CHEESED TURKEY BURGER WITH APPLE-CURRANT GINGER CHUTNEY
Ingredients
Serves 8
8 oz (250 ml) fine grated Parmesan cheese
1½ cups (375 ml) shredded Mexican cheese blend
2 garlic clove, minced
1 medium onion, finely chopped
¼ cup (60 ml) old-fashioned oats
2 lg eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp (5 ml) dried oregano
1 tbsp (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp (5 ml) salt
2 lbs (1 kg) lean ground turkey
8 thin sliced smoked gouda
8 cheese hamburger buns or your choice of bun
lettuce leaves
1 red onion, thinly sliced
HONEY MUSTARD SAUCE:
¼ cup (60 ml) mayonnaise
¼ cup (60 ml) Dijon mustard
3 tbsp (45 ml) honey
¼ tsp (1 ml) cayenne pepper
2 tsp (10 ml) cider or white vinegar
APPLE GINGER CHUTNEY:
2 large Granny Smith Apples, peeled, cored and chopped ½-inch dice (.5 cm)
1 cup (250 ml) fine chopped onion
¾ cup (175 ml) cider vinegar
¾ cup (175 ml) firm packed dark brown sugar
½ cup (75 ml) currants or golden raisins
3 tbsp (45 ml) finely minced ginger
½ tsp (2 ml) dry mustard
½ tsp (2 ml) salt
½ tsp (2 ml) dried hot red pepper flakes
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine Parmesan and Mexican cheese, garlic, onion, oats, eggs, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, and salt. Crumble turkey over mixture and mix well, taking care not to overmix. Cover and refrigerate 15 minutes. Shape into 8 X ½-inch (0.5 cm) thick patties.
- Preheat a grill pan or barbecue to medium-high heat. Using longhandled tongs, moisten a paper towel with cooking oil and lightly coat the grill rack. Grill burgers, uncovered, 6 to 8 minutes on each side or until juices run clear. Add a smoked gouda slice to each patty right before taking off the grill, about 1 minute to allow for melting.
- Slice and toast buns. Spread a dollop Honey Mustard Sauce on the bottom of the bun. Add lettuce leaves and red onion. Transfer cheese topped patty and dollop with Apple Ginger Chutney.
- To make HONEY MUSTARD SAUCE, Mix all ingredients until well blended.
- To make APPLE GINGER CHUHTNEY, Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally for 40 minutes, or until it has thickened. Spoon into a sterilized glass jars with a tight lid.
Drink Pairings
CHATEAUBRIAND FOR TWO
Ingredients
Serves 2
1 x 10 oz (300 g) centre-cut beef tenderloin
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
1 large shallot, peeled, finely chopped
1 large portobello mushroom, finely sliced or coarsely chopped
½ tsp (2 ml) fresh thyme leaves
½ cup (125 ml) dry red wine
2 tbsp (30 ml) cold unsalted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 F (220 C).
- Season tenderloin with salt and black pepper. Place olive oil in an ovenproof, heavy-bottomed frying pan over high heat. As soon as it begins to smoke, add beef to hot oil and sear on all sides until brown. Transfer pan to the oven and roast until the internal temperature reaches 130 F (50 C), 10 to 15 minutes for mediumrare. Remove from oven and place beef on a cutting board and tent with foil.
- Pour all but a thin film of fat from the pan. Add shallot, mushroom and thyme and sauté over medium-low heat, until the shallots are golden, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add wine and raise heat to high, deglazing and scraping any brown bits from pan. Reduce until syrupy, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat and whisk in butter until emulsified.
- To serve, carve tenderloin into thick slices and drizzle with sauce.
