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CookTeaser

“Photos, Recipes & CookTales For Those Who Enjoy Cooking”

April 4, 2015 New Jerry’s Scallops


Jerry's Scallops

RECIPE Jerry’s Scallops

Serves 2

A CookTale

Jerry Della Femina, our friend and a friend of Facebook, has a weekly column titled “Jerry’s Ink”. This week’s column was titled, “Nobody Asked Me But” and included the recipe for this delicious Scallop dish (Jerry certainly knows food having had one of the best restaurants in East Hampton. Here it is.

INGREDIENTS

3/4 to a pound of fresh Scallops all the same size
4 oz. (8 TB) very good Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Juice of a lemon
1/4 tsp hot pepper flakes
Salt to taste
Parsley if you have it

METHOD

Thinly slice the Scallops. Whisk the rest of the ingredients together.
Gently mix the Scallops with the liquid. Cover and put in the fridge for at least two hours. Take out an hour before serving to allow Scallops to get to room temperature.

Sprinkle with Parsley and serve.

February 2, 2015 Cod Filet floating On a Bed of Broccoli Rabe



Cod floating on a bed of Broccoli RabeRECIPE

A CookTale

This one is for Eduardo Nery, my Portuguese friend who is comfortably situated among the white blossoming Almond Trees in the Algarve. They were planted centuries ago to to remind a Russian princesses of the snow white terrain of home that she so longed to see. Today she could be well comforted in the white terrain of Woodstock, NY

INGREDIENTS

2 TB Mustard
1 TB Capers, drained
1 TB chopped fresh Tarragon
2 TB plus 1 tsp EVOO
Kosher Salt and Black Pepper
1 TB fresh Lemon Juice

METHOD

In a small bowl, stir together the Mustard, Capers, Tarragon (if using), 2 TB EVOO and 2 TB water. (If necessary, adjust the consistency with more water.)
Heat 1 tsp of the remaining EVOO in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Season the Cod with Salt and Pepper and cook until opaque throughout, 4 to 7 minutes per side.
Serve the Cod, plated with a couple of spoonfuls of Sauce.

December 10, 2014 Poached Calamari Tubes and Tentacles With Leeks & Hearts of Palm


Poached Calamari. RECIPE

Serves 2

A CookTale

Without a doubt , try this recipe once and you will be as smitten as I am. Poaching the Calamari for an hour in EVOO and half a Lemon, and the Leeks for 20 to 25 minutes does wonders. The result is a tenderness and a flavor hard to describe, the photo does a better mouth watering job.

INGREDIENTS

1 lb. cleaned young Squid
2 C plus 2 TB EVOO
1 lemon
Dried Chile Flakes
Salt & Pepper
4 Leeks, trimmed, cleaned
4 Hearts of Palm

METHOD

1. Preheat oven to 375. Rinse the Squid under cold water. Place in a Dutch oven. Cover with 2 cups of EVOO, add half the Lemon (reserving the other half for juice) and a pinch of Chile Flakes, and season well with Salt and Pepper. Cover tightly, and poach the Squid in the oven until fork-tender, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven, and allow to cool with the lid on for at least 25 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, toss the Leeks in a mixing bowl with 2 tablespoons EVOO and season with Salt and Pepper. Place Leeks in a single layer on a sheet tray, and roast until they are tender and beginning to caramelize, about 20 to 30 minutes.

3. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the Squid to a mixing bowl, and combine with the makings of a dressing: 1 tablespoon of the poaching liquid, 2 teaspoons Lemon juice, and a small pinch of Chile Flakes. Toss well, check seasoning, then add the Parsley, tossing again to coat evenly.

4.Arrange the Leeks and Hearts of Palm on 2 plates, and spoon the Squid over them, finishing with a drizzle reserved poaching liquid.

