Crusty Golden Scallops with Arugula Pesto

 

Crusty Golden Scallops with Arugula Pesto

3 tablespoons chopped almond or walnuts       

1-2 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped     

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 cups packed baby arugula       

3 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

1⁄3 – ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

8 large sea scallops, muscles removed and dry         

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided  

1/2 cup white wine

1.     Arugula Pesto: Pulse the nuts, garlic, a pinch of salt and pepper in a food processor until rustic ground. Add the arugula and pulse again. With the processor running, drizzle in the olive oil. Add the grated cheese and pulse to your liking either into a rustic or smooth paste. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.

2.     Dry the Scallops be sure to place the scallops on paper towels early in the day to remove any excess liquid. Change the paper after 4 hours.

3.     Season the scallops with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add 1 tablespoon of butter. When the butter melts, add the scallops and sear until golden brown on each side. Do not overcrowd the pan. If using a small pan, cook in 2 batches. Add pieces of butter in the pan as needed if it is too dry. Cook first side until crusty golden brown, do not turn the scallops until first side is done. Remember to turn only once during the cooking process. Cook the other side to golden leaving a slight barely uncooked middle. Remove the scallops to a plate. Add the white wine and reduce to slightly creamy.

4.     To Serve: When ready, spoon the pesto over the scallops and serve warm.

I love to make this dish because it's really quick to make and absolutely tasty. 

It is a favorite in my cooking classes. 

 

RICOTTA ZUCCHINE AL PROFUMO DI LIMONE QUICHE

 

Ricotta Zucchini Quiche with Scent of Lemon

2 medium zucchini, grated with skin on 

1 large leek, thoroughly rinsed and thinly sliced

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

8 ounces whole ricotta 

Zest 1 large lemon

1-2 tablespoons freshly minced parsley

2 whole eggs, lightly beaten

½ - ¾ cups grated Parmesan cheese

2-3 tablespoons milk

Salt and black pepper

2 rolls of pie pastry dough, thawed in frig.

1 egg for brushing pastry

Fresh Leeks

1.  Preheat oven to 350F. In a round tart pan (or pie pan) cut a round piece parchment paper to fit the bottom of the pan.

2.  Sauté the grated zucchini and the sliced leek in a pan with the olive oil. Once cooked, let them cool.

3.     In the meantime, whip the ricotta in a bowl until it becomes creamy, add the grated lemon zest, and parsley, mix well. Add the cooked zucchini and leeks to the ricotta mixture.

4.     In another bowl, beat 2 whole eggs with Parmesan cheese, a pinch of salt and pepper and a few tablespoons of milk. Add to the ricotta and zucchini mixture.

5.     Place the dough on the base of the pan. With a fork, lightly prick the pastry surface.

6.     Put the ricotta mixture on the pastry. Cover the top with strips of pastry from the 2^nd piece. Lightly brush the pastry with the other beaten egg. Bake in a preheated oven, for 30-40 minutes, or until the surface is golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly and serve.

   

 

Zucchini

 

This is a light ricotta and zucchini quiche, with a delicious lemon scent. Enjoy this rustic quiche Italian style, fresh and amazingly easy to prepare.

 

Pairing Chocolate with Wines for Valentine!

 

   

Wine and Chocolate pairing

As with all food and wine pairings, chocolate and wine pairing is personal, and it often comes down to taste buds. The rule of thumb when pairing wine with food or chocolate is to find foods that complement the wine rather than match it. Perhaps the best rule with wine as with chocolate, is to indulge in what you love. Be guided by pairing suggestions, but if you find a combination you particularly enjoy, go with it!

In general, the creamier the chocolate, the lighter the body of wine. The richer the chocolate, the fuller the body of the wine.  Similar to formal wine tasting, you can experiment with a varieties of chocolates. Work from light white chocolate through milk chocolate and end on the drier notes of dark chocolate with light-bodied to full-bodied wines. By starting with the more understated nuances of white chocolate and ending with dark or bittersweet chocolate, you will keep your palate from starting on overdrive and missing the subtle sweet sensations found in more delicate chocolate choices (and wine).

What is the difference between Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate?  Milk chocolate contains 30-40 % cocoa solids, whereas dark chocolate contains at least 60 % cocoa solids.

How do I choose the best quality chocolate? Chocolate that has a glossy surface and is free from blemishes is the best quality. If the surface is cloudy or gray, this may be a sign that chocolate is old or has been subject to extremes in temperature or handling. Be sure to read the ingredients list. Example: if a dark chocolate has synthetic vanillin rather than pure vanilla, the flavor may be altered.  