Drink Pairings
DUNGENESS CRAB SALAD WITH PICKLED GREEN STRAWBERRIES
Ingredients
Serves 2
PICKLED GREEN STRAWBERRIES:
8 green strawberries, sliced
2 to 3 tbsp (30 to 45 ml) water
5 tbsp (75 ml) rice wine vinegar
5 tbsp (75 ml) granulated sugar
1 lime, juice only
1 orange, zest only
3 black peppercorns, whole
6 coriander seeds, whole
SALAD:
1 large Dungeness crab
½ tsp (2 ml) crushed red pepper flakes
1 shallot, sliced
1 garlic clove, peeled and sliced in half (germ removed)
2 to 3 tsp (10 to 15 ml) tomato paste
⅞ cup (207 ml) grape seed oil
1 egg yolk
2 tsp (10 ml) Dijon mustard
1 lemon, juice only, divided
2 dashes rice wine vinegar
kosher salt and espelette, to taste
8 white asparagus spears, peeled
granulated sugar, for water
fresh pea shoots, for garnish
10 cured fennel, shaved for garnish
puffed wild rice, for garnish
fresh soft herbs such as pea shoots and chervil, for garnish
Instructions
- Make PICKLED STRAWBERRIES ahead of time. Place strawberries in a glass container large enough to hold all remaining ingredients.
- Prepare pickle mixture. In a pot combine water, vinegar, sugar, lime juice and orange zest, peppercorns and coriander seeds, bring to a simmer until sugar is dissolved. Pour over top of strawberries in container, allow to cool and refrigerate overnight. If you can the strawberries properly they will keep for a year.
- To make SALAD: Cook crab in a large pot of simmering water for 5 minutes remove from water to a large bowl. Remove legs and claws and place body back in simmering water for an additional 3 minutes. Carefully remove meat from shells, reserving leg and claw shells, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Place leftover leg and claw shells in a medium saucepan over low heat for several minutes, stirring regularly. Add pepper flakes, shallot and garlic, cook for several minutes then add tomato paste and cook for several more minutes, preventing colouring. Add grape seed oil and leave on low heat until oil has developed desired taste, about 30 minutes. Strain through a fine sieve and allow to cool. Refrigerate crab oil until ready to use.
- With crab oil make a mayonnaise. Place egg yolk and Dijon in a bowl, whisk in reserved crab oil, then thin with juice from half a lemon and a couple dashes of rice wine vinegar to achieve desired thickness and balance. Season with kosher salt and espelette.
- In a bowl, dress reserved crabmeat with prepared mayonnaise and freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste. Add a bit at a time, gently fold in meat, season to taste. Set aside.
- Simmer asparagus in a large saucepan of water heavily seasoned with sugar and kosher salt until tender, cool on a tray. Cut into small bite-sized pieces then fold into crab mixture.
- To assemble, arrange crab and asparagus in serving dishes with a few slices of Pickled Green Strawberries. Season with some remaining freshly squeezed lemon juice and pinch or 2 of espelette to taste. Garnish with pea shoots, cured fennel, puffed wild rice and soft herbs, serve immediately.
Drink Pairings
CURRIED THAI MUSSELS SERVED WITH ROTI JALA
Ingredients
Serves 4
ROTI JALA:
1 cup (250 ml) all-purpose flour
½ tsp (2 ml) salt
¼ tsp (1 ml) turmeric
1 large egg
½ cup (125 ml) coconut milk
½ cup (125 ml) water
1 tbsp (15 ml) vegetable oil
THAI-STYLE MUSSELS:
1 tsp (5 ml) vegetable oil
1 small shallot, peeled and thinly sliced
1 tbsp (15 ml) green curry paste
1 kaffir lime leaf
1-in (2.5 cm) piece galangal root
2-in (5 cm) piece lemon grass, crushed
1 small Thai red chili, sliced in half (optional)
1 tbsp (15 ml) palm sugar
1 x 330 ml bottle Singha beer
1 tsp (5 ml) fish sauce
½ cup (125 ml) coconut milk
4 lbs (2 kg) mussels, scrubbed and debearded, discarding any that remain open when tapped
salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
8 sprigs cilantro, washed and trimmed, for garnish
lime wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- To make ROTI JALA: In a bowl combine all ingredients except for oil and whisk until no lumps remain. Strain batter and transfer to a squeeze bottle.
- Lightly oil a 10-in (25 cm) non-stick frying pan with vegetable oil and heat over medium heat. Pour batter into hot pan, using a swirling motion to create a “net-like” pancake. Cook until batter is lightly brown on bottom and batter is set on top. Once batter is set, fold into quarters or roll up and transfer to a warm serving plate. Cover to keep warm while preparing mussels.
