Grilled Shrimp and the Next Six Months of my Life

Hi! I've been seriously slacking on this blog. I just haven't been posting nearly as often as I'd like to and well, that just happens sometimes. I can't say it's ideal but it happens and that's just the way it is, I get caught up in the little tasks and excitement of life and somehow forget to photograph tasty recipes for y'all. Hey! I'm an imperfect human being and I never claimed to be anything else.

All the little stuff has included a short stint working pastry at this restaurant, interviewing for jobs (can we talk about how hard it is to convey a personality on a phone interview?), and the most exciting bit of all...getting a job with these amazing folks for the summer! I'm thrilled to announce I'll be spending the next six months on the road with Outstanding in the Field.  I intend to continue blogging here, though it's clearly going to be a bit different as I won't so much have access to a kitchen and will mostly be living out of a suitcase for the next half of a year. That being said, my handy camera will be by my side for the whole journey and I'm looking forward to sharing photos, information, and stories up here.

If you are going to be attending one of the dinners (here is the schedule) please say hi, I'd love to chat!

I leave in two weeks and I'm having trouble accurately documenting how damn pleased I am to be working for this company. Perhaps if you check out some past pictures of their events you'll understand how thrilled I am. Yes, there will be a lot of hard work, but nothing incredible was ever without that. 

Enough about me, let's talk shrimp. Let's talk grilling. Let's talk about how this post is actually all about this recipe and only slightly about my life. Let's talk about how Seattle has been so marvelously sunny lately that all I want to eat is grilled anything and fresh fruit. This recipe nails both of those cravings on the head.  Even if it's rainy and overcast where you are (as it will be here soon enough) this simple recipe will at least taste a bit like summer and sunshine and you know, sometimes that's just the best we can do.

Ingredients

1 pound Medium Sized Prawns

2 Small Lemons

Olive Oil

Kosher Salt

2 Avocados

2 Mangos (I prefer the smaller variety)

Fresh Ground Black Pepper

Flaked Salt (Like Maldon)

Method

1. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium high.

2. Clean prawns by removing the shell (I like to leave the tail on to keep the ends from getting rubbery) and cutting a shallow slit down the curved side to devein them, this shows the process).

3. Place the prawns in a large bowl and add the juice of the lemons, and a good deal of olive oil. I just drizzle it in until they are coated but not swimming in oil. Sprinkle with kosher salt (don't be shy, salt makes it flavorful!) and toss them gently.

4. Place the prawns on the grill and flip them after a minute or two. They should have nice grilled marks and become pink/opaque. Grill on the other side for another minute or so but not much more, until they are opaque throughout. Be careful, shrimp get rubbery and overcooked quickly.

5. Remove the shrimp to a plate and let rest.

6. Meanwhile, peel the mangos and cut the side off from the pit and any remaining bits of fruit. Cut the mango into small chunks.

7. Cut the avocados in half and separate. Then, cut them in quarters along the skin side and separate the pieces.  The pit should be easy to remove from one of the slices. Then peel the quarters and cut the avocado in half or into thirds to form long, thick slices as shown above.(Check this out if you're more of a visual learner.)

8. Remove the tails from the prawns, and cut in half down the length of the prawn. This is easier to do if it lays flat on its side.

9. Plate the dish by scattering the mango pieces, topped by the shrimp, and finished with the avocado slices. I did this by randomly laying the ingredients out on a large dish but you could really do this any which way (keep them in separate rows, or tossed together).

10. Finish it off with a small drizzle of olive oil, a grind of fresh black pepper, and a sprinkle of flaked salt.

Note: This would also be GREAT served over mixed greens with a lemony vinaigrette. Just a thought. 

EAT UP!

Kale Caesar

I'm stuck right in the middle of a super transitional, bizarre, yet mostly enjoyable phase of my life. I'm not freaking out, I'm choosing to mostly not do that. But in the midst of transition, I am periodically  anxious. Time should remedy that though. I haven't got much to say but I think kale should say enough to cover up that void. Kale says a lot, because damn! It's really great. Clearly a nutritional power house with that rich green color, Kale is tasty is so many forms. While I'm a huge fan of the chip variety today I'm going with caesar.  Caesar salad is comforting in the only way a salad can be comforting, familiarity. You can always count on a good Caesar and kale is a nice way to stir things up.

I snagged this simply stellar dressing recipe from none other than Bon Appetit and changed it up a tiny bit. I'm sure it's perfect the way it is but this just worked for me with what I had on hand. 

