December 27, 2012 by stevesacooking

Whole Grain Mustard Encrusted Tenderloin Roast.

Twas the Saturday before Xmas the gifts were all wrapped.

The son was coming home and the wife was all smiles.

Yet there was still a big problem, no meal was in play.

All factors were weighed out, all cost taken in to account.

She’s was breaking her strict diet the choice was too hard to make.

There was Meyer Lemon Brisket or Pan Seared Filets or Tenderloin Roast or Almond-Crusted Salmon.

The process has now taken over a week.

Her head was spinning what would she have me make?

I looked at a lot of recipes to get the idea how to cook this meal in the end I went with my gut almost simple but added a twist when I saw the jar of Trader Joe’s whole grain mustard in the pantry. I grew up with a roast beef that had silvers of garlic inserted in the layer of fat on top and was covered with yellow mustard then roasted, I think Paul of Paul’s Market (used to be in north Falmouth MA) taught her how giving away his trade secrets to her warm smile. Anyway these days I have gotten more adventurous but found that back to the basic with this cut of meat works best. We by passed Wholefoods and went to Wegman’s they have pretty good quality and the prices seem lower. I hate shopping there just too many people all pushing and shoving, but every once in a while won’t hurt me. We still have to try the 6 AM shopping time we hear the aisles are pretty open at that time. Anyway….

Ingredients:

2 lbs. center cut tenderloin roast
1 jar of Trader Joe’s whole grain mustard – opened
Kosher salt, black pepper and olive oil

How:

Preheat the oven to 425 degree with rack in middle. I used convection cooking this time it affected my cooking time

Rinse and paper towel dry the meat

Season liberally with salt and pepper let and bring to room temp or there about

Pat dry again

Tie with twin every ½” or so to keep the roast evenly shaped for even cooking.

Don’t tell them but I trimmed the skinny side off the roast and stuck in freezer and will make a pan seared oven roasted filet meal at a later date for me, only for me just for me!!

Rub olive oil all over the meat and then season again with some salt and pepper

Spoon the mustard on roast and rub to cover liberally using as much as is required. I think I used about 1/4 to 1/3 cup

Bring meat to room temperature or there about

Place meat on rack in shallow pan if convention or roasting pan if not

Roast until temp is 120 degree for rare 125 degree for medium rare

Most of the recipes I saw said cook for 25 minutes but it took me about 40-45 minutes in convection oven. Lyn says maybe because it cooks from inside out in convection.

Remove and let sit for 15-20 minutes uncovered.

Slice in ½ inch slices

While this is cooking you can prepare your sides, in this case smashed garlic mashed potatoes and mixed vegetable in a butter sauce. Oh I had put the mashed potatoes in the turned off oven to keep warm and forgot to leave a pot holder on the handle when I took back out to put in serving dish. OW! Cooking battle scars are so much fun.

This was surprisingly easy to prepare and the roast melted in your mouth this got the three heads bobbing approval since Mike was here to share.

Passes Mustard from Trader Joe’s archives

In the world of mustard, you’ll find everything from mild yellow to fiery hot brown, as well as varieties with added herbs and spices to enhance the flavor. What you won’t find anywhere other than Trader Joe’s is a mustard quite like our Whole Grain Dijon Mustard.

Trader Joe’s Whole Grain Dijon Mustard is made in the countryside just outside the city of Dijon, ancestral home of this style of mustard. We work with a mustard maker (moutardier) that’s been crafting quality Dijon mustard since 1840, and while the production techniques have been modernized over the years, the recipe is centuries old – so old, in fact, that it’s classified as à l’ancienne, or ancient. The ancients apparently knew how to make mustard. It’s made with carefully selected, all natural ingredients like brown mustard grains and just the right amount of white wine. Rather than completely grinding the mustard, as is common, the seeds are left whole in this version, giving the condiment a little crunch to go along with its pungent-yet-smooth flavor. Excellent on sandwiches, it’s also a rousing addition to salad dressings and sauces for chicken or pork. We’re selling each 12.3 ounce jar for the excellent price of $1.79, every day.

Culinary Curiosity: While associated with the French city of Dijon, Dijon mustard is not a protected designation under EU rules. Thus, many a mustard is called “Dijon” or “Dijon-style” when in fact it may be made elsewhere. Our Whole Grain Dijon? True to its name and historical origins, it’s made in Dijon, the historical capital of Burgundy.