- To make MUSSELS: Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot and sweat until translucent.
- Add curry paste and continue cooking until paste becomes fragrant. Add lime leaf, galangal root, lemon grass, chili (if using), palm sugar, beer, fish sauce and coconut milk. Stir to combine.
- Add mussels and cover with tightfitting lid. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes, or until all mussels have opened. Discard any mussels that remain closed.
- Taste broth and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper, if desired. Serve in a large serving bowl and garnish with cilantro sprigs and lime wedges. Serve with Roti Jala.
Drink Pairings
CLASSIC BELGIAN MUSSELS
Ingredients
Serves 4
1 tbsp (15 ml) butter
2 small shallots, peeled and thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 sprigs thyme
4 lbs (2 kg) mussels, scrubbed and debearded, discarding any that remain open when tapped
1½ cups (375 ml) Saison Dupont beer
salt and freshly ground pepper
½ cup (125 ml) crème fraîche
3 sprigs flat-leaf parsley, stems removed and leaves chopped
1 baguette, sliced
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots, garlic and thyme and sweat until shallots are translucent.
- Add mussels, beer and a dash of salt and pepper. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 3 minutes.
- Remove lid and add crème fraîche. Cover with lid and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, or until all mussels have opened. Discard any mussels that remain closed.
- Stir in parsley and taste broth before adding additional salt and pepper as mussels naturally release a salty broth.
- Serve in a large serving bowl with sliced baguette on side, for dipping.
Drink Pairings
CRUNCHY CHICKEN WITH BUTTERMILK GREEN GODDESS CHIVE DRESSING
Ingredients
Serves 4
BUTTERMILK GREEN GODDESS CHIVE DRESSING:
¼ cup (60 ml) mayonnaise
¼ cup (60 ml) buttermilk
3 tbsp (45 ml) chopped fresh chives
2 tbsp (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
1 small garlic clove, minced
½ tsp (2 ml) anchovy paste
¼ tsp (1 ml) sea salt, plus extra to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
CRUNCHY CHICKEN STRIPS:
1 lb (500 g) boneless, skinless chicken tenders
½ cup (125 ml) panko bread crumbs
½ cup (125 ml) coarsely crushed almonds
2 tsp (10 ml) minced fresh sage
½ tsp (2 ml) salt
freshly ground black pepper
1 egg, whisked
¼ cup (60 ml) mayonnaise
⅓ cup (75 ml) all-purpose flour
2 tbsp (30 ml) unsalted butter, melted
SALAD:
1 head Bibb lettuce, separated into leaves
2 nectarines, pitted and sliced
½ cup (125 ml) raspberries
Instructions
- To make the DRESSING: In a small blender combine mayonnaise, buttermilk, chives, lemon juice, garlic and anchovy paste and whirl until smooth. Add ¼ tsp (1 ml) salt and pepper to taste. Can be made ahead and refrigerated for a couple of days.
- For the CRUNCHY CHICKEN STRIPS: Preheat oven to 425 F (220 C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a wide, shallow bowl, stir together bread crumbs, almonds and seasonings. In a second shallow bowl, place whisked egg with mayonnaise and whisk together to blend. Place flour into a third shallow bowl.
- To bread chicken strips, dip into egg mixture. Then shake in flour until coated. Dip into egg mixture again and then roll in bread crumb mixture. Place strips in single layer on lined baking sheet about 1-in (2.5 cm) apart. Drizzle with melted butter. Bake in centre of preheated oven for 5 minutes. Using tongs, gently turn strips and continue to bake for 2 more minutes or until strips are no longer pink inside. Remove to a rack.
- While chicken is baking, assemble SALAD ingredients. Divide Bibb lettuce leaves and fruit among serving plates. Place baked Crunchy Chicken alongside salad and drizzle with Buttermilk Green Goddess Chive Dressing.
