Rose Harissa Baked Halibut with Beurre Blanc

 I had a beautiful piece of Halibut filet, from Gimli Fish, and I wanted to prepare something French Classical, easy, fusion-potential, and, did I already mention easy?  Beurre Blanc is, indeed, a very easy to prepare, Classic French sauce.  

I put my own Rose Harissa, thinly spread, onto the filet and set that aside in the fridge.  Preheat the oven to 350ºF.  Beurre Blanc can also be served with asparagus, and other fish, such as salmon, steelhead trout, Arctic Char, etc.  Bake the filet, with adjustment for thickness, at 350ºF for 15 minutes.

I served this with Basmati Rice Pilaf, and creamy spinach.  

Beurre Blanc

 
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup white-wine vinegar
2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon white pepper, or to taste
1 cup unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon-size pieces and chilled  ( I confess to using salted butter)
Options:  thyme, tarragon, or sorrel

Boil wine, vinegar, and shallot and optional herb in a 2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat until liquid is syrupy and reduced to 2 to 3 tablespoons, about 5 minutes.
Add cream, salt, and white pepper and boil for 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium low and add a few tablespoons butter, whisking constantly. Add remaining butter a few pieces at a time, whisking constantly and adding new pieces before previous ones have completely liquefied (the sauce should maintain consistency of hollandaise), removing the saucepan from heat occasionally to cool mixture, so that it won't split.
Remove from heat, then season to taste with salt and pepper and pour sauce through a medium-mesh sieve into a saucepot pressing on and then discarding shallot and optional herbs. Serve immediately.  It can be made in advance, just gently reheat.

Healthy living resolutions on CBC's Weekend Morning Show! Plus, locally sourced awesome braised Beef Short Ribs

On Saturday morning, I'll be presenting the following ideas and resources as well as a recipe, for CBC's Weekend Morning Show with guest host Laurie Hoogstraten.

 The lovely grass-fed beef short ribs are available at Wildfire Farms.  They will be at St. Norbert's Farmer's Market on Saturday, January 2nd, if you are interested in the following healthy living resolutions.  

1. Enjoy making food. For yourself or for others.  By yourself or with others. I love it, but so many do not.  By enjoying the planning and making of your meals, you are cooking with love and you will taste the difference.  For friends and families, it can be an important time together, learning and celebrating.

2. Try a new food at least twice a week.  Either in preparation or when dining out.  Look up recipes, use your cookbooks to try something new.  Go to our amazing restaurants that you hadn’t considered.  Try making different soups or pastas from around the world.

3. Buy local.  If you can’t afford a whole share of a CSA, buy a half share or go into a share with other people. http://csamanitoba.org/.  You will meet some great people who grow your food and other members buying the food.  Go to the Farmer’s markets.  http://fmam.ca/. 

4. Plant a garden/plant something.  If you can and have space, plant a garden.  Plant a tomato in a pot.  Grow some wonderful culinary herbs.  Join a community garden group or allotment gardens.  http://www.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/parksandfields/CommunityGardens/communitygardens.asp

5. Cook together.  Food costs are rising.  A cooking club can bring down your food costs, get you out with great people, learn new skills, and can be made to your needs.  http://www.urbanfarmonline.com/sustainable-living/urban-community-building/community-kitchen.aspx


You will have your own resolutions.  These are part of healthy living in that it isn’t only about a diet.

Braised Beef Short Ribs (serves 2-4)

4 Beef Short Ribs

2 sprig fresh sage leaves (torn, with stems)

1 sprig fresh rosemary (torn)

2 bay leaves

~ 10 peppercorns

sea salt, to one’s tastes (sprinkle over meat)

1 ½ cups rustic red wine (I used a Bulgarian wine but ask a product consultant)

1 (+) cup beef or veal stock (to cover)

drizzle olive oil

Put all of the above ingredients in a container, cover and refrigerate for at least 5 hours, or overnight.

For the braising:

4 shallots, thinly sliced

2-3 tbs good tomato paste (such as Tat, available at Millad’s Supermarket on Notre Dame)

sprig fresh thyme

2-3 cloves garlic, sliced

2-3 slices (rashers) bacon, cut into lardons, aka, small rectangular pieces or matchstick pieces

1 cup veal or beefstock

salt and pepper, to your taste

optional:  carrots and other vegetables

Drain ribs, reserving liquid.

