The {Page-Turner-Cookbook} featuring
Saint-barthelemy Is My Kitchen
Saint-barthelemy Appetizers & Soups
Other Desserts influenced by France
Orange charlotte russe
Champagne sorbet
Genoise cake with grand marnier berries and mascarpone whipped cream
Chocolate pâté
Salted butter caramel
Strawberry napoleons with caramel sauce
Rich vanilla ice cream
Pear and almond cream tart
liquid Measures
Weight & temperature Measures
non-liquid ingredients
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Codfish acras
The palm tree
Other Appetizers & Soups influenced by France Mussel and scallop soup Poached eggs florentine Asparagus and tomato salad with feta Vegetable ragout with parmesan and balsamic vinegar Apple blue cheese and hazelnut salad on endive leaves Goat cheese gratin Crispy salmon nuggets in kataifi crust Smoked salmon mousse
Saint-barthelemy Main Dishes
The palm tree
Other Appetizers & Soups influenced by France Mussel and scallop soup Poached eggs florentine Asparagus and tomato salad with feta Vegetable ragout with parmesan and balsamic vinegar Apple blue cheese and hazelnut salad on endive leaves Goat cheese gratin Crispy salmon nuggets in kataifi crust Smoked salmon mousse
Caribbean conch stew
Caribbean salmon fillets en papillotte
Chicken pot au feu with carrots potatoes and leeks
Cod with vegetables and aioli sauce
Fish and chips
Other Main Dishes influenced by France Asparagus and tomato salad with feta Marinated goat cheese crostini Goat cheese gratin Mussel and scallop soup Carrot soufflé Vegetable ragout with parmesan and balsamic vinegar Smoked salmon mousse Apple blue cheese and hazelnut salad on endive leaves Steamed mussels in white wine Ham aspic with egg salad and avocado
Caribbean salmon fillets en papillotte
Chicken pot au feu with carrots potatoes and leeks
Cod with vegetables and aioli sauce
Fish and chips
Other Main Dishes influenced by France Asparagus and tomato salad with feta Marinated goat cheese crostini Goat cheese gratin Mussel and scallop soup Carrot soufflé Vegetable ragout with parmesan and balsamic vinegar Smoked salmon mousse Apple blue cheese and hazelnut salad on endive leaves Steamed mussels in white wine Ham aspic with egg salad and avocado
Other Side Dishes influenced by France
Crispy leeks
Croquette potatoes
Almondine potatoes
Asparagus and tomato salad with feta
Celery root and fennel slaw with green apple and manchego
Leeks au gratin
Asparagus sauce
Potatoes fondantes
Saint-barthelemy Desserts
Weight & temperature Measures
non-liquid ingredients
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Cuisine is influenced by the cooking of
France
Guadeloupe
Saint-Barthélemy, also called Saint Bart's, island of the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Caribbean Sea. An overseas collectivity of France since 2007, it was formerly a commune and, together with Saint-Martin, an arrondissement of the French overseas département of Guadeloupe.
The island’s cuisine of St. Barthelemy also known as St. Barth is a blend of French, African, Creole, Italian, Indian, Asian, Caribbean and others. The fresh seafood is brought ashore with the daily catch as daily flights from France bring the finest meats, wines and dairy foods, and because the fresh produce almost spills from the markets, because of all of this, the food is amazing. More than 70 restaurants dot the island.
From the simplest barefoot beach bar to outstanding fine-dining restaurants, St. Barth cuisine is unparalleled anywhere in the West Indies. St. Barth’s devotees return year after year. This writer has clocked numerous visits to the island as well as managing and cooking at a beach estate on the island.
France Guadeloupe
Saint-Barthélemy, also called Saint Bart's, island of the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Caribbean Sea. An overseas collectivity of France since 2007, it was formerly a commune and, together with Saint-Martin, an arrondissement of the French overseas département of Guadeloupe.
The island’s cuisine of St. Barthelemy also known as St. Barth is a blend of French, African, Creole, Italian, Indian, Asian, Caribbean and others. The fresh seafood is brought ashore with the daily catch as daily flights from France bring the finest meats, wines and dairy foods, and because the fresh produce almost spills from the markets, because of all of this, the food is amazing. More than 70 restaurants dot the island.
From the simplest barefoot beach bar to outstanding fine-dining restaurants, St. Barth cuisine is unparalleled anywhere in the West Indies. St. Barth’s devotees return year after year. This writer has clocked numerous visits to the island as well as managing and cooking at a beach estate on the island.
Appetizer Codfish acras 
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
1/2 lb (250 g) Salted codfish - flaked1/2 cup water
1 cup (120 g) flour
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
2 scallions, chopped
1/2 teaspoon Scotch Bonnet chile, minced
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1/4 teaspoon Ground allspice
1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
Corn oil - for frying
Soak the salted cod fish in cold water for 12 hours.
Cook in simmering water for 5 to 6 minutes. Let cool and clean, debone and flake the fish.
In a mixing bowl , mix the flour and water to from a paste.
add the fish, scallions, Scotch Bonnet chile, garlic, onion and seasoning.
add the egg yolks and vinegar
just before cooking, add baking soda and beaten egg whites.
Meanwhile, heat 2 inches of corn oil to 350 to 375 degrees in a heavy cast-iron pot or deep fryer. Drop the acras into it by the teaspoonful. Fry until they are light brown, turning once. When done, remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Serve the accras as soon as they are ready with lemon wedges and curried mayonnaise sauce.
Cook in simmering water for 5 to 6 minutes. Let cool and clean, debone and flake the fish.
In a mixing bowl , mix the flour and water to from a paste.
add the fish, scallions, Scotch Bonnet chile, garlic, onion and seasoning.
add the egg yolks and vinegar
just before cooking, add baking soda and beaten egg whites.
Meanwhile, heat 2 inches of corn oil to 350 to 375 degrees in a heavy cast-iron pot or deep fryer. Drop the acras into it by the teaspoonful. Fry until they are light brown, turning once. When done, remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Serve the accras as soon as they are ready with lemon wedges and curried mayonnaise sauce.
Appetizer The palm tree
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
1 large mango1 avocado, firm
Hearts of palm
1 lemon
basil leaves
Peel the mango and avocado.
Cut them into thin strips.
Arrange on a large white plate, alternating slices of mango and avocado.
Cut the hearts of palm into pieces and arrange on the plate along a curve in the shape of palm.
Do not delay watering your palm with lemon juice!.
Decorate the base of the palm with a chiffonade of basil.
Serve chilled.
Cut them into thin strips.
Arrange on a large white plate, alternating slices of mango and avocado.
Cut the hearts of palm into pieces and arrange on the plate along a curve in the shape of palm.
Do not delay watering your palm with lemon juice!.
Decorate the base of the palm with a chiffonade of basil.
Serve chilled.
Appetizer Mussel and scallop soup
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
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
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.
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.
Appetizer Poached eggs florentine
Hollandaise may be substituted with cream sauce. Sprinkle with grated Swiss cheese and brown under broiler.
Serves: 6
1 cup medium-thick cream sauce
6 toasted muffin halves
6 artichoke bottoms, cooked
1 cup Hollandaise
6 poached eggs
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
10 ounces fresh or frozen spinach 1 cup medium-thick cream sauce
6 toasted muffin halves
6 artichoke bottoms, cooked
1 cup Hollandaise
6 poached eggs
Cook and drain spinach, pressing dry. Mix spinach with cream sauce. Spoon cream spinach over toasted muffins.
Place steamed artichoke bottoms on top of spinach. Top with the hot poached eggs. Spoon the warm hollandaise sauce over eggs.
Place steamed artichoke bottoms on top of spinach. Top with the hot poached eggs. Spoon the warm hollandaise sauce over eggs.
Appetizer Asparagus and tomato salad with feta
This Asparagus and Tomato Salad is easy to make with steamed asparagus, grape tomatoes, creamy feta, fresh herbs and a light dressing. The tarragon gives it a welcome hint of licorice. It can be eaten cold, warm or hot.
Asparagus is popular in the spring, especially around Easter and in the summer. It's peak season is April. This dish makes a great vegetable side dish and pairs perfectly with Easter.
Serves: 4
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
1 tsp dried tarragon (use 1 tablespoon if using fresh)
2 lbs asparagus, trimmed - 2 bunches
3 green onions, chopped
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved (551 ml)
3/4 cup feta cheese crumbled
Asparagus is popular in the spring, especially around Easter and in the summer. It's peak season is April. This dish makes a great vegetable side dish and pairs perfectly with Easter.
Serves: 4
Preparation time:10 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar1 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
1 tsp dried tarragon (use 1 tablespoon if using fresh)
2 lbs asparagus, trimmed - 2 bunches
3 green onions, chopped
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved (551 ml)
3/4 cup feta cheese crumbled
Snap off the woody ends of asparagus where they naturally break when you bend them or cut them off with a knife.
Boil water in a large pot or saucepan with steamer then reduce to simmer, add asparagus, cover with lid and steam asparagus until tender (about 8-10 minutes) *This will depend on your preference.
Use tongs to remove asparagus
In a small bowl, whisk balsamic vinegar, oil, red wine, dijon mustard, salt and pepper together.
Cover and set aside until ready to use.
Arrange cooked asparagus tomatoes on a large platter.
Sprinkle with feta cheese and parsley.
Drizzle with ½ the dressing and serve the remainder on the side *Can be served warm, room temperature or chilled.
????Variations & Substitutions
Tomatoes- you could use cherry tomatoes instead of grape tomatoes
Asparagus -you could use grilled or oven-roasted asparagus instead of steamed
Tarragon- fresh tarragon is ideal, but you can use dried
Feta cheese - you can use regular, light or fat-free feta or use goat cheese
Add-ins- you could also sprinkle on a little parmesan cheese and/or add red onions or green onion
Boil water in a large pot or saucepan with steamer then reduce to simmer, add asparagus, cover with lid and steam asparagus until tender (about 8-10 minutes) *This will depend on your preference.
