My Culinary Blog

A video tutorial about how to do Mediterranean Salad

Read the Mediterranean Salad Recipe

1 − 16 ounce can of peaches
2 − 3 inch long cinnamon sticks
3/4 teaspoon of allspice
2 large navel oranges
2 large pink grapefruits
1 small pineapple
2 pints of strawberries
3 kiwi fruits
2 tablespoons of crystallized ginger root

Drain syrup from the peaches into a small saucepan. Place peaches in a large bowl. Over medium−high heat, heat syrup, cinnamon, and
ground allspice to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 10 minutes. Set syrup mixture aside to cool while preparing fruit.

Read more »

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup teriyaki marinade (store bought)
4 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
4 cups chopped green leaf lettuce
1 cup chopped red cabbage
5.5 oz. can pineapple chunks in juice, drained
tortilla chips

PICO DE GALLO:

2 medium tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup diced spanish onion
2 tsps. chopped fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and de−ribbed
2 tsps. finely minced fresh cilantro
pinch of salt
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and chill.

Read more »

4 cups pasta, cold, cooked
2 cups white mushrooms, sliced
1 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
1 cup salami, cut into bite−size pieces
1 cup provolone cheese, cut into bite−size pieces
1 jar (6 ounces) marinated artichoke hearts, (with liquid)
1/4 cup Italian dressing
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

To the pasta, add the mushrooms, peppers, salami, cheese, and artichoke hearts with liquid. Mix in Italian dressing; season with salt and ground black pepper to taste. Top with chopped basil. Allow flavors to blend for at least 30 minutes before serving.

1 cup kiwi, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch cubes
1 cup figs, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch cubes
1 cup grapes, sliced in half
1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced in half
1 cup fresh raspberries
2 egg yolks
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 cup Champagne
Heat broiler to its highest setting.

Divide the cut fruits into 4 soup plates, arranging them decoratively. Make sauce by combining egg yolks and sugar in a mixing bowl. Whisk briskly until the yolks begin to turn a light lemony color. Add the Champagne a little bit at a time, whisking constantly until well blended. Place the mixing bowl in a pot or pan and pour about 1 inch of water around it. Bring the water to a simmer and continue to whisk vigorously until the mixture becomes light and foamy.

Read more »

4 cups bibb (or butter) lettuce
4 cups sugar snap peas, string removed
3 tablespoons minced shallots
4 teaspoons sherry vinegar
salt and black pepper, to taste
7 teaspoons extra−virgin olive oil
1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh basil
3 tablespoons chopped italian flat leaf parsley

Wash and dry the lettuce and tear into bite−sized pieces. Make the vinaigrette by combining the shallots, vinegar, salt, pepper and olive oil and set aside. Make an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice and cold water and set that aside.
In a large pot, blanch peas in boiling water for about 3 minutes, until peas are bright green and cooked but still crunchy. Immediately, drain the peas and plunge into the ice bath. Once the peas have cooled and stopped cooking remove them from the ice bath. Remove excess water from peas by blotting with a paper towel. Up to this point, the salad can be made a day in advance, refrigerated as separate components. Use the lettuce to line the bottom of a serving dish and add peas, basil, and parsley to another bowl. Add vinaigrette and toss. Put this mixture on top of the lettuce and serve immediately.

2 whole chicken breasts (with skin on and bone in)
1 celery stalk
1 onion, sliced
6 peppercorns
chicken broth
3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup walnuts
mixed greens: watercress, arugula, red leaf lettuce, radicchio

Place chicken breasts in pan or skillet. Add celery, onion and peppercorns. Add enough broth to cover chicken. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium−low. Cook until just tender, about 20 minutes. Cool chicken and remove skin. Pull chicken off bone in strips. In a saucepan, combine olive oil, vinegar and walnuts. Cook until somewhat thickened and liquid is reduced. Wash greens and tear into pieces. Place greens on four salad dishes, then arrange chicken on each plate of greens. Pour oil−vinegar mixture on top.

6 medium zucchini, grated (1 1/2 lbs)
2 teaspoons salt
1 large carrot, grated
1 sweet red pepper, julienned
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1 stalk celery, julienned
2 tablespoons each chopped fresh dill and parsley

Dressing:

3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon horseradish
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Combine zucchini and salt; toss well. Place in colander; let stand for 30 minutes. Rinse under cold water; drain and squeeze out excess moisture. Place zucchini in bowl and add carrot, red pepper, onion and celery; toss well. Sprinkle with parsley and dill. Combine mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, oil, honey, horseradish and pepper; stir into zucchini mixture. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

3 cups cold cooked rice
1/2 cup cooked peas
1/2 cup cooked corn
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup red and green pepper, chopped
1/3 cup olive oil
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Toss with olive oil and chill overnight in refrigerator before serving. Garnish with orange sections.

1 heart of romaine lettuce
red onion
1/8 cup crumbles blue cheese
2 oz. spicy pepper pecans (chopped)
4 teaspoons raspberry vinaigrette (per serving)

Toss romaine lettuce with raspberry vinaigrette and divide evenly on salad plates. Slice red onion paper−thin and layer to taste on top of
the greens. Sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles and spicy pepper pecans to taste.
Spicy Pepper Pecans:

2 oz. or 1/2 cup of chopped pecans
3 teaspoons dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Rinse pecan pieces to dampen. Combine brown sugar and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Mix in damp pecan pieces and toss until thoroughly coated. Spread evenly on cookie sheet then place in preheated 400F oven and cook 5 to 10 minutes or until brown sugar
is thoroughly melted on pecans. Remove and let cool.