                                   

*adapted from Bon Appetit

Ingredients

1/2 small garlic clove

Kosher Salt

1/2 Tbl anchovy paste

1/4 tsp dijon mustard

1 large egg yolk

1 Tbl fresh lemon juice

2 Tbl extra virgin olive oil

3 Tbl vegetable oil

1 Tbl grated parmesan

fresh ground black pepper

Method

Chop the garlic up very finely, then sprinkle with kosher salt and mash with the side of a large knife until it forms a paste. Add it to a small bowl with the anchovy paste, dijon, egg yolk, and lemon juice. Mix to combine. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking, making sure it stays emulsified and thick. After that, add the vegetable oil in the same fashion. Add the parmesan and a few grinds of black pepper. Taste and add extra lemon juice or salt as needed.

For the kale salad, simply remove 1 or 2 bunches of kale from the stalks and chop into smaller pieces. Drizzle the kale with a tiny bit of olive oil (1-2 tsp) and massage (yes, massage) into the leaves. Let it sit. Shave 4 or five stalks of asparagus with a peeler and add to the kale.  Add dressing 1 or 2 tablespoons at a time and toss until coated but not weighed down. Finish with shaved parmesan. 

Simple Breakfasts

I can't believe it's been over a month. I'm slacking. I recently graduated from college (just under two months ago), set off on an unbelievable three week trip to Southeast Asia and now I'm back. Or rather, I'm once again a Washington State resident.  I planned on posting some stellar Asia pictures right when I got back but life got in the way, as life is wont to do.

Eventually there will be Asia pictures, after I climb out of the boxes and pile of belongings that I have recently moved back from New York,  For now, there are avocado toast pictures, because Passover is almost over (aka time for some bread tonight!) and this is what I'm currently craving.  Also because I've been messing around with these photos for far too long and they're just ready to live somewhere other than my computer.

Ingredients (for 1 toast)

1/2 ripe avocado

1 slice whole grain toast

2 eggs

olive oil for cooking

kosher salt

black pepper

Optional Toppings

parmesan cheese

honey (weird but good)

Method

1. Crack the eggs into a small bowl and scramble together with a fork until totally mixed, add a pinch of salt. 

2. Toast bread

3. Cut avocado in half, and remove skin 

4. Get out a small non-stick pan, drizzle with a small amount of olive oil and pour in the eggs

5. Heat over medium-low heat, and stir the eggs constantly. I use chopsticks to keep 'em moving. 

6. Continue scrambling the eggs until you reach desired doneness, keep them a bit creamy unless you totally hate that

7.Spread avocado on the toast, sprinkle with salt & black pepper

8.Top with scramble eggs and black pepper

9. Optional: top with parmesan cheese, a thin drizzle of honey or both

(For two people, use three eggs and double everything else)

Another simple breakfast: Broccoli & Eggs and more green toast ideas over at the freckled pie

Sorry, We're Open

There's some advice that you hear all the time. But no one really seems to listen to it. Like in every beauty article I read, I mean those ones written by 70 year old women who look like they're 45, giving their best beauty advice, they always say that wearing sunscreen everyday is their number one secret. I've read it atleast six times. It seems totally valid, and fairly simple and yet not everyone is wearing sunscreen every day. Recently I bought a super natural, good-for-your-skin-sunscreen...I think it's time I start using this kind of advice to my advantage. And let's be honest, I'm the farthest thing from tan...might as well embrace the pale and work towards a gorgeous middle aged face.

The other one people without a doubt always say they regret is not traveling when they were young. They find a great job, get tied down, one thing leads to another, get married, and boom...there's suddenly no time for whimsical month long adventures and no chance to drop everything and just move somewhere crazy.  This one is always in the back of my head.

After five years of any number of roommates, dorms, and rented rooms...I simply cannot wait to have a place of my own. I think about decorating an apartment and having dinner parties at least once a day. I'm so ready.  And yet there it is, the fact that I'm only 23 and while the daunting 25 makes me feel as if I'm quickly getting older by the second, I'm really a child in the scheme of things.  A child who has some skills that could really be put to use in just about any part of the world. You can cook, photograph, or farm anywhere. So, what's the rush? I have to remind myself quite often that this is my time. It's all about me. It's my time to explore, to make spur of the moment decisions (mostly because when you're 23 and tied to very little, why not?), to move to a big city, to work my butt off for a really minimal salary or apprentice for people simply so I can learn and soak up all their skills and knowledge.  Twenty three is the perfect time for this, and forty three usually isn't. This is what I need to remember. Because in twenty years I want to say I took the risks and landed on my feet (because let's be honest, it's not always glamorous...but we usually do land on our feet), I learned from the best and made a name for myself.  Maybe I wasn't rolling in the big bucks, but that comes with time and hard work, from learning from as many people as possible and turning it into my own skill, and feeling damn lucky that I am able to take these chances at this point in the game.

