Month: September 2013

Baby Octopus In Spicy Salice Salentino/Bell Pepper Sauce With Ziti Lunga

>
>
Sunday’s  lunch featured two of my favorite ingredients, baby octopus and lunga ziti. While the baby octopus have become a beloved food during my younger year’s as a marine merchant in the Mediterranean, lunga ziti, or, as they were simply known in our home when I grew up, macaroni, have been a familiar food item since I can remember as a small child. My mom used to serve them simply with some butter-sauteed bread crumbs (schmelze) and freshly grated swiss cheese. What a feast that was, fondly remembered to this very day 🙂

Bon Appetit !   Life is Good !
>

To serve, top pasta with octopus. Sprinkle with chopped italian parsley

To serve, top pasta with octopus. Sprinkle with chopped italian parsley.

>

Cook octopus in salted water until tender, but still with a bit of bite. Drain.

Cook octopus in salted water until tender, but still with a bit of bite. Drain.

>

Saute in olive oil until starting to change color

Saute in olive oil until starting to change color.

>

Add finely diced onions and garlic paste. Saute until fragrant

Add finely diced onions and garlic paste. Saute until fragrant.

>

Add diced bell peppers

Add diced bell peppers, saute one minute.

>

Add diced tomatoes and sliced scallions. Saute for one minute.

Add diced tomatoes, oregano and sliced scallions. Saute for one minute.

>

Deglaze with Salice Salentino or other robust red wine, add kpsher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Simmer for two minutes. Check seasoning

Deglaze with Salice Salentino or other robust red wine, add kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Simmer for two minutes. Check seasoning.

>

Meanwhile, cook the lunga ziti al dente.

Meanwhile, cook the lunga ziti al dente.

>

To serve, top pasta with octopus. Sprinkle with chopped italian parsley

To serve, top pasta with octopus. Sprinkle with chopped italian parsley

>

Baby Octopus In Spicy Salice Salentino/Bell Pepper Sauce Over  Lunga Ziti

Baby Octopus In Spicy Salice Salentino/Bell Pepper Sauce With Lunga Ziti

>
>
Dear Friend’s, to help support this blog, please be so kind and click on the video below.  ( You don’t have to watch it, just click once )   Thank you 🙂
>
>
>
>

Meat Ball Sandwich – Merguez Meatballs In Harissa/Tomato Sauce On Garlic Bread

>
>
My  neighbor and friend Sami is from Egypt. He sometimes gives me some Egyptian, Middle Eastern and/or Mediterranean food to taste, usually about once a month.
Normally it is fully cooked and nicely presented, but yesterday morning he gave me some Merguez stuffing he had just prepared and asked me to “make something different with it”.
Here is what I came up with. I enjoyed it a lot and so did he 🙂

For the sauce, I mixed 2/3 tomato sauce with 1/3 of harissa.
(This sauce was so good, I think I will use it for other dishes or as dipping sauce in the future)


Bon Appetit !   Life is Good !

>
>

Meat Ball Sandwich - Merguez Meatballs In Harissa/Tomato Sauce On Garlic Bread

Meat Ball Sandwich – Merguez Meatballs In Harissa/Tomato Sauce On Garlic Bread

>

Garlic bread, hard boiled eggs, romaine, radish, pickled chilies, drizzled with lemon vinaigrette

Garlic bread, hard boiled eggs, romaine, radish, pickled chilies, sprinkled with sea salt and drizzled with lemon vinaigrette

>

Lamb meatball sandwich with buttered corn and "stuff"

Lamb meatball sandwich with buttered corn and “stuff”

>

3

Meat Ball Sandwich – Merguez Meatballs In Harissa/Tomato Sauce On Garlic Bread

>

Meat Ball Sandwich - Merguez Meatballs In Harissa/Tomato Sauce On Garlic Bread

Meat Ball Sandwich – Merguez Meatballs In Harissa/Tomato Sauce On Garlic Bread

6

Meat Ball Sandwich – Merguez Meatballs In Harissa/Tomato Sauce On Garlic Bread

>

>

Bella's version, without the spicy sauce :-)

