DUCK BREAST WITH RHUBARB
Ingredients
Serves 4
RICH DUCK SAUCE:
1 whole duck carcass
4 tsp (20 ml) unsalted butter
2 tsp (10 ml) olive oil
2 tbsp (30 ml) chopped button mushrooms
½ yellow onion, finely diced
½ celery stalk, finely diced
½ small carrot, peeled and finely diced
2 juniper berries
1 orange, zest only
2 tsp (10 ml) brandy
3 tbsp + 1 tsp (50 ml) port
4 cups (1 L) brown chicken stock
1 sprig fresh thyme
2 tbsp (30 ml) whipping cream
DUCK BREAST WITH VEGETABLES AND RHUBARB:
¼ cup (60 ml) granulated sugar
⅓ cup (90 ml) water
2 stalks rhubarb, cut into 2-in (5 cm) pieces
2 small red beets, peeled
3 carrots, peeled and cut in half, lengthwise
2 tsp (10 ml) unsalted butter
1 duck breast, boned, skin on
seasonal herbs, for garnish
Instructions
- To make RICH DUCK SAUCE: Chop duck carcass into small pieces. Place in a large, heavy saucepan with butter and fry over medium heat, stirring often, until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add oil, mushrooms, onion, celery, carrot, juniper berries, orange zest, brandy and port and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered, until reduced by half.
- Add chicken stock and thyme sprig and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain sauce and return to saucepan. Continue to simmer, uncovered, until sauce is at desired thickness, or coats the back of a spoon. Stir in cream and remove from heat. Strain with a fine mesh and cover to keep warm.
- To make DUCK BREAST WITH VEGETABLES AND RHUBARB: Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in rhubarb. Set aside and steep for 10 minutes in a low oven set at 200 F (93 C). Then strain rhubarb and reduce the sugar water until syrup. Pour the syrup over rhubarb and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Place beets in a small roasting pan, cover and bake for 20-30 minutes. On a separate roasting sheet, rub carrots with butter and bake for 7 minutes.
- Meanwhile, place duck breast fat-side down in a cold, dry, ovenproof frying pan. Sear duck skin over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes or until skin is golden brown. Drain off rendered fat and save for another use, if desired. Turn breast and sear other side for 30 seconds. Turn breast fat side down again and place pan in preheated oven. Roast for 6 to 8 minutes or until breast is medium rare. Remove from pan and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- To serve, thinly slice duck breast. Place a couple slices on a heated serving plate alongside a couple wedges of roasted beets, a couple pieces roasted carrot and a generous spoon of poached rhubarb. Drizzle with a generous ladle of Rich Duck Sauce and garnish with seasonal herbs.
Drink Pairings
CHARRED ONION DIP WITH VEGETABLE CRUDITE
Ingredients
Serves 8 to 10
1 head garlic
2 tbsp (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 large onion, peeled and cut into thin slices
1 cup (250 ml) sour cream
½ cup (125 ml) mayonnaise
1 tsp (5 ml) kosher salt
1 pinch freshly ground pepper
½ lime, zest and juice
1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped chives
½ tsp (2 ml) smoked paprika
⅛ tsp (1 ml) cayenne pepper
raw baby vegetables
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Cut top off head of garlic, drizzle it with half the olive oil and wrap it in foil. Roast in the oven for 30-45 minutes, or until soft.
- Increase oven heat to 425 F (220 C). Toss onion with the remaining olive oil and grill in oven. Cool and finely chop. Mash 3 cloves of garlic in a bowl (reserve remaining garlic for another use), add remaining ingredients and mix. Serve with an assortment of vegetables such as carrots, cucumber, radish, tomatoes, cauliflower and green beans.
Drink Pairings
CUMIN AND CORIANDER LAMB BURGERS
Ingredients
Serves 4
LAMB BURGERS:
½ tsp (2 ml) each, cumin seeds and whole coriander
1 large garlic clove, smashed and minced
1 lemon, zest only
½ tsp (2 ml) each, salt and freshly ground
black pepper
1 lb (500 g) lean ground lamb
4 large brioche buns, halved
2 branches cherry tomatoes on the vine
8 leaves bibb (or butter) lettuce
2 roasted red peppers, peeled and cut into quarters
CREAMY YOGURT SAUCE:
½ cup (125 ml) thick, plain Greek yogurt
1/3 cup (75 ml) very finely diced, unpeeled English cucumber
2 tbsp (30 ml) mayonnaise
½ tsp 2 ml) ground cumin
¼ tsp (1 ml) salt
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine cumin and coriander in a small, dry frying pan. Heat over medium, shake pan occasionally, until seeds begin to toast and lightly smoke, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a mortar and pestle and grind to a powder. Place in a large bowl with garlic, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Add ground lamb and work in seasonings using your hands until evenly mixed. Shape meat into 4 even-sized patties about 4-in x ¾-in (10 cm x 1 cm). Refrigerate while preparing remaining ingredients, for flavours to blend.
