recipes

Jamaican Black Bean Soup With Smoked Ham Hocks And Spinners



Here  is another hearty recipe of wonderful comfort food.
Many folks are familiar with Jamaican dumplings and some have become addicted to them like I have.  Although in their most basic form they are made of  just flour, water and salt, as part of a soup or stew they can be mind-boggling great because of their unique texture. As for the taste, I usually add garlic paste and cayenne pepper to give them a bit of extra umph 🙂
The traditional shape of Jamaican dumplings is a thick disk shape with an indention in the center. Spinners are made of the same dough, but they are “spinned” between your hands to shape them into tapered tubes, which is the shape I prefer.
As for the protein in the bean soup, use whatever you like and/or have at hand. Chicken, pork, salt beef, fresh beef, even seafood or just root vegetables. Of course, smoked ham hocks are the price in today’s lunch’ version, which could not have been more tasty and delicious.


Bon Appetit !  Irie, Mon !

Jamaican Black Bean Soup With Smoked Ham Hocks And Spinners

Jamaican Black Bean Soup With Smoked Ham Hocks And Spinners

Jamaican Black Bean Soup With Smoked Ham Hocks And Spinners

Jamaican Black Bean Soup With Smoked Ham Hocks And Spinners



Preparation :

simmer ham hocks in generously seasoned water (kosher salt, garlic paste, scotch bonnet hot sauce) until tender but NOT falling apart

simmer ham hocks in generously seasoned water (kosher salt, garlic paste, scotch bonnet hot sauce) until tender but NOT falling apart

when ham hocks are tender, remove from stock, reserve

when ham hocks are tender, remove from stock, reserve

ham hocks

smoked ham hocks


remove bones from ham hocks, give one each to your dog and his/her friends :-)

remove bones from ham hocks, give one each to your dog and his/her friends 🙂

dice meat and skin into bite size cubes

dice meat and skin into bite size cubes


add canned, strained black beans, quartered onions,  a small amount of curry powder and turmeric and coconut milk to stock, simmer for another 45 minutes

add canned, strained black beans, quartered onions, a small amount of curry powder, turmeric and coconut milk to stock, simmer for another 45 minutes

blend in electric blender until smooth, check / adjust seasoning

blend in electric blender until smooth, check / adjust seasoning

make a dough of a/p flour, water and salt, knead until the dough looks like this

make a dough of a/p flour, water, garlic paste, hot sauce and salt, knead until the dough is smooth

roll individual pieces into small tubes like this, simmer in salt water until cooked through, 25 to 45 minutes, depending on the size you prefer

roll individual pieces into small tubes like this, simmer in salt water until cooked through, 25 to 45 minutes, depending on the size you prefer

almost...........

almost………..

add meat to soup to heat through

add meat to soup to heat through

plate soup in serving dish

plate soup in serving dish

top with spinners

top with spinners

sprinkle with scallions and/or herbs of your choice

sprinkle with scallions and/or herbs of your choice

Jamaican Black Bean Soup With Smoked Ham Hocks And Spinners

Jamaican Black Bean Soup With Smoked Ham Hocks And Spinners

Jamaican Black Bean Soup With Smoked Ham Hocks And Spinners

Jamaican Black Bean Soup With Smoked Ham Hocks And Spinners



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Breakfast Of Champions # 38 – Croissant, Ham, Spicy Chorizo & Soft Boiled Egg



Got  up late today, so a substantial breakfast and no lunch will be the order of the day 🙂
Later an early dinner and to bed early, 3.30am the new work week starts 😦
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Bon Appetit !   Life is Good !
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Click here for more  Breakfast Of Champions

Breakfast Of Champions  # 38 – Croissant, Ham, Spicy Chorizo & Soft Boiled Egg

Breakfast Of Champions # 38 – Croissant, Ham, Spicy Chorizo & Soft Boiled Egg

Breakfast Of Champions  # 38 – Croissant, Ham, Spicy Chorizo & Soft Boiled Egg

Breakfast Of Champions # 38 – Croissant, Ham, Spicy Chorizo & Soft Boiled Egg



Preparation :