Bella’s version, without the spicy sauce 🙂

>
>
Dear Friend’s, to help support this blog, please be so kind and click on the video below.  ( You don’t have to watch it, just click once )   Thank you 🙂
>
>
>
>
>

Duo Of Spinach Cream

>
>
When  I was a Kid, the only vegetable I hated more than onions was spinach.
Now,  a few short years later, Onion soup (cream or french) and spinach soup
are some of my great favorites, be it as a soup course, main course or snack.
Tonight,  cream of spinach was calling and I answered 🙂

Bon Appetit !   Life is Good !
>

To serve, top with chicharones (crispy pork rind) and / or butter-sauteed shrimp

To serve, top with chicharones (crispy pork rind) and / or butter-sauteed shrimp


>

>
>
Dear Friend’s, to help support this blog, please be so kind and click on the video below.  ( You don’t have to watch it, just click once )   Thank you 🙂
>
>
>
>

Curried Langostino And Egg Salad Wrapped In Roti Prata ( 印度煎饼 )

>
>
While  I was preparing tonight’s pratas (parathas, roti canai), my cravings for the final dish became so strong that I did not even bother to decorate the food a bit.
I just could not wait to dig in, as I remembered with great affection the tasty roti’s I had in India, Pakistan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Caribbean (mostly Jamaica, sorry Trinidad) 🙂
The accompanying salad of langustinos and eggs in curry mayonnaise might not sound very exotic, but it is definitely something you could find in any of the less traditional restaurant’s in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, where fusion cuisine has become part of the daily culinary life.


Bon Appetit !   Life is Good !

 

Click for Roti recipe here
>

Curried Langostino And Egg Salad Wrapped In Roti Prata ( 印度煎饼 )

Curried Langostino And Egg Salad Wrapped In Roti Prata ( 印度煎饼 )

<

>
>
Dear Friend’s, to help support this blog, please be so kind and click on the video below.  ( You don’t have to watch it, just click once )   Thank you 🙂
>
>
>
>

 

Shrimp Cocktail, Fried Tortilla & Classic French Cocktail Sauce

>

>
I am  sick as a dog today, hope that tomorrow I’ll be better. Had a doc appointment at 2.00pm. As I was parking in front of the doc’s office, they called me to tell me that the doc had an emergency and that I’ll be re-scheduled. What a bummer.
Obviously I was not in shape to cook today, so this little shrimp cocktail had to do for dinner. I added some extra cognac into the cocktail sauce as a pick me up. It kinda worked, at least I found the energy to post this 🙂

Bon Appetit !   Life is Good !   (Mostly, Anyway)
>

Shrimp Cocktail, Fried Tortilla & Classic French Cocktail Sauce

Shrimp Cocktail, Fried Tortilla & Classic French Cocktail Sauce

>

Shrimp Cocktail, Fried Tortilla & Classic French Cocktail Sauce

Shrimp Cocktail, Fried Tortilla & Classic French Cocktail Sauce

>

Shrimp Cocktail, Fried Tortilla & Classic French Cocktail Sauce

Shrimp Cocktail, Fried Tortilla & Classic French Cocktail Sauce

>

Shrimp Cocktail, Fried Tortilla & Classic French Cocktail Sauce

Shrimp Cocktail, Fried Tortilla & Classic French Cocktail Sauce

>
>
Dear Friend’s, to help support this blog, please be so kind and click on the video below.  ( You don’t have to watch it, just click once )   Thank you 🙂
>
>
>
>

Breakfast Of Champions # 29 – ”Sauteed Italian Sausage, Chorizo, Bok Choy & Cauliflower”

