If you love all things
white-wine
this {Pageturner Ecookbook} is for you

96 recipes
Artichokes vinaigrette
Australian meat pie
Baked chicken legs
Baked salmon fillet with basil sauce
Baked salmon in the swimming position
Baked squash risotto with a crispy crumb topping
Baked whole salmon
Beef bourguignon
Braised beef short ribs
Braised blueback with white wine sauce
Braised salmon steaks with fennel and thyme
Brochettes of pork with rosemary
Broiled fillets of salmon with ginger cream
Broiled fillets of salmon with green sauce
Broiled pompano with noodles
Champagne sorbet
Chicken breasts in vermouth
Chicken breasts piccata
Chicken breasts st-pierre
Chicken breasts veronique
Chicken breasts with wine and mustard
Chicken burgundy
Chicken fricassée
Chicken paté
Chicken provencale
Chicken with portobello mushroom sauce
Court bouillon
Creamed salmon casserole
Curried chicken breasts
Daniel boulud short ribs braised in red wine with celery duo
Duck breasts with cherry-port sauce
Fillet of salmon with sorrel sauce
Fillets of salmon in potato crust
Fried salmon steaks with white wine sauce
Grilled pork chops with red onion marmalade
Jellied beef
Lamb shanks braised in red wine
Leek and lobster linguine
Leg of lamb in red wine sauce
Lemon chicken breast
Marinated mussels
Marinated onions
Meringue pavlova
Mushroom bourguignon with polenta
Mushrooms a la grecque greek style mushrooms
Mussel and cauliflower velouté
Mussel and scallop soup
Mussel pasta salad
Mussel soup
Mussel soup trois gros
Mussels and spaghetti
Mussels mariniere
Mussels with leeks saffron and cream
Old fashion beef stew
Oysters and caviar
Pan-seared cod fillets in white wine and tamato basil sauce
Pasta with summer vegetables
Peach custard ice cream with fresh peach compote
Pears vigneronne
Penne in cream sauce and sausage
Poached pears in red wine
Pompano captiva
Pompano papillottes
Pompano with mango beurre blanc
Pork and winter squash stew
Pork spareribs
Pork tenderloin with raisin sauce
Provencale braised beef casserole
Provençale fish soup
Prunes poached in red wine
Red wine sauce
Rhubarb and red wine jelly
Roast tenderloin with mushroom onion and red wine sauce
Roast tenderloin with red wine shallot sauce
Roasted salmon with creamy endives
Rosemary chicken salad
Sauce beurre blanc
Sautéed chicken breast with whole grain mustard and sage
Seared chicken breast with red onion vinaigrette
Sesame chicken
Sherried chicken thighs
Snow ball champagne cocktail
Sparkling lemon cream
Spicy coriander chicken salad
Steaks au poivre
Steamed mussels in white wine
Stir-fried chicken thighs
Strawberries with zabaglione sauce
Strawberry and peach compote
Summer pasta vegetable salad
Tangerine jelly
Tarragon roasted chicken
Toffeed pears
White butter sauce
Wine jelly
Winter citrus compote

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A hamburger consists of a cooked patty of ground meat, seafood, or vegetarian foods, usually placed between two slices of a bread roll. Hamburgers are often served with lettuce, bacon, tomato, onion, pickles, cheese, and condiments such as mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup, and relish. There are many types of burgers with significant variations.

Artichokes vinaigrette

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:35 minutes

Ingredients

1 gallon water
1 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup salad oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon Tabasco
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder

6 whole artichokes

Vinaigrette: makes 1 cup

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons minced parsley and/or chopped fresh chives

preparation

Bring water to a boil and add all ingredients except artichokes. Wash and trim the artichoke stems to 1 inch. Remove stems.
Add to water with spices, and boil for 25 to 35 minutes or until bottoms are tender. Remove from pan and invert artichokes to drain thoroughly and cool. Using spoon, remove chokes and discard.

Vinaigrette:
In a mixing bowl, whisk mustard, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in oil until mixture thickens. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Stir the herbs. Whisk again just before serving.

Australian meat pie

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour 30 minutes

In Australia, hand-sized meat pies are a party staple, and most sporting arenas will also have vendors selling meat pies to the spectators
There are many different meat pie variants available, but most of them contain diced or minced beef in some sort of gravy. Popular additions are cheese, mushrooms or veggies.
This recipe is for small Australian meat-pies that are perfect for parties. You make them in muffin tins, so you need enough holes for 16 pies.

Ingredients

Ingredients for filling
3 tablespoons of sunflower oil or similar
3 lbs of a beef cut suitable for slow cooking (e.g. chuck steak), cut into 2/5” cubes
2 medium onions, peeled and diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 1/2 cups beef broth
1 1/2 cup dry red wine
3 bay leaves
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
4 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons cornstarch
Ingredients for pastry
1 egg yolk
4 sheets of shortcrust pastry (10 inches by 10 inches). If you buy frozen, let it thaw before use.
4 sheets of puff pastry (10 inches by 10 inches). You might not need all of it, but it’s better to have too much than too little.
Butter to grease the muffin tins with (You need enough tins for 16 pies)

preparation

Pour 1 tablespoon of the oil into a Dutch oven or a heavy cooking pot together with half of the beef cubes. Lightly brown the meat. Remove to a bowl.
Pour 1 tablespoon into the pot again and brown the remaining beef cubes. Put in the bowl with the other beef cubes. Set aside.
Lower the heat under the pot to medium, and add the remaining oil to the pot together with onion and garlic. Fry until the onion is translucent.
Put the beef cubes into the pot with the onions. Add all the other filling ingredients to the pot, except for the water and the cornstarch. Stir around until its combined. There should be enough liquid to nearly cover the meat. If not, add some water (or wine / broth if you have some extra laying around).
Bring the stew to a simmer.
Lower the heat below the pot to low / medium low.
Put a lid on the pot and leave the stew to simmer until the beef is very tender about 45-60 minutes. Stir occasionally during this time, and check if there is enough liquid.
When the beef is very tender, pour cornstarch and 3 tablespoons of water into a cup with a lid and shake it well. Make sure there are no clumps.
Pour the cornstarch mixture into the pot and stir to mix it in.
Leave the stew cooking for 5 minutes more to allow the stew to thicken
Add salt to taste.
Remove the pot from the stove and leave to cool.
Preheat the oven to 175 degrees C / 350 degrees F.
Grease the muffin tins.
The pie crust pastry is used for making the “cup” part of the pie shell. Check the size of your muffin tins and cut the pastry accordingly to line the inside of muffin tins.
Place one pie crust pastry circle in each muffin tin hole. Press them gently to turn them into “cups”.
Fill each “cup” to the brim with beef stew from the pot.
The puff pastry will be used to make lids for the pies. Check which size would be best for your particular pies and cut accordingly.
Put a lid on each pie. Press or nip gently along the rim to join the lid with the “cup”.
With a small and sharp knife, make four little slices in each lid to allow steam a way to get out of the pies and reduce the risk of cracking.
Lightly beat the egg yolk in a small bowl.
Brush the pies with egg yolk.
Put the muffin tins in the oven. Bake until the pie lids are of a dark golden brown shade. This will take 20-25 minutes or so.
Take the tins out of the oven and leave in room temperature to allow the pies to rest for a few minutes.
Carefully transfer the pies to a wire rack. Serve!

Baked chicken legs

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:25 minutes

Ingredients

6 whole chicken legs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1 teaspoon chopped shallots
1 teaspoon chopped parsley
1 teaspoon chopped basil
1 teaspoon chopped tarragon
1/2 cup white wine

preparation

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Melt butter and oil in a baking dish. Place chicken legs in dish and turn over to coat with butter and oil. Bake in oven for 20 minutes.
Combine bread crumbs, garlic, shallots and herbs. Turn chicken legs. Sprinkle with bread mixture.
Bake 20 more minutes. Pour wine around chicken. Bake 5 more minutes before serving.

Baked salmon fillet with basil sauce

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

Ingredients

6-5-ounces salmon fillet, boneless and skinless
to taste salt and ground white pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon shallots, chopped
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
2 cups basil leaves, cut in small strips
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup heavy cream

preparation

Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper. Heat a saute pan with the oil until hot. Saute the salmon fillets on one side for about 3 minutes. Turn salmon. Reduce the heat to medium and cook salmon for 3 to 5 minutes or until done. Transfer the salmon to a warm platter. Add the shallots and garlic to the pan. Cook over medium heat for a minute. Do not brown. Add the basil leaves and wine to the pan. Simmer to wilt the basil. Stir the cream into the sauce. Simmer to reduce sauce to half. Season to taste.

PRESENTATION
Arrange each salmon fillet on a hot plate. Spoon the sauce over.

Baked salmon in the swimming position

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

A wonderful recipe for a whole salmon and a perfect presentation. A 6 to 8 pound salmon is ideal for this recipe.

Served cold, and decorated with shrimp and cucumber scales

Ingredients

one 6 to 8 pound salmon, whole
to taste salt and pepper
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 cups water
3 cups hollandaise sauce (see recipe)

preparation

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. The whole salmon with the head and tail should be fresh or completely thawed, cleaned, scaled, and washed under cold water. Season the cavity of the fish with salt and pepper. Use the largest baking sheet that will fit in the oven. Line the baking sheet with heavy foil. Place the salmon on the baking pan in the 'swimming position'. Curve the tail of the fish for a more dramatic effect. Wrap the tail and the head of the salmon in buttered sheets of foil. Season the salmon with salt and pepper. Pour the lemon juice, white wine, and water in the pan. Brush the surface of the salmon with melted butter.
Measure the salmon across at its thickest part.
Bake 12 to 15 minutes per inch thickness. Baste the fish occasionally. Make sure that the pan juices do not dry out. Add more water if necessary. When the salmon is done, remove from the oven, cover with foil, and keep in a warm place. A few minutes before serving, remove the foil around the head and tail of the salmon. Peel away skin on both sides of the fish. If the fish was lying flat on the tray, it would be difficult to remove the skin off the bottom fillet. Scrape away the dark fatty layer adhering to the flesh. To transfer the whole salmon on a serving tray or platter, use four wide spatulas. One person slides two spatulas under the head and below, another slides the other two spatulas under the tail end and higher.
Synchronize the transfer of the whole salmon onto a serving tray or platter. Cover the fish with foil. Pour the pan juices in a small, heavy saucepan. Reduce the juices to one half cup. Pour and strain over the salmon. Garnish the platter with lemon baskets and parsley. Serve with hollandaise, parsleyed potatoes, and spinach, or green beans.

Baked squash risotto with a crispy crumb topping

Serves: 6

Preparation time:20 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour

This would also be good made with sugar pumpkins.

Ingredients

SQUASH PURÉE AND STOCK
1 Hubbard squash, 1 1/2 lbs (680 g), washed with skin on
5 cups (1.25 L) water
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt

RISOTTO
1 cup (250 mL) thinly sliced onion
3 tbsp (45 mL) unsalted butter, divided
1 cup (250 mL) coarsely grated zucchini
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) arborio rice
1/2 cup (125 mL) dry white wine
1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) salt
1/2 tsp (2 mL) freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup (125 mL) grated Pecorino Romano cheese

TOPPING
1/4 cup (60 mL) light olive oil
4 large sage leaves plus more to garnish
1/2 cup (125 mL) seasoned panko bread crumbs

preparation

1. For the squash purée and stock, cut squash in quarters and scoop out seeds. Place in a large pot with water and salt. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer. Simmer until squash is soft, about 10 minutes. Remove squash with a slotted spoon and place, skin-on, in a blender. Purée until creamy. Reserve 3 cups (750 mL) stock and keep hot. Remaining stock can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.

2. Preheat oven to 350°F`(177°C).

3. In a large Dutch oven with a lid, add onions, 1 tbsp (15 mL) unsalted butter, grated zucchini, rice, wine, 2 cups (500 mL) squash purée and 3 cups (750 mL) squash stock. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Cover with lid and bake until rice is tender, 45 to 50 minutes.

4. While risotto is baking, make topping. In a small saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add sage leaves and fry until crisp, about 30 seconds. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towel. Add panko and cook, stirring, until golden, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Finely crush four sage leaves and mix into panko crumbs.

5. Remove risotto from oven and stir well. Stir in remaining 2 tbsp (30 mL) butter and cheese. It should have a creamy consistency and will start to thicken as it sits, covered, about 5 to 7 minutes.

6. Plate risotto and top with panko topping. Garnish with extra crispy sage leaves, if using.

Baked whole salmon

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

This recipe is suitable for a small whole fish, from 3 to 6 pounds. Attention salmon angler: If your catch of the day is a grilse or a small salmon, you found the right recipe. See also recipe for Baked-salmon-in-the-swimming-position

Ingredients

one 5 pound whole dressed salmon
to taste salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 cups water
2 tablespoons soft butter
4 tablespoons flour
6 medium mushroom caps
1 ounce butter
1 tablespoon lemon juice

preparation

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. The whole salmon with the head and tail should be fresh or completely thawed, cleaned, scaled, and washed under cold water. Season the cavity of the fish with salt and pepper. Use the largest baking sheet that will fit in the oven. Line the baking sheet with heavy foil. Place the salmon on the baking pan in the "swimming position". Curve the tail of the fish for a more dramatic effect. Wrap the tail and the head of the salmon in buttered sheets of foil. Season the salmon with salt and pepper. Pour the lemon juice, white wine, and water in the pan. Brush the surface of the salmon with melted butter.
Measure the salmon across at its thickest part. Bake 12 minutes per inch thickness. Baste the fish occasionally. When the salmon in done, transfer to a large serving platter. Remove skin from both sides. Cover with foil, and keep in a warm place. Strain the cooking liquid and reduce to two cups. Combine the butter and flour to form a smooth paste called beurre manié. Whip the mixture into the boiling stock to make a creamy sauce. Season to taste. Pour any juice from the platter in the sauce. Reduce the sauce to a medium-thick consistency. Pour a small amount over salmon. Saute the cleaned mushroom caps in butter and lemon juice.

