SPAGHETTI SQUASH PAD THAI
Ingredients
Serves 6 to 8
SAUCE:
2 tbsp (30 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tbsp (30 ml) seasoned rice vinegar
1 tbsp (15 ml) smooth almond butter
1 tbsp (15 ml) fish sauce or tamari soy sauce
2 tsp (10 ml) sesame oil
2 tsp (10 ml) liquid honey
½ tsp (2 ml) crushed dried chillies, plus extra if desired
chicken broth, optional
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
PAD THAI:
1 medium-sized spaghetti squash
2 tsp (10 ml) unsalted butter
2 eggs, whisked
1 tbsp (15 ml) grape seed oil
2 garlic cloves, smashed and minced
1 tbsp (15 ml) peeled and grated fresh ginger
1 red bell pepper, cored and cut into thin julienne strips
1 cup (250 ml) shelled edamame beans
½ lb (250 g) black tiger prawns, peeled, deveined, tail on (optional)
1 cup (250 ml) very thinly shaved red cabbage
4 whole green onions, julienned
¼ cup (50 ml) chopped unsalted peanuts, roasted
cilantro sprigs, for garnish
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine all SAUCE ingredients. Whisk to blend. Add a little chicken broth or water, if needed, for a thinner consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- To make PAD THAI: Cut squash in half and scrape out seeds. Place squash, cut-side down, in a microwave-safe dish and fill with 1-in (2.5 cm) water. Microwave uncovered on high for about 10 minutes, or until squash is soft when pressed. Depending on the size of your microwave, you may need to cook ½ a squash at a time. Remove squash and set aside until cool enough to handle. Then scrape out strands into a large bowl using a fork. Set aside.
- Heat butter in a very large frying pan or wok with deep sides. Add eggs and scramble over medium heat just until cooked. Remove to a separate dish and set aside.
- Clean pan and add oil. Add garlic and ginger and gently sauté for 1 minute over medium heat. Add red pepper, edamame beans and prawns, if using, and stir-fry over medium-high heat for another minute or two, or just until prawns are turning opaque. Fold in spaghetti squash and drizzle with sauce. Toss over medium heat for a minute or two until warmed. Fold in red cabbage, green onions and scrambled egg. Transfer to a heated serving bowl or platter. Sprinkle with peanuts and garnish with cilantro.
Drink Pairings
SIMPLE SAVOURY MUSHROOM AND RADICCHIO TAGLIARINI
Ingredients
Serves 4
2 tbsp (30 ml) unsalted butter
3 tbsp (45 ml) olive oil, divided, plus extra
2 large shallots, peeled and sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium portobello mushroom, peeled, gills scraped and sliced
1 cup (500 ml) mix of cleaned and sliced chanterelles and shiitakes
10 large fresh sage leaves, cut into thin ribbons
⅓ cup (75 ml) dry white wine
1 lb (500 g) package tagliarini pasta (or pappardelle)
½ cup (125 ml) ricotta or cream cheese, room temperature
2 eggs, whisked
1 small head radicchio, leaves torn into small bite-sized pieces
⅓ cup (75 ml) finely grated Parmesan, plus extra
¼ cup (60 ml) each, coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley and fresh oregano
salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Melt butter and 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil in a large frying pan. Add shallots and sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until soft and lightly golden. Add garlic, mushrooms and sage and continue to sauté for 4 or 5 minutes, until mushrooms are pale golden and tender. Add a little more oil if needed. Deglaze pan with white wine and cook until reduced by half. Cover and turn off heat.
- Cook pasta in a large saucepan with lightly salted boiling water for 10 to 12 minutes, or until al dente. Drain well and return to pan. Add ricotta or cream cheese and eggs. Stir vigorously until pasta is coated.
- Fold in mushroom mixture along with radicchio, Parmesan, parsley and oregano. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan, if desired.
Drink Pairings
SPIKED BLACKBERRY-CITRUS PASTRIES
Ingredients
Serves 12
CRUST:
8 oz (125 g) plain cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup (250 ml) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups (500 ml) all-purpose flour
2 tbsp (30 ml) granulated sugar
½ tsp (2 ml) vanilla
1 egg, whisked
3 tbsp (45 ml) raw brown sugar
FILLING:
1 cup (250 ml) fresh blackberries
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and finely diced
¼ cup (60 ml) light brown sugar
1 tbsp (15 ml) cornstarch
zest from ½ orange
½ tsp (2 ml) cinnamon
2 pinches crushed red chili flakes
2 pinches salt
Instructions
- To make CRUST: In a food processor with metal blade, combine cream cheese and butter and pulse until smooth and creamy. Add flour, granulated sugar and vanilla and pulse until it starts to hold together. Turn out onto a clean work surface lightly dusted with flour. Pat into a rectangle and tightly seal in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or preferably overnight.