Use tongs to remove asparagus
In a small bowl, whisk balsamic vinegar, oil, red wine, dijon mustard, salt and pepper together.
Cover and set aside until ready to use.
Arrange cooked asparagus tomatoes on a large platter.
Sprinkle with feta cheese and parsley.
Drizzle with ½ the dressing and serve the remainder on the side *Can be served warm, room temperature or chilled.
????Variations & Substitutions
Tomatoes- you could use cherry tomatoes instead of grape tomatoes
Asparagus -you could use grilled or oven-roasted asparagus instead of steamed
Tarragon- fresh tarragon is ideal, but you can use dried
Feta cheese - you can use regular, light or fat-free feta or use goat cheese
Add-ins- you could also sprinkle on a little parmesan cheese and/or add red onions or green onion
Appetizer Vegetable ragout with parmesan and balsamic vinegar
From Le Cabro d'Or, Les Baux-de-Provence, France
Serves: 4
2 lemons, halved
8 artichokes (about 9 to 12 ounces each)
24 baby carrots, greens trimmed
1/4 cup olive oil
24 cherry tomatoes, halved
12 ounces button mushrooms, halved
1 10-ounce package frozen baby peas, thawed
1 10-ounce package frozen baby lima beans, thawed
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 40 minutes
Cooking time:40 minutes
3 ounces Parmesan cheese 2 lemons, halved
8 artichokes (about 9 to 12 ounces each)
24 baby carrots, greens trimmed
1/4 cup olive oil
24 cherry tomatoes, halved
12 ounces button mushrooms, halved
1 10-ounce package frozen baby peas, thawed
1 10-ounce package frozen baby lima beans, thawed
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Using a vegetable peeler or a medium knife, cut Parmesan into thin shavings. Set aside.
Squeeze juice from lemons into large pot; add lemons.
Fill pot with water. Cut stem and top 1/3 from 1 artichoke. Starting at base, bend leaves back and snap off where they break naturally; continue until all tough outer leaves have been removed. Using small sharp knife, trim outside of base until smooth and no dark green areas remain.
Cut artichoke lengthwise into quarters. Cut out choke from quarters. Cut each quarter in half, making 1/2-inch wedges. Place artichoke pieces in lemon water. Repeat with remaining artichokes. Cover pot and bring to boil. Boil artichokes until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain; set aside. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Cook 24 baby carrots in large pot of boiling water 5 minutes. Drain carrots well. (Carrots can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes and mushrooms. Sauté until tomatoes and mushrooms release juices, about 8 minutes. Add artichokes, carrots, baby peas and lima beans.
Cook until lima beans and peas are tender and juices thicken slightly, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Add 1/4 cup butter and stir until melted. Season vegetables to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer ragout to large bowl. Toss with balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with Parmesan shavings.
Squeeze juice from lemons into large pot; add lemons.
Fill pot with water. Cut stem and top 1/3 from 1 artichoke. Starting at base, bend leaves back and snap off where they break naturally; continue until all tough outer leaves have been removed. Using small sharp knife, trim outside of base until smooth and no dark green areas remain.
Cut artichoke lengthwise into quarters. Cut out choke from quarters. Cut each quarter in half, making 1/2-inch wedges. Place artichoke pieces in lemon water. Repeat with remaining artichokes. Cover pot and bring to boil. Boil artichokes until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain; set aside. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Cook 24 baby carrots in large pot of boiling water 5 minutes. Drain carrots well. (Carrots can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes and mushrooms. Sauté until tomatoes and mushrooms release juices, about 8 minutes. Add artichokes, carrots, baby peas and lima beans.
Cook until lima beans and peas are tender and juices thicken slightly, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Add 1/4 cup butter and stir until melted. Season vegetables to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer ragout to large bowl. Toss with balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with Parmesan shavings.
Appetizer Apple blue cheese and hazelnut salad on endive leaves
Serves: 8
Preparation time:20 minutes
1 large Tart-sweet red apple, such as a gala or Braeburn. cored, cut into 1/8" dice. 3 ounces blue cheese, crumbled, to yield about 3/4 cup
3/4 cup (2 large) ribs celery, finely chopped
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Kosher Salt
5 Belgium endives, leaves separated; smaller leaves saved for another use
1/2 cup hazelnuts, toasted and coarsley chopped
In a medium bowl, combine the apple, blue cheese, celery, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Stir gently to combine. Season to taste with salt.
To assemble, mound a small spoonful of the apple mixture onto the core end of each endive leaf. Sprinkle with the hazelnuts and serve.
To assemble, mound a small spoonful of the apple mixture onto the core end of each endive leaf. Sprinkle with the hazelnuts and serve.
Appetizer Goat cheese gratin
You will need six shallow 6-inch (15 cm) round gratin dishes or one 10 1/2-inch (27 cm) round baking dish
Serves: 6
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons fresh rosemary leaves
2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano leaves or a pinch of dried leaf oregano, crushed
1 1/2 to 2 cups (33 to 50 cl) homemade tomato Sauce, at room temperature
24 best-quality black olives (such as French Nyons), pitted
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time:5 minutes
10 ounces (300 g) soft goat cheese or a mix of rindless soft goat and cow or sheep's milk cheese, cubed 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons fresh rosemary leaves
2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano leaves or a pinch of dried leaf oregano, crushed
1 1/2 to 2 cups (33 to 50 cl) homemade tomato Sauce, at room temperature
24 best-quality black olives (such as French Nyons), pitted
Preheat the broiler.
Scatter the cheese on the bottom of the baking dish or dishes. Sprinkle with half of the herbs. Spoon on just enough tomato sauce to evenly coat the cheese. Sprinkle with olives and the remaining herbs.
Place the baking dish or dishes under the broiler about 3 inches (8 cm) from the heat.
Broil until the cheese is melted and fragrant, and the tomato sauce is sizzling, 2 to 3 minutes.
variations:
Add julienned bits of prociutto, diced cooked sausage, sautéed mushrooms, or marinated artichokes.
Scatter the cheese on the bottom of the baking dish or dishes. Sprinkle with half of the herbs. Spoon on just enough tomato sauce to evenly coat the cheese. Sprinkle with olives and the remaining herbs.
Place the baking dish or dishes under the broiler about 3 inches (8 cm) from the heat.
Broil until the cheese is melted and fragrant, and the tomato sauce is sizzling, 2 to 3 minutes.
variations:
Add julienned bits of prociutto, diced cooked sausage, sautéed mushrooms, or marinated artichokes.
Appetizer Crispy salmon nuggets in kataifi crust
kataifi is a Middle Eastern pastry that resembles shredded phyllo.
In this recipe, it adds a crisp touch to the salmon nuggets. You may also use shrimp instead of salmon.
Serves: 4
1/3 cup basil leaves, finely shredded
1/3 cup chives, cut in 1-inch lengths
1 large egg
1 tablespoon water
All-purpose flour, for dredging
16 small bite-size cubes of salmon
Freshly ground pepper
Vegetable oil, for frying
Dipping sauce
Serves: 4
Preparation time:15 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
1/4 pound kataifi dough, snipped into 4-inch lengths 1/3 cup basil leaves, finely shredded
1/3 cup chives, cut in 1-inch lengths
1 large egg
1 tablespoon water
All-purpose flour, for dredging
16 small bite-size cubes of salmon
Freshly ground pepper
Vegetable oil, for frying
Dipping sauce
In a large, shallow dish, separate the kataifi dough into individual threads using your fingers. Add the basil and chives and toss to distribute throughout the pastry.
In a shallow bowl, beat the egg with the water. Spread the flour in another shallow bowl. Season the salmon cubes with salt and pepper. Dredge them in the flour and shake off the excess, then dip them in the beaten egg and roll in the kataifi; press to help it adhere.
Set a rack over a baking sheet. In a large, deep skillet, heat 1 inch of vegetable oil to 350°. Fry 4 or 5 salmon pieces at a time until the kataifi is golden brown and crisp, about 2 to 3 minutes minutes. Drain the salmon nuggets on the rack. Season with salt. Serve the nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce.
In a shallow bowl, beat the egg with the water. Spread the flour in another shallow bowl. Season the salmon cubes with salt and pepper. Dredge them in the flour and shake off the excess, then dip them in the beaten egg and roll in the kataifi; press to help it adhere.
Set a rack over a baking sheet. In a large, deep skillet, heat 1 inch of vegetable oil to 350°. Fry 4 or 5 salmon pieces at a time until the kataifi is golden brown and crisp, about 2 to 3 minutes minutes. Drain the salmon nuggets on the rack. Season with salt. Serve the nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce.
Appetizer Smoked salmon mousse
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 15 minutes
8 ounces smoked salmon 1/2 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup aspic jelly *
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/2 cup heavy cream
Remove bones and skin from the smoked salmon. Cut in pieces and mix in a food processor. Transfer to a mixing bowl and stir in the mayonnaise.
Run the mixture through a food mill. Mix in the cold liquid aspic jelly, lemon juice, wine and pepper.
Whip the cream until firm. Fold in the salmon mixture. Spoon the mousse into decorative molds.
Refrigerate until mousse is well set and firm. Unmold on serving dish or plate and surround with lettuce leaves.
* If aspic jelly is not available, substitute with 1 tablespoon of unflavored gelatin dissolved in 1/4 cup cold water. Set for 5 minutes. Melt over low heat, and use as directed for aspic jelly.
Run the mixture through a food mill. Mix in the cold liquid aspic jelly, lemon juice, wine and pepper.
