GRILLED BEEF TACOS WITH BERRY SALSA
Ingredients
Serves 4
1 tsp (5 ml) ground cinnamon
4 allspice berries, crushed
¼ tsp (1 ml) ground nutmeg
½ tsp (2 ml) garlic powder
½ tsp (2 ml) crushed red pepper flakes
1 tbsp (15 ml) dark brown sugar
1½ tsp (7 ml) salt, plus extra
freshly ground pepper, to taste
1.5 lbs (750 g) hanger steak or skirt steak
1 tbsp (15 ml) unsalted butter
1 large Vidalia onion, thinly sliced
1 tbsp (15 ml) granulated sugar
1 tbsp (15 ml) white wine vinegar
1 cup (250 ml) pilsner beer
1 cup (250 ml) fresh strawberries, sliced
1 cup (250 ml) fresh raspberries, cut in half
1 small yellow or red bell pepper, diced
1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
2 green onions, thinly sliced
⅓ cup (75 ml) fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tbsp (15 ml) liquid honey
1 tsp (5 ml) lime zest
½ tsp (2 ml) lime juice
¾ cup (175 ml) shredded red cabbage
¾ cup (175 ml) shredded green cabbage
½ cup (125 ml) shredded radicchio
8 soft corn tortillas, about 8-in (20 cm)
¼ cup (60 ml) crumbled feta or blue cheese
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk cinnamon, allspice berries, nutmeg, garlic powder, pepper flakes, brown sugar, salt and a good pinch of pepper. Rub mixture over skirt steak, place steak in a bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours.
- Grease and preheat grill over medium-high heat.
- While grill warms, make caramelized onions. Melt butter in large frying pan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. With a wooden spoon stir in granulated sugar, vinegar, beer and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once liquid has been evaporated and onions are soft, transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- To make a berry salsa, in large bowl, toss together strawberries, raspberries, bell pepper, jalapeño, green onions, cilantro, honey, lime zest and juice, and salt to taste. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Grill steak over direct heat for 3 to 5 minutes per side or until cooked as preferred. Remove from heat to cutting board to rest for 10 minutes.
- While steak is resting, toss together both cabbages and radicchio.
- When ready to serve, warm tortillas in a frying pan over medium heat, flipping once. Thinly slice steak against grain. Divide cabbage mixture among tortillas, top with sliced steak, caramelized onions, the berry salsa and a crumble of feta cheese. Serve immediately.
Drink Pairings
GIN- AND LEMON-MARINATED OLIVES
Ingredients
Serves 8 to 10
½ lemon, juice and rind
1 cup (250) ml mixed olives
1 tbsp (15 ml) gin
1 tbsp (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp (15 ml) roasted red pepper, chopped
1 pinch chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Peel rind off lemon with a vegetable peeler and cut into thin strips. Mix olives with remaining ingredients and let sit overnight. Bring olives to room temperature before serving.
Drink Pairings
FRITTATENSUPPE
Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
2 large eggs
½ cup (125 ml) whole milk
½ cup (125 ml) all-purpose flour
¼ tsp (1 ml) salt
½ tsp (2 ml) vegetable oil
6 cups (1.5 L) rich beef broth
1 cup (250 ml) cleaned oyster or white button mushrooms, coarsely chopped
3 tbsp (45 ml) finely chopped chives, for garnish
Instructions
- Whisk eggs and milk together in a bowl. Mix flour and salt together then stir into egg mixture, whisking until smooth.
- In a 10-in (25 cm) non-stick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Pour in about 3 tbsp (45 ml) of the batter and quickly tilt skillet, swirling batter to coat bottom of pan. Cook crêpe until lightly browned, about 1 minute, then flip with a spatula and cook for about 15 to 20 seconds more. Transfer to a large plate. Repeat process with remaining batter, stacking crêpes as they are done. Allow crêpes to cool.
- In a saucepan, bring mushrooms and broth to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer 5 minutes or until mushrooms have softened.
- To serve, roll 2 to 3 crêpes at a time into tight cylinders and cut crosswise into thin ¼-in (.5 cm) slices. Divide among warm soup bowls, add hot broth and garnish with chopped chives.