- When ready to roll and bake, remove dough from refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Position racks in bottom and top third of oven. Line a 2 baking sheets with parchment. Lightly dust a rolling pin and work surface with flour. Roll dough into a rectangle slightly larger than 12 x 16-in (30 x 40 cm). Loosen dough a few times, adding flour underneath so it doesn’t stick. Trim rectangle to 12 x 16-in (30 x 40 cm) and cut into eight 4-in (10 cm) squares. Brush edges of squares with whisked egg.
- In a large bowl, gently toss FILLING ingredients together to evenly mix. Divide equally among squares of dough, about 3 blackberries and some diced apples per square. Bring points of pastry together in a triangle shape, dampen edges and pinch edges to seal. Place on prepared baking sheets.
- Brush pastries with egg wash and sprinkle with raw brown sugar. Cut 1 or 2 steam holes in top of each with a paring knife. Bake pastries until golden brown and filling is bubbly, about 25 to 30 minutes. Alternate and swap baking sheet positions halfway through baking. Remove and let cool for a few minutes on sheets. Then with a thin spatula, remove pastries to a rack and cool completely.
Drink Pairings
SHAVED BEEF CROSTINIS WITH CARAMELIZED ONION AND HORSERADISH
Ingredients
Serves 16
CROSTINIS
1 sourdough or whole grain baguette, cut into 16 x ¼-in (0.5 cm) slices
3 tbsp (45 ml) olive oil, plus extra if needed
salt and freshly ground black pepper
CARAMELIZED RED ONIONS
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
2 large red onions, peeled, halved and thinly sliced
1 large garlic clove, smashed and minced
1 tbsp (15 ml) brown sugar, plus extra if needed
2 tbsp (30 ml) balsamic vinegar
HORSERADISH CREAM
½ cup (125 ml) crème fraîche
2 tbsp (30 ml) creamed horseradish
2 tsp (10 ml) minced fresh tarragon
½ tsp (2 ml) Dijon mustard
BEEF TENDERLOIN
2 lbs (1 kg) centre-cut piece of beef tenderloin, well trimmed
3 tbsp (45 ml) olive oil, divided
salt and freshly ground black pepper
16 pieces of fresh tarragon, for garnish
Instructions
- For Crostinis, preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Arrange baguette slices on baking sheet in a single layer. Brush lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake until crisp and golden on both sides, about 15 minutes. Remove, cool to room temperature and store in airtight container until ready to use. Store up to 5 days.
- To make Caramelized Red Onions, heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed frying pan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and sauté, stirring often, until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add sugar and vinegar and continue to sauté, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden and caramelized, about 25 to 35 minutes. Remove to a small bowl and cool. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Refrigerate for up to a week.
- To make Horseradish Cream, in a bowl, combine all ingredients. Whisk together until smooth and creamy. Transfer to a squeeze tube with a large nib and refrigerate until ready to use. Use within a couple of days.
- Remove Beef Tenderloin from refrigerator and rest at room temperature. Place oven rack in centre of oven and preheat oven to 425 F (220 C). Rub beef with 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil and generously season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil in a large, ovenproof frying pan until it almost begins to smoke. Carefully place beef in pan and sear about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
- Transfer frying pan with beef to oven and roast, turning beef occasionally with tongs, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into centre of beef registers 125 F (52 C), for very rare to rare, about 20 minutes. For medium rare, roast until beef reads 130 F (54 C), about 5 minutes longer. Remove from oven, place beef on a board and cool to room temperature. Tightly wrap beef with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 4 hours or overnight.
- To serve, take beef from refrigerator and remove wrap. Place beef on a cutting board and shave crosswise into very thin ⅛-in (0.25 cm) slices. Arrange crostini on a serving tray. Top each with a generous dollop of Horseradish Cream, then Caramelized Red Onions. Place a couple pieces of beef on top of each and garnish with fresh tarragon.
Drink Pairings
SEARED DUCK BREAST WITH SPICED POMEGRANATE SAUCE AND RELISH
Ingredients
Serves 4
POMEGRANATE RELISH
½ small red onion, finely chopped
1½ cups (375 ml) pomegranate seeds
¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1½ tsp (7 ml) freshly grated lime zest
1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh lime juice
1 tbsp (15 ml) sherry or red wine vinegar
½ cup (125 ml) coarsely chopped fresh mint
½ cup (125 ml) coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
salt and freshly ground b lack pepper
DUCK
2 tbsp (30 ml) granulated sugar
¼ cup (60 ml) water
1 cup (250 ml) fresh pomegranate juice
1 cup (250 ml) chicken stock
1 small cinnamon stick
2 whole cloves
1 pinch ground cumin
1 tsp (5 ml) adobo sauce, from canned chipotle chilies (optional)
1 tsp (5 ml) balsamic vinegar
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 x 6 oz (180 g) boneless duck breasts
Instructions
- To make Pomegranate Relish, in a small bowl, mix together all ingredients. Stir to blend. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cover and chill for up to 1 hour before serving.
