Monday, September 10, 2012

Iron Chef September -- Cinnamon (hosted by Mollie & Ty)

Iron Chef September - Cinnamon

Liz & Jim's Appetizer - Pork Tenderloin 

Ingredients

  • 2 - 1 lb whole pork tenderoloins

Marinade:2 cloves garlic

  • 2 green onions
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons dry red wine
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons red food coloring, optional*

Directions 

Fine-chop the garlic and green onions. Combine the honey, brown sugar, and wine in a large bowl. Add the chopped onions and garlic. Stir in the cinnamon and then the soy sauce.
Place the tenderloins in the bowl, coating them well with the marinade. Cover the bowl and marinate the meat for at least 2 hours, turning occasionally. (May be left in the refrigerator overnight.)
Preheat the oven to 350°. Remove the meat from the marinade and place them on a broiler pan. Reserve the marinade for basting. Bake until cooked through, about 45 to 60 minutes, basting often. Cool.
Cut the roasted tenderloins into 1/4" slices and transfer to a serving platter.


Liz & Jim's Appetizer -Cinnamon Roasted Almonds

Ingredients   

  • 2 cups of almonds, pecans, or walnuts – roast each type of nut individually
    2 tablespoons agave or honey
    1 tablespoon grapeseed oil or canola oil
    1 1/2 teaspoons good quality cinnamon
    1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
    1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder

 

Directions

Place a rack in the middle of your oven. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.


Place nuts in a large bowl. When you roast the nuts, roast each variety in separate glass or ceramic baking dishes as their roasting times vary slightly. You can put two dishes of nuts in the oven at once so long as they fit on the same middle rack. If the nuts are too close to the heating element they’ll burn.


Combine agave, oil, cinnamon, salt, and cayenne powder in a glass measuring cup. Pour mixture over nuts and toss to coat completely. 

Place nuts in a glass baking dish in a single layer. Bake for 12 – 15 minutes, stirring after 6 minutes. Test for doneness at 12 minutes. Nuts will still be soft when done and will get crisp as they cool.
 

Let nuts cool in glass dish for a few minutes. Stir to toss nuts in any remaining agave mix on the bottom of the pan. 

Place on heavy duty aluminum foil to cool completely, separating nuts as much as possible so they don’t dry in clumps.
 

For almonds: these take several more minutes to cook. Once cooked, allow to cool in pan, tossing in agave mix. Since the almonds have no ridges to soak up the flavoring, you may need to add a little salt, cinnamon, or cayenne. Taste the nuts and adjust the seasoning as needed. Once they’ve cooled and have nice globs of spicy cinnamon agave on them, move them to heavy duty aluminum foil to cool completely.
 

Store in mason jars for optimal freshness.


Ann & Darren's Side - Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients

  • 2 sweet potatoes (large)
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 teaspoons cinnamon (ground)
  • salt (seasoned salt)   
  •  

Directions 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Peel sweet potatoes and then slice into French fry style sticks.
Line a jelly roll pan with a sheet of baker's parchment paper.
Toss sweet potato fries in a bowl with olive oil to coat sweet potatoes.
Lie sweet potato fries on to the parchment paper.
Sprinkle with salt.
Use 1.5 teaspoons worth of cinnamon and sprinkle sweet potato fries.
Bake them for 20 minutes, then turn them over.
Sprinkle salt and remaining cinnamon on the fries. 
Bake them for an additional 30 minutes. 
Serve and enjoy!

Micki's Salad - Plum Salad with Cinnamon Honey Dressing

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup plum preserves
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 tablespoon McCormick® Grill Mates® Applewood Rub
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
  • 1 pound extra large shrimp (16 to 20 count), peeled and deveined
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 plums, each cut into 6 slices
  • 1 package (5 ounces) spring mix salad greens
  • 3/4 cup fresh raspberries
  • 6 slices applewood bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled

Cinnamon-Honey Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Sicilian Sea Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon McCormick® Gourmet Collection Roasted Saigon Cinnamon
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil

 

Directions 

For the Cinnamon-Honey Dressing, mix lemon juice, honey, sea salt and roasted cinnamon in small bowl. Slowly whisk in oil. Set aside. 

