Tag Archives: lemon

Shrimp Pasta with Kale and Garlic (gluten-free)

Posted on May 5, 2013 by | 2 Comments

Shrimp Pasta with Kale and Garlic (gluten-free) from She Cooks, He Cleans

Outside it was still raining.  Still. Raining.  When I see the sunshine again, I am going to kiss it – it has been away far too long!  In the meantime, dinner is limited to what I can find in the recesses of the freezer.  Shrimp looks good!  What else do we have – lots and lots of kale.  I haven’t paired shrimp with kale before, but it sounded like a winning combination.

I have written before about how much I love the gluten-free pasta from Jovial.  I love everything about this company, from their organic, traditional products to their views on sustainable, small farming as the future of agriculture.  The egg tagliatelle used in this dish is a relatively new product, made from only organic brown rice flour and organic eggs.  Period.  It has all the taste and texture that you expect from egg pasta, and you can really taste the goodness in this simple preparation of shrimp, kale, and garlic.  I have had limited success in finding Jovial products in the local stores, but now you can order them on-line, directly from the Jovial website store.

This recipe is really simple and quick to put together – perfect for a weeknight dinner or for a rainy day when you’re running low on motivation.

Ingredients (2 generous servings):

Remove the tough spines/stem from the kale. (Fold the leaf in half lengthwise, then use a knife to cut the thick part of the spine away from the leaves.)  Stack the leaves together, roll them slightly, and slice the leaves crosswise into strips.  Wash the kale thoroughly in cold water, then spin dry or dry well with towels.

Rinse the shrimp with cold water and dry with towels.

In a saute pan over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with a glug of EVOO (~1 tablespoon).  Add the chopped garlic and cook for about 1 minute.  Add the shrimp to the pan in a single layer, and allow to cook for about 1 minute on each side (use tongs to turn the shrimp to ensure they are cooked evenly). When cooked, remove shrimp to a bowl with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Add the chopped kale to the saute pan with the garlic.  Shake in a generous amount of crushed red peppers and a sprinkling of kosher salt. Toss over medium-high heat until the kale is wilted and tender.  Add the vermouth, stir, and cook until the vermouth has mostly cooked off.  Add the shrimp back to the pan.  Stir in lemon juice, and another tablespoon of butter won’t hurt anything.  Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, to taste.  Cover and keep warm.

Saute of Shrimp, Kale, and Garlic / She Cooks, He Cleans

Add the pasta to boiling water and cook according to package directions.  Drain, and add pasta to the shrimp and kale.  Toss until the pasta is well coated.  Serve hot and enjoy!

willieRain, rain go away! But until it does, I’m staying in and eating shrimp with kale and listening to country music! First up is the latest from Willie Nelson, Let’s Face The Music and Dance. Willie just turned 80 and shows no sign of slowing down at all. Still performs almost every night, and keeps releasing great records. This one features ballads such as “Twilight Time”, rockabilly with “Matchbox”, and great country weepers such as “Shame On You”. Keep ‘em coming Willie!

Steve Young might not have the star power of Willie, but it ain’t from lack of talent. His song “Seven Bridges Road” was a hit for The Eagles, and his version of “Lonesome, Onry and Mean” is on par with Waylon’s. Renegade Picker/No  youngPlace to Fall collects his two great early records, and is a fine introduction to this outlaw country legend.

→ 2 Comments

Posted in Entrees, Product Review, Seafood

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Seared Sea Scallops over Zucchini Ribbons with Goat Cheese

Posted on March 17, 2013 by | 14 Comments

Scallops with Zucchini Ribbons

This is the first weekend we’ve had in Atlanta that really felt like spring, with temperatures warm enough to sit outside comfortably in the sunshine without shivering.  There are trees and flowers bursting out with blooms and things are getting greener by the day.  Nice time of year to be in the Southeast!

These plump sea scallops with thinly sliced ribbons of zucchini are so fresh and light   – just like spring.  They also only take minutes to cook!  When buying scallops, make sure that you are getting “dry” scallops, and not scallops that have been treated with phosphates.  Phosphates are used as a preservative, and cause the scallops to adsorb water – water that makes them weigh more (and cost you more per pound), and water that will leach out like crazy when you try to cook them.  They will not sear, and you won’t get that tasty caramelized crust.    Look for scallops with a pinkish color to them – the blindingly white scallops have been chemically treated.

