Roasted Cream of Tomato Soup

Roasted Cream of Tomato Soup
Roasted Cream of Tomato Soup

Last year in January, it was cold, dark, rainy, and downright miserable and depressing. Not to sound negative, but we all know that’s what winter in NYC can feel like at times. ENDLESS. I pretty much hibernated away in my apartment, and decided I needed to entertain myself somehow – what better way than to cheer myself up with some homemade creamy tomato soup?

When I was a kid, I used to love staying home sick from school – why? My Mom would wrap me up under blankets on the couch and make me a grilled cheese sandwich smothered in Campbell’s tomato soup in front of the tube, which made the misery of being sick almost OK (and kinda fun!) – and to this day, I still crave this combo for a cozy day on the couch at home.

This recipe is sure to warm you up with its creamy roasted tomato flavor. Serve it with some grilled or toasted bread with olive oil and herbs or mini grilled cheese bites for dipping in the soup (or smothering!) and maybe even a glass of red wine to warm you up even more.

Maybe Spring can wait a few more months after all.

Roasted Cream of Tomato Soup

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Yield: 4

Ingredients

  • 4 lbs fresh heirloom or vine-ripened tomatoes, quartered
  • 4 large garlic cloves
  • 1-2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 2-3 medium shallots, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp fines herbes (parsley, chervil, tarragon, chives)
  • Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable, if you prefer)
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/2 c heavy cream or half and half

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Spread the tomatoes and garlic on a baking sheet, drizzling with olive oil and bake for 45 minutes to an hour until tomatoes are soft and skins are dark brown. Remove from the oven and let cool. Once cooled, remove skins from tomatoes and garlic and discard.
  3. Heat a large saucepan or Dutch oven over low heat. Add butter, shallots, fines herbes and salt and pepper, saute until the onions are soft. Add the roasted tomatoes and garlic, chicken or vegetable broth and tomato paste and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and cover, simmer for 20-30 minutes.
  4. After 20-30 minutes, puree the soup with an immersion blender in the pan, or remove from pan and puree in a blender and pour back into the pan.
  5. Stir in heavy cream or half and half, blending thoroughly. Add additional salt and pepper to taste and garnish with a sprinkle of fines herbs (or julienned basil leaves).
  6. Serve in soup bowls with crusty garlic herb bread (or over a grilled cheese sandwich on a plate!) and a glass of red wine.
https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2012/10/roasted-cream-of-tomato-soup/

Tomato-Soup-1

Other Tomato Soup recipes you may enjoy:

Kalyn’s Kitchen Tomato and Cilantro Soup

Michael Chiarello’s Homemade Tomato Soup 

Pioneer Woman’s Sherried Tomato Soup

Michael Symon’s Blue Cheese and Tomato Soup via The Amateur Gourmet

Average Betty’s Creamy Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese

Italian White Bean, Vegetable & Pasta Soup

Italian White Bean, Vegetable & Pasta Soup
Italian White Bean, Vegetable & Pasta Soup

I always look forward to the season change to Autumn – there’s something calming to the beautiful colors of the leaves, the cooler temperatures, and sunny skies. It’s a time of harvesting and celebration of autumnal fruits of the earth mixed with a sadness for the upcoming cold Winter months.

I love the heartier, warming foods Autumn brings, and there’s nothing better than a delicious bowl of homemade soup. It reminds me of when I was a kid – my Mom would always have a big pot of soup simmering away on the stove to warm us up after a day outside romping in the leaves in the brisk, cool weather. Mom’s soup was always something to look forward to and a safe haven to come home to.

This recipe for Italian White Bean, Vegetable & Pasta Soup is a simple and nutritious soup chock full of fresh vegetables and herbspasta and Italian Great Northern white beans. It’s great topped with some freshly grated cheese, served with crusty bread and a leafy green salad.

The good news with vegetable soup is you can substitute just about any veggies you want – throw in some kale or spinach, zucchini, green beans, peas, corn; whatever your heart desires. It’s healthy and filling and warming to the soul.

And it’s definitely worth taking a romp in the leaves if you know there’s a pot of goodness on the stove waiting for you.

Italian White Bean, Vegetable & Pasta Soup

Rating: 41

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Yield: 4-6

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup chopped red onion
  • 3 cups chopped fresh tomato
  • 2 carrots, peeled and sliced thinly
  • 1-2 stalks diced celery
  • ½ cup chopped yellow bell pepper
  • ½ zucchini squash, cut into thin slices, halved
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • ½ cups dried pasta (bow-tie, penne or shells)
  • 1 can Italian white beans
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon dried ground fennel seed
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or ¼ tbsp. dried)
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil (or ¼ tbsp. dried)
  • 3 cups water
  • 3 cups vegetable stock (low sodium)
  • A few fresh thyme sprigs or leaves (for garnish)
  • Freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. In a large stock pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil and sauté onions, tomatoes, carrots, celery, bell pepper and zucchini over medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté another 1-2 minutes.
  2. Add the pasta, white beans, salt and pepper to taste, paprika, fennel seed, chopped fresh herbs, water and vegetable stock; cover and simmer over medium-low for 30 to 40 minutes until cooked through and vegetables are tender. Add additional salt and pepper to taste, and extra stock or water to adjust desired consistency and thickness.
  3. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves and freshly grated cheese; serve with crusty Italian bread and a leafy green salad.

Notes

Feel free to substitute or add any veggies you like to the soup: Zucchini, Green Beans, Squash, Corn, Peas, etc.

Adjust thinness or thickness of soup by adding more or less broth and/or water to the soup while it cooks down.

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2012/10/italian-white-bean-pasta-soup/

 

Spinach, Cheese & Green Onion Pie with Dill and Fines Herbes

Spinach, Cheese & Green Onion Pie with Dill and Fines Herbes
Spinach, Cheese & Green Onion Pie with Dill and Fines Herbes

There’s nothing better than a fresh baked pie on a dreary, Fall day. I decided to make a savory pie (quiche) with some fresh spinach, green onions, garlic, dill, Fines Herbes, eggs, milk, Parmesan and Sharp White Cheddar cheese I had on hand. So easy, and the perfect comfort food to warm you up on a gray day like today.