- To make SAUCE: Combine and stir together all ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate.
- Grease barbecue grill and preheat to about 375 F (190 C). Grill patties over direct medium heat with lid closed until cooked to medium doneness, about 7 to 9 minutes, turning once. Lamb should register about 160 F (70 C) on a meat thermometer inserted in the centre of patties.
- During last minute of grilling, toast brioche buns cut-side down and cherry tomatoes on the side until slightly blistered.
- To serve, line each bun with 2 lettuce leaves. Top with lamb burger, a couple pieces of roasted red pepper and a generous dollop of Creamy Yogurt Sauce. Serve with roasted cherry tomatoes.
Drink Pairings
CRUSTED PORK CHOPS WITH HONEY-CHILI ROASTED SPRING VEGETABLES
Ingredients
Serves 6
1½ cups (375 ml) water
¼ cup (60 ml) kosher salt
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 small yellow onion, cut into chunks
1 dried bay leaf
2 sprigs thyme, divided
5 black peppercorns
2½ cups (625 ml) ice water
6 double-cut pork chops, Frenched
1 cup (250 ml) panko bread crumbs
1 tsp (5 ml) dried thyme
1 tsp (5 ml) dried oregano
½ tsp (2 ml) crumbled dried rosemary
2 tsp (10 ml) orange zest
1 tsp (5 ml) lime zest
1 tsp (5 ml) lemon zest
salt and pepper, to taste
¼ cup (60 ml) liquid honey, divided
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
¼ cup (60 ml) whole wheat flour
2 tbsp (30 ml) coconut oil
HONEY-CHILI ROASTED SPRING VEGETABLES:
3 tbsp (45 ml) liquid honey
½ cup (125 ml) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tsp (5 ml) cayenne pepper
1 lb (500 g) fingerling potatoes, cut in half lengthwise
1 lb (500 g) small carrots, cut in half lengthwise
½ lb (250 g) cipollini onions, peeled and cut in half
4 sprigs rosemary
4 sprigs thyme
salt, to taste
1 tbsp (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
2 tbsp (30 ml) chopped chives
Instructions
- To make brine, in a large saucepan bring water and salt to a boil. Once salt has dissolved remove saucepan from heat and stir in garlic, onion, bay leaf, 1 sprig thyme and pepper. Allow mixture to sit for 15 minutes, at room temperature. Add ice water and stir to incorporate. Brine must be cold before adding pork. Add pork chops, making sure they are completely submerged (weighing down with a plate if needed). Place saucepan in refrigerator and allow pork to marinade at least 2 hours, no longer than 8 hours.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, make crumb coating by mixing together panko, thyme, oregano, rosemary, citrus zests and a good pinch of salt and pepper until well combined. Set aside.
- When ready to cook pork chops, preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- In a bowl whisk together 2 tbsp (30 ml) honey and egg whites until well combined and frothy. In a second bowl add whole wheat flour.
- Remove pork from brine and pat dry with paper towel. Discard brine. Working with one pork chop at a time, dredge in flour, shaking off excess before dipping in honey mixture, letting excess drip off. Dredge in panko mixture, pressing it to coat all sides. Repeat with remaining pork chops.
- Preheat coconut oil in a large cast iron or ovenproof frying pan over mediumhigh heat. Brown pork chops two at a time, making sure to not burn panko crust, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to prepared baking sheet and repeat with remaining pork chops. Roast in preheated oven until internal temperature registers 145 F (63 C), about 15 to 20 minutes.
- This is a good time to prepare and make the Honey-Chili Roasted Spring Vegetables. In a food processor blend together honey, butter and cayenne pepper. Put Honey- Chili Butter aside until ready to use.
- Place a large rimmed baking sheet in 400 F (200 C) oven to warm.
- In a large bowl toss together potatoes, carrots, onions, rosemary, thyme, a pinch of salt, 2 tbsp (30 ml) softened prepared Honey-Chili Butter and oil. Spread vegetables out in a single layer on warmed baking tray and roast in oven for 15 minutes before gently stirring. Meanwhile toss asparagus with 2 tbsp (30 ml) softened honey-chili butter. Add to roasting vegetables and roast an additional 15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Discard herbs, sprinkle with chives, season with extra salt and dot with extra honeychili butter, if desired. Serve while warm.
- When pork chops have finished cooking, allow pork chops to rest on baking tray for 10 minutes before plating and serving with Honey-Chili Roasted Spring Vegetables.