I used a regular peeler to slice the zucchini into ribbons, but you could also use a mandolin slicer (or patience and a sharp knife).  Just make long slices all around the zucchini until you get to the seedy part in the middle, which can be discarded.  There you have it – zucchini ribbons!

To julienne the basil, roll up several leaves tightly together, like a cigar.  Starting at one end of the “cigar”, cut into thin slices.

I neglected to measure the ingredients when I made this, so the amounts are approximate.

Ingredients (serves 2):

  • 8-10 sea scallops
  • Oil suitable for high heat cooking (I used coconut oil)
  • 2 good-sized zucchini, sliced thinly into ribbons
  • 1 small shallot, finely chopped
  • ~2 tablespoons butter (preferably from pastured cows)
  • splash of extra-virgin olive oil
  • ~1/4 cup light stock (I used chicken stock)
  • Juice from 1/2 lemon
  • 4 ounce log of soft, fresh goat cheese
  • handful of basil leaves, julienned
  • Coarse salt (sea salt or kosher salt) and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Pat the sea scallops dry with paper towels.  If present, remove the adductor muscles (looks like a little “foot”) from the side of the scallops and discard.  Those tend to be unpleasantly chewy, and they pull right off with a little tug.  Lightly season with salt and pepper, and set the scallops aside.

In a saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons of butter with a splash of olive oil over medium heat.  Cook the shallots for about a minute – but not long enough to brown.  Add the stock to the pan and bring to a simmer.  Toss in the zucchini ribbons and cook for a few minutes, continuing to toss the zucchini,  until it is just tender and the liquid in the pan has reduced a little.  Stir in about 2 ounces of the goat cheese with the lemon juice, until the goat cheese has melted and the liquid in the pan is sauce-like.  Stir in some of the basil, saving some for the final garnish.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Remove from heat, but keep warm.

Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until VERY hot (cast iron is good, but any heavy-bottomed skillet will work).  Add a very thin layer of coconut oil (or other high-heat oil) to the pan, swirl to coat, and immediately add scallops, flat side down.  Do not crowd the pan – you may need to cook the scallops in two batches, depending on how big your skillet is.  DO NOT move the scallops – sear them for 2 minutes, then turn and sear for about a minute (maybe 1 1/2 minutes) on the other side.  It is important not to overcook the scallops or they will be rubbery and tough.  They should be nicely seared on the outside, but should still be a little translucent-looking in the middle as you look at them from the side.  They will feel a little springy to the touch – not stiff.  When they are done, remove them from the pan and keep warm while you finish cooking them all.

To serve, place a mound of zucchini noodles on a plate, and place the scallops around it.  Add a dollup of the remaining goat cheese to the top, and garnish with the rest of the julienned basil.  Enjoy!

Scallops with zucchini ribbons and goat cheese

allenTwo from Texas today! First up, the new album from songwriter and artist Terry Allen, Bottom of the World. Allen is one of those Lubbock lads- along with Joe Ely, Butch Hancock and Jimmy Dale Gilmore- who radically reshaped country music in the late ’70s. Allen doesn’t release music very often, but when he does its always an illuminating listen. Sample title…”Do They Dream Of Hell in Heaven?”. Thought-provoking country!

Billy Joe Shaver is another “outlaw” country performer, and his hits are legendary. The Complete Columbia Recordings gathers his mid-’80s Columbia output and puts them back in print, and high time they did! Shaver has a unique shaverway of looking at the world, and once you get a taste, you’ll be back. Just like the scallops!

→ 14 Comments

Posted in Entrees, Seafood

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Zucchini Noodles with Beurre Blanc Sauce

Posted on February 2, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Zucchini beurre blanc

Who’s a fool for sauce?  I don’t know about you, but if there’s a sauce or condiment I can drench my food with, I will do it.  My husband, not so much.  Not too long ago, I made some salmon patties and asparagus – and on a whim, whipped up a quick lemon-butter sauce to drizzle over everything.  Much to my surprise, James really liked the sauce.  While he usually puts a spoonful of the stuff off to the side on his plate (mostly to placate me), he actually added more sauce to his plate – on his food!  I knew sauce would win him over one day.

While there are some crab cakes on that plate in the photo, this post is all about the zucchini and beurre blanc sauce.  Despite the elegant French name (translated as “white butter”), this is a very basic and easy sauce to make.  I have written about the zucchini previously, in this post.  I use a Kuhn Rikon Julienne Peeler to quickly turn whole zucchini into ribbons – it couldn’t be more simple.  If you don’t have a julienne peeler, you can make thicker ribbons with a regular vegetable peeler, or you can cut it into matchsticks with a knife.

