Plank-Grilled Salmon with Strawberry & Green Olive Tapenade
Ingredients
Serves 4
1 cedar plank, for grilling (about 17 in/43 cm)
¾ cup (175 ml) diced fresh strawberries
⅓ cup (75 ml) chopped pitted green olives
¼ cup (60 ml) thinly sliced green onions
¼ cup (60 ml) chopped fresh flat leaf parsley leaves
2 tbsp (30 ml) chopped fresh chives
2 tbsp (30 ml) red wine vinegar
2 tsp (10 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
4 x 6 oz (170 g) skin-on salmon fillets
1 tbsp (15 ml) grapeseed oil
Instructions
- 1 to 2 hours before cooking, submerge cedar plank in water. When ready to cook, preheat grill to medium.
- To make tapenade, in a medium bowl, mix together strawberries, olives, green onions, parsley, chives, vinegar, soy sauce and olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.
- Place cedar plank on grill. Coat salmon in grapeseed oil and season with salt and pepper. Place salmon skin-side down in a single layer on cedar plank. Cover and grill until salmon is uniformly pink in centre, about 12 to 15 minutes depending on thickness of salmon.
- Transfer plank to a heatproof serving platter and spoon tapenade over salmon. Serve immediately.
Drink Pairings
Sweet & Spicy Tofu & Pineapple Skewers with Cauliflower Rice
Ingredients
Serves 4
12 oz (350 g) extra firm tofu
¼ cup (60 ml) tomato paste
2 tbsp (30 ml) liquid honey
1 tbsp (15 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
2 tbsp (30 ml) grapeseed oil, divided, plus extra for grilling
1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped canned chipotles in adobo sauce
½ tsp (2.5 ml) garlic powder
¼ tsp (1 ml) onion powder
½ tsp (2.5 ml) finely minced fresh ginger
1½ lbs (750 g) cauliflower florets
½ fresh pineapple, trimmed and cut into 1-in (2.5 cm) chunks
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
⅓ cup (75 ml) fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped, plus extra for garnish
⅓ cup (75 ml) fresh flat leaf parsley leaves, finely chopped, plus extra for garnish
⅓ cup (75 ml) fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
2 green onions, trimmed and thinly sliced
1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Place tofu on a paper towel-lined plate. Place another couple sheets of paper towel on top of tofu and place a plate on top of paper towel. Place a can or 2 of beans or something else heavy on top of plate. Let sit for about 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together tomato paste, honey, soy sauce, 1 tbsp (15 ml) grapeseed oil, chipotles, garlic powder, onion powder and ginger until well combined. Set aside.
- To make cauliflower rice, place cauliflower florets in bowl of a food processor fitted with steel S blade attachment. Pulse until mixture resembles rice, working in batches if needed. Set aside.
- Preheat grill to high. Cut tofu into 1-in (2.5 cm) cubes and thread tofu and pineapple chunks onto 4 to 6 metal skewers. Place on a plate and brush each skewer all over with grapeseed oil. Set aside.
- Add remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) grapeseed oil to a large frying pan and warm over medium heat. Add riced cauliflower all at once, season with salt and pepper and cover with a lid. Let cook for 1 minute, remove lid and stir in chopped herbs, green onion and lime juice. Continue to cook, stirring often, until cauliflower is al dente, about 4 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat, season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.
- Place skewers on grill and close lid, letting them cook until nicely grill-marked, about 3 minutes. Flip skewers and close lid again, again letting them cook until grill-marked, about 2 to 3 minutes more. Brush half the sauce over skewers and flip. Let cook until sauce starts to caramelize, about 2 minutes. Brush skewers with remaining sauce and flip again, cooking until skewers are evenly caramelized, about 2 minutes more.
- To serve, spoon cauliflower rice onto a platter and place skewers on top. Garnish with additional cilantro and parsley.