I used store-bought frozen pie crusts to save time and make my life easier, but if you’re in the mood to make your own pie crust, here’s a great basic recipe by Martha Stewart. If you’re into gluten-free, check out this pie crust recipe by Bea Peltre of La Tartine Gourmande. You can also make or cut the dough into smaller mini pies or use this recipe filling for a 9-inch tart if you prefer. This is a vegetarian recipe, but would also be fantastic with a little bit of crispy bacon or prosciutto and asparagus or broccoli if you’re not a spinach fan. You can also substitute Gruyere or Fontina cheese in place of the shredded White Cheddar if you like. Serve with leafy greens tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette and a latte or glass of white wine, and you’ve got a fantastic brunch! Enjoy.

Spinach, Cheese & Green Onion Pie with Dill and Fines Herbes

Rating: 41

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Yield: 6-8

Ingredients

  • 1 9-inch unbaked pie shell (or handmade pie dough)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 green onions, sliced thin
  • 1- 5 ounce package fresh baby spinach leaves
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill or 1 tablespoon fresh dill
  • 1 teaspoon dried Fines Herbes
  • 1 tablespoon minced onion
  • 1/2 tablespoon garlic salt
  • Pinch of ground nutmeg (a few sprinkles)
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 1/4 cups shredded White Sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Let frozen pie shell defrost and place in a 9 inch pie pan.
  3. Heat oil and butter in a saute pan over medium-high heat. Saute spinach for a few minutes until wilted. Add minced garlic and green onions and saute for another minute or so. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  4. In a medium mixing bowl, beat eggs with milk, herbs and seasonings. Add Parmesan cheese to egg mixture and stir well.
  5. Place the spinach, garlic and onion mixture over the bottom of the unbaked pie shell. Sprinkle grated Cheddar cheese over the top. Pour egg, milk and herbs mixture over the cheese, spreading evenly inside the pie crust.
  6. Bake pie in oven for 45 minutes until eggs are firmly set and crust is browned. If crust edges start browning too quickly, cover them with some foil half way through.
  7. Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool and firm up for 10-15 minutes.
  8. Slice into wedges and serve with a green salad.

Notes

*Alternative Recipe Suggestions: Add some crispy bacon or prosciutto to the quiche, substitute Gruyere or Fontina for Cheddar, or use asparagus or broccoli instead of spinach.

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2012/10/spinach-cheese-green-onion-pie-with-dill-and-fines-herbes/

Spinach Pie
Betcha can’t eat just one slice!

Other Spinach Pie Recipes you might enjoy:

Paula Deen’s Crustless Spinach and Cheese Quiche

Williams Sonoma Spinach and Feta Quiche

Martha Stewart Spinach and Gruyere Quiche

 

Potato Latkes with Sauteed Caramelized Apples with Honey and Cinnamon Sour Cream

Potato Latkes with Caramelized Honey Apples & Cinnamon Sour Cream
Potato Latkes with Caramelized Honey Apples & Cinnamon Sour Cream

In the spirit of the Jewish New Year holiday Rosh Hashana, I created a delicious dish for my client miditto, to pair with some of their late Summer and early Fall wine selections for our September photo shoot. Apples and honey are often eaten together to celebrate the New Year, and are typical symbols of hope for sweet and healthy new beginnings.  What better way to serve them than with classic Potato Latkes? I used a traditional latke recipe with shredded onions and potatoes mixed with flour and egg and seasonings, then fried in oil into crispy potato cakes. Rather than serving them with traditional applesauce, I thought it would be a tasty variation to caramelize the apples in butter and brown sugar and top the latkes with the apples and a drizzle of honey and cinnamon sour cream. Delicious, heartwarming, and definitely something to celebrate! Shanah Tova. Happy New Year! 

Potato Latkes with Cinnamon Sour Cream

3 1/2 cups shredded peeled baking potato (about 1 ½ pounds)
1 1/4 cups grated onion
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon onion sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 large egg
1/4 cup olive oil, divided
Sour cream (for serving)
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine potato and onion in a colander. Drain 30 minutes, pressing with the back of a spoon until barely moist. Combine potato mixture, flour, and next 4 ingredients (through egg) in a large bowl; toss well.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to pan, and swirl to coat. Spoon 1/4 cup potato mixture loosely into a dry measuring cup. Pour mixture into pan, and flatten slightly. Repeat to form 6 latkes. Cook in batches by sautéing them 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove latkes from pan, and keep warm in an oven on low heat.

Repeat procedure with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and potato mixture to yield 12 latkes total. Combine sour cream and cinnamon in a bowl. Serve with Sauteed Caramelized Apples over the latkes. (recipe follows)

Makes 6 servings.

Recipe adapted from myrecipes.com

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Sauteed Caramelized Apples with Honey

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 large red or green apples
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or fresh chopped parsley
2 tablespoons honey

Preparation

Peel and core apples and cut into thin wedges.

Melt butter over medium-high heat in a large nonstick skillet.

Add apples, brown sugar and cinnamon to pan and sauté apples about 10 minutes until lightly caramelized.

Sprinkle with chopped fresh thyme or parsley leaves and let cool. Serve over latkes with a drizzle of honey and a side of sour cream mixed with cinnamon and additional parsley or chives.

Serves 4-6.

Pair the Latkes and Caramelized Apples with a full-bodied Pinot Noir or smooth Cabernet Sauvignon. See Miditto.com for more great organic and vegan wine recommendations and selections!

 

 

Pork-a-Palooza! Pulled Pork Recipes & Cookbook Giveaway (Good Food to Share by Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan)

It’s that time of year again as Summer is ending and the weather is changing, perfect time of year for game day parties, Labor Day parties and heartier fare for a crowd. When I think about the perfect food to celebrate early Fall with friends and family, Savory Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork comes to mind.