fresh croissant

fresh croissant

cut croissants in half

cut croissants in half

saute ham in garlic oil, top two croissant halves with ham

saute ham in garlic oil, top two croissant halves with ham

top with sliced spicy chorizo

top with sliced spicy chorizo

top remaining two croissant halves with sweet chili sauce

top remaining two croissant halves with sweet chili sauce

grate asiago cheese on top of chorizo

grate asiago cheese on top of chorizo

top with two soft boiled eggs each

top with two soft-boiled eggs each

top with arugula in french dressing

top with arugula in french dressing

Breakfast Of Champions  # 38 – Croissant, Ham, Spicy Chorizo & Soft Boiled Egg

Breakfast Of Champions # 38 – Croissant, Ham, Spicy Chorizo & Soft Boiled Egg

Breakfast Of Champions  # 38 – Croissant, Ham, Spicy Chorizo & Soft Boiled Egg

Breakfast Of Champions # 38 – Croissant, Ham, Spicy Chorizo & Soft Boiled Egg

Breakfast Of Champions  # 38 – Croissant, Ham, Spicy Chorizo & Soft Boiled Egg

Breakfast Of Champions # 38 – Croissant, Ham, Spicy Chorizo & Soft Boiled Egg



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Milanesa Mexicana



Playing with food 🙂
Green
, white and red –
very easy to come up with a real Mexican dish using the  mexican flag  colors.

 ¡ Buen Provecho !    ¡ Viva México!


Click here for  Guacamole  recipe

Click here for  Salsa Mexicana  recipe


Mexican Flag (without the eagle)

Milanesa Mexicana

Milanesa Mexicana

Milanesa Mexicana

Milanesa Mexicana



Preparation :

mise en place

mise en place

season veal cutlet with kosher salt and cayenne pepper, bread with flour, egg and breadcrumbs, saute in olive oil and butter until golden and cooked medium well, remove to absorbent paper

season thinly pounded veal cutlet with mustard, kosher salt and cayenne pepper, bread with flour, egg and breadcrumbs, saute in olive oil and butter until golden and cooked medium well, remove to absorbent paper

place onto serving platter, drizzle with lime juice, top with guacamole, sour cream and salsa mexicana, sprinkle with chives or cilantro

place onto serving platter, drizzle with lime juice, top with guacamole, sour cream and salsa mexicana, sprinkle with chives or cilantro (however, there is already plenty cilantro in the guacamole)

Milanesa Mexicana

Milanesa Mexicana

Milanesa Mexicana

Milanesa Mexicana



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Korean Dinner – Bulgogi, Gamjajorim, Kimchee & Sukju Namul



Tonight  (Tuesday) my fridge and cupboard were nearly empty and the best thing I had at hand was a great looking rib eye steak. I did not feel like having  just a plain old steak from the grill, so when I saw the mung bean sprouts and the cooked potatoes, first some Asian, then some Korean recipes started to dance around my head and I decided on this menu, which turned out to be just the flavors and textures I craved and they sure hit a home run with my tastebuds 🙂


Bon Appetit !   Life is Good !


Click here for  Kimchi  (Kimchee)  recipe


Bulgogi, Kimchi, Sukyu Namul,

Bulgogi, Kimchi, Sukyu Namul & Gamjajorim

Bulgogi

Bulgogi



Preparation :

rib eye steak

rib eye steak

rib eye steak most fat removed (leave some on)

rib eye steak most fat removed  (leave some on for better taste and texture)

sliced rib eye steak

sliced rib eye steak

sliced beef, scallions, onions

sliced beef, scallions, onions

pineapple, (for tenderizing purpose, (traditionally use asian pear), onion, ginger, garlic, blend until smooth

pineapple, (for tenderizing purpose, (traditionally use asian pear), onion, ginger, garlic, blend until smooth

season with kosher salt, black pepper, brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, blended pinepple mix, mix well, marinade for 30 minutes (for a tough cut of beef such as top round, marinade up to 8 hours)

season with kosher salt, black pepper, brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, blended pinepple mix, mix well, marinade for 30 minutes (for a tough cut of beef such as top round, marinade up to 8 hours)

Meanwhile, blanch mong bean sprouts in salted, boiling water for 20 seconds, drain, shock in ice water, drain

Meanwhile, blanch mong bean sprouts in salted, boiling water for 20 seconds, drain, shock in ice water, drain again

add sliced scallions, season with kosher salt, cayenne pepper, soy sauce, sesame seeds, sesame oil

add sliced scallions, season with kosher salt, cayenne pepper, soy sauce, sesame seeds, sesame oil

Sukja namul

Sukja namul

heat sliced potatoes with honey, soy sauce, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, when heated through check/adjust seasoning, add white sesame seeds

heat sliced potatoes with honey, soy sauce, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, when heated through check/adjust seasoning, add white sesame seeds

sukju namul

sukju namul

grilling bulgogi

grilling bulgogi

Bulgogi, Kimchi, Sukyu Namul,

Bulgogi, Kimchi, Sukyu Namul,

Bulgogi

Bulgogi



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Grilled Chicken, Grilled Shiitake & Creamed Spinach

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Comfort food  at it’s easiest, it’s quickest and it’s best. Once the spinach has been blanched  (I always keep some in the freezer for occasions like this),  the whole shamukus does not take more than fifteen minutes to prepare, ideal for a lazy day-off  lunch while watching a good movie ( Captain Phillips )

Bon Appetit !   Life is Good !

