April 4th, 2012 § § permalink
Serves 4
This dish has great balance utilizing all types of citrus: limes, lemons and tangerines, and has slightly sweet herbaceous tones that blend well with the buttery-ness of the avocado. A lovely dish that is simple to prepare and exciting for your guests.
Ingredients
Ger-Nis Citrus Finishing Salts
1 pound medium sized shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails removed
¼ cup citrus champagne vinegar (substitute regular champagne vinegar)
¼ cup citrus juice (a mixture of tangerine, meyer lemon or regular lemon and orange)
3 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon lime zest
1 teaspoon orange zest
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
1½ teaspoons fresh parsley, chopped fine
1½ teaspoons fresh cilantro, chopped fine
1 teaspoon fresh chives, chopped superfine
1 teaspoon fresh mint, chopped fine
½ red onion, sliced super thin
A few greens, butter leaf lettuce, mesclun mix or micro greens
2 avocadoes, ripe but firm, peeled, pitted, halved and sliced
Lemon Thyme Pesto Drizzle (recipe follows)
Directions
Bring a medium sauce pan with water to a boil. Add about a tablespoon of the citrus salts to the water. Reduce the temperatre to a low rolling bowling. Add the shrimp and cook for 1½ minutes. In the meantime prepare an ice bath (a big bowl of ice water). Strain the shrimp and place them quickly in the ice bath, making sure to stop the cooking process. When the shrimp are fully cooled and cold, strain and set aside. Whisk together the vinegar, citrus and lime juice, zest, sugar and salt until well mixed. Add the pepper, herbs, red onion and mix well. Season mixture to taste. Gently mix in the shrimp and allow to marinate for about 20 minutes (the shrimp marinade is best served at room temperature or cool, not cold, so ideally refrigerate for about ten minutes and then take out for the last ten). To serve, arrange some greens of choice on a small plate and arrange some avocado slices over the plate. Using a slotted spoon, spoon the marinated shrimp over the avocado and greens. Drizzle some lemon thyme pesto over the salad and garnish with citrus herb finishing salt.
Lemon Thyme Pesto Drizzle
Makes 1 cup pesto
Ingredients
¼ cup fresh lemon thyme leaves (substitute basil if you cannot find lemon thyme)
¼ cup fresh parsley leaves
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon Ger-Nis Finishing Salt
Directions
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
February 14th, 2012 § § permalink
Serves 6
Ingredients
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
¼ cup lemon grass bulb, chopped & smashed
3 kfir lime leaves, crinkled (optional)
1 tablespoon galangal root, peeled and chopped fine (optional)
1 tablespoon ginger, peeled and chopped fine
1 tablespoon coriander root, chopped fine (optional)
1 tablespoon red chili paste
1 tablespoon brown sugar
12 medium prawns or shrimp, peeled and tails removed
1 tablespoon fish sauce
2 tablespoons lime juice
1-2 Thai chilies, sliced
1 cup tomatoes, chopped
4 cups chicken broth
½ cup straw mushrooms
5 green onions, thinly sliced
¼ cup cilantro, chopped fine
Directions
Heat a large heavy bottom soup pan to high heat and add oils. Add the lemongrass, lime leaves, galangal, ginger, coriander root and cook until beginning to brown. Turn the heat to medium high and add red chili paste and sugar and mix well. Add the srimp and cook a bit tossing into the mixture. Remove the shrimp from the pan when cooked, after about 15 minutes max. Add the lime juice, chilies and tomatoes and broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for about 15 minutes. Add in the mushrooms and the shrimp and cook for another 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and green onions.
January 13th, 2012 § § permalink
Serves 6
Ingredients
1 cup cooked quinoa
2 small carrots, thinly sliced
1 large red bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped
3 teaspoons grated ginger
2 clove garlic, sliced
1 small red chile, minced (optional)
8 ounces snow peas, trimmed
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 egg, beaten
6 ounces small shrimp, peeled and cleaned
3 scallions, chopped (whites and part of greens)
½ cup cilantro
1 tablespoon soy sauce
Vegetable or canola oil
Directions
Coat the bottom of a large skillet with oil and heat over medium-high heat. Cook carrot, stirring occasionally, until it softens; about 1 minute. Add bell pepper, ginger, garlic and chile if using. Cook, stirring frequently, about 2 minutes. Add shrimp and cook for another minute. Then add snow peas, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, 1 minute or until shrimp are just cooked.