On medium heat, start to cook the shallots, bacon and thyme in a oven-proof pot.  Spread tomato paste over ribs.  When the shallots and bacon start to brown, push aside in pot and brown ribs on both sides.  When browned, add veal or beef stock and marinating liquid, and seasoning.

Place pot open in a 300ºF oven and braise until ribs are starting to come off of the bone. Half way through braising, add vegetables, optional. 

For serving, remove ribs and vegetables from pot, strain liquid and reduce in a pan, adding seasoning and wine or butter.

Enjoy with potatoes, breads, or rice.

Happy New Year!

Summer Herbs for Dinner! On CBC's Weekend Morning Show

 On Saturday, I'll be presenting the following recipes for CBC's Weekend Morning Show, with guest host, Laurie Hoogstraten. 

Everyone's Tarragon is bursting forth these days.  The French tarragon has the flavour, while the Russian, sadly, disappoints.  Tarragon Pistou is a classic French sauce, similar to pesto, but without the cheese.  I'm serving it in a cream sauce with mussels for this dish but is excellent as a garnish in soups, on grilled fish or on a toasted tomato sandwich.  Fresh gorgeous PEI mussels are available now on sale at Gimli Fish.

The Perilla, or Shiso leaf kimchi is one of my favourites.  The large herb is available at many Asian specialty markets.  I'm going to try this with carrot tops to make kimchi as well.

 (Getting ready for the perilla leaf kimchi)

(Perilla leaf Kimchi all stacked with paste)

Perilla Leaf Kimchi (Aka, Shiso leaf and Ooba leaf)

3 cups Perilla leaves (can use large mint leaves)
3 tbs fish sauce
1/4 cup thinly slice onion
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 stalks of green onion (or chives), chopped
1 tbs honey
1-2 tbs Korean hot pepper flakes
1-2 tbs good soy sauce
roasted sesame seeds
2 tbs thinly sliced carrot

1. Wash and drain the leaves well and let dry in a basket.
2. Make kimchi paste as follows; mix minced garlic, green onions, sliced onion, matchstick carrots, fish sauce, hot pepper flakes, honey and soy sauce well in a bowl.  Spread paste onto leaves and stack as you coat them in the paste.  WEAR GLOVES!  Store in a non-metallic container(glass refrigerator box).
3.  Enjoy Perilla Leaf kimchi with rice and sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.

Tarragon Pistou (on fish or mussels)
1 clove garlic
2/3 cup fresh tarragon leaves
1 cup fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup toasted walnut halves
1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for searing the fish
2 1/2-lb fillets of boneless, seasonal fish (halibut, sole, pickerel, salmon)
Salt and freshly cracked pepper
Lemon for serving

In a blender or food processor, purée the garlic and add the tarragon and basil leaves, pulsing to start.  Add the walnuts and season.  Pulse until a fine grainy texture.  Turn on and drizzle in olive oil.

Coat fish with a generous amount of pistou.  Bake at 350ºF for 1- - 12 minutes, depending on thickness of the fillet.  Serve immediately with lemon wedges.  If serving with mussels, steam mussels in lemon and olive oil water with tarragon leaves and white wine in the water until mussels are open.  Drizzle pistou over mussels and enjoy with BBQ Frites. Or, make a white sauce with cream, butter, tarragon pistou and white wine.

Enjoy!

Mediterranean Tour with the Assiniboine Park Conservancy

Last night I had the pleasure of presenting the following dishes for the Assiniboine Park Conservancy Foodie Series with host Karin Lind of the APC and Scott Strizic of the MLCC.   These can be made in advance if you are planning something special for Thanksgiving.

1. Toenail of a dog - Köpeğoğlu

1 globe eggplant
1 red pepper
1 leek
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbs olive oil
1/3 cup tahini
1 cup yoghurt
1 tbs dried oregano
Salt and pepper

Wash the eggplant and prick all over with a fork. Drizzle oil over eggplant, whole pepper and the white of the leek. Roast in a hot BBQ, turning occasionally. Remove eggplant when soft. Remove red pepper when blackened and leek when soft and caramelized. Cube eggplant with skin on. Peel blackened skin off of pepper and chop. Slice leek into thin rounds. Mix all ingredients together and chill until serving. Serve with French bread or a baguette.

