PRAWN AND MELON SALAD
Ingredients
Serves 8
2 small fennel bulbs, trimmed, fronds saved for garnish, divided
1 small leek, trimmed, white and light green part, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves
1 tsp (5 ml) fennel seeds
1 tsp (5 ml) coriander seeds
1 tsp (5 ml) black peppercorns
1 orange, zest and juice
1 cup (250 ml) dry white wine
2½ cups (625 ml) water
salt, to taste
1½ lbs (750 g) prawns, shelled and deveined, tails intact
3 tbsp (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp (15 ml) raspberry vinegar or white wine vinegar
1½ cups (375 ml) each, cubed or balled cantaloupe and honeydew melon
1 small head frisée lettuce, tender inner leaves only
1 head butter lettuce, leaves separated (optional)
1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped fresh tarragon
1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped fresh chives
Instructions
- Thinly slice 1 fennel bulb and place in a large saucepan. Add leek, garlic, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, black peppercorns, orange zest and juice, wine, water and a couple pinches of salt. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer broth for 20 minutes.
- Add prawns to broth and cook, uncovered, over low heat until pink and curled, about 4 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and allow prawns to continue to marinate in warm broth for 15 minutes. With a slotted spoon transfer prawns to a bowl and refrigerate until chilled. Strain broth and reserve 1 cup (250 ml).
- To make a dressing, place reserved broth in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Bring broth to a rolling boil and reduce to 2 tbsp (30 ml), about 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and whisk in olive oil and vinegar. Season to taste with salt.
- Thinly slice remaining fennel bulb and add to a large bowl along with cantaloupe and honeydew melon, frisée and cooled prawns. Drizzle dressing over top and toss gently to combine.
- Line serving plates with a few leaves of butter lettuce, if using, before spooning salad over top. Garnish with reserved fennel fronds, chopped tarragon and chives and serve.
Drink Pairings
GRILLED THAI-STYLE FISH WITH SPICED COCONUT SAUCE
Ingredients
Serves 4
THAI-STYLE FISH:
1 large banana leaf
1½ lbs (750 g) whole snapper or cod
1½ tbsp (22 ml) Thai red curry paste
3 tbsp (45 ml) coconut cream, from top layer of a can of coconut milk
1 lime, zest and juice
2 tbsp (30 ml) finely slivered peeled ginger root
1 to 2 Thai red chilies, finely sliced
3 to 4 cilantro sprigs, coarsely chopped
lime wedges and cilantro sprigs, for garnish
steamed rice, optional
SPICED COCONUT SAUCE:
¼ cup (60 ml) coconut cream, from top layer of a can of coconut milk
¼ cup (60 ml) lime juice
2 tbsp (30 ml) fish sauce
2 tbsp (30 ml) Sweet Chili Sauce
Instructions
- To prep fish, preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Wash banana leaf and cut off enough to enclose fish, reserving some to serve.
- Place a large piece of aluminum foil that’s slightly larger than fish on banana leaf, then top with fish. Cut 2 slashes in thickest part of flesh.
- Mix together curry paste, coconut cream, lime zest and juice. Spread over fish then scatter with ginger, chilies and 3 to 4 coarsely chopped fresh cilantro sprigs. Enclose fish in leaf, with head and tail end at each end of ‘tube’, and secure with kitchen string.
- Place parcel in a roasting pan and bake for 40 minutes or until cooked through. To check, open leaf and insert a knife along backbone. If flesh comes away easily from bone, it’s ready.
- Meanwhile, make Spiced Coconut Sauce by mixing coconut cream, lime juice, fish sauce and Sweet Chilli Sauce in a small saucepan. Gently warm, cover and set aside.
- To serve, line platter with reserved banana leaf. Open parcel and remove baked fish to platter. Spoon warm Spiced Coconut Sauce over top and scatter with lime wedges and cilantro sprigs. Serve with steamed rice, if desired.