December 24, 2012 by stevesacooking

Grilled Dolphin(s)with Mango Salsa & South Florida Succotash

In honor of the final regular season game of 2012 at home against the Miami Dolphins

Grilled Dolphin(s) with Mango Salsa & South Florida Succotash

No it’s not flipper!

grilled dolphin

Ready

Lineup up your ingredients

Mango Salsa: 2 mangos diced; 1 red onion diced; 1 bunch of cilantro (chopped) juice of 3 limes; 3 fresh jalapeños diced (optional); 2 tomatoes diced; 1 oz of olive oil
South Florida Succotash: 2 large white onion small diced; 6 oz of Spanish chorizo or bacon small diced; 1 lb of black beans cooked; 3 T olive oil; 1 lb of corn cooked; 4 large tomatoes diced; 3 cloves of garlic (small diced)
Fish: 4 pieces of 6-8 oz Mahi-Mahi fillets

Get Set

Prepare your entrée, rubs, dressing& sauces…..hut hut

Mango Salsa: Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix. Season with salt and pepper and let marinate together for at least 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
South Florida Succotash: Heat up pan and add oil. Add Chorizo or bacon then render for about 5 min over high heat. Add garlic and onion; cook until translucent. Add cooked beans, corn, tomatoes and 1 cup of water. Lower temp to medium heat and allow cooking until most of the liquid is reduced and the entire mixture thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste and hold on low temperature until fish is ready. Fish: Place Mahi on plate and drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper.

fisherman

Let’s Grill

Take it to the grill – Hike

Pre-heat the grill to 400 (Medium High). Place Mahi-Mahi on grill and cook for about 5-8 min on each side. Serve on a bed on succotash topped with salsa.

***************

Dwight Stephenson

Miami Dolphins

No. 57, Center

Pro Football Hall of Famer (HOF), Dwight Stephenson played for the Dolphins from 1980-87. Selected by Miami in the second round of the 1980 draft, Stephenson eventually became regarded by many as the best center of all time. With Stephenson as offensive captain, the Dolphin’s offensive line gave up the least sacks in the NFL for a record six straight seasons from 1982-87. In 1985, Stephenson was the recipient of the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

Dwight Stephenson (HOF)

Lenny Judice

15th Street Fisheries

Executive Chef

mahi1

The Florida Keys are well known for spectacular fishing. Islamorada is called the Sport fishing Capitol of the World, everyone knows about Hemingway’s angling exploits around Key West and Zane Grey made Long Key, in the Middle Keys, famous for catching bonefish and tarpon. Today they continue to be two of the most sought after fish in the Florida Keys despite that fact both aren’t considered good table fare. While “Catch & Release” has become standard practice throughout the Florida Keys, we shouldn’t forget there is a bounty of delicious seafood just waiting to please your palate. Whether you have been fishing the waters between Key Largo and Key West and brought home fresh seafood or have picked up your favorites at the local seafood market, the following recipes are sure to delight.

The dolphin, Coryphaena hippurus, is an excellent food fish often marketed under the Hawaiian name Mahi Mahi and sometimes the Spanish name Dorado (for its Golden color). They are one of the fastest-growing fish, thought to live no more than 5 years.

Description: bright greenish blue above, yellow on sides, with capability of flashing purple, chartreuse, and a wide range of other colors; body tapers sharply from head to tail; irregular blue or golden blotches scattered over sides; anterior profile of head on adult males is nearly vertical; head of females more sloping; the single dark dorsal fin extends from just behind the head to the tail; anal fin margin concave and extending from anus to tail.

December 24, 2012 by stevesacooking

Two Good Gumbo recipes from our New Orleans Days

Seafood and or Chicken

What is New Orleans without a big bowl of Gumbo ? Here are two recipes one for the seafood lovers and one for those who are not so crazy about seafood. I found these in the Cane River Cuisine cook book which we got when attending a tour of the plantations festival in Natchitoches, LA. TI was published by one of my favorite customers wife group, while I was with 20^th Century Fox. We have had many a good meal either taken for directly or tweaked by us.