I added a little cream to the beurre blanc, because I like cream and it helps to stabilize the sauce, but it can be made without it.

Ingredients (2 servings):

  • 2 or 3 zucchini (depending on size)
  • 1 small shallot, minced (2-3 tablespoons)
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • dash of Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 3-4 tablespoons butter (from pastured cows)

Julienne the zucchini.  Set up a steaming basket over simmering water, and steam the zucchini for about 5 minutes or until just tender.  Drain in a colander and press out as much moisture as possible with paper towels.  Set aside.

In a saute pan over medium to medium-high heat, bring the wine, lemon juice, shallots, Worcestershire sauce, and salt to a low boil.  Boil until the liquid is reduced to almost a syrup, in a thin layer in the pan (approximately 1/4 cup).  Stir in the cream, bring it to a simmer, then remove from heat.  Quickly whisk in the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the sauce is emulsified and silky.  (Keeping the sauce over heat after adding butter may cause it to separate.)

At this point, the sauce can be strained, but it is not necessary for this particular recipe since we are mixing it with the zucchini noodles.

Toss in the zucchini noodles and stir until the noodles are well-coated in sauce.  Serve hot – and enjoy!  The buttery-lemon flavor complements seafood and chicken, as well as many vegetables.

You mean there’s other sauce than BBQ? In this case, yes! Great stuff indeed, as is our musical menu. Get Up!  featuring Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite. This is a brand new release, and all ready it’s be dubbed a years best. How could you go wrong, with the songs and wicked slide guitar of Harper with the growling harmonica of Musselwhite adding a saucy (HA!) touch? From Delta getblues to Zepequese stomps, this is a high mark of both men’s careers.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Sauces, Marinades, and Rubs, Side dishes

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Summer Squash Hummus (Bean-less, Gluten-free)

Posted on July 3, 2012 by | 2 Comments

I find myself with a surplus of white, patty pan squash.  I have roasted it, baked it in a casserole, and eaten it sliced and sauteed in butter.  It’s all good – but I know there are gardeners (and cooks) out there that are looking for more things to do with their bounty of summer squash.

I have seen recipes for raw zucchini hummus, so it only seemed logical that other varieties of summer squash might work just as well.  What do you know – the patty pan squash worked just great.  This recipe is especially good for people that like hummus but don’t tolerate bean dips well  – and of course it is handy for people following a low-carb diet or paleo / primal diet.  Just look at the carbs in a half cup of chickpeas (22.5) vs a half cup of summer squash (2.5).

Serve this with raw vegetables, gluten-free crackers, or even use it as a salad dressing.  You will need a food processor or a powerful blender to get a smooth texture. For this recipe, I used a good-sized patty pan squash that I somewhat peeled (it is hard to peel around all the curves on this space-ship shaped squash).  Don’t worry if you leave some peel on!  Also, since this squash was biggish, I cut it in half and scooped out the seeds and pulp, using only firm, white flesh for the hummus.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups peeled, de-seeded and chopped summer squash (I used patty pan, but other varieties of summer squash can be used.)
  • 1/3 cup lemon or lime juice
  • 3 tablespoons good quality olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 3/4 cup tahini
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 3 tablespoons almond flour (optional, for added texture)
  • a few shakes of smoked paprika
  • a few shakes of cayenne pepper

Add all the ingredients to the food processor except for the tahini.  Blend well, until smooth.  Add tahini and blend for several minutes until the hummus is very smooth, scraping down the sides occasionally.  Adjust seasoning, to taste.  I think that allowing it to mellow in the refrigerator for a while improves the texture and taste.  Serve drizzled with more olive oil or sprinkled with a little paprika.

Two from the incredible Albert King today, focusing on his great work in Memphis! First up, a new reissue of his classic ’70s album I’ll Play the Blues for You. Backed up by The Bar-Kays and the Memphis Horns, this is soulful blues that only Albert could play.

Born Under a Bad Sign has King recording with Booker T and the MGs, and the title track and “Crosscut Saw” became staples of Albert’s live set for years. A classic!

