Posts for April 26th 2010

Grilled Ham-and-Cheese Sandwiches

From Everyday FoodGrilled Ham-and-Cheese SandwichesIngredients4 slices bread, buttered 4 slices ham 1 cup grated Gruyere cheese Directions Butter 4 slices of bread; place 2 slices, buttered side down, on a work surface.

From Everyday Food

Grilled Ham-and-Cheese Sandwiches

Grilled Ham-and-Cheese Sandwich Recipe

Ingredients

4 slices bread, buttered
4 slices ham
1 cup grated Gruyere cheese

Directions

  1. Butter 4 slices of bread; place 2 slices, buttered side down, on a work surface. Top each with 2 slices ham and 1/2 cup grated Gruyere cheese.
  2. Top with 2 slices bread, buttered side up. Cook in a skillet over medium until sandwiches are lightly toasted on both sides and cheese melts, 5 minutes.

Serves 2.

Appetizers

Fried Green Tomatoes

From Katie LeeFried Green TomatoesIngredients1 cup cornmeal 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 tablespoon onion powder 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Pinch of cayenne pepper 4 large green tomatoes (like beefsteak, big boy, or celebrity), sliced 1/2-inch thick 1 cup buttermilk 1/2 cup vegetable oil Remoulade 1 cup mayonnaise 3 tablespoons ketchup 2 tablespoons scallions, thinly sliced (about 1 scallion) 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1 1/2 teaspoon dried mustard (like Coleman’s) 1 teaspoon hot sauce (like Tabasco), or to taste 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper Directions In a medium shallow bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne.

From Katie Lee

Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pinch of cayenne pepper
4 large green tomatoes (like beefsteak, big boy, or celebrity), sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Remoulade
1 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons scallions, thinly sliced (about 1 scallion)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoon dried mustard (like Coleman’s)
1 teaspoon hot sauce (like Tabasco), or to taste
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

  1. In a medium shallow bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Fill a small shallow bowl with buttermilk. Place the bowls next to each other and next to the stove.
  2. Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat. The oil should be hot but not smoking.
  3. Dip the tomatoes in the buttermilk and then dredge in the cornmeal mixture. Fry the tomatoes, in batches if necessary, until the crust is golden brown and crunchy, about 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels. Transfer the tomatoes to a serving plate and dollop some with remoulade or pass the remoulade alongside.

Serves 4-6.

Remoulade

Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl. Transfer to a serving bowl. Extra remoulade can be saved in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to one week.

Appetizers

Goat Cheese Stuffed Eggs

From Paula DeenGoat Cheese Stuffed EggsIngredients6 large eggs, hard-boiled and peeled 3 tablespoons goat cheese 3 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 tablespoons chutney 2 tablespoons finely chopped pecans 2 tablespoons finely chopped celery Salt and freshly ground black pepper Chopped parsley leaves, optional Additional goat cheese and pecans, optional Directions Halve eggs lengthwise.

From Paula Deen

Goat Cheese Stuffed Eggs

Goat Cheese Stuffed Deviled Egg Recipe

Ingredients

6 large eggs, hard-boiled and peeled
3 tablespoons goat cheese
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chutney
2 tablespoons finely chopped pecans
2 tablespoons finely chopped celery
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Chopped parsley leaves, optional
Additional goat cheese and pecans, optional

Directions

  1. Halve eggs lengthwise. Remove yolks and place in a small bowl.
  2. Mash yolks with fork and stir in goat cheese, mayonnaise, chutney, pecans and celery. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
  3. Fill egg whites evenly with yolk mixture. Garnish with parsley, goat cheese and pecans, if desired.

Serves 12.

Appetizers

Blackened Shrimp With Roasted Garlic Aioli

From Everyday With Rachael RayBlackened Shrimp With Roasted Garlic AioliIngredients1 head garlic 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil 3/4 cup mayonnaise 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar 2 teaspoons paprika 2 teaspoons onion powder 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or chipotle chile powder Salt and pepper 3 tablespoons butter, melted 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, with tails left on Directions Set a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400°.

From Everyday With Rachael Ray

Blackened Shrimp With Roasted Garlic Aioli

Blackened Shrimp With Roasted Garlic Aioli Recipe

Ingredients

1 head garlic
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons onion powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or chipotle chile powder
Salt and pepper
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, with tails left on

Directions

  1. Set a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400°. Slice off the top of the garlic head. Brush the cut side with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Wrap in foil and bake until tender, 40 minutes. Let cool.
  2. Squeeze the garlic cloves from their skins into a food processor. Add the mayonnaise and vinegar; puree. Transfer the aioli to a bowl and refrigerate.
  3. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, toast the paprika, onion powder, oregano, cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper over medium heat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the melted butter. Transfer to a bowl and add the shrimp to coat.
  4. Brush a grill pan with the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil and preheat over high heat. Add the shrimp and cook, turning once, until the spices are blackened, 2 to 4 minutes. Serve with the aioli dip.