PRESENTATION
Starting at tail end, use a fish knife and fork to cut the top fillet into serving size portions. Slide knife between the fillet and bone to lift the portions. Arrange each portion in the center of warm plates. To serve the second fillet, lift off tail and pull backbone away from flesh, removing the head all in one piece.The fillet is now boneless and easy to serve. Free skin from portions before serving. Spoon the sauce over salmon. Top with a mushroom cap. Serve with small parsleyed potatoes, and vegetables.

Beef bourguignon

Serves: 6

Preparation time:15 minutes

Cooking time:180 minutes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
6 ounces (170g) bacon, roughly chopped
3 pounds (1 1/2 kg) beef brisket, trimmed of fat (chuck steak or stewing beef) cut into 2-inch chunks
1 large carrot sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 large white onion, diced
6 cloves garlic, minced (divided)
1 pinch coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons flour
12 small pearl onions (optional)
3 cups red wine like Merlot, Pinot Noir, or a Chianti -- for a milder sauce, use only 2 cups of wine
2-3 cups beef stock (if using 2 cups of wine, use 3 cups beef stock)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 beef bouillon cube, crushed
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (divided)
2 bay leaves
1 pound fresh small white or brown mushrooms, quartered
2 tablespoons butter

preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Heat the oil in a large dutch oven or heavy based pot. Sauté the bacon over medium heat for about 3 minutes, until crisp and browned. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a large dish and set aside.
3. Pat dry beef with paper towel; sear in batches in the hot oil/bacon fat until browned on all sides. Remove to the dish with the bacon.
4. In the remaining oil/bacon fat, sauté the carrots and diced onions until softened, (about 3 minutes), then add 4 cloves minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Drain excess fat (leave about 1 tablespoon in the pan) and return the bacon and beef back into the pot; season with 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper. Sprinkle with flour, toss well and cook for 4-5 minutes to brown.
5. Add the pearl onions, wine and enough stock so that the meat is barely covered. Then add the tomato paste, bullion and herbs. Bring to a simmer on the stove.
6. Cover, transfer to lower part of the oven and simmer for 2 to 3 hours, or until the meat is fall apart tender (adjust the heat so that the liquid simmers very slowly).
7. In the last 5 minutes of cooking time, prepare the mushrooms:
Heat the butter in a medium-sized skillet/pan over heat. When the foam subsides, add the remaining 2 cloves garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds), then add in the mushrooms. Cook for about 5 minutes, while shaking the pan occasionally to coat with the butter. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Once they are browned, set aside.
8. Place a colander over a large pot (I do this in my clean kitchen sink). Remove the casserole from the oven and carefully empty its contents into the colander (you want to collect the sauce only). Discard the herbs
9. Return the beef mixture back into the dutch oven or pot. Add the mushrooms over the meat.
10. Remove any fat off the sauce (if any) and simmer for a minute or two, skimming off any additional fat which rises to the surface.
11. You should be left with about 2 1/2 cups of sauce thick enough to coat the back of a spoon lightly.
If the sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of stock. If the sauce is too thin, boil it over medium heat for about 10 minutes, or until reduced to the right consistency.
12. Taste for seasoning and adjust salt and pepper, if desired. Pour the sauce over the meat and vegetables.
13. If you are serving immediately, simmer the beef bourguignon for 2 to 3 minutes to heat through.
Garnish with parsley and serve with mashed potatoes or noodles.
14. To serve the following day, allow the casserole to cool completely, cover and refrigerate.
The day of serving, remove from refrigerator for at least an hour before reheating. Place over medium-low heat and let simmer gently for about 10 minutes, basting the meat and vegetables with the sauce.

Braised beef short ribs

Serves: 6

Preparation time:30 minutes

Cooking time:3 hours

Serve with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Pan-Roasted Root Vegetables.

Ingredients

6 short rib of beef (5 to 7 pounds)
2 sprigs rosemary
6 sprigs thyme
1 bay leaf
1 stalk celery, halved
3 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons fresh coarse ground black pepper
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium onion, roughly chopped
4 shallots, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick
5 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
3 tablespoons tomato paste
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1⁄2 cup ruby port
4 cups full-bodied wine, such as cabernet sauvignon
6 cups veal stock (veal stock is really best but you can substitute good homemade beef stock)

preparation

Preheat the oven to 325°F
Bind each rib with cotton kitchen twine. Place the rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf between the two celery halves and bind with kitchen twine.
Season the short ribs with 2 teaspoons of the salt and the pepper.
Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over a high flame until it smokes.
In two batches, brown the short ribs well on both sides, about 3 minutes per side, pouring off all but 3 tablespoons of oil between batches.
Remove the ribs and set aside when done.
Lower the flame to medium, and add the carrots, onion, shallots, and garlic to the pot and saute for 5 minutes, until the onion is soft and light brown.
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes.
Add the flour and stir well to combine. Add the port, red wine, and the celery-herb bundle.
Raise the flame to high and cook until the liquid is reduced by a third, about 20 minutes.
Return the ribs to the pot (they will stack into two layers).
Add the stock and the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt; if the stock doesn’t cover the ribs by at least 1 inch, add water up to that level.
Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, transfer to the preheated oven, and cook for 3 hours. Visit the pot occasionally and stir the ribs, bringing the ones on the bottom up to the top -- they’re done when the meat is fork tender and falling off the bone.
Transfer the ribs to a large platter and remove the strings.
Skim any fat from the surface of the sauce, and then strain through a sieve into a medium saucepan.
Discard the solids.
Over medium heat, bring the sauce to a strong simmer and reduce the liquid until slightly less then half (4 cups) remains, about 1 hour.
Return the ribs to the pot, simmer for 10 minutes to reheat, and serve.

Braised blueback with white wine sauce

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

The blueback salmon can be a small Artic char, a Pink Pacific salmon or and Atlantic grilse, all weighing between 3 to 5 pounds.

Ingredients

2 tablespoon butter
5 medium shallots, peeled, minced
1-5 pound whole dressed salmon
3 cups dry white wine
to taste salt ground white pepper
1 bouquet garni
2 tablespoon butter
3 slices white bread
2 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 egg yolks
1 cup heavy cream

preparation

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Melt two tablespoons of butter in a saucepan. Add the minced shallots and cook until golden. Spread into a baking pan large enough to hold the salmon.
Scale salmon. Wash under cold water. Pat dry. Place the whole fish, lying flat on the baking pan. Season the cavity with salt and pepper. Add the bouquet garni. Dot the fish with the two tablespoons of butter. Cover the pan with aluminum foil, and bake Measure the salmon at its thickest part. Bake 12 minutes per inch thickness. Baste the fish occasionally. While the fish is cooking, remove the crust from the bread. Cut the slices into triangles. Heat the oil in a frying pan. Fry the bread triangles in oil until golden brown on both sides. Remove from pan and keep warm. When the salmon in done, transfer to a large serving platter. Remove skin from the top side. Cover with foil, and keep in a warm place. Strain the cooking liquid and reduce to two cups. Beat the egg yolks with the cream. Pour into the reduced hot cooking liquid and whisk over low heat until the sauce thickens lightly. Do not boil the sauce as it may separate. Season to taste.

PRESENTATION
Starting at tail end, use a fish knife and fork to cut the top fillet into serving size portions. Slide knife between the fillet and bone to lift the portions. Arrange each portion in the center of warm plates. Before serving the bottom fillet, lift off tail and pull backbone away from flesh, removing the head all in one piece. Bottom fillet is now boneless and easy to lift into serving size portions. Free skin from portions before serving. Spoon the sauce over salmon. Garnish each plate with two slices of fried bread.

Braised salmon steaks with fennel and thyme

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

Ingredients

4 8-ounce salmon steaks
1 pound fennel bulbs
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
1/4 cup white wine
salt and pepper to taste

preparation

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Rinse salmon in cold water. Pat dry with paper towels. Trim the base and stalks of the fennel bulbs. Cut across into thin slices.
Heat the oil in a medium frying pan. Add the fennel and saute about 5 minutes, until softened. Add one half of the chopped thyme, white wine, salt and pepper, and cook for 2 minutes.
Transfer the fennel to a buttered baking dish.
Arrange the salmon steaks on top, and season with salt and pepper, and the remaining chopped thyme. Cover the fish with foil and bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
PRESENTATION
Transfer salmon steaks to warm plates. Cover with fennel and pan juices. Serve hot.

Brochettes of pork with rosemary

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound lean boneless pork, cubed
For marinade:
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon chopped rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon chopped parsley
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1/4 ground black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 wine vinegar

preparation

Combine marinade ingredients in a glass bowl. Mix pork cubes into marinade for 1 hour. Remove pork from marinade, and thread through skewers. Broil on a charcoal grill.

Broiled fillets of salmon with ginger cream

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

The broiled salmon fillets are served with a creamy and tangy ginger sauce. Salmon steaks can also be used with this recipe.

Ingredients

6 6-ounces salmon fillets, with the skin
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
to taste, salt, ground black pepper
2 cups fish stock
1 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons shallots, chopped
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
2 ounces butter
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, peeled cut into fine strips
2 tablespoons fresh chives, cut into 1/2-inch sticks
1/2 teaspoon paprika

preparation

For the sauce:
In a large saucepan, combine the fish stock, white wine, and shallots. Bring to a boil and reduce the liquid by half. Add the heavy cream and the grated ginger. Bring the liquid back to a boil. Continue to reduce by half or until lightly thickened.
Strain the sauce through a fine strainer. Whisk in the butter, a few bits at the time. Set the sauce aside, and keep in a warm place.
Preheat the broiler. Wash the salmon fillets in cold water. Pat dry. Arrange side by side skin side up in an oiled oven-proof dish. Season with salt and pepper. Place the salmon under the broiler, 4 inches from the source of heat.
Broil for 10 to 12 minutes until the skin is crisp and the flesh is opaque.
PRESENTATION
Cover the bottom of 6 hot plates with some of the hot ginger sauce. Arrange a piece of salmon in the center of each plate. Sprinkle the salmon with strips of ginger and chives. Pour remaining sauce over the fish. Dust with paprika. Serve hot.

Broiled fillets of salmon with green sauce

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:25 minutes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon fresh tarragon leaves
1 cup packed spinach leaves
1 cup packed watercress leaves
1/4 cup parsley or chervil leaves
4 6-ounce salmon fillets, skinned and boned
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups fish stock
1/2 cup chopped shallots
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup cold butter
to taste salt and ground black pepper
1/4 cup salmon roe

preparation

Blanch the tarragon, spinach, watercress, parsley or chervil in boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain in a strainer and cool under cold running water for 1 minute. Squeeze dry and chop fine. Toss the salmon fillets in olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the blanched herbs. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Bring the fish stock, shallots, thyme and bay leaf to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Add the white wine and simmer for 15 minutes. Strain the liquid through a fine sieve and discard the herbs and the shallots.
Add the chopped herbs to the fish stock and simmer for 5 minutes. Cut the cold butter into small pieces, and whisk piece by piece into the simmering stock. Season with salt and pepper; keep warm.
Preheat the broiler.
Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper. Arrange side by side in an oiled oven-proof dish. Place the salmon under the broiler, 4 inches from the source of heat. Broil for 10 to 12 minutes until the flesh is opaque.
PRESENTATION
Divide the green herb sauce between 4 warmed plates, and place a salmon fillet in the center of each. Top each fillet with a dollop of salmon roe. Serve with seasonal vegetables.

Broiled pompano with noodles

Serves: 2

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

The pompano may be successfully grilled in a cast iron ridged pan over heat heat.
In Boca Grande, Florida, this excellent recipe was a favorite, not in the local restaurants but in the private social circles of the island beach mansions. The delicious pompano is served over pasta and a sauce . Another chefdecuisine.com creation.

Ingredients

SAUCE *
1 lemon, juice and zest
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 shallot, minced
1 garlic clove, crushed and finely chopped
1/3 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
FISH
2 (8 ounce) pompano fillets, skinned, boned and cut in half lengthwise
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 pound Fettuccine or spaghettini cooked al dente and drained

preparation

Finely grate the clean lemon to make zest, and juice the lemon. Set aside.
In a small pot, whisk together lemon juice, lemon zest, wine, shallot and garlic.
Cook over high heat until reduced to half. Remove from heat, cool slightly. When lemon mixture is warm, cut in butter and whisk together. Add parsley and season with salt and pepper. Set the sauce aside.
Heat grill over high heat.
Brush pompano fillets with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill fish for 4 minutes per side, until golden brown and fish flakes easily with a fork.
Heat and toss pasta with half of the lemon butter
Arrange pasta on a platter, place fish on top of pasta and spoon remaining lemon butter sauce over. Serve immediately .

* The sauce can also be a fish velouté sauce

Champagne sorbet

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

Ingredients

1 quart water
1 pound sugar
2 ounces lemon juice

For meringue:
4 ounces sugar
1/4 cup water
4 egg whites
6 ounces champagne

preparation

In a medium saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and lemon juice. Bring to boil. Cool in a mixing bowl. Freeze in an ice cream maker. When almost set, spoon in the meringue, (see recipe below) and 3 ounces of Champagne, and continue churning in the ice cream maker until creamy and set.

Meringue:
Boil water and sugar to a temperature of 230 F to 240 F.
Beat egg whites in an electric mixing bowl until medium firm. Slowly, add the hot sugar while continuing to beat the whites, and beat until cool.
Serve in chilled champagne glasses. Pour remaining Champagne over sorbet.

Chicken breasts in vermouth

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
2 shallots, minced
¾ cup dry vermouth
½ pint sliced mushrooms
1 cup whipping cream
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
4 Tbsp flat, Italian parsley, chopped

preparation

Preheat oven to 200˚F.
In a medium sauté pan over medium flame, heat oil with garlic, being careful not to scorch the garlic. Sauté breast halves in the oil until browned on both sides (about 7 minutes per side for thick breasts)
Remove breasts to an ovenproof serving dish, keeping as much of the oil in the sauté pan as possible. Keep breasts warm in the oven while you prepare the cream sauce.
Add the shallot and sauté until softened and turning golden brown. Add the vermouth and deglaze the pan, scraping brown pits from the side of the pan. simmer until reduced by about half. Add mushrooms and quickly heat through. Pour in cream and bring to a boil and allow to thicken. Reduce the heat and season with salt and pepper.
Pour the sauce over the chicken, sprinkle parsley over the sauce and serve.

Chicken breasts piccata

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts
3 tablespoons flour
to taste salt and white pepper
3 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1/3 cup white wine
2 tablespoons brined capers, rinsed
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons chopped parsley

preparation

Rinse the boneless and skinless chicken breast. Pat dry and slice into thin cutlets.
On wax paper, combine flour, salt and pepper. Dip cutlets into flour mixture, shaking off excess.
In a large skillet over medium heat, Heat one half of the butter and oil until the butter is melted.
Add cutlets and brown lightly on each side. Place cutlets on serving plate; keep in a warm place. Stir the wine, capers, lemon juice, and parsley into skillet; increase heat to high and cook until slightly thickened. Remove from heat, swirl in remaining butter until melted. Pour over cutlets and serve.

Chicken breasts st-pierre

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:45 minutes

Ingredients

4 boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cup flour
to taste salt and white pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup oil
1 cup sliced green pepper
1 cup sliced onion
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 cup white wine
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon chopped basil
2 cups cooked rice

preparation

Cut chicken breasts across in halves.
Remove skin and trim all fat. Roll chicken breasts in the flour seasoned with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Heat oil in a skillet or a saute pan.
Place chicken in skillet or pan. Brown over low heat on both sides until golden brown.
Transfer chicken to a warm dish. Add peppers, onions, and mushrooms to the skillet or pan. Saute over medium heat for about 5 minutes.
Place chicken breasts over vegetables. Pour wine and lemon juice over chicken. Sprinkle with garlic and basil. Cover chicken, and simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked. Serve with steamed rice.

Chicken breasts veronique

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts, boned, skinned
to taste salt and black pepper
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
4 tablespoons butter
2 cups dry white wine
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons slivered almonds
1/2 pound seedless green grapes, washed, stems removed, and halved lengthwise

preparation

1.Season the chicken breasts with a mixture of salt and pepper and flour.
2. Melt the butter in a sauté pan or heavy skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Add the wine and lemon juice, lower the heat, and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the breasts are tender. Add the almonds and grapes for the last minute.
4. Transfer the chicken to individual plates and spoon the sauce and grapes over each serving.

Chicken breasts with wine and mustard

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutess

Ingredients

2 whole chicken breasts, skinned and boned
salt and black pepper to taste
6 tablespoons butter
3 shallots, minced
3/4 cup dry white or red wine
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup chicken stock
4 tablespoons grainy mustard, (Meaux or Pommery)

preparation

Sprinkle the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In a sauté pan or heavy skillet over medium-high heat, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter.
Sauté the chicken breasts for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, or until browned. Do not overcook. Transfer the chicken pieces to a heated platter and keep warm.
Remove any excess fat from the pan. Over medium heat sauté the shallots briefly. Add the wine, cream, and stock; bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the sauce has thickened.
Whisk in the mustard, combining well. Whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, one at a time.
Return the chicken to the sauce and heat through for 5 to 10 minutes. Place the chicken breasts on individual plates, spoon the sauce over each, and top with a twist of the pepper mill.

Chicken burgundy

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:50 minutes

Ingredients

6 chicken breasts
to taste salt and pepper
1/4 cup flour
4 ounces diced bacon
2 teaspoons Cognac
3 cup burgundy wine
2 cups chicken stock
2 cloves minced garlic
1 sprig thyme
1 bay leaf
24 pearl onions
8 ounces mushrooms
4 teaspoons butter
1 teaspoon cornstarch

preparation

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge in flour. Fry bacon in a frying pan until crisp. Brown chicken in bacon fat on all sides.
Pour the cognac over chicken.
Ignite then add wine, stock, garlic, thyme and bay leaf.
Cover chicken and cook in a 375 degree oven for about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, peel and boil the pearl onions until tender. Saute onions and mushrooms in half of butter. Add to chicken together with bacon. Mix remaining butter and cornstarch.
Arrange chicken pieces in a deep serving dish.
Thicken the sauce with butter mixture whisking until sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Pour sauce over chicken.

Chicken fricassée

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

Ingredients

1 3-pound whole chicken
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup flour
to taste salt and white pepper
1 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup sliced onion
1 medium sliced green pepper
1 medium sliced carrot
1/2 stalk sliced celery
1 clove minced garlic
1 cup chopped tomatoes

preparation

Cut the chicken into eight pieces.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Combine the flour, salt, and pepper.
Roll the chicken pieces in the flour mixture. Place in the skillet, skin side down. Brown both sides until golden brown. Transfer the chicken to a warm platter. Discard the fat from the skillet. Turn the heat to high. Add the wine. Reduce by half.
Add the sliced onion, green pepper, carrot, celery, garlic, and chopped tomatoes. Simmer and cover for 10 minutes.
Add the chicken, and continue cooking until meat is tender, about 20 minutes.
Transfer the chicken to a warm serving platter. Reduce the sauce to a medium thick consistency. Pour the sauce over chicken and serve.

Chicken paté

Serves: 10

Preparation time: 1 hour

Cooking time:1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

1-2 1/2 pound whole chicken
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 chopped juniper berries
1 ounce white wine
4 chicken livers
2 teaspoons Madeira
6 ounces cèpes
2 ounces walnuts
1/4 ounce pistachio nuts
1/4 ounce spice blend
1 pork caul
1 pound basic forcemeat
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon butter
Parsley for garnish

preparation

Bone and butterfly chicken.
Remove breast and leg meat. Save skin. Butterfly chicken breast and pound lightly.
Cube meat from chicken legs. Season breast meat with salt and juniper berries and marinate in white wine for 2 hours. Drain and dry.
Season livers with salt and marinate in Madeira.
Combine cubed chicken leg meat, mushrooms, walnuts, and pistachio. Season with salt and season blend and fold into forcemeat.
Grease a 2 quart mold, dust with black pepper. Line with pork caul. Line with chicken skin and breast.
Fill with forcemeat, press, and fold caul over forcemeat. Sprinkle with pepper and cover with foil.
Bake at 300 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Cool, unmold and chill. Slice into 1/2-inch slices. Serve cold.

Chicken provencale

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

Ingredients

1 3-pound chicken, cut into 8 serving pieces
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon rosemary
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 pound small mushrooms
1 cup peeled, seeded, chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup chicken bouillon
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil

preparation

Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper.
Heat the oil in a heavy skillet and add the chicken, skin side down. Cook for 10 minute, or until golden brown. Turn the pieces. Add the garlic, onion, rosemary, thyme and mushrooms. Cook, stirring, for another 5 minutes.
Pour off the fat in the pan and add tomatoes, wine and bouillion. Scrape the bottom of the pan with a spatula. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Thicken the sauce by reducing it briefly over high heat. Add the parsley or basil and serve.

Chicken with portobello mushroom sauce

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour

Ingredients

2 large portobello mushrooms, stems discarded
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
8 medium boneless chicken breast halves with skin
1 medium sliced onion, sliced
1 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup heavy cream

preparation

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Arrange the mushrooms stem sides down on a baking sheet.
Brush the mushrooms with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Roast for about 10 minutes or until tender. Slice the mushrooms thinly. Reserve. Heat the remaining oil. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken breasts over moderate heat with onion, or roast the chicken breast with onion in a roasting pan until done. Pour off fat. Transfer chicken to a plate and keep warm. Add the wine to the skillet or pan.
Reduce over high heat for 5 minutes. Add chicken stock. Reduce by half. Add the cream, and continue to boil for 5 minutes. Stir in the sliced mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper.
Set the chicken breast or slice chicken breast on plates or a platter. Spoon the sauce over and serve with potato and fennel hash.

Court bouillon

Preparation time:15 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

Ideal for poaching fish

Ingredients

2 small leeks
4 medium sliced onions
3 sliced celery stalks
2 sliced carrots
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
12 parsley stems
1 teaspoon dry thyme leaves
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon black peppercorns, cracked
1 teaspoon salt

preparation

Trim the leeks. Split lengthwise. Wash thoroughly to remove all grit, and slice. Put the onions, celery, carrots, 3 1/2 quarts of water, leeks, and garlic cloves in a large stockpot. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Skim off all the scum that surfaces. Simmer for 15 minutes.
Add the wine, wine vinegar, parsley stems, thyme, bay leaf, and peppercorns. Simmer the stock for 15 minutes more.
Strain the stock through a fine strainer. Allow to cool before refrigerating.

Creamed salmon casserole

Serves: 6

Preparation time:20 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds cooked salmon
2 ounces butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon chopped shallots
8 ounces sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 ounce flour
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
to taste, salt and white pepper
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 cups cooked rice

preparation

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Break up the salmon. Discard any skin and bones. Set aside.
Melt butter over medium heat in a heavy skillet. Add onion, shallot, and mushrooms and sauté until tender. Add wine and cook to reduce by half. Cool mixture. Add the flour. Stir well. Pour in the milk and cream. Mix well and whisk to make a cream sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and simmer for 5 minutes.
Mix in the salmon and heat through. Spoon salmon mixture in a casserole dish. Sprinkle with parsley, and breadcrumbs.
Bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Serve with the heated rice.

Curried chicken breasts

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless chicken breasts
2 teaspoons butter
to taste salt and pepper
1/4 cup chopped shallots
1 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 cup white wine
1 1/4 cups heavy cream

preparation

Remove skin from chicken then cut into 1/2 inch wide strips. Melt butter in a skillet.
Add the chicken pieces. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Stir often until chicken loses its raw look about 5 minutes. Sprinkle the chicken strips with shallots and curry powder.
Stir well to blend and cook for about 2 minutes.
Transfer the chicken pieces to a bowl.
Add the white wine to the skillet and cook over high heat for 3 minutes.
Add cream to the skillet and cook over high heat until sauce is reduced and starts to thicken.
Add the chicken pieces to sauce. Heat well and serve with hot rice.

Daniel boulud short ribs braised in red wine with celery duo

Serves: 8

Preparation time:20 minutes

Cooking time:2 hours 30 minutes

Chef Boulud says that the success of this dish rests on browning the short ribs well at the beginning of cooking the dish to get the best flavors into the sauce. The Celery Duo starts with a celery root puree and ends with the braised ribs that top the beef. This recipe also can be found in the Café Boulud Cookbook, by Daniel Boulud and Dorie Greenspan.

Ingredients

3 bottles dry red wine
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
8 short ribs, trimmed of excess fat
Salt and crushed black peppercorns
Flour, for dredging
8 large shallots, peeled, trimmed, split, rinsed and dried
2 medium-sized carrots, peeled, trimmed and cut into 1-inch lengths
2 ribs of celery, peeled, trimmed and cut into 1-inch lengths
1 medium-sized leek (white and light-green parts), coarsely chopped, washed and dried
10 cloves of garlic, peeled
6 sprigs flat-leaf parsley
2 bay leaves and 2 thyme sprigs
2 tablespoons tomato paste
3 quarts unsalted beef broth
Freshly ground white pepper
Celery Duo , for serving

preparation

1. Pour the wine into a large saucepan set over medium heat. When the wine is hot, carefully set it aflame. Let the flames die out, then increase the heat so that the wine boils; allow it to boil until it cooks down by half. Remove from the heat.
2. Center a rack in the oven and preheat to 350°F.
3. Warm the oil in a large, heavy, ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Season the ribs all over with salt and the crushed pepper. Dust half of the ribs with about 1 tablespoon flour. Then, when the oil is hot, slip the ribs into the pot and sear 4 to 5 minutes on each side, until well-browned. Transfer the ribs to a plate. Repeat with remaining ribs. Remove all but 1 tablespoon of the fat from the pot, lower the heat under the pot to medium and toss in the vegetables and herbs. Brown the vegetables lightly, 5 to 7 minutes, then stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add the wine, ribs and broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, cover tightly and place in the oven to braise for 2 1/2 hours or until the ribs are very tender. Every 30 minutes, skim and discard fat from the surface. (It's best to make the recipe to this point, cool and chill the ribs and broth in the pan overnight; scrape off the fat the next day. Rewarm before continuing.)
5. Carefully transfer the meat to a platter; keep warm. Boil the pan liquid until it has reduced to 1 quart. Season with salt and white pepper and pass through a fine strainer; discard the solids. (The ribs and sauce can be combined and kept covered in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. Reheat gently, basting frequently, on top of the stove or in a 350°F oven.)
6. To serve, spoon the celery root puree into the center of 8 plates and top each with a short rib. Cross 2 pieces of braised celery over each serving. Pour the sauce onto the plate around the puree.

Duck breasts with cherry-port sauce

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups fruity red wine, Shiraz, or Merlot
1 cup ruby port
One 1-1/4 -inch piece fresh ginger, peeled
1 Tbs. granulated sugar
1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. cornstarch
2 cups fresh sweet or sour cherries, pitted and halved (about 11 oz.)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbs. coarsely cracked black peppercorns
6 small or 3 large skin-on duck breasts (about 3 lb. total)
Garnish:
green peas
small oven brown potatoes

preparation

Put the wine, port, ginger, and sugar in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat as needed, and simmer until reduced by half, 8 to 12 minutes.

In a small bowl, mix the balsamic vinegar and cornstarch. Whisking constantly, add the cornstarch mixture to the wine mixture and simmer until slightly thickened, about 1 minute more. Discard the ginger. Reduce the heat to low, add the cherries, and simmer slowly until the cherries are warm, 1 to 2 additional minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Put the duck breasts on a work surface skin side up. Using a sharp knife, score the skin in a grid pattern, cutting just halfway through the thickness of the skin. Season the duck generously with salt. Scatter the cracked pepper on a small baking sheet and press the duck into the pepper, coating both sides evenly.

Heat a heavy-duty 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange the duck skin side down and cook until the skin is deep golden-brown and the fat from the skin has rendered, 6 to 8 minutes. Carefully spoon off and discard all but about 1 Tbs. of the fat. Turn the duck and continue to cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of a breast reads 135°F for medium rare, 4 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board, cover loosely with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, warm the sauce over very low heat. Cut each duck breast on the diagonal into 1/2-inch-thick slices and serve with the sauce.

Fillet of salmon with sorrel sauce

Serves: 8

Preparation time:20 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds salmon fillet, skinned and boned
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons shallots, finely chopped
1/4 cup dry vermouth
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 cup fresh fish stock
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon flour
2 tablespoons fresh sorrel, finely chopped
to taste, salt and freshly ground pepper
juice of half a lemon

preparation

Place the salmon fillet on a flat surface and cut on the bias, against the grain, into 8 slices of equal weight. Place the slices between sheets of freezer paper and gently flatten the salmon with a meat pounder, mallet, or a heavy skillet into thin scallopini.
Melt a tablespoon of butter in a saucepan and add the shallots. Cook for a minute over medium heat. Do not brown shallots. Add the vermouth and wine. Simmer to reduce by half, then add fish stock. Cook for about five minutes, and strain the liquid, through a fine sieve while pressing all solids with the back of a ladle to extract their juices. Discard all solids. Add the cream to the liquid and simmer for 5 minutes.
Blend the remaining tablespoon of butter with the flour. Add bits by bits to the simmering sauce while stirring with a whip. Add the sorrel and cook until wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the lemon juice. Keep sauce hot.
Using a non stick pan, cook the salmon pieces in the pan until golden on one side. Turn and cook on the other side for about a minute.
PRESENTATION
Spoon equal portions of the sauce in the center of hot plates. Place one piece of the cooked salmon in the center of the sauce. Serve immediately.

Fillets of salmon in potato crust

Serves: 4

Preparation time:40 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

The salmon fillets are wrapped in paper thin scale-like potato slices. A rich red wine sauce transforms this dish into a unique creation.

Ingredients

For the salmon in potato crust:
4 7-ounce salmon fillets, boned and skinned
to taste, salt, freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon chopped thyme
2 extra large baking potatoes, peeled
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 cup red wine sauce
4 small fresh thyme
1 tablespoon fresh chives, minced

preparation

Make each fillet as rectangle as possible (about 5 inches by 2 inches) by trimming off uneven edges with a sharp knife. Season the fillets with salt and pepper, and sprinkle them with thyme.
Cut the potatoes lengthwise into paper thin, long slices with a vegetable slicer on or a mandoline. Do not rinse the potato slices as the starch will help the wrapped slices stick together.
Place the potato slices on the working surface, overlapping the slices until they can be wrapped all around the fish. Season the slices of potato with salt.
Center the salmon fillet in the middle of the potato wrap and fold the edges of the potatoes over the salmon to enclose it entirely.
Since the potato slices are not washed, the starch discolors the potato rapidly. To avoid any discoloration, cook the wrapped salmon fillets immediately.
To cook the wrapped salmon fillet, melt the butter and oil in a nonstick frying pan over high heat. Add the fillet, with the potato seam side down, and sautè until golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes on each side.
While the first fillet is cooking proceed with more potato slices and wrap another fillet. Cook as soon as it is made. Continue with the remaining salmon fillets.
Transfer the wrapped salmon on a baking sheet. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Just before serving place the potato wrapped salmon in the oven for 5 minutes. Heat the red wine sauce. PRESENTATION
Place the wrapped fillets of salmon in the middle of 4 warm plates, and ladle the sauce around. Garnish with the thyme sprigs. Sprinkle the plates with minced chives.

Fried salmon steaks with white wine sauce

Serves: 4

Preparation time:30 minutes

Cooking time:25 minutes

Ingredients

6-8-ounce salmon steaks
to taste salt and ground white pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons butter
2 tablespoons shallots, chopped
1 1/2 cups dry white wine
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 tablespoon butter, softened
2 teaspoons flour

preparation

Wash the salmon steaks under cold running water. Pat dry. Season with salt and pepper.
Heat the oil and butter in a frying pan and cook the steaks over medium heat for 2 minutes on each side. Add the white wine and simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer the salmon steaks to a platter; cover with foil and reserve in a warm place.
Pour the cooking liquid in the frying pan into a medium saucepan. Add the heavy cream and boil for 5 minutes.
Combine the butter and flour in a small bowl. Mix well to form a paste. Drop pieces of the butter and flour mixture into the boiling liquid. Whisk until the sauce is smooth and medium thick. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Simmer the sauce over low heat for about 10 minutes.
PRESENTATION
Bone and skin the salmon steaks. Arrange on warm plates. Divide the sauce between each plate pouring the sauce over the salmon steaks. Serve at once.

Grilled pork chops with red onion marmalade

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

Ingredients

6 center cut pork chops
1 cup apple cider
1 teaspoon salt
3 cloves minced garlic
1 sprig chopped thyme
1 sprig chopped rosemary

RED ONION MARMALADE:

(marmalade may be made up to 2 days ahead).

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
10 cups red onions, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon brown sugar
to taste salt and white pepper
3/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 1/4 cups red wine

preparation

combine apple cider, kosher salt, garlic, thyme and rosemary in a glass bowl. Add pork chops and mix well with marinade. Marinate for 30 minutes to one hour, refrigerated.
Remove chops from the marinade and pat dry.
Broil or cook pork chops on an open grill for approximately 10 minutes, turning as needed. Serve with red onion marmalade.

RED ONION MARMALADE:

(marmalade may be made up to 2 days ahead).

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
10 cups red onions, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon brown sugar
to taste salt and white pepper
3/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 1/4 cups red wine

Heat olive oil in a large heavy bottomed saucepan and add the onions. Cook over medium heat until they begin to soften, about 10 minutes, then add the brown sugar and stir to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
Continue cooking over medium heat, stirring frequently, or bake in a 350 degree oven until the onions are golden soft and brown.
Add the vinegar and cook until it has completely evaporated, then add the red wine stirring the onions frequently to prevent sticking and burning. When the red wine has evaporated, taste and adjust the seasoning. Remove from heat and keep warm

Jellied beef

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Cooking time:4 hours

Ingredients

2 tablespoons canola oil
1 4-5- pound round or shoulder beef roast, trimmed of excess fat
2 yellow onions, coarsely chopped
3 carrots, coarsely chopped
5 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
5 whole cloves
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup red wine

1 1/2 quarts boiling beef stock
3 tablespoons unflavored gelatin
3 tablespoons carrots, peeled and cut into very small dice
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
3 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
lemon slices for garnish
shredded lettuce for garnish

preparation

Heat the oil in a large stockpot or dutch oven over high heat, add the meat, and turn to brown well on all sides.
Remove the meat and add the onions, chopped carrots, chopped garlic, parsley, cloves, thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the vegetables are soft and lightly colored , 10 to 15 minutes.
Return the meat to the pot and add the wine and just enough of the simmering stock to barely cover the beef.
Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the beef is very tender but not falling apart, about 3 hours. Remove from heat and cool the beef in the stock.
Remove the meat from the stock and shred or cut it into strips that are about 1/4 inch wide and 2 inches long; reserve.
Strain the stock into a bowl through several layers of cheesecloth; add to a pot and simmer for 10 minutes with the diced carrots, minced parsle and minced garlic.
In a large bowl, combine the shredded beef with 1 1/2 quarts of the stock and vegetables, the dissolved gelatin, Worcestershire, cayenne pepper, and salt to taste; mix well.
Dip the lemon slices into the mixture to coat with liquid, then arrange them on the bottom of a loaf pan 9 by 5 by 3 inches or a 2- quart mold. Pour in the beef mixture.
Cover tightly with plastic wrap and chill for at least 12 hours and as long as 2 days.
Before unmolding, scrape off any congealed fat that has formed on top.
Run a thin knife blade around the inside of the pan and briefly dip the bottom of the pan in a container of hot water for a few seconds to loosen the beef. Cover with a serving platter, invert and tap the pan all around to unmold.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Surround with the shredded lettuce just before serving. To serve, divide into inch-thick slices.

Lamb shanks braised in red wine

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Cooking time:3 hours

Ingredients

6 lamb shanks, about 1 1/4 pound each
to taste salt and pepper
3 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons crushed black peppercorns
2 bay leaves
8 cups vegetable stock or chicken stock
3 cups dry red wine
2 heads garlic, halved crosswise
4 ribs celery, cut into large dice
4 carrots, cut into large dice
1 large onion, peeled and cut into small wedges
1 cup mushrooms, thickly sliced

ROASTED GARLIC AND WHITE BEAN PUREE
Makes about 3 cups

1 1/2 cups dry Great Northern beans
1 onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 rib of celery, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 carrot, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 cloves of garlic (1 smashed and 1 minced) and 1 bay leaf
2 sprigs fresh thyme plus 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
6 cups chicken broth
Coarse salt and pepper, to taste
1/3 cup heavy cream

preparation

Heat oven to 425 degrees.
Season shanks with salt and pepper. In a large, high-sided oven proof pot, heat the oil until barely smoking.
Sear the shanks in batches until brown on all sides. Put all the shanks in the pot; add peppercorns, bay leaves, stock, wine, garlic, celery, carrots, onions and mushrooms.
Put the pot in the oven and cook until meat is tender, about 2 hours. (can be made a day ahead).
Remove the shanks, mushrooms and onions and set aside. Cover with foil.
Strain the braising liquid into a medium saucepan. Degrease carefully and simmer to reduce the cooking liquid to about one third.
Pour sauce over the shanks and vegetables.
Serve with roasted garlic and white bean puree.

ROASTED GARLIC AND WHITE BEAN PUREE

1. Soak the beans overnight. Or place beans in a pot, cover with cold water and bring to a boil over high heat; remove from heat and set aside, covered, for 1 hour.
2. Drain the beans; transfer to a 2-quart pot with the diced onion, celery, carrot, smashed garlic, bay leaf, thyme sprigs, 5 cups of broth, salt, and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat; simmer until beans are very tender, about 90 minutes. If the mixture becomes dry, add some of the remaining broth.
3. Drain the beans; discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Warm the beans in a pan over medium heat. Add the cream, thyme leaves, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Let simmer. Cook until the cream is reduced and is almost dry on the beans, about 4 to 5 minutes.
4. Puree the beans in a food processor. Adjust seasonings.

Leek and lobster linguine

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

The recipe is adapted from foodnetwork.ca/.

Ingredients

6 3-oz lobster tails
2 tablespoons (30 mL) butter
4 cups (1 L) leeks, sliced (white and light green portion only)
1 cup (250 mL) fennel, finely sliced
1 teaspoon (5 mL) garlic, chopped
½ teaspoon (2 mL) salt
¼ cup (60 mL) white wine
2 cups (500 mL) whipping cream
2 tablespoons (30 mL) tarragon, chopped
12 oz (350 grams) linguine

preparation

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF. Remove lobster from shells and clean. Pat dry and place on a baking sheet. Bake until opaque, about 7 min. Remove from oven and reserve.

2. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add leeks, fennel and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally until very tender, 10 to 12 min. Pour in wine and cook until evaporated. Add cream and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened but still saucy, about 5 min. Remove saucepan from heat.

3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine until just al dente, about 10 minutes. Scoop ½ cup (125ml) cooking water from the pot and reserve. Drain pasta.

4. Return saucepan to burner over medium heat. Stir in tarragon. Add linguine and stir well to coat. Add cooking water by the tablespoon to help the sauce coat the noodles. Add enough to make it very creamy.

5. Chop four lobster tails into bite-sized pieces and toss with the linguine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Divide among bowls.

6. Slice remaining lobster and place over the pasta. Garnish with more tarragon if desired.

Leg of lamb in red wine sauce

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

Ingredients

1 small leg of lamb (about 3 pounds)
1/2 teaspoon salt marinade (see below)
4 ounces lean fat back, diced
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 1/2 cups beef bouillon
1 ounce butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup red wine (preferably Pinot noir or Burgundy)
1 ounce flour

For marinade:
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 cup water
1 cup onion, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped leeks
1 teaspoon black or white peppercorns
1 teaspoon juniper berries
2 bay leaves
4 whole cloves
1 sprig fresh rosemary

preparation

Combine the marinade ingredients in a large plastic or non reactive container.
Trim the leg of lamb, remove the shank bone and rub with salt. Immerse in the marinade, and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days.
Turn the lamb once or twice to distribute marinade.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Cover the bottom of a cast iron stew pot with the fat back. Lay on the fat back, together with lemon zest, marinade, and bouillon.
Cover and place in the oven for 30 minutes.
In a medium saucepan, melt butter. Add flour, and whisk to make a roux.
Cook over medium heat to brown lightly. Allow to cool. Add red wine to roux and add to lamb. Mix to combine with all ingredients. Continue cooking lamb in oven for 20 minutes or until meat is tender.
Transfer lamb to serving platter. Cover and keep warm.
Add cream to sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Strain sauce through a china cab.
Slice lamb and arrange on a serving platter. Pour some sauce over. Serve remaining separately.
Oven brown potatoes are usually served with the dish.

Lemon chicken breast

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

Ina's favorite dish from her book Barefoot Contessa "how easy is that".

Ingredients

1/4 cup good olive oil
3 tablespoons minced garlic (9 cloves)
1/3 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 boneless chicken breasts, skin on (6 to 8 ounces each)
1 lemon

preparation

Preheat the oven to 400 F.
Warm the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add the garlic, and cook for just one minute — but don't allow the garlic to turn brown. Off the heat, add the white wine, lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, thyme and 1 teaspoon salt, and pour into a 9-by-12-inch baking dish.
Pat the chicken breasts dry and place them skin side up over the sauce. Brush the chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle them liberally with salt and pepper. Cut the lemon in eight wedges and tuck it among the pieces of chicken.
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts, until the chicken is done and the skin is lightly browned. If the chicken isn't browned enough, put it under the broiler for two minutes. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and serve hot with the pan juices.

Marinated mussels

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:7 minutes

Ingredients

6 pounds fresh cultured blue mussels
1 bay leaf
1 cup white wine
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 small hot pepper, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup shallots, chopped
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
1 small red pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced

Marinade
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup olive oil
1 dash black pepper

preparation

1. Rinse fresh blue mussels in tap water.
2. Place all ingredients (not the marinate ingredients) in a large sauce pan with a lid and steam for 5 to 7 minutes until fresh blue mussels are steamed.
3. Remove mussels, discarding any that do not open.
4. When cool, shuck mussels and place meats in a large serving dish.

Marinade
1. Combine ingredients in an air-tight container and shake vigorously to blend.
2. Pour over fresh blue mussels. 3. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Marinated onions

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time:8 minutes

Ingredients

For Marinade:
3/4 cup dry white wine
3/4 cup white vinegar
4 cups water
3 tablespoons oil
2 cloves garlic
4 small stems of parsley
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon chopped basil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 pound pearl onions, peeled
1 teaspoon chopped parsley

preparation

Combine all ingredients except the pearl onions and chopped parsley. Bring marinade ingredients to a boil.
Remove from heat and pour over onions. Cool. Refrigerate for 48 hours.
When ready to serve, sprinkle with chopped parsley.

Meringue pavlova

Serves: 8

Preparation time:20 minutes

Cooking time:3 hours

You can make the meringue a week ahead and store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place (though not in the freezer or refrigerator). Any humidity or moisture will soften the meringue.

Ingredients

6 egg whites
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 pt heavy whipping cream
1 Tbsp sugar
strawberries, blueberries, kiwi or your choice of fresh fruit

preparation

FOR MERINGUE SHELL:
In the mixing bowl of an electric mixer, combine the egg whites with cream of tartar and lemon juice and beat at high speed until soft peaks form, about 1 minute.
Continue beating, and gradually add the sugar, vanilla and cornstarch. Beat until very stiff, about 2 minutes.
Spoon the meringue mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a star tube. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
Pipe meringue onto the prepared baking sheet to form two 8-inch circles. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Place meringues in a 150 degree oven to dry, about 2 to 3 hours.
Store in a sealed container away from humidity. They keep for a week to 10 days.
Just before serving, beat the cream with the powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla until firm. Spread the whipped cream over the top of pavlova meringues and sprinkle cream with your choice of fruit. Sliced strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, raspberries, fresh pineapple, passionfruit or what you like. Do not add cream and fruit ahead of time as will make the meringue soggy.

Mushroom bourguignon with polenta

Serves: 4

Preparation time:20 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour

Meaty mushrooms simmered with wine and carrots make for a rich Bourguignon-style stew. Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian dish or beef broth.
You may also serve the Mushroom Bourguignon with noodles or mashed potatoes

Ingredients

4 tablespoons butter or extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
2 pounds mixed mushrooms, such as portobello, shiitake or oyster, cut into 1-inch chunks
2 cups peeled pearl onions
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 medium onion peeled and diced
2 carrots, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup dry red wine (Pinot noir, or Beaujolais)
1 ½ cups beef, mushroom or vegetable broth
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped
1 bay leaf
Polenta for serving
Chopped parsley, for serving

preparation

Heat 2 tablespoons butter or oil to a large Dutch oven or pot. Cook the mushrooms until they are brown. You might have to do this in batches. Use a slotted spoon to transfer mushrooms to a large bowl and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Add another 2 tablespoons butter and brown the onions, seasoning them as you go. Transfer to bowl with mushrooms.
Reduce heat to medium-low. Add another tablespoon butter or oil to pan. Add sliced carrots and minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute longer. Stir in tomato paste and flour and then add wine, broth, soy sauce, thyme and bay leaf, scraping up the brown bits at bottom of pot.
Add reserved cooked mushrooms and pearl onions back to the pot and bring to a simmer. Partly cover the pot and simmer on low heat until carrots and onions are tender and sauce is thick, 20 to 30 minutes. Taste and add season if needed. Discard the bay leaf.
Serve mushroom Bourguignon over polenta, topped with parsley.

Mushrooms a la grecque greek style mushrooms

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

If mushrooms are not small, cut in halves or quarters.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds tinyl white mushrooms
1/2 cup olive oil
5 ounces chopped onions
juice of 1 lemon
1/2 cup white wine
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 sprig thyme
6 parsley stems
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1 teaspoon peppercorns
2 bay leaves

preparation

Clean mushrooms, rinse in water, drain.
In a medium pot, combine oil and chopped onions. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add mushrooms. Add lemon juice, tomato paste and white wine.
Combine herbs and spices in a cheese cloth.
Add to mushrooms. Cover and simmer for 5-6 minutes. Uncover. Transfer to a bowl. Chill.

Mussel and cauliflower velouté

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 35 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

A recipe by Chef Daniel Boulud

Ingredients

3 lbs fresh mussels
3 tablespoons (42g) butter
3 cups (about 2 small/100g each) sliced onions
2 sprigs thyme
3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
2 bay leaves
1 ½ quarts (1.5L) vegetable or Chicken Stock
2 cups (480ml) dry white wine
½ tablespoon (0.25g) saffron threads
2 heads (3lb/1.3kg) cauliflower, woody stems removed, cut into small florets
1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
1 cup (240g) crème fraîche
Salt and freshly ground white pepper
2 cups ¼-inch (0.5cm) cubed white bread, toasted
½ bunch chives, cut in batons

preparation

Discard any mussels that are cracked or open and will not close with a tap on the counter.
Place the rest in a large container and cover with cold water for 20 minutes to filter out any sand. Lift the mussels from the water, leaving all the sand behind. Remove the beards by grasping them with a dry towel and pulling toward the hinges of the shells. Scrub the mussels under cold running water.
Heat 1 tablespoon (14g) of the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add half of the onions, thyme, garlic, and bay leaves and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes.
Add 2 cups (480ml) of the stock and the wine and bring to a boil. Toss in the mussels, cover, and simmer until the mussels open. Drain the mussels through a cheesecloth-lined colander set over a bowl and reserve the liquid for the soup.
Pick the mussels from the shells, place in a shallow container, and cover with enough cooking liquid to keep them moist. (At this point the mussels and cooking liquid can be reserved, chilled, overnight.)
In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons (28g) butter over medium heat. Add the remaining onion, thyme, garlic, and bay leaf and the saffron threads and cook, stirring, until the onions are translucent.
Add the cauliflower and cook, stirring, for another 5 minutes. Add the reserved cooking liquid and the remaining chicken stock. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes, or until the cauliflower is very tender. Add the heavy cream and crème fraîche and bring to a simmer. Discard the bay leaf and thyme and transfer the mixture to a blender (you will need to do this in batches). Puree until smooth and season with salt and pepper. Return to the pan, bring to a simmer, and stir in the mussels just before serving.
Serve, garnishing with the toasted bread and chives.

Mussel and scallop soup

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

Ingredients

2 pounds mussels
2 cups white wine
1 teaspoon shallots, chopped
1 teaspoon saffron
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
2 cups chicken broth
2 teaspoons butter
2 teaspoons flour
1 cup cream
salt and white pepper to taste

8 ounces scallops
1 ounce butter
1 teaspoon lemon juice

preparation

Scrub mussels under cold running water. Heat wine in a large pot. Add mussels. Cover pot and steam for about 5 minutes, or until mussels are opened.
Strain cooking liquid through cheese cloth. Save. Remove mussels from shells. Reserve for garnish.
In a medium saucepan, add mussel broth, shallots, onion, saffron, parsley and chicken broth. Simmer for 10 minutes. Combine butter and flour to a paste.
Whip in the cooking liquid to thicken. Add cream and seasoning. Add mussels.
Saute scallops in butter and lemon juice until transparent. Dice the scallops and cooking liquid to soup together with mussels.
Heat soup and serve hot.

Mussel pasta salad

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

Ingredients

Serves 6

3 pounds mussels
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 pound fettuccine
6 large celery stalks, diced
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 tablespoon fresh basil
1 teaspoon fresh chives
1/2 cup aioli sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
2 large Italian tomatoes, peeled and diced

preparation

Combine mussels and wine in heavy medium saucepan. Cover and cook over high heat, shaking pan occasionally, until mussels open. Remove mussels using slotted spoon. (Discard any that do not open.)
Let cooking liquid stand 15 minutes. Shell mussels. Strain cooking liquid through fine sieve lined with dampened cheesecloth. Gradually whish cooking liquid into aioli.
Cook fettuccini in salted boiling water according to directions. Drain and cool. Combine fettuccine, celery, herbs and aioli in a bowl.
Toss until blended. Season with salt and pepper. Gently stir in mussels and tomatoes. Serve salad at room temperature.

Mussel soup

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:25 minutes

Ingredients

preparation

Scrub mussels under cold running water.
Heat wine in a large pot. Add mussels. Cover pot and steam for about 5 minutes, or until mussels are opened.
Strain cooking liquid through cheese cloth. Save.
Remove mussels from shells.
Reserve for garnish.
In a medium saucepan, add mussel broth, shallots, onion, saffron, parsley and chicken broth.
Simmer for 10 minutes.
Combine butter and flour to a paste. Whip in the cooking liquid to thicken. Add cream and seasoning. Add mussels. Heat soup, and serve hot.

Mussel soup trois gros

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:25 minutes

Ingredients

4 pounds fresh mussels
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon chopped shallots
1/4 cup olive oil
5 ounces diced carrots
5 ounces chopped onion
2 medium leek whites, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 ounces tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1/2 teaspoon saffron
1 quart fish fumet
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper

preparation

Wash and scrub mussels, remove beards, and discard dead open mussels.
In a heavy, deep pot, combine the wine and shallots. Bring to a boil. Add the mussels, cover the pot, and steam until all mussels are open, tossing occasionally. Strain cooking liquid.
Take mussels out of shells. In the same pot, heat the oil. Add the mirepoix (carrots, onion, leeks)and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, chopped tomatoes, and saffron.
Pour in the fish fumet and mussel cooking liquid. Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes.
Before serving, stir the cream, mussels, and thyme into the soup. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Mussels and spaghetti

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

Ingredients

3 pounds fresh mussels
1 bay leaf
6 peppercorns
2 whole cloves
1/4 cup dry white wine
3 quarts water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound spaghetti
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
1 cup stewed tomatoes
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon white pepper

preparation

Scrub mussels under cold water. Remove beards and drain. In a large saucepan or kettle add mussels, bay leaf, peppercorns, cloves, and wine. Cover and bring to a boil. Cook over high heat until mussels open, 4 to 6 minutes. Strain mussels. Remove from shells. Save broth.
Cook spaghetti in boiling water for 6 minutes. Drain. Heat oil in a large skillet. Add garlic and cook briefly, stirring, but do not brown.
Add tomatoes, broth and spaghetti. Cook, stirring often until spaghetti are done. Add mussels. Stir and heat for a moment. Add basil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss and serve hot.

Mussels mariniere

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

the national dish of Belgium! Mussels or moules are usually cooked or steamed and served with frites-Fench fries.

Ingredients

5 pounds fresh mussels
2 ounces butter
2 ounces chopped shallots
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 1/2 cups dry white wine

preparation

Clean and wash mussels under cold running water and debeard.
Heat the butter in a kettle. Add shallots and cook for 5 minutes. Add half of the parsley, pepper, wine, and mussels.
Cover and steam until mussels open.
Serve in soup bowls with the strained cooking liquid. Sprinkle with remaining chopped parsley.

Mussels with leeks saffron and cream

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
2 large leeks, washed and thinly sliced
4 dozens mussels, scrubbed, debearded
1 cup dry white wine
8 parsley sprigs
10 saffron threads, crushed
1/2 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced

preparation

Melt butter in large heavy deep skillet. Add leeks and saute until tender.
Combine mussels, wine and parsley sprigs in Dutch oven. Cover and cook over high heat until mussels open. Transfer mussels to a bowl, discarding any that do not open.
Strain mussel juice into skillet containing leeks. Add saffron and cream; boil until reduced to sauce consistency. Stir in minced parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
Add mussels and any remaining juices to skillet. Stir and heat through.

Old fashion beef stew

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:2 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons canola oil
2 pounds boneless beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 chopped shallots
2 tablespoons flour
1 quart beef stock
1 1/2 cups dry red wine
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 cloves minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried savory
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
4 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 sliced carrots
20 small white onions, peeled
1/4 cup canola oil
8 ounces fresh mushrooms, cut into quarters
chopped parsley for garnish

preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees In a heavy casserole, heat butter and oil. Brown beef with shallots.
Add flour, cook to brown, then mix in beef stock and wine. Bring to a boil.
Season with salt, and pepper. Add tomato paste, garlic, savory and thyme.
Cover casserole and bake for 2 hours.
Add carrots and potatoes to stew 1/2 hour before meat is cooked. Blanch white onions in boiling water. Drain.
Heat oil in a frying pan.
Fry onions and mushrooms until brown and tender.
Add to stew when meat is tender. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.

Oysters and caviar

Serves: 6

Preparation time:30 minutes

Cooking time:25 minutes

Ingredients

30 scrubbed oysters
4 ounces butter
1 cup dry white wine
3 chopped shallots
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 cup heavy cream
12 small clean leek whites
6 ounces beluga caviar

preparation

Open the oysters and reserve bottom shells. Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the wine, oysters, oyster juice, shallots, salt and pepper. Boil for 2 minutes. Strain. Reserve the oysters. Reduce the cooking liquid by half.
Add one half of the cream, and continue cooking to thicken the liquid. Cut the leeks into julienne. Blanch and cook in the remaining cream. Place an oyster in each shell. Spoon some of the leek mixture over each oyster. Top with the reduced sauce . Spoon caviar over each oyster just before serving.

Pan-seared cod fillets in white wine and tamato basil sauce

Serves: 4

Preparation time:15 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

Ingredients

For the White Wine Tomato Basil Sauce:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3 large cloves garlic, finely minced
1 cup Marinara sauce or tomato sauce
1 cup diced peeled tomatoes
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
salt to taste
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

For the Cod:
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 - 6 ounce fillets fresh cod
Salt and pepper

preparation

For the White Wine Tomato Basil Sauce:Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add crushed red pepper flakes and garlic and saute for 1 minute, or until garlic is fragrant. Add the tomato sauce, diced peeled tomatoes and the white wine. Cook 9 to 12 minutes, stirring over low heat. Stir in the basil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, sugar, and pepper and cook for 2 minutes. Transfer the sauce into a bowl and set aside until needed. For the Cod:Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Pat the cod dry with paper towels. Then season both sides of cod with salt and pepper. Place cod in the oil and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Carefully flip the cod over and continue cooking for another 3 to 4 minutes, OR until it's cooked through. Pour the white wine tomato basil sauce over the cod, let the sauce warm up for a minute, then remove from heat and and serve at once.

Pasta with summer vegetables

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound fusilli or rotini
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cups small zucchini (quartered lengthwise and sliced)
1 clove garlic, minced
4 cups chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup white wine
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh marjoram
salt and pepper to taste
freshly grated Parmesan cheese

preparation

Cook pasta in salted boiling water until tender but firm; drain and keep hot.
Meanwhile, in large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add zucchini and garlic; cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add tomatoes and wine, cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes or until sauce thickens.
Stir in herbs; simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Toss sauce with hot pasta. Serve immediately, with Parmesan cheese for sprinkling on top.

Peach custard ice cream with fresh peach compote

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Cooking time:5 minutes

Ingredients

Ice Cream
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1 cup half and half
3/4 cup sugar
5 large egg yolks
1 pound peaches, peeled, sliced
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Compote:
4 large peaches, peeled, sliced
1/2 cup orange Muscat wine
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

preparation

For Ice Cream:
Bring 1 cup cream, half and half, and 1/2 cup sugar just to simmer in medium saucepan.
Whisk yolks; gradually whisk in cream mixture. Return mixture to saucepan. Stir over medium heat until custard thickens, about 4 minutes (do not boil). Strain into bowl.
Refrigerate custard until cold, about 3 hours.
Place peaches, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup sugar in medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until peaches are heated through, about 4 minutes. Mash to coarse puree. Cool completely. Stir into custard along with vanilla and 1/2 cup cream. Process custard in ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions.
For Compote:
Mix all ingredients. Let stand 10 minutes and up to 1 hour, tossing occasionally. Serve ice cream with compote.
Adapted from Bon Appétit August 2002

Pears vigneronne

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

Ingredients

6 ripe pears
2 cups dry white wine
1/2 cup sugar
1 lemon
1 stick cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup orange marmalade
1/4 cup apricot jam

preparation

Peel and core the pears.
Cut them into quarters. Place the pears in a saucepan and add the wine and sugar.
Peel the lemon and cut the peel into very fine julienne strips. Reserve the lemon for another use. Add the peel to the saucepan.
Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, or until pears are tender.
Transfer the pears and the lemon peel to a serving dish. Bring the liquid in the saucepan to the boil and add the remaining ingredients.
Bring to the boil and cook for about 10 minutes or until liquid is reduced to half.
Pour the sauce over the pears. Let cool and chill.

Penne in cream sauce and sausage

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
1 cup dry white wine
1 14-ounce can diced peeled tomatoes with juices
1 cup whipping cream
6 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley
1 pound penne pasta
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

preparation

Melt butter with oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until golden brown and tender, about 7 minutes.
Add sausage and sauté until golden brown and cooked through, breaking up with back of spoon, about 7 minutes.
Drain any excess drippings from skillet. Add wine to skillet and boil until almost all liquid evaporates, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes with juices and simmer 5 minutes. Add cream and simmer until sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Stir in 4 tablespoons parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Remove from heat. (Sauce can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite.
Drain pasta; transfer to large bowl. Bring sauce to simmer. Pour sauce over pasta. Add 1/2 cup cheese and toss to coat. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese and 2 tablespoons parsley.

Poached pears in red wine

Serves: 6

Preparation time:20 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

Ingredients

6 ripe pears
2 cups red wine
1/2 cup sugar
1 lemon
1 stick cinnamon
3 whole cloves
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

preparation

Peel and core the pears. Cut them into quarters.
Place the pears in a saucepan and add the wine and sugar. Peel the lemon and cut the peel into very fine julienne strips. Reserve the lemon for another use.
Add the peel to the saucepan with cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, or until pears are tender.
Transfer the pears and the lemon peel to a serving dish.
Bring the liquid in the saucepan to the boil.
Reduce to half or until liquid becomes syrupy. Pour the sauce over the pears.
Let cool and chill.

Pompano captiva

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

Ingredients

2 pounds pompano fillets
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
8 ounces shrimp quenelle forcemeat
1 tablespoon chopped shallots
5 ounces dry white wine
5 ounces fish stock
6 ounces sliced mushrooms
1 ounce beurre manié
3 ounces heavy cream
2 tablespoon lemon juice
1 pound diced canned tomatoes
1 ounce butter

preparation

Flatten pompano fillets with a mallet. Season with salt and pepper.
Spread quenelle forcemeat over half of each pompano fillet and fold other half over.
Butter baking pan. Sprinkle with shallots. Arrange fillets on top in one layer.
Add wine and fish stock. Arrange mushrooms on top of fish. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer fillets onto serving platter.
Reduce cooking liquid by one third. Stir in beurre manié and cream. Reduce to a medium consistency. Add lemon juice. Season to taste. Saute tomatoes in butter.
Arrange around pompano. Pour sauce over fish. Serve hot.

Pompano papillottes

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

Ingredients

2 pounds pompano fillets, boned and skinned
4 ounces butter
1/2 cup white wine
salt, ground white pepper to taste
2 ounces sherry wine
6 ounces cooked shrimp, sliced
6 ounces crabmeat
2 cups cream sauce
1 dash Tabasco

preparation

Melt half of the butter in a sauté pan. Add scallions. Place pompano fillets on top. Cover, and steam for 3 to 5 minutes. Add the white wine, sherry, salt, and pepper.
Cook until pompano is firm. Transfer fish to a pan and keep warm. To the same pan, add the cooked sliced shrimp and crabmeat. Stir in the sauce. Bring to a boil. Adjust seasonings.
Cut the parchment paper into six heart shapes, about 14 inches (35 cm ) wide. Oil one side of paper.
Place two tablespoons of seafood on right side of hearts. Top each with pompano, 2 tablespoons of sauce and fold left half of heart. Roll edges to seal.
Bake in a 400 degree oven until bags puff. Serve hot with remaining cream sauce.

Pompano with mango beurre blanc

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:25 minutes

Ingredients

6 fillets of pompano, boned
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup flour
6 ounces butter
3 ounces oil

For mango beurre blanc:

3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
3 tablespoons dry white wine
2 tablespoons shallots, finely chopped
1 tablespoon heavy cream
4 ounces unsalted butter, cold
salt and ground white pepper to taste
1 tablespoon orange juice
2 tablespoons puréed mango

preparation

Skin the pompano fillets. Wash under cold running water. Season with salt and pepper on both sides. Dredge in flour.
Heat 2 ounces of the butter and oil in a large skillet and brown the fish. Turn the pompano and cook until the flesh is tender. Arrange the fillets on a serving platter. Keep hot.

Mango beurre blanc:
In a small heavy pan, boil the vinegar, wine and shallots until all liquid is reduced. Add the cream, and re-boil until completely reduced.
Whisk in the cold butter, a few pieces at the time. The sauce thickens and becomes creamy. Stir in the orange juice and mango puree.
Note:
do not overheat the sauce, as the sauce separates and loses its creamy texture. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Keep the sauce warm over a pan of warm water. Serve as soon as possible.

Pork and winter squash stew

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 3/4 cups low-sodium nonfat chicken broth
2 large onions, coarsely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 bay leaves
2/3 cup dry white wine
1-28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks (3 cups)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
Couscous for serving

preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Season the pork with salt and pepper. In a large oven proof casserole, heat 1/2 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add half of the pork and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
Transfer the pork to a plate. Repeat with another 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil and the remaining pork. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, boil the chicken broth until reduced to 1 cup, about 10 minutes. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the casserole. Add the onions and cook, stirring until softened. Stir in the garlic, cumin, crushed red pepper and bay leaves and cook over moderate heat for 1 minute. Add the wine and boil until reduced by half. Stir in the tomatoes, chicken broth and the pork.
Bring to a simmer, cover, then transfer to the oven and bake for 1 hour. Return the casserole to the top of the stove and add the butternut squash to the stew; cook over moderate heat until the squash is tender, about 20 minutes. Discard the bay leaves from the stew. Stir in half of the cilantro and sprinkle the rest on top. Spoon the stew on plates and serve with couscous.

Pork spareribs

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

4 pounds pork spareribs
1 large onion, chopped
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cups ketchup
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 cup chili sauce
1/2 cup hot chili sauce
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar

preparation

Cut spare ribs into small portions. Place in a large pot of cold water. Boil over medium heat for about 40 minutes or until meat is tender. In a medium saucepan, heat oil. Add onion and garlic. Stir until lightly brown. Add remaining ingredients.
Simmer sauce for 15 minutes.
Drain spareribs. Wash and line in a baking tray lined with foil. Arrange ribs over foil.
Spoon half of sauce over ribs. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Turn ribs, brush with remaining sauce.
Continue baking at 350 degrees.
Serve with fried rice or small oven browned red potatoes.

Pork tenderloin with raisin sauce

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour

Ingredients

1/2 cup raisins
1 cup dry red wine
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 cups low salt chicken broth
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 8- to 10-ounce pork tenderloins
1 cup chopped onion
6 shallots, peeled and minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter

preparation

Place raisins in wine in a small saucepan and let stand for 1 hour or refrigerated overnight.
Add brown sugar and 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar to raisin mixture. Boil over high heat until liquid is reduced to 1 tablespoon. Add chicken broth and continue to boil until mixture is reduced by half. (Can be prepared up to 2 days ahead of time.)
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Heat olive oil in a heavy, large oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Add tenderloins, and cook until browned on bottom. Add onions and shallots and continue to cook until pork is brown on all sides ans onions are tender. (About 6-8 minutes). Next add garlic. Place skillet in oven and cook pork until meat is done, about 5 minutes.
Transfer pork to platter. Add the raisin mixture to skillet. Boil, scraping up any brown bits in the skillet. Add remaining balsamic vinegar. Boil sauce for a minute.
Remove from heat and whisk in the butter. Season with salt and pepper. Slice pork and serve with sauce.

Provencale braised beef casserole

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 40 minutes

Cooking time:3 hours 30 minutes

Can be prepared 2 days ahead.
The leftover meat is also delicious served cold the next day with a green salad.

Ingredients

5 ounces pork, back fat sliced 1/8 inch thick
2 1/2 pounds braising beef such as top round or top sirloin
MARINADE:
2 medium onions, sliced
2 medium carrots, sliced
1 tomato, quartered
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 bouquet Garni
20 peppercorns, crushed
3 cups dry red wine
3 tablespoons Cognac

3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
5 ounces bacon, diced
2 tablespoons flour
1 pound tomatoes, skinned, seeded and chopped
salt
6 ounces black olives, preferably Niçoise or Kalamata, stoned .

.

preparation

Cut the back fat into small strips 3 mm (1/8 inch) wide and 2.5 cm (1 inch) long.
Make deep incisions all over the surface of the beef and insert the back fat.
Prepare the marinade:
combine all of the ingredients except the olive oil in a non-aluminium container.
Immerse the beef in the liquid and drizzle the olive oil over the surface. Leave to marinate for at least 12 hours.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Remove the beef from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Strain the marinade reserving the vegetables and bouquet garni; drain well. Reserve the marinade.
Heat the vegetable oil in a cast iron casserole over high heat. Add the meat and brown on all sides.
Remove the meat from the pan; set aside. Add the diced bacon to the pan and brown it.
Then add the reserved vegetables and cook until golden. Sprinkle with the flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
Add the marinade and stir to blend. Return the meat to the pan, along with the tomatoes, the bouquet garni and a pinch of salt. Add a little water if necessary to cover the meat.
Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and place in the oven for about 3 hours, turning the meat every hour, until it is very tender when pierced with the point of a knife.
Do not allow the liquid to boil. If the olives are salty, simmer in water for 2 minutes.
Drain and refresh under cold water. When the meat is tender, remove it from the pan and cover with a warm damp tea towel, to prevent it from drying out.
Discard the bouquet garni. Skim the fat from the cooking liquid. Add the olives to the pan and cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens slightly. Adjust the seasoning.
To serve, carve the beef into thin slices. Arrange overlapping slices on a deep serving platter.
Spoon the vegetables and sauce over the beef

Provençale fish soup

Serves: 6

Preparation time:30 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

Other white firm fish may be used for this recipe.

Ingredients

1 pound grouper, cod, or halibut fillet
2 teaspoons saffron
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon Aromat seasoning
2 medium chopped shallots
1 small diced white leek
1 large minced garlic clove
1 14 ounce can tomatoes
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 quarts fish stock
1/2 teaspoon seafood seasoning
4 ounces roux
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
croutons

preparation

Cut the grouper or halibut fillet into small cubes. Season with1/2 of the saffron, 1/2 of the olive oil, and Aromat seasoning.
Pour the remaining olive oil in a heavy bottom soup pot. Add shallots, leek, and garlic and sauté over low heat. Stir in the remaining saffron and the chopped tomatoes. Add the wine, fish stock, and sea food seasoning.
Whisk in the roux to slightly thicken the soup. Allow to simmer for 20 minutes. Season with salt, pepper and Tabasco sauce.
A few minutes before serving, add diced grouper. Simmer the soup for 5 minutes. Serve in soup plates or cups with croutons.

Prunes poached in red wine

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 2 hours

Cooking time:15 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 pound pitted prunes
Boiling water to cover
2 cups red wine, not too tannic (something light and fruity like a Beaujolais or a pinot noir)
1/4 cup mild honey, such as clover
1 vanilla bean, cut in half lengthwise
1 cinnamon stick
2 strips orange or lemon zest

preparation

1.Place prunes in a bowl and pour on boiling water to cover. Let sit for 5 minutes, and drain.
2.Combine wine and honey in a medium saucepan. Using the tip of a paring knife, scrape seeds from the vanilla bean halves into wine and add pods. Add cinnamon stick and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 5 minutes.
3.Add prunes to simmering wine and bring back to a simmer. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add orange or lemon zest. Cover and let sit for at least 2 hours before serving.
Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

Red wine sauce

Serves: 6

Preparation time:15 minutes

Cooking time:30 minutes

Ingredients

2 ounces butter
1 small minced carrot
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1 bay leaf
4 parsley stems
1 pound fish bones
2 teaspoons crushed peppercorns
2 cups red wine
1 cup fish stock or vegetable bouillon
1 teaspoon Knorr seafood stock mix

preparation

Melt the butter in a heavy-bottom saucepan. Add the carrot and onion, and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Add the thyme, bay leaf, parsley stems, fish bones and peppercorns.
Cover and steam for 10 minutes over medium heat. Pour off the excess butter. Add the wine and fish stock.
Reduce over medium heat for 10 minutes. Season with Knorr seafood stock mix. Bring the sauce to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
Strain the sauce through a fine strainer, pressing the bones to extract all the sauce.
Serve this sauce with baked and poached salmon.

Rhubarb and red wine jelly

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

Ingredients

8 ounces rhubarb, cut into cubes
1-inch piece ginger root, peeled and sliced
2 ounces sugar
4 teaspoons lemon juice juice of 1 orange
1 1/2 cups red wine
2 tablespoons water
3 teaspoons unflavored gelatin

preparation

In a saucepan, put rhubarb, ginger, and sugar, lemon juice and orange juice, and wine.
Boil and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until rhubarb is tender.
Strain mixture through a medium mesh strainer, then through a fine strainer to obtain a clear liquid.
Dissolve gelatin in water. Set for 5 minutes. Melt over low heat. Stir in the rhubarb liquid.
Pour mixture into a 2 1/2 pint jelly mold. Refrigerate until set. Dip mold in warm water and invert over a platter to unmold.

Roast tenderloin with mushroom onion and red wine sauce

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

2 cups dry red wine
1 cup Tawny port wine
2 cups canned beef broth
3 tablespoons butter
12 ounces onions, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
1 pound mushrooms (shitake and crimini) thickly sliced
1 tablespoon flour
2 1/2 pounds beef tenderloin, trimmed
1 tablespoon olive oil

preparation

In a large pot, Boil wine, Port and broth until reduced to 4 cups. Melt butter in skillet.
Add onions and sauté until tender. Mix in thyme and sauté until onions are deep brown.
Transfer onions to bowl. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in same skillet. Add mushrooms and sauté until tender.
Return onions to skillet. Add flour and stir 3 minutes. Stir mushroom mixture into reduced wine mixture.
Simmer until thickened and reduced to 3 cups, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Season with salt and pepper.
Preheat oven to 400degrees. Rub meat with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
Place beef in a large roasting pan. Brown evenly on top of stove. Roast until meat thermometer inserted into center of beef registers 125 degrees F. for rare , about 25 minutes.
Remove from oven and cover with foil, let stand for 10 to 15 minutes. Slice beef on a cutting board.
Arrange on serving platter.
Pour juices from roasts into sauce. Heat sauce and serve with beef.

Roast tenderloin with red wine shallot sauce

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

Ingredients

For the sauce:
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups sliced shallots
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
1 bay leaf
4 cups beef broth
2 cups dry red wine
1/4 cup brandy

For tenderloin:
2 2-pounds beef tenderloin pieces, trimmed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
4 cloves minced garlic
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

preparation

Sauce:
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic; sauté until golden, about 15 minutes. Add flour and herbs, and stir one minute. Pour in broth, wine and brandy. Mix well and boil the sauce until it is reduced to 2 cups, about 20 minutes. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Refrigerate.)
Tenderloins:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine oil, thyme, garlic, salt and pepper. Spread mixture evenly over all sides of tenderloins.
Place beef in a large roasting pan. Brown evenly on top of stove. Roast until meat thermometer inserted into center of beef registers 125 degrees F. for rare, about 25 minutes. Remove roasts from oven and cover with foil, let stand for 10 to 15 minutes.
Slice beef on a cutting board. Arrange on serving platter. Pour juices from roasts into sauce. Heat sauce and serve with beef.

Roasted salmon with creamy endives

Serves: 4

Preparation time:30 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

Ingredients

Four 6-oz (175-g) salmon filets, skin on
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 teaspoon chopped thyme
2 tablespoons butter
4 Belgian endives, sliced lengthwise into quarters
½ teaspoon sugar
¼ cup white wine
½ cup chicken stock
¾ cup whipping cream
½ cup grated French Comté cheese or gruyere
2 tablespoons chopped parsley

preparation

Preheat oven to 450 F.
Rub salmon with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and thyme.
Heat butter in an oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Add endive and sprinkle with sugar. Cook on each side until lightly browned, about 4 minutes.
Top with salmon, place skillet in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until white juices begin to appear and salmon is just cooked through. Move salmon and endives to a serving dish and keep warm.
Add wine to pan and bring to boil. Boil until wine is reduced to 2 tablespoons, scraping any bits from base of pan. Add stock and reduce by half. Add cream and boil until slightly thickened. Remove skillet from heat and stir in cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over salmon and endive and sprinkle with parsley.

Rosemary chicken salad

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts halves
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup dry white wine
3 scallions, thinly sliced
1 celery rib, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1/2 red pepper, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon rosemary, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco

preparation

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Cook until browned. Add the wine.
Cover and simmer until the chicken is cooked through. Drain and let cool.
Cut the chicken into 1/2-inch cubes and transfer to large bowl. Stir in the scallions, celery and red pepper.
Combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, remaining 1 teaspoon oil, the garlic, rosemary and Tabasco. Combine dressing and chicken mixture and toss to coat.
Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate 15 minutes to 4 hours.
This salad may be served as a sandwich on thickly sliced white bread.

Sauce beurre blanc

Serves: 8

Preparation time:15 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

Serve this sauce over broiled, poached and baked fish and shellfish.

Ingredients

1 cup dry white wine
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons finely chopped shallots
2 1/4 cups heavy cream
3/4 pound butter, cut into cubes
to taste salt and pepper
lemon juice

preparation

In a medium saucepan, combine wine, vinegar and shallots. Reduce over high to approximately 1/2 cup. Add cream and bring to a boil and reduce to a sauce consistency.
The sauce should coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and stir in the butter in small batches.
Season with salt, white pepper and lemon juice.

Sautéed chicken breast with whole grain mustard and sage

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Cooking time:25 minutes

Ingredients

4 boneless chicken breast halves, with skin (about 1 1/4 pounds)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Flour, for dredging
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 to 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup white wine
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
8 medium whole fresh sage leaves, plus more for garnish
1 1/2 tablespoons whole grain mustard

preparation

Preheat a large skillet over medium-heat, for about 1 minute. Pat the chicken dry, and season the skin-side with salt and pepper. Spread flour onto a plate and lightly dredge the chicken in the flour to coat. Shake off the excess flour. Add the oil to the pan. Lay the chicken skin side down into the pan and saute over high heat for 1 minute. Lower the heat to medium-high and cook the chicken until browned, about 3 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon butter to the pan. Turn the breasts over and cook for another 5 to 8 minutes, or until firm to the touch. Remove chicken from the pan to a plate and keep warm while you make the sauce.

Add the white wine to the pan, and with a wooden spoon, scrape up the browned bits that have collected on the pan.
Cook the wine until syrupy over high heat, about 3 minutes. Add the chicken broth, the sage, and reduce the sauce by 1/4 or until thickened. Off the heat, whisk in 1 to 3 tablespoons butter and the mustard, to enrich, flavor, and thicken the sauce. Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Pour the sauce onto a serving platter or divide among 4 plates, put chicken on the sauce, and serve.

Chef's Note: For a cream sauce add 2 to 4 tablespoons cream to the sauce after the broth has reduced.

Seared chicken breast with red onion vinaigrette

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

Ingredients

1 teaspoon + 1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup finely diced red onion
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
to taste salt and freshly ground pepper
2 cups chicken stock
3/4 cup red burgundy wine
1 tablespoon canned tomato puree
2 cloves garlic
1 bouquet garni
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
3 whole boneless chicken breasts, skin on
1 tablespoon coarsely cracked black pepper
1 teaspoon corn oil

preparation

Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in small sauté pan.
Add the onion. Saute until well browned and caramelized. Stir in thyme, salt and pepper. Set aside.
Combine stock, wine, tomato puree, garlic, and sachet (see note below).
Bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer 25 minutes or until liquid is reduced to 3/4 cup.
Remove from heat and discard sachet. Pour liquid into a heat proof bowl. Allow to slightly cool. Alternately whisk in 1/2 cup olive oil and vinegar until emulsified.
Stir in caramelized onion. Keep warm in top half of double-boiler over hot water until ready to serve.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Split chicken in half and trim off any cartilage or bone.
Generously season with salt and cracked pepper. Heat corn oil in large oven proof saute pan. When hot , add chicken, skin side down. Cook for 5 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and place over low heat. Add the vinaigrette and baste to coat. When well coated and cooked, serve with vinaigrette served over top.

Sachet:
bunch of parsley stems about the size of your little finger, 10 peppercorns, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, and 2 bay leaves tied in cheesecloth bag.

Sesame chicken

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

Ingredients

1/4 tablespoon sugar
1/3 tablespoon soy sauce
1/4 tablespoon dry sherry wine
2 teaspoons wine vinegar
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon minced ginger
1 clove minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

4 chicken breasts
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 medium red pepper, cut into strips
1 tablespoon sliced scallion
1 tablespoon shredded red cabbage
2 teaspoons sesame seeds
8 ounces spinach noodles

preparation

To make the marinade combine the first 8 ingredients.
Cut the boneless chicken breasts into 1/2 inch wide strips. Add to marinade. Cover and refrigerate.
Cook the noodles.
Drain chicken and stir fry in 1/4 of the marinade. Combine remaining marinade with cornstarch.
Stir in chicken and add remaining ingredients. Cook on high for about 5 minutes. Serve with cooked spinach noodles.

Sherried chicken thighs

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:40 minutes

Ingredients

8 chicken thighs
salt and white pepper to taste
2 teaspoons olive oil
3/4 cup dry sherry
1/4 cup tarragon vinegar
2 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup water

preparation

Rinse the chicken thighs and pat dry. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, over medium high heat, heat olive oil. Add thighs, and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 10 minutes.
Add remaining ingredients; boil 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook 15 minutes.
Uncover and continue cooking until thighs are tender. Transfer thighs to a serving dish. Spoon off the pan drippings; add the water and cook, stirring constantly. Pour over thighs and serve immediately.

Snow ball champagne cocktail

Serves: 1

Preparation time:5 minutes

Ingredients

For a 12 cl champagne glass:

2 cl vodka
2cl home made lychee juice
1cl lychee liqueur
1 cl lemon juice
a small piece of ginger
Champagne
Garnis: lychee

preparation

Combine all ingredients in a shaker except the Champagne. Shake for a few seconds then filter into a tulip-shaped champagne glass.
Fill glass with Champagne. Garnish with a lychee.