→ 2 Comments

Posted in Appetizers, Side dishes, Vegetarian

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Oven Roasted Salmon with Parmesan-Mayo Crust

Posted on May 19, 2012 by | 35 Comments

Recently at the Saturday morning farmers’ market in Decatur, we picked up some fresh eggs from a local farm.  You might ask, “now what does that have to do with salmon?”  Thanks for asking, because I’m having a heck of a time getting this post started!  Well, I’m not a big egg-eater so I needed to come up with some other uses for the eggs.  Also, I have a bottle of great-tasting olive oil from Kasandrino’s …eggs plus olive oil equals mayonnaise!  (I’m getting to the salmon…)  Next thing you know, I have a big jar of homemade, lemony mayonnaise with no real plans for using it.  (As you can see, I was not thinking too far ahead last week.)  Thankfully I ran across a sale on salmon and put the mayo to great use!

Coating the salmon with a mixture of mayonnaise and Parmesan cheese and oven-roasting it resulted in an unbelievably moist, buttery fish with all kinds of good flavors.  I will be making this again…and soon!

This basic mayonnaise recipe does not make a very thick mayonnaise, since I use the whole egg instead of just the yolks.  You can also adjust the taste of the mayonnaise to your preference, by trying different oils and different acids (vinegars, lemon or lime juice, etc.), or adding herbs.  Go crazy with it!

Ingredients for Salmon

  • 16-20 ounces salmon fillet(s), skin on
  • Kosher salt/ freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, preferably homemade
  • 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • additional Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • a few dashes of sweet paprika

Ingredients for Basic Olive Oil Mayonnaise

  • 2 whole eggs, at room temperature(*See Note below)
  • 1 to 1 1/4 cup oil (I used 1/2 cup olive oil and 1/2 cup almond oil)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • freshly ground black pepper, or pepper blend, to taste (I like Florida Seasoned Pepper…citrusy!)

*Note:  For thicker mayonnaise, use 1 whole egg plus 1 egg yolk

Mayonnaise Instructions:

Place the eggs in a blender or small food processor.  Blend the eggs alone for around a minute, so they will be ready to adsorb the oil.  Add lemon juice, dry mustard and salt, and mix in with the eggs.  With the blender running, SLOWLY start adding the oil, a few drops at a time, until the liquid begins to thicken up some; then you can start adding the oil in a thin, steady stream.  Continue blending until all the oil is incorporated.  Season the mayonnaise with salt and pepper, to taste.

**Raw Egg Warning… to reduce the risk of salmonella or other food-borne illness, use only fresh, clean eggs with intact shells, from a trusted source.  Avoid contact of egg white/egg yolk with outer shell.

Salmon Instructions:

Preheat oven to 425F.  Line a shallow roasting pan with foil.  Rinse the salmon with cold water and dry thoroughly with paper towels, and place in roasting pan.  Season lightly with salt and pepper.

Mix the mayonnaise and Parmesan cheese in a small bowl.  Spread completely over the salmon.  Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese on top, and add a few dashes of sweet paprika.

Roast for 12-14 minutes (depending on thickness of salmon).  Remove from oven; carefully slide a wide spatula between the skin and meat to separate from the skin, and serve!

When you experience as much music as I do, you cultivate a healthy list of artists you need to listen to, but haven’t yet. One of mine was Roberta Flack. Sure, I had heard her for years on the radio, but never actually listened to an album. Boy, that was a mistake! We put on First Take one evening, and we both were completely blown away by it’s brilliance. This was her debut from 1969, and her phrasing, song selection and piano work certainly don’t sound like a beginner! Contains the classic “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”, her version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye” and more. With Ron Carter on bass and Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar, this is an understated jewel of a record.

Her newest release, Let It Be Roberta – Roberta Flack Sings The Beatles looks like a winner. That sublime voice coupled with those songs? How can you go wrong?

→ 35 Comments

Posted in Entrees, Sauces, Marinades, and Rubs, Seafood

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Roasted Eggplant and Sweet Pepper Dip

Posted on April 17, 2012 by | 12 Comments

Back when I played tennis, which was one broken ankle and more than a few years ago, my team may not have always have won the match but, by god, we always had a great table of food.  Not being one of the best players on my team, I liked to think that I somehow made up for having lead feet by bringing a homemade offering of something tasty .  Making “dip” was my favorite contribution – it doesn’t sound like much, but hey, they kept me on the team!  I wish I had known about this dip back then, although it might have been too distracting to the people on the court for all the oohing and awing that would have ensued.