Drink Pairings
GRILLED SALMON SKEWERS WITH CUCUMBER SALSA
Ingredients
Serves 4
CUCUMBER SALSA:
1 tbsp (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
2 tsp (10 ml) lemon juice
½ shallot, finely chopped
1 tsp (5 ml) fresh dill, chopped
½ tsp (2 ml) kosher salt
fresh ground black pepper, to taste
½ unpeeled English cucumber, chopped
GRILLED SALMON SKEWERS:
8 bamboo skewers
2 lbs (1 kg) sockeye or spring salmon fillet, pin bones and skin removed
3 tbsp (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
kosher salt and pepper to taste
3 radishes, thinly sliced, for garnish
Instructions
- To make CUCUMBER SALSA: In a large bowl combine olive oil, lemon juice, shallot, dill, salt and pepper. Whisk to blend. Stir in cucumber.
- Soak skewers in warm water for 10-30 minutes.
- Cut salmon into 2-in (5 cm) cubes and thread 2 to 3 cubes onto each presoaked skewer. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate skewers until ready to cook.
- Grease grill and preheat barbecue to 350 F (180 C). Barbecue salmon just until cooked, approximately 2 minutes per side for medium rare.
- Remove and serve with Cucumber Salsa, garnish with radish.
Drink Pairings
HONEY-BROILED SCALLOP SALAD
Ingredients
Serves 6
¼ cup (60 ml) liquid honey, divided
1 tbsp (15 ml) grape seed oil
1 Meyer lemon, finely grated zest and juice
salt and pepper, to taste
12 large scallops, cleaned and heel removed
1½ oranges, divided
1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped fresh tarragon
1 tbsp (15 ml) white wine vinegar
½ tbsp (7 ml) Dijon mustard
1 tbsp (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1 ruby grapefruit
1 blood orange
1 large fennel bulb, trimmed, fronds reserved for garnish
2 radishes, trimmed
2 tbsp (30 ml) chopped pistachios
1 tbsp (15 ml) coarsely chopped mint leaves
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp (45 ml) honey, grape seed oil, lemon zest and juice along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add scallops to marinade and stir to coat. Refrigerate, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, cut away rind and all white pith from half of an orange, then cut into chunks and place in a blender. Add remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) honey, tarragon, vinegar, mustard and olive oil, before blending until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper before setting aside.
- Preheat broiler. Cut away rind and all white pith from grapefruit and remaining orange. Cut fruit into thin rounds. Using a sharp knife or mandoline, slice fennel bulb and radishes into paperthin slices, reserving fennel fronds for garnish. Arrange citrus fruit, fennel and radish slices on serving plates.
- In a broiler-proof dish, arrange scallops along with marinade in a single layer. Broil 4-in (10 cm) from heat source until opaque throughout and lightly browned, about 4 to 7 minutes.
- To finish, place 3 scallops on each salad, drizzle with reserved dressing, and garnish with pistachios, reserved fennel fronds and mint. Serve immediately.
Drink Pairings
HALIBUT WITH A TRIO OF SAUCES
Ingredients
Serves 4
LEMON THYME VINAIGRETTE:
2 tbsp (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
¼ tsp (1 ml) each of salt and pepper
1 tsp (5 ml) lemon zest
2 garlic cloves, cut in half
3 tbsp (45 ml) olive oil
1 tsp (5 ml) finely chopped fresh thyme
10 caperberries, coarsely chopped
1 tbsp (15 ml) capers, drained
SAUTÉED CHERRY TOMATO SAUCE:
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
1 cup (250 ml) finely diced sweet onion
2 tsp (10 ml) minced garlic
2 cups (500 ml) cherry tomatoes, halved through stem
kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
OLIVE SAUCE:
½ cup (125 ml) olive oil
10 oz (300 g) black olives, pitted and finely chopped
2 anchovies, finely chopped
3 tbsp (45 ml) capers, coarsely chopped
3 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
pepper, to taste (olives and anchovies are salted, so additional salt not required)
HALIBUT:
4 x 6 oz (180 g) fresh halibut fillets
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil, for frying
Instructions
- Prepare all 3 sauces (or as preferred) before cooking Halibut. If making side dishes, factor in prep and baking time.
- To make LEMON THYME VINAIGRETTE: In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, salt, pepper, lemon zest and halved garlic. Whisk in olive oil, add thyme, then remove garlic halves and set vinaigrette aside. Taste and adjust seasonings. In a separate bowl, add 1 tbsp (15 ml) of prepared vinaigrette and mix in caperberries and capers. Set vinaigrette and capers aside. When ready to serve, spoon some caperberries and capers mixture over fish and drizzle with Lemon Thyme Vinaigrette.