Drink Pairings
CHICKEN AND ROASTED GARLIC PIZZA WITH BASIL OIL
Ingredients
Serves 6
PIZZA DOUGH:
2 cups (500 ml) all-purpose flour
1½ tsp (7 ml) quick-rising dry yeast
¾ tsp (4 ml) salt
¾ cup (175 ml) hot water (120° F / 49° C)
2 tsp (10 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
cornmeal, for dusting pizza pan
olive oil, for brushing
BASIL OLIVE OIL:
2 cups (500 ml) tightly packed fresh basil
¾ cup (175 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
salt and freshly ground black pepper
TOPPINGS:
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tbsp (45 ml) olive oil, divided
4 large tomatoes, seeded and diced
4 strips bacon, cooked and chopped
½ yellow onion, shaved thinly into rings and separated
garlic cloves, roasted
⅓ cup (75 ml) capers, rinsed and drained
½ cup (125 ml) shaved Parmesan
2 cups (500 ml) arugula
Balsamic Reduction Sauce
Instructions
- To make PIZZA DOUGH: Pour flour, yeast and salt into a food processor and pulse to mix. With machine running, slowly pour in hot water and oil through feed tube. Process for 1 minute or just until a ball forms. Continue processing for 35 to 45 seconds to knead dough
- With floured hands, shape dough into a smooth ball. Place in large greased bowl, turning dough to grease all over. Cover and let rise in warm draft-free place until doubled, about 1 hour. Dough can be wrapped in a plastic bag and refrigerated for up to 8 hours, or frozen for up to a month. Thaw in refrigerator.
- To make BASIL OLIVE OIL: Blanch fresh basil in a saucepan with water and immediately drain and plunge into cold water. Drain and squeeze out excess water.
- Place in a blender with olive oil and whirl until smooth. Add lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Seal tightly in a glass bottle. Can be stored in refrigerator for several days.
- Bring dough to room temperature before using. Without punching it down, turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. It’s okay if dough deflates. Just don’t work it or knead it, because that will make stretching it more difficult.
- Preheat oven to 475 F (240 C). Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to a 12 or 14-in (30 to 35 cm) round stretching edges with your fingertips. Place on a pizza pan lightly dusted with cornmeal. Brush top of dough with olive oil and bake in oven for 5 minutes. Remove. Set aside.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil in frying pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and lightly brown on both sides. Add a splash of water, cover and reduce heat to medium. Cook for 7 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Remove and cut or shred into bite-sized pieces.
- Lightly brush pizza crust generously with Basil Olive Oil. Evenly scatter with cooked chicken, tomatoes, bacon, onion rings, roasted garlic, capers and half the Parmesan. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until done as preferred.
- Scatter with arugula and additional Parmesan. Drizzle with some Balsamic Reduction Sauce and a little more Basil Olive Oil.
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
CHICKEN AND PORK SATAYS
Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
3 tbsp (45 ml) canola oil
1 stalk lemongrass, dry leaves removed, coarsely chopped
3 garlic cloves
1 red Thai chili pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped
1 tbsp (15 ml) curry powder
1 tsp (5 ml) ground cumin
1 tsp (5 ml) ground coriander
1 tbsp (15 ml) light soy sauce
1 tbsp (15 ml) fish sauce
1 tsp (5 ml) palm or brown sugar
¼ cup (50 ml) coconut milk
1 to 1½ lbs (500 to 750 ml) combination of chicken breast, thighs or pork, cut into thin 1 x 3-in (2.5 x 7.5 cm) strips
SATAY SAUCE:
¼ cup (50 ml) canola oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, chopped
½ tsp (2 ml) dried red chili flakes, or to taste
3 kaffir lime leaves or zest of 1 lime
½ tsp (2 ml) curry powder
1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped lemongrass
1½ cup (375 ml) coconut milk
1 x 2-in (5 cm) cinnamon stick
2 tsp (10 ml) tamarind paste
1 to 3 tbsp (15 to 45 ml) fish sauce, or to taste
3 tbsp (45 ml) palm or brown sugar
3 tbsp (45 ml) lemon juice
1 cup (250 ml) chunky peanut butter
Instructions
- Place all ingredients except for the meat into a food processor. Blend until smooth.