This recipe is a hybrid of Ina Garten’s Roasted Eggplant Spread and a basic recipe for baba ghanoush.   I couldn’t decide which recipe to go with, so I came up with a blend of the two.  Call it indecision or call it inspiration – as long as you call me when it’s ready!  (Har…)  I roasted the vegetables in the oven, but this would be even better with grilled vegetables!  We ate this as a mid-afternoon snack with some gluten-free almond crackers; you can be sure it would disappear equally fast with pita triangles, vegetable sticks, bread of any sort, or even as a topping for pasta or zucchini noodles.

Be sure to pour some high quality extra-virgin olive oil over the top – the sweet fruitiness of the olive oil contrasted with the more earthy and spicy eggplant and peppers is phenomenal!  I highly recommend Kotinos Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Kasandrinos Imports.  (Join their facebook page and look for special deals.)

Seriously, you may want to double this recipe – or if you are taking it to a tennis match, triple it and keep some at home for yourself!

Ingredients:

  • 1 large eggplant
  • 2 red bell peppers, seeded
  • 4 garlic cloves, whole, peeled
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (to start with…)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt; freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons tahini paste
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • cayenne pepper, to taste
  • juice of one lemon
  • lots more good extra-virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to 400F.

Cut the eggplant up into 1-inch square pieces.  (Before cutting, I like to take off some of the skin in stripes around the eggplant.  Up to you.)   Cut the red bell peppers into 1 inch strips.  Toss the eggplant, peppers, and garlic in a large bowl with olive oil, salt, and several grindings of pepper.

Spread the vegetables on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer.  Roast for 35-45 minutes, tossing once during cooking, until the vegetables are soft and lightly browned.  Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.

Place the vegetables in a food processor; add the tahini, cumin, cayenne, lemon juice, and another glug (or two) of olive oil.  Process in pulses until blended.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  (Try to avoid over-processing or it will become paste-like in texture.)

Drizzle with more olive oil on top, and serve warm or at room temperature.

Today we hail the “corndog from Pedro”, Mr. Mike Watt! Originally a Minuteman with D. Boon, Mike has been one of the busiest players in the punk rock scene for many years. I interviewed him in 2001, and found him to be as nice a guy as you can find in the business. Since then he’s played bass for the reformed Iggy and the Stooges, among others. The band he formed after the D. Boon’s tragic death called fIREHOSE has been the subject of a reissue, lowFLOWs: The Columbia Anthology (’91 – ’93) (2 CD), and it gives you a glimpse of his energetic trio in all their glory.

Second up is a interesting piece of work, Spielgusher. Watt on bass, and rock journalist Richard Meltzer on “spiels”…its a rambling, woozy affair with an eclectic backing, from punk rock to surf music and all in between.

→ 12 Comments

Posted in Appetizers, Entrees, Sauces, Marinades, and Rubs, Vegetarian

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Clams in Wine, Garlic and Herb Broth

Posted on April 4, 2012 by | 16 Comments

Over the last decade (or two), I seem to have developed quite an aversion to crowds of people.  The feeling of being hemmed in, the annoyance of trying to get where I’m going while people stand obliviously in the center of the walkway, frustration with children running over you while their self-adsorbed parents text and check their email…the list goes on.  Life is hectic out there and I don’t often have the patience for it.  (Yes, I’m old – and get off my lawn.)  However, for something really worth the risk of leaving my controlled surroundings, like a Willie Nelson concert or traveling to an exciting destination, I will steel myself against the onslaught of humanity and march with the crowd.

Patty at Chowstalker.com recently wrote about visiting the Dekalb Farmer’s Market; she drove for an hour to get there to stock up from the incredible produce and unbelievable meat selections.  This reminded, or maybe shamed me, into remembering that I live not 10 minutes from this great, international farmer’s market.  Why haven’t I been shopping there?  Primarily because it is IMMENSE  and full of people.  By immense, I mean 140,000 square feet, and by full of people, I mean they serve 100,000 customers per week.  Every aspect of shopping there feels like a battle, from parking to maneuvering through the store to getting though the oddly-arranged check out area.  (Really, a big rectangular room with cashiers against the walls does not have a traffic flow.)

