Saveur Daily: Black Bean Burger with Salsa Fresca and Avocado Crema

Saveur Daily: Black Bean Burger with Salsa Fresca and Avocado Crema. http://google.com/newsstand/s/CBIwhcD6nh8

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

There are only two of us to I cut the recipe in half and if you know me you know I love that 18 year old balsamic  vinegar. All I can say is Yum as a meal or side dish

Yield: 4 main dish servings (6 as a side)

Prep Time: 20 min

 Ingredients:

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SALAD:

  •  Two 15-ounce cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  •  1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley
  •  2/3 cup chopped bell pepper (mix red/yellow/orange)
  •  3/4 cup halved grape tomatoes
  •  3 green onions, sliced
  •  12 kalamata olives, sliced in half
  •  1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese

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DRESSING:

  •  4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  •  2 tablespoons plain yogurt
  •  1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  •  1 tablespoon red wine vinegar – I used 18 year old balsamic Vinegar, cause I love the stuff
  •  1 small garlic clove, minced
  •  1/4 teaspoon cumin
  •  salt and pepper, to taste

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How:

1. In a large bowl, toss together the salad ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss. Transfer to a serving bowl and drizzle juices on top. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

 

Tips:

*Use good quality canned chickpeas for this recipe (not generic). I really think it makes a difference in the flavor of the salad.

*If you are preparing this recipe as gluten-free, be sure to use a brand of chickpeas that is known to be GF.

 

 

Source: RecipeGirl.com (adapted from The New York Times)

Rain rain rain

So here it is Monday and it is starting off the same as every other day this Memorial Day weekend. That’s not stopping me I did a dry rub on a small brisket yesterday, took it out this morning, made my mopping sauce , got the chips smoking and its on the grill. Now kick back, listen to some music and relax, time is in charge now. Pictures later.

New Grill

Got the new grill today real easy to put together, should have maybe 11\2 hours but instead officially it will be sometime from 7 to 10 business days. The door was broken hence no pictures. Oh well  I can still christen it mmmmm what shall I cook?

Grilled Lamb with Lemon and Garlic

Grilled Lamb with Lemon and Garlic

To be trendy Gluten Free

 

Ok spring has officially hit us although the last two days have been in the 40s and raw I managed to cook this over the weekend when the weather was warmer, wet but warmer and it was not only easy but good. This coming from someone who used to grill all year round. You would see my little shoveled path to the grill on the deck. Another sign of spring besides those horny little peepers in the pond across the street is a permanent shelf space reserved for asparagus.

Anyway this was easy and definitely a do it again I did add my version of Tzatziki Sauce

This was a Lyn find, with a batting of the eyes and a simple do you think you could make this? From : theperfectpantry.com recipes

Serves 8.

Steve Note:  I had a smaller piece of lamb about 1 lbs. so cut everything in half. Oh on cooking check it at 5 minute on side 2.

Ingredients

  • 2-1/2 lb boneless butterflied leg of lamb (a bit larger or smaller won’t make a difference)
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt (I use nonfat)
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
  • 1/4 tsp chopped fresh rosemary & or oregano
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp fresh black pepper
  • 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (try to find a fruity oil)

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How:

Remove the lamb from the refrigerator. Dry with a paper towel and set aside while you make the marinade.

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In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients and mix well. Add the lamb to the bowl, and massage to coat completely with the marinade. Transfer the meat and all of the marinade to a large ziploc plastic bag. Squeeze the air out of the bag, seal, and flatten the lamb so the marinade coats the entire piece of meat. Refrigerate for at least 12 hours, or up to 2 days (the longer, the better).

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To cook, heat a grill to 500°F. While the grill is heating, take the lamb out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. Wipe off all of the marinade, and discard. If necessary to create a uniform thickness (it usually is not), run some long metal skewers through the meat to hold it flat on the grill. When the grill is hot, cook the lamb for 5 minutes on the first side. Turn, and cook for 10 minutes on the second side. Then, remove the lamb from the grill and take its temperature with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part; if the temperature registers 125F (for rare lamb), remove the meat from the grill, and if not, put the meat back on the grill for a minute or two.

Remove from the heat and let the meat sit for at least 10 minutes before slicing. The thicker parts will be rare; the thinner parts will be more well done.

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Grilled ribeye rainy day steak

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When grilling I like to freeze the meat 10-15 minutes then grill. Gives nice grilled outside and moist inside. Had this with onions and mushroom sauteed in a little red wine and stir fried veggies ala Lyn. Nice way to watch the Bruins take the first round I play offs.

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Spinach and Matzoh Pie Recipe | Epicurious.com

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Spinach-and-Matzoh-Pie-242019?mbid=rotdNL&spMailingID=6331427&spUserID=MzcxMzk0NjQzNjIS1&spJobID=420449951&spReportId=NDIwNDQ5OTUxS0

Pan seared chicken thighs on a bed of shredded asparagus. Cooking from the gut.

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Love this have a glass every night, nice mellow wine and me.

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Maple Dijon Chicken

Maple Dijon Chicken

I know I have been quiet recently I think it is the cold coupled with the snow it has been storm after storm and bitter cold it just slows one down. You just want to pull the blanket up to the chin and snuggle with your honey, although I snore so snuggling with me can be rough. Anyway I got a new hone and want to try out the camera compared to Lyn’s old 3 Megapixel hand held camera.  She got that camera as a gift I think it was for her 10 year anniversary with Harvard Health this year was 15 and she chose binoculars bird watching will be fun this year if she shares. I hear the spring birds outside every morning it sounds nice even when you walk out there and your nostrils freeze shut. I throw them some seeds, don’t tell Lyn, and they are very appreciative.  So let me know what you think of the pictures I hope to get better when I become more acquainted with my new Motto X. Funny up until a few years ago Mike used to come to me and ask how do you do this and that on a computer and now I feel like my parents asking him stuff all the time. At least it is a good excuse to hear his voice, I like that voice a lot.

Here is my quick version of the jittery cooks Maple Dijon Chicken I posted last week it was soooooo good. She says 3 minutes and it does take 3 minutes to prepare just a little longer to cook but worth it.

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Maple Dijon Chicken 

  • 1 whole      chicken, cut into 8 – I only had two thighs
  • 2 onions,      halved, then sliced – I only used only 1

Maple Dijon Sauce

I always make the about same amount of sauce even when I don’t have as much chicken

I also think the sauce would be great on salmon just thicken it up slight

  • 1/2 c      Dijon mustard – I had some deli mustard with horseradish
  • 1/4 c      maple syrup
  • 2 T      unseasoned rice vinegar
  • 1/2 t      kosher salt
  • 1/4 t      freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 350F.

Mix the sauce ingredients in a 9×13-inch baking dish, then coat the chicken and onions very thoroughly in the sauce. IMG_20140304_171346991

Cook covered for about 60 minutes, then baste and cook uncovered for another 30 or so, until the juices run clear.

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I finished off with the broiler to crisp the skin some more.

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Her recipe Serves 4-6. Freezes well.