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Scallop Ceviche

Scallop Ceviche

This easy ceviche has an unusual tropical flavor that’s rich and light at the same time.  The recipe calls for scallops but it’s also nice with conch, abalone, snapper, or even shrimp.

1 1/4 lbs. sea scallops

1/3 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

3 Tbl. fresh squeezed key limejuice

3 Tbl. fresh squeezed orange juice

2 tsp. fresh grated ginger

2 serrano chiles, minced

zest of 1 lime

1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped fine

1/2 cup chopped green onion

1/2 cup finley diced red bell pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 Tbl. extra virgin olive oil

Dressing:

1 large ripe haas avocado, chopped

1 Roma tomato, peeled, seeded and chopped fine

1 Tbl. finley chopped cilantro

1 Tbl, finley chopped white onion

1 Jalepeno chile, seeded and minced

1 clove garlic, minced

Juice of 1 key lime

pinch of dark brown sugar

1 1/2 Tbl. extra virgin olive oil

Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Rinse the scallops under very cold water and dry with a paper towel.  Cut the scallops in thirds creating short rounds.  In a large non-reactive bowl mix togther the lemon juice, limejuice, orange juice, ginger, serrano chile, and lime zest.  Mix well then add the sliced scallops.  Gently stir, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until the scallops turn white.  Add the cilantro, green onion, red bell pepper, and olive oil.  Cover and refrigerate for 2 - 3 hours. 

Gently fold all dressing ingredients together and then season to taste.  Using a slotted spoon divide the ceveche between six plates.  Spoon the dressing over the seviche and then drizzle a little of the ceviche marinade.  Serve with ice cold Mexican beer and fresh key limes. 

Serves 6

Mad Coyote Joe's Blah Blah Blog: Thai Shrimp and Roasted Cashew Salad

Mad Coyote Joe's Blah Blah Blog: Thai Shrimp and Roasted Cashew Salad: Thai Shrimp and Roasted Cashew Salad If you have a mandolin, try running the cucumber through the julienne blade, cutting the cucu...

Thai Shrimp and Roasted Cashew Salad

Thai Shrimp and Roasted Cashew Salad

If you have a mandolin, try running the cucumber through the julienne blade, cutting the cucumber the long way.  This will produce cucumber that looks like spaghetti or fettuccine.  Use the cucumber strands as abed for the shrimp and veggies.

1 1/2 LB Shrimp, cooked, peeled and deveined

2 C English cucumber

1 C Pineapple Chunks

3/4 C Julienne red onion, rinsed under cold water

1/2 C Chopped Red Bell Pepper

1/2 C Diced Jicama

1/2  Poblano Chile, julienne, without seeds and veins

Dressing:

3 TBL Soy Sauce

3 TBL Sherry Vinegar

3 TBL Un-sweetened pineapple juice

1 TBL Sugar

1 TBL Peanut Oil

2 CLOVES Garlic, minced very fine

2 TSP Fresh Grated Ginger

Finish:

3 TBL Fresh Mint Leaves, torn

3 TBL Fresh Cilantro leaves, torn

3 TBL Dry Roasted Cashews, chopped

1. Toss together the shrimp, cucumber, pineapple, onion, bell pepper, jicama and poblano chile.

2. In a small saucepan, heat the soy sauce, vinegar, pineapple juice and sugar, just until the sugar dissolves.

3. Allow to cool and then whisk in the oil, garlic and ginger.

4. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss well.

5. Gently toss in the mint and cilantro.

6. Garnish with chopped cashews.

   Serves 6

Potatoes Anna with Sonoran Lox

Potatoes Anna

Are you looking for an easy way to eat America’s favorite vegetable?  That’s right the potato is America’s favorite vegetable, hence the name The King of Vegetables.  Potatoes are delicious, en-expensive and good for you.  We eat them at least five times a week.  So we’re always looking for a new potato recipe.   “Potatoes Anna” is a delicious thin potato pancake.  But, until now, they required a mandolin (French Kitchen tool for slicing), because the secret to “Potatoes Anna” is in cutting the potatoes paper-thin. If they are not this thin they don’t stick together. This slicing can be done with a knife if the cook is very talented.  Even food processors can cut the potatoes too thick.  There is an en-expensive new tool at Kitchen classics (40^th St. and Thomas, in Phoenix) called a ceramic slicer that’s made by Kyocera.  They come in two variations adjustable and non-adjustable.  If using the adjustable slicer make sure to set it on the thinnest setting.  The non-adjustable slicer is set at the correct thickness.  This also works wonders on slicing paper-thin cucumbers. 

We serve the “Potatoes Anna” several different ways, including: plain with poached eggs for breakfast, with a slice of black forest ham in the center and a thin slice of baby Swiss cheese on top for lunch and we also use an iron skillet and make them on the grill with grilled meat, chicken or fish.

 Today’s recipe includes Crème fresh and thin sliced lox (recipe below) or smoked salmon. The Crème fresh can be substituted with sour cream.  But, if you’d like you can make your own Crème fresh at home by combining one part of fresh buttermilk with eight parts heavy whipping cream.  Just place the cream mixture in a glass bowl, covered with plastic wrap and allow to rest at room temperature for 24 hours. It will become thick.  Give the mixture a stir and place it in the refrigerator.  It can be stored for up to 10 days and tastes much richer than commercially made sour cream.

This recipe is a big hit at Sunday Brunch.  Try serving it with a good sparkling wine and fresh fruit. 