I sucked it up…this was a worthwhile trip to go on.  I decided to go mid-week in the morning, to lessen the crowd aspect.  I was pleasantly surprised to see only half the huge parking was full.  Sure, there were plenty of people and carts inside, but it was manageable – especially when you see the rows and rows of fresh fruits and vegetables of all descriptions (organic included).  Please don’t get me started on all the meats, seafood, cheese, and wine.  This is a great place if you love food – a shopping paradise.  If you want selection – here it is – mounds of it!   I didn’t have much of a list prepared so I would be more open to suggestion (which is often dangerous when grocery shopping), so I did a lot of browsing.  I came home with a lot of stuff – grass-fed beef, veal rib chops, chicken thighs, pork chops, littleneck clams, parsley, eggplant, broccoli, garlic, lemons, strawberries, an assortment of mushrooms, olives, a couple bottles of wine, and a bag of Georgia-ground cornmeal.  There’s probably more that I don’t remember.  Forgive me for listing all of that, but I did it for a reason.  It all cost less than $125.  I don’t know about you, but I can’t begin to stroll through Whole Foods for that!

I’m a convert – I just have to remember to avoid the place in the afternoon, on weekends, or holidays, and always bring my checkbook (they accept cash, check or ATM only).

Here’s our first meal with the goods from that visit!  Thanks, Patty!

Ingredients (All amounts are negotiable – pretty much anything will work!):

  • Cleaned and ready for the pot!

    4 tablespoons unsalted butter, grass-fed (Kerrygold is my favorite)

  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2-3 tablespoons shallot, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
  • 1 cup white wine (I used a Sauvignon Blanc)
  • 3 pounds littleneck clams
  • 2-3 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped
  • handful of fresh parsley, chopped
  • juice from 1 lemon
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional)

Before cooking the clams, keep them on ice, outside of a plastic bag (they need to breathe).  I put a shallow tray of ice in the sink and left the clams on top of that until I was ready to cook.  Just before cooking, scrub the shells with a brush under cold, running water.

Nothing can help you now, my little pretties...

In a large saute pan, melt the butter over medium high heat.  Add the garlic and shallot; cook until fragrant, without browning (1-2 minutes).  Sprinkle in desired amount of crushed pepper flakes and add wine.  Bring to a boil and add the clams and oregano.  Cover and simmer for 5-8 minutes until clams have opened up, shaking the pan occasionally.

As the clams open, carefully take them out and set aside in a bowl.  Discard any clams that have not opened after about 8 minutes.

Continue to simmer the broth until it has reduced some in volume (how much broth you would like with your clams is up to you).  Squeeze in the lemon juice and stir in the parsley.  Season with a few grindings of black pepper.  Taste to see if salt is needed (probably not, because clams are salty!) Add a touch of heavy cream to the broth, if you’d like.  Return the clams to the pan to reheat.

We served this with gluten-free cornbread.  It would also be great over some gluten-free pasta.  Enjoy!

An international shopping experience deserves some international music, don’t you think? First up is a concept that I truly love, Songs Around The World. Musicians from all around the planet collaborating, just remarkable. South Africa, Ireland, New Orleans…but all with a song in their hearts.

Next, something for the little ones…after you’ve had the clams! Dreamland: World Lullabies & Soothing Songs, “quiet time” music from around the world…lull them to sleep and broaden their worldview, all at once!

→ 16 Comments

Posted in Appetizers, Entrees, Seafood, Soups and Stews

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lemon Marmalata

Posted on January 26, 2012 by | 3 Comments

In my hunt for interesting cookbooks at used book stores, I recently picked up The Young Man and the Sea : Recipes and Crispy Fish Tales from Esca, by David Pasternack and Ed Levine.  This book covers a pretty wide range of seafood and cooking techniques, from preparing soups to grilling, roasting, pan-frying, poaching, and baking everything from ordinary cod to cuttlefish and everything in-between.  There are also interesting vegetable pairings, and a section on Italian-style sushi (crudo).  What really grabbed my attention, however, was this uniquely-stated recommendation from Anthony Bourdain on the back cover: “If I were strapped in the electric chair and facing a last meal of sea creature, I would pray that Dave would be cooking it.”  I hope that Mr. Bourdain meant that Dave really knows how to serve up delicious seafood, and not that Dave’s cooking might assist the efforts of the executioner.

The first thing I tried was something simple – fried cod with lemon jam (or marmalata, as it would be referred to in Italy).  The lemon jam is extremely easy to prepare, and adds just the right amount of fresh zing to the fried fish.  I think it would be great served with most seafood as an alternative condiment to the usual tartar sauce.