 

White Chocolate and Wine Pairing Suggestions:  While white chocolate is not a true chocolate, you may still want to include it with a wine pairing. White chocolate tends to be more mellow and buttery in flavor, making it an ideal candidate for the sweeter styles wines	ü  Brachetto d’Acqui ü  Ice wine ü  light Sherry ü  Moscato d'Asti ü  Rosé Port  ü  Sweet Rosé ü  Tokaji Aszù
Milk Chocolate and Wine Pairing Suggestions:  Since milk chocolate is part chocolate, part cream, it's not only delicious but versatile to pair. Milk chocolate is made from dark chocolate that has a lower cocoa solid content and higher sugar content.	ü  Alsace Pinot Gris ü  Champagne ü  Gewurztraminer  ü  Lambrusco ü  Light Port ü  Lighter Pinot Noir ü  Madeira ü  Malvasia delle Lipari ü  Mavrodaphne of Patras ü  Muscat ü  Petite Sirah ü  Riesling ü  Sauternes ü  Vin Santo ü  Viognier
Dark Chocolate and Wine Pairing Suggestion:  Unlike Milk chocolates, dark chocolates needs more attention while pairing. Dark chocolates contain more polyphenols, which gives it a bitter taste. It requires bolder strong red wines with dominant fruit or berry notes, with higher alcohol levels.	ü  Amarone della Valpolicella ü  Banyuls ü  Barolo Chinato ü  Bordeaux ü  Cabernet Sauvignon ü  Dry Marsala ü  Malbec ü  Merlot ü  Ruby Port ü  Sangiovese  ü  Shiraz ü  Vin Santo del Chianti

Chickpea Dates Cake (With alternatives)

3 medium ripe bananas, mashed (organic if available)

3 tablespoons maple syrup or honey  

1/4 cup + 2 TBSPs aquafaba (liquid from canned chickpea or 

               Cannellini beans, or 2 eggs)

2 tablespoons avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil (or Canola if not available)

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups chickpea flour (almond or regular flour if not available)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cardamom, optional

Pinch sea salt

6-8 large pitted chopped dates (or chopped walnuts, other nuts, or dried fruit)

1.    Preheat your oven to 350F degrees. Butter a standard loaf pan. Set aside. 

2.    Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth. Add in maple syrup or honey, oil, and vanilla; stir well.

3.    Dry ingredients: in a bowl add the chickpea flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and cardamom; combine.

4.    Fold in the chopped dates or nuts. Pour the batter into prepared loaf pan and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

5.    Allow the bread to cool in the pan for a few minutes before removing it.  Slice and enjoy! 

Chickpea flour is also called besan flour, garbanzo bean flour. If you are gluten-free chickpea, almond, and gluten-free flour can be used. I made 2 and froze then into thick slices.  When they thaw out you could heat a few minutes in skillet… Moist and Delicious. 

Why It's Better to Eat Products in Season

Fruits and Vegetables in Season

Today with the arrival of modern greenhouses and new shipping means, nearly all fruits and vegetables can be eaten year-round. However, once on our table, the taste of fresh vegetables or fruit cannot compare to the ones that have been refrigerated in compartments for weeks or even months.  By being exposed to natural light, rather than artificial cold, the vegetables contain their antioxidants that come from the sun and bring their many benefits to our entire body.  Changing the foods on our table according to the seasons also means diversifying in the intake of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that our body needs, especially if we choose organic products.

 If we want to experience the heart and soul of what makes food divine, we have to eat what’s in season. This is a deeply ingrained value that I inherited. Mediterranean cooking is considered a sustainable regimen that respects the environment and its cultural traditions. The secret lies in its local, and, most importantly, seasonal ingredients. Eating seasonally means you’re eating fresh ingredients at the height of their flavor. This experience impacts the desire to go back to jarred food or deep frozen ingredients that may have been preserved for months or years.  If you eat the right ingredients in the right months, you will experience the very best of a cuisine.  What better way to experience one of the world’s greatest cuisines than to approach it with the care and respect that it deserves?

Important aspects to understand related to fruits and vegetables in season:

Taste and Aroma: Choosing fresh products that are harvested according to their natural maturation are remarkable assets to our palates. Freshly ripened fruits and vegetables have an unparalleled flavor, have their own characteristic aroma, and are much more colorful. Out-of-season products leave a lot to be desired with regard to quality and taste. It is preferable to follow the natural cycle of fruits and vegetables.

Environmental Choice: Include fruits and vegetables that are environmentally friendly. The growing of fruit and vegetables out of season increases the pollution on our planet. The increased pollution is due to the industrial process which involves the use of artificial energy, often coming from fossils fuels, to heat and keep greenhouses lighted. In addition, products out of season are often imported from other states or countries, whereby even transport methods can produce pollution.

Nutrition: Seasonal fruits and vegetables are more nutritious. They follow their natural cycle so they are richer in essential elements for the well-being of our body. Fruits and vegetables need the ability to grow on their vine as nature intended. This means they will contain larger amounts of vitamins and minerals which is essential for health.  Purchasing directly from local or nearby merchants is an advantage to us, because purchases are made at zero or short distances, yielding reduced usage of transportation.

