GREMOLATA ROASTED NUGGETS AND BABY VEGETABLES
Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
1½ lbs (750 g) yellow baby potatoes
2 tbsp (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
¼ tsp (1 ml) each salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 orange, zest only
1 lemon, zest only
1 lime, zest only
2 garlic cloves, smashed and minced
¼ cup (60 ml) finely chopped flat leaf parsley
¼ cup (60 ml) finely chopped cilantro leaves
¼ lb (125 g) asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
6 baby yellow pattypan squash, halved
6 baby zucchini, trimmed
⅓ cup (75 ml) pine nuts, toasted flat leaf parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place potatoes in large bowl and drizzle with 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil, salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Spread out on parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer and bake in centre of oven for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, to make gremolata, in a small bowl combine orange, lemon and lime zest, garlic, parsley and cilantro. Gently toss together with a fork. Set aside.
- When potatoes have baked for 10 minutes, remove and stir in vegetables, then return to oven to finish baking, about 5 to 8 more minutes. Stir occasionally until potatoes and vegetables are tender but still firm when pierced with a fork.
- Halve some of the larger potatoes, if you wish, and transfer all potatoes to a large serving dish. Drizzle with another 1 tbsp (15 ml) of olive oil. Sprinkle with half the gremolata and gently toss together to evenly blend. Add more salt and pepper to taste, if desired.
- Sprinkle remaining gremolata and toasted pine nuts over top. Garnish with flat leaf parsley and serve warm.
Drink Pairings
LAMB AND MINT ROLLS
Ingredients
Serves 16 Rolls
1 tbsp (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
¾ lb (340 g) ground lamb
1 tsp (5 ml) Chinese five-spice powder
1 pinch salt
3 oz (90 g) dried rice vermicelli noodles
1 medium carrot, trimmed, peeled and grated
⅓ cup (75 ml) chopped fresh mint, plus extra
whole mint for garnish
3 tbsp (45 ml) chopped fresh cilantro, divided
¼ cup (60 ml) roasted cashews, chopped
1 tbsp (15 ml) peeled and minced fresh ginger root
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tbsp (30 ml) fresh lime juice
1 tsp (5 ml) light brown sugar
16 x 8-in (20 cm) rice paper rounds
½ cup (125 ml) hoisin sauce
2 tbsp (30 ml) unseasoned rice vinegar
1 green onion, trimmed and finely sliced
½ tsp (2 ml) crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Warm oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add ground lamb, Chinese f ive-spice and salt. Cook, stirring often, until lamb is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain off excess fat before transferring to a bowl. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Meanwhile, place noodles in a heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water. Set aside until softened, about 5 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold water and allow to drain again thoroughly. Cut noodles with scissors into roughly 4-in (10 cm) lengths.
- In a large bowl, toss together noodles, lamb, carrot, chopped mint, 2 tbsp (30 ml) cilantro and cashews. In a separate small bowl, whisk together ginger, garlic, lime juice and sugar until sugar has dissolved. Pour dressing over lamb mixture and toss to combine.
- Place a lightly dampened tea towel on a baking tray and fill a shallow baking dish with warm water. Dip rice-paper rounds, 1 at a time, in warm water, then place on another tea towel to blot excess water. Place 2 mint leaves about 1 inch from edge of each round before topping with about 2 to 3 tbsp (30 to 45 ml) lamb mixture. Roll up, folding in edges, to enclose filling. Place on prepared baking tray with dampened tea towel and cover with another lightly damp tea towel while making remaining rolls. Once assembled, lamb and mint rolls may be lightly covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 2 hours.
- To make dipping sauce, in a small bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, green onion, crushed red pepper flakes and remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped cilantro. Transfer to a serving bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.
- To serve, allow rolls to come to room temperature for 20 minutes, if previously refrigerated. Arrange on serving platter with dipping sauce alongside.
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
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
LEMON GINGER SUFGANIYOT
Ingredients
Serves 8 to 10
3 large eggs, divided
1¾ cup (425 ml) granulated sugar, divided
5 tbsp (75 ml) unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ tsp (4 ml) salt
5½ cups (1.375 L) all-purpose flour, divided
¾ cup (175 ml) finely chopped crystalized ginger
2 tsp (10 ml) finely grated lemon zest
4½ tsp (22 ml) quick-rising yeast
1 cup (250 ml) hot water
⅓ cup (75 ml) evaporated milk
2 tsp (10 ml) vanilla extract
1½ tsp (7 ml) ground ginger
BRANDY CHOCOLATE SAUCE:
1 cup (250 ml) whipping cream
2 tbsp (30 ml) brandy
1 tbsp (15 ml) brown sugar
10 oz (300 g) bittersweet chocolate
Instructions
- Mix 1 egg, ¾ cup (175 ml) sugar, butter and salt until blended. Add 5 cups (1.25 L) flour, crystalized ginger, lemon zest and yeast. Mix on low speed for 1 minute. Add hot water, milk and vanilla and stir until well blended. Add remaining eggs and flour. Stir until dough is smooth, slightly sticky and begins to come away from sides of bowl. Add more flour 1 tbsp (15 ml) at a time if dough is very sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel. Let dough rise until almost doubled in volume, about 2 hours.
