Monthly Archives: June 2016

Festive Red Beet Hummus

Looking for festive foods to add to your 4th of July holiday menu?   Try this recipe for red beet hummus. This is unique hummus is a feast for both the eyes and your taste buds. A slow braise of the beets in the oven makes this easy to prepare along with your food processor. I love the pink red vibrant color!

From by the bay, wishing you festive 4th of July food memories!

Maryann

blog beet hummus

Beet Hummus

Makes 4 cups

As seen in Food and Wine Contributed By Eli Sussman and Max Sussman  Published June 2016
Ingredients
  • 2 pounds red beets, scrubbed
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons ground coriander
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3/4 cup tahini
  • Kosher salt
  • Warm pita bread, for serving

blog beet hummus 2

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425°. In a medium enameled cast-iron casserole, cover the beets with water and bring to a boil. Cover and braise in the oven for about 2 hours, until very tender. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beets to a cutting board. When cool enough to handle, slip 
off the skins. Cut the beets into 1-inch pieces, spread them on a baking sheet and refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour. In a food processor, combine the braised beets with the garlic, coriander and lemon juice and pulse until finely chopped. With the machine on, slowly drizzle 
in the olive oil until incorporated and the beet puree is smooth. Scrape into a bowl and whisk in the tahini. Season with salt and serve with pita bread.

Rib Eye Steak with Pineapple Marinade

Give you marinade a tropical twist using pineapple juice for sweetness balanced with little soy for a salty taste. Red Thai chiles  add a little heat countered with the coolness of fresh chopped ginger. It’s so simple to prepare and adds some much flavor to your steak. You could use this marinade with chicken or pork chops just as easily. Enjoy!

From by the bay, wishing you tropical food memories!

Maryann

blog pineapple steak

Rib Eye Steak with Pineapple Marinade

Serves 4

Ingredients

4 rib eye steaks

2 cups pineapple juice

1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce

1/4 cup light brown sugar

2 teaspoons sesame oil

2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger

3 garlic cloves chopped

1/4 cup chopped scallions

1 fresh thai red chili, chopped ( approx. 1 tablespoon) or 1/2 teaspoon dried red chili flakes

Directions

Combine soy sauce, pineapple juice, sesame oil and brown sugar stirring until sugar dissolves in a large zip-top plastic freezer bag, set in a baking dish.  Add ginger, garlic, chili and scallions. Add steaks. Seal bag, and  massage steaks carefully in the marinade. Chill at least 4 hours or up to overnight, turning occasionally. Remove steak from marinade, discarding marinade. Grill steak, covered with grill lid, over medium-high heat (350° to 400°) 5 minutes on each side or to desired degree of doneness. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Optional: Serve with grilled skewers of pineapple and red onion

Cold Sesame Noodles

Love cold sesame noodles? No need to call your favorite chinese restaurant to deliver, you can make your own delicious homemade noodles just as quickly using a few simple ingredients! Cold sesame noodles are also a great side dish while grilling your favorite meat , fish or vegetable. Love another great side dish to entertain with that can be made in advance and set aside until you are ready to serve. This recipe is from Tyler Florence and my favorite recipe for cold sesame noodles!

From by the bay , wishing you cold sesame food memories!

Maryann

blog sesame noodles

Cold Sesame Noodles

Recipe by Tyler Florence

12 ounces angel hair pasta
3 tablespoons dark sesame oil
2 tablespoons peanut oil
1 -inch piece fresh ginger, minced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon red chili paste, such as sambal
1 lime, juiced
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
3 tablespoons soy sauce
6 tablespoons hot water
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
2 green onions, thinly sliced on the diagonal
Fresh chopped cilantro leaves, for garnish

Cook the noodles in large pot of boiling unsalted water over medium heat until barely tender and still firm. Drain immediately and rinse with cold water until cold. Drain the noodles really well and transfer to a wide bowl; toss with the sesame oil so they don’t stick together. Chill.
In a blender combine the peanut oil, ginger, garlic, chili paste, lime juice, brown sugar, peanut butter, vinegar, soy sauce, and hot water. Blend. Toss the noodles with the peanut sauce until well coated. Serve at room temperature or chilled; garnish with the sesame seeds, green onions, and cilantro.
Recipe courtesy of Tyler Florence

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/cold-sesame-noodles-recipe2.html?oc=linkback

 

Japanese Cucumber Salad

Maybe there is no finer vegetable than the simple cucumber. Not only does it taste delicious and refreshing  it has a multitude of health benefits to name a few :

Keeps you hydrated. …
Fights heat, both inside and out. …
Flushes out toxins. …
Lavishes you with vitamins. …
Supplies skin-friendly minerals: magnesium, potassium, silicon. …
Aids in weight loss. …
Revives the eyes. …

Now add to the list the fact that there are many simple preparations for making delicious and healthy salads all summer long. This recipe is based on a traditional Japanese cucumber salad. It uses very little oil but has lots of flavor, it’s a perfect summer side dish.

From by the bay wishing you very cool summer food memories!

Maryann

blog japanese cuke salad

Japanese Cucumber Salad

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 Japanese or English cucumbers

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1 teaspoon agave nectar

1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce

1/4 cup rice wine vinegar

1 teaspoon toasted sesame seed oil

1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

optional: garnish with chopped scallions

Directions

If Japanese cucumbers are not available, English cucumbers can be substituted. The English cucumbers should be peeled and  cut lengthwise. Scrape the seeds out using a spoon.  Slice into thin half moons. In a large bowl, combine cucumbers and salt and mix well. Let sit 20 minutes , squeeze cucumbers to remove water and strain. place back into bowl and add agave, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar and sesame oil and mix well. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and mix. Let marinate for 20 minutes before serving. Adjust salt and pepper to taste before serving.

Charred Spicy Sugar Snap Peas

Here is a wonderful side dish that celebrates some  of my favorite flavors – fresh sugar snap peas, sauteed until they start to brown , adding heat from using rounds of thai red chiles cooled by the use of some fresh chopped mint! It’s a perfect dish and simple to prepare. Enjoy!

From by the bay, wishing you sugar snap food memories!

Maryann

blog charred sugar snaps

Charred Spicy Sugar Snap Peas

Ingredients

1 pound sugar snap peas

1 red thai chile, sliced in small rounds or finely chopped

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon mint, chopped

fine sea salt

fresh ground black pepper

Directions

In a medium saute pan heat the olive oil, when it’s hot carefully add the sugar snap peas to the pan. Cook , stirring the sugar snap peas . When the peas start to soften add the thai chile and continue to saute until the sugar snap peas start to char and brown in places. Add sea salt and pepper to taste. Place in serving bowl and sprinkle with fresh mint.