Mama’s Seafood Gumbo

Ingredients:

3 large white onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp. Oil
1 package frozen sliced okra
1 can tomatoes
6 tbsp. Oil
6 tbsp. Flour
2 pounds cleaned deveined shrimp
2 quarts water
1 ½ cups chopped green onion and tops (scullions)
1 cup chopped parsley
4 bay leaves
2 tsps. Thyme
Salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and onion salt to taste
6 dashes of tabasco
1 can lump crabmeat
1 16 ounce jar oysters

How:

Sauté white onions and garlic in 3 Tablespoons oil. Add okra and cover until okra becomes tender. Add tomatoes. Cook for about 15 minutes. Make a dark roux using 6 tablespoons flour and 6 tablespoons oil. Add 2 quarts water slowly to roux. Stir constantly. Add okra, onion, garlic and tomato mixture. Add chopped green onions and parsley, bay leafs and thyme. Add black pepper, red pepper flakes, onion, salt and tabasco. Let cook on medium heat for 1 ½ to 2 hours, add crabmeat and oysters, Allow to cook 3 to 5 minutes longer, Serves 8 to 10

Chicken and Okra Gumbo

Ingredients

1 (2 pound) Fryer
2 or 3 cups cut okra
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 can tomatoes
½ cup oil
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons oil or bacon drippings
Pinch of sweet basil
2 cloves minced garlic
Salt and red pepper flakes to taste
Green onion tops, chopped fresh parsley or parsley flakes

How:

Cut chicken into pieces and boil in about 1 gallon water. Remove and debone. Cook okra, onions, bell pepper and tomatoes in oil slowly for about 30 minutes or until okra is not slimy. Make a roux with 2 tablespoons of flour and 2 tablespoons oil. Add roux, vegetables and chicken to hot chicken broth. Add other seasonings and cook slowly for about 2 hours. Before serving add fresh onion tops and parsley chopped fine. Serve over rice. Serves 6.

December 14, 2012 by stevesacooking

Tex-Mex Muffaletta

This is a recipe that Lyn and I found in some magazine years and years ago, although it has been a little while since I made she brought it up after I told her what my Super Bowl game day recipe was going to be. This is a good one for a help yourself party or event.

We’ve Stuffed our version of this traditional New Orleans sandwich with deli thin slice smoked chicken and Monterey Jack Cheese combined with as Lyn and I call it a the sandwich with the corn salad.

Ingredients

1/3 cup minced fresh cilantro
¼ cup lime juice
¼ cup tomato sauce
2 Tbs. white wine vinegar
1 Tbs. grated lime zest
2 clove garlic minced
1 ¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
6 Tbs. olive oil
2 yellow, red and or green pepper diced (nice to mix colors)
1 cup corn kernels
1 larger tomato diced
6 scallions chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, minced
1 round loaf crusty bread, 9” in diameter, 1 ¾ lbs
1 Lb. deli-sliced smoked chicken breast, divided into 3 equal piles (can use turkey if you want)
8 oz. Monterey Jack Cheese. Shredded about 2 cups divided into 3 equal piles

How

Salad

In a bowl mix the first 9 ingredients and then whisk in oil. Add the next 5 ingredients. Set aside

Sandwich

Slice top 1/3 from the bread and set the top aside.

Pull out center leaving ½” thick shell.

Spread 1/3 of pepper mixture on bottom, top with 1/3 of chicken and 1/3 of cheese.

Repeat layers with remaining pepper mixture, chicken and cheese.

Replace bread top

Warp with plastic wrap and refrigerate 8 hours. Server sliced in wedges

This takes about 25-30 minutes to prepare not counting the 8 hour frig time that is.

Serve with some chips and GRONKACAMOLE, Pig Skins and Beer what else!!

QUICK TIP

Use leftover bread from this sandwich to make croutons, bread crumbs or panzanella (Italian bread salad).

Cut top third of bread off and remove all leaving 1/2″ cust

layer with 1/3 corn salad, then 1/3 turkey then cheese continue finishing with corn salad

replace the top

wrap with plactic wrap tightly and refrigerate 8 hours

remove wrap

Slice

Serve

Layers are nice presentation

Muffaletta (stevesacooking.com)

December 11, 2012 by stevesacooking

Muffaletta

While working for Twentieth Century Fox I spent 2 years in New Orleans. Went from 169 to 189 lbs, learn to suck-dat-head pinch-dat-tail (crawfish) learn that “y’all” is singular just like “you guys” is in the Northeast and most especially how to slow down and enjoy. Here is a New Orleans original – the Muffaletta – is a deliciously melodious collaboration of cured meat, provolone cheese, olive salad and sesame seeded, white fluffy bread that is the sandwich’s namesake. Thank Sicily for the round sesame bread but the ingenious sandwich is a New Orleans invention. In 1906, Central Grocery, right in the French Quarter, developed the sandwich and has been the muffaletta headquarters ever since. This is where Lyn and I discovered it on one of our Sunday morning ritual to the French Quarter for chicory coffee and beignets, the Sunday paper and a trip to the Zoo with a picnic lunch. We tried one for our picnic and it was soon added to the ritual. People stood in line on a daily basis for the sandwich, as well as the in-house made olive salad (a pickled concoction of olive, celery, carrot, cauliflower, olive oil and Italian spices). I wonder if it is still there. Make this New Orleans original sandwich at home with Chef Emeril’s recipe. It’s a great game day sandwich.