Reduction of pesticides:  Products grown in season and organic will have much lower quantities of pesticides. The vegetables and fruits that are forced to grow, not according to their natural cycle, appear weaker and therefore are more vulnerable to insects.

Lower Price: Non-seasonal fruits and vegetables cost more because they are imported and transported for long distances which carry an increased cost to consumers.

Lentil Soup in Red Wine and Broccoli

Lentil Soup in Red Wine and Broccoli 

10 ounces fresh broccoli florets

2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided

1 teaspoon coriander seeds

1 cup red wine, divided

1 medium sweet onion, minced

1 carrot, minced

1 celery stalk, minced

8 ounces small lentils, rinsed                                                                                                   

2 bay leaves                                                                                                                 

6 ounces tomato sauce    

4-5 cups broccoli water

Sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Pinch red pepper flakes                                                 

Pinch ground coriander

Small Brown Lentils

Steam or boil the broccoli florets for 2-3 minutes.  Strain reserving all of the broccoli water and set aside.

In a small skillet, add a few drops of olive oil and coriander seeds on low heat; stir until just fragrant.  Add the broccoli florets; cook on medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes.  Add 1/2 cup of wine and cook to reduce by half.

In a large pan, on medium-low heat, add the 2 tablespoons oil. Add the onion, carrot and celery and cook 8-10 minutes or until soft. Add the lentils; cook 10 minutes. Add ½ cup wine and reduce slightly.  Add the bay leaves, tomato sauce, and some of the broccoli water; Cover and cook 10-15 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Remove the bay leaves and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes as needed.

Serve the soup in bowls with a tablespoon of hot broccoli in the center, a thread of olive oil, and a sprinkle of ground coriander.

 

Broccoli Florets

Lentils are legumes rich in nutrients, which are typically enjoyed as a side dish or a main soup entrée.  These lentils are cooked in sautéed vegetables, flavored with aromatic bay leaves and coriander seeds, and with a rich red wine reduction. In Italy, when lentils are prepared in larger quantity, it symbolizes good fortune and abundance coming throughout the year, especially if they are cooked for New Year’s Eve.

Have fun discovering my Lentils Soup in Red Wine and Broccoli recipe. 

A Great Chef Knife for the Perfect Meal

Choosing a quality chef knife

Many of you have asked me which knife is best to use for cooking at home. Here is some information that may help you choose:

Quality chef’s tools are the most important part of preparing the perfect meal. There’s no doubt that foremost among tools is a quality chef’s knife. A chef’s knife works as an extension of the arm in every step of the cooking process from prep to plating. The perfect knife needs to be able to handle big, bulky foods but also be delicate enough to handle smaller, more fragile foods.

The team at Reviews.com recently looked at leading knife brands to find which performed the best, ultimately hand-testing 11 models. While some knives rose to the top as great performers, one of the most important things they found was that there is no one perfect knife for everyone. The best way to go about finding a great knife is to get an idea of your preferences and then handle knives in-store to find what feels best.

Knife framework:
Those who are newer in the kitchen or who may not have formal training may want to familiarize themselves with the anatomy of a kitchen knife. This will help you understand what you’re reading about different knife specs and make communication easier with salespeople you may run into.

Butt - the back end of the handle
Heel - the back end of the blade, close to the fingers
Tip - the front half of the blade (not to be confused with the point)
Point - the pointy part at the end of the knife
Edge - the sharp side of the blade.
Spine - the top of the blade, this part isn’t sharp
Tang - the steel that extends past your knife and into the handle
Bolster - the thick band of steel between the handle and the heel
Granton Edge - the dimpling on the blade to keep food from sticking

Knife anatomy

Other Considerations
Now that you’re familiar with the knife’s different parts, there are a few key questions to ask yourself:

How long should the knife be?
There is a huge variety of knife lengths available for purchase. For a great multitasking knife (known as a chef’s knife or a kitchen knife), look for an 8” model. Experts like Epicurious agree that this is a great standard size that is big enough to tackle most jobs but small enough to handle for delicate movements. Smaller and larger knives than these definitely have their own place in the kitchen and are even more important in professional cooking environments, but experts like Huffington Post agree that an 8” knife is a great place to start.

How much should it weigh?
While it’s easy enough to recommend a knife length to start at, weight is much more up to the individual. These tools should be light enough to perform delicate tasks, but large enough to accomplish large prep jobs. Of course, the weight of a knife model is relative to the size of the person handling it, so this is another aspect that’s up to personal preference. 

How much should I spend?
Your choice of budget will depend very much on your own personal needs. How often will you be using it? Are you a professional or recreational chef? Are you a master culinarian or still working on your knife skills? A bigger investment doesn’t always mean a vastly better knife, but price loosely follows quality. For those who are less frequent users and have less demanding needs in the kitchen, a lower-priced option may be ideal. For professionals who need a high-performing knife, a bigger investment may be appropriate.

For additional information or to see which model may be the best fit for you,  please visit here: https://www.reviews.com/chef-knife/