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Fast & Easy Dinner: Steamed Mussels in Tomato Broth

partysugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 06:50:36 -0700

If you think mussels are a fancy and complicated dish only to be enjoyed at French-style bistro restaurants, this recipe will have you thinking again. Mussels are actually incredibly simple and quick to make. All you have to do is simmer them in a fragrant liquid - here it's a combination of garlic, ripe tomatoes, and white wine - until the shells pop open. Serve with a mixed green salad and chunks of crusty bread for mopping all the savory, briny juices. To experiment with this rewarding meal, which comes together in minutes, get the recipe and read more.

Steamed Mussels in Tomato Broth
From Eating Well

Ingredients

3 pounds mussels
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped 
6 ripe plum tomatoes, cored and coarsely chopped 
1 cup dry white wine  
2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

To clean mussels, scrub them with a stiff brush under cold running water. Scrape off any barnacles using the shell of another mussel. Pull off the “beard” from each one. Set aside.
Warm oil in a large pot with a tight-fitting lid over low heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until golden, about 3 minutes.
Add tomatoes, increase the heat to high and stir for 1 minute more. Pour in wine and bring to a boil.
Add mussels, cover and steam, occasionally giving the pan a vigorous shake, until all the mussels have opened, 3 to 4 minutes. Discard any that do not open. Transfer the mussels to a serving bowl. Spoon the broth over the mussels and sprinkle with parsley.

Serves 4.

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Chilled Zucchini Soup Two Ways - Beginner and Expert

YumSugar — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 05:50:49 -0700

I'm a major supporter of soup, and believe in eating it year-round, regardless of the weather. Yet I know how some of you can't bear to steam up sun shades with bowls of hot liquid in the Summer. If you fall into the latter category, chilled zucchini soup, with its creamy body and subtle flavor, is just the thing to talk you off the ledge. Add a quick course to the dinner menu when you blend together zucchini, broth, dill, and shredded cheese - or transform it into more of a substantial meal by topping off bowls with cumin-spiced shrimp and tangy cilantro cream. Decide between the two when you read more

Name That Dish!

YumSugar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:00:05 -0700

If you're a fan of eating saffron mussels, chances are, you'd also like this similar preparation. Are you able to name it?

Shrimp Scampi Pasta Two Ways - Beginner and Expert

YumSugar — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:30:52 -0700

Although scampi technically refers to a type of crayfish that's popular in the Adriatic, in the United States, the word has come to mean a garlicky, sautéed shrimp dish often served with pasta. Regardless of whether or not the term "shrimp scampi" is being used correctly, the Italian-American staple, with its pungent aroma, slippery pasta, and succulent, tail-on shrimp, is worth making.

For a main course that requires minimal effort, stick to tried-and-true Mediterranean flavors like garlic and rosemary. Alternatively, infuse a Southwestern sense of place by hand-roasting poblano chile peppers to toss in with bright lime zest and cilantro. Consider both when you read more

Care to Flex a Saffron Mussel?

YumSugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:15:10 -0700

I love just about everything from the sea. and mussels are no exception. Mussels are great during the Summer because they are quick to cook and require little prep work.Topped with a saffron sauce, these mussels are scrumptious. Saffron is an expensive spice, but it's packed full of flavor and a little goes a long way. When eating mussels, I enjoy the sauce, so I increased the sauce-to-mussel ratio. While the original recipe doesn't call for carrots, their addition adds both crunch and sweetness, which complements the creamy sauce and salty mussels. Don't forget to pick up a baguette to serve with the mussels: my guests were practically licking their bowls clean! To get started on this simple yet decadent dish keep reading.

Name That Dish!

partysugar — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 06:00:34 -0700

If you aren't afraid of cooking with live lobster, you could make the dish pictured below. Do you know what it's called?

Lobster Rolls Two Ways - Beginner and Expert

YumSugar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:50:21 -0700

Lobster rolls might just be the world's most ideal on-the-go treat: they're highbrow yet informal, portable yet palatable, and, like all shore food, pair perfectly with a balmy breeze. For my next outdoor meal - likely to be a picnic at a Summer concert -I'll surprise everyone with these simple yet stunning sandwiches. If I have the time, I'd love to steam live lobster myself and make my own mayonnaise for the freshest roll in town - but if I don't have the bandwidth, I'll still wow the crowd, using pre-cooked lobster meat and fresh hot dog buns. Decide which version fits your schedule best when you read more.