Drink Pairings
GRILLED FLANK STEAK WITH FLAXSEED OIL AIOLI
Ingredients
Serves 6 to 8
FLAXSEED OIL AIOLI:
1 large egg, at room temperature
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon mustard
¾ cup (175 ml) vegetable or canola oil
½ cup (125 ml) flaxseed oil
4 tsp (20 ml) fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp (30 ml) minced chives
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
GRILLED FLANK STEAK:
2 lbs (1 kg) flank steak, about ¾-in (2 cm) thick
1 tbsp (15 ml) dried parsley
1 tbsp (15 ml) paprika
2 tsp (10 ml) dried garlic flakes
2 tsp (10 ml) dried onion flakes
½ tsp (2 ml) dried thyme
¼ tsp (1 ml) cayenne pepper
2 green onions, thinly sliced on the diagonal, for garnish
white or whole wheat tortilla wraps
black beans, sliced avocado, shredded
lettuce, sliced radishes, diced tomatoes and cilantro, for garnish (optional toppings)
Instructions
- To make FLAXSEED OIL AIOLI: Combine egg, garlic and mustard in a food processor. Pulse until evenly blended
- With processor running, slowly add canola and flaxseed oil in a very thin, steady stream until completely combined. Add lemon juice and pulse until smooth.
- Remove mixture to a bowl and stir in chives. Add salt and pepper to taste
- Store aioli in an airtight container in refrigerator, for no longer than 4 days.
- To make STEAK: Lightly score steak about ¼-in (0.5 cm) deep on both sides in a diamond pattern. In a small bowl, make a dry rub by stirring seasonings together. Rub over steak. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a couple of hours or overnight.
- Bring steak to room temperature before grilling. Lightly oil grill and heat barbecue to medium-high. Grill steak with lid closed, 4 minutes. Turn and continue grilling until meat gives slight resistance when pressed, 4 to 5 more minutes. Flank steak tastes best cooked rare or medium-rare.
- Remove to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes before slicing. Cut beef against the grain into thin strips. Sprinkle with green onions. Serve thin slices of beef on a tortilla with Flaxseed Oil Aioli and toppings of choice.
Drink Pairings
GRILLED STEAK AND PEACH SALAD
Ingredients
Serves 4
SALAD:
2 lbs (1 kg) flank steak
½ cup (125 ml) olive oil, divided
2 shallots, thinly sliced into rounds
salt and ground black pepper, to taste
2 firm, ripe peaches, pitted and cut into wedges
4 cups (1 L) mixed baby greens
4 cups (1 L) chopped romaine
1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh tarragon leaves, chopped
⅓ cup (75 ml) roasted cashews, for garnish
⅓ cup (75 ml) crumbled blue cheese, for garnish
HERB DRESSING:
2 tbsp (30 ml) lime juice
¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
1 tbsp (15 ml) clover honey
2 garlic cloves, minced
⅓ cup (75 ml) finely chopped basil leaves
2 tbsp (30 ml) finely chopped mint leaves
salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat barbecue grill to medium-high. Allow flank steak to sit at room temperature while grill preheats.
- Heat ¼ cup (60 ml) oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Working in batches, add a small handful of shallot rings to hot oil, stirring constantly. Fry until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove crispy shallots with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Season immediately with a pinch of salt and allow to cool. Repeat with remaining shallot rings.
- Brush steak with 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Grill for 10 to 15 minutes for medium rare, flipping halfway through cooking time, or until desired doneness is achieved. Transfer to a cutting board and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Brush peach wedges with remaining 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil and grill until warm and grill marked, about 2 minutes on each side. Take care, as peaches can burn easily if grill is too hot. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- To make HERB DRESSING: In a medium-sized bowl whisk together all dressing ingredients. Season to taste with salt and set aside at room temperature for 20 minutes.
- To serve, toss together baby greens, romaine and tarragon and place on a large serving platter. Slice steak crosswise against the grain into ¼-in (0.5 cm) slices and place in bowl with dressing. Once all steak has been sliced and bathed in dressing, remove steak slices from dressing and drape over salad greens. Top with grilled peaches, cashews, crispy shallots and crumbled blue cheese. Serve remaining dressing alongside salad, so diners can dress salad as desired. Serve immediately.