Chef preparing Pulled Pork
Chef preparing Pulled Pork

Last week I was invited to a special Pork-a-Palooza! event in Chelsea sponsored by The National Pork Board – I had the opportunity to hear Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan – food writer, recipe developer and author of the popular website The Kitchn, speak about her love for Pork and all the simple delicious ways you can make it just by throwing a gorgeous Pork Shoulder (or any cut you choose) braised in the oven, grilled or in a Crock Pot with your veggies, seasonings and marinades and letting it cook slow and low until you get juicy, flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth goodness.

Herb Rub Oven-Braised Pulled Pork
Herb Rub Oven-Braised Pulled Pork

We sampled three different varieties of Pulled Pork (Chili Rub Slow Cooker Pulled Pork, Savory Rub Grilled Pulled Pork, and Herb Rub Oven-Braised Pulled Pork) and got creative by whipping up some tasty Pork dishes for ourselves such as Pulled Pork Soft Tacos, Fried Rice, Caesar Wraps, Quesadillas, Egg Scrambles, Pizzas, Baked Potatoes, Tostadas, Salads, Sliders, and Grilled Cheese. Talk about an inspiring delicious event!

Pulled Pork Taco, Salad and Grilled Cheese!
Pulled Pork Taco, Salad and Grilled Cheese!

Check out the awesome food and drinks we devoured in the gallery below, and try a delicious recipe for Chili Rub Slow Cooker Pulled Pork, compliments of the National Pork Board. Check out more great pork recipes and all the different cuts of pork you can make on www.porkbeinspired.com

VIEW SLIDESHOW

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Chili Rub Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Chili_Rub_Slow_Cooker_Pulled_Pork_recipe
Chili Rub Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

1 3-pound boneless pork shoulder or sirloin meat
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
1 tablespoon canola oil or other neutral-flavored oil
1/2 cup chicken broth

Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with foil and place the pork in the pan. In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, salt and cayenne. Rub the mixture all over the sides of the meat, pressing to adhere (if the meat is tied together with twine or netting, just rub the seasoning right over it). Set aside.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the oil. Add the pork and brown on all sides, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the meat to a slow cooker.

Add the broth to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits. Add the broth to the slow cooker, cover and cook until the pork is very tender, 6 to 8 hours on low or 4 to 5 hours on high.

Transfer the meat to a cutting board and let rest 10 to 15 minutes. Use two forks to shred meat into bite-sized pieces. Moisten/season with cooking juices to taste.

Serving suggestions: This recipe is only mildly spiced, so if you like things with a kick, try adding more cayenne to the rub or add some of your favorite hot sauce to the finished, shredded meat. Use the pork to make a traditional pulled pork sandwich, with barbeque sauce and slaw, or enjoy it in your favorite chili reicpe or on top of a Tex Mex Caesar salad.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 1/4 to 8 1/4 hrs
Serving size: 8 to 10 servings

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Cookbook Giveaway!

Good Food to Share, by Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan

*THE GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED AND OUR WINNER IS YOLANDA BARAJAS SMITH! CONGRATULATIONS!

I am giving away one (1) copy of Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan’s cookbook, Good Food to Share, to one lucky person, drawn by random. If you haven’t seen this cookbook, you absolutely need to! It’s hardcover, and full of gorgeous food photography and recipes for entertaining with family and friends. Sara has amazing menus for planning a simple supper or an impromptu dinner party with fresh and flavorful ingredients and gives great tips for cocktail, beer and wine pairings for whatever occasion you are planning to have with friends.

All you need to do to receive one (1) entry, is to leave a comment on this post what is your favorite way to prepare and eat Pulled Pork.

For additional entries, tweet this post, pin it, share it on Facebook (you’ll get separate entries for each!), and let me know in separate comments on this post that you’ve done so. For even more entries, follow Artful Gourmet on Twitter and Facebook and also let me know you’ve done so!

The giveaway begins on Friday August 31st and will end on Sunday, Sept 9th at 11 pm EST. Please leave your email with your comments (this  will not be made public) so that I can contact the winner of the giveaway and send the cookbook. Good luck! I hope you enjoy the recipes and make some fun, creative Pulled Pork recipes yourself!

 

California Dreamin’ :: Chicken, Wild Mushroom & Fontina Cheese Lasagna

Room with a view
Room with a view

On a recent trip to San Diego with a group of friends, we made an awesome dinner one night, and definitely one to remember. We rented an amazing house right on the ocean at Mission Beach that had gorgeous views of the sunset  – –

Sunset
Sunset

a huge round disk of bright orange, yellow and red hues sinking into the horizon – absolutely breathtaking..

Chicken, Spinach & Wild Mushroom Lasagna
Chicken, Spinach & Wild Mushroom Lasagna

My friend (Paula) showed up with a delicious recipe for Chicken, Spinach & Wild Mushroom Lasagna (by Daniel Boulud) which was an amazingly creamy, savory dish to die for! The lasagna is made with a creamy base of sauteed celery and onions, white wine, nutmeg, flour and cream mixed with fresh spinach, wild mushrooms (we used Chanterelles but you can use any mix of wild mushrooms you prefer) and chicken breast. We topped off the lasagna noodles and chicken and mushroom mixture with several gooey layers of Fontina and Parmesan cheese, and baked it into a bubbly pot of goodness in the oven.

We served it with some Parmesan-Garlic Crostini and a green salad, and of course a few bottles of white wine to accompany. Daniel Johnnes, wine director of Daniel Boulud’s restaurants suggests choosing a wine from the Campania region of Italy, such as the 2009 Fiano di Avellino from Feudi di San Gregorio ($19). An alternative is Occhipinti SP68 IGT Sicilia Bianco 2009 ($26). Both of these choices are medium bodied with bold flavor and a soft texture.

Noodle Slap
Noodle Slap

**Note*** Men should definitely stay out of a female-dominated kitchen to avoid a big noodle slap when making a dish as good as this! Enjoy 🙂

Parsley and Fontina Cheese
Parsley and Fontina Cheese
Chicken-Mushroom-Spinach
Chicken-Mushroom-Spinach
Lasagna Ready For Oven
Lasagna Ready For Oven
Parmesan Garlic Crostini
Parmesan Garlic Crostini
Rooftop Sunset
Rooftop Sunset

Oh, and don’t forget the rooftop with great friends and an amazing view to top it all off. We had such an awesome time I’m already planning my next visit back to this gorgeous beach..

Dusk, Mission Beach San Diego
Dusk, Mission Beach San Diego

Until then, I’ll just keep dreaming about that fiery red glowing sunset… 🙂

California Dreamin’ :: Chicken, Wild Mushroom & Fontina Cheese Lasagna

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Yield: 10-12

Ingredients

  • 5 tablespoons EVOO
  • 2 medium onions, diced fine
  • 2 celery stalks, diced fine
  • 1 pound wild mushrooms (chanterelles, black trumpet, hen of woods), trimmed and washed, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 pound spinach leaves, torn and washed, no stems
  • 4 tablespoons butter, plus extra grease to pan
  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1/2 bunch Italian parsley leaves, chopped
  • Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste
  • 16 dried lasagna noodles
  • 1 pound of Fontina cheese, diced or cut into medium-thin slices
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper

Instructions

  1. Prep all vegetables (chop onions, celery, spinach, mushrooms, parsley), cut up chicken and pat dry.
  2. Measure out all wet and dry ingredients (wine, cream, milk, flour, nutmeg, salt and pepper, grated Parmesan).
  3. Cut Fontina cheese into small dice, or medium-thin slices for layering.
  4. Sauté celery and onions with salt and pepper over medium-low for 3 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high, add mushrooms, cook and stir for 3 minutes. Add spinach, salt and pepper, cook until wilted and mushrooms are tender. Remove from heat and reserve.
  5. Add butter to same pot, adjust heat to medium. Season chicken on all sides with salt and pepper, add to butter. Cook stirring 6 minutes until chicken is browned. Add wine, simmer until almost reduced. Sprinkle flour over the chicken and cook, stirring for 5 mins, allowing flour to coat the chicken and absorb the liquid.
  6. Gradually stir in cream and milk, scraping pot, stirring with a whisk to break up cooked flour. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly, allow liquid to thicken. Reserve 1 cup of liquid and remove pot from heat, add cooked mushroom and spinach mixture. Add parsley, season with nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Cook lasagna noodles 8 mins in salted water. Drain and rinse in cold water. Toss with 2 tablespoons EVOO.
  8. Preheat oven to 350. Butter a 9x13 baking pan. Layer 4 noodles on bottom. Top with 1/3 chicken mixture and 1/3 Fontina cheese. Repeat layers twice, finish with layer of noodles. Spread reserved sauce over noodles and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. (can put in fridge or freezer at this point, tightly covered with aluminum foil or plastic wrap).
  9. Cover with foil or lid and bake for 30 minutes. Increase heat to 400 degrees and remove foil and cook until golden brown and bubbly, another 10-15 mins.
  10. To make the Parmesan Garlic Crostini:
  11. Slice a loaf of Italian bread into 1/4-1/2 inch slices and drizzle with olive oil, shredded Parmesan cheese, garlic powder and bake in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes or until lightly golden brown and crunchy.
  12. Sprinkle the lasagna with chopped parsley, some extra grated cheese if desired, and serve with the parmesan garlic crostini.

Notes

Serve with a leafy green salad with a vinaigrette dressing, some crusty garlic bread and a dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

The lasagna can be made a day ahead to save time, just keep it tightly covered with plastic wrap of foil and pop it in the oven when ready to bake.

Freezes well too - wrap in plastic and foil in individual portions and reheat in the microwave or oven.

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2012/05/california-dreamin-chicken-wild-mushroom-fontina-lasagna/

 

Behind the Scenes w/ Chef Madison Cowan & Nat’l Pork Board :: Recipes, Photos & Videos

Chef Madison Cowan
Chef Madison Cowan
Chef Madison Cowan

Last week I had an amazing opportunity to meet Chef Madison CowanIron Chef America Winner,  Chopped! Grand Champion, Extreme Chef Judge on Food network and star in the new television show, No Kitchen Required at a live taping of his media satellite tour with the National Pork Board here in NYC.

Chef Madison Cowan on Set
Chef Madison Cowan on Set

To help home cooks unleash the limitless power of the pork chop, America’s pork producers have enlisted a pro who knows a thing or two about chops. Because this worldly chef is known for blending diverse inspirations from around the globe and the pork chop is one of his favorite go-to meats to cook, the Pork Board asked Chef Madison Cowan to create some fresh global-inspired pork recipes and talk about them with a live demo for a national satellite media tour that was broadcasted on television and radio stations around the country last week (see video clip below to get a behind the scenes glimpse of the live interview).

Chef's Pork Creations
Chef's Pork Creations

The three most popular types of pork are bone-in rib chops, top loin chops, and blade chops but not all consumers are aware of all the great choices they have when it comes to cooking with pork. To educate and inspire home cooks, the Pork board asked Chef Madison to create some fresh and global inspired recipes with new ways to cook pork chops other than the basic frying and baking techniques.

Chef Madison & Kristen Hess
Chef Madison & Kristen Hess

During the taping, Chef Madison demos his amazing pork recipes, talks about his London, Detroit and Jamaican heritage, his step-mother’s influence on his cooking and his passion and love for food, family and his culinary career. His pork dishes were absolutely gorgeous and tantalizing and colorful!

Amazing Pork Chop Creations
Amazing Pork Chop Creations

The three main recipes that Chef Madison made on set were Grilled Pork Chops with Manchego Cheese, Chorizo and Date stuffing, Chinese 5-Spice and Maple-Glazed Pork Loin Chops and Moroccan-Inspired Country Style Rib Ragu with Couscous Cakes. (See full recipes below).

Chef Madison Cowan
Chef Madison Cowan

We had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Chef for an intimate talk about his background and cooking philosophy and he told us about his first cook book “Soul Voyage” which chronicles his philosophy of cooking from the heart as well as his favourite soul food recipes. Chef Madison is truly a talented individual and everything he does is from the heart. He is a true inspiration to me and hopefully all home cooks out there by his pure passion and dedication to his craft.

Check out the video above of Chef Madison Cowan on set taping the live satellite media tour as he discusses the recipes he is making, his inspiration and background for his cooking and culinary career. (Note: the taping is one sided so you’ll only hear the Chef’s answers to the live interview questions he is being asked by the media!)

And to top off all the great photos and videos from the event, Chef Madison has shared his three Pork recipes he made on the tour, which are included for you below. Enjoy!

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Moroccan-Inspired Country-Style Rib Ragu with Couscous Cakes

Moroccan-Inspired Country-Style Rib Ragu with Couscous Cakes
Moroccan-Inspired Country-Style Rib Ragu with Couscous Cakes (photo credit: National Pork Board)

For this pork and beans dish, I’m inspired by the Berber classic from North Africa, named for the earthenware pot traditionally used for simmering lamb or chicken stew. Tagine also refers to the stew itself. Here Moroccan spicing brings out the best in boneless blade chops, which are from the loin nearest the shoulder. These thick chops are well marbled, full-flavored, and often called “Boneless Pork Loin Country-Style Ribs.”

  • 2 pounds boneless blade chops (pork loin country-style ribs), cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons Spanish or Hungarian sweet paprika
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

Tagine

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, as needed
  • 2 large leeks, white and pale green parts, thinly sliced and washed well
  • 2 large carrots, sliced
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 (3-inch) sprigs of fresh thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed hot red chile flakes
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 6 garlic cloves, sliced
  • 1 (28-ounce) can chopped tomatoes with their juices
  • 1 cup canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 (15.5-ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh mint

Couscous Cakes

  • 1 1/2 cup chicken stock or broth
  • 1 cup couscous
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/4 cup dried currants
  • 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped chives
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 large egg yolks, beaten
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

For the pork chops: Put pork cubes in a large bowl and toss with oil. Mix paprika, coriander, turmeric, salt, pepper, ginger, and cumin, Sprinkle half of the spice mixture over pork and toss well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 and up to 3 hours. Reserve remaining spice mixture.

To make the tagine: Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. .In batches, add pork and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 4 minutes. Transfer pork to a plate.

Add more oil to the skillet if needed. Add leeks, carrots, cinnamon, thyme, chili flakes and bay leaves to the skillet and sauté together about 4 minutes, adding more by the tablespoon, if needed. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in remaining spices and cook for 15 seconds. Stir in tomatoes with their juices, broth, and tomato paste and bring to boil, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a large sauce pan. Return to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until juices thicken and vegetables are just tender, about 20 minutes.

Stir in chickpeas. Bury the pork in the sauce and cover. Simmer until the pork is just tender, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the couscous cakes: Bring the stock to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add the couscous, almonds, currants, chives, lemon zest, salt, and pepper and stir well. Remove from heat and cover tightly for 10 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl. Fluff couscous with a fork. Stir in yolks. Press couscous mixture into six 3-inch-wide cakes. Transfer to a plate and let stand 5 minutes.

Heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Fry cakes, turning once, until golden, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs and transfer tagine to a serving dish. Sprinkle cilantro and mint on top and serve hot, with couscous cakes.

Makes 6 servings.

—-

Grilled Pork Chops with Chorizo, Dates and Manchego Stuffing

Grilled Pork Chops with Chorizo, Dates and Manchego Stuffing
Grilled Pork Chops with Chorizo, Dates and Manchego Stuffing (photo credit: National Pork Board)

In the U.S., stuffed pork chops usually have a breadcrumb filling. This Spanish treatment calls for a unique and flavorful stuffing of spicy chorizo, sweet dates, and Manchego cheese, a sharp cheese from the La Mancha region of Spain. Alternatively use local, affordable cheddar if Manchego is unavailable.

  • 6 double-thick bone-in rib chops, about 12 ounces each
  • 2 cups apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • ½ cup sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon dry mustard
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  • ½ gallon iced water

Chorizo Stuffing

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 pound smoked Spanish chorizo, diced
  • 2 medium celery, finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup pitted and finely chopped dates
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Manchego or sharp Cheddar cheese
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

To brine pork chops:  Bring vinegar, brown sugar, salt, mustard, and peppercorns to a simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve salt.  Do not inhale fumes.  Transfer to large, deep food-safe container.  Let cool until tepid.  Stir in iced water.  Submerge chops in brine.  Refrigerate for 3 hours, no longer.

To make stuffing: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add chorizo and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add celery, dates, and shallot, and cook, stirring often, until celery is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in parsley, sage, and paprika. Transfer to a bowl and let cool completely.  Stir in cheese and season with salt and pepper.

Remove chops from brine, rinse under cold water, and blot dry with paper towels. Cut a horizontal pocket in each chop to the bone using a sharp knife. Spoon equal amounts of stuffing into each chop, and close each opening shut with wooden toothpicks. Do not overstuff the chops; you may not use all of the filling.

Prepare a medium fire in an outdoor grill. (For a gas grill, preheat to about 400ºF. For a charcoal grill, let the coals burn until covered with white ash and you can hold your hand about an inch above the cooking grate for 3 seconds.) Brush cooking grates clean. Grill pork, with the lid closed as much as possible, turning occasionally, until an instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into the center of a chop reads 145ºF, about 15 minutes. Remove from the grill and let stand for 3 to 5 minutes.

Remove toothpicks and serve.

Makes 6 servings.

—–

Chinese Five-Spice-and-Maple-Glazed Pork Loin Chops

Chinese Five-Spice-and-Maple Glazed Pork Loin Chops
Chinese Five-Spice-and-Maple Glazed Pork Loin Chops (photo credit: National Pork Board)

For this dish I marinate lean and versatile boneless top loin pork chops (also known as “America’s Cut”) in five-spice and finish it in a tangy and smooth maple glaze. This dish pairs well with my Asian Pear and Cucumber Slaw. The Asian pear, native to China, Japan and Korea, has a sweet flavor with a crisp texture, marries well with a variety of flavors and is a quick no-cook side dish option.  A plastic V-slicer or mandoline will make quick work of cutting the Asian pears and cucumber into matchsticks.

  • 6 boneless top loin pork chops, 1 1/4–inch-thick (“America’s Cut”)
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup Chinese five-spice powder
  • 2 tablespoons sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

Glaze

  • 1/2  stick unsalted butter
  • 1 cup maple syrup, preferably Grade B
  • 2 tablespoons cider vinegar

Asian Pear and Cucumber Slaw

  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons unseasoned rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon peeled and finely grated fresh ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed hot red chile
  • 2 Asian pears, peeled and sliced into matchsticks
  • 1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, and sliced into matchsticks
  • 3 scallions, white and green parts, thinly sliced on the diagonal.
  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
  • Salt to taste
  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped salted peanuts

To prepare the pork chops: Brush pork chops with the oil and season with salt and pepper.  Sprinkle the five-spice powder evenly over pork chops.  Place on a plate and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.  Let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes before searing.

To prepare the glaze:  Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add maple syrup and vinegar and bring to a boil.  Cook, stirring often, until slightly reduced, about 2 minutes. Set aside.

To make the slaw: Whisk lime juice, vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and chile in a medium bowl.  Add Asian pears, cucumber, scallions, and cilantro, and mix well.  Season with salt.  Cover and refrigerate until serving.

Preheat your oven to 350F. Add a little cooking oil to pan and heat over medium–high heat. When the oil begins to shimmer, sear the pork chops until brown, about 3 to 5 minutes each side. Place the pan in the oven and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into the center of a chop reads 145ºF, about 10 to 12 minutes. During the last 3 minutes, reheat the maple sauce and brush both sides of the chops until well glazed.  Remove from pan from the oven and let stand for 3 minutes.

Sprinkle the slaw with peanuts and serve with a slotted spoon onto 6 dinner plates alongside each chop.

Makes 6 servings.

—–

Every week for the next month, the National Pork Board will showcase a unique chop recipe on PorkBeInspired.com to keep your culinary juices flowing, including exclusive recipes from Chef Cowan.  While there, you will find a “Pork Chop Personality Guide” to help you explore a new chop cut and match it with a new recipe for every night of the week.  With the versatility of the pork chop, there is a perfect recipe and cut to suit your personality. For additional inspiration this summer, follow @AllAboutPork on Twitter, “like” them at Facebook.com/PorkBeinspired and find them onPinterest.com/PorkBeinspired to unleash the power of the pork chop and for a chance to win pork prizes during the month of May.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE GREAT PORK RECIPES FROM THE NATIONAL PORK BOARD

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SLIDESHOW OF ALL PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ANOTHER VIDEO FROM THE LIVE TAPING

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CHEF MADISON COWAN

This is a non-paid sponsored post by the National Pork Board with The Artful Gourmet for the promotion of Chef Madison Cowan, his recipes and the National Pork Board. All opinions, videos and photography (unless otherwise noted) are by The Artful Gourmet.

Spicing it up with Vindaloo Beef Curry

Vindaloo Beef Curry
Vindaloo Beef Curry

Vindaloo Curry is a spicy Indian curry made with a variety of spices, vinegar, coconut milk and crushed tomatoes. Its origins come from the Goa region of India, however, the Vindaloo name is derived from a Portugese dish Carne de Vinha d’Ahlos which was typically made with pork, vinegar and chiles.

I used a Vindaloo spice blend from Penzey’s Spices to avoid mixing up 100 spices of my own – it’s a lovely blend of coriander, garlic, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, brown mustard, red pepper, jalapeno, cardamom, turmeric, Tellicherry black pepper and cloves, giving the curry a sweet and spicy flavor. I took the liberty to add a little bit more garlic powder, ginger, cayenne, cinnamon and cumin to give it a little more kick and some fresh chopped cilantro to give it a bright flavor.

It sounds super spicy, but the vinegar, coconut milk and pureed tomatoes soften the spices up into a creamy, tangy, delicious sauce – you can also make Vindaloo Lamb, Shrimp, Chicken or Pork – just substitute the meat of your choice. Great with Basmati rice (I used Brown Basmati) and/or Naan Bread for serving. If you want to make the curry ahead of time, it can be stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 3 days.

Ingredients

1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
1 1/2 pounds lean beef steak, trimmed and cubed
1 1/2 tablespoons Vindaloo curry powder (Penzey’s)
1/2 teaspoon dried ginger
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon cumin
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
Kosher Salt
1 tsp Black Tellicherry peppercorns
2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 1/4 cups low-sodium beef stock
1 (14 ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk
1 (14 ounce) can pureed tomatoes
Brown Basmati rice, steamed for serving
Cilantro, chopped for garnish

Preparation

In a large pot, par boil potatoes for about 3-5 minutes until slightly softened. Heat oil in a large skillet and saute the beef over medium-high for about 5 minutes until slightly browned.

Indian Vindaloo Spices
Indian Vindaloo Spices

Mix the Vindaloo curry powder with a few tablespoons of water to make a paste. Add the curry paste to the beef along with the other spices, salt and peppercorns; stir together and cook for about 3 more minutes.

Seasoned Beef & Potatoes
Seasoned Beef & Potatoes

Add the parboiled potatoes, vinegar, beef broth, coconut milk and pureed tomatoes to the beef and potatoes; stir all ingredients together and bring to a boil.

Simmering Vindaloo Curry
Simmering Vindaloo Curry

Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer the curry until the potatoes are tender, about 10-15 minutes. Crush some of the potatoes with the back of a spoon into the curry sauce to thicken it slightly.

Vindaloo Beef
Vindaloo Beef Curry

Serve with a side of white or brown cooked basmati rice and chopped cilantro for garnish. Warm toasted naan bread is also delicious with the curry. enjoy!

Serves 4-6.

Amazing Macaroni + Cheese > There’s No Place Like Home

Mac and Cheese

So here is my award winning Mac and Cheese recipe that I am proud to share with all of you! I was awarded as a Grand Prize Winner in the Challenge Dairy Real Heritage Recipe Contest for my Amazing Macaroni and Cheese! Although this was a few years ago, I am still so grateful for this opportunity to submit my winning recipe and to be a part of this amazing recipe contest. Check out the story I wrote and winning recipe below, and more contest winners on Challenge Dairy’s website.