- Punch down dough and cut into two equal pieces. Working with one piece at a time, roll on a lightly floured work surface into a 12x16-in (30 cm x 40 cm) rectangle. Using a 1½ -in (2.75 cm) round cookie cutter, cut as many circles as possible. Repeat with remaining dough.
- Preheat oil in a deep fryer until 340 F (170 C) registers on a deep fry thermometer. Line a baking tray with paper towel and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together remaining sugar and ground ginger until well combined. Set aside.
- Fry 8 to 10 rounds of dough at a time until puffed and golden brown, turning once, about 2 minutes total. Transfer doughnuts to paper towel-lined tray to drain. Roll warm doughnuts in sugar mixture and set aside.
- Fit a piping bag with a small star piping tip and fill with Brandy Chocolate Sauce. Pipe sauce into each doughnut. Serve warm. Alternatively, Brandy Chocolate Sauce may be served as a dip.
- BRANDY CHOCOLATE SAUCE: Bring cream, brandy and brown sugar just to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and add chocolate. Let stand 2 minutes before whisking. Once chocolate has been well incorporated, set aside. Sauce may be made up to 5 days in advance. Warm over low heat until pourable before serving.
Drink Pairings
GRILLED LOBSTER TAIL WITH ISRAELI COUSCOUS
Ingredients
Serves 4
ISRAELI COUSCOUS:
1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2½ cups (625 ml) water or chicken stock
2 cups (500 ml) Israeli couscous
1 tsp (5 ml) kosher salt
½ cup (125 ml) each, finely chopped fresh parsley and chives
½ cup (125 ml) grape tomatoes, quartered
LOBSTER:
½ cup (125 ml) butter, at room temperature
½ tsp (2 ml) red pepper flakes
1 Thai chili, seeded and finely chopped
1 small green jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 tsp (5 ml) minced garlic
1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped fresh chives
1 tsp (5 ml) grated lime zest
2 tbsp (30 ml) lime juice
4 frozen or fresh lobster tails
1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
fresh chives, for garnish
limes, for garnish
Instructions
- To make COUSCOUS: Heat oil in a medium-sized saucepan. Cook onion and garlic until soft. Add water or stock and bring to a boil. Stir in couscous and salt. Return to a boil. Cover saucepan with lid, remove from heat and let rest for 10 minutes for couscous to absorb stock and become fluffy and tender. Add herbs and tomatoes and stir in to combine. Set aside.
- Preheat barbecue to medium.
- In a small bowl, combine butter, red pepper flakes, Thai chili, jalapeño, garlic and chives. In a separate small bowl, combine lime zest and juice. Set aside.
- Using kitchen shears, cut through the shells of the lobster tails just to the end of the shell. With a knife, split meat along the shell cut-line, being careful not to slice all the way through the lobster. Open the lobster like a book and brush both sides lightly with olive oil.
- Place lobster on grill, meat-side-down, for about 5 minutes. Turn tails over and brush butter mixture onto meat. Grill for another 5 minutes or until lobster meat is an opaque white colour and the shell is red all over, adding more butter as needed.
- Remove from grill, loosen meat from shell and place on a serving platter. Drizzle with lime juice mixture, sprinkle with chives and serve with Israeli Couscous. Garnish with lime wedges.
Drink Pairings
ITALIAN CHORIZO ARANCINI
Ingredients
Serves 12 or makes about 2 dozen balls
4 cups (1 L) chicken stock
1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
1 tbsp (15 ml) butter
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1½ cups (375 ml) Arborio rice
½ cup (125 ml) grated Parmesan
⅓ cup (75 ml) finely minced smoked chorizo sausage
4 large eggs
2 cups (500 ml) dried bread crumbs
1 cup (250 ml) all-purpose flour
¼ lb (125 g) mozzarella, cut into ¾-in (1.5 cm) pieces
canola oil, to deep fry
LEMON CELERIAC RÉMOULADE:
1 cup (250 ml) mayonnaise
⅓ cup (75 ml) Dijon mustard
1 lemon, zest only
2 lemons, juice only
2 small or 1 large celeriac, about 2 lbs (1 kg)
1 small handful finely chopped fresh chives
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat stock in a large saucepan over high heat and bring just to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low and keep at simmer.