Enjoy!

2. Spanish Tapa Potato wedges with roasted garlic dip

3 lb potatoes
2 tbs olive oil
1 clove garlic, chopped
2 tsp salt

Roasted Garlic Dip
2 garlic bulbs, roasted
1 tbs olive oil
5 tbs sour cream
4 tbs mayonnaise
hot smoked paprika, to taste
salt

Roast the garlic for 25 minutes at 350ºF until caramelized. Let cool enough to handle. Squeeze out and mash. Mix in a bowl with the sour cream and mayonnaise. Season with salt and paprika. Chill.

For the potatoes, cut each potato half into 3 wedges and place in a large bowl. Add the olive oil, garlic and salt and toss well. Transfer to a roasting pan and arrange in a single layer. Roast for 1- 1/14 hours, or until crisp and golden.

Serve immediately with roasted garlic dip.

Enjoy!

3. Moroccan Beef Tajine

1 lb beef roast, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 onions, thinly sliced
2 tbs ras el hanout
1-2 tbs olive oil
1-2 tbs butter
good pinch saffron
2 large tomatoes, chopped
3 carrots, peeled and diced
2 green peppers, seeded and diced
1/2 - 1 cup prunes
2-3 tbs honey
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup red wine
salt, to taste

Slowly sauté onions on medium-low heat with olive oil until they begin to caramelize. Stir in Ras el Hanout spice blend. Turn up heat to medium-high and add butter and saffron. Brown meat well on all sides and add tomatoes and other vegetables. Add broth, prunes and honey. Add red wine and salt and let simmer for 1-2 hours, depending on using the tajine and toughness of the meat. Meat should melt in your mouth when done.

Serve with flat breads, rice, couscous or bulgur.

Enjoy!

4. French Profiteroles

Ingredients

1 cup milk
1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter
Pinch kosher salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 extra-large eggs
1/2 cup heavy cream
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Heat the milk, butter, and salt over medium heat until scalded. When the butter is melted, add the flour all at once and beat it with a wooden spoon until the mixture comes together and forms a dough. Cook, stirring constantly, over low heat for 2 minutes. The flour will begin to coat the bottom of the pan. Dump the hot mixture into the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Add the eggs and pulse until the eggs are incorporated into the dough and the mixture is thick.

Spoon the mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a large plain round tip. Pipe in mounds 1 1/2 inches wide and 1-inch high onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You should have about 18 puffs. With a wet finger, lightly press down the swirl at the top of each puff. (You can also use 2 spoons to scoop out the mixture and shape the puffs with damp fingers.) Bake for 20 minutes, or until lightly browned, then turn off the oven and allow them to sit for another 10 minutes, until they sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Make a small slit in the side of each puff to allow the steam to escape. Set aside to cool.

For the chocolate sauce, place the cream and chocolate chips in a bowl set over simmering water and stir just until the chocolate melts.  Set aside.

Cut each profiterole in half, fill with whipped cream or lemon curd or ice cream.  Close and drizzle with chocolate sauce. 

Cooking Demos! This week with the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, the MLCC and the Caboto Italian Cultural Centre

Last night I had the pleasure of demonstrating Salsa recipes for the Assiniboine Park Conservancy and the MLCC. Pairings were by MLCC Product Consultant Jason. Bonnie Tulloch, Education Coordinator for the Assiniboine Park Conservancy, presented on all of the different herbs and vegetables used in last night's presentation.

At the bottom of this entry, are the recipes from Monday night's cooking demonstration at the Caboto Italian Cultural Centre with the theme of Mediterranean Cooking. I presented items from Provence, Turkey and Morocco.