Click here for  Creamed Spinach  recipe

 

Grilled Chicken, Grilled Shiitake & Creamed Spinach

Grilled Chicken, Grilled Shiitake & Creamed Spinach

Grilled Chicken, Grilled Shiitake & Creamed Spinach

Grilled Chicken, Grilled Shiitake & Creamed Spinach



Preparation :

season chicken and shiitake with kosher salt, cayenne pepper and granulated garlic, grill until internal temperature has reached 162F, remove from grill and let rest for fife minutes, carryover heat will cook chickento a perfect 165F

season boneless chicken tights  and shiitake mushroom with kosher salt, cayenne pepper and granulated garlic, grill until internal temperature has reached 162F, remove from grill and let rest for fife minutes, carry-over heat will cook chicken to a perfect 165F

place creamed spinach on a serving dish

place creamed spinach on a serving dish

top spinach with chicken and shiitake, drizzle with lime juice, sprinkle with sliced scallion

top spinach with chicken and shiitake, drizzle with lime juice, sprinkle with sliced scallion

Grilled Chicken, Grilled Shiitake & Creamed Spinach

Grilled Chicken, Grilled Shiitake & Creamed Spinach

Grilled Chicken, Grilled Shiitake & Creamed Spinach

Grilled Chicken, Grilled Shiitake & Creamed Spinach



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Gravlax Dinner



Tonight  I finally got to eat the gravlax I prepared last week. What a great tasting piece of fish. Of course, what makes it perfect is the accompanying dill/mustard sauce, without which a gravlax is not complete. Many restaurants nowadays serve gravlax with all kind of fancy sauces and condiments, which might seem right if you never been to Scandinavia and had the real deal. But please believe me, making the dill / mustard sauce will take you less then five  minutes and only “it” will make the dish perfect.
The ingredients for dill / mustard sauce are few and in everybody’s cup board:
Good quality mustard, white wine vinegar, kosher salt, neutral tasting oil (I used grape seed oil), sugar, fresh dill leaves only, pepper(optional), I used cayenne pepper and replaced the sugar with weisswurst senf (sweet, brown, Bavarian mustard)

Smaklig måltid!    Livet är bra !


Click here for  Gravlax  recipe


Gravlax, Sour Dough Bread, Dill / Mustard Sauce

Gravlax, Sour Dough Bread, Dill / Mustard Sauce

Gravlax, Sour Dough Bread, Dill / Mustard Sauce

Gravlax, Sour Dough Bread, Dill / Mustard Sauce



Preparation :

0

dijon mustard, sweet mustard, dill leaves

dijon mustard, sweet mustard, dill leaves

mix mustards, dill, kosher salt and cayenne pepper

mix mustards, dill, kosher salt and cayenne pepper

slowly drizzle grapeseed oil into mustard and dill mixture until a emulsion has formed, check / adjust taste

slowly drizzle grapeseed oil into mustard and dill mixture until a emulsion has formed, check / adjust taste

dill / mustard sauce

dill / mustard sauce

toast bread until golden

toast bread until golden

toasted sour dough bread

toasted sour dough bread

smear bread with herb butter

smear bread with garlic / herb butter

top with thinly sliced gravlax, serve with dill/ mustard sauce, lemon slices and chilled white wine

top with thinly sliced gravlax, serve with dill/ mustard sauce, lemon wedges and chilled white wine

Gravlax, Sour Dough Bread, Dill / Mustard Sauce

Gravlax, Sour Dough Bread, Dill / Mustard Sauce

Gravlax, Sour Dough Bread, Dill / Mustard Sauce

Gravlax, Sour Dough Bread, Dill / Mustard Sauce

Gravlax, Sour Dough Bread, Dill / Mustard Sauce

Gravlax, Sour Dough Bread, Dill / Mustard Sauce



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Pig’s Tail Souse

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How  many folks have actually tried pig’s tails? Not many in this part of the world I assume. In my opinion, pigs tails are one of the best parts of the pig, but sadly underutilized in the  “civilized world”, were we tend to discard secondary cuts or feed them to the animals (lucky dogs 🙂 ).
Thankfully, lately some of these special cuts have found new fans and pigs tails are now widely available again at your favorite butcher and even in supermarkets.
Buy them fresh, smoked or salted (dry or in brine) for a variety of wonderful dishes. For the following dish I used pigs tails in brine.