- To make SAUTÉED CHERRY TOMATO SAUCE: Heat olive oil in a medium-sized frying pan. Add onion and sauté over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 more minute. Stir in tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste. Cook over mediumlow heat for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until liquid evaporates. Remove from heat and stir in basil.
- To make OLIVE SAUCE: Heat olive oil in a small saucepan. When hot, add olives, anchovies, capers and chopped garlic cloves. Stir and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, then remove from heat. Set aside.
- Season halibut on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat a heavy-bottomed frying pan over medium heat. Add oil and heat for 1 minute. Add fish, top-side down, and cook until golden-tinged. Then flip and cook until internal temperature reaches 125 to 130 F (52 to 54 C).
- Place halibut on warm plates and garnish with fresh sauces.
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
FRESH MELON AND GRILLED PRAWN SALAD
Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
2 tbsp (30 ml) + 3 tbsp (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 tbsp (15 ml) + 1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon mustard, divided
½ lemon, juice
2 tsp (10 ml) lemon zest
1 minced garlic glove
salt and freshly ground pepper
1 lb (500 g) large prawns (21/25 size), peeled, deveined, tails left intact
1 tin canned hearts of palm, drained and patted dry
2 tbsp (30 ml) champagne vinegar
1 tbsp (15 ml) finely minced shallot
1 tbsp (15 ml) honey
2 bunches fresh watercress, rinsed, trimmed tough stalks and dried well
1 basket heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved
8 to 10 basil leaves, finely julienned
small handful mint leaves
2 cups (500 ml) ½-inch (1.25 cm) diced watermelon
4 oz (125 g) feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Preheat barbecue to medium-high.
- Whisk in a medium bowl, 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil, 1 tbsp (15 ml) mustard, lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, salt and pepper. Add prawns and toss well to coat. Let marinate for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Thread the prawns onto metal skewers. Toss the hearts of palm with a bit of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the prawns and hearts of palm, turning once, until they have nice grill marks and the prawns are just cooked through, about 2 minutes each side. When cool enough to handle, halve the hearts of palm lengthwise, then cut crosswise into thirds on the bias. Remove prawn from skewers.
- In a small bowl whisk the remaining 1 tsp (5 ml) mustard with the vinegar, shallot, honey and remaining 3 tbsp (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a large salad bowl, toss the watercress, basil and mint leaves with a light drizzle of the vinaigrette just to coat. Place on platter or divide amongst chilled serving plates. Sprinkle with diced watermelon and cherry tomatoes halves. Drizzle lightly with vinaigrette. Garnish with grilled hearts of palm, prawns and crumbled feta.
Drink Pairings
HALIBUT CHEEKS
Ingredients
Serves 4
8 to 12 halibut cheeks, depending on size
4 tsp (20 ml) olive oil, divided
4 tsp (20 ml) butter, divided
1 shallot, minced
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 cup micro greens
2 tbsp (30 ml) Roasted Tomato Coulis
ROASTED TOMATO COULIS:
4 lbs (2 kg) ripe, medium-sized tomatoes, stems removed and halved
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- To make HALIBUT CHEEKS: Pat the halibut cheeks dry, and season with salt and pepper. Sauté 3 tsp (15 ml) oil and 3 tsp (15 ml) butter over medium-high heat. Add cheeks and cook 2 minutes on each side, or until almost cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
- Wipe pan clean. Heat remaining oil and butter over medium heat and add shallot and garlic, cook until translucent. Remove to a bowl, add micro greens.
- To serve, place Roasted Tomato Coulis in the middle of a plate or bowl. Add 2 halibut cheeks and top with micro greens.
- To make ROASTED TOMATO COULIS: Preheat the oven to 250 F (120 C). Place tomatoes on a large rimmed baking sheet cut-side up and drizzle with oil. Season generously with salt and pepper. Bake for 3 to 4 hours, or until tomatoes are soft and bursting.
- Allow to cool, then blend in batches to desired texture. For smoother coulis, strain through a fine-meshed sieve to eliminate seeds. Will keep in the refrigerator for 1 week or in the freezer for 4 months.