Transfer vegetables and shrimp to a bowl and return skillet to heat. Add cooked quinoa, along with egg, and cook, stirring constantly, until egg is evenly distributed; about 2 minutes. Add vegetables, shrimp, scallions, cilantro and soy sauce; fold all ingredients together for 1 more minute and remove from heat. Serve warm.
December 9th, 2011 § § permalink

Serves 6
Ingredients
2 pounds ground pork
1/4 cup shrimp, peeled, deveined and chopped fine
1 tablespoon garlic, chopped fine
1/2 tablespoon fresh ginger, chopped fine
1/4 cup scallions, sliced thin
2 tablespoons Chinese chives
1 tablespoon Chinese mustard
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
12 dumpling skins (round)
Beaten egg
Directions
In a medium bowl, mix pork, shrimp, scallions, garlic, ginger, chives, mustard, rice wine, sugar and soy sauce. On a flat, clean surface, lay out wrappers. Top each with 1 tablespoon pork-shrimp mixture. Brush edges of wrapper with beaten egg and form dumplings. Pull th edough up the sides of the pork mixture making sure to pleat it all around and leaving the tops open. Put dumplings in lined steamers. Steam dumplings until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Serve immediately.
October 7th, 2011 § § permalink
Serves 6
Ingredients
1½ pounds medium to large sized shrimp
Wooden skewers presoaked
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
3 cloves of garlic, grated
2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped fine
Zest of 1 lime
Juice of 3 limes
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon spicy sambal
Chili Honey Sauce (recipe follows)
Directions
Mix the ginger, garlic, lime juice and zest, salt and sambal together in a bowl until well combined. Place the shrimp in the marinade and marinade overnight or for at least an hour. Thread the shrimp on the skewer into a row of shrimps. Grill until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside or about 2 minutes per side. Brushing with the marinade as desired. Serve with Chili Honey Sauce.
Chili Honey Sauce
Makes ¾ cup
Ingredients
½ cup honey, warmed
¼ cup spicy sambal
Directions
Mix together all ingredients thoroughly. Let stand for about 20 minutes before serving, servee warm over satay.
August 10th, 2011 § § permalink
Serves 9
Ingredients
4 lemons (juice of 4, zest of 2)
1 cup white wine vinegar (lemon champagne vinegar also is great)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard
2 teaspoons fennel seeds
1 teaspoon dried chili flakes
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
2 cloves garlic chopped fine
3 fresh bay leaves
1 large fennel bulb, sliced thin
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup fresh lemon thyme, chopped (regular thyme is okay)
1 medium red pepper, julienned
1 medium red onion, julienned
1 ½ pounds large shrimp, peeled, deveined tail on or off
Salt/pepper
Directions
Zest 2 lemons and juice all of them. In a large mixing bowl whisk together, lemon juice, zest, vinegar, olive oil, mustard, fennel seeds, chili flakes, mustard seeds and garlic. Set aside. Steam shrimp in double boiler for about 5-6 minutes or until cooked thoroughly, allow to cool. In another large mixing bowl mix fennel, parsley, lemon thyme, red peppers and red onions. Pour vinegar mixture over shrimp mixture and mix well. Season with salt and pepper and refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
August 6th, 2011 § § permalink
Serves 4-6
This recipe is inspired by two experiences actually, my trip to the Lingurian coast and my many trips to Al di La in Brooklyn and my many Sepia Al Nero meals I have had right here in my own backyard. I often try to recreate Anna’s dishes and with an okay amount of success and this dish is no exception. I would like to think I learned a few tricks in Italy that can perhaps, maybe, almost compete with Anna’s version, which I have to admit is just about exactly the same as I found all along the coast of Italy!