Bon Appetit !   Life is Good !
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Pig's Tail Souse

Pig’s Tail Souse

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Pig's Tail Souse

Pig’s Tail Souse

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Preparation :
:
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remove tails from brine, rinse under running water for 15 minutes, cover with cold water, season with cider vinegar, garlic paste and hot sauce, simmer until tender but not falling apart, about two hours

remove tails from brine, rinse under running water for 15 minutes, cover with cold water, season with cider vinegar, garlic paste and hot sauce, simmer until tender but not falling apart, about two hours

cooked, tender pigs tails

cooked, tender pigs tails

for the dresing, slice onions, cucumbers and radishes into fine julienne, add kosher salt, cayenne pepper, garlic paste, cider vinegarand a few drops of olive oil

for the dressing, slice onions, cucumbers and radishes into fine julienne, add finely sliced chives, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, garlic paste, cider vinegar and a few drops of olive oil

pour over tails, let stand at roomtemperature for about one hour, serve with rustic bread

pour over tails, let stand at room temperature for about one hour, serve with rustic bread

Pig's Tail Souse

Pig’s Tail Souse

Pig's Tail Souse

Pig’s Tail Souse

Pig's Tail Souse

Pig’s Tail Souse

this weeks herb bush :   Chives

this weeks herb bush : Chives


Links to more pig’s tails on ChefsOpinion:

PIG’S TAIL AND POTATO CURRY, NAAN AND CUCUMBER RAITA

CONGEE WITH SMOKED PIG’S TAILS & VEGETABLES

SMOKED PIG’S TAIL, BOW TIES & VEGETABLE STEW






Smoked Pork Shank



I cooked  this beauty yesterday for two hours, then let it cool in the stock overnight.
Served today for lunch with german potato salad, horseradish, dijon, pickled tomatoes and rustic Italian garlic bread.
Simple, but oh so good 🙂

Bon Appetit !   Life is Good !

Click here for  German Potato Salad  recipe

Smoked Pork Shank, German Potato Salad, Pickled Tomatoes, Grilled Italian garlic Bread, Dijon Mustard, Fresh Horseradish

Smoked Pork Shank, German Potato Salad, Pickled Tomatoes, Grilled Italian Garlic Bread, Dijon Mustard, Fresh Horseradish



Preparation :

simmer pork shank in salted water with lots of chopped raw garlic, onion and plenty of hot sauce, after two hours, remove from heat and let cool in stock

simmer pork shank in salted water with lots of chopped raw garlic, onion and plenty of hot sauce, after two hours, remove from heat and let cool in stock

grill italian garlic bread

grill italian garlic bread

pickle tomatoes by pricking with toothpick all over, marinade overnight in balsamic vinegar, cayenne pepper and kosher saltsalt

pickle tomatoes by pricking with toothpick all over, marinade overnight in balsamic vinegar, cayenne pepper and kosher salt

Smoked Pork Shank, German Potato Salad, Pickled Tomatoes, Grilled Italian garlic Bread, Dijon Mustard, Fresh Horseradish

Smoked Pork Shank, German Potato Salad, Pickled Tomatoes, Grilled Italian Garlic Bread, Dijon Mustard, Fresh Horseradish

Smoked Pork Shank, German Potato Salad, Pickled Tomatoes, Grilled Italian garlic Bread, Dijon Mustard, Fresh Horseradish

Smoked Pork Shank, German Potato Salad, Pickled Tomatoes, Grilled Italian Garlic Bread, Dijon Mustard, Fresh Horseradish

Smoked Pork Shank

Smoked Pork Shank



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Kare Kare



So,  everybody and their mother have the one, the only, the very best  Kare Kare  recipe. Of course, having lived in the  Philippines  for almost five years, I have my very own “best” recipe.
As for the protein, the most common is ox tail, but of course you can substitute it with any protein you like, even omit it completely and make a vegetarian version. The most important part of  Kare Kare  is the peanut sauce, of which a million of fine variations exist 🙂  (and maybe some not so fine)
Here now is my humble version of this wonderful dish:

Saute beef neck bones, seasoned with kosher salt and black pepper, in peanut oil until browned. Remove bones, reserve. Saute chopped carrots, onions and celery until caramelized, return neck bones to the pot, cover with water. Add lots of garlic paste, a handful of rice, a good amount of turmeric, a few annatto seeds, salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Cook slowly for about two to three hours or until meat is tender. Add a large amount of peanut butter and simmer until sauce has thickened. Add  Patis  and calamansi juice, check /adjust seasoning. While the meat simmers, blanch zucchini batons, eggplant batons, whole chilies and baby bok choy, shock in ice water, drain. When the stew is done, add the vegetables to it and simmer until vegetables have heated through. Serve with white rice.

