Hors d'œuvre

Salmon Mousse

May 23, 2011

Salmon Mousse

Up until the 18th century, salmon was one of the most commonly eaten fish in Europe.  With the Industrial Revolution came the pollution of many of the rivers which effectively eliminated wild salmon.  These days most of the salmon sold in the U. S. and Europe is produced on fish farms.  I usually prefer to consume wild salmon and make a point to ask the origin when I am purchasing my fish.  This salmon mousse recipe is extremely versatile.  It can be used as an appetizer (sliced and served as is on small squares of toasts with a squirt of lemon juice); as a main course; served with cold asparagus; served with a tossed salad; and a “make-ahead” spread that can be served with crackers or toasted rye bread. 

INGREDIENTS

1 Pound Fresh Salmon

Bunch of Fresh Herbs

½ Pint Double Cream

2 Ounces Softened Butter

4 Ounces Dry Sherry

2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice

1/8 Teaspoon Salt

1/8 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper

½ Ounce Powdered Gelatin

Preheat oven to 350° F.  Lightly oil a 1 pound loaf pan or a salmon mould.  Place the salmon in a buttered, ovenproof dish with the fresh herbs and cover with water.  Cover the dish with foil and cook for 20 minutes.  Leave the salmon to cook in the liquid, and then remove the skin and bones.  Reserve the liquid.  Pound the salmon flesh until smooth.  Lightly whip the cream and fold into the salmon.  Soften the butter and stir into the mixture together with the sherry and lemon juice.  Add the salt and pepper.  Measure 6 tablespoons of the reserved fish liquid into a bowl and sprinkle the gelatin on top.  Set over a pan of hot water until the gelatin has dissolved.  Cool slightly and then beat into the mousse.  Spoon the mousse into the loaf pan or the mould and leave to set in the refrigerator overnight.  Turn out onto a serving plate to serve.  Serves 8

 

Tilapia Ceviche

May 5, 2011

Tilapia Ceviche

INGREDIENTS

2 Pounds Diced Tilapia Fillets

1 Cup Lime Juice

½ Cup Seeded Chopped Tomato

½ Peeled/Seeded & Finely Diced Cucumber

½ Cup Finely Chopped Onion

¼ Cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro Leaves

Salt & Freshly Ground Pepper

1 Tablespoon Hot Sauce

1 Serrano Chile

6 Grilled Tostadas

1 Halved/Pitted/Peeled & Thinly Sliced Avocado

1 Lime Cut Into Wedges

Put the tilapia in a medium sized bowl.  Pour the lime juice (about 8 limes) over the fish and mix gently to combine.  Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator until the fish is white throughout.  This should take about 20 minutes.

Remove from the refrigerator and drain off the lime juice.  Gently squeeze the fish with your hands and discard the lime juice.  Add the tomato, cucumber, onion and cilantro.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Add the hot sauce and chile.

To grill the tortillas heat a grill or grill pan over medium heat.  Put the tortillas on the grill or grill pan and let them dry out until they are crunchy.  If you would rather used readymade tostadas you can do that as well. 

Top the tostadas generously with the ceviche.  Arrange the avocado slices on top of the ceviche and serve immediately with the lime wedges alongside.  Serves 6

Beef Sliders

May 4, 2011

Beef Sliders

These mini-burgers are so very tasty.  What meat eater can resist?!

INGREDIENTS

2 Pounds Ground Sirloin

½ Cup Dried Onion Flakes

¼ Teaspoon Fresh Ground Pepper

Cheddar Cheese (optional)

24 Mini Buns

Red Onion Slices (optional)

Lettuce (optional)

Condiments of Choice

Preheat the oven to 400° F.  Evenly spread dried onion on the bottom of a 9×13 glass baking dish.  Gently pat the ground sirloin on top of the onion flakes to form one large patty.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with cheese if desired.  Return to the oven for 5 more minutes.  Let stand for at least 5 minutes.  Drain grease by tipping pan and pouring most of the grease out from one of the corners of the pan.  Cut burgers into 24 portions (6” x 4”).  Place mini-burgers on mini-buns and top with condiments of your choice.  If you would rather make individual mini-burgers you can do that as well.  Makes 24

Baked Camembert

May 1, 2011

Baked Camembert

I discovered Baked Camembert while living in France. Baked Camembert is a great appetizer or can be eaten as a meal.

