Easy Shrimp Paella

So I Sautéed 10oz chopped spanish Chorizo until it was lightly golden, set aside. Sautéed 1lb. peeled shrimp about half way, set aside. Sautéed sliced shallot and crushed garlic with 2 cups Arborio rice in 2 tbsp e.v.o.o. about 2 minutes. Added a pinch of Saffron and 1 can chicken stock. Brought to a boil, reduced to a simmer and covered. simmered about 14 minutes. Added a can of fire roasted tomatoes including juice and more stock. Returned to simmer and when most of the liquid was absorbed added 6 clams (they were out of mussels) and the shrimp. The dish finished absorbing the liquid, cooking the shrimp and steaming the clams in the last say 5 minutes. Topped with chopped parsley and green onions I served it with lemon wedges, Rosemary olive oil bread, balsamic and e.v.o.o. for dipping the bread and a nice Pinot Noir.

Dinner

Marinated Black Green and Kalamata Olives, Goat Cheese, Roasted Garlic, Smoke Roasted Pepper Pork Loin, Crusty Baguette, Fresh Thyme and a little white...

Home made Banh Mi

I know, I know, the seedy baguette isn't right but it was what I could find. I made home-made Spicy Lime Mayo, Do Chua and Black Pepper Marinade Pork Loin. Incredibly delicious. In the future I am hoping I can get the "right" bread at the best asian market.

Finally, Foraging Success!

I have been looking for several years... Finally I found one. Knelt down to take a photo and saw three more. Like my brain finally clicked and made the connection. I spent 3 hours traipsing thru the woods on a wonderfull hike and on my way out these were all found within feet of the trail...

Seven black Morels and the solitary Yellow. Not a major score but enough for dinner.

So I grilled a Flat Iron steak & baby Bok Choy, Steamed assorted baby potatoes all just to keep those delicious Morels company. I sauted them in evoo with a pat of goat milk butter and a light touch of salt & pepper. absolutely delicious.

Ceviche

This Ceviche was very delicious. So I cut some Tilapia (1/2lb), Pollock (1/2lb) and Scallops(1/4lb) into bite sized peices then marinated them in a combination of the juice of Limes, Lemons, Meyer lemons and Oranges with chopped Red onion (1 large), chopped Serrano peppers (2), minced Garlic (2) and some salt (3tsp). After about 8 hours (in the fridge) I tossed in some salad shrimp (1/2lb) chopped Tomatoes (3) and Cilantro. Then let the flavours blend for 10-15 minutes, topped it with some fresh cracked pepper and served it with chips.

home made coconut ice cream

Oh yeeeeeeeeeea

Steamed Mussels, Vegetable Stirfry and Israeli Couscous

I scrubbed and debearded the Mussels then steamed them with finely chopped Lemon grass, 2 cloves Garlic, 1 Seranno chile, shallots, a little fish sauce and the juice of 1 lime for 5-7 minutes in a skillet with a tight fitting lid. Then topped them with fresh cilantro and green onions.

For the stirfry I used 2 Tbs each Sunflower seeds, Pumpkin seeds and Sesame seeds toasted in a skillet. Then I added minced garlic and a 1" piece ginger very finely minced. cooked til aromatic. then added Oyster mushrooms, Zucchini and carrots. To this I tossed in 1 bunch coarsely chopped Mint and 1 bunch coarsely chopped Watercress. topped it all with a sauce made from Black bean paste, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar and brown sugar since I was unable to find Jaggery. The contrast between the seeds and veg was wonderful. The sauce was nice and rich.

The Couscous I just cooked in mushroom stock...

The meal as a whole was fresh, crisp, earthy, rich and spicy. All in all quite delicious.

Adventure Eating - Alpine Deli

My concept of adventure eating is going somewhere you have never been before and eating something you have not tried before. This qualifies in the new place instance but not in the meal... So I was walking along on my lunch break trying to find a place to eat and I stumbled on the Alpine Deli. Thinking I would check it out I found they have all sorts of imported foods, fresh baked breads, meats, cheeses, beers, wines etc. and, they serve lunch. I settled on a couple of Brautwurst with Kraut and Warm German Potatoe Salad. Delicious I tell you. Oh yeah, I just had to pick up a Wendler Schicht Nougat Barren. It was creamy, smooth and all around amazing!