Mabuting Gana !   Buhay Ay Mabuti !

Kare Kare

Kare Kare

Kare Kare

Kare Kare

Kare Kare

Kare Kare



Preparation :

saute beef neck bones, seasoned with kosher salt and black pepper, in peanut oil until browned

saute beef neck bones, seasoned with kosher salt and black pepper, in peanut oil until browned

remove bones, reserve

remove bones, reserve

saute chopped carrots, onions and celery until caramelized

saute chopped carrots, onions and celery until caramelized

return neck bones to the pot

return neck bones to the pot


cover with water

cover with water

add lots of garlic paste, a handful of rice, a good amount of turmeric, a few anatto seeds, salt and pepper and bring to a simmer

add lots of garlic paste, a handful of rice, a good amount of turmeric, a few anatto seeds, salt and pepper and bring to a simmer

ook slowly for about two to three hours or until meat is tender, add a large amount of peanut butter and simmer until sauce has thickened, add  patis  and calamansi juice, check /adjust seasoning

cook slowly for about two to three hours or until meat is tender, add a large amount of peanut butter and simmer until sauce has thickened, add patis and calamansi juice, check /adjust seasoning

while the meat simmers, blanch zucchini batons, eggplant batons, whole chilies and baby bok choy, schock in ice water, drain. When the stew is done, add the vegetables to it and simmer until vegetables have heated through. Serve with white rice

while the meat simmers, blanch zucchini batons, eggplant batons, whole chilies and baby bok choy, schock in ice water, drain. When the stew is done, add the vegetables to it and simmer until vegetables have heated through. Serve with white rice

this weeks herb bush :  Opal Basil

this weeks herb bush :
Opal Basil

Kare Kare

Kare Kare

Kare Kare

Kare Kare

Kare Kare

Kare Kare



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Caribbean Shrimp & Coconut Soup



Usually,  when we think of the combination of shrimp and coconut, Asian food is foremost in our mind. Lately, every publication seems to have a preference for food with an Asian origin or at least an Asian  influence. While I am a huge fan of Asian food, I am also very fond of the food from our closest neighbor, the Caribbean. Here now is a shrimp and coconut soup I had first put on the menu while I was working in Negril, Jamaica in the late 80’s. (How time flies when you look back)

Bon Appetit !   Iree, Mon !

Caribbean Shrimp & Coconut Soup

Caribbean Shrimp & Coconut Soup

Caribbean Shrimp & Coconut Soup

Caribbean Shrimp & Coconut Soup



Preparation :

to split the coconut, saw a small inision around the outside of the coco, then crack it with the back of a large chefsknife or machete (I live in Florida where it is normal to have a machete in the house) :-)

to split the coconut, saw a small incision around the outside of the coco, then crack it with the back of a large chef’s knife or machete (I live in Florida where it is normal to have a machete in the house) 🙂

good job

good job

aaute finely diced onions in coco oil

saute finely diced onions in coco oil

season shrimp with sea salt and cayenne pepper, dust lightly with corn starch

season shrimp with sea salt and cayenne pepper, dust lightly with corn starch

add shrimp and garlic paste to pan and saute until shrimp are halfway cooked

add shrimp and garlic paste to pan and saute until shrimp are halfway cooked

remove shrimp, reserve

remove shrimp, reserve

deglaze pan with cocnac (careful, it might ignite)

deglaze pan with dark caribbean rum (careful, it might ignite)

add white wine

add white wine

add coconut water from coco, two small can of coconut milk, one small can of clam juice

add coconut water from coco, two small can of coconut milk, one small can of clam juice

simmer soup until slightly thickened

season with sea salt and cayenne pepper, simmer until slightly thickened

add diced cooked potatoes, corn and shrimp, heat through and remove from heat, dont let it simmer or the shrimp will toughen and get dry

add diced cooked potatoes, corn and shrimp, heat through and remove from heat, don’t let it simmer again or the shrimp will  get dry and tough

spoon shrimp, potato and corn into clean coconut, spoon soup on top and sprinkle with chopped cilantro

spoon shrimp, potato and corn into clean coconut, spoon soup on top and sprinkle with chopped cilantro

Caribbean Shrimp & Coconut Soup

Caribbean Shrimp & Coconut Soup

my portion :-)

my portion 🙂

Caribbean Shrimp & Coconut Soup

Caribbean Shrimp & Coconut Soup

Caribbean Shrimp & Coconut Soup

Caribbean Shrimp & Coconut Soup