette slices, for serving Directions Preheat the oven to 350°.
Marinated Goat Cheese, Olives, Artichokes and Tomatoes

Marinated Goat Cheese, Olives, Artichokes and Tomatoes

Bastille Day Appetizer Recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup pine nuts
1 1/2 pounds fresh goat cheese, softened
2 teaspoons chopped rosemary
2 teaspoons chopped thyme
1/2 teaspoon hot paprika
Salt
1 quart extra-virgin olive oil
20 cooked baby artichoke hearts, from the deli counter
1 cup red cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
1 cup Niçoise olives
Toasted baguette slices, for serving

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Spread the pine nuts in a pie plate and bake for 10 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly toasted. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
  2. In a standing mixer, using the paddle, blend the goat cheese with the toasted pine nuts, rosemary, thyme and paprika. Alternatively, blend the cheese in a bowl using a wooden spoon. Season with salt. Shape rounded tablespoons of the seasoned cheese into balls.
  3. Pour 1 inch of olive oil into a tall 1-gallon glass container. Layer the cheese balls, artichoke hearts, cherry tomatoes and olives in the container with enough of the remaining olive oil to cover. Let marinate at room temperature for 24 hours. Serve with the toasted baguette.

Serves 12.

Make Ahead: the recipe can be assembled, minus the tomatoes, and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Add the tomatoes shortly before serving.

summer

Move Over Cabbage, Jicama Takes Coleslaw

Every Fourth of July, I make the ultimate burger.

Every Fourth of July, I make the ultimate burger. This year I slathered my burger with homemade mustard and ketchup and covered it with a crunchy jicama slaw. If you are not keen on coleslaw as a condiment, it's also a refreshing and crunchy side dish for hot Summer days. A complex slaw, this recipe doesn't exclusively use jicama, but combines radishes, carrots, bell peppers, and cucumbers in a sweet and spicy dressing. Although it's simple, it does take time to prepare — many of the vegetables are grated. It goes fast with one person grating and another chopping, so get someone to help you out (like I did!). To make this colorful and crisp Summer slaw, keep reading.

Cocktails

Happy Hour: St-Germain Cocktail

For as long as I can remember, my go-to warm weather refreshment has been the gin and tonic.

For as long as I can remember, my go-to warm weather refreshment has been the gin and tonic. It's foolproof, simple to order, and steadfast in its thirst-quenching abilities.

But this all changed a few weeks ago in Aspen, when I sampled a St-Germain Cocktail. The heat and the strong sun were no match for this invigorating drink, which was effervescent and ever-so-slightly sweet, with subtle floral notes and hints of pear.

I took one sip, and just like that, the drink — which was like an adults-only version of Sprite — stole the G&T's spot as my Summer standby. See the recipe (which is great to make in large quantities) when you read more

recipes

Barbecued Salmon With Nectarine Salsa

From Better Homes and Gardens Barbecued Salmon With Nectarine Salsa Information Category Main Dishes, Fish Ingredients4 4- to 5-oz.
Barbecued Salmon With Nectarine Salsa

Barbecued Salmon With Nectarine Salsa

Grilled Salmon With Fruit Salad Recipe 2009-07-06 13:51:56

Ingredients

4 4- to 5-oz. fresh skinless salmon fillets, about 1-inch thick
3 Tbsp. barbecue sauce
2 nectarines, pitted and chopped
3/4 cup fresh blueberries
1/4 cup coarsely chopped toasted pecans
Lemon wedges

Directions

  1. Rinse fish; pat dry with paper towels. Lightly sprinkle salmon with salt and pepper. Place 2 tablespoons of the barbecue sauce in small bowl; brush sauce on both sides of the salmon.
  2. For charcoal grill, cook salmon on greased grill rack directly over medium coals for 8 to 12 minutes or until salmon flakes when tested with a fork, turning once halfway through grilling. (For gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Place salmon on greased grill rack over medium heat. Cover and grill as above.)
  3. In medium bowl combine nectarines, blueberries, pecans, and the remaining 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce. Season with salt.
  4. Serve salmon with salsa and lemon wedges.

Serves 4.

condiments

Know Your Ingredients: Worcestershire Sauce

From crab cakes to Caesar salad to Bloody Marys, many of Summer's staples share one ingredient in common: Worcestershire sauce.

From crab cakes to Caesar salad to Bloody Marys, many of Summer's staples share one ingredient in common: Worcestershire sauce. But what exactly is it?

Originally bottled in Worcester, England, Worcestershire sauce — commonly referred to as "Worcester sauce" — is a fermented flavoring that contains many ingredients. Lea & Perrins, the original purveyor, keeps its recipe a well-kept secret, but it contains a plethora of items that are left to mature in oak barrels for several months, including malt vinegar, molasses, corn syrup, anchovies, onions, salt, garlic, tamarind, cloves, and chili pepper extract. Worcestershire sauce is frequently added to cocktails, salad dressings, and gravies.

It is used around the globe in dishes ranging from Cantonese dim sum to Welsh rarebit. For those of you who are well-versed in cooking with Worcestershire sauce, what do you use it for? Are you surprised to learn of its manifold ingredients?

Cocktails

St-Germain Cocktail

From St-Germain St-Germain Cocktail Information Category Drinks, Cocktails Ingredients2 shots dry sparkling white wine 1-1/2 shots St. Germain or elderflower liqueur 2 shots club soda Directions Fill a tall Collins glass with ice.
St-Germain Cocktail

St-Germain Cocktail

Recipe For St-Germain Cocktail 2009-07-06 12:51:49

Ingredients

2 shots dry sparkling white wine
1-1/2 shots St. Germain or elderflower liqueur
2 shots club soda

Directions

  1. Fill a tall Collins glass with ice. Add bubbly first, then St-Germain, then club soda.
  2. Stir completely (St-Germain is heavier than wine, and will settle to the bottom unless thoroughly mixed.)
  3. Garnish with a lemon twist, making sure to squeeze essential oils into glass.

Serves 1.

News

Michael Phelps Will Shine Again in Subway's Spotlight

Subway's ready to test the waters again with spokesperson Michael Phelps: This past Sunday during the US national swimming championships, the sandwichmaker began airing commercial spots starring the Olympic gold medalist.

Subway's ready to test the waters again with spokesperson Michael Phelps: This past Sunday during the US national swimming championships, the sandwichmaker began airing commercial spots starring the Olympic gold medalist. Phelps' year got off to a rocky start when a photo surfaced in February of him smoking marijuana out of a bong.

Within days, USA Swimming had suspended the Olympian from the sport for three months, and Kellogg's decided not to renew its contract with Phelps. Amidst the scandal, the swimming champion was able to hang onto his other major endorsement, Subway — by a thread.

The sandwich chain maintained it was sticking by Phelps, but removed all semblance of Phelps from its website as well as delayed his TV campaign slated for the beginning of the year. The commercials are to reveal that the swimmer — who, at the peak of training, eats as much as 10,000 calories a day — is a fan of Subway's meatball sandwich with jalapeños.

Do you think it's a smart move on Subway's part to hang onto Michael Phelps as a spokesperson?