Ingredients
Cuttlefish Ink Fettuccini, cooked (regular pasta dough) made with 1 tablespoon cuttlefish ink
*for whatever reason the sepia ink is said to drown out the taste of the salt in the past so add 1 teaspoon salt extra to the recipe using the ink
Olive oil
2 teaspoons fresh red chili’s (dried chili flakes can be substituted)
2 teaspoons lemon zest
2 cloves garlic
1 cup rock shrimp
1 cup cuttlefish pieces, chopped large
2 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon pesto
¼ cup fresh mint
Directions
In a large sauté pan heat the oil, chilies and lemon zest and sauté the garlic for a few minutes. Add the rock shrimp and cuttlefish pieces and sauté a few minutes. Add the tomatoes, salt and the pesto and stir. Cook for about 5-8 minutes and toss together with pasta and fresh mint.
June 12th, 2011 § § permalink
Serves 8
Ingredients
For the Old Bay Steamed Shrimp
4 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
1 cup vinegar
1 cup water
2 pounds shrimp, in shells
For the Remoulade Sauce
1½ cups mayonnaise
¼ cup diced celery
½ cup sliced green onions
2 tablespoons minced garlic
½ cup Creole mustard (such as Zatarain’s)
¼ cup chopped parsley
½ cup ketchup
½ tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Louisiana hot sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
For the Old Bay Steamed Shrimp
In a large pot, combine first 3 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Add shrimp, stir gently. Cover and steam until tender, about 3-5 minutes. Drain; remove shells.
For the Remoulade Sauce
In a 2-quart mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and whisk well. Once blended, cover and refrigerate, preferably overnight. A minimum of 4 hours is required for flavors to develop. When ready, remove from refrigerator and adjust seasonings.
Starting with half the Remoulade sauce, gently mix in the whole, peeled shrimp. Add more sauce if necessary – salad should not be saucy. Chill thoroughly. Serve cold, stop crisp butter lettuce or fried green tomatoes.
Recipe adapted from the Encyclopedia of Cajun & Creole Cuisine, by Chef John Folse
May 24th, 2011 § § permalink
Serves 6
Ingredients
Olive oil
3 cloves garlic, chopped fine
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
½ cup Santorini Dried Tomatoes, chopped
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
½ cup white wine
1 pound tomatoes, chopped
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
3 tablespoons bread crumbs, dried
½ cup crumbled feta
Directions
Pre-heat broiler to 400°F. In a preheated large skillet, sauté olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes for a few minutes. Add shrimp and sauté until shrimp begins to turn pink, about 4-5 minutes. Add the sundried tomatoes and sauté a few more minutes. Add lemon juice and zest. Add the wine, tomatoes, salt, pepper and fresh herbs and sauté for a few more minutes. Take off heat and sprinkle with breadcrumbs and cheese. Place under the broiler for about 4 minutes until brown and bubbly.
May 23rd, 2011 § § permalink
Serves 6
Ingredients
3 cups water
1 tablespoon ginger, sliced thin
1 tablespoon lemon grass, sliced thin
3 sprigs of fresh mint
1 thai red chili, sliced
2 limes (1 sliced, 1 wedged)
1 pound medium sized shrimp
Sweet Chili Sauce
Directions
In a medium sauce pan add the water, lime, ginger, lemon grass, mint and red chili and bring to a boil. Reduce to a low boil and add shrimp. Poach shrimp for a few minutes until bright pink and semi firm. Place in an ice bath to flash cool. Serve with sweet chili sauce and lime wedges.
May 7th, 2011 § § permalink
Serves 6
Ingredients
1 cup fish stock
1½ cups asparagus stock (made from the asparagus ends and water)
1½ cups asparagus spears (about 1½ bunches)
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium shallots, chopped fine
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup long grain brown rice
½ white wine
1 cup grated parmesan
Parsley Chive Salt Butter (recipe follows)
Directions
In a medium-sized saucepot combine the fish and asparagus broths and heat until warm. Keep simmering on a separate burner while making risotto. Blanch the asparagus tips in the simmering water for 2-3 minutes, remove and place in an ice bath. Set aside. In a separate medium saucepot, heat butter and olive oil to a medium heat and add shallots. Cook shallots until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the shrimp and cook until just pink and tender, or about 3-4 minutes. Remove and set aside. add the rice and white wine and stir well. Cook for about 2-3 minutes. Next, add 1 cup liquid, reduce liquid and then add another ½ cup liquid every 7 minutes or so until rice is almost cooked through, about 30 minutes. Add the shrimp and asparagus spears to re-warm, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, and finish with the parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper and place about a tablespoon of parsley-chive butter onto each serving.