Beginner Lobster Rolls
From Bon Appétit

Ingredients

8 ounces cooked lobster meat, torn into bite-size pieces
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon butter, room temperature
2 hot dog rolls
1/2 head of butter lettuce, thinly sliced

Directions

Combine lobster meat and mayonnaise in medium bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Butter outside surfaces of hot dog rolls. Heat medium skillet over medium-high heat. Place rolls, 1 buttered side down, in skillet; cook until browned slightly, about 2 minutes per side. Open rolls. Fill with lettuce, then lobster mixture, and serve.

Serves 2.

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Expert Lobster Rolls
From Martha Stewart Living

Ingredients

Homemade Mayonnaise:
1 large egg, room temperature
Salt
1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Lobster Rolls:
2 one-and-a-half-pound live lobsters
1 tablespoon snipped chives
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
2 tablespoons Homemade Mayonnaise
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 bunch arugula

Directions

Make homemade mayonnaise: Wrap the outside and bottom of a 1-quart bowl in a damp towel to secure it in place on the work surface. Combine egg and salt with a large balloon whisk, mixing until foamy and pale. Whisking constantly, add oils a few drops at a time, and then in a steady stream as the mixture emulsifies. Add lemon juice; blend briefly. Add additional salt and lemon juice to taste. Makes 1 cup. Store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Plunge lobsters in headfirst. Allow water to return to a simmer, and cook for 5 minutes. Remove pot from heat. Leave lobsters in hot water for 3 more minutes. Remove lobsters, and let cool. Split lobsters lengthwise, and crack claws, allowing water to drain. Remove meat from shells, and cut into large chunks.
In a small bowl, combine herbs with mayonnaise, lemon juice, and pepper to taste. Add lobster meat, and mix well.
Brush insides of buns with melted butter. Grill or broil until brown and crisp.
To assemble lobster rolls, line each bun with arugula, and top with lobster salad.

Serves 4.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Cod With Cockles and White Wine

partysugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 06:50:17 -0700

In this flavorful dish, two types of seafood - firm white fish and briny shellfish - are combined, creating a sophisticated meal that is surprisingly uncomplicated to make.

If your local market does not have cod or cockles, consider using another affordable flaky white fish, like halibut, and small clams in place of the cockles.

Serve a lightly dressed salad of mixed greens with herbs on the side and a glass of chilled Rosé. Take a trip to the seashore with this recipe and read more.

Cod With Cockles and White Wine
From Food and Wine

Ingredients

Four 6-ounce skinless cod or hake fillets (1 1/4 inch thick)
Salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound cockles, scrubbed
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup bottled clam broth
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
Pinch of smoked sweet paprika (optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375°. Season the fish with salt and pepper and dust lightly with the flour.
In a medium ovenproof skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil until shimmering. Add the fish and cook over high heat until golden on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Flip the fish.
Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast the fish for about 10 minutes, until the flesh flakes with a fork. Transfer the fish to bowls.
Meanwhile, in another large skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil until shimmering. Add the garlic and cockles and cook over high heat for 1 minute. Add the wine and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the clam broth and cook, stirring, until the cockles open and the liquid is reduced to about 1/4 cup, about 7 minutes.
Tilt the skillet so the liquid pools to one side. Add the butter to the skillet and swirl until melted. Toss the cockles in the sauce and add the parsley; spoon them over the fish, sprinkle with smoked paprika and serve.

Serves 4.

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Seafood Cocktail Two Ways - Beginner and Expert

YumSugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 03:30:26 -0700

Now that it's Summer, all the attention has been turned to typical warm-weather fare, like barbecue and burgers. But don't discount fresh seafood dishes as wonderful additions to any backyard feast. Items like ceviche and shrimp rémoulade will help break up monotony at the appetizer table - as will an exotic, indulgent seafood cocktail.

Have limited time? Start with shellfish that's conveniently already cooked, and you'll have a stunning single-serving appetizer in a matter of minutes. If you've got more time and skill, purchase raw seafood and prepare a classic Latin seafood dish from scratch for much less. To make either seafood cocktail, read more.

Beginner Seafood Cocktail
From Parade

Ingredients

3/4 pound cooked large shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails removed), halved crosswise
1/2 pound fresh lump crabmeat, cartilage removed
1/2 pound fresh lobster meat, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/4 cup finely diced carrot
1/4 cup finely diced celery
1 tablespoon drained tiny capers
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon finely minced red or green jalapeño pepper, ribs and seeds removed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/3 cup highest quality extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)

Directions

Place the shrimp, crab, lobster, carrot, celery and capers in a large bowl. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold together the ingredients, being careful not to break up the crab too much. Season with salt and pepper.
Add the jalapeño pepper and parsley, then carefully fold in the olive oil and lemon juice, tasting as you go along. Adjust the seasonings and serve immediately, or chill for up to 6 hours. Divide seafood between 8 wine glasses for serving.

