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Rice Noodle Salad with Shrimp and Vegetables (Bun Tom Xao)

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This meal is one I crave often – especially in summer months. My favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Dallas, Vietnam, serves my favorite bun with pork, shrimp and an egg roll chopped up in the bowl of noodles. I like some extra heat so I add 2 Thai bird chilies to the Nuoc Cham (the sauce you pour over the salad).

This is such an easy summer meal that is light and full of great veggies. Give it a try – it’s much easier to prepare than you may think.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and cleaned
  • 3 tablespoons Asian BBQ sauce (or hoison)
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 8 oz. dried rice vermicelli
  • 2 cups washed and shredded romaine, red, or green leaf lettuce
  • 2 cups fresh, crisp bean sprouts
  • 1-1/2 cups peeled, seeded, and julienned cucumber
  • 1-1/2 cups carrots, julienned
  • 1/3 to 1/2 cup roughly chopped or small whole mint leaves
  • 1/3 to 1/2 cup roughly chopped or small basil or Thai basil leaves
  • 2 Tbs. chopped roasted peanuts
  • 12 sprigs fresh cilantro
  • Nuoc cham (recipe below)

Nuoc Cham

  • 5 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/4 cup warm water
  • 1/3 cup fish sauce
  • 1/2 cup lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 1 large clove garlic, minced
  • 1 Thai bird chile, seeded and minced

DIRECTIONS

For the Nuoc Cham: Stir all the ingredients in a medium bowl. Set aside until ready to use. The sauce keeps for two weeks in the refrigerator.

For the noodles: Cook the rice noodles for 4 minutes in a large pot of boiling water. Drain in colander and rinse with cold water until noodles are cool. Let drain for 30 minutes. Can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 hours.

For the shrimp: Toss shrimp is bbq sauce and garlic. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in nonstick skillet. Saute over medium high heat for 2 minutes per side.

For the vegetables: Divide the lettuce, bean sprouts, cucumber,carrots, mint, and basil among four large soup or pasta bowls. If working ahead of time, cover each bowl with damp paper towels and refrigerate.

Fluff the noodles with your fingers and divide them among the prepared salad bowls. Put the cooked shrimp on the noodles and garnish each bowl with the peanuts and cilantro. Serve with a side of nuoc cham (about 1/4 cup per serving). For an little extra kick – add a small squeeze of sriracha to the top.

Sole Meuniere

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Dover sole isn’t necessarily “from” Dover, but this English fishing port had plenty of it in the 19th century. I guess the name stuck. Sole is buttery, sweet and flaky and this recipe from the Barefoot Contessa is classic and fresh. The sole filets are quite thin, so have the other parts of your meal ready to go as the fish cooks lightning fast.

Why does my lemon zest look orange you may be asking?? I used Meyer lemons AGAIN. I’m addicted to those juicy little fruits.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 fresh sole fillets, 3 to 4 ounces each
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 6 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (3 lemons)
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley or thyme

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Have 2 heat-proof dinner plates ready

Combine the flour, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a large shallow plate. Pat the sole fillets dry with paper towels and sprinkle one side with salt.

Heat 3 tablespoons of butter in a large (12-inch) saute pan over medium heat until it starts to brown. Dredge 2 sole fillets in the seasoned flour on both sides and place them in the hot butter. Lower the heat to medium-low and cook for 2 minutes. Turn carefully with a metal spatula and cook for 2 minutes on the other side. While the second side cooks, add 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice to the pan. Carefully put the fish filets on the ovenproof plates and pour the sauce over them. Keep the cooked fillets warm in the oven while you repeat the process with the remaining 2 fillets. When they’re done, add the cooked fillets to the plates in the oven. Sprinkle with the parsley or thyme, salt, and pepper and serve immediately.

Marisa’s Peanut Butter “Sandwiches”

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Marisa is well known for her baking skills (famous really). She says cookies and pies are her strong suit. I would agree and hope she will open up a treats shop so we can all get our fix (key lime pie please)!

These cookies are her leading mans favorite sweet something (second to Marisa of course) and she was kind enough to share them with me.

I baked these for a few of my favorites (you all know who you are) and was very happy with the tasty turnout.

Thanks Marisa – these are a permanent addition to the keepers box!