- To make Duck with sauce, in a heavybottomed, medium saucepan, mix together sugar and water over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and swirl saucepan until mixture caramelizes to a deep amber colour. Carefully add pomegranate juice, chicken stock, cinnamon stick, cloves, cumin, adobo sauce (if using) and balsamic. Boil until sauce is reduced to about 1 cup (250 ml), about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove cinnamon stick and cloves. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and set aside until ready to use. Rewarm over low heat before serving.
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C).
- Score skin of duck without cutting into flesh, with 4 to 5 cuts on the bias in 1 direction and repeating in opposite direction, making a diamond pattern. Season both sides of breasts with salt and black pepper.
- Heat 2 large ovenproof frying pans over medium-high heat. When hot, add 2 duck breasts skin-side down to each pan. Cook until duck skin is crisp and deep brown, about 7 to 8 minutes. Turn each breast over and cook another minute. Pour off excess fat (reserving for another use). Transfer pans to oven and roast until cooked medium-rare, about 5 minutes.
- Transfer to cutting board and allow to rest, 5 minutes. Thinly slice crosswise on slight diagonal and arrange on plates. Spoon sauce over top and garnish with Pomegranate Relish.
Drink Pairings
STEAK AND SCALLOPS WITH CHAMPAGNE VANILLA SAUCE
Ingredients
Serves 4
STEAK AND SCALLOPS:
4 beef tenderloin steaks, each about 6 oz (180 g)
salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp (30 ml) grapeseed oil, divided
12 large sea scallops
CHAMPAGNE VANILLA SAUCE:
1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
1 tbsp (15 ml) unsalted butter
3 tbsp (45 ml) finely diced shallot
1 cup (250 ml) champagne
½ vanilla bean, split in half
1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice
2 tsp (10 ml) potato starch
2 tbsp (30 ml) chopped fresh parsley
2 tsp (10 ml) chopped fresh tarragon
crushed pink peppercorns, for garnish
Instructions
- Let steaks sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Preheat 1 tbsp (15 ml) grapeseed oil in large frying pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add steaks and cook turning once until medium rare, about 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until desired doneness. Transfer to plate, cover lightly with foil and set aside while cooking scallops.
- Wipe out frying pan, add ½ tbsp (7 ml) grapeseed oil and return to mediumhigh heat. Season scallops with salt and pepper. Add half the scallops to pan and cook turning once until opaque and cooked through, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Add remaining ½ tbsp (7 ml) grapeseed oil to pan and repeat cooking process with remaining scallops.
- To make CHAMPAGNE VANILLA SAUCE: Wipe out frying pan again before warming olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add shallots along with a pinch of salt and cook until soft and translucent, about 2 minutes. Add champagne and vanilla bean, bring sauce to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together lemon juice and potato starch. Add to champagne mixture in frying pan and whisk constantly until slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Remove sauce from heat, remove vanilla bean and stir in parsley and tarragon.
- To finish, slice each steak thinly before dividing among serving plates. Arrange 3 scallops around or over top of steak and drizzle with warm Champagne Vanilla Sauce. Garnish with crushed pink peppercorns and serve with your favourite seasonal vegetables alongside.
Drink Pairings
SPARKLING WINE AND MELON SORBET
Ingredients
Serves 6
1½ cups (375 ml) sweet sparkling wine or Prosecco
1 cup (250 ml) granulated sugar
1 tbsp (15 ml) light corn syrup
½ medium cantaloupe, small watermelon or honeydew melon, seeded, skinned and cut into chunks
1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- In a medium-sized saucepan over medium-high heat, bring sparkling wine, sugar and corn syrup to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and, stirring often, cook mixture for 4 minutes, making sure sugar has dissolved before removing from heat and setting aside to cool to room temperature.
- Meanwhile, in a blender, purée melon of choice and lemon juice together until smooth. Measure out 1¾ cups (425 ml) purée and reserve any remaining purée for another use.
- In a bowl, whisk together champagne mixture with melon purée until well combined. Pour mixture into a resealable freezer bag and freeze until frozen, about 8 hours or preferably overnight.
- Break up frozen mixture and pulse in a food processor fitted with steel blade attachment until smooth. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze at least 2 to 3 hours before serving. Sorbet may be kept frozen for up to 5 days. Serve in a champagne glass with a fresh pouring of sparkling wine or Prosecco.