Mix plum preserves and water in small bowl. Set aside. Mix Applewood Rub and lemon peel. Thread shrimp onto skewers. Brush with oil. Coat with Rub mixture.

Grill shrimp skewers over medium heat 4 to 5 minutes per side or just until shrimp turn pink, brushing occasionally with plum preserves mixture. Grill plums 1 to 2 minutes or until grill marks appear, turning frequently and brushing with 2 tablespoons of the Dressing.

To serve, divide salad greens among 6 plates. Top each with shrimp, plums, raspberries and bacon. Serve with remaining Cinnamon-Honey Dressing.

 

Molly & Ty's Main Dish -  Marrakesh Stew

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 large red onion, diced large
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 4 large carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Coarse salt and ground pepper
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
  • 3 3/4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 2 small eggplants, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 can (15.5 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • Cooked couscous (optional), for serving

 

Directions  

In an 8-quart Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat oil over medium-high. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 5 minutes. Add cumin, cinnamon, coriander, cayenne, and allspice and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Add carrots, potatoes, and squash and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and broth (vegetables should be completely covered by liquid; add water to cover if necessary). Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook, uncovered, 20 minutes.

Add eggplant, stir to combine, and simmer until eggplant is tender, 20 minutes. Stir in chickpeas, season to taste with salt and pepper, and cook until chickpeas are warmed through, 5 minutes. Serve stew with couscous if desired.

Annie & Jeff's Dessert - Grandma's Key Lime Pie

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust
  • 1-1/2 c graham cracker crumbs (~12 whole crackers)
  • 1/4 c almonds, finely chopped
  • 1/4 c sugar
  • 1/4 c butter
  • 1 tsp cinnamon (or more to taste)

 Pie Filling
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 1 - 14oz can sweetened condensed milk 
  • 3/4 c fresh lime juice
  • 2 tsp grated lime rind

Meringue 
  • 6 egg whites
  • 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 c sugar
 

Directions 

Preheat oven to 375.
Combine crumbs, sugar, almonds, butter & cinnamon in a bowl. Blend well.
Use mixture to line bottom and sides of 10" pie plate.
Bake 8-10 minutes, until golden brown and firm.
Remove to a rack and let cool.

Reduce oven to 250.
Beat egg yolks in a bowl.
Pour in condensed milk, stirring constantly.
Add lime rind and juice.
Pour mixture into crumb crust.
Place pie in oven and bake for 15-30 minutes, until firm.
Transfer to rack and let cool.

In a mixing bowl beat egg whites until frothy.
Gradually add sugar and cream of tartar, beating constantly until peaks are stiff.
Spread meringue over pie, covering the edge of the crust.
Bake until meringue is nicely browned (about 15 min)
Remove to rack to cool.
Be sure pie is completely cooled before moving to fridge. Serve chilled.

 

 

Friday, September 7, 2012

Iron Chef August - Corn

Micki & Nick's Appetizer - Corn & Avocado Salsa

Ingredients 

  • 4 shucked ears of corn
  • 1 sliced Hass avocado
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

Directions

Heat grill to medium-high. Grill corn, rotating often, until lightly charred, about 15 minutes. Let cool slightly. Carefully cut kernels from cob. Gently toss with avocado, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, and salt.

Mollie's Side - Quinoa Salad

Ingredients

  • EVOO
  • pinch of sea salt
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 3 cups cooked quinoa
  • 1 cup fresh corn
  • 1 head of kale, finely chopped
  • 1 jar pesto
  • 1 bag of sun-dried tomatoes

 

Directions

Heat EVOO and stir in shallot. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Stir in cooked quinoa and corn and cook until hot and sizzling. Stir in the kale and sun-dried tomatoes. Remove and stir in pesto.

Annie & Jeff's Side - Redstone Cornbread

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup cornmeal
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder
  • 4 eggs
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 7 ounces creamed corn (1/2 can)
  • 2 ounces diced green chilies, drained well (1/2 can)
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup shredded monterey jack and cheddar cheese blend

 

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Mix together all ingredients in the order given
Pour into greased 8" or 9" iron skillet.
Bake 35 minutes. Insert toothpick- if it comes out clean the corn bread is done. If not, continue baking & check every 5 minutes with a toothpick.
Serve warm with Maple Butter. 