Parsley-Chive Butter
Makes ½ cup butter
Ingredients
1⁄3 cup butter, softened
2 cloves garlic, chopped superfine
1 medium yellow onion
1 shallot, chopped superfine
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
½ cup fresh parsley, chopped fine
¼ cup fresh chives, chopped fine
1 teaspoon maldon salt
Directions
In a small mixing bowl combine all of the ingredients and mix well until a smooth butter paste is formed, making sure all the ingredients are well incorporated. Place the mixed butter on a small sheet of parchment paper or plastic wrap and roll into a tight log. Place in refrigerator to solidify.
March 29th, 2011 § § permalink
Serves 10
Ingredients
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 chili peppers, dried
Pinch of cayenne or red pepper
20 pieces of medium-size shrimp, peeled and cleaned
Bread, for serving
Directions
In a small sauté pan, over medium heat add olive oil. Cook garlic cloves, chili peppers, and cayenne pepper. Add shrimp and cook for about 6 minutes, 3 minutes on either side, or until they begin to turn pink and curl slightly. Serve immediately in a bowl with bread.
February 23rd, 2011 § § permalink
Serves 6
INGREDIENTS
3 tablespoons mirin
2 tablespoons soy sauce
A 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and chopped fine
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 tablespoons canola or peanut oil
1 purple eggplant, cubed
1 red bell pepper, chopped
½ cup water
1 small chili, chopped fine
2 cloves garlic, chopped fine
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1½ tablespoons black soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1½ tablespoons water
¼ cup basil leaves, torn
DIRECTIONS
In a small bowl, combine mirin, soy sauce, and ginger. Add shrimp, and marinate 15 to 20 minutes.
In a large deep skillet or wok over high heat, add 1½ tablespoons oil. Add shrimp, and cook for 3 minutes or until shrimp has changed to light pink color. Remove shrimp, and set aside on plate. Clean out pan.
In the same pan, add remaining oil. Add eggplant and red peppers, and cook, 5 minutes. Add ½ cup water, and cover pan to steam vegetables slightly. Remove lid, and add chili and garlic. Stir until fragrant, 1 minute. Add fish sauce, black soy sauce, sugar and water and bring to a boil. Add cooked shrimp and basil and mix. Serve immediately.
January 18th, 2011 § § permalink
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter, plus 1 additional tablespoon of butter
5 cloves garlic, chopped fine
2 shallots, chopped fine
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon chili flakes
3 squid bodies (calamari) cleaned and sliced into thin rings
½ pound shrimp, peeled, deveined and tails removed
½ pound baby scallops
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup fresh parsley, chopped fine, stems removed
¼ cup fresh chives, chopped fine
¼ cup fresh basil or red basil, chopped fine
½ cup white wine
½ cup lemon juice
1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
1 cup heavy cream
Salt/pepper
DIRECTIONS
In a large heavy bottom skillet, heat olive oil and butter on a medium high heat. Add the garlic, shallots, lemon zest and chili flakes. Sauté for a few minutes until garlic and shallots just start to brown. Add the calamari, shrimp and scallops. Season with salt. Sauté a few minutes until just beginning to brown, about 4 minutes. Add the fresh herbs and sauté about 1 minute. Add the wine and lemon juice next and turn to medium low. Allow liquid to reduce by about half. Add the cherry tomatoes and allow to cook about two minutes or until the tomatoes are just soft. Add the heavy cream, turn burner to low and season with salt and pepper.
Cook pasta according to pasta directions. Mix the spaghetti and the sauce and serve!
January 14th, 2011 § § permalink
Serves 6 to 8
INGREDIENTS
¼ cup lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 pounds large or extra-large shrimp, peeled and deveined
12 scallions (white and light green parts only), thinly sliced
1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
½ teaspoon ground peppercorns
8 ounces capellini or angel hair pasta or thickly sliced rustic Italian bread (grilled, toasted, or broiled if you like), for serving
¼ cup ghee or clarified butter
3 dried red chiles
12 garlic cloves (about 1 head), peeled and finely minced
DIRECTIONS
Place the lemon juice and salt in a gallon-sized resealable plastic bag. Add the shrimp and toss to coat. Refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes and then add the scallions, cilantro, and ground peppercorns and set aside.