Drink Pairings
Raspberry Jalapeno Beef Ribs
Ingredients
Serves 4
5 lbs (2.27 kg) beef back ribs, cut into single bone portions
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 cups (500 ml) apple juice, divided
¼ cup (60 ml) + 3 tbsp (45 ml) raspberry jam, divided
½ cup (125 ml) red wine vinegar
¼ cup (60 ml) pickled jalapeño juice, from a jar
1 tbsp (15 ml) + 1 tsp (5 ml) kosher salt, divided
2 tbsp (30 ml) light brown sugar, divided
1 tsp (5 ml) ground coriander
2 tbsp (30 ml) sweet paprika
1½ tsp (7 ml) ground cumin
¾ tsp (4 ml) garlic powder
¾ tsp (4 ml) ground black pepper
1½ tsp (7 ml) dry mustard powder
¼ cup (60 ml) tomato paste
3 tbsp (45 ml) water
1 tsp (5 ml) chili powder
2 tbsp (30 ml) chopped pickled jalapeños
2 cups (500 ml) fresh raspberries, plus extra for garnish
vegetable oil, for grilling
2 green onions, sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- Divide ribs between 2 large zip-top bags. In a medium bowl, mix together onion, ½ cup (125 ml) apple juice, ¼ cup (60 ml) jam, vinegar, jalapeño juice, 1 tbsp (15 ml) salt, 1 tbsp (15 ml) sugar and coriander until well combined. Divide evenly between bags with ribs, seal and shake to coat ribs in marinade. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours. Shake and rotate bags 2 or 3 times to ensure ribs are equally coated.
- Preheat oven to 325 F (170 C). In a small bowl, whisk together paprika, remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) sugar, cumin, garlic powder, pepper, mustard and remaining 1 tsp (5 ml) salt to make dry rub.
- Remove ribs from marinade, reserving marinade, and pat dry with paper towel. Sprinkle dry rub all over ribs. Transfer ribs, meat-side up, to an 18 x 13-in (46 x 33 cm) rimmed baking sheet, or two 9 x 13-in (23 x 33 cm) rimmed baking sheets, in a single layer. Pour remaining 1½ cups (375 ml) apple juice into bottom of baking sheet(s), cover tightly with foil and transfer to oven. Bake until tender, about 2 to 2½ hours.
- Meanwhile, make raspberry jalapeño glaze. Strain reserved marinade, discarding solids. Measure out 1 cup (250 ml) liquid, transfer to a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Any excess marinade can be discarded. To saucepan, stir in tomato paste, water, chili powder, remaining 3 tbsp (45 ml) jam, pickled jalapeños and raspberries. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring often, until raspberries have broken down and glaze has thickened slightly, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Just before ribs are done, preheat grill to medium-high. Brush grills with a little vegetable oil, then place ribs on grill. Cook, turning occasionally and brushing often with glaze, until just beginning to caramelize, about 6 to 8 minutes. Garnish with green onion and fresh raspberries and serve with any remaining glaze for dipping.
Drink Pairings
Grilled Scallops with Lemon Salsa Verde
Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
2 tbsp (30 ml) finely chopped flat leaf parsley leaves
1 small garlic clove, finely minced or grated
3 tbsp (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
½ lemon, rind removed, pulp cut into segments
3 capers, finely chopped
1 small anchovy fillet, mashed
1 tsp (5 ml) finely chopped shallot
1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
12 medium scallops
kosher salt, to taste
Instructions
- To make lemon salsa verde, in a bowl, mix together parsley, garlic, 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil, lemon segments, capers, anchovy, shallot and pepper, and set aside.
- Preheat barbecue to high. Toss scallops in salt and remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil. Grill for about 1 to 2 minutes per side, or until cooked all the way through.
- Serve in a bowl or scallop shells, topped with lemon salsa verde.
Drink Pairings
Tuna Nduja
Ingredients
Serves 1⅔ cups (400 ml)
6 oz (170 g) fresh ahi tuna, roughly chopped
½ cup (125 ml) whipping cream
½ cup (125 ml) unsalted butter, softened
1 tbsp (15 ml) Calabrian Bomba chili paste, or 1 serrano chili, finely chopped, or to taste
1 tsp (5 ml) kosher salt
½ tsp (2.5 ml) black pepper
2 tsp (10 ml) smoked Spanish paprika
1 tbsp + 1 tsp (20 ml) red wine vinegar
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small food processor or blender, and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Transfer to a serving dish and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Serve with bread or crackers. Best enjoyed within 1 day.
Drink Pairings
Prawn Escabeche
Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
¾ cup (175 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
2 whole garlic cloves
1 small carrot, peeled, sliced
1 small shallot, thinly sliced
2 sprigs thyme
1 bay leaf
6 whole black peppercorns
½ tsp (2.5 ml) kosher salt, plus extra for boiling
½ cup (125 ml) white wine vinegar
1 lb (454 g) raw medium-sized prawns, peeled and deveined
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine oil, garlic, carrot, shallot, thyme, bay leaf, peppercorns and salt. Warm over medium-low heat until shallots are soft, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add vinegar. Let mixture cool to room temperature.