Drink Pairings
HALF-TURKEY ROAST WITH POMEGRANATE SAUCE, WILD GRAINS AND FENNEL
Ingredients
Serves 6
½ x 14 lb (7 kg) turkey, about 7 lb (3.5 kg)
¼ cup (50 ml) unsalted butter, softened
4 cups (1 L) pomegranate juice
½ cup (125 ml) balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp (15 ml) brown sugar
1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon mustard
1 tbsp (15 ml) minced fresh rosemary
1 large garlic clove, smashed and minced
1 tbsp (15 ml) cornstarch, optional
WILD GRAINS:
1 cup (250 ml) wild rice
1 cup (250 ml) short grain brown rice
1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil, plus extra for oiling dish
1 tsp (5 ml) salt
½ tsp (2 ml) cinnamon
generous pinches of allspice, cardamom, cumin and black pepper
2 cups (500 ml) turkey or chicken stock, warmed
½ cup (125 ml) millet
19 oz (540 ml) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
½ cup (125 ml) chopped celery leaves
½ cup (125 ml) each of chopped parsley and cilantro
¼ cup (50 ml) chopped fresh mint leaves
½ cup (125 ml) pomegranate seeds
SAUTÉED FENNEL:
3 small fennel bulbs, thickly sliced
1 tbsp (15 ml) each unsalted butter and olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Skewer turkey skin along cut edges to prevent skin from rolling up during roasting. Pin or tie wing to breast to hold firmly in place. Generously season inside cavity with salt and place turkey, cut-side down, on a rack in a roasting pan. Spread softened butter over skin and generously season with salt and pepper. Place in oven and roast, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
- In a large saucepan, combine pomegranate juice, balsamic, brown sugar, Dijon, rosemary and garlic. Whisk together and bring to a boil. Remove ½ cup (125 ml) juice mixture and use for basting turkey. Boil remainder vigorously over medium-high heat until reduced to 2 cups (500 ml). Strain into a small saucepan. Stir into reduced pomegranate sauce and boil until thickened. Remove and set aside.
- Once turkey has roasted at 400 F (200 C) for 20 minutes, reduce temperature to 300 F (150 C), begin basting turkey with reserved pomegranate sauce every 15 minutes. Turkey is done when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest portion of the breast reads 170 F (65 C), about 2 more hours. Serve turkey tucked into Wild Grains with Sautéed Fennel and Pomegranate Sauce.
- To make WILD GRAINS: Cook wild rice as per package directions. Fluff with a fork and place in a large bowl.
- Heat 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil in a large saucepan. Add onion and sauté just until soft and clear. Rinse brown rice in a strainer under cold running water for 1 minute. Shake well and add to onion along with seasonings. Sauté just until rice begins to warm and smell fragrant. Stir in stock and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 40 to 45 minutes. Rice should be tender, but still a bit chewy. Remove from heat and covered for 10 minutes to steam. Then fluff with a fork and add to cooked wild rice. Set aside.
- Rinse and drain millet. Place in a dry saucepan and toast grains, just until pale golden. Stir often. Add 1½ cups (375 ml) water and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes until grains are tender and water has been absorbed. Transfer to a baking sheet and spread out to dry. Stir often, to keep grains separated.
- When millet is partially cooled, add to rice along with chickpeas and celery. Fold together and set aside while turkey is baking. About 45 minutes before turkey is done, add parsley, cilantro and mint to rice mixture and fold together. Transfer to a well-oiled baking dish. Cover with foil and place in oven alongside turkey during final baking. To serve, scatter pomegranate seeds over top.
- To make SAUTÉED FENNEL: Heat butter and oil in a large frying pan. Add sliced fennel and sauté just until slightly golden on both sides but still slightly firm. Season with salt and pepper.
Drink Pairings
KUGELHOPF
Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
1½ cups (375 ml) raisins
¼ cup (60 ml) kirsch or rum
¼ cup (60 ml) boiling water
1½ tsp (7 ml) active dry yeast
2 tbsp (30 ml) warm water (110 F or 40 C))
1 cup (250 ml) whole milk
¼ lb (125 g) unsalted butter, cubed
6 tbsp (90 ml) sugar
3 ¾ cups (925 ml) all-purpose flour
1 tsp (5 ml) salt
2 large eggs
1 tsp (5 ml) finely grated orange zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). In a small bowl, soak raisins in kirsch or rum and boiling water for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Strain, discarding any remaining liquid.
- Stir together yeast and water and let stand until foamy, 5 to 10 minutes.
- Heat milk with butter, reserving 1 tbsp (15 ml), and sugar over low heat, stirring until mixture is warm and butter is melted and sugar has dissolved.