If serving the shrimp with pasta, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, cook until al dente, drain, and set aside.
while the pasta boils, cook the shrimp. Heat the ghee of clarified butter with the chiles in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until the chiles start to sizzle, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, stirring often, for 1 minute. Add the shrimp and cook until curled and opaque, 2 to 4 minutes, stirring often so the garlic doesn’t stick to the bottom of the skillet. Toss the shrimp with pasta or divide among bowls if serving with bread, taste for seasoning, and serve.
© Recipe Property of Suvir Saran
January 14th, 2011 § § permalink
Serves 6
INGREDIENTS
1 pound pasta dough, cooked
For lobster sauce
2 tablespoons butter
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped fine
1 cup white wine
2 lobster bodies, cut in half vertically (Your fishmonger should be able to provide you with lobster bodies at no charge)
2 cups heavy cream
6 to 8 threads saffron
Kosher salt
Pepper
For salad
1 bulb fennel
Juice of 2 lemons
Kosher salt
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
For seafood sauté
Olive oil, for sautéing
3 squid bodies (calamari), cleaned and sliced in 1″ circles
½ pound (26-30 count) shrimp, peeled, deveined and tails removed
3 tablespoons fresh chives, sliced fine
DIRECTIONS
For lobster sauce
In a large sauté pan, over medium heat, add butter. Cook onions and garlic until translucent, making sure to not get any color. Add white wine and reduce until almost evaporated. Add lobster bodies, cream, and saffron. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve and set aside.
For salad
To prepare the fennel, cut off the top stalks and discard. Next, trim the root end and then quarter lengthwise. Remove the core and thinly slice the fennel on a mandolin or with a sharp knife crosswise. Place fennel in a large bowl and set aside. Add lemon juice, salt and extra virgin olive oil and mix. Set aside.
For completed dish
In a large sauté pan, add olive oil over medium high heat. Add shrimp and cook, 1 minute. Add calamari and sauté 1 minute more. Add lobster sauce and warm through, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour sauce over pasta and garnish with fennel salad and chives. Serve immediately.
© Recipe Property of Rafi Hasid
November 30th, 2010 § § permalink
Serves 6
Salsa Verde
INGREDIENTS
1 pound tomatillos, husks removed, cut in quarters
3 poblano chili peppers, seeded and chopped
1 teaspoon cumin
1 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
½ cup half-and half
Juice of 1 lime
PREPARATION
Place the tomatillos, poblano peppers, cumin, salt, and water in a medium sauce pan, and boil for about 15-20 minutes or until tomatillos are soft. Take off burner, and allow to cool for about 30 minutes. Transfer tomatillo mixture to a blender, and add cilantro, half-and-half, and lime juice. Blend until smooth. Refrigerate.
Salsa Rojo (Red Sauce)
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons olive oil
4-6 medium dried red chilies, seeded, and chopped (stems included)
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 poblano pepper, seeded and chopped
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
2 tablespoons tomato paste
½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon smoky chili powder
3 teaspoons salt
2 cups water (or chicken broth)
PREPARATION
In a medium sauté pan, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté chilies, onions, and poblanos until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, cilantro, garlic, spices, salt and water, and bring to a boil. Let simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Let cool and process in blender.
Enchiladas
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped fine
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped fine
Zest of 1 lime
1 pound medium sized shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup fresh crab meat
3 ears of fresh corn, taken off the cobs
½ cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
¼ cup fresh chives, chopped fine
Juice of 1 lime
1 teaspoon cumin
6 medium flour tortillas
1 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
PREPARATION
Preheat oven to 375°F.
In a large sauté pan, heat oil over medium high heat. Sauté onions, bell peppers, and lime zest until onions are translucent. Add shrimp and crab, sauté for another 3 minutes. Add corn, and sauté another 4 minutes or until all shrimp and crab is cooked through. Add herbs, lime juice, and cumin. Stir well. Take off burner. To assemble enchiladas, place a spoon full of mixture in a tortilla and a small sprinkle of cheese in each one. Wrap and lay folded side down in a greased, rectangular glass baking dish. After all enchiladas are assembled, pour salsa vede over all enchiladas evenly. Sprinkle the top with remaining cotija cheese. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until slightly golden brown on top.