The fish, unfortunately, did not make it to the photo session.  Sorry!  The cod was simply dipped in buttermilk, rolled in seasoned white rice flour, and fried for around 4 minutes per side in oil and butter, until golden brown.

The marmalata was made using Meyer lemons, which are naturally sweeter than conventional, true lemons. If you don’t have Meyer lemons available, you may want to add a bit of honey, to taste.  I used one lemon for approximately 1.5 pounds of fish.

Ingredients:

  • One lemon, preferably Meyer, washed
  • 1/8 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
  • honey, to taste (optional)

Remove the stem end of the lemon and cut it into chunks.  Remove seeds.  Place the lemon chunks, peel and all, in a small food processor or blender.  Combine with olive oil and red pepper flakes.  Pulse until the texture is similar to relish.  Adjust flavor with honey, if needed to reduce acidity.  Serve with seafood.

Been really blown away with the new Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Race Riot Suite. To my ears it’s the album of the year, 2011. A work concerned with the Tulsa race riot of 1921, this is a moving and rambunctious record, with swagger and imagination in equal measure. Fans of Charlie Mingus to Primus will found common ground here. This is jazz with a pulse!

→ 3 Comments

Posted in Sauces, Marinades, and Rubs, Side dishes

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Lemon Garlic Shrimp over Cauliflower Mash

Posted on November 7, 2011 by | 33 Comments

Lemon Garlic Shirmp over Cauliflower Mash, from She Cooks, He Cleans

This recipe is a low-carb adaptation of Shrimp and Grits, and I have to say it worked pretty well!  There are a lot of flavors here – first, in lieu of grits, a base of roasted cauliflower pureed with roasted garlic and Parmesan cheese.  Then we top it off with wild-caught shrimp in a spicy sauce bursting with garlic, lemon, and oregano, plus a little bacon for a touch of smokiness.  Yowsa!    This is a great, hearty meal!

When you select your shrimp, try to find domestic, wild-caught shrimp.  Farmed shrimp may contain growth hormones, antibiotics, or unhealthy chemicals.  [Speaking of chemicals, as much as I feel for the plight of the shrimpers in the Gulf, I am probably not going to have any more Gulf shrimp in this lifetime.  Thanks, BP, for poisoning our Gulf.]  These shrimp came from U.S. Wellness Meats – wild caught off the Pacific Coast and flash frozen soon after harvesting.  This is the second time I’ve added shrimp to my meat order from Wellness Meats and both times I’ve been impressed with their fresh taste.  These shrimp have also been cleaned and shelled (except for the tail), and are ready for cooking as soon as you thaw them.  When shopping locally, I look for wild Georgia shrimp!  If you’re near a coast, you probably have some great local shrimp too.

This recipe has a LOT of garlic in it.  Here’s a great tip, from Saveur.com, for quickly peeling a head of garlic that costs nothing and it really works!  I’ve tried it a few times now – it saves time, and it gives you the opportunity to shake the dickens out of something.

Ingredients for 2-3 servings:

Shrimp Marinade:

  • Zest from 1 lemon
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 pound raw shrimp, shelled and de-veined

Cauliflower Mash:

  • 1 head of cauliflower, cut into large-ish florets
  • 6-8 cloves garlic, peeled
  • extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • butter (grass-fed)
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • (optional) half and half or cream / or broth, if needed to correct consistency

Lemon Garlic Shrimp:

  • Marinated shrimp (from above)
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 slices bacon
  • 2 tablespoons butter (grass-fed)
  • 1/2 cup white wine, or bottled clam juice
  • 1/2 sweet onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
  • pinch or two of dried oregano
  • juice of one lemon
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped

First, mix up the marinade ingredients for the shrimp.  Put the shrimp and the marinade in a resealable bag, mix it up well so all the shrimp have some marinade on them, and refrigerate for 1-4 hours.

Preheat an oven to 400F.  Place the cauliflower and garlic in a shallow roasting pan.  Toss with enough olive oil to coat the pan and the vegetables.  Season lightly with salt and pepper.  Cover loosely with foil, and roast for 15 minutes.  Remove foil, and shake to mix up the vegetables for more even browning.  Roast uncovered for 15-20 minutes, or until cauliflower and garlic are soft and lightly browned.  Remove from oven.

Using a food processor, puree the cauliflower with a couple tablespoons of butter (or more).  Add the Parmesan cheese and mix well.  You want to end up with the cauliflower having the consistency of mashed potatoes or grits (fairly thick, not runny).  If needed, add a drizzle of cream or broth if the cauliflower is too dense.  Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.  Place in a heat-proof bowl and keep warm.

