Tuesday, February 15, 2011

1/2 of Team 1


My awesome teammate Frank that never lets us down!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011


Yesterday was a contest where we had to make 2 fusion entres and our proteins were chosen by drawing out of the chef's hat. I got #12 which gave me chopped lamb and a piece of salmon. My production I chose:
Southern French Ratatouli served with Cajun 'Dirty" Rice and Seared Sesame Salmon. I combined reduced dry plum that became a syrup with the lamb and made ground meat from it to mix with the Cajun rice. The second entrée was Syrian Grape Leaves Stuffed with Cajun Rice & Dry Plum Lamb with a side dish of Moroccan Carrot Salad

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Oyster Croquetas,Banana Lentil Salad & Horseradish Cream Sauce


Horseradish Cream
3t prepared horseradish
1 t wasabi powder
1/2 t heavy cream

Croquetas
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup diced white onion
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
5 cloves garlic minced
1 pound fresh shucked oysters,drained
1 cup heavy cream
s&p to taste
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Banana-Lentil Salad
1 cup cooked lentils
1/2 cup diced bananas-unripe
1T granulated sugar
1/4 cup chopped green peppers
1/4 cup chopped red peppers
1/4 cup chopped onions
2 T white vinegar
6 T olive oil
s & w.p. to taste

1. Place the horseradish cream ing in a blender and puree smooth. Refigirate.
2. Sweat onions till light brown add bananas,sprinkle with sugar cook till bananas are soft,not mush-let cool. Toss together lentils,peppers,banana mixture,vinegar and oil,adjust seasoning. Let chill.
3.To prepare the croquetas,heat the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan and saute' the onion and bell pepper over med. heat for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and oysters,stirring constantly,cook until the mixture is dry,about 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool.
4. transfer the oyster mixture to a food processor and process for 30 seconds. return the mixture to the pan. Add the cream and the salt and pepper,and stirring constantly,simmer  for 3 minutes. Add the 1 1/2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a ball. Remove from the heat and let cool and refrig.
5. Then using about 2T of the mixture for croqueta,shape into small finger sized sticks and dust with some flour. refrigerate to dry.
6.Place the flour and the eggs in separate bowls. Lightly beat the eggs. Season the cracker meal with some s &p and place in another bowl. dredge the croquetas first in flour,then in the egg,and finally in the cracker meal.
7. Deep fry the croquetas till golden brown. Drain on a paper towel.
8. Serve with horseradish Cream and banana-lentil salad. garnish with greens (optional)

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Beet Soup


Ingredients
4-6 raw beetroot, about 500g
3 bay leaves
1 onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
Olive oil
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
600ml chicken stock, hot
2 tbsp crème fraîche
2 tbsp freshly grated horseradish
4 spring onions , sliced quite thinly
2 sticks celery with leaves, from the heart, thinly sliced
2 baby carrots , finely sliced on the angle

Method
Cook the beetroot in boiling, salted water with the bay leaves for 50-60 minutes until tender. Cool in the water, then skin and dice.
Fry the onions and garlic in two tablespoons of olive oil for 15 minutes or until really soft. Add the red wine vinegar and the diced beetroot. Tip in the hot stock and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
Purée the soup, push through a sieve and season. If it’s too thick, add a little more water or stock. Chill completely if serving cold.
Spoon into serving bowls, and finish with the sliced vegetables and a slug of olive oil. Mix the horseradish with the crème fraîche and serve alongside the soup.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

How to Slaughter Chickens Yourself Islamicly

Our brother Yusuf may Allah reward him raising and slaughtering his own chickens. Watch and learn insh'Allah.