Ingredients:

5 ounces pimento-stuffed olives (1 cup), sliced, plus 2 tablespoons of liquid from the jar
6 ounces chopped giardiniera (pickled Italian vegetables) (1 cup), plus 1 tablespoon of liquid from the jar
2 tablespoons drained capers, plus 2 teaspoons of liquid from the jar
3 ounces pitted Calamata olives (1/2 cup), sliced
2 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced shallot
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried parsley
Pinch of dried thyme
Pinch of crushed red pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 large loaf seeded Italian bread (about 1 1/4 pounds), split width wise – halfway between top and bottom
1/4 pound sliced fresh mozzarella
6 ounces sliced capocollo or prosciutto
1/4 pound sliced Genoa salami
1/4 pound sliced mortadella
1/4 pound sliced mild provolone cheese
Pepperoncini, for serving

How:

In a medium bowl, stir the pimento-stuffed olives with the giardiniera, capers and their respective liquids. Add the Calamata olives, garlic, shallot, oregano, parsley, thyme and crushed red pepper. Stir in the olive oil and let the mixture stand for 1 hour.

Open the Italian bread on a work surface. Spoon the olive salad on both sides of the bread and spread evenly. Arrange the mozzarella slices on the bottom half of the bread, then top with the capocollo, Genoa salami and mortadella. Arrange the provolone cheese on the top half of the bread, covering the olive salad completely.

December 7, 2012 by stevesacooking

Crispy Potato Latkes

Hey it’s the season and PK got me going, she asked if we still celebrated Xmaschunak or something like that. My answer not really. Since Mikie has grown up and out of the house we have kind of slipped away from Jewish traditions. Now Lyn’s eyes light up Xmas, Hanukkah, Birthday, Easter ………. I was not the religious one in my family but there were some things I loved and still do. Patti asked don’t you miss latkes? I do, but I can’t or should not or don’t eat like I used to, I’m sort of a good boy now, do you have a good recipe, she had peaked my interest! She replied Baked!! She is working on one for me. Then today I got an email from America Test Kitchen and the second one down Crispy Potato Latkes. Does PK have that much influence?

Latkes: Every now and then I will cheat and these would be something nice to do it with. I used to love tator tots and while growing up, these to me was like giant squished tator tots.

Published November 1, 2012. From Cook’s Illustrated.

How to Video here

Latkes come in all shapes and sizes. But the goal is always the same: lightness throughout, with a creamy interior encased in a crisp shell. To re-create this traditional Hanukkah dish, we selected high-starch russet potatoes and discovered a simple technique that yielded perfect texture, both inside and out.

Why this recipe works:

We wanted latkes that were light and not greasy, with buttery soft interiors surrounded by a shatteringly crisp outer shell. To achieve all of these goals, we needed to remove as much water as possible from the potato shreds by wringing them out in a kitchen towel and to minimize the release of what remained by microwaving the shreds briefly to cause the starches in the potatoes to form a gel. With the water taken care of, the latkes crisped up quickly and absorbed minimal oil.

Serves 4 to 6 as a side dish

We prefer shredding the potatoes on the large holes of a box grater, but you can also use the large shredding disk of a food processor; cut the potatoes into 2-inch lengths first so you are left with short shreds. Serve with applesauce and sour cream.

Ingredients

2 pounds russet potatoes, unpeeled, scrubbed, and shredded
1/2 cup grated onion
Salt and pepper
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley
Vegetable oil