Whip the cream until firm. Fold in the salmon mixture. Spoon the mousse into decorative molds.
Refrigerate until mousse is well set and firm. Unmold on serving dish or plate and surround with lettuce leaves.
* If aspic jelly is not available, substitute with 1 tablespoon of unflavored gelatin dissolved in 1/4 cup cold water. Set for 5 minutes. Melt over low heat, and use as directed for aspic jelly.
Main Caribbean conch stew
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:50 minutes
2 large conchs, cleaned1/2 large onion, diced
1 large tomato, diced
4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into small cubes
1 lime
1 1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp tomato paste
pepper sauce or red pepper flakes to taste
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper
7 cups water
Tenderize the conch to 1/8-inch thickness, using a meat mallet.
Place the conch in a pot of water. The water should just cover the conch. Boil for 20-30 minutes.
In a large pot, add the oil and allow to heat up for a minute.
Add the flour and stir to make a roux. Let the roux simmer for about 5 minutes. Don't let the roux burn!
Add the tomatoes, onions, thyme, pepper sauce/red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Stir and let simmer for a minute or two.
Add the potatoes, tomato paste. Stir and let simmer for about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, take the conch out of the water and cut it into small chunks.
Add the water, conch and the juice of 1 lime to the large pot.
Cover the pot and simmer until the potatoes are done, about 30 minutes.
Taste and add more salt and pepper if necessary.
Place the conch in a pot of water. The water should just cover the conch. Boil for 20-30 minutes.
In a large pot, add the oil and allow to heat up for a minute.
Add the flour and stir to make a roux. Let the roux simmer for about 5 minutes. Don't let the roux burn!
Add the tomatoes, onions, thyme, pepper sauce/red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Stir and let simmer for a minute or two.
Add the potatoes, tomato paste. Stir and let simmer for about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, take the conch out of the water and cut it into small chunks.
Add the water, conch and the juice of 1 lime to the large pot.
Cover the pot and simmer until the potatoes are done, about 30 minutes.
Taste and add more salt and pepper if necessary.
Main Caribbean salmon fillets en papillotte
This zesty tropical recipe found its roots in St. Barth, the French West Indies. I have used the local fruits, cooked into a chutney. The salmon topped with the sauce is sealed in parchment and when baked develops a refined aroma.
Serves: 4
4 sheets parchment paper
1/2 cup sweet red pepper, julienned
2 medium fresh tomatoes, julienned
1/2 cup fresh ginger, julienned
1/2 cup papaya, julienned
1/2 cup plantain banana, julienned
1/2 cup fresh pineapple, julienned
1/2 cup fresh mango, julienned
2 tablespoons orange blossom honey
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
1/4 teaspoon curry
1 lime
3 tablespoons olive oil
to taste salt and pepper
3 cups rice, cooked
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:30 minutes
4 5-ounce salmon fillet, boned, and skinned 4 sheets parchment paper
1/2 cup sweet red pepper, julienned
2 medium fresh tomatoes, julienned
1/2 cup fresh ginger, julienned
1/2 cup papaya, julienned
1/2 cup plantain banana, julienned
1/2 cup fresh pineapple, julienned
1/2 cup fresh mango, julienned
2 tablespoons orange blossom honey
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
1/4 teaspoon curry
1 lime
3 tablespoons olive oil
to taste salt and pepper
3 cups rice, cooked
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cut the red pepper in half, remove seeds, and cut across into fine julienne.
Peel the tomatoes by dipping in boiling water for about 30 seconds. Transfer to cold water. Peel the pulp off the tomatoes, leaving the seeds and inside for other use.
Peel the fresh ginger. Slice into fine julienne strips.
Peel the papaya. Cut in half, remove seeds, and cut into julienne.
Peel the plantain banana. Cut across in 2-inch sections. Slice sections into julienne strips.
Remove outer skin of pineapple. Slice lengthwise, and cut into 2-inch long julienne strips.
Peel the mango. Cut into slices, and julienne strips.
In a heavy bottom medium saucepan, combine the honey and vinegar. Add the red pepper, tomatoes, ginger, papaya, banana, pineapple, and mango. Bring to boil over medium heat. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the cinnamon, curry, and lime. Simmer for 5 more minutes.
Heat the olive oil in a medium frying pan. Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper. Sauté over high heat for 30 seconds on each side. Transfer to a warm plate.
Cut each parchment sheet into large heart shapes. Place salmon in center of each parchment sheet. Top salmon with 2 heaping tablespoons of the sauce mixture. Seal the paper, and bake for about 8 minutes.
Pack the hot steaming rice in 6-oz individual round molds.
PRESENTATION
Arrange each salmon papillotte on warm plates.
Unmold rice molds on plates.
Cut the red pepper in half, remove seeds, and cut across into fine julienne.
Peel the tomatoes by dipping in boiling water for about 30 seconds. Transfer to cold water. Peel the pulp off the tomatoes, leaving the seeds and inside for other use.
Peel the fresh ginger. Slice into fine julienne strips.
Peel the papaya. Cut in half, remove seeds, and cut into julienne.
Peel the plantain banana. Cut across in 2-inch sections. Slice sections into julienne strips.
Remove outer skin of pineapple. Slice lengthwise, and cut into 2-inch long julienne strips.
Peel the mango. Cut into slices, and julienne strips.
In a heavy bottom medium saucepan, combine the honey and vinegar. Add the red pepper, tomatoes, ginger, papaya, banana, pineapple, and mango. Bring to boil over medium heat. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the cinnamon, curry, and lime. Simmer for 5 more minutes.
Heat the olive oil in a medium frying pan. Season the salmon fillets with salt and pepper. Sauté over high heat for 30 seconds on each side. Transfer to a warm plate.
Cut each parchment sheet into large heart shapes. Place salmon in center of each parchment sheet. Top salmon with 2 heaping tablespoons of the sauce mixture. Seal the paper, and bake for about 8 minutes.
Pack the hot steaming rice in 6-oz individual round molds.
PRESENTATION
Arrange each salmon papillotte on warm plates.
Unmold rice molds on plates.
Main Chicken pot au feu with carrots potatoes and leeks
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:1 hour
2 teaspoons olive oil 1 chicken, about 3 pounds, cut into serving pieces
6 cups chicken broth, homemade or low-sodium canned
1 teaspoon coriander seeds, crushed
2 cloves garlic, peeled and thinly sliced
1 medium-size onion, peeled and quartered
4 small carrots, peeled and cut into 2 inch lengths
8 small new potatoes, halved
4 leeks, white and light green parts only, washed and cut into 2 inch pieces
1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
freshly ground pepper to taste
2 teaspoons chopped Italian parsley
1. Heat the olive oil in a large wide pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear until browned, about 4 minutes per side. Remove from the pot and set aside.
Place the chicken broth, coriander seeds and garlic in the pot and bring to the boil. Add the chicken, lower the heat, partially cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
2. Add the onion, carrots, potatoes, leeks and 1 teaspoon of salt, partially cover and simmer until the chicken and vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Divide the chicken and vegetables among four large bowls, ladle the broth over them
Place the chicken broth, coriander seeds and garlic in the pot and bring to the boil. Add the chicken, lower the heat, partially cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
2. Add the onion, carrots, potatoes, leeks and 1 teaspoon of salt, partially cover and simmer until the chicken and vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Divide the chicken and vegetables among four large bowls, ladle the broth over them
Main Cod with vegetables and aioli sauce
Recipe adapted from Chef
Pascal Aussignac
Serves: 4
1 600g cod fillet, with trimmings and bones kept
100g of coarse sea salt
Aioli
1 baking potato
1/2 head of garlic
3 free-range eggs
35ml of extra virgin olive oil
salt
pepper
Stock
1 fennel, sliced into 8 wedges with tops removed for stock
1 leek, finely chopped
500g of carrots, peeled and sliced into thick chunks, peel set aside for stock
250g of green beans, ends trimmed
1 head of broccoli, cut into large florets
2 courgettes, sliced into thick chunks
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 celery sticks, peeled and sliced into thick chunks, peel set aside for stock
6 sage leaves
2 sprigs of fresh thyme, finely chopped
1 bay leaf
1 tsp of salt
1 pinch of black peppercorns
1.5l of mineral water
1 1/2 heads of garlic
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 1 hour
Cooking time:40 minutes
Cod1 600g cod fillet, with trimmings and bones kept
100g of coarse sea salt
Aioli
1 baking potato
1/2 head of garlic
3 free-range eggs
35ml of extra virgin olive oil
salt
pepper
Stock
1 fennel, sliced into 8 wedges with tops removed for stock
1 leek, finely chopped
500g of carrots, peeled and sliced into thick chunks, peel set aside for stock
250g of green beans, ends trimmed
1 head of broccoli, cut into large florets
2 courgettes, sliced into thick chunks
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 celery sticks, peeled and sliced into thick chunks, peel set aside for stock
6 sage leaves
2 sprigs of fresh thyme, finely chopped
1 bay leaf
1 tsp of salt
1 pinch of black peppercorns
1.5l of mineral water
1 1/2 heads of garlic
1.For the aioli sauce, bake the potato in the oven at 180˚C/gas mark 4 until cooked through
2.Meanwhile, start on the stock. Fill a large saucepan up with the 1.5 litres of mineral water and place the vegetable trimmings (fennel tops, carrot peel, celery peel) into the pan
3.Rinse the fish trimmings and bones under cold water and add to the pan with the herbs, black peppercorns, salt, halved onion, leek and 1 1/2 of the garlic heads, sliced open. Cover the pan and simmer on a very low heat
4.After 20 minutes, cook each vegetable one by one in the stock until tender. Set aside the vegetables once cooked, leaving the stock to simmer
5.To prepare the cod, slice the cod into four chunks. Sprinkle a tray with coarse salt and lay the fish on top, sprinkle with more salt to cover the fish. Place in the fridge for half an hour
6.Remove the potato from the oven and scoop out the flesh. Place the 1/2 a head of garlic in a pestle and mash with a mortar. Then, add the flesh of the potato, 2 tablespoons of the stock, an egg yolk, and keep on crushing the mix with the mortar
7.Once smooth, start to incorporate the olive oil incrementally, like you would do for a mayonnaise. Season to taste and set aside
8.Poach the cod chunks in the broth on a very gentle simmer. Add all the vegetables into the broth after 5 minutes of cooking
9.Serve the cod with the vegetables and drizzle with the aioli sauce
2.Meanwhile, start on the stock. Fill a large saucepan up with the 1.5 litres of mineral water and place the vegetable trimmings (fennel tops, carrot peel, celery peel) into the pan
3.Rinse the fish trimmings and bones under cold water and add to the pan with the herbs, black peppercorns, salt, halved onion, leek and 1 1/2 of the garlic heads, sliced open. Cover the pan and simmer on a very low heat
4.After 20 minutes, cook each vegetable one by one in the stock until tender. Set aside the vegetables once cooked, leaving the stock to simmer
5.To prepare the cod, slice the cod into four chunks. Sprinkle a tray with coarse salt and lay the fish on top, sprinkle with more salt to cover the fish. Place in the fridge for half an hour
6.Remove the potato from the oven and scoop out the flesh. Place the 1/2 a head of garlic in a pestle and mash with a mortar. Then, add the flesh of the potato, 2 tablespoons of the stock, an egg yolk, and keep on crushing the mix with the mortar
7.Once smooth, start to incorporate the olive oil incrementally, like you would do for a mayonnaise. Season to taste and set aside
8.Poach the cod chunks in the broth on a very gentle simmer. Add all the vegetables into the broth after 5 minutes of cooking
9.Serve the cod with the vegetables and drizzle with the aioli sauce
Main Fish and chips
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
2 pounds boned and skinned cod 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 recipe batter for fish (recipe below)
2 pounds baking potatoes
6 lemon wedges
oil for frying
BATTER FOR FISH
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup pancake flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 egg
1 cup water
Cod can be substituted with other white firm skinless, and boneless fish.