- Separate chicken and pork in two bowls and divide marinade and pour on top. Mix well to combine and marinate for 2 hours.
- Thread meat onto skewers and place on barbecue or grill, turning occasionally, until cooked.
- To make SATAY SAUCE: Heat canola oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic, onion, red chili flakes, kaffir lime leaves, curry powder and lemon grass.
- Sauté 2 to 3 minutes, or until fragrant and onions start to soften.
- Stir in remaining ingredients and mix well. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens, about 30 minutes. Be careful sauce does not stick to bottom of saucepan. Makes 1½ cups (375 ml)
Drink Pairings
CROWN ROAST OF PORK WITH SAUSAGE, HERBS, APPLES AND NUTS
Ingredients
Serves 16
STUFFING
1 cup (250 ml) cubed sourdough bread
2 tbsp (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra, if needed
2 pork sausages, casings removed
1 red onion, peeled, halved and thinly sliced
2 large garlic cloves, sliced
½ cup (125 ml) fresh sage leaves, torn into pieces
¼ cup (60 ml) chopped walnuts
1 Honeycrisp apple, unpeeled, cored and diced
¼ cup (60 ml) cranberries, fresh or frozen, thawed
salt and freshly ground black pepper
ROAST
8 lb (4 kg) crown roast of pork, about 16 ribs, rib ends frenched
½ cup (125 ml) finely minced fresh rosemary
3 tbsp (45 ml) fennel seeds, crushed with a mortar and pestle
1 tbsp (15 ml) sea salt, plus extra
freshly ground black pepper
SAUCE
1 cup (250 ml) chicken stock
½ cup (125 ml) water
2 tbsp (30 ml) balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp (15 ml) brown sugar
2 tsp (10 ml) Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp (5 ml) tapioca starch (optional)
Instructions
- To make Stuffing, preheat oven to 325 F (170 C). Spread bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in middle of oven for 15 minutes or until crisp and lightly golden.
- While bread is toasting, heat oil in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add sausage and stir-fry over medium heat, breaking up meat with a fork. Sauté until pork is crumbly and cooked through. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
- To saucepan, add onion, garlic, sage and nuts and sauté over medium-low heat, stirring often until onion softens. Add splash of oil, if needed. Add apple and cranberries and stir until slightly softened. Transfer to bowl with sausage and add toasted bread cubes. Fold together, using a large wooden spoon and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- To make Roast, place crown roast of pork in a large roasting pan. Season inside cavity with salt and pepper. Mound prepared stuffing into cavity. In a small bowl, combine rosemary, fennel and salt. Stir, pressing ingredients together with back of a spoon to blend the natural herb oils with salt, to form a paste. Add a couple drops oil if mixture seems too dry. Using your fingertips, rub salted herb paste over outside of pork roast. Wrap tips of rib bones with foil to prevent burning. Cover stuffing in middle of roast loosely with a small dome of foil. Leave remaining roast exposed.
- Set oven rack in bottom third of oven. Bake roast until instant-read thermometer registers 155 F (68 C) when inserted into meat portion. Do not touch bones with thermometer or reading won’t be accurate. Roast should be fully baked after 2¼ to 2¾ hours. Remove from oven and transfer roast with stuffing intact to a heated carving platter. Cover loosely with foil and let rest for 15 to 20 minutes. Temperature of meat will rise to 160 F (71 C) as it rests. Meat will be slightly pink.
- To prepare Sauce, skim fat from pan drippings. Place roasting pan over 1 or 2 burners, depending on size of pan. Add all sauce ingredients and bring to a boil, stirring and scraping up brown bits from bottom of pan. Pour through a fine sieve into a small saucepan. Add salt and pepper, to taste. For a thicker sauce, sprinkle in a little tapioca starch and gently simmer a couple of minutes. Cover and keep warm over low heat until ready to serve.
- Remove all foil from roast. Carve roast into chops by cutting between ribs. Serve on a mound of stuffing with a little sauce drizzled over top. Roast is excellent served with your favourite vegetables and fluffy mashed potatoes.