>
>
I Didn’t  get much sleep last night, so I needed a light but satisfying breakfast at 6.00am.
At first I wanted to add some potatoes, but then decided against it in order leave room for later when a nice lunch was called for 🙂

Bon Appetit !   Life is Good !
>

Sauteed Italian Sausage, Chorizo, Bok Choy & Cauliflower

Sauteed Italian Sausage, Chorizo, Bok Choy & Cauliflower

>

Saute italian sausage in olive oil

Saute italian sausage in olive oil

>

Add garlic paste and onion julienne

Add garlic paste and onion julienne

>

Add bok choy and blanched cauliflower, season with kosher salt and sriracha

Add bok choy and blanched cauliflower, season with kosher salt and sriracha. To plate, sprinkle with chili flakes

>

Sauteed Italian Sausage, Chorizo, Bok Choy & Cauliflower

Sauteed Italian Sausage, Chorizo, Bok Choy & Cauliflower

>

Sauteed Italian Sausage, Chorizo, Bok Choy & Cauliflower

Sauteed Italian Sausage, Chorizo, Bok Choy & Cauliflower

>
>
Dear Friend’s, to help support this blog, please be so kind and click on the video below.  ( You don’t have to watch it, just click once )   Thank you 🙂
>
>
>
>

牛肉焼きうどん (Gyūniku Yakiudon) Beef Yaki Udon

>
>
Today’s  lunch 🙂
>
Bon Appetit !   Life is Good !
>
Click here for more udon noodles on ChefsOpinion
>

牛肉焼きうどん G( Yūniku Yakiudon ) Beef Yaki Udon

牛肉焼きうどん  ( Gyūniku Yakiudon )  Beef Yaki Udon

>

Cut flank steak into thin slices, marinate with soy sauce, garlic paste, grated ginger, sriracha, mirin and corn starch. Saute in peanut oil.

Cut flank steak into thin slices, marinate with soy sauce, garlic paste, grated ginger, sriracha, mirin and corn starch. Saute in peanut oil.

>

Add straw mushroom, saute another minute.

Add straw mushroom, saute another minute.

>

Add blanched bok choy and bean sprouts, saute until heated through.

Add blanched bok choy and bean sprouts, saute until heated through.

>

Add freshly cooked and drained udon noodles, hoi sin sauce, soy sauce, sriracha and maggi seasoning. mix well.

Add freshly cooked and drained udon noodles, hoi sin sauce, soy sauce, sriracha, maggi seasoning and chicken stock. Mix well. To serve, top with more bean sprouts and sprinkle with cilantro.

>

牛肉焼きうどん G( Yūniku Yakiudon ) Beef Yaki Udon

牛肉焼きうどん G( Yūniku Yakiudon ) Beef Yaki Udon

>

牛肉焼きうどん G( Yūniku Yakiudon ) Beef Yaki Udon

牛肉焼きうどん G( Yūniku Yakiudon ) Beef Yaki Udon

>

牛肉焼きうどん G( Yūniku Yakiudon ) Beef Yaki Udon

牛肉焼きうどん G( Yūniku Yakiudon ) Beef Yaki Udon

>
>
Dear Friend’s, to help support this blog, please be so kind and click on the video below.  ( You don’t have to watch it, just click once )   Thank you 🙂
>
>
>
>

Sauteed Vegetables In Ginger / Garlic Cream With Fan

>
>
Last
 night’s dinner could have been sooooo healthy, if  I’d have stuck to olive oil instead of butter and no heavy cream.
But then again,  what is life without love, food and drink as good and rich as possible.
(Well, for me, anyway)
So, there you have it, an almost healthy dinner, great tasting and not too shabby looking either 🙂

Bon Appetit !   Life is Good !