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg

PEANUT BUTTER FILLING:

  • 3/4 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 3 teaspoons vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS

Heat oven to 350. In medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and salt. In large bowl, beat butter, peanut butter, sugar and egg until smooth. On low, beat in flour mixture.

For each cookie, roll 1 rounded teaspoon dough into 1 inch ball; place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake in 350 degree oven 10 minutes until puffed. Let stand 2 minutes on sheet. Remove cookies to rack; let cool.

For the filling: In a bowl mix peanut butter and sugar. Spread flat side of half of the cookies with 1 rounded teaspoon filling; top with remaining cookies. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.

In small bowl, microwave chips and oil for 1 minute; stir until melted. Dip cookies halfway into chocolate; let excess drain off. Place on waxed paper lined sheets. Drizzle with remaining chocolate. Refrigerate to set.

Spotlight Montréal: L’Express (Chicken with Mustard Sauce)

yholmes 3 Comments

L’Express

location: 3927 rue St-Denis, Montréal, QC

Any restaurant that begins a meal with cornichons, dijon mustard & bread is made for me. L’Express is a well-known Parisian-style bistro and needs no introductions for lucky Montréalers. It’s been nearly a year since I stumbled upon this gem. If you aren’t looking for it… you will stroll right by without noticing the only marking of its location: its name spelled subtly in white tiles on the sidewalk.

I’ve dined here on every trip to Montréal… and I will be back for round 3 this summer. My first experience was a gorgeous lobster risotto. This last trip I chose a chicken with mustard sauce. I could go on for quite sometime about the perfect sauce… rich and creamy with the perfect amount of lemon. However, I was equally impressed with the preparation of the vegetables: a melee of haricots verts, potatoes, cherry tomatoes and French black olives.

L’Express… I miss you. You are hands down my favorite place to enjoy a meal in Montréal. I love that your plates lack fancy garnishes and are full of only beautifully classic and simple French food. I will see you soon.

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 boneless chicken breasts, skin on
  • olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon garlic
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 2 lemons, juiced
  • 1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Coat an oven safe skillet with a little olive oil and place over med/hi heat until hot.
Add chicken skin side down and cook for 3 minutes per side (ending with skin side up). Place skillet in oven and bake for 20 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside to keep warm.

Drain most of the chicken fat from the skillet. Add the butter, shallot and garlic. Season with salt & pepper and saute until translucent.

Add wine or broth to skillet, deglaze by scraping particles that cling to bottom.

Combine flour and 1/2 cup cream, stirring until smooth; add to skillet. Stir in mustard. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened.

Serve chicken with sauce.

Polenta with Swiss Chard & Roasted Tomatoes

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After many years of mistakes and some dead plants, I have finally grown a green thumb. I’ve been really lucky with a great herb garden but this year I’ve decided to try my hand at some new edibles. My rainbow swiss chard and leeks are growing like mad so the chard was my first harvest. Preparing organic, fresher than fresh and inexpensive vegetables from my backyard was pretty damn satisfying. And tasty.

This vegetarian recipe is from The Food Network magazine. I made a few modifications and additions – but was really impressed with the hearty flavors overall.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 28-ounce can San Marzano plum tomatoes, drained
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt
  • 1 cup instant polenta
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 1/4 cup Half & Half
  • 2 bunches Swiss chard (about 2 pounds)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 8 ounces fresh ricotta, crumbled
  • 8 large basil leaves, chopped

DIRECTIONS

Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 350. Toss the tomatoes, garlic, balsamic, olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large ovenproof skillet. Roast in the oven until the tomatoes are charred around the edges, about 25 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 but keep the tomatoes inside.

Meanwhile, bring 5 cups water to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat. Slowly whisk in the polenta until smooth and creamy. Add 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste and the cream. Stir to combine. Remove from the heat, cover and keep warm.

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Slice the chard leaves into wide strips and the stems into 1-inch pieces. Boil the stems until almost tender, about 5 minutes, then add the leaves and cook until both are tender, about 3 more minutes. Drain the chard.

Remove the skillet from the oven and place over medium-high heat. Push the tomatoes to one side, add the butter and swirl until the butter is golden brown. Add the chard and toss to coat. Divide the polenta among 4 bowls. Top with the tomatoes and chard. Season the cheese with salt and sprinkle over the top.

