beautiful food

Midnight Snack – Good Stuff ! Not Crappy Bags of “Nachos & Salsa”

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Life is Good – mostly because life is what you make of it 🙂
Take the snack I prepped for myself an hour ago for example. Rather than opening an over-prized bag of crappy nachos (Totopos), a can of over-prized, VERY crappy cheese dip and a tub of sometimes surprisingly decent salsa Mexicana, why not grill up a good quality naan and cover it with a few slices of great quality coppa ham, pecorino cheese and a few marinated chilies and pronto ! – great food for about the same price and effort. Life (and a midnight snack) is what you make of it 🙂
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Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
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Midnight Snack - Coppa & Pecorino Sandwich

Midnight Snack – Coppa & Pecorino Naan-Sandwich

Midnight Snack – Coppa & Pecorino-Sandwich

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Preparation :
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: grill home made or store-bought naan until heated through

: cover with coppa ham

: sprinkle with black pepper

: add thinly sliced tomatoes and a few drops of EVO, sprinkle with kosher salt

: add thinly sliced pecorino and pickled chilies

: Midnight Snack – Coppa & Pecorino Naan-Sandwich

: Midnight Snack – Coppa & Pecorino Naan-Sandwich

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Paniertes Rinderschnitzel (Breaded Beef Cutlet With Pickled Onions)

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Breaded anything – can’t go wrong with that.
Anything breaded topped with pickled onions – got a winner every time 🙂
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Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
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Paniertes Rinderschnitzel (Breaded Beef Cutlet With Pickled Onions)

Pickled Onions

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Preparation :
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: red onion julienne, chopped cilantro, grape tomatoes, mild chilies, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, garlic paste, cider vinegar, olive oil

: marinade onions overnight

: Pickled Onions

: clean a strip steak of all fat and silver skin

: butterfly steak

: butterfly again

: pound flat between plastic film

: season with dijon, cayenne and kosher salt, bread scallop with flour, egg and panko

: saute in clarified butter

: rest for a minute on absorbent paper

: to serve, top with pickled onions

: Paniertes Rinderschnitzel (Breaded Beef Cutlet With Pickled Onions)

: Paniertes Rinderschnitzel (Breaded Beef Cutlet With Pickled Onions)

: Paniertes Rinderschnitzel (Breaded Beef Cutlet With Pickled Onions)

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Delicious Quickie – Bucatini Con Sarde

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Definition of Quickie : “something done or had quickly”.
– Ok now, time to get your minds out of the gutter 🙂
We are talking about a wonderful dish, quickly and easily prepared, light on the wallet yet tasty and pretty to look at.
– Did I mention – time to get your mind out of the gutter 🙂
While I absolutely LOVE fresh sardines, for this recipe I prefer good quality! canned sardines in tomato sauce.
This dish is one of my go-to dishes when I want something tasty and quick either just for myself and Bella, or in good company when unpretentious food is welcome (Midnight snack anyone ?)
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Bon Appetit ! Live is Good !
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Bucatini Con Sarde

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Preparation :
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: saute onions, garlic paste and anchovy paste in olive oil until fragrant

: add canned sardines in tomato sauce (reserve 3 filets per portion), add chopped italian parsley and chopped oregano (or dry oregano), simmer until sardines are heated through and break into chunks

: the good stuff 🙂

: add fresh-cooked bucatini with some of the cooking liquid to the sauce, add a few dollops of whole butter, season with fresh ground black pepper and kosher salt, simmer for one minute, check / adjust seasoning

: plate bucatini, sprinkle with chopped italian parsley

: garnish with reserved sardines and basil leaves

: Bucatini Con Sarde

Filet Mignon With Sautéed Potatoes, Shiitake And “Hoi Sin Delight”

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For 50 years I have prepared and eaten Filet Mignon with either Sauce Bernaise or a Demi Glace derived sauce, such as Sauce Chasseur, Sauce Bordelaise, Sauce Chateaubriand, Sauce Perigueux, Sauce Robert, etc, just as any hot-blooded, french-trained chef would do 🙂
Yet yesterday, although I had demi glace at hand ( I usually make a batch of demi glace and freeze it in individual portions ), for this dish I wanted to try something new, especially something to go well with the shiitake mushrooms.
So I mixed together the following ingredients which are a staple on my cupboard :
” Hoi Sin Delight ” –
Hoi sin sauce, soy sauce, garlic paste, chili sauce, lemon juice and – hold on to your hat -ketchup ! From this I got one of the best sauces I ever had with grilled or sauteed meat. I liked it so much that from here on I will use this concoction often, whenever I need a quick and delicious sauce or dip for any protein – seafood, chicken, beef, pork or what-not. Even as a drizzle for fried rice or grilled vegetables, this stuff rocks !
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Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
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Filet Mignon With Sautéed Potatoes, Shiitake And “Hoi Sin Delight”