Passion Fruit

Yum Yum

Morrocan Chicken Israeli Couscous and Beet Salad

Let me say that I have hated beets with a passion since I was a child. I am sure it has something to do with those nasty pickled things from a can that tasted like sour dirt and somehow grew in size once you put them in your mouth. Now that I am older and have more discerning tastes I thought I should try them again.

Ok so I boiled them rubbed the skins off under cold running water and threw them in the fridge to chill. Then I sliced them, tossed a sprinkle of some nice kosher salt, some minced garlic, a little minced fresh Mint and Thyme, added a little olive oil and balsamic and then topped it with a nice Gorganzola. I must say this is nothing like that nasty stuff I remember from my youth. I might even be willing to taper off all the other stuff and let the beets show thru a little more in the future.

So I finally found Israeli Couscous and did it up in chicken stock with Tomatoes, fresh sliced sweet peppers, olives, green onions, minced parsley and a sprinkle of Black Lava Salt

A nice 2003 Syrah kept it all company.

Rounded out by a little grilled Chicken with a nice morrocan rub.

Kicking steamed chicken

I have not posted a real home cooked meal in a while so I figured I had better...

Ok this was real easy. I took a frozen chicken breast sprinkled a little water on it (so the rub would stick) and the rub of my choice. "Kickin chicken". put it in the steamer for 40 min. I added the Swiss chard for the last ten minutes. For the Couscous I used Chicken stock, Salt, pepper Goat milk butter, Green onions and Banana Peppers. The Couscous takes about 6 min and the steamer is a set it and forget it situation. It was simple and delicious

Adventure Eating - The Monte Cristo

So, I never had one before. It sounded interesting. It was delicious. The fresh fruit was wonderful and the sorbet toped it all off delightfully.

classic pizza with awesome-sauce

Pizza is always the right decision for dinner. I'm sure I've posted the dough recipe before, if you want it.

Bearing gifts II

You know, I love to cook...

That said, it can be very nice when someone else does all the cooking and just sets it in front of you. I am not really sure what this is, other than delicious. I guess it was sort of a cross between a seafood curry and a seafood chowder. It had lots of good stuff in it too like Crab legs, Scallops, Shrimp, Bacon, Potatoes etc.

Just a snack

Nothing like the tasty goodness of Horseradish Cheddar Pub Cheese and Smoked Oysters on an airy buttery cracker...

Bandilleras and vegetable plate

Proscutto wrapped cantaloupe

Cherry tomatoes & Black Olives, Pimento stuffed Green Olives with Capers & Cheddar

Lemon juice dipped Avacado with Smoked Gouda

Carrots, Snap Peas, Broccoli and sliced red peppers.
There was also a wonderful barbqued pizza but it didn't survive long enough for photos.

Neighbors bearing gifts

are always welcome at my door. More so if its bar-b-que pork ribs and twice baked potatoes.

Prometheus Springs

So, I stumbled on these the other day and decided to try the Pomegranate Black pepper capsacin spiced elixer... I have to say I loved it. Sweet Spicy and not too hot but that pleasant burn in the back of your throat. The whole experience made me remember buying Brainalizer when I lived in Seattle except, that was pink and carbonated. Spice up your life.

Spicy Vegan Potato Curry

I know, I haven't posted in forever, but..... this stuff is really good and should be up here.
here's the recipe:

4 potatoes, pealed and cubed

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 yellow onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

4 teaspoons garam masala

1 (1 inch) piece fresh ginger root, peeled and minced

2 teaspoons salt

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans rinsed and drained

1 (15 ounce) can peas, drained

1 (14 ounce) can coconut milk

1. Place potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until just tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and allow to steam dry for a minute or two.

2. Meanwhile, heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Season with cumin,k cayenne pepper, curry powder, garam masala, ginger, and salt; cook for 2 minutes more. Add the tomatoes, garbanzo beans, peas, and potatoes. Pour in the coconut milk, and bring to a simmer. Simmer 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

Breakfast

Sunday Mornings can be nice when you start off with a Mushroom Omelet

And finish with fresh Strawberries and fat free Cottage Cheese.
A nice French press of Coffee brewed with a little Cardamom and Coriander.
Delicious.

Special Green Curry Seafood

Ooh look , there is Squid, Muscles, Shrimp, Cod and yes I hate to admit it, I skimped on the imitation crab. Never do that again. The real Crab is so much better.