In a large saute pan or Dutch oven, cook the bacon until crisp.  Set aside on paper towels until cool, then chop into small pieces.  Set aside.

Add two tablespoons of butter to the bacon drippings in the pan, and heat until melted over medium high heat.  Add the onion and cook until softened.  Add the minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and oregano, and saute for about a minute, stirring frequently.  Stir in wine.  Cook until liquid is reduced by half (will only take a few minutes), then add the shrimp.  Cook, stirring frequently to turn the shrimp, until shrimp are pink and opaque on both sides.  This should only take 3 or 4 minutes; do not overcook the shrimp or they will be rubbery!  Stir in the lemon juice and remove from heat.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve the shrimp and sauce over the mashed cauliflower.  Garnish with chopped bacon and fresh oregano.

Just because you can’t eat the seafood from the Gulf, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the music! First up, the latest release from one of the creme of New Orleans bands, the Rebirth Brass Band with Rebirth of New Orleans. Another stellar release from this long-standing group, guaranteed to put the pep in your step and fill a dance floor.

One of the many great things about HBO’s Treme is the music, gathered here on Treme: Music From the HBO Original Series, Season 1. With Dr. John, Rebirth, Trombone Shorty and more, this is a great collection of Louisiana music!

→ 33 Comments

Posted in Entrees, Sauces, Marinades, and Rubs, Seafood

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Baked Flounder with Lemon-Pepper Seasoning

Posted on October 6, 2011 by | 3 Comments

I grew up eating a lot of flounder – - fried.  Served with fried shrimp and fried hushpuppies.  (If you don’t know hushpuppies, you surely haven’t eaten at a fish shack or BBQ joint in North Carolina.  I love hushpuppies – and I hope I can figure out some gluten-free way way of making them some day!  I digress…)  I saw some wild-caught flounder at the seafood counter, so I brought some home to try in its un-fried state.

Flounder is a flat fish, with flaky white, mild-tasting meat.  It is also a pretty lean fish, so to keep it from getting dry, it needs to be cooked fairly quickly with added fat for better flavor.  Lemon is a classic flavor enhancer for fish of all kinds, and I didn’t stray from the traditional path here.  Since I make up a big batch of lemon-pepper seasoning for chicken wings, there is usually some left over for sprinkling on pork chops or vegetables – and now fish!  I swear, lemon-pepper seasoning is good on about everything!

This was quick and easy for a weekday supper.  The flounder was served with oven-roasted asparagus (which cooked at the same time as the fish), and shitake mushrooms sauteed in butter and a little white wine.  Delicious!

Ingredients:

  • 1 to 1/4 pounds flounder fillet
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • lemon-pepper seasoning (see below, or link to chicken wing recipe above)
  • juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1/2 lemon, sliced
  • kosher salt

Preheat oven to 400F.  Melt butter in a glass baking dish that will hold the flounder in a single layer.  Place the fillets in the dish with the butter, turning them several times to make sure they are well buttered.  Turn under the thinner edges, so the fillets are more equal in thickness.  Sprinkle with lemon-pepper seasoning and the juice of 1/2 lemon.  Lightly season with salt (remember there is a little salt in the lemon-pepper seasoning).  Place a few slices of lemon over the fillets.

Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and will flake with a fork.  Serve immediately.

Recipe for lemon-pepper seasoning:

  • 1/4 cup black peppercorns, ground using medium grind with automatic grinder (I used tellicherry peppercorns and a coffee grinder we only use for spices)
  • zest of 2 lemons (2-3 tablespoons)
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoons granulated garlic (NOT garlic salt)
  • 3 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

In a medium sized bowl, mix the freshly ground black pepper with the lemon zest.  Press the zest into the pepper while mixing, to release more of the lemon’s oils.  Add the additional ingredients and mix well.  Store in a sealed jar and keep in refrigerator until next time you need it.

I buy a lot of music- to see our house you might say TOO much- but it keeps me young! So when something comes along that makes me me go “wow” you can be assured its a doozy. Accept No Substitute from Delaney and Bonnie is certainly that! One of the most soulful, rocking records I’ve heard recently. Spin it once and you’ll see why Eric Clapton toured with them- and then stole the band to make Derek & the Dominoes. Stellar!

→ 3 Comments

Posted in Entrees, Seafood

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,