Cut fish into 5 oz. (140 g) pieces. Wash under cold water and dry. Season with salt. Coat in the cold batter.
Deep fry at 360 F. (190 C) for 4 to 5 minutes. Arrange on a warm dish lined with a napkin.
Serve with chips and lemon pieces, or the traditional malt vinegar.
(The chips are actually large French fried potatoes, made with the baking potatoes, and deep fried.
BATTER FOR FISH
In a large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients. Beat egg and water. Blend in dry ingredients until smooth.
Cut fish into 5 oz. (140 g) pieces. Wash under cold water and dry. Season with salt. Coat in the cold batter.
Deep fry at 360 F. (190 C) for 4 to 5 minutes. Arrange on a warm dish lined with a napkin.
Serve with chips and lemon pieces, or the traditional malt vinegar.
(The chips are actually large French fried potatoes, made with the baking potatoes, and deep fried.
BATTER FOR FISH
In a large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients. Beat egg and water. Blend in dry ingredients until smooth.
Main Asparagus and tomato salad with feta
This Asparagus and Tomato Salad is easy to make with steamed asparagus, grape tomatoes, creamy feta, fresh herbs and a light dressing. The tarragon gives it a welcome hint of licorice. It can be eaten cold, warm or hot.
Asparagus is popular in the spring, especially around Easter and in the summer. It's peak season is April. This dish makes a great vegetable side dish and pairs perfectly with Easter.
Serves: 4
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
1 tsp dried tarragon (use 1 tablespoon if using fresh)
2 lbs asparagus, trimmed - 2 bunches
3 green onions, chopped
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved (551 ml)
3/4 cup feta cheese crumbled
Asparagus is popular in the spring, especially around Easter and in the summer. It's peak season is April. This dish makes a great vegetable side dish and pairs perfectly with Easter.
Serves: 4
Preparation time:10 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar1 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
1 tsp dried tarragon (use 1 tablespoon if using fresh)
2 lbs asparagus, trimmed - 2 bunches
3 green onions, chopped
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved (551 ml)
3/4 cup feta cheese crumbled
Snap off the woody ends of asparagus where they naturally break when you bend them or cut them off with a knife.
Boil water in a large pot or saucepan with steamer then reduce to simmer, add asparagus, cover with lid and steam asparagus until tender (about 8-10 minutes) *This will depend on your preference.
Use tongs to remove asparagus
In a small bowl, whisk balsamic vinegar, oil, red wine, dijon mustard, salt and pepper together.
Cover and set aside until ready to use.
Arrange cooked asparagus tomatoes on a large platter.
Sprinkle with feta cheese and parsley.
Drizzle with ½ the dressing and serve the remainder on the side *Can be served warm, room temperature or chilled.
????Variations & Substitutions
Tomatoes- you could use cherry tomatoes instead of grape tomatoes
Asparagus -you could use grilled or oven-roasted asparagus instead of steamed
Tarragon- fresh tarragon is ideal, but you can use dried
Feta cheese - you can use regular, light or fat-free feta or use goat cheese
Add-ins- you could also sprinkle on a little parmesan cheese and/or add red onions or green onion
Boil water in a large pot or saucepan with steamer then reduce to simmer, add asparagus, cover with lid and steam asparagus until tender (about 8-10 minutes) *This will depend on your preference.
Use tongs to remove asparagus
In a small bowl, whisk balsamic vinegar, oil, red wine, dijon mustard, salt and pepper together.
Cover and set aside until ready to use.
Arrange cooked asparagus tomatoes on a large platter.
Sprinkle with feta cheese and parsley.
Drizzle with ½ the dressing and serve the remainder on the side *Can be served warm, room temperature or chilled.
????Variations & Substitutions
Tomatoes- you could use cherry tomatoes instead of grape tomatoes
Asparagus -you could use grilled or oven-roasted asparagus instead of steamed
Tarragon- fresh tarragon is ideal, but you can use dried
Feta cheese - you can use regular, light or fat-free feta or use goat cheese
Add-ins- you could also sprinkle on a little parmesan cheese and/or add red onions or green onion
Main Marinated goat cheese crostini
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 12 hours
Cooking time:5 minutes
1 cup olive oil 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
2 teaspoons chopped thyme leaves
1 teaspoon chopped oregano
1 clove garlic, chopped
sprigs whole thyme and rosemary
4 individual goat cheese, like Crottin de Chavignol, picodon halved horizontally
2 plum tomatoes, stemmed and chopped
3 green onions, chopped
8 slices crusty French bread, lightly toasted
1 clove garlic, split in half
ground pepper
Heat oil in a saucepan. Do not overheat place herbs in a metal bowl. Pour oil over them. Cool completely and pour oil and herbs in a large jar with a tight-fitting lid. Add garlic and herb sprigs. Add goat cheese. Marinate 3 days in the refrigerator. Remove cheese from oil and drain. Refrigerate herb oil for other uses.
In a small bowl, combine tomatoes, green onions and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Rub one side of toasts with cut garlic.
Preheat broiler. Spoon tomato mixture onto the toast slices. Arrange on a baking sheet. Place one piece of cheese on each toast.
Broil 2 minutes or until cheese starts melting.
Serve immediately. Garnish with parsley sprigs.
In a small bowl, combine tomatoes, green onions and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Rub one side of toasts with cut garlic.
Preheat broiler. Spoon tomato mixture onto the toast slices. Arrange on a baking sheet. Place one piece of cheese on each toast.
Broil 2 minutes or until cheese starts melting.
Serve immediately. Garnish with parsley sprigs.
Main Goat cheese gratin
You will need six shallow 6-inch (15 cm) round gratin dishes or one 10 1/2-inch (27 cm) round baking dish
Serves: 6
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons fresh rosemary leaves
2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano leaves or a pinch of dried leaf oregano, crushed
1 1/2 to 2 cups (33 to 50 cl) homemade tomato Sauce, at room temperature
24 best-quality black olives (such as French Nyons), pitted
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time:5 minutes
10 ounces (300 g) soft goat cheese or a mix of rindless soft goat and cow or sheep's milk cheese, cubed 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons fresh rosemary leaves
2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano leaves or a pinch of dried leaf oregano, crushed
1 1/2 to 2 cups (33 to 50 cl) homemade tomato Sauce, at room temperature
24 best-quality black olives (such as French Nyons), pitted
Preheat the broiler.
Scatter the cheese on the bottom of the baking dish or dishes. Sprinkle with half of the herbs. Spoon on just enough tomato sauce to evenly coat the cheese. Sprinkle with olives and the remaining herbs.
Place the baking dish or dishes under the broiler about 3 inches (8 cm) from the heat.
Broil until the cheese is melted and fragrant, and the tomato sauce is sizzling, 2 to 3 minutes.
variations:
Add julienned bits of prociutto, diced cooked sausage, sautéed mushrooms, or marinated artichokes.
Scatter the cheese on the bottom of the baking dish or dishes. Sprinkle with half of the herbs. Spoon on just enough tomato sauce to evenly coat the cheese. Sprinkle with olives and the remaining herbs.
Place the baking dish or dishes under the broiler about 3 inches (8 cm) from the heat.
Broil until the cheese is melted and fragrant, and the tomato sauce is sizzling, 2 to 3 minutes.
variations:
Add julienned bits of prociutto, diced cooked sausage, sautéed mushrooms, or marinated artichokes.
Main Mussel and scallop soup
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
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
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.
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.