INGREDIENTS

One 9 Ounce Camembert (In Wooden Box)

1 Peeled and Sliced Garlic Clove

½ Teaspoon Fresh Thyme Leaves

1 Tablespoon Honey

1 Small Baguette (Cut into Slices)

2 Tablespoon Olive Oil

Extra Olive Oil For Brushing

Sea Salt

Preheat oven to 400° F.   Remove the camembert from the box and throw away any wax paper packaging.  Take a 10 inch square of foil and place in the wooden box.  Place the camembert back inside the box.  Pierce the top of the camembert with the tip of a knife and push in the slices of garlic along with thyme leaves.  Drizzle with honey.  Loosely scrunch the foil up over the cheese and set aside.  Brush two 12 inch square sheets, the size of your baking sheet, of parchment paper with oil.  Line the baking sheet with one of the oiled parchment sheets – oil side up.  Spread the slices of baguette over the sheet.  Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with crushed sea salt.  Place the remaining sheet of parchment – oil side down – over the bread.  Place in the oven with the camembert and cook both for 10 minutes or until the cheese has risen and the bread is crisp.  Open up the foil and dip in the hot baguette.  This is delicious!  Serves 4

Naughty Nachos

March 27, 2011

Naughty Nachos

If I had to pick my last meal on earth it would be Naughty Nachos!

INGREDIENTS

1 Pound Ground Sirloin

2 Teaspoons Chili Powder

2 Teaspoons Cumin

1 Teaspoon Paprika

1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

½ Teaspoon Salt

8 Ounces Refried Beans

15 Ounces Black Beans

¾ Pound Grated Monterey Jack Cheese

1 Pound Grated Cheddar Cheese

1 Large Chopped Red Onion

½ Cup Chopped Green Onions

2 Chopped Tomatoes

8 Ounces Chopped Black Olives

3 Diced Jalapeño Peppers

16 Ounces Tortilla Chips

Iceberg Lettuce

Sour Cream  (optional)

Guacamole   (optional)

Salsa  (optional)

Brown ground sirloin in a medium skillet. Drain and add chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder and salt.  Set aside.  Spread the refried beans over the bottom of a platter or shallow heat proof dish.  This is to anchor the first layer of tortilla chips.  Next, spread a layer of chips over the refried beans, top with layers of cheeses, ground sirloin, black beans, red onion, green onions, diced jalapeño peppers, tomatoes and olives.  Repeat until all ingredients are used.  Bake in preheated oven at 375° F for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and serve warm.  Top with lettuce, guacamole, sour cream and salsa. Serves 6

Warm Crab Dip

March 15, 2011

Warm Crab Dip

INGREDIENTS

1 ¾ Cups Cream Cheese

1 Cup Sour Cream

4 Tablespoons Mayonnaise

2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice

2 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard

2 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce

1 Pound & 2 Ounces Fresh Cooked Crabmeat

1 Cut In Half Garlic Clove

Butter For Greasing

Salt & Pepper

Fresh Dill For Garnish

Crackers Or French Bread To Serve

 

Combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard and Worcestershire sauce.  Add the crabmeat, salt & pepper and gently stir together.  Taste and add extra Worcestershire sauce if needed.  Cover and let chill for up to 24 hours. 

 

When you are ready to heat the dip, remove it from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature.  Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350° F.  Rub the cut sides of the garlic cloves over the base and sides of an oven proof dish suitable for serving  from.  Then lightly grease and spoon the crab mixture into the dish and smooth the surface.  Heat the dip through in the oven for 15 minutes. 

The dip is best kept warm when served, traditionally by using a chafing dish heated by a candle.  Either spoon the dip into such a dish, sprinkle with dill and set over the heat source or set the dip in its ovenproof dish over a fondue burner and garnish with dill.  Serve with crackers or French bread pieces.  Serves 8 to 12

Asparagus & Prosciutto Rolls

March 14, 2011

Asparagus & Prosciutto Rolls

INGREDIENTS

18 Thick & Trimmed Asparagus Spears

2 Teaspoons Salt

6 Slices Imported Italian Prosciutto (such as Prosciutto di Parma)

4 Ounces Fontina Cheese – Cut Into Thin Slices

2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter – Melted

Freshly Ground Pepper

Bring about 2 inches of water to a boil in a large shallow pan.  Add the asparagus and salt.  Cook until the asparagus are partially tender when pierced with a fork (about 4 minutes – depending on their thickness).  Do NOT overcook.  Drain the asparagus and rinse them under cool water.  Pat dry with paper towels. 

Preheat oven to 350° F.  Butter a large baking dish.  Make 6 bundles of 3 asparagus each.  Wrap a slice of prosciutto around the center of each bundle.  Place the bundles in the baking dish.  Lay the pieces of cheese on top of the prosciutto.  Brush the butter over the asparagus.  Sprinkle with pepper.   Bake 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the asparagus are tender.  Serve hot.  Serves 6

Cheese Pizza

February 2, 2011

Cheese Pizza

Who doesn’t love pizza?!

INGREDIENTS

½ Recipe Basic Pizza Dough

1 Cup Victoria’s Secret Pizza Sauce

2 Tablespoons Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese

1 Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Prepare pizza dough & prepare Victoria’s Secret Pizza Sauce.  Shape pizza dough as directed.  Sprinkle with Parmesan and spread sauce over Parmesan cheese and top with mozzarella.  Preheat oven to 450° F.  Let prepared pizza rest for about 20 minutes before putting into the oven.  Bake until crust is golden which should be approximately 15 to 20 minutes.  Serves 4

Pizza Toppings

If you want to top your pizza with more than cheese here are some ideas.  To keep the crust crispy, scatter cheese over the dough before topping with other ingredients.  Sprinkle fresh herbs over the pizza just before serving. 