** All pictures from a pre-graduation trip to the city; Unbeatable baked goods (get the Kabocha Canotto!!) at Sullivan Street Bakery, Mexican Street Corn at Cafe Habana, and Greek yoghurt treats at Chobani Soho- the perfect spot for a healthy snack**

Pistachio Scones

I've been living in New York for a good three years now and I've yet to get a grasp on the seasons. The summers here kill me, the mosquitos and the humidity...it's simply not glamorous.  It's nothing like my perfectly sunny 70 degree weather Pacific Northwest summer, the ones that make the depressingly endless grey days somewhat doable.  And the winters, I'm just really lousy at being cold. I swear I'm always ten degrees colder than anyone around me, like are you guys really not freezing for the entire span of november to march? Because that coat stays on my body 24/7 my friends. Recently I thought I was starting to get a handle on the cold, but it was nine degrees today and it just wasn't really comfy for me. That being said, I love fall and spring. I simple can't get enough.  Everything is lovely in the spring, and the fall, especially over here on the East coast. When it comes down to it, I can handle the afro that I develop in those summer months because I get that great sun all day long, breathtaking produce, and endless days. I patiently await the frigid short winter days each year just so I can enjoy my cozy hat selection and get comfortable with massive amounts of herbal tea, these things make the seasons great, they make the ongoing changes really rather exciting.

Along with my beanies and the sweetness of a snow covered street, there's also the joy of baking.  Because when I cozy up with a big cup of tea in my hand, I'm going to need a nice baked treat in my other hand. It's a winter thing, it's an "it's-so-cold-my-fingers-are-in-pain-thing." 

INGREDIENTS

1 can coconut milk, refrigerated 

(1/4 cup coconut cream reserved)

1 cup chopped dates

1/2 cup shelled salted pistachios

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tbl baking powder

½ cup coconut sugar (or regular sugar)

1/2 cup + 3 tbl cold unsalted butter, cubed

1 egg

1/4 cup heavy cream

4 oz white chocolate

METHOD

Oven at 400 F

1. Begin by opening the can of coconut milk and separating the cream from the liquid. Measure out 1/4 cup of coconut cream and set aside for later.

2. Pour the watery part of the coconut milk into a small bowl, add the chopped dates, and soak for 20 minutes.  After they have soaked, drain them in a sieve and rinse with cold water. Let them sit and dry off a bit while you make the dough.

3. Meanwhile, quickly pulse the pistachios in a food processor a few times until they are roughly chopped and coarse. 

4. Pour the pistachios in a large bowl with the flour, baking powder, and sugar. Mix to combine. Add the cold butter and cut it into the dough with your hands until it resembles a crumbly dough with pea sized butter chunks. Keep the butter chunky! Do not make a paste

5. Chop the white chocolate bar into small pieces (or use chips) and add to the mixture with the dates. Toss to coat in the flour mixture.

6. In a separate small bowl, beat the egg. Add the coconut cream and heavy cream in, and whisk to combine. Drizzle the liquid mix over the flour mixture and slowly work the dough together until it resembles a shaggy mess. Do not over mix. The dough should just barely come together. If it is too dry, feel free to add more cream or a bit of coconut liquid.

7. With floured hands, roughly shape the dough into a flat disk and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

8. Remove from the fridge and cut the dough into triangles. 

9. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet in a 400 F oven. If cut into 12 sections bake for about 15 minutes, If cut into 8 sections, bake for about 20 minutes.  

10. Let scones rest for 10-20 minutes before serving

Notes: These scones are nutty and slightly earthy. Great for dessert or breakfast! Also, if you don't like coconut, feel free to use milk for soaking the dates and use extra heavy cream in place of the coconut cream. Though, the coconut flavor is not really noticeable it mostly just adds moisture.

The Not Summer Salad

Guys, it's really not summer anymore. It's just not. You know, I wasn't totally sure about the seasons slowly and inevitably moving forward but the other day when I was scraping/shoveling/digging my car out of icy snow for two and half hours, I came to terms with the situation. It's winter. I'm sure of it. And while cute, refreshing dishes like watermelon salad cut it back in those scorching summer months, we're just not at that place in our lives anymore.

We're at a place of squash. Stored away for times like this, when hearty dishes are all you crave. So I'm calling this salad hearty, not because it's fatty and has tons of meat but because it's mostly cous cous dotted with some tasty veggies and other treats and I think that counts for something.

Israeli Cous Cous Salad with Honey Balsamic Dressing

1 Medium Butternut or Hubbard Squash (or 2 cubes cubed)

1 Small Onion, chopped

5 Tbl Olive Oil

2 Cups Israeli/Pearl Cous Cous

2 1/2 Cups Water

2 Handfuls of Arugula

1/4 cup Chopped Unsalted Roasted Hazelnuts

1/2 Cup Shaved Parmesan 

Kosher Salt

Dressing

1 Tbl + 1 tsp Olive Oil

1 Tbl Balsamic Vinegar (plus extra to drizzle on top)

1/4 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar or Lemon Juice

1 1/2 tsp honey

Kosher Salt + Fresh Ground Black Pepper

Pinch of Chili Flakes (optional)

-Preheat oven to 400 F-

1. First, peel and cut the squash into small cubes. In a bowl, toss the pieces with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and a very generous sprinkle of kosher salt.

2. Spread out spaciously on one or two baking sheets, and place in the oven for 15-25 minutes. Toss them around half way through and rotate the pan. Remove when cooked through and golden brown on the outside, and turn the oven off because that's all we needed it for.

3. Let the squash cool. Meanwhile, Bring the water (2 1/2 cups) to a boil in medium sized pot with a teaspoon of salt, when it has come to a boil add the cous cous (2 cups).  Reduce heat to a simmer and cook covered for about 12 minutes or until the water is absorbed (or cook according to the package, I trust that). Be careful not to overcook or the cous cous will become one big glob. If it is done before the water is gone simply drain the cous cous.

4. Toss the cous cous in a large bowl with 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil. Let it cool in the fridge.

5. In a small sauté pan, combine the onion and 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil, then turn the pan to medium low heat and cook the onions until golden in color. This may take about 10 minutes, so just keep an eye on them and stir frequently.

6. While the onions are cooking, chop the hazelnuts in large pieces and set aside. 

7. Make the dressing by combining all ingredients and whisking together or shaking in a jar. Add the salt and pepper to taste.

8. Finish off by tossing the onions and the squash in with the cous cous. Add the dressing and toss to coat. Next, add the arugula (save a little to garnish on top), parmesan, and hazelnuts and mix it all together. Top with a few arugula leaves, a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and a bit of parmesan cheese.

Blueberry Quinoa Salad

At this point, I might as well admit that I have recently been working on all these blueberry recipes for a cool blueberry contest I found online. It's been fun coming up with new dishes and I mean it wouldn't totally suck to win some prize money.  So here's the last of it, a great little salad. Perfect for lunch or served with some grilled chicken perhaps.

It all starts with some roasted blueberries, which I've got to admit are pretty damn great. If I had more time I think I would make a good six more recipes with roasted blueberries. I will most definitely be roasting more fruit in the near future. And let's also address the fact that I now fully appreciate the combination of blueberries and basil. I'm hooked.

Blueberry Quinoa Salad

*makes 2-4 servings

2/3 cups fresh blueberries

olive oil, to drizzle

1 cup cooked quinoa

1/4 cup chevre, fresh goat cheese, crumbled

4 basil leaves, thinly sliced

Kosher salt

2 tbl olive oil

1/2 tsp red wine vinegar

1/2 tsp maple syrup

1 tsp very finely chopped shallot

salt & black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Line a small cookie sheet with parchment paper, spread the blueberries on it. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. Roast in the oven for three minutes or just until the juices start to burst out.

2. Meanwhile, if you haven't done so, cook the quinoa according to instructions on the bag or box.(Boil 1 1/4 cup of water, add quinoa, simmer covered over medium low for about 12 minutes. Remove from heat, and let it sit covered for 5 minutes.) Let cool.

3. Make the dressing, mix the bottom 5 ingredients: olive oil, vinegar, maple syrup, shallot, salt, and pepper to taste

4. Gently mix the quinoa with the goat cheese, basil, and blueberries. And toss with the dressing.

Blueberries, Blueberries, Blueberries... http://www.blueberrycouncil.org/