Instructions

Adjust oven rack to middle position, place rimmed baking sheet on rack, and heat oven to 200 degrees. Toss potatoes, onion, and 1 teaspoon salt in bowl. Place half of potato mixture in center of dish towel. Gather ends together and twist tightly to drain as much liquid as possible, reserving liquid in liquid measuring cup. Transfer drained potato mixture to second bowl and repeat process with remaining potato mixture. Set potato liquid aside and let stand so starch settles to bottom, at least 5 minutes.
Cover potato mixture and microwave until just warmed through but not hot, 1 to 2 minutes, stirring mixture with fork every 30 seconds. Spread potato mixture evenly over second rimmed baking sheet and let cool for 10 minutes. Don’t wash out bowl.
Pour off water from reserved potato liquid, leaving potato starch in measuring cup. Add eggs and stir until smooth. Return cooled potato mixture to bowl. Add parsley, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and potato starch mixture and toss until evenly combined.
Set wire rack in clean rimmed baking sheet and line with triple layer of paper towels. Heat 1/4-inch depth of oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking (350 degrees). Place 1/4-cup mound of potato mixture in oil and press with nonstick spatula into 1/3-inch-thick disk. Repeat until 5 latkes are in pan. Cook, adjusting heat so fat bubbles around latke edges, until golden brown on bottom, about 3 minutes. Turn and continue cooking until golden brown on second side, about 3 minutes longer. Drain on paper towels and transfer to baking sheet in oven. Repeat with remaining potato mixture, adding oil to maintain 1/4-inch depth and returning oil to 350 degrees between batches. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately.
TO MAKE AHEAD: Cooled latkes can be covered loosely with plastic wrap and held at room temperature for up to 4 hours. Alternatively, they can be frozen on baking sheet until firm, transferred to zipper-lock bag, and frozen for up to 1 month. Reheat latkes in 375-degree oven until crisp and hot, 3 minutes per side for room-temperature latkes and 6 minutes per side for frozen latkes.

December 6, 2012 by stevesacooking

Schar Gluten Free Pizza

Test your knowledge on Gluten Free.

A few months ago we went to Maine to see the twins so my wife could get that baby sparkle in her eyes.

They are the cutest, taking after both parents.

Anyway while there we got to meet up with the rest of the family in Portland at a great restaurant called the Pepper Club and I keep saying it I have never had a bad meal there. Anyway not sure how we got on the subject of gluten free pizza but Nick and Marcia mentioned that they had found a great pizza crust. Up until now most that we have found frozen or not seem too dry and or crumbly. Schar Gluten Free Pizza crust was not frozen and we found it at Price Choppers for I think $7.99 for two 12” crusts. They were right it is great we have made a few different pizzas depending on what is in the frig all have been great. So if you have to or just like gluten free try this brand.

Do you want pizza made exactly to suit your taste? Top these pizza bases with anything you wish, pop them in the oven and voilà! You have an original Italian pizza with a personal touch!

The ideal starting point to satisfy your pizza craving. Schar’s basic crust allows you to create the pizza of your choice anytime you want in only 15 minutes.

Yes that was their words and an add my God I’ve gone commercial!

no additional eggs
no additional soy
no preservatives

Ingredients water, corn starch, rice flour, potato starch, corn syrup, yeast, guar gum, mono- and diglycerides, cream of tartar, baking soda, glucose, milk protein, salt, tartaric acid, citric acid, natural flavor

Serv. Size: 1/3 of pizza crust (50g), Amount Per Serving: 6, Calories 130, Fat Cal. 5, Total Fat 0.5g (1% DV), Sat. Fat 0.5g (3% DV), Trans Fat 0g, Cholest. 0mg (0% DV), Sodium 270mg (11% DV), Total Carb. 30g (10% DV), Dietary Fiber 2g (8% DV), Sugars <1g, Protein 2g, Vitamin A (0% DV), Vitamin C (0% DV), Calcium (2% DV), Iron (2% DV)

Toppings

Lyn’s sauce
Mushroom broken into pieces
Cherry tomato slice in half
Feta cheese crumbled
Baby spinach
Olives cut in half
Pepper to taste ( Lyn’s a pepper head)

Why Gluten Free?

Most people have no need to cook gluten free. For those with wheat allergies or celiac disease, however, gluten-free cooking must become a way of life. Presumably, those who are looking for gluten-free recipes already know why they cannot eat wheat, barley, rye or derivatives therefrom. The following information will, perhaps, be most useful for your relatives and friends who wonder why in the world you eat the way you do. (As an apology to those with a simple wheat allergy: We know much more about celiac than about allergies, and so the following information will apply more to those with celiac disease than those with allergies. Sorry!)

Celiac disease (also known as celiac sprue and non-tropical sprue) is a genetic disease that is most common among people of northern European descent. Recent studies have shown the incidence of this disease in the US to be 1 in 133 people. First and second degree family members of a person with celiac have a much higher chance of having the disease, more like a 1 in 20 chance. This percentage is high enough that first and second degree relatives of people with celiac should also be tested for the disease. (After all, if you had a 1 in 20 chance of winning the lottery, how many tickets would you buy?) For more information here is the rest of this article Why Gluten Free?

Here is another one

Broccoli, Chicken, Red Bell Pepper and Olive

December 2, 2012 by stevesacooking