Search This Blog

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Catering lunches, a week around the world

I had the pleasure of presenting the following menus this week for a workshop on Engaging differences.  I've hyperlinked all of the recipes to previous recipes and any that are missing shall be added at the end of this post.
Enjoy!







Engage Difference Lunches
1. Turkish Mezze
PatliçanYogürtlü (eggplant with yoghurt), White bean with pomegranate, Köfte (minimeatballs with vegetarian options), Black Sea endive with pomegranate walnut filling, Turkish salad all with flat breads. Callebaut Dark Chocolate Brownies

2. Moroccan Caravan
MoroccanBeet Salad, Rabat Eggplant, Marak (Tajine) of Swiss Chard with eggs, served with rice and flat breads.


3. Mediterranean Mix


4. Tour of India
Vegetarian Samosas with dip (North India), Cabbage Thoren (Kerala), BengaliZucchini, Chick pea curry, Dal with Spinach and Basmati Rice.


5. Korea and China


6. Around the World

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Pickerel Cheeks and Wild Rice with Saskatoons on CBC's Weekend Morning Show!

 This morning I presented the following recipes on CBC's Weekend Morning Show with host Terry MacLeod.  The Pickerel cheeks, wild rice and saskatoons are all available at Gimli Fish.

Pickerel Cheeks (easy)
1 lb pickerel cheeks
2 tsp butter
1 bunch fresh sorrel (or other favourite fresh herbs)
salt and pepper, to taste
splash Mirin, to deglaze pan (can use Vermouth or for non-alcohol uses, apple or pear juice)

Sauté pickerel cheeks on both sides in melted butter with herbs over medium high heat. Deglaze and season with salt and pepper.
Serve immediately.

 Pickerel Cheeks (difficult)
Same as above but wrap each pickerel cheek as a package in the sorrel leaf and tie with a chive.

Enjoy!

Wild Rice with Saskatoons (serve hot or cold)

1 cup uncooked wild rice, rinsed
4 cups water

1 onion, thinly sliced or fine dice
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup Saskatoons
1/4 cup toasted nuts (pine nuts, almonds, pecans, etc.) optional
Salt and pepper, to taste
2-3 tbs favourite spice blend (Ras el Hanout, Baharat, Cajun, Herbes d’Provence)  Today I’m making it with Herbes d’Provence

Cook rice by bringing to a boil and then simmering for 45 minutes or until most of the rice has curled.  In a pan, sauté onion in olive oil over medium heat.  Add in all ingredients.  Mix rice and seasoning together in a bowl.  Serve hot or cold.

Enjoy!

Saturday, June 07, 2014

Lamb Köfte and Beef Kabob on CBC's Weekend Morning Show!

This morning I enjoyed presenting the following recipes for CBC's Weekend Morning Show with host Terry MacLeod.  So easy to prepare in advance and then pop on the grill.  

Wonderful Halal lamb and beef from Millad's Grocery at 396 Notre Dame.  Afghani Naan is also so versatile for appetizers, open-faced sandwiches, etc.

Lamb Köfte

1 lb ground meat (lamb, elk or bison) (Order fresh from Millad’s on Notre Dame)
2 tbs Baharat 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup bread crumbs or Panko
1 egg
1 small onion, grated
1-2 cloves garlic, minced

Mix all ingredients well together and form into small oblong shapes. Broil or grill for a few minutes on each side until done. Enjoy with pita, yoghurt tahini sauce or other dips.

The Köfte are often broiled in a large pan with hot peppers, onions, tomatoes and garlic.

Turkish Beef Kebab

1 lb thinly sliced beef or lamb (Today was halal inside round beef)*
1 onion, grated
1 medium tomato, grated
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp dry mint
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper
½ cup olive oil *
1 cup red wine

If meat is a tough cut, you may pound the thinly sliced beef.  Mix all ingredients together and let marinate overnight of for several hours.

Skewer the meat and grill over high heat, turning.  Let meat rest and serve with yoghurt tahini sauce, grilled vegetables and Afghani Naan. (available fresh at Millad’s on Notre Dame)

Yoghurt tahini sauce

1/2 cup good plain yoghurt
1 clove garlic, minced
3 heaping tbs tahini*
2 tsp lemon or lime juice
pinch salt

Mix all ingredients together. The tahini will cause the sauce to thicken quickly. Use on grilled Pide or Naan or as a crudité dip.

Enjoy!

* Fresh Halal meats such as lamb, beef, goat, chicken can be purchased at Millad’s Grocery Mart on Notre Dame at the corner of Carlton and Notre Dame.  Excellent  tahini and Turkish olive oil can also be purchased at Millad’s.