 

Ann & Darren's Main Dish - Chicken Tostadas

Ingredients

  • 8 Old El Paso® flour tortillas for soft tacos & fajitas (6 inch; from 8.2-oz package)
  • 1 can (11 oz) Green Giant® SteamCrisp® Mexicorn® whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, drained
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
  • 1 jar (16 oz) Old El Paso® salsa (any variety)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 1/2 cups shredded lettuce
  • 1 cup shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese (4 oz)
  • 1/4 cup sliced green onions

 

Directions 

Heat oven to 375°F. On ungreased cookie sheets, bake tortillas 7 to 10 minutes or until crisp. 

Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, stir together corn, chicken and salsa. Cook over medium-high heat 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until hot. 

In small bowl, stir sour cream and milk until thin enough to drizzle. Top tortillas with lettuce and chicken mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Drizzle with sour cream mixture. Sprinkle with green onions

 

Liz's Dessert - Caramel Corn

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup butter
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 5 quarts popped popcorn

Directions 

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (95 degrees C). Place popcorn in a very large bowl. 
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil without stirring 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in soda and vanilla. Pour in a thin stream over popcorn, stirring to coat. 
Place in two large shallow baking dishes and bake in preheated oven, stirring every 15 minutes, for 1 hour. Remove from oven and let cool completely before breaking into pieces.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Iron Chef July - Honey

Andrew's Appetizer: Carrot & Honey Gazpacho

Ingredients
 
Directions

Micki's & Nick's Main Dish: BBQ Chicken Burgers with Slaw

Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter, cut into pieces
1 small red onion, 1/2 finely chopped, 1/2 thinly sliced 
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 
2 tablespoons tomato paste 
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon hot sauce
1 1/4 pounds ground chicken
1 tablespoon grill seasoning
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided 
2 tablespoons honey
1 lemon, juiced 
3 rounded tablespoons sweet pickle relish
2 cups shredded cabbage mix
Salt and pepper 
4 buns

Directions
In a small skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add chopped onions, garlic and tomato paste and sweat them for 5 minutes to soften and sweeten. Sprinkle in sugar and remove from heat. Cool in a bowl, 5 minutes. Add tomato paste mixture, Worcestershire, hot sauce to bowl and combine. Add chicken to the bowl then grill seasoning and combine the burgers well to evenly distribute the flavors and form 4 patties. Wash up.
Heat 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, a turn of the pan, in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook patties 6 minutes on each side.
Combine the honey, lemon juice and remaining extra virgin olive oil in a bowl. Add relish, cabbage mix and sliced onions and season with salt and pepper. Toss the slaw to coat and reserve.
Serve burgers on bun bottoms topped with slaw and bun tops.

Annie's & Jeff's Salad: Apple, Endive & Honey Goat Cheese with Shallot Vinaigrette 

Ingredients
Salad:
2 heads Boston lettuce, shredded
1 head endive, leaves cut into 2-3 pieces each
1 Fuji apple, thinly sliced
2 oz. honey goat cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, crushed

Dressing:
2 oz. olive oil
2 oz. red wine vinegar
1 shallot, thinly sliced
dash salt

Directions
 Let shallot sit in dressing for awhile before pouring over. Mix well after it sits. Pour over dressing, toss & serve!

Dan's Side: Wilted Spinach with Honey & Figs

Ingredients

Directions

Ann's Side: Honey Cornbread

Ingredients
1/4 cup white sugar
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
2 eggs, lightly beaten
 

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x9 inch baking pan.  
In a large bowl, stir together flour, cornmeal, sugar and baking powder. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add the cream, oil, honey and eggs; stir to combine. Pour batter into prepared baking pan.  
Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of pan comes out clean.

Mollie's Dessert: Broiled Peaches with Honey Mascarpone Cheese

Ingredients
Nectarines (or peaches)
Mascarpone cheese
Honey
Pecans (I used Trader Joe's Praline Pecans and crushed them into pieces)
Raw sugar
Directions
Mix mascarpone cheese and honey to taste
Crush pecans/pralines
Cut nectarines into slices, sprinkle with raw sugar. Broil for 4-5 minutes (they burn fast...keep a close eye on them). Cook until they are slightly browned on top.
Top nectarines with dollop of marscapone and sprinkle with pecans.