Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Orange Segments With Bourbon - Chocolate Cream

So the photographer from the Rockford Register Star came over today to take some shots of my food.  I wanted to make something quick - but not the same thing I did the last time I was photographed for the paper.

Remember how Forrest Gump had to go meet the President, AGAIN?  My contention is that if you live in Rockford long enough you'll end up in the paper.  For me, AGAIN - that's cool.

So I whipped up a cool dessert bite that I made for the class I taught at WomanSpace.

First, you need to know how to segment an orange Click here for a video to see how to do it

Then, make the whipped cream:

     1/2 cup organic heavy cream
     1 tsp sugar
     1/4 tsp vanilla
     2 tsp finely grated dark chocolate
     2 tsp good bourbon

Add the first 4 ingredients to a mixing bowl.  Whip until starting to thicken.  Add bourbon and whip until fully thickened.  Let chill for 10 minutes.

Place dollop of bourbon cream on plate or in a spoon.  Top with one orange segment.  Sprinkle more grated dark chocolate.  Add mint leaf for garnish.

So the funny thing is when I offer the photographer a taste, he says, "Holy crap!  That's good."

Then he was off to take pictures at a local cocktail lounge.  I'll bet they didn't give him anything that made him say "Holy crap!"

Monday, March 10, 2014

Salmon Sliders


Salmon sliders are great for a fun snack at a party or for a casual meal.  The chunky avocado pops with fresh-squeezed lime.  The salmon has a spicy pan-sear and the creamy, heady gorgonzola rounds out the fresh flavors.




  Ingredients
     Salmon filets
     Avocados
     Limes, plus extra for drizzling
     Gorgonzola
     Slider-style buns
     Salt, Pepper, Sugar, Cayenne

Make the avocado spread first.  Coarsely chop avocado and add to mixing bowl.  Squeeze fresh lime juice (one lime for every two avocados).  Season with salt, pepper.  Mix gently - there should still be some small bits of avocado.  Set aside to chill.

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Season salmon filets with salt, pepper, pinch of sugar, and pinch of cayenne.  Heat an oven-safe skillet on stove over high heat.  Add one tablespoon olive oil to skillet.  Carefully place salmon in skillet skin side up.  Don't stir, poke, slide pan, or disturb the salmon in any way for at least 3 minutes.  You want to see that nice searing crust form.  Then, gently turn salmon skin side down and place in oven for 7-10 minutes.

Remove from oven and slide a knife under the filet between the fish and the skin to remove.  

While the fish rests, build your sliders with avocado on the bun, top with salmon, sprinkle on crumbled gorgonzola.  Squeeze fresh lime over all and dig in.

What, no jokes?  No Paula Deen bashing?  Nah.  Eat something good and have some fun.