Wild Strawberry Cocktail (Fragoli Strawberry Liqueur topped with Spanish Cava

1. Late Summer Salsa Mexicana (served with toasted tortillas)

Paired with The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc - New Zealand
Makes about 2 cups
Ingredients:

1 small white onion, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces (about 1/4 cup)
1 red mirasol or jalapeno chile, stemmed, seeded (if you wish) and finely chopped
1 pound late summer tomatoes, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
1/4 cup (loosely packed) chopped fresh herbs, lemon verbana, chives, cilantro (thick bottom stems cut off), or any combination of herbs you may like
Juice of 1 lime
Salt

Directions:
Scoop the onion into a strainer, rinse under cold tap water, shake off the excess and transfer to a medium bowl. Add the mirasol chile, tomatoes, herbs and lime. Stir well, taste and season with salt, usually about 3/4 teaspoon. This salsa is best if eaten within an hour or two, but it will keep for a number of hours in the refrigerator.

2. Chipotle Peanut Salsa for Grilled Vegetables (served with grilled veggies)

Paired with Tommasi Poggio al Tufo Rompicollo - Italy and Rouge Chipotle Ale - USA

Makes about 2 cups
1 pound (6 to 8 medium) tomatillos, husked and rinsed
1/3 to 1/2 ounce (3 to 5) dried red chipotle chiles (aka moritas), stemmed
1 small white onion, sliced 1/4-inch thick
4 garlic cloves, peeled
1/4 cup roasted peanuts
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce
Salt
About 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
Directions

1. Toast and roast. Roast the tomatillos on a rimmed baking sheet about 4 inches below a very hot broiler until soft and blackened in spots, about 5 minutes per side. Cool, then scrape into a blender jar.

Meanwhile, heat a small (6-inch) ungreased skillet over medium, toast the chipotle, stirring until very aromatic, about a minute. Scoop into a small bowl, cover with hot tap water and soak for about 30 minutes, stirring from time to time to ensure even rehydration.

Turn the oven down to 425 degrees. Spread the onion and garlic on another baking sheet, slide into the oven and roast for about 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes until the onions are golden—they’ll look a little wilted with a touch of char on some of the edges. The garlic should feel soft and be browned in spots. Cool.

2. Finish the salsa. Drain the chiles and scrape them into the blender jar along with the tomatillos, peanuts, worcestershire or soy sauce and 3/4 cup water. Pick out the garlic from the onions and add it to the blender. (If all this is too much for your blender, blend in 2 batches.) Blend until nearly smooth. Roughly chop the onion, add it to the blender and pulse a few times until you’ve got as chunky (or smooth) a salsa as you like. Stir in enough additional water to give the salsa an easily spoonable consistency. Taste and season with salt, usually about 1 teaspoon, and the optional sugar. Serve with your favorite grilled vegetables.


3. Roasted Corn Black Bean Salsa (served with salad)

Paired with Jean Michel Sorbe Reuilly Rose - France

Remember to choose the freshest juiciest corn on the cob and roast.

4 roasting ears corn, freshest available
Juice from 2 limes
4 tomatoes, seeded and diced
2 red onions, finely chopped
1 cup dehydrated cooked black beans or 1 cup cooked whole beans
1 to 2 Jalapeños, finely chopped
4 Tbs chopped fresh cilantro
3 Tbs Olive Oil
Sea Salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Roast the corn on the grill in the husk after soaking for 1 hour.

Let cool slightly, then peel back the husk and silks.

Using a large, heavy knife, slice down the cobs to remove the kernels.

Place the corn kernels in a bowl with the tomatoes, red onions, Jalapeños, Black Beans and cilantro. Note: The Jalapeños maybe omitted if you want a mild corn salsa. Add the chiles to taste.

Whisk together the olive oil and remaining lime juice.

Season to taste and pour over the salsa.

Toss well to mix.



4. Green Herb Salsa (served with omlettes)

Paired with Chateau des Charmes Brut - Canada
Ingredients

* 1/4c blanched almonds, toasted
* 1 small garlic clove
* 1c fresh parsley leaves
* 1/2c fresh cilantro leaves
* 1/2c fresh basil leaves
* 2/3c extra -virgin olive oil
* 1/8 tsp red-pepper flakes
* coarse salt and ground black pepper
* 2tsp white-wine vinegar or white balsamic vinegar

How to make it

* Using chef's knife(or food processor)finely chop almonds, garlic and herbs. Stir (or blend) in oil and red-pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper.
* To store, refrigerate up to 1 day. Stir in vinegar just before serving.
* Great variations: Feel free to include any type of soft green herb, such a s oregano, chives, mint. You can also substitute pistachios, walnuts or pine nuts for the almonds.