Main Carrot soufflé
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:30 minutes
1 tablespoon butter, softened 1 tablespoon flour
1 cup carrot puree *
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
1 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 1/2 cups milk
salt, and freshly ground pepper
6 eggs yolks
1/2 cup finely chopped basil
6 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
* Peel and cook sliced carrots until soft. Drain, and place carrot slices in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes. Puree in a mixer. The carrot puree should be thick.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Brush the interior of a 6-cup soufflé mold with the softened butter.
In a heavy saucepan heat the olive oil. Add the onions and garlic. Cook briefly while stirring, until onions are wilted. Stir in the flour and cornstarch. Add the milk. Cook while whisking until sauce becomes thick.
Tranfer the bubbly sauce to a large mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper and mix in chopped basil.
Mix egg yolks, and carrot puree into the thick cream sauce. This mixture can be prepared 2 hours ahead.
Using an electric beater, whip the egg whites and cream of tartar until stiff and glossy. Do not overbeat. Gently fold into cream sauce mixture. Pour and scrape the mixture into the prepared soufflé mold.
Place on a baking sheet. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes. Serve at once.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Brush the interior of a 6-cup soufflé mold with the softened butter.
In a heavy saucepan heat the olive oil. Add the onions and garlic. Cook briefly while stirring, until onions are wilted. Stir in the flour and cornstarch. Add the milk. Cook while whisking until sauce becomes thick.
Tranfer the bubbly sauce to a large mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper and mix in chopped basil.
Mix egg yolks, and carrot puree into the thick cream sauce. This mixture can be prepared 2 hours ahead.
Using an electric beater, whip the egg whites and cream of tartar until stiff and glossy. Do not overbeat. Gently fold into cream sauce mixture. Pour and scrape the mixture into the prepared soufflé mold.
Place on a baking sheet. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes. Serve at once.
Main Vegetable ragout with parmesan and balsamic vinegar
From Le Cabro d'Or, Les Baux-de-Provence, France
Serves: 4
2 lemons, halved
8 artichokes (about 9 to 12 ounces each)
24 baby carrots, greens trimmed
1/4 cup olive oil
24 cherry tomatoes, halved
12 ounces button mushrooms, halved
1 10-ounce package frozen baby peas, thawed
1 10-ounce package frozen baby lima beans, thawed
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 40 minutes
Cooking time:40 minutes
3 ounces Parmesan cheese 2 lemons, halved
8 artichokes (about 9 to 12 ounces each)
24 baby carrots, greens trimmed
1/4 cup olive oil
24 cherry tomatoes, halved
12 ounces button mushrooms, halved
1 10-ounce package frozen baby peas, thawed
1 10-ounce package frozen baby lima beans, thawed
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Using a vegetable peeler or a medium knife, cut Parmesan into thin shavings. Set aside.
Squeeze juice from lemons into large pot; add lemons.
Fill pot with water. Cut stem and top 1/3 from 1 artichoke. Starting at base, bend leaves back and snap off where they break naturally; continue until all tough outer leaves have been removed. Using small sharp knife, trim outside of base until smooth and no dark green areas remain.
Cut artichoke lengthwise into quarters. Cut out choke from quarters. Cut each quarter in half, making 1/2-inch wedges. Place artichoke pieces in lemon water. Repeat with remaining artichokes. Cover pot and bring to boil. Boil artichokes until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain; set aside. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Cook 24 baby carrots in large pot of boiling water 5 minutes. Drain carrots well. (Carrots can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes and mushrooms. Sauté until tomatoes and mushrooms release juices, about 8 minutes. Add artichokes, carrots, baby peas and lima beans.
Cook until lima beans and peas are tender and juices thicken slightly, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Add 1/4 cup butter and stir until melted. Season vegetables to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer ragout to large bowl. Toss with balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with Parmesan shavings.
Squeeze juice from lemons into large pot; add lemons.
Fill pot with water. Cut stem and top 1/3 from 1 artichoke. Starting at base, bend leaves back and snap off where they break naturally; continue until all tough outer leaves have been removed. Using small sharp knife, trim outside of base until smooth and no dark green areas remain.
Cut artichoke lengthwise into quarters. Cut out choke from quarters. Cut each quarter in half, making 1/2-inch wedges. Place artichoke pieces in lemon water. Repeat with remaining artichokes. Cover pot and bring to boil. Boil artichokes until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain; set aside. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Cook 24 baby carrots in large pot of boiling water 5 minutes. Drain carrots well. (Carrots can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes and mushrooms. Sauté until tomatoes and mushrooms release juices, about 8 minutes. Add artichokes, carrots, baby peas and lima beans.
Cook until lima beans and peas are tender and juices thicken slightly, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Add 1/4 cup butter and stir until melted. Season vegetables to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer ragout to large bowl. Toss with balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with Parmesan shavings.
Main Smoked salmon mousse
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 15 minutes
8 ounces smoked salmon 1/2 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup aspic jelly *
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/2 cup heavy cream
Remove bones and skin from the smoked salmon. Cut in pieces and mix in a food processor. Transfer to a mixing bowl and stir in the mayonnaise.
Run the mixture through a food mill. Mix in the cold liquid aspic jelly, lemon juice, wine and pepper.
Whip the cream until firm. Fold in the salmon mixture. Spoon the mousse into decorative molds.
Refrigerate until mousse is well set and firm. Unmold on serving dish or plate and surround with lettuce leaves.
* If aspic jelly is not available, substitute with 1 tablespoon of unflavored gelatin dissolved in 1/4 cup cold water. Set for 5 minutes. Melt over low heat, and use as directed for aspic jelly.
Run the mixture through a food mill. Mix in the cold liquid aspic jelly, lemon juice, wine and pepper.
Whip the cream until firm. Fold in the salmon mixture. Spoon the mousse into decorative molds.
Refrigerate until mousse is well set and firm. Unmold on serving dish or plate and surround with lettuce leaves.
* If aspic jelly is not available, substitute with 1 tablespoon of unflavored gelatin dissolved in 1/4 cup cold water. Set for 5 minutes. Melt over low heat, and use as directed for aspic jelly.
Main Apple blue cheese and hazelnut salad on endive leaves
Serves: 8
Preparation time:20 minutes
1 large Tart-sweet red apple, such as a gala or Braeburn. cored, cut into 1/8" dice. 3 ounces blue cheese, crumbled, to yield about 3/4 cup
3/4 cup (2 large) ribs celery, finely chopped
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Kosher Salt
5 Belgium endives, leaves separated; smaller leaves saved for another use
1/2 cup hazelnuts, toasted and coarsley chopped
In a medium bowl, combine the apple, blue cheese, celery, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Stir gently to combine. Season to taste with salt.
To assemble, mound a small spoonful of the apple mixture onto the core end of each endive leaf. Sprinkle with the hazelnuts and serve.
To assemble, mound a small spoonful of the apple mixture onto the core end of each endive leaf. Sprinkle with the hazelnuts and serve.
Main Steamed mussels in white wine
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:25 minutes
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
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.
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.
Main Ham aspic with egg salad and avocado
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
12 slices thin ham 1 1/2 cups egg salad
1 cup aspic jelly
avocado slices
egg slices
Make ham rolls stuffing the egg salad in each slice. Pour liquid aspic in an 8 by 8-inch dish.
Let set until firm. Arrange stuffed ham on a platter. Decorate with avocado and egg slices.
Decorate platter with chopped aspic jelly. Refrigerate before serving.
Let set until firm. Arrange stuffed ham on a platter. Decorate with avocado and egg slices.
Decorate platter with chopped aspic jelly. Refrigerate before serving.
Side Dish Crispy leeks
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:3 minutes
2 leeks 1/4 cup vegetable oil
coarse salt
Trim leeks of all green parts. Cut them in half lengthwise. Holding each half together.
Wash all grit away under cold water. Pat dry with paper towels. Lay each half, cut side down, on a cutting board. and slice lengthwise into fine julienne. Again pat dry with paper towel.
Heat oil in non stick pan over medium heat. add the leeks and fry for about 3 minutes or until golden and crisp. Remove to paper towels and allow to drain well. Season to taste with salt.
When reheating, lay in a single layer.
Wash all grit away under cold water. Pat dry with paper towels. Lay each half, cut side down, on a cutting board. and slice lengthwise into fine julienne. Again pat dry with paper towel.
Heat oil in non stick pan over medium heat. add the leeks and fry for about 3 minutes or until golden and crisp. Remove to paper towels and allow to drain well. Season to taste with salt.
When reheating, lay in a single layer.
Side Dish Croquette potatoes
Serves: 8
Preparation time:30 minutes
Cooking time:15 minutes
2 pounds potatoes 3 ounces butter, soft
4 egg yolks
to taste salt and pepper
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
for breading:
3 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons oil
1/2 cup flour
2 cups fresh breadcrumbs g
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut potatoes into large cubes. Boil in salted boiling water until tender. Drain well, and put through a ricer. Mix well and combine with butter, egg yolks, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Mixture should be thick.
Cool the prepared mixture and shape into small logs, (1 inch round by 3 inches long).
Coat the logs in flour, dip and cover in beaten egg mixed with oil and roll in breadcrumbs.
Deep fry at 350 degrees F. until golden brown.
Cool the prepared mixture and shape into small logs, (1 inch round by 3 inches long).
Coat the logs in flour, dip and cover in beaten egg mixed with oil and roll in breadcrumbs.
Deep fry at 350 degrees F. until golden brown.
Side Dish Almondine potatoes
Serves: 8
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
2 pounds potatoes 3 ounces butter, soft
3 egg yolks
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
For breading:
3 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoonsoil
1/2 cup flour
1 cup fresh breadcrumbs
1 cup sliced almonds
oil for frying
Peel and cut potatoes into large cubes. Place in a large saucepan, boil in salted boiling water until tender. Drain well, and put through a ricer.