October 11th, 2010 § § permalink
Serves 6
INGREDIENTS
15 medium yellow tomatoes cut into little pieces, making sure to retain liquid
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
2 medium cucumbers, peeled
¼ cup olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 teaspoon cracked pepper
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
15 shrimp, tail on and cleaned
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
¼ cup cilantro pesto, recipe below
¼ cup white wine vinegar
Avocado, for garnish
PREPARATION
Mix all ingredients except shrimp, cilantro pesto and avocado in a large mixing bowl. Take 1 cup of mixture and blend in a food processor or blender, pulsing until semi-smooth. Alternatively grind up with a mortar and pestle until desired consistency. Pour liquid back into mixing bowl and stir well. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Grill shrimp, brushing occasionally with cilantro pesto. Serve in martini glasses with 2 grilled shrimp and avocado for garnish.
Cilantro Pesto
INGREDIENTS
1 bunch fresh cilantro (approx. 1½ cups)
Juice of 4 limes
3-4 cloves fresh garlic
Juice of 1 lemon
Zest of 2 limes
1 tablespoon cumin
1 jalapeño pepper, chopped and seeded (optional)
½ cup walnut oil or olive oil
Salt, to taste
PREPARATION
In a blender, or with a handheld food processor, combine all ingredients with salt and blend until smooth.
October 8th, 2010 § § permalink
Serves 6-8
Ingredients
Olive Oil
1 pound tuna roast (ask your butcher for uncut tuna steaks-you need 1 large piece)
1 pound medium or small scallops
1 pound peeled shrimp
Zest and juice of 3 lemons
¼ cup fennel seeds
¼ cup peppercorns
¼ cup coarse sea salt
1 teaspoon red chili flakes
½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
½ cup fresh oregano, chopped
½ cup fresh basil, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped fine
1 large red onion, chopped
1 large red pepper, chopped
1 large yellow pepper, chopped
¾ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
3 cups roma tomatoes, chopped
1½ cups white wine
Salt and pepper
Directions
Marinate tuna, scallops and shrimp with lemon juice for about 1 hour. Grind in a grinder or smash lemon zest, fennel seeds, cracked peppercorns, chili and course sea salt until a gritty spice mixture is created. Heat a thick-bottomed stew pan to high heat with a generous portion of olive oil. Rub tuna with spice mixture and brown tuna on all sides. Remove tuna and add garlic, onions and peppers to pan. Sauté until tender or about 3 minutes Add half of fresh herbs, shrimp and scallops. Sauté for just a few minutes. Add wine and stir while removing the bits that stuck to the pan. Reduce heat to low. Add tomatoes. Stir well and add tuna and kalamata olives. Simmer for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally and breaking up the tuna as it cooks. Add remainder of the fresh herbs and take of heat and let stand for five minutes before serving. If needed, a bit of water can be added but only if the tomatoes have not given off enough liquid in the middle of the cooking process.
Best served over Israeli couscous.
November 12th, 2009 § § permalink
Serves 6
Salsa Verde
INGREDIENTS
1 pound tomatillos, husks removed, cut in quarters
3 poblano chili peppers, deseeded and chopped
1 teaspoon cumin
1 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup cilantro leaves
½ cup half-and-half
Juice of 1 lime
PREPARATION
Place the tomatillos, poblano peppers, cumin, salt and water in a medium sauce pan and boil for about 15-20 minutes until tomatillos are soft. Take off burner and allow to coolfor about 30 minutes. Transfer tomatillo mixture to a blender and add cilantro, half-and-half and lime juice. Blend until smooth. Refrigerate.
Enchiladas
INGREDIENTS
Olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped fine
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped fine
Zest of 1 lime
1 pound medium sized shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup fresh crab meat
3 ears of fresh corn, taken off the cobs
½ cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
¼ cup fresh chives, chopped fine
Juice of 1 lime
1 teaspoon cumin
6 medium flour tortillas
1 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
PREPARATION
In a large sauté pan, heat olive oil on medium high heat. Sauté onions, bell peppers and lime zest until onions are translucent. Add shrimp and crab, sauté for another 3 minutes. Add corn and sauté another 4 minutes or until all shrimp and crab is cooked through. Add herbs, lime juice and cumin. Stir well. Take off burner. To assemble enchiladas, place a spoon full of mixture in a tortilla and a small sprinkle of cheese in each one. Wrap and lay folded side down in a greased, rectangular glass baking dish. After all enchiladas are assembled pour salsa verde over all enchiladas evenly. Sprinkle the tops with remaining cotija cheese. Bake in a preheated 375° oven for approximately 30 minutes or until slightly golden brown on top.