5. A Salad of AVocado and Onion is a fine side dish.

December 6, 2014 Filet Mignon with Sauteed Oyster Mushrooms in Marsala sauce


Filet Mignon with Oyster Mushrooms in Marsala sauce

October 4, 2014 Smoked Pork Chop with Spicy Cabbage


Smoked Pork Chop & Spicy Cabbage.1

RECIPE

Serves 2

A CookTale
This is a redux of a November 2011 dinner. The Smoked Pork Chop is an addition. Together they definitely complemented each other. The Smoked Pork Chop is another delicious item available at our wonderful Smokehouse of The Katskills ready to devour, I simply warmed it in the pan with the Cabbage. A huge YUM.

RECIPE
Serves 2

A CookTale

INGREDIENTS for the Spicy Cabbage

Pancetta (2-1/4″ slices & diced to 1/4″ pieces)
A medium head of Savoy Cabbage (halved & cut into 1″ ribbons)
3 Garlic Cloves (thinly sliced)
1 tsp of dried Thyme (or to taste)
Kosher Salt & Black Pepper
A pinch of Red Pepper Flakes
1/2 Cup of Chicken Broth + 1/2 Cup of Vermouth

METHOD

1. Fry the Pancetta in a large pan until the fat has rendered. Remove from the pan to a small bowl leaving the fat behind. Add the Garlic & saute in the Pancetta fat, then add the ribbons of Cabbage, toss & saute to combine.

2. Add the Chicken Broth & Vermouth, the Thyme, Salt & Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes, cover & cook over high heat as long as it takes for the Cabbage to really tenderize, which should take 20 minutes or so. Keep your eye on the progress. Return the Pancetta to the pan & toss together.

September 21, 2014 Spicy Boneless Thighs with Sausages, Black Olives, Tomatoes, & Mushrooms.


Spicy Boneless Thighs with Black Olives & Mushrooms

RECIPE

A CookTale

Originally posted in 2012, Consider it a reminder to give it a try,

4 Chicken Thighs boneless, about 4 ounces each
2 Sweet Italian Sausages
Kosher Salt & Black PEPPER
Red Pepper Flakes (to taste)
8 Green Sicilian Olives (halved)
2 Bell Peppers (roasted & quartered)
1 Large Onion (sliced)
2 oz of Fondue de Poulet Gold (available on-line from More than Gourmet)
1/2 C of White Wine
8 oz of Button Mushrooms (sliced)
14 ounce can of Whole Tomatoes (juice separated)
2 TB of EVOO
Parsley chopped

METHOD

1. In a large casserole, heat the EVOO & saute the Onions until tender & translucent. Set aside in a large bowl.

2. Halve the Sausages & cook them until almost tender. set aside.

3. Add the Mushrooms & saute until tender & brown. Add the Roasted Peppers & the Tomatoes, saute & add both to the large bowl.

4. Add the Chicken Thighs, & cook for about 7 minutes to each side. Set aside with the Sausages.

5. Deglaze the pan with the White Wine, scraping up the pan particles. Add the Fondue de Poulet Gold & whisk them together.

6. Return all the vegetables & the Green Olives to the casserole & simmer for about 15 minutes to amalgamate the flavors together.

7. 15 minutes before serving time, return the Chicken Thighs & the halved Sausages to the casserole, & simmer over low heat.

8. To plate, add a Chicken Thigh & 2 half Sausages. surround the plate with the vegetables & sauce.

 

September 12, 2014 Tagliatelle with Sevruga Caviar


Caviar Pasta

RECIPE

Serves 2 Deliciously

A CookTale

A once a year four star event occurred last evening, and it was well worth waiting for. The photo speaks for itself.

INGREDIENTS

4 oz Tagliatelle
4 oz good quality Caviar (we used Sevruga)
6 TB good quality unsalted Butter
5-6 TB Crème Fraiche (you could probably substitute Heavy Cream)
1/2 TB Lemon Juice
2 TB White Wine or Vermouth
Salt to taste
Black Pepper, coarse grind

METHOD

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.

2. In a small skillet, heat 3 TB of Butter until melted. Add Lemon Juice and Wine. Cook together for about 2 minutes. Add the Crème Fraiche, a touch of Salt and some Black Pepper. Cook over low to medium heat for a couple of minutes until slightly reduced.