There’s No Place Like Home

Growing up I always associated food with a sense of comfort, warmth, fulfillment and stability. This is something I attribute to my Mom’s home-cooked meals and nights around the dinner table with my family as we discussed the events of our day, bonded through sharing the heartwarming, delicious meals together and after the meal was done, cleaned the kitchen with our Mom and bonded by watching a television show together before going to bed and getting ready for school the next day. Mom would make Pot Roast with Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans, homemade Lasagna with a salad and garlic bread, Grandma’s Beet Soup with homemade Polish potato noodles, or a yummy, savory Meatloaf with Mushroom Gravy – these were all of our favorites and also heirloom recipes that were handed down from my grandparents and generations past.

That was a long time ago, or so it seems, and since those days I have lived in numerous cities and another country, and still cherish enjoying good food with good people. But nothing compares to those home cooked meals and the sense of comfort they gave me when I was young – those days gave me a solid ground to stand on for life.

One gloomy, dark day last January, I was cooped up in my tiny New York studio apartment feeling completely miserable from the freezing cold weather and had a serious case of the Winter blues. I felt an undying urge to make a home-cooked meal like Mom used to make to cheer me up and get me out of the dismal mood I couldn’t seem to shake. New York can do that to you sometimes – it is one of the greatest cities in the world, but can also take you to the depths of darkness on those dark, freezing, nasty days in the middle of Winter. That day I decided to go on a quest for comfort. Something warm. Something cozy. Something heartwarming. Something that would fill my soul and renew my spirit.

My head started spinning, and I immediately felt energized and motivated with this new task at hand. What would cheer me up and transport me back in time? After furiously searching through all of my recipes, I found the perfect remedy to ail my blues – a big whopping batch of luscious Macaroni and Cheese. Not just an ordinary one (like the kind you get in a blue box with packets of dried chemical-laden cheese dust), but one that called for some delicious gourmet ingredients to take this kid-friendly recipe and turn it into
a serious pot of adult-sized comfort.

I hopped in a cab to Zabar’s (my favorite gourmet store on the Upper West Side) with thrill and anticipation. The freezing rain was coming down sideways and beat against the windows. Once I arrived, I headed straight for the cheese department and was in my glory with their selection of international cheeses that pierce your nose as soon as you walk in the door. I picked up a creamy Italian Mascarpone, some fresh grated Parmesan Reggiano, a chunk of Gruyere and a block of Fontina. Then I found some fresh garlic, heavy cream, premium real butter, smoked thick cut bacon and of course, imported Italian pasta – this was a recipe for a mean Mac and Cheese. Definitely not your Mama’s.

I prepped my ingredients and carefully crafted my dish of gourmet deliciousness. The pot was brimming with a melted creamy cheese concoction and I poured the luscious ingredients into my baking dish, watching with anticipation as the warm, savory smells filled my kitchen. After an hour of waiting anxiously to savor my creation, I scooped up the bubbly goodness into a bowl and upon tasting the first bite with its brown crispy crust and tangy creamy cheese, was transported back to a time of comfort and bliss, when I didn’t have a care in the world, a simpler time and place that seemed long gone from today in my stressful, fast-paced city life.

Who cares about the weather, I thought – I had arrived. I was home.

Amazing Macaroni + Cheese > There’s No Place Like Home

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Yield: Yields 6-8 servings.

Serving Size: 1 cup

This is a super luscious and decadent grown up Mac and Cheese! Filled with Gruyere, Fontina and Mascarpone for extra creaminess, a little cooked bacon and a Parmesan buttery bread crumb topping for extra crunch. Definitely worthy of a special occasion or the holidays to impress your guests!

Ingredients

  • 4 slices bacon or pancetta, cooked and crumbled
  • 5 ½ tablespoons Challenge European Style Butter (salted), divided
  • ¾ cup Japanese Panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated
  • 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • dash of nutmeg (? teaspoon)
  • dash of ground cayenne pepper (? teaspoon)
  • 1 ½ cups Gruyere or Comte cheese, grated (3 oz.)
  • 1 cup Fontina cheese, chopped into small pieces (5¼ oz.)
  • 1/2 cup Mascarpone cheese
  • 1 ½ cups dry elbow macaroni (6 oz.)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped fine, plus extra for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Cook the bacon or pancetta, drain and crumble and set aside.
  3. In a small sauce pan, melt 2½ tablespoons of the butter over low heat. Add the bread crumbs and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, toss well, and set aside.
  4. Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons butter in a 2-quart, heavy-bottomed saucepan over low heat. Add the flour and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly, do not let the flour burn. Pour in the milk and cream; cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Add salt, pepper, nutmeg, cayenne, Gruyère, Fontina , Mascarpone. Continue to stir until the cheese is melted and incorporated. Remove the pot from the heat.
  5. Prepare pasta according to package directions for al dente (7 - 8 minutes). Drain the macaroni and combine with the cheese sauce. Add crumbled bacon and parsley; mix well.
  6. Pour the macaroni mixture into an 8-inch square baking dish. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the macaroni and cheese. Bake 30-35 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly. Serve hot immediately and garnish with additional fresh parsley, if desired.

Notes

You can also substitute the meat using some baked ham or prosciutto, or make it vegetarian and just add extra cheese or some veggies like zucchini, squash, brussels sprouts or mushrooms.

This recipe is also delicious with a little drizzle of truffle oil in the cheese sauce or topped with white or black truffle salt as a garnish.