November 5th, 2009 § § permalink
Makes 3 cups
INGREDIENTS
4 lemons (Juice of 4 zest of 2)
1 cup white wine vinegar (lemon champagne vinegar also is great)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard
2 teaspoons fennel seeds
1 teaspoon dried chili flakes
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
2 cloves garlic chopped fine
3 fresh bay leaves
1 large fennel bulb, sliced thin
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup fresh lemon thyme, chopped (regular thyme is okay)
1 medium red pepper, julienned
1 medium red onion, julienned
2 lbs large shrimp, peeled, deveined tail on or off
salt/pepper
PREPARATION
Zest 2 lemons and juice all of them. In a large mixing bowl whisk together, lemon juice, zest, vinegar, olive oil, mustard, fennel seeds, chili flakes, mustard seeds and garlic. Set aside. Steam shrimp in double boiler for about 5-6 minutes or until cooked thoroughly, allow to cool. In another large mixing bowl mix fennel, parsley, lemon thyme, red peppers and red onions. Pour vinegarmixture over shrimp mixture and mix well. Season with salt and pepper and refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
October 25th, 2009 § § permalink
INGREDIENTS
1 lb. shrimp peeled
1 lb. chopped Santorini tomatoes or plum tomatoes
3 cloves garlic, chopped fine
1 t red pepper flakes
1 T chopped fresh parsley
1 T chopped fresh oregano
½ c crumbled feta
juice and zest of 1 lemon
3 T bread crumbs, dried
½ c white wine
olive oil
salt and pepper
PREPARATION
In a preheated large skillet sauté olive oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes for a few minutes. Add shrimp and sauté until shrimp begins to turn pink, about 4-5 minutes. Add lemon juice and zest. Add the wine, tomatoes, salt, pepper and fresh herbs and sauté for a few more minutes. Take off heat and sprinkle with breadcrumbs and cheese. Place under the broiler for about 4 minutes until brown and bubbly. Serves 6.
October 24th, 2009 § § permalink
INGREDIENTS
juice of one lemon
1 chopped onion
1 minced garlic clove
2 tablespoons vinegar
½ teaspoon salt
1 pound of fresh, shelled and de-veined shrimp
a couple of tablespoons of chopped cilantro
tomato paste
1 ½ cups coconut milk
dendê oil
PREPARATION
Make a marinade with the juice of 1 lemon, 1 chopped onion, 1 minced garlic clove, 2 tablespoons vinegar and ½ teaspoon salt. Marinate 1 pound of fresh, shelled and de-veined shrimp for about thirty minutes. Add entire mixture to a sauce pan and add a couple of tablespoons of chopped cilantro and tomato paste, then pepper to taste. Then add 1 ½ cups coconut milk and dendê oil (a palm oil high in saturated fat available in specialty food stores). Cook for about five more minutes and serve over white rice.
October 24th, 2009 § § permalink
INGREDIENTS
3 pounds of cassava
2-3 pounds of shrimp
two chopped onions
a few minced garlic cloves
¼ cup chopped cilantro
a large can of whole tomatoes
2 cups coconut milk
¼ cup dendê oil
Salt and pepper
PREPARATION
Peel and cut three pounds of cassava (also known as yucca or manioc) and put it in a pan with cold water and salt. Cook until tender, then drain and reserve both the cooked cassava and liquid, while discarding any fibers. Use a fork to mash the cassava while still hot, and use some of the liquid to help, but don’t use a blender or food processor!
Peel and de-vein 2-3 pounds of shrimp, then sauté two chopped onions and a few minced garlic cloves. Add 1/8 cup chopped cilantro, a large can of whole tomatoes and stir well. Then add the shrimp and cook for another fifteen minutes. Add your cassava, any of the reserved liquid if necessary, 2 cups coconut milk, ¼ cup dendê oil (a palm oil high in saturated fat available in specialty food stores), and another 1/8 cup of cilantro. Salt and pepper to taste and serve over rice.