Author: ajeanneinthekitchen

I have worked in the restaurant and catering industry for over 35 years. I attended 2 culinary schools in Southern California, and have a degree in culinary arts from the Southern California School of Culinary Arts, as well as a few other degrees in other areas. I love to cook and I love to feed people.

The South Meets the Mediterranean

Last night’s remoulade became the marinade for tonight’s chicken kebabs. The chicken came out so tender and flavorful. I served it with green beans and “patatas bravas” from “The Mediterranean Table. Tonight’s dinner was a fusion of flavors, but then, they usually are. It was a little Mediterranean mixed with a little Southern/Creole.

Patatas Bravas

potatoes your choice, peeled and cooked until slightly tender
shallots, minced
garlic, minced
olive oil
butter
sherry vinegar
tomatoes, large dice
paprika
chipotle chilies with sauce (optional, if you like spicy)
dried chilies
salt & pepper to taste
parsley, chopped

Saute garlic and shallots in olive oil for about 3 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients, and cook down until sauce is thickened, for about 10 minutes. Set aside. In a separate pan, cook the potatoes in olive oil and a little bit of butter until slightly browned and cooked. Adjust salt & pepper. Add tomato mixture and top with chopped parsley. Manga.

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A Southern/Creole Tribute

Today’s dinner takes me back to the Southern and Creole roots of both my mother and my Aunt Gloria, both of whom are up in Heaven watching over me. With a little left over rice and some little smoky sausages, red beans and rice was created, accompanied by fried catfish and a zesty remoulade. You will soon learn that unless I am baking, I rarely include actual amounts. Most of the time, I just use a little bit of this and a little bit of that, or sometimes a lot of this or a lot of that. Be creative. That’s what makes it so fun.

RED BEANS & RICE

1 TBSP Olive Oil
1 TBSP butter
1/2 each red and green bell pepper, diced
red onion
garlic
okra
1 can red beans, partially drained
cooked rice
little smoky sausages
cajun spices,
oregano
thyme
salt & pepper to taste
cumin

Saute veggies and sausages for about 6 minutes in oil and butter. Add rice, beans and spices and cook for about about minute or two, or until it reaches your desired texture.

The catfish we just fried in the deep fryer until it was golden brown and slightly crispy, for about 5 minutes

REMULADE

Miracle whip, Tobasco sauce, capers, Cajun spices, lemon juice, garlic, chopped parsley.

I served it with a nice crisp Vermentino wine. YUMMM!

 

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Changing the Meal

One of my many talents is re-creating dishes from left overs.  The first recipe was a pistachio cake with a chocolate ganache topping and poached pears.  I took the poaching liquid from the pears to re-created the “Twisted curry sauce” for the chicken and vegetables recipe listed below.

 

Twisted Roasted Curried Chicken and Vegetables

 

Recipe #1 – Pistachio cake with pears poached in white wine poaching sauce. (wine sauce only)

 

White Wine  Poaching  – 2 cups white wine, sweet or dry, 1/2  cup of sugar, dash each of cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom.  Poach peeled pears in liquid for about 10 minutes and let cool.

 

Recipe #2 – using leftover white wine poaching liquid

 

Chicken, coated with curry, cayenne pepper salt and pepper to taste.  Brown the chicken (it does not matter if you use a whole chicken or a breast) on all sides and par-cook the chicken.

Vegetable medley – cauliflower, broccoli, parsnip, carrots, red onion, garlic, salt, pepper, curry and red pepper flakes to taste.  Combine all the vegetables and put in a roasting pan coated with cooking spray.  Place chicken breast over vegetables and pour wine mixture over chicken and vegetables.  Roast at 375* uncovered for at least 30-40 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165*, basting the chicken and vegetables periodically.  I served over a combination of cooked rice and lentils.

 

*** You can also use shrimp or scallops instead of chicken.   Delicious!  Spicy /Sweet – we paired it with a Sauvignon Blanc but a Riesling would be great too.

Changing the Meal - the 2nd Plate
Twisted Roasted Curried Chicken and Vegetables

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