3. Cook Pasta until a slight bit more than al dente (we cooked it 6 minutes exactly). Drain. Return to pot and add 3 more TB of Butter. Mix well. Add 1 heaping teaspoon of the Caviar. Mix well.

4. Add the Wine-Butter-Cream mixture and mix well. Serve immediately on two plates, spooning the rest of the caviar on top
of the Pasta.

September 11, 2014 Braised Rib Pork Chop with Butter Sauteed Zucchini


Braised Rib Pork Chop
RECIPEServes 2

A CookTale

Last evening, Davis conquered Goliath! Traditionally I’ve grilled Pork Chops and more often than not they have been tough.
This time I decided to try and oven braise
them in a simple flavored liquid…and it worked! After 25 minutes in a 300 oven, they were tender and flavorful. At plating I spooned each with a Demi Glace sauce.
That will be my new traditional method.

INGREDIENTS

2 1″ rib Pork Chops.
Salt & Pepper liberally sprinkled
1 c of Vermouth
1/4 c of EVOO

For the sauce
1 c of Chicken Stock
2 oz of Demi Glace Gold
2 TB of Butter

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F
2. Liberally season the chops. Add them to a casserole dish. Add the EVOO and Vermouth mixture half way up the dish.
3. Braise for 25 minutes or until medium rare.
4. For the sauce, In a small saucepan add the Chicken Stock, Demi Glace and Butter. Bring to a boil and simmer for a few minutes to emulsify.

 

August 23, 2014 Shrimp Scampi


Scampi
RECIPE
Serves 2

A CookTale

Every country has its version of this simple shrimp dish. This one is titled, Southern Shrimp Scampi
credited to Kim Severson of the NY Times. Looks tasty and was tasty.

INGREDIENTS
2 large Garlic Cloves, finely chopped
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp finely ground Pepper
1 lb Shrimp, 16-20 count
1 TB EVOO
1/2 C Wine or Vermouth
3 TB Butter
2 tsp Lemon Juice
2 TB chopped Italian Parsley
1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes

METHOD

1. In a bowl, toss Garlic, Salt and Pepper with the Shrimp, which may be refrigerated, well covered for a few hours.

2. When ready to cook, heat EVOO in a large sauté pan over high heat until it shimmers, then add Shrimp and move shrimp around in the pan for little over a minute, or until the color just begins to turn from translucent.

3. Remove Shrimp, reduce heat to medium-high and add Wine, scraping up any bits in the pan. Cook for a few minutes to reduce, then add Butter and swirl the pan to melt.

4. Put Shrimp back into pan, stir about at most a minute to finishing cooking and add Lemon Juice.

5. Remove to serving dish, sprinkle with Parsley and red Pepper Flakes, adding more Pepper if desired. Serve over Rice or Pasta or as is.

July 22, 2014 Salada Caprese With Melanzana


Salada Caprese over Melanzana

 

A CookTale

Is a detailed recipe required? I don’t believe so. But instructions for grilling the Eggplant follows.

INGREDIENTS

2 Tablespoons salt, plus more for sprinkling
2 medium eggplants
About 1/3 cup olive oil

METHOD
1.In a large bowl dissolve 2 tablespoons of salt in 1 cup warm water. Add 2 quarts cold water. Set aside.

2.Trim the eggplant. Peel it, if you like, and cut it into 1-inch thick diagonal, crosswise, or lengthwise slices. Put the slices in the salt water, weigh them down with an upside-down plate, and let sit 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat a charcoal or gas grill to medium-high heat (you can hold your hand about an inch above the grill for 3 to 4 seconds).

3. Drain the eggplant and pat it dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Lay the slices on a large baking sheet or tray. Brush one side with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Lay the slices oiled-side-down on the grill. Close the lid if using a gas grill and cook until grill marks appear, about 5 minutes.
Brush the top sides of the slices with oil and sprinkle them with salt. Turn the slices over, close the lid on a gas grill and cook until grill marks appear on the other side and the eggplant is very tender, about 5 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature.