Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Week of 08.09.09: Lager-Steamed Mussels with Mustard, Kielbasa and Dill



Rolland and I returned from Cape Cod today, fully inspired by the salty air and fresh seafood. Apparently, fresh seafood is readily available at Market Basket in Somerville as well. $5 for 4 lbs of mussels - not bad.

The recipe below is easy to prepare, and Rolland recommends going easy on the kielbasa. It is a dish of mussels after all.

Ingredients
4 thick slices of white peasant bread
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
2 garlic cloves—1 left whole, 1 thinly sliced
1/2 pound kielbasa sausage, quartered and thinly sliced
1 medium shallot, minced
Salt and freshly ground pepper
4 pounds mussels, scrubbed
1 1/2 cups lager
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
1/4 cup coarsely chopped dill

Directions
Preheat the broiler. Brush the bread with olive oil and transfer to a baking sheet. Broil the bread a few inches from the heat, turning once, for 2 minutes, until golden and toasted. Lightly rub the whole garlic clove over the toasts.


In a large, deep pot, heat the 1/4 cup of olive oil. Add the kielbasa, shallot and sliced garlic, season lightly with salt and pepper and cook over high heat, stirring, until the garlic is softened and lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add the mussels and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the lager, cover and steam the mussels until they open, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the mussels to 4 deep bowls, discarding any mussels that do not open.

Add the butter, mustard and dill to the broth, swirling and shaking the pot until the butter melts. Slowly pour the broth over the mussels, stopping before you reach the grit at the bottom of the pot. Serve the mussels with the garlic toasts.

Source: Food and Wine http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/lager-steamed-mussels-with-mustard-kielbasa-and-dill

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Week of 08.02.09 - Grilled Chicken Breast with Honeydew Salsa

It's Sunday evening and Rolland and I have just finished a refreshing dinner. Whoever thought melon could make such delicious salsa?


Ingredients
1 1/3 cups finely diced peeled seeded honeydew or other melon
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro plus 1/4 cup cilantro leaves
1/4 cup finely diced red onion
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons finely grated lime peel
1 teaspoon finely chopped seeded serrano chile
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
4 boneless chicken breast halves with skin

Preparation

Combine diced melon, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, finely diced red onion, lime juice, olive oil, grated lime peel, and chopped serrano chile in medium bowl. Toss to blend flavors. Season melon salsa to taste with salt and pepper.

Spray grill with nonstick vegetable oil spray; prepare barbecue (medium heat). Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Grill chicken breasts until skin is crisp and brown and chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. (Rolland pan fried the chicken instead...)

Slice chicken breasts and arrange on plates. Top with melon salsa and cilantro leaves and serve.

Source: Bon Appetit, August 2009