- Heatalargesaucepanovermedium heat. Add oil and butter and when hot, add onion and garlic. Sauté until onion is soft and translucent.
- Addriceandstiruntilwellcoated. Add a ladleful of hot stock to rice mixture and stir constantly with a wooden spoon until liquid has been absorbed. Continue adding stock, 1 ladleful at a time, allowing liquid to be absorbed before adding more. Continue for 20 minutes or until rice is tender yet firm to the bite and creamy. Stir in Parmesan and minced chorizo. Set aside for 2 to 3 hours to cool. Once cooled, beat in 2 eggs and mix in until well combined.
- Place bread crumbs on a large plate. Place flour in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk remaining 2 eggs. Using damp hands shape 2 tbsp (30 ml) of risotto mixture into a ball. Press your thumb into centre to make indent. Place a cube of mozzarella in indent then wrap risotto mixture around cheese to enclose. Repeat with remaining risotto and cheese to make about 24 balls.
- Roll risotto balls in flour and shake off any excess. Dip in egg, then in bread crumbs, pressing to coat. Place on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes to chill.
- Add enough canola oil to a heavy, large saucepan, to reach a depth of 2-in (5 cm). Heat over medium-high heat to 375 F (190 C). Carefully add 5 to 7 balls to hot oil. Avoid crowding or oil temperature will drop and make risotto balls soggy. Turn balls occasionally in hot oil and fry for 4 to 5 minutes or until golden. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining balls. Serve warm with Lemon Celeriac Rémoulade, optional.
- To make LEMON CELERIAC RÉMOULADE: In a large bowl whisk together mayonnaise, mustard, zest and lemon juice. Peel and quarter celeriac. Then working quickly to prevent celeriac from discolouring, coarsely grate and stir into mayonnaise sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Drink Pairings
GRILLED FLANK STEAK WITH TROPICAL SALSA
Ingredients
Serves 4 o 6
2 tsp (10 ml) garam masala
1 tsp (15 ml) brown sugar
½ tsp (2 ml) salt
1 tsp (5 ml) freshly ground black pepper
2 lb (1 kg) flat iron or flank steak
1 cup (250 ml) fine diced ripe papaya
1 cup (250 ml) fine diced pineapple
1 cup (250 ml) fine diced mango
¼ cup (60 ml) fine diced seeded cucumber
¼ cup (60 ml) fine diced red onion
3 tbsp (45 ml) fine chopped cilantro
2 tbsp (30 ml) lime juice
½ tsp (2 ml) finely minced ginger
Instructions
- Preheat grill or broiler to medium-high heat.
- Combine garam masala, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Rub evenly over both sides of the steak. Let marinate at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Combine the remaining ingredients. Season. Cover and chill.
- Lightly grease barbecue grill or baking rack. Place steak on grill rack, grill 5 minutes on each side or until desired doneness. Remove steak from grill and let stand 5 minutes. Cut steak diagonally across the grain into thin slices. Serve with tropical fruit salsa.
Drink Pairings
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.
Drink Pairings
HAZELNUT GOUGÈRES
Ingredients
Serves 40 gougères
⅔ cup (150 ml) all-purpose flour
⅓ cup (75 ml) hazelnut meal
½ cup (125 ml) water
½ cup (125 ml) milk
½ cup (125 ml) unsalted butter
½ tsp (2 ml) fine sea salt
5 large eggs, divided
½ cup (125 ml) coarsely grated Gruyère cheese
¼ tsp (1 ml) ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a bowl whisk together flour and hazelnut meal. Set aside.
- In a saucepan combine water, milk, butter and salt and place over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, and immediately take pan off heat. Add flour blend all at once and stir with a wooden spoon until well combined. Return pan to heat and cook, stirring dough continuously for 1 minute, to eliminate excess moisture. Remove pan from heat and let cool slightly.
- Add 1 egg to dough and mix with a wooden spoon until well incorporated. Add 3 more eggs, mixing well after each addition, until dough is smooth, shiny and falls from the spoon in a thick ribbon. Stir in cheese and pepper.
- Beat remaining egg with 1 tbsp (15 ml) water to make an egg wash.
- Pipe or spoon gougère dough onto prepared baking sheets. Lightly brush each with egg wash and bake, 1 tray at a time, until puffed, golden brown and crisp on outside, about 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. If not planning on serving right away, place gougères in a single layer on a baking tray and freeze until firm. Transfer to airtight containers and freeze up to 3 weeks.
- When ready to serve, warm gougères in a 325 F (170 C) preheated oven until warmed through, about 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to serving platter and enjoy warm or at room temperature.