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Preparation :
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: mix 2 tblsp hoi sin, 1 tblsp ketchup, 2 tblsp soy, 2 tblsp water, 1 tsp chili sauce, 1 tsp garlic paste, 1/2 tsp lemon juice, simmer for one minute

: Season 5 oz beef filets with kosher salt and cayenne pepper

: Sear in a VERY hot cast iron pan on both sides, finish cooking in a 350F oven until cooked to the temperatore of your preference, remove from pan, let rest for 10 minutes before serving

: meanwhile, saute potatoes in garlic oil until golden

: add reconstituted shiitake, season with kosher salt and cayenne pepper

: when mushrooms are heated through, add a generous dollop of butter and chopped cilantro

: Filet Mignon With Sautéed Potatoes, Shiitake And “Hoi Sin Delight”

: Filet Mignon With Sautéed Potatoes, Shiitake And “Hoi Sin Delight”

: Filet Mignon With Sautéed Potatoes, Shiitake And “Hoi Sin Delight”

: Filet Mignon With Sautéed Potatoes, Shiitake And “Hoi Sin Delight”

: Filet Mignon With Sautéed Potatoes, Shiitake And “Hoi Sin Delight”

: Filet Mignon With Sautéed Potatoes, Shiitake And “Hoi Sin Delight”

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Romaine, Octopus And Bean Salad

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Trying to end 2015 on a healthy note :-).
Well, BS, I just don’t feel like cooking today 😦
Anyway, I could eat this salad for no reason any day, anytime, anywhere…….
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Bon Appetit ! Happy 2016 !
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Romaine, Octopus And Bean Salad

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Preparation :
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: grape tomatoes, scallions, julienned peppers, julienned red onions, cooked beans

: saute garlic paste in olive oil until fragrant

: add cooked diced octopus

: add vegetables, saute 2 minutes, season with salt, fresh oregano and freshly ground black pepper

: remove to bowl, add lemon juice, check/adjust seasoning, let cool to room-temperature

: just a picture of a pretty salad bowl 🙂

: cover serving dish with romaine

: add octopus salad, drizzle dressing from octopus salad all over romaine leaves, sprinkle with honey roasted corn kernels for crunch and additional flavor

: Romaine, Octopus And Bean Salad

: Romaine, Octopus And Bean Salad

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Mac & Cheese – Boss Level

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(Beef Tenderloin, Three Cheeses And Whole Grain Pasta Casserole With Pesto)
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When you want something a bit more exciting than this :

OK, but………..

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Adding a few more ingredients and a lot more love will give you a much more satisfying culinary experience 🙂
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Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
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Click here for Pesto Recipe
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Mac & Cheese – Boss Level

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Preparation :
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: swiss and pepper jack (plus parmesan – not in the pic)

: diced beef tenderloin – head and tips

: season with kosher salt, granulated garlic and cayenne pepper, sear in VERY hot pan until outside is browned but meat still rare

: mix whole-grain penne, beef, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, carrot julienne, sliced scallions, ketchup, sliced chilies, GARLIC PASTE, heavy cream, shredded pepper jack, grated parmesan and diced swiss

: place into an ovenproof dish (cast iron pan works fine for me)

: sprinkle generously with grated parmesan, top with butterflakes, bake until top is golden and crisp, serve with pesto

: Mac & Cheese – Boss Level

: Mac & Cheese – Boss Level

: Mac & Cheese – Boss Level

: Mac & Cheese – Boss Level

: Mac & Cheese – Boss Level

: Mac & Cheese – Boss Level

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Shrimp Lo Mein ( 撈麵 )

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Of all the Chinese, Asian and Chinese/Asian-inspired dishes I prepare at home, the fast and easy to prepare Lo Mein is the one I cook most often. I usually vary the main ingredients according to what’s in my fridge and/or cupboard, but the basis are always Chinese wheat noodles, seasoned with oyster sauce, soy sauce, lemon juice, grated ginger, garlic paste and chili paste. Sometimes I augment the seasoning with hoi sin sauce. As for the other main ingredients, I use vegetables, pork, beef, seafood, poultry or mushrooms, sometimes just one of them, sometimes more than one and sometimes all of them together. In all the years I prepared this dish, I never had one I did not love and I never get tired of it, no matter how often it flies in through my kitchen window 🙂
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Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
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Shrimp Lo Mein (撈麵)

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Preparation :
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: for 1 pound of dried pasta, mix 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 tblsp chili paste, 2 tblsp oyster sauce, 4 tblsp soy sauce, 4 tblsp water or stock and 2 tblsp hoi sin sauce (optional)

: stir fry 1 tblsp garlic paste and 1 tsp grated ginger in 4 tblsp peanut oil until fragrant

: add baby bok choy, mild chilies, carrot julienne and onion julienne ,stir fry 1 more minute