Mediterranean Fare

1. Fresh Goat Cheeses with Olive Oil and Herbs – French Provence Recipe
Appetizers of Chevre, tapenade, herbs and olive oil served with baguettes as an appetizer.

Black olive Tapenade

1 cup black olives, pitted
½ cup softened sun dried tomatoes, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ (+) cup Olive oil
Pepper, to taste

Blend all ingredients to a paste in a processor. Adjust seasoning to taste. Use on crackers, baguettes, stuffed in meats, etc.

Enjoy!


2. Imam Baldi – Turkish Recipe

4 baby globe eggplants or Japanese (peel off 3 slices of outer skin length-wise around the eggplant)
olive oil (for frying and flavour)
Rich tomato sauce (recipe follows)
cilantro (optional)

Grill the eggplants over a hot grill with three strips of peel cut off of each eggplant and drizzled with olive oil. Turn and keep cooking until the eggplant is soft. Remove from heat and split open the eggplants with a sharp knife and let them rest. Spoon the rich tomato sauce into each eggplant.

Rich Tomato Sauce

1 tin crushed tomatoes (organic fire roasted is nicest)
1 onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp chili flakes
1 tsp chopped fresh oregano or 1/2 tsp dried
1 tsp chopped rosemary
1 tbs olive oil
1/4 cup red wine (optional, try orange juice for a fresh Summer flavour)
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp brown sugar (to reduce acid of tomatoes)

Preheat oven to 350°F. On the stove top, preheat olive oil in sauté pan. Carefully brown egplants on all sides. This takes some time. One option is to prepare the eggplant on a BBQ by drizzling olive oil over the eggplants prior to grilling. Remove eggplants from pan and place in a baking dish. Let eggplants rest. Split open the eggplants and spoon in the rich tomato sauce into each eggplant. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and drizzle with good olive oil. Bake for up to 30 minutes. Imam Baldi can be enjoyed hot, cold or room temperature. Serve with bread.

Enjoy!

3. Moroccan Lamb Stew – Moroccan Recipe *

1 lb lamb shoulder, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 onions, thinly sliced
2 tbs ras el hanout
1-2 tbs olive oil
1-2 tbs butter
good pinch saffron
2 large tomatoes, chopped
3 carrots, peeled and diced
2 green peppers, seeded and diced
1/2 - 1 cup prunes
2-3 tbs honey
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup red wine
salt, to taste

Slowly sauté onions on medium-low heat with olive oil until they begin to caramelize. Stir in Ras el Hanout spice blend. Turn up heat to medium-high and add butter and saffron. Brown meat well on all sides and add tomatoes and other vegetables. Add broth, prunes and honey. Add red wine and salt and let simmer for 1-2 hours, depending on using the tajine and toughness of the meat.

* Meat may be beef, elk or bison, depending on availability

Foods of Provence for the Assiniboine Park Conservatory

On Wednesday I enjoyed presenting foods of Provence as part of the fundraising efforts of the Assiniboine Park Conservatory. Please enjoy the following with the wine pairings supplied by the MLCC:

1. Fresh Goat Cheeses with Olive Oil and Herbs

This was paired with Cremant d'Alsace Blanc de Noirs - Willm (#803361) - $19.91

Chevre, tapenade, herbs and olive oil served with baguette as an appetizer.

2. Tomato “fondue” over eggs

The wine pairing was Beaujolais-Villages 2008 - Georges Duboeuf (#255810) - $15.03

1 yellow onion, crescent sliced
1 tomato per person, finely chopped or use puree
Olive oil
2 eggs per person
2-3 cooked eggplant slices
Salt and pepper
Minced garlic
Herbs d’Provence

Slice eggplant into small cubes and bake or fry with olive oil until dark brown and tender. Set aside. In a large sauce pan, sauté onion with olive oil and add tomatoes, seasoning and garlic. Add cooked eggplant and simmer until well incorporated. Spoon over soft fried, poached or boiled eggs and serve with baguette.