Drink Pairings
CRAB-STUFFED PEPPERS
Ingredients
Serves 40
1 tbsp (15 ml) finely chopped preserved lemon
½ tsp (2 ml) finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 tbsp (15 ml) finely chopped parsley or spinach
1 cup (250 ml) crab meat
½ cup (125 ml) cream cheese, at room temperature
2 tbsp (30 ml) honey
30 to 40 sweet or hot pickled cherry peppers, drained
Instructions
- In a bowl, using a rubber spatula, stir together preserved lemon, olive oil, thyme, parsley, crab meat and cream cheese until well combined. Transfer to a piping bag with a ½ -in (1 cm) round tip. Pipe filling into peppers and serve.
Drink Pairings
CHICKEN, JICAMA, PAPAYA AND PICKLED GINGER SALAD ROLLS
Ingredients
Serves 8
2 oz (60 g) dried bean vermicelli noodles
8 X 8-inch (20 cm) rice-paper rounds, plus more in case of tearing
3 to 4 romaine leaves, cored and finely shredded, about 2-inches (5 cm) long
¼ cup (60 ml) pickled ginger, dried and cut into fine julienne
1 ripe papaya, peeled, seeded and cut into fine julienne, 2-inches (5 cm) long
½ English cucumber, cored seeded and cut into ¼-inch (0.5 cm) matchstick
6 oz (180 g) peeled jicama root, cut into ¼-inch (0.5 cm) matchstick
handful cilantro sprigs, rinsed and dried well
handful basil leaves
½ cup (125 ml) shredded carrot
2 cups (500 ml) shredded rotisserie chicken meat
Instructions
- Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil and add noodles. Cook until just tender, about 3 minutes. Drain in strainer and rinse under cold water. Drain well. Set aside.
- Place a clean tea towel or a double thickness of paper towel on a work surface. Fill a shallow baking pan with warm water. Soak a rice paper round in warm water until pliable, about 5 to 10 seconds. Carefully transfer to tea towel or paper towel lined work surface.
- Arrange alternating on the bias, the shredded romaine, julienned pickled ginger and papaya in a row across middle bottom third (the part nearest you).
- Spread a small amount of the noodles on top of the shredded ingredients and arrange a few cucumber and jicama matchsticks, a few cilantro sprigs, basil leaves, shredded carrots and chicken.
- Fold bottom of rice paper over filling and begin rolling up tightly, stopping at halfway point. Arrange a few more cilantro sprigs, then fold in ends and continue rolling.
- Transfer roll, seam side down, to a plate and cover with dampened paper towels. Repeat making 7 more rolls in the same manner and serve with Peanut Dipping Sauce or any other desired sauce.
Drink Pairings
COLOURFUL VEGETARIAN SALAD ROLLS WITH MISO MUSTARD SAUCE
Ingredients
Serves 8 rolls
MISO MUSTARD SAUCE
2 tsp (10 ml) water
1 tsp (5 ml) prepared Japanese or Chinese-style hot mustard or Coleman’s Hot mustard
⅓ cup (75 ml) white (Saikyo) miso
3 tbsp (45 ml) rice vinegar
2 tbsp (30 ml) mirin
4 tsp (20 ml) sugar
SALAD ROLLS
2 oz (60 g) dried bean vermicelli noodles
8 X 8-inch (20 cm) rice-paper rounds, plus more in case of tearing
8 to 12 tinned, baby corn, drained and halved lengthwise
24 thinly sliced colourful heirloom radishes (watermelon, purple etc)
½ cup (125 ml) shredded colourful carrot (purple, yellow or orange)
½ English cucumber, cored seeded and cut into 1/4-inch (0.5 cm) matchstick
1 small red onion, peeled and thin sliced julienned
48 cilantro sprigs, about 1 bunch, cleaned and dried well
48 mint leaves, from about 1 bunch
Instructions
- To make Miso Mustard Sauce, add water, hot mustard, miso, rice vinegar, mirin, and sugar to a mixing bowl and whisk until smooth. Set aside.
- Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil and add noodles. Cook until just tender, about 3 minutes. Drain in strainer and rinse under cold water. Drain well. Set aside.
- Place a clean tea towel or a double thickness of paper towel on a work surface. Fill a shallow baking pan with warm water. Soak a rice paper round in warm water until pliable, about 5 to 10 seconds. Carefully transfer to tea towel or paper towel lined work surface.
- Arrange a couple of the baby corn, cut side up, on the middle bottom third of the round, then cover overlapping slightly 3 of thin sliced radishes, then add a small amount of shredded carrot. Cover with a small amount of the noodles. Drizzle a couple teaspoons of the miso mustard sauce, then top with some of the shredded carrot, cucumber matchsticks, julienned red onion and a few cilantro sprigs and mint leaves in a row across bottom third (the part nearest you).
- Fold bottom of rice paper over filling and begin rolling up tightly, stopping at halfway point. Arrange a few more mint leaves, cilantro sprigs, then fold in ends and continue rolling.