Spotlight Dallas: Restaurant Ava (Seared Scallops with Meyer Lemon and Tarragon)

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Well not quite Dallas… but Rockwall is a small trip worth taking for the menu Restaurant Ava so skillfully serves up. Chef Randall Copeland is brilliant and his tenure at Bolsa makes him a shoe in for tastefully putting it on the table.

The choices for the evening: Possibly the best spinach salad I’ve had in ages – the balsamic dressing is killer. Creamy risotto with morels – you want more? How about perfectly seared diver scallops on a bed of creamy potatoes and roasted vegetables?

This was the inspiration behind my seared scallops with my favorite citrus – meyer lemons. Yes, I still have plenty of the beauties in the kitchen and am proud I’ve managed to stay away from making lemon bars.

The meal didn’t end there. The spring pasta (homemade I may add) with lobster and pesto was equally delicious. And lets not forget the finale… the s’more brownie covered in homemade marshmallow and peanut butter ice cream.

The dinner was excellent and the company even better (love it when they like to share). Restaurant Ava is a treat you should indulge in. I loved it all.

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

Make the vinaigrette, but substitute the herbs de provence with fresh tarragon or basil.

Pat scallops dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt and pepper. Tip: Moisture can keep the scallops from getting that golden crust, so be sure to not skip this step.

Heat skillet over high heat for 2 minutes. Lower heat to medium and add a drizzle of olive oil or a tablespoon of butter. Add scallops to the pan and DO NOT TOUCH for 2 minutes. When they are ready to be turned they will easily release from the pan. If not – be patient they aren’t ready.

Serve with mixed greens, roasted vegetables and top with the meyer lemon vinaigrette.

 

Spring Salad with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette

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Meyer lemons are just brilliant. The sweet mandarin orange and lemon hybrid is the perfect citrus for just about any dish. It is much more sweet and less tart than a typical lemon. They make a perfect salad dressing, are incredible squeezed over roasted vegetables or fish and make a fabulous lemon tart.

With my leftover roasted asparagus from Easter I threw this simple salad together. Throw in what you have in the fridge and forget about measurements.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 bunch asparagus
  • tomatoes
  • radishes
  • avocado
  • red onion or shallot
  • dried cranberries
  • pine nuts, toasted
  • blue cheese, goat cheese or feta cheese
  • spring mix or any lettuce mix

For the dressing:

  • Juice and zest from 1 meyer lemon (about 1/4 cup)
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp herbs de Provence
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/3 – 1/2 cup olive oil

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375. Toss asparagus with olive oil and salt and pepper. Roast until crisp tender, about 10-15 minutes depending in the diameter of the asparagus.

For the dressing, combine all ingredients in a jar and shake until well mixed.

When asparagus has cooled, chop into bite size pieces (about 1-2 inches)and add to a large bowl with remaining salad ingredients. Pour salad dressing over the top and mix to combine.

Pear Bruschetta with Goat Cheese, Honey & Almonds

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Bolsa in Oak Cliff is hands down my favorite place to eat, drink and be merry. The atmosphere is laid back and you can’t help but feel at home. 1/2 price wine on Tuesday nights makes me feel even more at home. The food is fresh, local, fun and not over the top. The menu does change on a daily basis but there are a few mainstays I indulge in on every visit. The bruschetta flight is a delightful array of 4 variations on this ever popular appetizer. Tomatoes, Proscuitto, Salmon and my personal favorite: Fuji Apple with Honey & Almonds.

I made a few tweaks with the addition of the goat cheese and chose a juicy Bosc pear at the market. I am making this again today with a Honeycrisp apple – which I imagine will be the nuts! You can use any crusty bread you like. I think slices of kaiser buns will also be perfect for this simple bruschetta recipe.

INGREDIENTS

  • 8 slices crusty bread of your choice, toasted lightly
  • 2 ounces Goat Cheese
  • 1 Pear or Apple, sliced
  • 1-2 tablespoons Honey
  • 2 tablespoons sliced Almonds, toasted

DIRECTIONS

Lightly toast slices of bread in 350 degree oven for 5-6 minutes.

Spread each piece of bread with a thin layer of goat cheese. Fan 4-5 slices of pear over the goat cheese and drizzle with honey. Sprinkle the top of each with the sliced almonds.

The Spotted Pig Deviled Eggs

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The Spotted Pig is my favorite place to eat in New York City and when I am in the city I will always wait to get a table. The place is small. The lighting is dim but the small votive candles give the loveliest of glows to the BEST DEVILED EGGS I’ve ever put in my mouth.

