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Fast & Easy Dinner: Sole With Lemon-Shallot Brussels Sprouts

YumSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:50:50 -0800

With an epic feast only a few days away, shun poultry (you'll be having it for days!) in favor of something on the opposite end of the flavor spectrum, such as a flaky white fish. Not only does sole make for a lighter dinner alternative and a great source of protein, but it's also extremely affordable. Keep the preparation super simple by dredging the fillets briefly in a mixture of flour, lemon, and white pepper, then pan-sauté in olive oil.

Serve with market-fresh Brussels sprouts that have been tossed with parsley and shallots. The resulting dish is straightforward, yet elegant. For the recipe, read more.

Killer Apps: Clams Casino

partysugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:38 -0800

Although appetizers aren't the first thing that come to mind when one thinks of Thanksgiving dinner, I like to give my family something to nibble on while they wait for the big meal. Usually I serve a luxurious bite like crab cakes or baked brie with mushrooms. This year, I'm offering a classic seafood crowd-pleaser, clams casino.

Even my mom, who's not into clams, enjoys these savory, finger-licking-good, bacon-and-shallot-topped clams. They can be assembled in the morning and baked later, making them ideal for an event like Thanksgiving. These delicious clams are also an excellent addition to a cocktail party menu, so bookmark the recipe now

Fast & Easy Dinner: Manhattan Clam Chowder

partysugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:30:13 -0800

Living in San Francisco it's virtually impossible to find a Manhattan-style red clam chowder. To enjoy this chunky and filling soup, I have to make it myself, thus I've decided to experiment with this recipe.

With its pieces of clams, tomatoes, and veggies, this red chowder is healthier then the cream-based variation. Serve with a side of mixed greens and a hunk of crusty bread, and you've got a deliciously comforting weeknight meal. Check out the recipe and read more.

Manhattan Clam Chowder
From Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

1 pint shucked clams or two 6-1/2-ounce cans minced clams
1 cup chopped celery (2 stalks)
1/3 cup chopped onion (1 small)
1/4 cup chopped carrot (1 small)
2 tablespoons olive oil or cooking oil
1 8-ounce bottle clam juice or 1 cup chicken broth
2 cups cubed red potato
1 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons purchased cooked bacon pieces or cooked crumbled bacon*

Directions

Chop fresh clams, if using, reserving juice; set clams aside. Strain clam juice to remove bits of shell. (Or, drain canned clams, reserving juice.) If necessary, add enough water to reserved clam juice to equal 1-1/2 cups. Set juice aside.
In a large saucepan cook celery, onion, and carrot in hot oil until tender.
Stir in the reserved 1-1/2 cups clam juice and the 8 ounces clam juice. Stir in potatoes, thyme, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Stir in undrained tomatoes, clams, and bacon.
Return to boiling; reduce heat. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes more or until heated through.

Serves 4.

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Yummy Links: From Sustainable Seafood to Baconfest

partysugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:50:47 -0700

Is it too late to save the world's seafood population?- The Atlantic
Twenty-five reasons to love the spoon. - Mouthing Off
Hosting a party in San Francisco? Consider having it at one of these restaurants. - 7x7
Angelina Jolie is a fan of Sandra Lee's no-bake birthday cake. - Eat Me Daily
Catch up with New York City chefs via Twitter. - Eater NY
Haven't figured out what to serve on Halloween? Here are four awesome menu ideas. - Bon Appétit
Did anyone attend Baconfest in Chicago? - Serious Eats

Monday's Leftovers: Quick Cioppino

YumSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:00:01 -0700

The beginning of the workweek is always on the strenuous side, so keep Monday nights as effortless as possible by selecting a swift dinner recipe that calls for ingredients you've already got on hand.

By doubling up on the amount of halibut and clams that you needed for last night's meal, you won't have to worry about hitting up the supermarket again.

Take a stab at a stress-free riff on cioppino, the classic San Francisco stew. With a mere 30 minutes, you can make a savory soup that's sure to allay any of your weekday stresses. See the recipe when you read more.

Sunday Dinner: Halibut With Leeks, Mushrooms, and Clams

YumSugar — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 06:30:20 -0700

There's no better way to really catch Fall fever than to prepare a steamy seafood dish that also incorporates the season's top produce picks.

For dinner tonight, sauté aromatic leeks and unconventional hen of the woods mushrooms in butter, add broth, and simmer halibut and clams in liquid until just barely cooked.

The resulting meal, which is delicate both in texture and flavor, makes for an enjoyable end to the weekend. Ready to cook it? Then read more.

Definition: Branzino

YumSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:00:48 -0700

A silver-skinned fish found in European sea and saltwater lakes, branzino goes by many names, including European sea bass, spigola, loup de mer, róbalo, and lubina.

The fish, which ranges in size from one and a half to three pounds, has a firm, white, delicate-flavored flesh and few small bones. It's a prized fish in Italian, Spanish, and Greek cuisines, and is often prepared grilled, baked, poached, steamed, or braised whole.

Would You Rather Eat Anchovies or Sardines?

partysugar — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:30:39 -0700

Sole Inspired by Julia

partysugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:30:30 -0700

Whenever I chat with someone about the film Julie & Julia, it seems the famous recipe for beef Borgignonne enters the conversation. However, when I watched the movie it wasn't this dish that stood out in my mind. It was the sole meuniere - the life-changing fish that Julia enjoyed upon her arrival in France - that I long to taste. Since I have a copy of my grandmother's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, I went home and looked for Julia's recipe.Unfortunately it's not in the book, so I hit the Internet in search of a buttery white-fish recipe. Although it's not necessarily a classic sole meuniere, I experimented with this sole and herbed white wine lemon sauce. The final result wasn't a culinary revelation, but it was decidedly delicious. If you're looking for a light, filling meal with fresh flavors, why not channel Child? For the recipe, keep reading.

Name That Dish!

YumSugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:15:17 -0700

If you enjoy preparing snapper for dinner, you could also prepare it in the dish you see below. What's it called?