In a large saucepan, combine potatoes with butter, egg yolks, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Using a wooden spoon, mix well over medium heat until mixture thickens.
Spread mixture onto a greased baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until cold.
Shape duchess potato into small logs, (1 inch round by 3 inches long).
Dip in beaten egg mixed with oil. Coat in flour, and roll in breadcrumbs and sliced almonds combined. Deep Fry at 350 degrees until golden brown
In a large saucepan, combine potatoes with butter, egg yolks, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Using a wooden spoon, mix well over medium heat until mixture thickens.
Spread mixture onto a greased baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until cold.
Shape duchess potato into small logs, (1 inch round by 3 inches long).
Dip in beaten egg mixed with oil. Coat in flour, and roll in breadcrumbs and sliced almonds combined. Deep Fry at 350 degrees until golden brown
Side Dish Asparagus and tomato salad with feta
This Asparagus and Tomato Salad is easy to make with steamed asparagus, grape tomatoes, creamy feta, fresh herbs and a light dressing. The tarragon gives it a welcome hint of licorice. It can be eaten cold, warm or hot.
Asparagus is popular in the spring, especially around Easter and in the summer. It's peak season is April. This dish makes a great vegetable side dish and pairs perfectly with Easter.
Serves: 4
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
1 tsp dried tarragon (use 1 tablespoon if using fresh)
2 lbs asparagus, trimmed - 2 bunches
3 green onions, chopped
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved (551 ml)
3/4 cup feta cheese crumbled
Asparagus is popular in the spring, especially around Easter and in the summer. It's peak season is April. This dish makes a great vegetable side dish and pairs perfectly with Easter.
Serves: 4
Preparation time:10 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar1 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
1 tsp dried tarragon (use 1 tablespoon if using fresh)
2 lbs asparagus, trimmed - 2 bunches
3 green onions, chopped
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved (551 ml)
3/4 cup feta cheese crumbled
Snap off the woody ends of asparagus where they naturally break when you bend them or cut them off with a knife.
Boil water in a large pot or saucepan with steamer then reduce to simmer, add asparagus, cover with lid and steam asparagus until tender (about 8-10 minutes) *This will depend on your preference.
Use tongs to remove asparagus
In a small bowl, whisk balsamic vinegar, oil, red wine, dijon mustard, salt and pepper together.
Cover and set aside until ready to use.
Arrange cooked asparagus tomatoes on a large platter.
Sprinkle with feta cheese and parsley.
Drizzle with ½ the dressing and serve the remainder on the side *Can be served warm, room temperature or chilled.
????Variations & Substitutions
Tomatoes- you could use cherry tomatoes instead of grape tomatoes
Asparagus -you could use grilled or oven-roasted asparagus instead of steamed
Tarragon- fresh tarragon is ideal, but you can use dried
Feta cheese - you can use regular, light or fat-free feta or use goat cheese
Add-ins- you could also sprinkle on a little parmesan cheese and/or add red onions or green onion
Boil water in a large pot or saucepan with steamer then reduce to simmer, add asparagus, cover with lid and steam asparagus until tender (about 8-10 minutes) *This will depend on your preference.
Use tongs to remove asparagus
In a small bowl, whisk balsamic vinegar, oil, red wine, dijon mustard, salt and pepper together.
Cover and set aside until ready to use.
Arrange cooked asparagus tomatoes on a large platter.
Sprinkle with feta cheese and parsley.
Drizzle with ½ the dressing and serve the remainder on the side *Can be served warm, room temperature or chilled.
????Variations & Substitutions
Tomatoes- you could use cherry tomatoes instead of grape tomatoes
Asparagus -you could use grilled or oven-roasted asparagus instead of steamed
Tarragon- fresh tarragon is ideal, but you can use dried
Feta cheese - you can use regular, light or fat-free feta or use goat cheese
Add-ins- you could also sprinkle on a little parmesan cheese and/or add red onions or green onion
Side Dish Celery root and fennel slaw with green apple and manchego
Serves: 4
Preparation time:20 minutes
Cooking time:5 minutes
1/3 cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)1/2 cup olive oil
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
4 cups very thinly sliced fennel
1 1/2 cups matchsticks Granny Smith apple (from about 1/2 large)
1 1/2 cups matchsticks peeled celery root (from about 1/4 small) or celery
1 1/2 cups matchsticks peeled daikon (from about 1/2 medium)
3 ounces Manchego cheese, shaved, divided
Preheat oven to 350°F. Toss pumpkin seeds and 1 tsp. oil on a rimmed baking sheet; season with salt and pepper. Bake until golden brown and puffed, about 5 minutes; let cool. Finely chop 2 Tbsp. pumpkin seeds.
Whisk chopped pumpkin seeds, lemon juice, mustard, maple syrup, vinegar and remaining oil in a medium bowl; season dressing with salt and pepper.
Combine fennel, Asian pear, celery root, Granny Smith apple, most of the Manchego, and remaining pumpkin seeds in a large bowl. Drizzle dressing over top and toss to combine; season with salt and pepper. Top with remaining Manchego.
Whisk chopped pumpkin seeds, lemon juice, mustard, maple syrup, vinegar and remaining oil in a medium bowl; season dressing with salt and pepper.
Combine fennel, Asian pear, celery root, Granny Smith apple, most of the Manchego, and remaining pumpkin seeds in a large bowl. Drizzle dressing over top and toss to combine; season with salt and pepper. Top with remaining Manchego.
Side Dish Leeks au gratin
Serves: 8
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:45 minutes
16 small leeks, white and light green parts only washed well 1 teaspoon salt
ground pepper to taste
2 teaspoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 cup heavy cream
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the leeks and blanch until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain well.
Place leeks in a shallow baking dish large enough to hold them in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper and dot with butter.
Pour the cream over top. Bake for 25 minutes (can be made ahead up to this point and reheated.) Just before serving, preheat broiler and brown the leeks under the broiler. Serve.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the leeks and blanch until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain well.
Place leeks in a shallow baking dish large enough to hold them in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper and dot with butter.
Pour the cream over top. Bake for 25 minutes (can be made ahead up to this point and reheated.) Just before serving, preheat broiler and brown the leeks under the broiler. Serve.
Side Dish Asparagus sauce
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
12 asparagus spears 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 small scallions (green onions), chopped
to taste, salt and ground white pepper
2 tablespoons heavy cream
Cut asparagus in halves. Discard the woody parts. Cut spears into 1-inch pieces. Cook in salted boiling water until tender, about 6 minutes. Melt butter in a skillet. Add asparagus, scallions, salt and pepper to taste. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Puree mixture in a blender. Put through a strainer. Heat in a saucepan with the cream, and keep warm until needed.
Side Dish Potatoes fondantes
Serves: 8
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:30 minutes
5 pounds potatoes 4 ounces butter
1 quart chicken broth
salt to taste
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Peel and wash potatoes. Shape into the size of whole walnuts. Wash and put in a roasting pan in one layer.
Cover the potatoes half way with the broth. Bring to a boil on top of the stove. Add 2 ounces butter.
Place in the oven. Cook until potatoes are tender. Brush occasionally some melted butter over potatoes. Season with salt.
Peel and wash potatoes. Shape into the size of whole walnuts. Wash and put in a roasting pan in one layer.
Cover the potatoes half way with the broth. Bring to a boil on top of the stove. Add 2 ounces butter.
Place in the oven. Cook until potatoes are tender. Brush occasionally some melted butter over potatoes. Season with salt.
Dessert Banana cakes with rum sauce
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:40 minutes
6 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup self rising flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2/3 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs
3 large ripe bananas, mashed
Sauce:
7 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup dark rum
1/4 cup water
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Generously butter six 4-ounce ramekins with 2 tablespoons of the butter.
Make the Cakes:
Mix the flour with the baking soda. In another bowl, beat the remaining 4 1/2 tablespoons butter until creamy. Add the brown sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat just until incorporated. Beat in the mashed bananas.
Using a large spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the batter until incorporated. Spoon the mixture into the ramekins and set them in a baking pan. Carefully pour enough hot water into the pan to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 40 minutes, or until the cakes are firm but spring back when pressed lightly with your finger.
Remove the pan from the oven and with tongs transfer the ramekins to a rack; let cool slightly. Run a sharp knife around the sides of the cakes, then invert them onto a wire rack to cool while you prepare the sauce.
Make the Sauce:
In a saucepan, combine the butter with the sugar, rum and water and bring to a boil, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat. Spoon some of the sauce onto dessert plates.
Set the cakes on the sauce, spoon the rest of the sauce on top and serve. Serve with a few candied pecans on top of each cake.
Generously butter six 4-ounce ramekins with 2 tablespoons of the butter.
Make the Cakes:
Mix the flour with the baking soda. In another bowl, beat the remaining 4 1/2 tablespoons butter until creamy. Add the brown sugar and beat until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat just until incorporated. Beat in the mashed bananas.
Using a large spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the batter until incorporated. Spoon the mixture into the ramekins and set them in a baking pan. Carefully pour enough hot water into the pan to reach halfway up the sides of the ramekins. Bake for 40 minutes, or until the cakes are firm but spring back when pressed lightly with your finger.
Remove the pan from the oven and with tongs transfer the ramekins to a rack; let cool slightly. Run a sharp knife around the sides of the cakes, then invert them onto a wire rack to cool while you prepare the sauce.
Make the Sauce:
In a saucepan, combine the butter with the sugar, rum and water and bring to a boil, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat. Spoon some of the sauce onto dessert plates.
Set the cakes on the sauce, spoon the rest of the sauce on top and serve. Serve with a few candied pecans on top of each cake.