2 medium Yukon gold, or red potatoes, sliced paper-thin (Do not rinse after slicing)

1 Tbl. Corn or olive oil

1 Tbl. Sweet butter

Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

A dollop of crème fresh or sour cream

A small thin slice of smoked salmon, rolled into a rosette

1/2  tsp. caviar

Sprig of fresh dill

1 tsp. finely chopped Italian parsley

Set a large skillet over medium heat.  Once it heats up fully, add the oil and butter.  Allow the oil and butter to melt and become hot.  Remove the skillet from the heat and set on a thick kitchen towel or heat resistant silicone kitchen pad.  Starting in the center of the skillet line the bottom with circles of potato slices that just barely overlap, until the skillet has one complete layer. *Salt and pepper to taste.  Then add the second layer.  Return the skillet to the heat and cover.  As soon as the bottom of the potatoes are deep brown, gently flip with a large spatula or if you are able flip the potatoes with a sauté motion.  Allow the other side to brown, uncovered.  Remove to dinner plate and top with a dollop of crème fresh, then place a smoked salmon rosette in the center of the crème fresh.  Gently place the caviar in the center of the rosette and garnish with a sprig of fresh dill.  Sprinkle a little of the chopped parsley over the potatoes and serve immediately. 

*The salt in the center of the potatoes both seasons and starts the maceration process which causes starch and moister to be released.  This helps the dish to hold together.

 

Sonoran Lox

Our lox is salmon that is cured for 6 days and then slow-smoked on ice for 6 hours. It's got a sweet, salty flavor with a just a hint of mesquite and apple woods. We're pretty sure this one will really impress those friends and relatives who drop by on the weekend.

2 Large Salmon Filets

2 C Kosher salt

2 C Dark Brown Sugar

1/2 C Premium, Rum, vodka or tequila

2 TBL Mandarin Napoleon liqueur

1. Scale the filets (this step is optional).  Remove any finger bones and cut at least 6 1" long holes in the skin to allow penetration of the brine.

2. Place salmon in a baking dish, skin side down.  Mix sugar and salt well and spread over the salmon.  Drizzle rum and Mandarin Napoleon over salmon.

3. Place a second baking dish (same size as the dish the salmon is in) on top of the salmon and place approximately 6LBS of weight in the upper dish (I use the family dictionary.).

4. Set both dishes on a baking sheet to catch drippings and let cure in the refrigerator for 6 days, turning the fish every 24 hours.

5. In a two-chamber smoker, light 2-3 pieces of pure Mesquite charcoal in the firebox and start soaking alder wood chips.  In upper chamber place large plastic tub or baking dish full of ice, as far away from fire box as possible.

6. Place salmon on sheet pan and set the pan on top of the ice. Use small butter dishes, or bowls as spacers and place second sheet pan on top of first.  Do not allow top pan to touch salmon. Fill second sheet pan with ice.

7. The idea is that you allow a very thin corridor for the salmon to lie in with ice both above and below.  It is important that the salmon stays very cold.  It is also important that just a few coals are used at a time.

8. Add a few alder wood chips at a time and smoke for 4-6 hours. Check on your ice and drain off excess water.  Add more ice as necessary. Do not allow salmon to get wet.

9. When salmon has finished smoking, lightly brush with olive oil.  Slice paper thin to serve.

10. If you have access to a food sealer, seal the salmon and refrigerate.  Date sealed salmon; it will remain fresh for about2-1/2 weeks.

Bread Tomorrow

Tomorrow bread, delicious bread,  the grotto at 10:30 then again at 4:30, then the last time at the Horny toad at 7:00.  You too can have the best sandwich of your life!

Grill-roasted Fennel and Italian Sausage Ravioli with Two Cheeses

Grill-roasted Fennel and Italian Sausage Ravioli with Two Cheeses

Fennel, mushrooms, sausage, and a variety of cheeses and spices from around the world... what's not to like? You and your friends and family will love this dish.

1 Small fennel bulb, trimmed, rinsed and cut in half

2 TBL Olive Oil

2-4 OZ Italian sausage (hot or mild), grilled and chopped fine

4 CLOVES Garlic, minced

1 Large shallot, minced

1 C Minced Italian brown mushrooms

1 TSP Fresh minced rosemary

1/2 C Ricotta cheese

1/4 C Grated Romano cheese

1/4 C Italian parsley, chopped fine

1 TBL Basil, chopped fine

1 TSP Greek oregano

1 TSP Crushed red chile

2 Egg whites

1/4 C Water

Salt and pepper to taste

1. Place the fennel in a covered baking dish that has been oiled with one TBS of olive oil. Season and grill-roast the fennel for 30 minutes or until fork tender. Over medium heat, sauté the garlic and shallots in the olive oil until just starting to brown, add the chopped mushrooms and rosemary. Continue to sauté until mushrooms turn golden brown. Remove and allow to cool.

2. Chop the fennel very fine. In a mixing bowl combine the fennel, sausage, mushroom mixture, both cheeses, parsley, basil, oregano, and red chile. Season to taste and stir well.

3. Using a ravioli press set two egg roll wrappers on press covering eight of the holes and allowing a space between the wrappers. Press the dimples in the wrappers with the press. Spoon one level tablespoon of the filling into each of the ravioli. Whisk together the egg whites and water and brush all the seams of the ravioli.

4. Place top sheets on ravioli, roll out top to cut the pasta. Excess dough should tear away easily. Separate ravioli. In lightly boiling water cook the ravioli for five minutes. Drain and serve.

5. Makes 32 21/2-inch ravioli.