For FAN  (chinese steamed rice) recipe, click here

>

Sauteed Vegetables In Ginger / Garlic Cream

Sauteed Vegetables In Ginger / Garlic Cream

>
>

>
>
>
Dear Friend’s, to help support this blog, please be so kind and click on the video below.  ( You don’t have to watch it, just click once )   Thank you
🙂
>
>
>
>
>
> > > >

Angel Hair With Morells, Shiitake, Cepes, Baby Bellas & Oyster Mushrooms In Cream Sauce

>
>
Usually,  I don’t fancy much angel hair pasta, but for these mushrooms in a light,
creamy white wine cream they were the perfect pasta to be paired with 🙂

Bon Appetit !   Life is Good !
>
>
>
>

Saute Onions And Mushrooms In Olive Oil, Add Wine And cream, Reduce. Add Pasta , A Bit Of The Pasta Water, Salt, Pepper And Grated Aged Gruyere. If Too Thin, Add Cheese. If Too Thick, Add Pasta Water.

Saute Onions And Mushrooms In Olive Oil, Add Wine And cream, Reduce. Add Pasta , A Bit Of The Pasta Water, Salt, Pepper And Grated Aged Gruyere. If Too Thin, Add Cheese. If Too Thick, Add Pasta Water. Sprinkle With Chili Flakes And Cilantro.

<

Angel Hair With Morells, Shiitake, Ceppes, Baby Bellas & Oyster Mushrooms In Cream Sauce

Angel Hair With Morells, Shiitake, Cepes, Baby Bellas & Oyster Mushrooms In Cream Sauce

<

Angel Hair With Morells, Shiitake, Ceppes, Baby Bellas & Oyster Mushrooms In Cream Sauce

Angel Hair With Morells, Shiitake, Cepes, Baby Bellas & Oyster Mushrooms In Cream Sauce

<

Angel Hair With Morells, Shiitake, Ceppes, Baby Bellas & Oyster Mushrooms In Cream Sauce

Angel Hair With Morells, Shiitake, Cepes, Baby Bellas & Oyster Mushrooms In Cream Sauce

<

Angel Hair, Morells, Shiitake, Cepes, Baby Bellas & Oyster Mushrooms, Cream, White Wine, Onion, Garlic, Olive Oil, Kosher Salt, Cayenne Pepper

Angel Hair, Morells, Shiitake, Cepes, Baby Bellas, Oyster Mushrooms, Cream, White Wine, Onion, Garlic,
Olive Oil, Kosher Salt, Cayenne Pepper, Aged Gruyere,  Chili Flakes, Cilantro.

<
<
Dear Friend’s, to help support this blog, please be so kind and click on the video below.  ( You don’t have to watch it, just click once )   Thank you 🙂
<
<
<
<

Grilled Portuguese Sardines

>
>
During  the time Maria and I were living in Madeira, Portugal,  we usually had grilled sardines at least twice a week. There was this beautiful restaurant, built into a cave in the rock’s below our apartment building, just a three minute walk, which served these wonderful, fresh, juicy, tasty sardines off a wood fired grill. Adorned with just lemon wedges, a small green salad with onions and rustic sour dough bread, this was the perfect meal every time and I remember them very fondly, both for the great food, as well as the romance the surroundings provided to Maria and I.
I usually had all my dinner’s in Madeira with a bottle (or two) of Gatão Vinho Verde, while Maria usually stuck to her diet coke.
While shopping for food on saturday, I came across these great looking (frozen) Portuguese sardines and I just had to get them. I prepared them the way they are usually prepared in simple restaurant’s and homes by the sea – some sea salt inside and out, brushed with olive oil and quickly grilled or sauteed. Then a squirt of lemon or lime and voilà – sardine heaven.

Bon Appetit !   Life is Good !

– and yes, Bella and I had all twelve of them at once…….. 🙂
>

Grilled Portuguese Sardines

Grilled Portuguese Sardines

>


>
>
Dear Friend’s, to help support this blog, please be so kind and click on the video below.  ( You don’t have to watch it, just click once )   Thank you 🙂
>
>
>
>