On my last trip to the city in February with my beautiful sister, Suzanne, we of course ended up at The Spotted Pig our first night in town. We just couldn’t wait any longer for an Old Speckled Hen on tap. We were shown to the third floor bar (didn’t even know it existed) to wait for our table and ordered a few killer starters… bring on the deviled eggs! It was my lucky night as the sweet lady tending to us gave me a few secrets to these devilish treats:

  1. They DO use mayonnaise in the egg mixture. BUT…. It’s homemade from some of the finest olive oil in the world. Tip: Don’t ask for mayo on the side of that blue cheese burger – you’re not getting any. April Bloomfield says so.
  2. Now on that olive oil. The award winning olive oil from Chile – Olave Organic Olive Oil – is the oil of choice for all of the food in the restaurant (drizzling, dressings, mayos, etc). I’ve since ordered 2 bottles for the sister and myself.

I can tell you these were a hit when I made them a few weeks ago for a family dinner. They were buttery, smooth and thick with a nice zing of vinegar. I did go to the trouble to make the homemade mayonnaise (recipe link below) and it does make a difference!

INGREDIENTS

  • 12 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 3 teaspoons champagne vinegar
  • Maldon sea salt
  • Aleppo pepper flakes
  • 3 tablespoons thinly sliced chives
  • Olive Oil for drizzling

DIRECTIONS

Fill a large sauce pot with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Place cold eggs in single layer in the saucepan and bring back to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 13 minutes. Drain eggs and run cold water in the pan. When water is slightly cooler, add ice to the pot and let eggs sit in ice water for 15 minutes.  Crack each egg on a hard surface and roll lightly to break the membrane seal. Eggs should peel very easily. With a thin knife carefully slice eggs in half and place yolks in a bowl.

Break up the yolks with a whisk until they are fine. Add olive oil, mayonnaise, mustard, and vinegars and whisk briskly until smooth puree forms, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary.

Transfer mixture to plastic zipper-lock bag. Cit corner off the bag and pipe filling into the egg white halves.

Sprinkle eggs with Maldon salt, Aleppo pepper and chives. Drizzle with olive oil, and serve.

Shrimp Biryani: Indian Shrimp and Rice

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The aromas alone are worth giving this dish a try. When you take your first bite you will be sold.

The flavors are not overpowering. They are subtle with a perfect balance of spice and sweetness from the shrimp and onions.

My friend Catherine of Fish and Veggies recommended this dish and passed on some great advice: put the whole spices in a cheesecloth sachet to avoid biting down on a whole peppercorn or clove.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups jasmine rice
  • 1 pound Shelled and de-veined Shrimp or crab (see Harbour House Crabs)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/4 bunch cilantro
  • 2 serrano chilis (seeds removed)
  • 1 – 1 inch piece of ginger
  • 4 large cloves of garlic
  • 4 tablespoons oil
  • 1 large yellow onion
  • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 tablespoons of butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 10 – 12 whole green cardamom pods
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 cups water
  • 2 sprigs mint
  • salt to taste

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Wash the shrimp and drain it well. Add the salt and turmeric and mix. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  3. Peel the ginger and garlic and use a food processor to blend it to a paste with the cilantro and chilis. You can use a little water if it is too dry.
  4. Chop the onion and mint and leave to the side until needed.
  5. Heat the oil on medium in an oven safe dish. Add the peppercorns, cloves, cardamom and 1 bay leaf to a sachet of cheesecloth and tie securely. Add the sachet to the oil with the cinnamon stick and saute until fragrant, approximately 2-3 minutes.
  6. Add the chopped onion and saute until light brown, stirring constantly.
  7. Add 1/2 of the paste and saute for another minute or two.
  8. Add water and salt (1-2 teaspoons depending on taste) and bring to this to a boil.
  9. Add the rice to the boiling water and add the butter and mint. Bring this to a boil, cover and place it in the oven. Bake for 20 minutes.
  10. When the rice has been in the oven for about 10 minutes heat some oil in a saute pan and add the remainder of the paste along with the other bay leaf. Saute this for a minute or two and add the shrimp. Saute the shrimp until done (they should be light pink) about 5 minutes.
  11. Remove the rice from the oven and remove the spice sachet and cinnamon stick. Top it with the shrimp and serve.
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