3. Provencal potatoes

Wine pairing was Côtes du Rhône 2007 – Domaine des Coccinelles (#6670) - $15.85

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25-30 minutes

Ingredients

2lb even sized potatoes, unpeeled
4-5 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
2 onions, thinly sliced crescents
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
3 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tbsp chopped fresh mixed herbs
sea salt flakes
freshly ground black pepper
flat leaf parsley sprigs to garnish


Instructions

Put the potatoes in a saucepan with enough salted water to cover. Bring to the boil, and simmer for 5 minutes, until barely tender. Remove the skin and slice the flesh into thick rounds. While the potatoes are cooling, heat 1 tbsp of the oil and half the butter in a large skillet. Add the onions and fry over a moderate to high heat, stirring, until they begin to colour. Add the garlic and fry until that also changes colour. Tip the whole lot into a bowl, mix with 1 tbsp of the parsley, half the mixed herbs, a sprinkling of sea salt, and black pepper. Keep warm while you cook the potatoes. Heat remaining oil and butter, add the potatoes in batches and fry until golden brown. Drain well. When the final batch is golden, lower the heat and return the rest of the potatoes to the pan together with the onion mixture and remaining herbs. Stir together, and cook until warmed through. Garnish with parsley sprigs.

4. Bouillabaise

The Wine pairings were Vouvray 2006 - Heritiers Dubois (#7064) - $16.99 and Côtes de Provence 2008 Rosé - Pere Anselme (#522052) - $12.17

Ingredients
For the soup broth:

Bones and shells from the fish and shell fish, completely rinsed
9 cups water
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
Salt and pepper to taste
10 whole sprigs parsley


For the soup base:

2 large onions, chopped finely
10 garlic cloves, chopped roughly or crushed
2/3 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon fennel seed
1/2 cup parsley, chopped very finely
Salt and pepper to taste
1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
Small handful fresh thyme leaves
3 to 5 long strips of orange rind (no white pith)
3 bay leaves
6 to 12 saffron stems
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped finely (remove seeds and white "ribbing")
1 pound frozen cod, thawed and chopped
1 cup dry white wine
A few splashes of Pernod

For the "body" of the soup:

3 to 4 pounds of various fish or shellfish.

Traditional bouillabaisse has no shellfish, but there is no harm in adding mussels, shrimp, crab or lobster if you feel like it.

There are many kinds of fish you can add to make this your own fish soup recipe. Haddock, red snapper, monk fish, sea bass, striped bass are all good choices. Just avoid the oily, fatty fish such as salmon or tuna, as these will overpower rather than blend in with the other ingredients.

I did use Ahi Tuna and pickerel for the soup and it worked out beautifully. I used a couple of pickerel fillets puréed into the soup base and some cheeks in the final soup product.

Preparation
1. In a large soup pot, combine all the ingredients for the broth. Bring to a very light boil, and allow to simmer for 30 minutes or so.

2. Run the broth through a strainer, and keep it aside.

3. Heat the oil in the soup pot on medium low to medium heat. Add onions, garlic, parsley, fennel seed (1 teaspoon, not both), and salt. Saute until the onions are soft.

4. Add tomatoes, thyme, orange peel, bay leaves, pepper, saffron and jalapeno. Simmer for up to 30 minutes.

5. Return the fish broth to the soup pot. Add the pound of chopped fish and cook until fish is completely cooked.

6. Remove the orange peel (if it is in large strips) and bay leaves and put them aside. We do not want to puree them.

7. Either use a hand-held blender to puree the soup, or puree in a stand-up blender in batches. Add the bay leaves and orange peels back to the soup, and pour in the white wine and cook for 30 minutes to an hour. Add Pernod.

8. Add the various fish to the soup. Add the longest-cooking fish first so all the fish ends up cooked at the same time.

5. Provence Plum Tarts

The wine pairing was Sauternes 2005 - Chateau Saint-Michel (#328419, 375 ml) - $16.99

2-3 lbs pitted plums
½ cup water
1 cup sugar
1-2 tbs corn starch
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp lemon juice
Pinch salt
Tart shells

In a sauce pan, heat up plums and thyme. In a measuring cup, combine cold water, sugar, corn starch and lemon juice. Add salt. Cook up filling and boil for at least 1 minute. Fill tart shells and bake at 350F until shells are browned, about 14 minutes.

The evening was finished with the wine, Maury 2001 - Domaine de la Serre (#2942, 500 ml) - $24.92

Enjoy and Bon Appetite!