Serves 8.

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Expert Seafood Cocktail
From Food & Wine

Ingredients

1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup tomato juice
1 tablespoon tomato paste
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Hot sauce
2 pounds shelled and deveined large shrimp
1/2 pound cleaned squid, cut into 1/2-inch rings, tentacles halved
2 pounds tomatoes-halved, seeded and finely diced
2 Hass avocados, cut into 1/2-inch dice
4 scallions, white and tender green parts only, thinly sliced
1 small red onion, finely diced
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
Plantain chips, for serving

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and fill a large bowl with ice water. In another large bowl, whisk the lime, orange and tomato juices with the tomato paste. Season with salt, pepper and hot sauce.
Cook the shrimp in the boiling water just until curled and pink, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the shrimp to the ice water. Return the pot of water to a boil and add the squid. Cook for 30 seconds, until firm but tender. Drain immediately and add to the ice water.
When cool, drain the shrimp and squid and pat dry. Add to the bowl with the juices and toss to coat. Transfer the mixture to a large resealable plastic bag. Close the bag, pressing out the air. Refrigerate overnight, turning the bag occasionally.
Transfer the seafood salad to a bowl and stir in the tomatoes, avocados, scallions, onion, cilantro and parsley; season with salt, pepper and hot sauce. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours. Using a slotted spoon, scoop into martini glasses and serve with the plantain chips.

Serves 12.

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Transport Your Taste Buds to the Shore With Clam Chowder

YumSugar — Sat, 23 May 2009 08:00:49 -0700

One recent Summer afternoon at Sam's Chowder House, I enjoyed some of the best New England clam chowder I'd ever had. Ever since, then, I've had lingering thoughts of making an inspired version at home, which was further encouraged when I came across a copy of The Summer Shack Cookbook, in which I earmarked a promising recipe for fresh-from-scratch, authentic New England clam chowder.

The recipe calls for quahogs, the unofficial chowder clam of New England, but since those aren't widely available on the West Coast, I substituted them with Manila clams. You can use any kind that works for you. For a taste of the ocean, read more.

Creamy Cape Cod Clam Chowder
From The Summer Shack Cookbook by Jasper White

Ingredients

10 pounds small quahogs or large cherrystone clams
2 cups water
4 ounces meaty salt pork, rind removed and cut into small (1/3-inch) dice
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 medium yellow onions (about 12 ounces), cut into 1/2-inch dice
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 stalks celery (4 ounces), cut into 1/3-inch dice
5 to 6 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves removed and chopped (1 tablespoon)
1 large dried bay leaf
2 pounds Yukon Gold, Maine, PEI, or other all-purpose potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2- to 3/4-inch dice
2 cups heavy cream
Freshly ground black pepper
Kosher or sea salt if needed
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

Directions

Scrub the clams and rinse well. Place them in a large pot, add the water, cover, and turn the heat to high. Once you see a little steam escape from the pot, let the clams cook for about 5 minutes. Remove the lid and quickly move the clams around in the pot so they will cook evenly, then cover and cook for 5 minutes more, or until the clams open.
Pour off the broth and reserve. After it has settled a bit, strain the broth, leaving the bottom 1/2 inch of broth (and sediment) in the container. You should have about 4 cups. Remove the clams from the shells, place in a bowl, and refrigerate until cold.
Dice the clams into small (1/3- to 1/2-inch) pieces. Cover and refrigerate.
Rinse and dry the pot and heat over low heat. Add the salt pork and cook until crispy and brown. Add the butter, onions, garlic, celery, thyme, and bay leaf and sauté, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, for about 10 minutes, until the onions are softened but not browned.
Add the potatoes and 4 cups reserved clam broth. The broth should just barely cover the potatoes; if it doesn't, add more broth or water. Turn the heat to high, cover the pot, and boil vigorously for about 10 minutes, until the potatoes are soft on the outside but still firm in the center. Smash a few potatoes against the side of the pot and stir them into the chowder to lightly thicken it.
Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the cream and diced clams. Season with black pepper; you may not need salt (the clams usually add enough of their own). If you are serving the chowder within the hour, just let it sit and "cure." Otherwise, let cool to room temperature and refrigerate it; cover it after it has chilled.
When ready to serve, reheat the chowder slowly over medium heat; do not let it boil. Ladle into cups or bowls and sprinkle with the parsley.

Makes 3 quarts; serves 12 as an appetizer or 6 to 8 as a main course.

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