Drink Pairings
GREEN PAPAYA SALAD WITH PORK, PRAWNS AND CASHEWS
Ingredients
Serves 4
DRESSING:
¼ cup (60 ml) fresh lime juice
3 tbsp (45 ml) fish sauce
1 tbsp (15 ml) granulated sugar
1 garlic clove, finely minced
1 to 2 Thai red chilies, seeded and finely chopped
SALAD:
1 firm green papaya, about 2 lbs (1 kg)
1 tsp (5 ml) granulated sugar
3 tbsp (45 ml) salt, divided
1 thick cut boneless pork chop, about ⅓ lb (150 g), trimmed of fat
½ lb (250 g) medium-sized prawns, shelled and deveined, tails intact
3 tbsp (45 ml) coarsely chopped spearmint
3 tbsp (45 ml) coarsely chopped cilantro or Vietnamese coriander
¼ cup (60 ml) roasted cashews, coarsely chopped
Instructions
- To make DRESSING: In a small bowl whisk together all ingredients until sugar dissolves. Set aside.
- To make SALAD: Peel papaya, cut in half and scoop out seeds with a spoon and discard. Using a slicer with a julienne blade, carefully shred papaya into long, thin strands.
- Transfer shredded papaya to a colander. Sprinkle with sugar and 2 tbsp (30 ml) salt and toss to thoroughly coat. Let sit for a couple minutes to soften papaya, then rinse well under cold, running water to remove sugar and salt. Working in batches, gently wring out excess water from papaya by placing mounds in centre of a clean tea towel, rolling it up and squeezing out water. Place on a paper towel-lined baking sheet to remove any further moisture. Transfer to a mixing bowl and toss to fluff up.
- To a small saucepan half full of water, add remaining salt and heat over high heat. Bring to a boil and add prawns. Remove from heat and let sit 3 to 5 minutes, or until prawns are opaque and cooked. With a slotted spoon, transfer to an ice-water bath to cool then drain well, reserving cooking water in saucepan. Cut into small ¼-in (0.5 cm) pieces. Add to papaya.
- Bring reserved water in saucepan back to a boil and add pork chop. Return to a boil, cover and remove from heat. Set aside, covered, for 20 to 25 minutes or until pork is just cooked through. Remove pork, cool and cut into thin matchstick julienne.
- Add pork to papaya bowl, along with Dressing, herbs and chopped cashews. Toss to mix, adjust seasoning to taste.
Drink Pairings
HERB SALMON WITH TOMATO-PEACH SALAD
Ingredients
Serves 6
HERB SALMON:
2 lbs (1 kg) skinless, centre-cut salmon fillet
salt and pepper, to taste
3 tbsp (45 ml) olive oil
1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon mustard
4 green onions, finely chopped
½ cup (125 ml) chopped fresh parsley
¼ cup (60 ml) chopped fresh cilantro
2 tbsp (30 ml) chopped fresh chives
2 tbsp (30 ml) chopped fresh tarragon
¼ cup (60 ml) white wine
TOMATO-PEACH SALAD:
1 tbsp (15 ml) sherry vinegar
½ tsp (2 ml) liquid honey
2 tbsp (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup (60 ml) thinly sliced red onions
3 or 4 heirloom tomatoes, cut into wedges
3 ripe peaches, cut into wedges
¼ cup (60 ml) roughly chopped fresh basil
salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 F (220 C).
- Place salmon fillet skin-side down in a baking dish large enough to accommodate. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together oil, lemon juice and mustard. Drizzle dressing evenly over salmon and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a medium-sized bowl, stir together green onions, parsley, cilantro, chives and tarragon. Pat herb mixture all over top of salmon to generously coat. Pour wine into dish around fillet.
- Roast salmon until just cooked through, about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on thickness of fillet. To test, a paring knife should slide through easily and flesh should be opaque. Allow fish to rest for 10 minutes out of oven.
- While salmon rests, make TOMATO-PEACH SALAD: In a mediumsized bowl, whisk together vinegar, honey and olive oil. Add onions and allow to sit for 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, peaches and basil along with a good pinch of salt and pepper before tossing to combine.
- To serve divide Tomato-Peach Salad among serving plates. Cut salmon crosswise into serving pieces and place on top or alongside salad. Serve immediately.