: add shelled and deveined shrimp, stir fry another minute

: add chinese wheat noodles and sauce mix, stir fry until heated through

: check/adjust seasoning

: Shrimp Lo Mein (撈麵)

: Shrimp Lo Mein (撈麵)

: Shrimp Lo Mein (撈麵)

: Shrimp Lo Mein (撈麵)

: Shrimp Lo Mein (撈麵)

: Shrimp Lo Mein (撈麵)

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Beef Kebab With Rainbow Puree

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I was thinking of preparing beef kebab and mashed potatoes – which I did, but the name “mashed potatoes” will not do justice to this tasty and colorful potato dish.
So therefore, “Rainbow Puree” was born 🙂
The addition of the sautéed peppers, sun-dried tomatoes and freshly grated horseradish and lot’s of garlic paste lift’s this basic dish to a whole new level…….
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Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
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More about Kebabs
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Beef Kebab With Rainbow Puree

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Preparation :
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: Cut beef tenderloin head and tips into cubes, cut bell peppers into large dice

: skewer meat and peppers onto water-soaked bamboo skewers, season with kosher salt and cayenne pepper

: saute kebabs in garlic oil until rare, let rest for at least five minutes

: while the kebabs are cooking, squeeze freshly cooked, drained potatoes through a potato-ricer

: chop the peppers-trimmings into coarse pieces, chop oil-preserved sun-dried tomatoes coarsely

: saute the peppers in garlic oil

: to the potatoes add the peppers, tomatoes, chopped cilantro, grated horseradish, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, cream and butter, mix all together, check/adjust seasoning,

: plate the rainbow puree

: top the rainbow puree with the kebab, serve with grated horseradish

: Beef Kebab With Rainbow Puree

: Beef Kebab With Rainbow Puree

: Beef Kebab With Rainbow Puree

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EASY DOES IT # 30 – Cinnamon Roll And Fruit-Pudding

Dear Friend’s,
Although most of the followers of ChefsOpinion are culinary professionals, there is also a large segment of followers who are just starting to enjoy cooking on a slightly higher than basic level. I have therefore decided to publish, under the moniker “Easy Does It“, from time to time some very basic recipe variations of dishes (and even pre-cooked dishes) which otherwise might seem too complicated to some folks. I will break them down to the easiest, most simple instructions, so that those of you who are intimidated by elaborate recipes will be able to prepare these dishes properly, adjusted to your taste and liking, right from the get-go.

After all, just because you are not (yet ?) a professional chef should not prevent you from enjoying great food at home. 🙂
Enjoy !
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If you are still looking for a great, delicious, good-looking and easy to prepare dessert for your upcoming x-mas feast (or any other feast 🙂 ), give this beauty a shot.
It will take all of about 15 minutes of actual prep time, yet the result is extraordinarily delicious.
I have served mine with just a bit of whipped cream, but a fruit coulis or chocolate sauce will add an extra layer of taste, texture and color.
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Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
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! Please find an update to this post at the bottom of this page !
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Cinnamon Roll And Fruit-Pudding

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Preparation :
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: 6 ea store-bought or home-made cinnamon rolls

: break into large pieces, to 2 cups of whole milk add a few drops of vanilla extract, pour over cinnamon roll pieces, soak for 20 minutes

: meanwhile, dice apples , slice bananas

: saute apples in a bit of butter until lightly caramelized

: lightly squeeze milk from cinnamon rolls into a bowl, add 4 large eggs and 3 tblsp honey, whisk until smooth

: add apples, bananas and a generous handful of dried cranberries

: mix together without breaking-up the roll pieces

: fill into lightly buttered baking dish, sprinkle with 2 tblsp of sugar

: bake at 375F for about 1 hour

: when top of pudding is golden brown and pudding has almost set, remove from oven, loosely cover and let rest for 15 minutes

: serve cinnamon roll pudding with whipped cream

: Cinnamon Roll And Fruit-Pudding

: Cinnamon Roll And Fruit-Pudding

: Cinnamon Roll And Fruit-Pudding

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Following, a few pics of the leftovers I served the next day 🙂 ( With added strawberry coulis )
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: EASY DOES IT # 30 – CINNAMON ROLL AND FRUIT-PUDDING

: EASY DOES IT # 30 – CINNAMON ROLL AND FRUIT-PUDDING

: EASY DOES IT # 30 – CINNAMON ROLL AND FRUIT-PUDDING

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Breakfast Of Champions # 50 – Salmon Rillette And Fried Eggs

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This morning I finished-off the last of the salmon rillette I prepared last week. (The next rillette will be pork, can’t wait for it to munch on) 🙂
This dish is VERY rich, so you might want to restrict yourself to enjoying it about once a month, otherwise you might soon need to buy bigger clothes and increase the frequency of your cardiologist visits 😦
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Bon Appetit ! Life is Good !
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Click here for Salmon Rillette
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Click here for more Breakfast of Champions
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