Saturday, June 8, 2013

Coleslaw with Creamy Cumin Vinaigrette

Ingredients
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon olive oil
Zest of 1 lime, finely grated
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 teaspoon toasted cumin seeds, crushed in a mortar and pestle
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 small head napa cabbage, finely shredded
1 large carrot, grated on the large holes of a box grater
1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 small red bell pepper, julienned
1 small yellow bell pepper, julienned

Directions
Whisk together the mayonnaise, olive oil, lime zest, lime juice, dill, sugar, celery salt and cumin seeds in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add the cabbage, carrots, onions and peppers, and toss to coat in the dressing. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours before serving.

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Smoked Trout Salad with Grilled Fingerlings Potatoes and Mustard-Dill Vinaigrette

Ingredients
2 pounds fingerling potatoes, par-cooked in salted water, drained and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, plus 1/4 cup fronds for serving
1 teaspoon smoked paprika, plus more for serving
2 to 3 tablespoons canola oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
1 to 2 teaspoons honey
1/4 cup olive oil
Smoked Trout, recipe follows
1 large bunch watercress, woody stems removed

Directions
Preheat the grill for direct grilling, high heat.

Toss the potatoes with the canola oil, 2 tablespoons chopped dill, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Transfer to a grill basket and grill, tossing occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, about 10 minutes.

Combine the mayonnaise, cider vinegar, horseradish, mustard, honey, and salt and pepper to taste, and whisk to combine. Slowly whisk in the olive oil.

Drizzle some of the dressing over the bottom of a large serving platter or shallow bowl. Pour the warm potatoes on top. Scatter the Smoked Trout over the potatoes, then the watercress and dill fronds. Dust with more smoked paprika and drizzle a generous amount of dressing over all.

Smoked Trout:
1/2 cup kosher salt
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
8 trout fillets, skin on
Special equipment: Alder wood or applewood chips, soaked in cold water for at least 2 hours
Combine the salt, sugar and 4 cups water in a 4-quart container and stir until the salt has dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the trout, making sure they are submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours.

Remove the trout from the brine, rinse thoroughly with cold water and pat dry. Place the trout skin-side down onto a rack set in a half sheet pan. Dry in the refrigerator until the skin becomes shiny and somewhat tacky to the touch, 21 to 24 hours.

Prepare the smoker using the alder or applewood chips so that it maintains a temperature of 150 to 160 degrees F.

Place the trout onto the smoking racks, skin-side down, separating them by at least 1/4-inch and place into the smoker. Adjust the heat as needed and cook until the fish has cooked through, darkened in color around the edges and has the desired level of smoke flavor, about 20 minutes. Remove from the smoker and cool. Remove the flesh from the skin and gently break into big chunks.

SOURCE

Grilled White Fish with Chermoula

Ingredients
Chermoula:
Pinch saffron threads
1/4 cup hot water
1 tablespoon canola oil
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chile de arbol
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Juice of 1 lemon
2 red bell peppers, grilled, peeled, seeded and sliced
2 ripe beefsteak tomatoes, diced and seeded
20 fresh mint leaves, torn
3 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
Grilled White Fish:
2 pound halibut fillet (1 1/2-to-2-inches thick)
Canola oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions
For the chermoula: Combine the saffron and hot water in a small bowl and let sit for 10 minutes to bloom. Heat the canola oil in a small saute pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Cook the ancho, coriander, cumin and chile de arbol for 1 minute. Add the saffron and its soaking water. Remove from the heat.

Whisk together the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice and garlic-saffron mixture in a medium bowl. Mix in the bell peppers, tomatoes, mint leaves and cilantro. Cover the bowl and let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld, or refrigerate overnight. Bring to room temperature before serving.

For the grilled white fish: Heat a charcoal grill for direct grilling at medium-high heat. Brush both sides of the halibut with the canola oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill the halibut until golden brown and charred on both sides and cooked to medium or well done, about 10 minutes each side.

Carefully transfer the halibut to a platter and top with the chermoula immediately. Let the halibut rest for 5 minutes before serving, to allow flavors to sink in.