Try these delicious combinations or make up your own:

1)    Grilled radiccio, cooked crumbled pancetta or bacon, crumbled goat cheese and chopped fresh sage.

2)     Sautéed cremini mushrooms, cooked sweet Italian sausage, black or green pitted olives, thinly sliced fresh mozzarella cheese and dried oregano.

3)    Coarsley chopped grilled eggplant, marinated artichoke hearts, chopped plum tomatoes, shredded mozzarella cheese and fresh basil leaves. 

4)    Thinly sliced mozzarella cheese, crumbled gorgonzola, spoonfuls of ricotta, freshly ground pepper and fresh basil leaves. 

 

Basic Pizza Dough

INGREDIENTS

1 ¼ Cups Warm Water (105° to 115° F)

1 Package Active Dry Yeast

1 Teaspoon Sugar

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

2 Teaspoons Salt

Approximately 4 Cups Unbleached Flour or Approximately 3 ½ Cups Bread Flour

Cornmeal for Sprinkling

In a large bowl, combine ¼ cup warm water, yeast and sugar. Stir to dissolve.  Let stand for about 5 minutes or until foamy.  Be careful that the water is not hot or it will kill the yeast. 

With a wooden spoon, stir in the remaining 1 cup of warm water, oil, salt and 1 ½ cups flour until smooth.  Gradually add 2 cups unbleached flour or 1 ½ cups bread flour, stirring until dough leaves the side of the bowl.  Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic (about 10 minutes), working in enough of remaining ½ cup of flour just to keep dough from sticking to the surface. 

Shape dough into a ball and place in a large greased bowl.  Turn the dough to grease the top.  Cover bowl loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place (80° to 85° F) until doubled in volume, for about 1 ½ hours. 

Punch down dough and turn.  Now turn onto a lightly floured surface and cut in half, cover loosely and let rest for about 15 minutes.  If you are not using right away, place dough in a large greased bowl, cover loosely with greased plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 24 hours. 

Sprinkle two large cookie sheets with cornmeal.  Shape each dough half into a ball.  On one prepared pizza pan (or cookie sheet) with floured rolling pin roll one ball into 14 inch x 10 inch rectangle.  Fold edges in to form 1 inch rim.  Repeat to make your second pizza.  Makes enough dough for 2 large pizzas. 

 

Victoria’s Secret Pizza Sauce

INGREDIENTS

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

1 Chopped Yellow Onion

4 Finely Chopped Garlic Cloves

One 28 Ounce Can Plum Tomatoes

2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste

2 Tablespoons Chopped Fresh Basil

½ Teaspoon Salt

In a nonreactive 3 quart saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat.  Add onion and garlic and cook.  Stir until onion is tender (about 5 minutes).  Stir in tomatoes with their juice, tomato paste (I like to use the tomato paste that comes in a tube), basil and salt.  Heat to boiling, breaking up tomatoes with the side of your spoon.  Reduce heat and partially cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce has thickened slightly (about 20 minutes).  Makes 3 ½ cups.

Barbecue Meatballs

January 30, 2011

Barbecue Meatballs

INGREDIENTS

For The Meatballs

3 Pounds Lean Ground Sirloin

1 Cup Evaporated Milk

1 Cup Quick Cook Oatmeal

1 Cup Fine Dry Bread Crumbs

2 Large Eggs

½ Cup Finely Chopped Red Onion

1 ½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder

1 ½ Teaspoon Salt

2 Teaspoons Chili Powder

½ Teaspoon Fresh Ground Black Pepper

BBQ Sauce

2 Cups Ketchup

1 Cup Brown Sugar

2 Tablespoons Hot Sauce

½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder

¼ Cup Finely Chopped Onion

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Combine meatball ingredients and shape into 1 inch balls. 

Combine sauce ingredients and stir well.  Place uncooked meatballs in a 13 x 9 inch baking dish and bake for about 1 hour.  Serve as an appetizer or dinner.  Great for a game day snack.  Makes about 6 dozen meatballs.

Victoria’s Jalapeno Bean Dip

January 19, 2011

Victoria’s Jalapeno Bean Dip

INGREDIENTS

5 Medium Jalapeno Peppers

1 ½ Cups Cooked Pinto Beans

1 Cup Cooked Black Beans

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

½ Teaspoon Salt

1 Garlic Clove

½ Teaspoon Oregano

1 Squeezed Lime

1 Teaspoon Cumin

½ Cup Salsa

 

Preheat oven to 325° F.  Cut off tops of peppers.  Combine whole peppers with all ingredients in a food processor and “puree.”  Pour processed ingredients into a covered dish and put in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and serve with tortilla chips.  Serves 8

**I like to cook dried beans instead of using cans.  If you are pressed for time then canned beans are ok.

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