Find us on Google+ GumboGrits: August 2012

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Caribbean Gingered Squash, Rice and Kale


Serving Size : 4

* 2 tablespoons water
* 1 onion -- chopped
* 2 pounds butternut squash -- see preparations
* 2 jalapeno peppers -- seeded and cored and minced
* 2 teaspoons grated peeled gingerroot
* 3 garlic cloves -- minced
* 1 Pinch ground cloves
* 1 Pinch ground allspice
* 1 bunch kale -- cleaned and chopped
* 2/3 cup brown rice
* 1 teaspoon salt (optional)
* 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
* 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice





PREPARATIONS: Butternut squash - peel, core and cut into 2-inch chunks

DIRECTIONS: In a large nonstick skillet, heat the water. Add the onion; cook, stirring as needed, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the squash, jalapenos, ginger, garlic, curry, cloves and allspice; sauté, stirring, about 1 minute.



Add the kale in handfuls, stirring as it wilts. Stir in the rice, salt, pepper and 1 1/2 cups water; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the water is absorbed, 35-40 minutes. Remove from the heat; add the lime juice and fluff with a fork. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes.



PER SERVING: 211 Calories, 1 g Total Fat, 1 g Saturated Fat, 0 mg Cholesterol, 647 mg Sodium, 45 g Total Carbohydrate, 6 g Dietary Fiber, 6 g Protein, 146 mg Calcium.

3.5 ww winning points

CAUTION: When handling chile peppers, wear gloves to prevent irritation.



NOTES : "Squash and kale are winter vegetables, so try this recipe when the thermometer drops. Let the fragrant spices of Caribbean cooking transport you to white-sand beaches and azure lagoo

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Saturday, August 11, 2012

Sesame Crusted Catfish with Geechee Peanut Sauce and Sauteed Okra


Recipe courtesy of Hominy Grill
Prep Time:
15 min
Inactive Prep Time:
--
Cook Time:
1 hr 10 min
Level:
Intermediate
Serves:
4 servings

Ingredients

Directions

Grind 1/2 cup sesame seeds in spice grinder into a rough powder. Leave the other 1/2 cup whole. Combine the sesame powder, sesame seeds, cornmeal, and salt and pepper and place in a shallow bowl.
Dredge catfish fillets in sesame-cornmeal mix and saute in hot peanut oil until golden brown. Remove catfish, keep warm. Empty skillet of oil and crusty cornmeal. Add new oil to hot pan and saute the fresh sliced okra until it becomes slightly brown, about 8 minutes.
Place the geechee sauce on the plate and put catfish fillets on top of that. Add another ladle of geechee sauce and put Sauteed okra on top.


Geechee Peanut Sauce:

Sweat the peppers, celery, and onion in bacon fat until the onions are translucent. Season with salt and pepper. Add red wine and reduce by 1/3. Add tomato and stock. Whisk in roux and peanut butter. Check seasoning. Let simmer for 30 minutes.
Yield: 8 servings

Brown Roux:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon flour
Melt the butter in a saute pan. When the butter is melted, add the flour and stir to combine. Cook slowly over low heat, stirring constantly, until the roux gets dark brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Don't rush it or the roux could burn and become bitter tasting.



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Friday, August 10, 2012

Vegetable Gumbo





























 


Yield: 25 servings

Ingredients

2 qt. diced onions
2 cups corn oil
1 qt. diced celery
3 cups diced
green peppers
3 cups diced red peppers
1⁄4 cup diced garlic
1 tbsp. minced
jalapeño pepper
1⁄4 cup dry thyme
2 bay leaves
3 qt. vegetable stock
1 # 10 can diced tomatoes in juice,
half puréed
3 lb. frozen sliced okra
3 tbsp. salt
1 tbsp. pepper
11⁄2 cups flour
Carolina Gold Rice
Yield: About 61⁄2 cups (25 servings)
2 cups Carolina gold rice
11⁄2 tsp. corn oil
1 qt. warm water
2 tsp. salt

Steps

1. Sauté onions in half of corn oil until a bit tender. Add celery; sauté for 5 minutes. Add peppers and sauté for 5 minutes.