Banh Mi

Grilled Pork Bahn Mi from Vien Dong. Delicious and only $2.75. You can't beat that!

Sopa de Albondigas

For the Meatballs - 1/3 cup white rice, 1/2 lb ground beef, 1/2 lb ground pork, 1/4 cup fresh mint chopped, 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped, some dried Oregano rubbed between palms, 1 egg, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper

For the Soup - 2Tbsp Olive Oil, 1 large onion chopped, 2 clove garlic minced, 3 quarts stock (chicken beef vegetable or any combination of), 1 cup tomato sauce, 2 large carrot sliced into odd chunks, 2 zucchini sliced into 1/2" pieces, couple handfuls fingerling potatoes

cook onion until tender in olive oil, add garlic cook 1 minute, add broth and tomato sauce, Bring to boil reduce to simmer, add potatoes and carrots.

Make meatballs.

Add to meatballs and zucchini to the soup. Simmer 1/2 hour, Add cayenne pepper to taste and 1tsp dried oregano, Serve and top with fresh chopped Cilantro and a squeeze of fresh Lime.

Dinner

Pan seared Salmon, Steamed baby Broccoli, sauted Garlic Chipotle Mushrooms and Artichoke Bean salad with Blue cheese & Honey Mustard dressing

I don't really have a recipe so here goes.

For the Salmon, Salt and pepper - Pan Sear

For the Broccoli - Steam 10 min.

For the Mushrooms - heat olive oil (2 Tbsp ish) in skillet over medium high heat, add Garlic (1-2 cloves minced) saute 30 seconds, add Mushrooms, saute until they have absorrbed most of the oil, reduce heat until mushrooms release their liquid, return to medium high heat, add a palm full of ground homemade chipotle peppers, saute until most of the liquid is gone.

For the salad - 1 can Artichoke hearts quartered, 1 can Canellini beans, 1 can garbanzo beans. in a bowl wisk together some olive oil (2 Tbsp?), the vinegar of your choice (I used rice 1 Tbsp), some honey and some Dijon mustard, salt and pepper to taste. Top with blue cheese.

More honey makes it sweeter, more mustard makes it well, more mustardy...

Not Moros y Cristianos

Ok, let me say this was supposed to be a post of Moros y Cristianos but when I started cooking tonight and got to the point I needed my black beans, I turned around and realized in my rush to head off to work this morning I forgot to put the water in the bowl to soak them. In an attempt to save my big mistake, I rumaged thru the cabinets and came up with a can of Great Northern Beans. It worked and tasted great but, cannot really be called Moros y Cristianos.

So, I sauted a chopped Onion, 1 roasted Green Bell Pepper, 4 minced cloves Garlic, 1 1/2 tsp Cumin, 1 tsp Thyme, some crushed red Chipotle peppers and a bay leaf...

Stirred in 1 can Tomatoes and Chilis, 1 cup Rice, 1 can Great Northern Beans (yes should have been Black beans), 2 cups chicken stock, 1ish Tbsp Cider Vinegar, Salt and Pepper to taste, some Pimento stuffed Green Olives and some Capers. Simmered 20 minutes and here it is...

The end result tasted great. So, even with mistakes (and believe me I have made plenty) all is not ruined and dinner can be saved. I just have to be flexible...

Almonds with Sea Salt and Paprika

Blanch almonds in boiling water for about four minutes remove to cold water for 1 minute.

Skins should come right off.

Skins

Almonds ready for toasting / roasting in preheated 400 degree oven

It takes about 10 minutes stiring occasionaly

Watch. Almonds burn easily.

Sea salt / Paprika

1 1/2 Tbsp / 1/2 tsp

In a bowl, mix toasted Almonds with 1 Tbsp olive oil tossing to ensure an even coating.

Toss in Salt and Paprika. Serve warm

Making Do

Had to resort to the frozen food section

Beef with Broccoli

Marinade your beef quickly in a mixture or 2 minced Garlic (or more if you like), Pepper (to taste), 1 Egg, 2 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp Sake, 2 Tbsp Fish sauce, 1 Tbsp Corn starch, some crushed red pepper ( to taste), Stirfry until beef is almost done. Add Broccoli, Forest Mushroom, Bamboo shoots and 2 Tbsp Oyster sauce. Stir Fry until complete. serve with Jasmine Rice.

Sourdough English Muffin

With Passion Fruit Curd! Don't ask me. Becky made it.

I just know it is tasty.