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2012/03/amazing-macaroni-and-cheese-theres-no-place-like-home/

Luscious Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Spicy Seafood Risotto w/ Shrimp + Steamed Mussels

Seafood Risotto
Seafood Risotto

In the spirit of Mardi Gras, I was in the mood to make something spicy with seafood and rice and thought I would do something different than make the typical Jambalaya or Shrimp Etoufee dish. In one of my Italian Cooking classes at The Institute of Culinary Education, we made a Spicy Shrimp Risotto which is a typical Italian-style rice dish. Delicious as it is, I wanted to make it with a twist, by adding some Creole seasoning, lemon, red pepper and mussels steamed in white wine to the recipe. It’s super creamy and flavorful, and takes a little bit of time and patience to make. But one taste of the savory shrimp mixed with mussels, lemon and wine with a spicy kick of Creole makes it all worth the effort.

The mussels take about 10-15 minutes to make, so you’ll want to get started on these when you have about 10-15 minutes left to cook the rice in the broth (or you can make them ahead of time and keep them on the burner on low to keep them warm so you can add the mussels to the risotto at the end). If you want to just eat the Shrimp Risotto with the Mussels in wine sauce on the side, you can do that too! Just add some crusty bread, a green salad and a glass of white wine and you’ve got yourself a big, fat, happy meal to celebrate Mardi Gras. Enjoy =)

Spicy Seafood Risotto w/ Shrimp and Steamed Mussels

Shell and devein the shrimp (reserve the shells). Cut each shrimp into thirds. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook until pink 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and reserve.

In a medium saute pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add half of the garlic and the shrimp shells and saute until the garlic is fragrant and the shells turn pink, about 2 minutes. Add the parsley sprigs and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add 6 cups of water, lemon juice and zest and the saffron; bring to a boil, reduce to heat and simmer 15 minutes.

boil shrimp shells

Strain the broth and return it to the pan. Add the pureed tomatoes and season with red pepper flakes, Creole seasoning and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer about 15 minutes. Strain and reserve over low heat.

make risotto broth

In a large casserole or skillet, heat the remaining oil over medium heat. Add the onion and remaining garlic and cook until it begins to get golden, about 3 minutes. Add the rice and cook until it’s slightly translucent.

brown the rice

Add the wine and cook until absorbed. Add a 4 ounce ladle of the shrimp stock and cook, stirring until the liquid is almost absorbed.

Continue adding broth and cooking until the rice is on the firm side of al dente, 25 to 30 minutes.

Add the shrimp and cook until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes.

To prepare the mussels for cooking, sort through them and throw out any that are open or don’t close when tapped. Be sure to rinse and swirl mussels in a basin of cold water to rinse out any dirt or debris trapped inside them, but don’t let them soak too long or you’ll lose the natural sea flavor. With a brush, scrub the outsides well under running water, and pry off any barnacles with the back of a knife. Twist or cut off any beards or hair-like tufts and rinse again, keeping the mussels cold until ready to use.

Steamed Mussels

Prepare and shell the steamed mussels (see recipe following) and add to the risotto. Sprinkle with minced parsley and serve immediately. Sooo delicious and great with a glass of crisp white wine and crusty bread to mop up the buttery wine sauce!

Spicy Seafood Risotto w/ Shrimp + Steamed Mussels

Yield: Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

  • RISOTTO:
  • 1/2 lb medium shrimp
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 parsley stems
  • 2 tbsp parsley leaves, minced fine
  • 6 cups of water
  • juice of 1/2 of a lemon, plus 1 tsp lemon zest
  • Pinch of saffron
  • 1 cup canned San Marzano tomatoes, drained and pureed
  • Red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp Creole seasoning (Tony Chacere's Creole Seasoning or Emeril's Essence is great)
  • 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
  • 1 1/2 cup Italian short-grain rice (Arborio, Carnaroli or Vialone Nano)
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • Steamed Mussels (see recipe following)
  • MUSSELS:
  • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • lemon juice from 1 lemon
  • Pinch of saffron threads
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 pounds fresh mussels

Instructions

  1. PREPARE THE SHRIMP RISOTTO:
  2. Shell and devein the shrimp (reserve the shells). Cut each shrimp into thirds. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook until pink 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and reserve.
  3. In a medium saute pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add half of the garlic and the shrimp shells and saute until the garlic is fragrant and the shells turn pink, about 2 minutes. Add the parsley sprigs and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add 6 cups of water, lemon juice and zest and the saffron; bring to a boil, reduce to heat and simmer 15 minutes.
  4. Strain the broth and return it to the pan. Add the pureed tomatoes and season with red pepper flakes, Creole seasoning and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer about 15 minutes. Strain and reserve over low heat.
  5. In a large casserole or skillet, heat the remaining oil over medium heat. Add the onion and remaining garlic and cook until it begins to get golden, about 3 minutes. Add the rice and cook until it's slightly translucent.
  6. Add the wine and cook until absorbed. Add a 4 ounce ladle of the shrimp stock and cook, stirring until the liquid is almost absorbed.
  7. Continue adding broth and cooking until the rice is on the firm side of al dente, 25 to 30 minutes.
  8. Add the shrimp and cook until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes. Shell the steamed mussels (see recipe following) and add to the risotto. Sprinkle with minced parsley and serve.
  9. PREPARE THE MUSSELS:
  10. In a large saucepan or pasta pot, heat the oil and butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute for about 2-3 minutes.
  11. Add the wine, chicken stock and lemon juice, and season with saffron, salt and black pepper. Add the red pepper flakes to taste, depending on desired heat (if using). Add the mussels to the pot and cover with a lid; increase the heat to medium-high. Steam the mussels, until they open, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  12. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon. Remove mussels from the shell (or add them whole) to the shrimp risotto. You can also serve them in a big bowl in the wine sauce separately as an accompaniment to the risotto.
  13. Serve the with some crusty garlic bread and a green salad, along with a glass of crisp white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc is great!)

Notes

Recipes adapted from The Institute of Culinary Education, Techniques of Italian Cooking 

https://www.theartfulgourmet.com/2012/02/mardi-gras-spicy-seafood-risotto/

Other Risotto Recipes you may enjoy:

CD Kitchen’s Cajun Risotto

Jamie Oliver’s Seafood Risotto (Risotto ai Frutti di Mare)

Emeril Lagasse’s Seafood Risotto

Anthony Bourdain – Seafood Risotto in Venice Video