- Prepare an ice bath. Blanch prawns in a pot of salted boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes, or until fully cooked through and opaque. Remove prawns and shock in ice bath, then remove and drain on a paper towel.
- Place prawns in a non-reactive container and pour oil mixture over. Cover and marinate in refrigerator overnight. To serve, remove thyme, bay leaf and peppercorns from marinade and transfer prawns to a bowl. Top with marinating oil, garlic, carrot and shallot and serve with bread. Will keep for up to 3 days in refrigerator in a sealed container.
Drink Pairings
Gin-Cured Salmon
Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
1 cup (250 ml) kosher salt
1 cup (250 ml) sugar
¼ cup (60 ml) crushed black peppercorns
6 dried juniper berries, crushed
1 lemon, zest only
1 lb (454 g) sashimi-grade sockeye salmon, thicker belly portion, skin on, scales off, bones removed
3 tbsp (45 ml) gin
6 sprigs fresh dill, chopped, to serve
Instructions
- To make curing mix, in a medium bowl, combine salt, sugar, peppercorns, juniper berries and lemon zest. Spread half of curing mix in centre of a plastic wrap-lined baking sheet; curing mix should be about the same size as fish.
- Rub fish with gin. Place fish, skin-side down, on curing mix and cover with remaining curing mix. Bring edges of plastic wrap up and over salmon and wrap tightly. Place another baking sheet on top of salmon and weigh it down with several large cans or a heavy saucepan. Refrigerate for 24 hours, flipping fish halfway through.
- Remove salmon from plastic wrap and rinse off all curing mix. Fish should have a firm texture and a darker colour throughout. Pat dry well with paper towel. Slice flesh from skin, to serve, and top with dill. Any extra salmon can be wrapped tightly and kept in refrigerator for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 1 month.
Drink Pairings
Layered Rocket Cocktail
Ingredients
Serves 1
½ oz (15 ml) grenadine
crushed ice
3 to 4 ice cubes
2 oz (60 ml) yellow lemonade, store-bought
1 oz (30 ml) vodka
¾ oz (22 ml) Bols Blue Curaçao
lemon twist, for garnish
Instructions
- Pour grenadine into bottom of a tall glass and fill 2/3 full with crushed ice. In a cocktail shaker, combine ice cubes, lemonade and vodka, shake vigorously and strain into glass. Add more crushed ice to fill glass. Add blue curaçao to shaker with ice cubes, then gently swirl to chill and slightly dilute (this will help it layer better on top). Slowly pour blue curaçao over crushed ice to create the final layer. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Featuring
Watermelon Margarita
Ingredients
Serves 2
sea salt (optional)
¼ small seedless watermelon, rind removed, cubed
3 oz (90 ml) Espolòn Blanco Tequila
1 oz (30 ml) fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
¼ oz (7 ml) simple syrup* (optional)
3 to 4 ice cubes
watermelon wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- If desired, rim 2 glasses with salt: sprinkle a handful of sea salt on a small plate. Moisten rims of glasses and dip into salt. In a high-speed blender, blend watermelon until smooth. You should have about 1¼ cups (310 ml) purée. In a cocktail shaker, combine purée with remaining ingredients and shake to combine. Strain into prepared glasses and garnish with watermelon wedges.
Featuring
Whipped Dalgona Coffee
Ingredients
Serves 2
2 tbsp (30 ml) instant coffee granules
2 tbsp (30 ml) sugar or granulated sweetener
2 tbsp (30 ml) boiling water
2 oz (60 ml) Jameson Cold Brew Whiskey & Coffee
dairy or non-dairy milk of choice, to serve
honeycomb candy bar, broken, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a deep mixing bowl, combine instant coffee and sugar. Pour in boiling water and stir to mix. Using an electric mixer, blend on lowest setting to avoid splatters, then gradually increase speed until coffee starts to foam. Continue mixing until soft peaks form, about 2 to 3 minutes. To serve, add 1 oz (30 ml) Jameson Cold Brew each to 2 tall glasses, top with desired amount of cold milk, then dollop each with whipped coffee mixture and, if using, garnish with a piece of candy bar.