Sparkling lemon cream

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

3 pints lemon sorbet
1 750-ml bottle chilled Prosecco or other dry white sparkling wine
1 1/2 cups chilled vodka

preparation

Place 1 pint sorbet, 1 cup chilled Proseco and 1/2 cup chilled vodka in blender and blend until smooth. Pour into large pitcher.
Repeat 2 more times with remaining sorbet, Proseco, and vodka; pour into same pitcher.
Place in freezer up to 3 hours. Whisk mixture to blend and, if necessary, let soften at room temperature 15 minutes. Pour into wine glasses or Champagne flutes.
To serve this as a dessert drink , serve with fresh berries and biscotti.

Spicy coriander chicken salad

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:20 minutes

Ingredients

1/4 cup unsalted pumpkin seeds
2 medium poblano chilies
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup dry white wine
3 ounces jicama, peeled and cut into 1-by-1/4-inch matchsticks
1 jalapeño or serrano chile, seeded and finely chopped
3 tablespoons fresh coriander, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream

preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Toast the pumpkin seeds on a baking sheet until golden brown.
Roast the poblanos over a gas flame or under the broiler as close to the heat as possible, turning frequently, until charred all over. Transfer to a paper bag and let steam for 10 minutes. Peel the poblanos and discard the stems, seeds and ribs. Finely dice the poblanos.
Heat the oil. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Cook until well browned. Add the wine, cover and simmer until the chicken is cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and let cool. Cut the chicken into strips and and transfer to a bowl. Stir in the poblanos, jicama, serrano, 1/4 cup of the pumpkin seeds and three tablespoons of coriander.

Combine mayonnaise and the sour cream. Add to the chicken salad and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon of pumpkin seeds and 1 teaspoon chopped coriander over the salad. Serve with baby lettuce and lime wedges.

Steaks au poivre

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

Ingredients

4 6-ounce sirloin steaks, trimmed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon dry basil
1/4 cup dry red wine
2 teaspoons coarse black pepper
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/3 cup Cognac
1/2 cup brown sauce
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon chopped parsley

preparation

Arrange steaks in a shallow dish. Combine oil, soy sauce, basil and red wine. Pour over steaks and marinate for an hour. Sprinkle pepper over both sides of steaks.
Press peppers to adhere meat.
Heat canola oil in a cast iron frying pan over high heat. Brown steaks on both sides to the desired doneness.
Pour Cognac over steaks. Ignite.
Transfer steaks to a serving platter. Add marinade liquid, brown sauce and cream to pan.
Reduce sauce to medium thickness. Season to taste and pour sauce over steaks. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve with potatoes and vegetables.

Steamed mussels in white wine

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:25 minutes

Ingredients

5 pounds fresh mussels
1 tablespoon fresh parsley
1 1/2 cups white wine
1 tablespoon chopped shallots
1 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon flour
1/4 teaspoon saffron
2 egg yolks

preparation

Scrub and debeard mussels. In a large kettle, combine parsley, white wine, and shallots, and bring to a boil. Steam the mussels in the boiling liquid until opened. Drain and save the cooking stock. Remove only top shells of mussels and discard.
Arrange mussels in ovenproof serving casserole. Strain cooking liquid through cheese cloth. Pour in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
In a small saucepan, melt butter, and add flour to make roux. Stir roux in stock and whisk to thicken. Add the saffron. Pour a little sauce into egg yolks. Mix well and stir into remaining sauce.
Heat sauce but do not boil. Season to taste with salt, pepper.
Do not add salt since the mussel stock is salty. Pour sauce over the hot mussels. Serve immediately.

Stir-fried chicken thighs

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound boneless chicken thighs
1/2 cup beef broth
2 teaspoons dry sherry
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 sliced green onions
1 chopped garlic clove
1 sliced green pepper
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups cooked rice

preparation

Rinse chicken thighs. Pat dry and cut into 3/4 inch pieces. Remove any visible fat. Place thigh meat in medium sized bowl. In another bowl, combine beef broth, dry sherry, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar and ginger. Pour enough of the mixture to moisten the thigh meat. Stir well. Marinate 10 minutes. Add cornstarch to remaining broth mixture. Set aside.
In wok or large skillet over high heat, heat oil. Add thigh meat, green onions, and garlic. Stir fry for 3 minutes or until browned. Add green pepper; stir fry one minute longer.
Stir remaining sauce and add to wok. Boil one minute, stirring constantly. Stir in walnuts. Serve immediately over hot rice.

Strawberries with zabaglione sauce

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:8 minutes

Ingredients

2 pints fresh strawberries
3 egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup dry white wine
2 teaspoons Grand Marnier
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1/2 cup Cool whip

preparation

Cut the strawberries into quarters or slices. Place in individual crystal compote dishes or other bowl.
Combine the egg yolks, sugar, and wine in a metal mixing bowl. Set over a pot with boiling water.
Whisk egg yolks until thick and creamy, about 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the Grand Marnier. Add Cool whip. Spoon zabaglione sauce over strawberries, and top with sliced almonds.

Strawberry and peach compote

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup red wine, (beaujolais, pinot noir, or merlot)
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/4 pounds white or yellow peaches
1 pint strawberries, cleaned and sliced

preparation

In a small bowl, combine wine, sugar, and almond extract. Peel, half and slice peaches. Layer strawberries and peaches in dessert glasses.
Pour the red wine syrup over and serve. Can be prepared up to 4 hours ahead.

Summer pasta vegetable salad

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

Ingredients

1 package (450g) fusilli or rotini
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cups small zucchini (quartered lengthwise and sliced)
1 clove garlic, minced
4 cups chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup white wine
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh marjoram
salt and pepper to taste
freshly grated Parmesan cheese

preparation

Cook pasta until tender but firm; drain and keep hot. Meanwhile, in large skillet over medium heat, heat oil.
Add zucchini and garlic; cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add tomatoes and wine, cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes or until sauce thickens.
Stir in herbs; cook 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Toss sauce with hot pasta.
Serve immediately, with parmesan cheese for sprinkling on top.

Tangerine jelly

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

Ingredients

4 fresh tangerines or tangelos
30 pieces white sugar cubes
2 cups dry white wine
1 envelope unflavored gelatin

preparation

Rub the tangerines all over with the sugar cubes, collecting as much skin oil on the cubes as possible. Pare some skin and cut into fine strips.
Peel remaining tangerines. Remove sections, discarding membranes and seeds.
Place sections in a mixing bowl. Pour the wine in a saucepan with the sugar cubes and the tangerine strips. Add gelatin.
Heat wine to a boil. Strain and let cool. Fill into glass cups. Chill to set. Arrange tangerine sections on top.
Serve with Lemon or lime mousse

Tarragon roasted chicken

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Cooking time:1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 roasting chicken (3-4 pounds)
salt and freshly ground pepper
5 sprigs of fresh tarragon
1 small onion, halved
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons water
1 medium carrot, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove
10 sprigs fresh parsley
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 chicken stock
1 teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon

preparation

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Wash chicken, inside and out, with cold running water. Pat dry. Season inside and out with salt and pepper.
Place the tarragon sprigs and halved onion in the cavity. Tuck wings tips under.
Tie the legs together with butcher's twine. Heat the oil in a medium nonstick roasting pan.
Place the chicken, on its side, in the pan. Roast, basting every 10 minutes for 20 minutes.
Turn the chicken on its other side, and add the water. Reduce the oven heat to 400 degrees.
Roast, basting every ten minutes, for 20 minutes. Turn the chicken on its back.
Add carrots, onions, garlic, parsley , thyme and bay leaf. Continue roasting for 10 more minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of the breast registers 170 degrees.
Remove the chicken form the oven, and lift onto a platter. Cover loosely with foil.
Strain the vegetables and fat in a bowl. Discard fat and herbs. Return vegetables to the pan.
Add wine and stock to roasting pan. Heat to deglaze and simmer 5 minutes.
Strain into a saucepan and stir in the chopped tarragon. Season with salt and pepper.
Cut the breasts and legs from the chicken. Slice each breast across in two pieces. Separate the drumsticks form the thighs. Serve with the hot sauce.
Serve with rice, potatoes or noodles

Toffeed pears

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time:10 minutes

Ingredients

For the poached pear:
1 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup water
Zest from a lemon
4 firm, not quite ripe Bosc, Barlett or Anjou pear, peeled, quartered and cored

For the toffee:
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 star anise, broken into pieces
1/8 teaspoon freshly cracked whole peppercorns
Vanilla ice cream

preparation

For the poached pear:
In a medium saucepan, heat the wine, sugar, lemon juice and water, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to medium and bring to a gentle simmer.
Add the lemon zest and juice and pear quarters and simmer gently, turning occasionally, just until the pears are tender and cooked through.
Remove from the heat; set aside to cool slightly. Transfer the pear quarters to a plate. Discard the poaching liquid or reserve for another use.
For the toffee:
Pat the pear quarters dry. In a small skillet over medium heat, heat the honey and butter, stirring constantly, until the butter melts. Add the allspice, cinnamon, star anise and peppercorns and heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is combined and bubbles.
Add the pear quarters and cook, without moving, until they are slightly seared on one side, about 3 minutes. Cook, turning every few minutes, until the pear pieces are seared on all sides, and well coated with toffee, 3 to 5 minutes more.
Remove the skillet from the heat; remove and discard the star anise. The toffee should have reduced slightly to a glaze.
To serve, transfer 2 pear quarters to each plate, drizzle with the remaining toffee and immediately top with ice cream, which will melt into the sauce. Serve immediately.

White butter sauce

Serves: 8

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

Ingredients

3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
3 tablespoons dry white wine
2 tablespoons shallots, finely chopped
1 tablespoon heavy cream
8 ounces unsalted butter, cold
to taste salt and ground white pepper

preparation

In a small heavy pan, boil the vinegar, wine and shallots until all liquid is reduced. Add the cream, and re-boil until completely reduced.
Whisk in the cold butter, a few pieces at the time. The sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
Note: do not overheat the sauce, as the sauce separates and loses its creamy texture. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Keep the sauce warm over a pan of warm water. Serve as soon as possible.

Wine jelly

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time:none

Ingredients

2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup orange juice
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup red wine
1/2 cup Madeira wine

preparation

Mix the gelatin and sugar together in small bowl. Stir in 1/2 cup cold water and let soften for 5 minutes. Pour 1 1/2 cups boiling water over and mix well to dissolve. Add orange juice, lemon juice and wines. Pour into a mold and chill until firm.

Winter citrus compote

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 20 minutes

Cooking time:15 minutes

Ingredients

2 cups sweet dessert wine
1 cup fresh orange juice
2 tbsp honey
1/2 vanilla bean
1/2 cup raisins
3 seedless oranges
1 blood orange
2 clementines
2 grapefruits
3 kiwi fruits peeled & sliced

preparation

In a saucepan combine wine, orange juice and honey. Split the vanilla bean in half, lengthwise, and scrape the seeds into the pan using the tip of the knife. Add the pod and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until the liquid is reduced to about one cup (about 15 minutes). Remove from the heat and add the raisins. Set aside to cool then remove vanilla pod. Cut off the orange peel with a knife. Separate the segments free from all membranes. Repeat with remaining citrus, removing seeds. Add all fruit to the cooled liquid. Spoon into glasses.

conversion of liquids

Type a value in one of the inputs below to convert into other units.

Liters - l
Déciliters - dl
Centiliters - cl
Milliliters - ml
	*USA*	*UK, Canada*
Gallons - gal
Pints - pt
Cups - c
Ounces liquids - fl oz
Tablespoons - tbsp
Teaspoons - tsp

Weights

Temperatures

Measures of non liquid ingredients

Non-liquid ingredients in volume converted into weight using the table below. For products not included, use a metric scale Weight of specific 'ingredients in grams
Ingredient	1 cup	3/4 cup	2/3 cup	1/2 cup	1/3 cup	1/4 cup	2 tablespoons
All-purpose wheat flour	120 g	90 g	80 g	60 g	40 g	30 g	15 g
All-purpose sifted wheat flour	110 g	80 g	70 g	55 g	35 g	27 g	13 g
White sugar	200 g	150 g	130 g	100 g	65 g	50 g	25 g
Powdered sugar/Icing sugar	100 g	75 g	70 g	50 g	35 g	25 g	13 g
Brown sugar normally packed	180 g	135 g	120 g	90 g	60 g	45 g	23 g
Corn flour	160 g	120 g	100 g	80 g	50 g	40 g	20 g
Cornstarch	120 g	90 g	80 g	60 g	40 g	30 g	15 g
Rice (not-cooked)	190 g	140 g	125 g	95 g	65 g	48 g	24 g
Macaroni (uncooked)	140 g	100 g	90 g	70 g	45 g	35 g	17 g
Couscous (uncooked)	180 g	135 g	120 g	90 g	60 g	45 g	22 g
Quick oatmeal (uncooked)	90 g	65 g	60 g	45 g	30 g	22 g	11 g
Table salt	300 g	230 g	200 g	150 g	100 g	75 g	40 g
Butter / Margarine	240 g	180 g	160 g	120 g	80 g	60 g	30 g
Shortening	190 g	140 g	125 g	95 g	65 g	48 g	24 g
Fruits and légumes chopped	150 g	110 g	100 g	75 g	50 g	40 g	20 g
chopped walnuts	150 g	110 g	100 g	75 g	50 g	40 g	20 g
Nuts /ground almonds	120 g	90 g	80 g	60 g	40 g	30 g	15 g
Fresh bread crumbs (not packed)	60 g	45 g	40 g	30 g	20 g	15 g	8 g
Dry bread crumbs	150 g	110 g	100 g	75 g	50 g	40 g	20 g
Parmesan grated	90 g	65 g	60 g	45 g	30 g	22 g	11 g
Chocolate chips	150 g	110 g	100 g	75 g	50 g	38 g	19 g