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CookTeaser

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

Daily Archives: September 15, 2011

15/09/11 Julienned Zucchini with Basil, Lemon Juice, EVOO, Pine Nuts & Slivers of Parmesan


 

RECIPE

SErves 2

A CookTale

At dinner at our good friend Maureen’s, who is a food stylist, food editor, cookbook writer and an exceptional cook, was this delightfully fresh first course. I made a note that one day soon it would be on our dinner table. I sent her an e-mail recipe request, and her response was, “I didn’t use a recipe. I used a julienne peeler for the zucchini – tossed it with olive oil, lemon juice, s&p, then added chopped fresh basil, shaved Parmesan, and toasted pine nuts. That’s it!” And it was what I anticipated, a fresh delicious appetizer and it took no time to prepare just before dinner.

INGREDIENTS

2 Zucchini (cut in half to 4″ pieces)
1 TB of EVOO
Kosher Salt & Pepper
The juice of 1 Lemon
12 Basil Leaves (cut to a chiffonade)
1/4 Cup of Toasted Pine Nuts
Parmesan Cheese (wide shavings with a vegetable peeler)

METHOD

1. With a julienne peeler or a mandoline slice about 4 cups of Zucchini

2. Chiffonad the Basil Leaves.

3. Toast the Pine Nuts

4. Toss the two ingredients together in a large bowl. Add the Salt, Pepper, EVOO, Lemon juice, and Pine Nuts. Plate & top with the Parmesan shavings.

15/09/11 Diver Scallops Topped with Salmon Roe on a Bed of Miso Sauce & a Sprinkle of Sesame Seeds


RECIPE
Serves 2

A CookTale

Diver Scallops really show themselves off when accompanied by delicious additions. What can better accompany them than Salmon Roe, Miso Sauce and Toasted Sesame Seeds? Well the last time, we paired them with Coconut Milk and Ginger Sauce, and before that with a Basil Mayonnaise Sauce. Both were equally delicious partners. Divers are a notch above what fish counters refer to as Sea Scallops. A taste of the sea actually permeates the plate.

INGREDIENTS

6 Diver Scallops (Select them as large as possible)
Sea or Kosher Salt & White Pepper
1/2 TB of EVOO + 2 TB of Butter
1 Small jar of Salmon Roe (just enough to top the 6 Divers)
1/4 Cup of Sake
1/4 Cup of Mirin
3 TB of White Miso Paste
3 TB of Sugar
1/4 Cup of Toasted Sesame Seeds

METHOD

1. Prepare the Miso Sauce by combining the Sake, Mirin, Miso Paste & Sugar. Whisk them into a smooth sauce. Set aside to be heated before plating.

2. Season the Diver Scallops with the Sea or Kosher Salt & White Pepper. Refrigerate until 1/2 hour before serving time.

3. Lightly toast the Sesame Seeds in a small pan.

4. Heat a saute pan to medium. add the EVOO & the Butter. When the Butter stops sizzling gently add the Divers & saute for a few minutes or until they have developed a brown crust. Turn & saute for another minute. Remove to a platter.

5. To assemble, gently heat the Miso sauce and spoon a pool of sauce onto a plate. Carefully add three Divers & top with the Salmon Roe. Sprinkle Sesame Seeds into the Sauce.