Dessert Bavarois maracudja
also known as Passion fruit bavarian
Serves: 8
4 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup passion fruit jam
PASSION FRUIT BAVARIAN:
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
2 tablespoons cold water
1/2 cup passion fruit preserves
1 cup passion fruit juice
2 fresh passion fruit
3/4 cup whipping cream
Serves: 8
Preparation time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cooking time:5 minutes
FOR JELLY ROLL: 4 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
3 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup passion fruit jam
PASSION FRUIT BAVARIAN:
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
2 tablespoons cold water
1/2 cup passion fruit preserves
1 cup passion fruit juice
2 fresh passion fruit
3/4 cup whipping cream
Jelly roll cake:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a mixing bowl of an electric mixer, combine eggs, and sugar. Whip over a double boiler until hot and frothy. Then whip until volume quadruples. Fold in sifted flour, then, the cooled melted butter. Line a jelly roll pan with wax paper, buttered and floured. Spread mixture over surface of pan. bake 12 minutes.
Flip cake on a towel sprinkled with icing sugar. Remove paper. Spread passion fruit jam over cake. Roll from the widest side. Wrap in towel. Cool. Unwrap, slice thin across.
Line top and bottom of a 9-inch cake pan with removable bottom with wax paper. Line bottom and sides of pan with cake slices. Hug them well together. Cover and chill.
PASSION FRUIT BAVARIAN:
Soak 1 envelop unflavored gelatin in 3 tablespoons cold water. Combine 1/2 cup passion fruit jam with 1 cup passion fruit juice. Add the inside of 2 fresh passion fruit if available. Heat a little. Stir in the melted unflavored gelatin or the gelatin sheets without the water. Beat 3/4 cup whipping cream till firm. Fold in chilled passion mix. Pour the mixture into the prepared mold. Chill for several hours to set. Unmold on a platter.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a mixing bowl of an electric mixer, combine eggs, and sugar. Whip over a double boiler until hot and frothy. Then whip until volume quadruples. Fold in sifted flour, then, the cooled melted butter. Line a jelly roll pan with wax paper, buttered and floured. Spread mixture over surface of pan. bake 12 minutes.
Flip cake on a towel sprinkled with icing sugar. Remove paper. Spread passion fruit jam over cake. Roll from the widest side. Wrap in towel. Cool. Unwrap, slice thin across.
Line top and bottom of a 9-inch cake pan with removable bottom with wax paper. Line bottom and sides of pan with cake slices. Hug them well together. Cover and chill.
PASSION FRUIT BAVARIAN:
Soak 1 envelop unflavored gelatin in 3 tablespoons cold water. Combine 1/2 cup passion fruit jam with 1 cup passion fruit juice. Add the inside of 2 fresh passion fruit if available. Heat a little. Stir in the melted unflavored gelatin or the gelatin sheets without the water. Beat 3/4 cup whipping cream till firm. Fold in chilled passion mix. Pour the mixture into the prepared mold. Chill for several hours to set. Unmold on a platter.
Dessert Lady fingers in pyjamas
Small bananas wrapped in French crepes.
A French carribbean recipe known as TI FIGUES EN PYJAMAS
Serves: 6
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup dark rum
12 small crepes
1 teaspoon butter
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 cup chocolate sauce
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
12 tiny bananas 2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 cup dark rum
12 small crepes
1 teaspoon butter
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 cup chocolate sauce
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Peel the bananas. Saute in butter until evenly brown but firm. Sprinkle brown sugar over bananas. Continue cooking to make a caramel with the sugar. Pour dark rum over the bananas. Ignite the rum. Transfer the bananas to a platter. Save the cooking juice.
Roll each banana in a small crepe. Cut the ends of crepes extending beyond the bananas.
Butter an oven-proof baking dish. Line the banana crepes in the dish. Sprinkle with brown sugar.
Bake for 10 minutes. Arrange the bananas in a serving platter. Combine the chocolate sauce with the pan juice. Serve with the banana crepes
Peel the bananas. Saute in butter until evenly brown but firm. Sprinkle brown sugar over bananas. Continue cooking to make a caramel with the sugar. Pour dark rum over the bananas. Ignite the rum. Transfer the bananas to a platter. Save the cooking juice.
Roll each banana in a small crepe. Cut the ends of crepes extending beyond the bananas.
Butter an oven-proof baking dish. Line the banana crepes in the dish. Sprinkle with brown sugar.
Bake for 10 minutes. Arrange the bananas in a serving platter. Combine the chocolate sauce with the pan juice. Serve with the banana crepes
Dessert Sorbet doudou maracudja
A refreshing delicious treat from Guadeloupe made with passion fruit.
Serves: 6
2 cups water, boiling
6 to 8 ounces sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
raspberry coulis (recipe follows)
sliced bananas
RASPBERRY COULIS
2 1/2 cups fresh raspberries
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, or to taste
Puree raspberries with sugar and lemon juice in a blender. Pour mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl.
Coulis keeps 2 to 3 days, covered and chilled.
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 1 hour
12 passion fruit (maracudja) 2 cups water, boiling
6 to 8 ounces sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
raspberry coulis (recipe follows)
sliced bananas
RASPBERRY COULIS
2 1/2 cups fresh raspberries
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, or to taste
Puree raspberries with sugar and lemon juice in a blender. Pour mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl.
Coulis keeps 2 to 3 days, covered and chilled.
Cut the passion fruit in halves. Remove pulp. In a large bowl, combine pulp with the boiling water. Set aside for 10 minutes. Strain the juice through a fine strainer. Add the sugar to the juice. Stir to dissolve. Add cinnamon and vanilla.
Chill the mixture before freezing in the ice cream maker. When the sorbet is thick and smooth, spoon in a decorative mold or individual molds.Freeze.
Unmold on plates.
Spoon raspberry coulis on the platter. Decorate with sliced bananas
RASPBERRY COULIS
Puree raspberries with sugar and lemon juice in a blender. Pour mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl.
Coulis keeps 2 to 3 days, covered and chilled.
Chill the mixture before freezing in the ice cream maker. When the sorbet is thick and smooth, spoon in a decorative mold or individual molds.Freeze.
Unmold on plates.
Spoon raspberry coulis on the platter. Decorate with sliced bananas
RASPBERRY COULIS
Puree raspberries with sugar and lemon juice in a blender. Pour mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl.
Coulis keeps 2 to 3 days, covered and chilled.
Dessert Orange charlotte russe
Serves: 12
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:8 minutes
2 teaspoons cornstarch 1/2 cup sugar
3 egg yolks
2 cups orange juice
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
2 teaspoons orange rind
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups heavy cream
3 egg whites
1/2 cup sugar
12 lady fingers
Dissolve the gelatin in some orange juice. Combine with cornstarch, sugar, egg yolks, orange juice, and rind.
Mix well and heat up to a boiling point. Stir in lemon juice and vanilla. Chill to cool.
Whip the heavy cream to soft peaks. Beat the egg whites with the sugar to form soft peaks.
Fold the cream and egg whites into the orange mix. Line the sides of an 8 inch spring mold with lady fingers. Pour the mix into mold.
Chill until well set. Remove sides of mold before serving. Decorate with whipped cream and orange slices if desired.
Mix well and heat up to a boiling point. Stir in lemon juice and vanilla. Chill to cool.
Whip the heavy cream to soft peaks. Beat the egg whites with the sugar to form soft peaks.
Fold the cream and egg whites into the orange mix. Line the sides of an 8 inch spring mold with lady fingers. Pour the mix into mold.
Chill until well set. Remove sides of mold before serving. Decorate with whipped cream and orange slices if desired.
Dessert Champagne sorbet
Serves: 10
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
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
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.
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.
Dessert Genoise cake with grand marnier berries and mascarpone whipped cream
Serves: 10
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:30 minutes
Genoise Cake:- 1 1/4 cups sifted cake flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, preferably clarified
- 6 large eggs
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Grand Marnier Berries:
- 1 lb strawberries, sliced
- 1/3 cup Grand Marnier®
Mascarpone Whipped Cream:
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 (8-oz) package mascarpone, softened with 1 tbsp of cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
For cake: Grease and flour the bottom(s) of two 9x2-inch pans or one 9-inch springform pan; line with wax or parchment paper. Sift together cake flour and 1/4 cup sugar twice; set aside. Melt butter in a small saucepan; off the heat and let sit for 4 minutes. Once cooled, remove the film from the top; carefully pour into a heatproof bowl, leaving the solids behind - set aside.
Whisk the eggs and 3/4 cup sugar in a large heatproof bowl; set over a pot of barely simmering water - whisk constantly until the mixture is warm to the touch (about 110 degrees F). Remove the bowl from the heat and beat on high speed until the mixture is lemony-colored, has tripled in volume. - like a continuous flat ribbon when dropped from a spoon (5 minutes in a heavy-duty mixer with the whisk attachment, 10 - 15 minutes with a hand-held mixer).
In 3 additions, sift the flour mixture over the top and fold in very gently with a rubber spatula. If the butter has become to solid, reheat briefly and transfer to a medium bowl. Fold about 1 1/2 cups of the egg mixture into the butter until completely incorporated, along with the vanilla extract. Bake until the cake begins to pull away from the sides of the pan(s) and the top springs back when lightly pressed, about 15 minutes in cake pans, 30 minutes in a springform pan. Let cool in the pan(s) on a rack for 10 minutes. Slide a thin knife around the cake to detach it from the pan(s); remove the side of the springform pan, if using. Invert the cake and remove the paper liner(s). Let cool right side up on the rack.
For berries: While the cake is baking, place the berries in a glass bowl and pour Grand Marnier on top. Allow 30 to 40 minutes for the berries to macerate and thaw.
For the mascarpone whipped cream: whip the heavy cream in a large metal bowl, then (using the same hand mixer), whip the mascarpone, sugar and orange zest into a smaller separate bowl. Fold mascarpone into the whipped cream.