- Transfer roll, seam side down, to a plate and cover with dampened paper towels. Repeat making 7 more rolls in the same manner.
Drink Pairings
COCONUT LEMONGRASS SEAFOOD SALAD
Ingredients
Serves 4
DRESSING:
½ stalk lemon grass, pounded
1 tbsp (15 ml) fish sauce
½ cup (125 ml) coconut milk
2 tsp (10 ml) sugar
½ thai chili, minced (optional)
½ lime, juice only
SALAD:
2 tbsp (30 ml) salt
2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
2-inch (5 cm) piece of ginger, peeled and sliced
1 lime, halved
1 lb (500 g) spot prawns, heads and shells removed
1 lb (500 g) scallops, muscle removed
2 cups (500 ml) mixed greens
½ English cucumber, sliced
¼ cup (60 ml) cherry tomatoes, halved
¼ bunch cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
Instructions
- To make DRESSING: In a medium-sized saucepan, add lemon grass, fish sauce, coconut milk and sugar.
- Bring to a boil, then turn down heat and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Turn off heat and add chilli. Cool sauce. Once cooled, remove lemon grass and add lime juice. Set aside.
- To make SALAD: Bring a medium-sized saucepan of water to a boil and add salt, garlic and ginger. Squeeze lime into water. Prepare a bowl of ice water and keep it by the pot.
- Add prawns and turn heat down to low, the water should be at barely a simmer. Poach prawns just until they are cooked, about 45 seconds to 1 minute. Remove prawns and immediately put in ice bath. Once the prawns are cool, remove from ice water, drain and dry them.
- Bring saucepan of water back to a boil and repeat process with scallops. They will take about 1 to 2 minutes, depending on the size of the scallops.
- To assemble: Mix 1 tbsp (15 ml) dressing with prawns and scallops. Set aside. Pour a pool of the remaining dressing on your serving platter. Layer greens, cucumber and tomatoes over the dressing. Add prawns and scallops on the vegetables and garnish with cilantro.
Drink Pairings
BUTTER TART BAR
Ingredients
Serves
PASTRY:
1 cup (250 ml) butter, chilled and cut into cubes
2½ cups (625 ml) pastry flour
¼ tsp (1 ml) salt
¼ to ½ cup (60 to 125 ml) cold water
FILLING:
½ cup (125 ml) brown sugar
½ cup (125 ml) brown rice or corn syrup
1 egg
2 tbsp (30 ml) butter, melted
2 tsp (10 ml) vanilla extract
½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
2 tsp (10 ml) Canadian rye whisky
½ cup (125 ml) raisins, soaked in hot water and drained
Instructions
- To make PASTRY: In a food processor blend the butter, flour, and salt until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs the size of a pea. Sprinkle with ¼ cup (60 ml) of water. Pulse until the dough sticks together when squeezed, adding up to ¼ cup (60 ml) more water if needed, 1 tbsp (5 ml) at a time. It will still look crumbly.
- Form the dough into two balls, wrap with saran wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
- Roll the dough to 1¼-inch (3 cm) thickness and line the tart mould. Trim the edges and chill for 1 hour in the refrigerator.
- To make FILLING: Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C).
- Mix all ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Pour the filling into the tart shell and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown.
Drink Pairings
ADOBO SHRIMP WITH ZUCCHINI
Ingredients
Serves filling for about 12 tacos
6 dried Ancho chilies, stems removed
½ cup (125 ml) boiling water
4 garlic cloves
¼ cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar
2 tsp (10 ml) kosher salt, plus extra
½ tsp (2 ml) dried Mexican oregano
½ tsp (2 ml) ground cumin seed
½ tsp (2 ml) coconut sugar
2 lbs (1 kg) small or medium uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tbsp (15 ml) coconut oil
1 large zucchini, cut into ¼-in (0.5 cm) wide half moons
ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat a dry frying pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add chilies and toast, turning often, until just fragrant and softened, about 1 minute. Remove to a plate and let cool. Using scissors and working over a medium bowl, cut toasted chilies into 1-in (2.5 cm) rings, reserving seeds. Cover chilies with water and set aside to soak, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.
- Transfer hydrated chilies along with soaking liquid to jar of a blender. Add garlic, vinegar, salt, oregano, cumin, and sugar and purée until a smooth, thick paste forms. Transfer adobo paste to a large bowl before adding shrimp and stirring to coat.
- Preheat broiler. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
- Place shrimp on prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Broil, watching closely and stirring halfway through, until shrimp are just cooked through and browned in spots, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- While shrimp is cooking, heat coconut oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and sauté until softened and starting to brown in spots, about 4 to 6 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt.
- Fold zucchini into cooked shrimp to coat lightly in sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve while warm.