Serves 8.

recipes

Jamie Oliver's Simple Salmon Supper

The last episode of Jamie Oliver's reality TV series Food Revolution just aired on Friday.

The last episode of Jamie Oliver's reality TV series Food Revolution just aired on Friday. I have been loving it and thought it was time to try a recipe from his latest cookbook: a scrumptious-sounding salmon dish topped with pesto. Now that Spring is in full force, I am addicted to making pestos and had a spinach and sunflower pesto in the fridge. The salmon and green beans only take about 15 minutes to cook in an aluminum packet with minimal prep beforehand. While it bakes, the pesto flavor melts into both the moist salmon and perfectly cooked green beans. Of course, if you didn't have the time to make your own pesto, store-bought would work just the same. To add this simple supper to your dinner rotation, keep reading for the recipe.

News

Nigella Lawson Will Return to Television in the Fall

If you're a huge fan of Nigella Lawson, like I am, get excited.

If you're a huge fan of Nigella Lawson, like I am, get excited. The British bombshell of a chef is set to begin filming a new series. In an interview with TV Squad, Lawson reveals that a program based on her recently released cookbook, Nigella Fresh, will start shooting in a month or so. She describes the show as being fresh in ideas, recipes, and her own enthusiasm:

"It's not going to be a new season of 'Nigella Express,' but there will be many recipes that embrace the 'Express' principle. It'll be much more mixed, it's going to be the sort of food that fits into life in the kitchen all days of the week. There will be very fast recipes and there will be recipes that take a long time to cook, but involve no effort and there will be a little bit of everything, really."

Lawson is a mother of two, so it's no surprise that she is expanding her quick-cooking regime. She's also an authority on sensual cuisine and I can't wait to see what she's got up her sleeve on this new series. How about you? Will you tune in to Nigella in the Fall?

recipes

Happy Hour: Mint Juleps For a Crowd

I've never been lucky enough to make it to the Kentucky Derby, but this year I am attending a Derby party!

I've never been lucky enough to make it to the Kentucky Derby, but this year I am attending a Derby party! I offered to take care of the drinks for my friends, knowing exactly what I'd be serving: mint juleps, of course.

It's unclear how this beverage became the official refreshment of the Kentucky Derby, but it's served with great ceremony at the event, and has been since as far back as 1938.

Since I'm pouring the cocktail for a crowd and I don't have the right number of julep cups, I'm preparing most of the drink ahead. Then, I'll set up a self-serve bar with mason jars for a different kind of Southern charm. Get a laid-back take on the Derby classic when you read on.

Poll

Have You Made Pesto?

Lately, I have been making my own pesto.

Lately, I have been making my own pesto. I started with a traditional basil pesto and then experimented with spinach instead of basil and sunflower seeds in place of pine nuts (stay tuned for the recipe!). Pestos are incredibly simple to make and great to have on hand to add to pastas, salads, and meat dishes. What is your take on them?

fast and easy

Scallop and Snap Pea Stir-Fry

From Everyday FoodScallop and Snap Pea Stir-FryIngredients1 tablespoon olive oil 1 pound small sea scallops, side muscle removed Coarse salt 1 small onion, halved and sliced 1/4 inch thick 1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger 1/2 pound sugar snap peas, trimmed 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1/2 teaspoon Asian garlic-chili sauce 1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves Directions In a large (12-inch) nonstick skillet over high heat, warm oil, about 1minute; swirl to coat bottom of pan evenly.

From Everyday Food

Scallop and Snap Pea Stir-Fry

Scallop and Snap Pea Stir-Fry Recipe 2010-04-26 12:14:20

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound small sea scallops, side muscle removed
Coarse salt
1 small onion, halved and sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger
1/2 pound sugar snap peas, trimmed
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon Asian garlic-chili sauce
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves

Directions

  1. In a large (12-inch) nonstick skillet over high heat, warm oil, about 1minute; swirl to coat bottom of pan evenly. Add scallops, flat sides down, and cook until browned on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Season with salt. Transfer to a plate.
  2. Reduce heat to medium. Add onion; cook, stirring, until browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Add ginger, sugar snap peas, and 1/2 cup water; cook, stirring occasionally, until peas are crisp-tender and water has evaporated, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
  3. Add scallops, lime juice, chili sauce, and cilantro. Toss to coat. Season with salt, as desired.

Serves 4.