Slice the cake into 3 layers. spoon berries with juice between cakes layers, then spread over whipped cream. Decorate top with mascarpone whipped cream.
Dessert Chocolate pâté
Serves: 10
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
16 ounces semi sweet chocolate 4 ounces sugar
1/2 cup water
7 egg yolks
1/4 cup Cognac
1 cup heavy cream
Mocha creme:
8 large egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon espresso instant coffee
1 teaspoon water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Melt semi sweet chocolate over a double boiler. Combine sugar and water. Boil to 240 degrees.
Beat egg yolks until creamy. Pour hot syrup over yolks while beating continuously at medium speed until cool. Add cognac. Mix.
Whip cream until stiff. Fold cream into egg mixture. Add chocolate and fold thoroughly.
Spoon in a loaf pan with bottom and sides lined with parchment paper.
Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 4 hours or up to 2 days.
Invert on a platter and slice portions onto plate using a warm carving knife. Decorate with fresh fruit and if desired serve with Mocha creme sauce.
Mocha creme:
Beat the egg yolks and sugar until lemony in color. Bring the milk to a gentle boil. Gradually blend into the egg mixture and cook over low heat while stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. The custard should coat the back of a wooden spoon. Do not boil custard as it will curdle.
Strain into a serving bowl. Dissolve coffee in water. Mix coffee and vanilla into custard.stir to cool.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. May be prepared two days in advance.
Beat egg yolks until creamy. Pour hot syrup over yolks while beating continuously at medium speed until cool. Add cognac. Mix.
Whip cream until stiff. Fold cream into egg mixture. Add chocolate and fold thoroughly.
Spoon in a loaf pan with bottom and sides lined with parchment paper.
Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 4 hours or up to 2 days.
Invert on a platter and slice portions onto plate using a warm carving knife. Decorate with fresh fruit and if desired serve with Mocha creme sauce.
Mocha creme:
Beat the egg yolks and sugar until lemony in color. Bring the milk to a gentle boil. Gradually blend into the egg mixture and cook over low heat while stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. The custard should coat the back of a wooden spoon. Do not boil custard as it will curdle.
Strain into a serving bowl. Dissolve coffee in water. Mix coffee and vanilla into custard.stir to cool.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. May be prepared two days in advance.
Dessert Salted butter caramel
Variations: For a chocolate caramel cream, add a few squares of chocolate
Serves: 8
60 g (1/2 stick) semi-salted butter
20 cl (7 oz ) of liquid cream, whole (35%)
Serves: 8
Preparation time:5 mintes
Cooking time:12 minutes
120 g (4 oz) caster sugar (super fine sugar)60 g (1/2 stick) semi-salted butter
20 cl (7 oz ) of liquid cream, whole (35%)
1. Heat the sugar alone in a stainless-steel saucepan over medium heat. Cook without stirring until it melts and caramelizes.
2. Gradually add the butter then the cream, mixing vigorously with a whisk to avoid lumps.
3. When the preparation is homogeneous, continue cooking for 5 minutes and remove from the heat. The caramel is still liquid but it will harden as it cools.
4. Pour into a small jam jar and let cool. Store in the refrigerator.
Variations: For a chocolate caramel cream, add a few squares of chocolate.
2. Gradually add the butter then the cream, mixing vigorously with a whisk to avoid lumps.
3. When the preparation is homogeneous, continue cooking for 5 minutes and remove from the heat. The caramel is still liquid but it will harden as it cools.
4. Pour into a small jam jar and let cool. Store in the refrigerator.
Variations: For a chocolate caramel cream, add a few squares of chocolate.
Dessert Strawberry napoleons with caramel sauce
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 35 minutes
Cooking time:40 minutes
For pastry cream:4 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups boiling milk
For caramel syrup:
1 1/3 cups water
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons brandy
For pastry:
1/2 pound puff pastry sheet, thawed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon milk
2 tablespoons sugar
2 1-pint baskets strawberries, washed, hulled, sliced
Pastry cream:
Whisk yolks, sugar and flour, and vanilla in bowl. Add boiling milk while whisking continuously. Return to saucepan, and whisk over medium heat until thick and bubbly.
Transfer pastry cream to bowl, cover with plastic wrap directly onto surface of pastry. Chill. (can be made 2 days ahead.)
Syrup:
In a medium heavy saucepan, stir cup water and sugar. Heat over high heat until caramel forms, occasionally swirling the pan. Meanwhile, bring remaining 1 cup water to boil in a small saucepan. Remove caramel from heat. Mix in boiling water. Stir to dissolve caramel. Cool syrup.
Pastry:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out puff pastry sheet on floured surface. Cut out nine 4-inch rounds. Arrange on a baking sheet. Pierce pastries several times with tines of fork. Chill 15 minutes.
Beat egg and milk to blend. Brush 6 pastries with egg wash; sprinkle with sugar. Bake pastries until puffed and golden. Transfer to rack and cool.
Cut each pastry in half horizontally. Reserve 6 sugar-coated tops.
Place 1 plain pastry round on each of six plates. Spread a tablespoon of pastry cream over. Top with sliced berries. Cover with second pastry. Repeat layering of pastry cream and berries. Top with reserved sugar-coated pastries.
Spoon caramel syrup around base of each napoleon.
Whisk yolks, sugar and flour, and vanilla in bowl. Add boiling milk while whisking continuously. Return to saucepan, and whisk over medium heat until thick and bubbly.
Transfer pastry cream to bowl, cover with plastic wrap directly onto surface of pastry. Chill. (can be made 2 days ahead.)
Syrup:
In a medium heavy saucepan, stir cup water and sugar. Heat over high heat until caramel forms, occasionally swirling the pan. Meanwhile, bring remaining 1 cup water to boil in a small saucepan. Remove caramel from heat. Mix in boiling water. Stir to dissolve caramel. Cool syrup.
Pastry:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out puff pastry sheet on floured surface. Cut out nine 4-inch rounds. Arrange on a baking sheet. Pierce pastries several times with tines of fork. Chill 15 minutes.
Beat egg and milk to blend. Brush 6 pastries with egg wash; sprinkle with sugar. Bake pastries until puffed and golden. Transfer to rack and cool.
Cut each pastry in half horizontally. Reserve 6 sugar-coated tops.
Place 1 plain pastry round on each of six plates. Spread a tablespoon of pastry cream over. Top with sliced berries. Cover with second pastry. Repeat layering of pastry cream and berries. Top with reserved sugar-coated pastries.
Spoon caramel syrup around base of each napoleon.
Dessert Rich vanilla ice cream
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 1 hour
Cooking time:10 minutes
5 egg yolks 3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Whisk egg yolks and sugar in a mixing bowl until creamy and white Heat cream and milk in heavy saucepan. Pour over egg yolk mixture and mix well. Stir in vanilla extract.
Pour mixture in saucepan. Heat slowly over low heat while stirring until mixture coats the back of a spoon, about 8 to 10 minutes. DO NOT LET BOIL. Cool completely in refrigerator.
Freeze according to manufacturers instructions.
Pour mixture in saucepan. Heat slowly over low heat while stirring until mixture coats the back of a spoon, about 8 to 10 minutes. DO NOT LET BOIL. Cool completely in refrigerator.
Freeze according to manufacturers instructions.
Dessert Pear and almond cream tart
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 40 minutes
Cooking time:50 minutes
pâte brisée: 1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup cake flour
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 egg, beaten for glazing the baked crust
3 pears, fresh poached in sugar, water, and vanilla or or 6 canned pear halves
Almond pastry cream:
1cup milk
2 egg yolks
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup finely ground almonds
1 tablespoon kirsch
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Apricot glaze:
1/2 cup apricot jam
1 tablespoon Kirsch
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, combine flour, egg, water, sugar, vanilla and butter. Process until dough forms a bowl. Cover and chill dough for 30 minutes.
Roll the dough 1/8-inch thick to fit an 8 inch fluted removable-bottomed tart pan.
Cover with parchment paper, fill the center with weights, and bake until the edges start to brown. Remove weights and paper. Brush bottom and sides with egg glaze.
Arrange pears over bottom of pie crust.
Almond pastry cream:
In a medium saucepan, bring the milk to a boil. Whip egg yolks, sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Mix in cornstarch. Stir in the hot milk. Pour in a saucepan, and whisk over medium heat until thick and bubbly.
Transfer to a mixing bowl. Stir in the almond, kirsch and butter. Spoon mixture over pears and bake for 15 minutes. Cool on rack.
For glaze:
In a small saucepan, melt the apricot jam over low heat. Stir in the kirsch. Strain through a fine strainer and spoon over pie to glaze.
Roll the dough 1/8-inch thick to fit an 8 inch fluted removable-bottomed tart pan.
Cover with parchment paper, fill the center with weights, and bake until the edges start to brown. Remove weights and paper. Brush bottom and sides with egg glaze.
Arrange pears over bottom of pie crust.
Almond pastry cream:
In a medium saucepan, bring the milk to a boil. Whip egg yolks, sugar and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Mix in cornstarch. Stir in the hot milk. Pour in a saucepan, and whisk over medium heat until thick and bubbly.
Transfer to a mixing bowl. Stir in the almond, kirsch and butter. Spoon mixture over pears and bake for 15 minutes. Cool on rack.
For glaze:
In a small saucepan, melt the apricot jam over low heat. Stir in the kirsch. Strain through a fine strainer and spoon over pie to glaze.
conversion of liquids
Weights
Temperatures
Measures of non liquid ingredients
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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 |
As the sun rises or sets in Saint-barthelemy
"May every sunrise hold more promise, and every sunset hold more peace."
The {Page Turner} E-Cookbooks
Library on a world cooking journey
45 Recipes
10 Appetizers
15 Main dishes
8 Side dishes
12 Desserts