Drink Pairings
SPINACH AND RICOTTA GNOCCHI
Ingredients
Serves 6
1 x 1 lb (500 g) package frozen chopped baby spinach, thawed
3 tbsp (45 ml) chopped fresh chives
1½ cups (375 ml) ricotta cheese
½ cup (125 ml) finely grated Romano cheese, plus extra for garnish
1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon zest
1¼ cup (300 ml) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
2 large eggs
½ tsp (2 ml) salt, plus extra
5 heirloom tomatoes, sliced
1 cup (250 ml) halved cherry tomatoes
fresh basil, for garnish
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
extra-virgin olive oil, for garnish
Instructions
- Squeeze any excess moisture from spinach and coarsely chop before adding to a large bowl along with chives, ricotta, Romano cheese, lemon zest, flour, eggs and salt. Mix well with hands to form a soft dough. Tip dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and divide into roughly 2 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 16-in (40 cm) long, before cutting into 1-in (2.5 cm) pieces. Transfer to a lightly floured baking tray and lightly dust with extra flour. Refrigerate gnocchi until ready to cook.
- Bring a large saucepan of salted water to boil over high heat. Cook gnocchi in batches for about 5 minutes or until they float.
- Divide tomatoes and gnocchi among serving plates, top with basil and salt and pepper. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle with Romano cheese.
Drink Pairings
STEELHEAD TROUT WITH CANNELLINI, POTATO MASH AND FENNEL SALAD
Ingredients
Serves 4
2 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into large dice
2 large garlic cloves, chopped and divided
2 small fennel bulbs
3 tbsp (45 ml) lemon juice, divided
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
1 large shallot, peeled and minced
1 x 14 oz (398 ml) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup (250 ml) chicken stock
3 tsp (15 ml) lemon zest, divided
2 tbsp (30 ml) chopped flat-leaf parsley, divided
salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 x 4 oz (125 g) steelhead trout fillets, skin on
1 tbsp (15 ml) salted capers, rinsed and drained
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Add potatoes and 1 garlic clove to medium saucepan filled with lightly salted boiling water. Gently boil, uncovered, until potatoes and garlic are fork-tender, about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, trim fronds from fennel bulbs, chop fronds and reserve. Thinly shave fennel bulb using a mandoline and place in bowl filled with cold water and 1 tbsp (15 ml) of the lemon juice. Set aside.
- When potatoes are fork-tender, drain, reserving liquid. Using a hand masher, coarsely mash potatoes and garlic adding a little of the reserved water to make it somewhat smooth but still holding shape. Set aside.
- In a frying pan, heat 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil. Add remaining garlic clove to hot oil along with shallot. Sauté over low heat until soft, about 2 minutes. Add cannellini beans along with chicken stock. Gently cook with lid slightly ajar, stirring occasionally, until stock is reduced by half. Fold in mashed potatoes along with 1 tsp (5 ml) lemon zest and 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice. Gently mash just until chunky. Add 1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped parsley, salt and pepper to taste. Cover to keep warm.
- Place trout, skin-side down, on prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with a little olive oil to lightly coat. Rub with 1 tsp (5 ml) lemon zest and bake in preheated oven for 5 minutes or just until fish is cooked on the outside and still a little rare on inside. Remove and let rest.
- Thoroughly drain fennel, shaking in a sieve to remove as much water as possible. Return to bowl along with capers, remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped parsley and chopped fronds. Drizzle with a little olive oil, remaining 1 tsp (5 ml) lemon zest and 1 tbsp (15 ml) juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- To serve, place a generous scoop of potatoes in a serving bowl. Top with trout fillet and tuck a generous portion of fennel salad alongside.
Drink Pairings
SHAVED SPRING FENNEL SALAD
Ingredients
Serves 4
2 red grapefruits
2 blood oranges
2 navel oranges
3 tbsp (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp (15 ml) honey
2 tbsp (30 ml) sherry vinegar
½ tsp (2 ml) coriander
½ tsp (2 ml) sumac
sea salt, to taste
2 fennel bulbs, halved, cored and thinly sliced on a mandolin, and soaked in ice water
2 tbsp (30 ml) fennel fronds, coarsely chopped
3 tbsp (45 ml) finely sliced mint leaves
¼ cup (60 ml) coarsely chopped roasted pistachios
Instructions
- With a sharp knife, cut skin and white pith from grapefruits and oranges. Working over a bowl, cut between membranes to release the sections into the bowl. Squeeze membranes to extract the juice.
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, sherry vinegar, coriander and sumac. Add 3 tbsp (45 ml) citrus juice and season. Reserve remaining citrus juice for another use.
- Remove shaved fennel from ice water and drain well. In a shallow serving bowl, toss fennel and citrus with vinaigrette. Garnish with chopped fennel fronds, mint leaves and chopped pistachios. Serve immediately.