- Sift together flour and salt into a mixing bowl. Make a well in middle of the flour and add yeast mixture. Add warm milk mixture in a slow stream, mix using an electric mixer at low speed. Increase speed to medium and beat in eggs one at a time. When mixed through, beat in drained raisins and orange zest. Continue to beat until dough is smooth and elastic, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Butter a kugelhoph mould (or bundt pan) with remaining butter, then scrape spoonfuls of dough evenly into mold. Cover top with oiled plastic wrap and a kitchen towel and let dough rise in a warm, draft-free place until it fills the baking mould, about 2 hours.
- Remove towel and gently peel off plastic wrap. Bake in the middle of the oven for 15 minutes, then loosely cover mould with foil and continue to bake until golden and a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes more.
- Remove from oven and cool in mould 2 minutes, then invert onto a rack to cool completely, about 1 hour. Dust with icing sugar.
Drink Pairings
GOLDEN WILD MUSHROOM SOUP
Ingredients
Serves 4
14 g (0.5 oz) package dried porcini mushrooms
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
6 cups (1.5 L) cleaned, sliced assorted wild mushrooms
½ red onion, peeled and finely diced
2 large garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup (60 ml) fresh thyme
¼ tsp (1 ml) sea salt, plus extra to taste
2 tbsp (30 ml) cognac
4 cups (1 L) beef stock
1 tbsp (15 ml) tomato paste
2 tbsp (30 ml) crème fraîche
1 tbsp (15 ml) minced flat-leaf parsley
2 tsp (10 ml) fresh lemon juice
freshly ground black pepper to taste
truffle oil (optional)
Instructions
- Add porcini mushrooms to a small bowl,
- Heat oil in medium-sized heavybottomed saucepan. Add freshly sliced mushrooms and stir over high heat. Add onion, garlic, thyme and salt. Chop porcini and add, reserving liquid. Stir over high heat for a minute, then add cognac to deglaze pan. Add porcini liquid, straining out grit. Reduce heat to medium, continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until moisture evaporates.
- Stir in stock and tomato paste. Bring to boil. Cover, with lid ajar, simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in parsley and lemon juice. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Ladel into bowls and dollop with crème fraîche. Dot with truffle oil, if desired. For a creamier soup, strain out ½ cup (125 ml) mushrooms, set aside. Purée soup in blender. Serve with reserved mushrooms as garnish.
Drink Pairings
LIME MARGARITA
Ingredients
Serves 2
2 cups (500 ml) ice cubes, divided
1 can (12 oz) frozen limeade concentrate
4 oz (125 g) tequila blanco
2 oz (60 g) Cointreau
Margarita or kosher salt, for rims
lime slices, for garnish
Instructions
- Working in 2 batches, place 1 cup (250 ml) ice cubes in a blender. Add limeade, tequila and Cointreau. Blend at highest speed until drink is almost smooth. Pour into a pitcher and repeat with remaining ingredients.
- To salt the margarita glasses, pour a single layer of salt on a salad plate. Moisten each glass rim with lime then dip each rim in the salt. Pour margarita mixture into each glass, garnish with lime. Serve immediately.
Featuring
GRILLED RARE BEEF, ROASTED PEPPERS AND FONTINA CHEESE SANDWICHES
Ingredients
Serves 4
2 whole heads garlic
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
2 sprigs thyme leaves
1 cup (250 ml) mayonnaise
1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice
1 tsp (5 ml) Dijon mustard
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
8 slices fontina cheese, divided
roasted peppers, canned, drained, or see recipe below
¾ lb (340 g) rare deli roast beef, thinly sliced
8 thick slices French bread or country-style loaf
olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C).
- Cut top off the heads to expose garlic cloves. Place on a piece of aluminum foil and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle with thyme leaves. Wrap up tightly with foil, and roast in oven for 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Squeeze soft pulp from skins into a food processor.
- Add mayonnaise, lemon juice and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper. Pulse until well combined. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour to allow flavours to develop.
- To assemble, spread garlic mayonnaise onto a slice of bread. Cover with a slice of fontina cheese and arrange some roasted peppers (recipe to follow) on top. Add 3 to 4 slices of roast beef and another slice of fontina. Spread garlic mayonnaise on another slice of bread and place face down on sandwich. Press down firmly.
- Repeat process with remaining ingredients. Heat a grill pan over medium heat and brush tops of sandwiches lightly with olive oil. Arrange sandwiches in preheated grill pan and weigh them down with a sandwich press or foil covered brick. Cook until cheese has melted and the bread is lightly toasted, 1½ to 2 minutes. Cut each sandwich in half and serve immediately.