2. Add garlic, jalapeño, thyme and bay leaves. Stir in stock, tomatoes, okra and salt. Simmer for 25 minutes. Add pepper.

3. Prepare roux. Cook flour and remaining oil together over medium heat, whisking often until roux is a bit darker than peanut butter.

4. Add roux to gumbo; simmer for 10 minutes. Taste and correct seasoning.

5. To serve: Add 1 oz. small dice yellow and green squash and 1 oz. blanched corn kernels to each 10-oz. serving. Top each bowl with ¼ cup Carolina Gold Rice (recipe follows).

For Carolina Gold Rice:

1. Cover rice with very hot, but not boiling, water. Soak for 5 minutes, then drain rice and discard water.
Let rice drain for at least 15 minutes so it’s mostly dry.
2. In saucepan, sauté rice in oil.

Add water and salt. Bring to a boil. Simmer until liquid evaporates, about 20 minutes.
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Thursday, August 9, 2012

Gullah-Geechee Corn Salad Recipe




What you’ll need for the salad:

  • 3 cups corn, very well drained
  • ¼ cup chopped green onions
  • 1/3 cup diced green or red bell peppers
  • 1 cup chopped and seeded tomato
  • 1 or 2 ribs of minced celery, with some of the leaves
  • Salt, to taste









Directions: Let corn drain on paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible. Toss corn and all ingredients together.



What you’ll need for the dressing:

Directions: Pour vinegar in a container with a tight lid. Dissolve sugar in vinegar. Add remaining ingredients and shake well. Pour over salad.

Refrigerate salad until chilled. Toss again just before serving
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Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Chipotle Bean Burritos

























Add guacamole and chips to this hearty vegetarian dish for an easy Mexican meal.

  • Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 burrito)
  • Total:30 Minutes
Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons refrigerated fresh salsa
  • 6 (10-inch) reduced-fat flour tortillas (such as Mission)
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) preshredded reduced-fat 4-cheese Mexican blend cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped plum tomato (about 3)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
  • 6 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions
  • 6 tablespoons light sour cream

Preparation
1. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic to pan; cook 1 minute, stirring frequently. Stir in chili powder and salt; cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Stir in 1/3 cup water and beans; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in salsa. Partially mash bean mixture with a fork.
2. Warm tortillas according to package directions. Spoon about 1/3 cup bean mixture into center of each tortilla. Top each serving with about 2 1/2 tablespoons cheese, 1/4 cup tomato, 1/4 cup lettuce, 1 tablespoon onions, and 1 tablespoon sour cream; roll up.

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Monday, August 6, 2012

Zucchini, Eggplant, and Green Beans with Tomatoes







Recipe Type: VegetablesSquashTomatoesGreen Beans
Yields: 4 servings
Prep time20 min
Cook time: 15 min

Ingredients:
3 to 4 large tomatoes, stem end removed
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, cut in half and sliced
1 medium-large zucchini squash, sliced
1 medium Japanese eggplant, sliced
4 large cloves garlic, peeled and sliced thin
Coarse salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste
1 handful of young green beans or Chinese Long Beans, cut into 2-inch lengths
Chicken broth, if needed
Fresh oregano leaves and flowers*
Fresh thyme springs
Pinch saffron
Several shakes of Zatar (optional)**
* Fresh oregano is preferred for this recipe, and if you have it in your garden, be sure to use the flowers. Dried oregano may also be used.
** Zatar is a popular spice/herb blend of the Middle East and is used in many Turkish dishes. Crushed Sumac is mixed with thyme leaves, salt, and sesame seed creating a flavorful tabletop condiment.

Preparation:
If you have an instant hot water tap at your sink, fill a four cup measuring cup with the hot water and add tomatoes. If not, boil water and pour over tomatoes. Let sit a few minutes until you can easily peel off the skins. Cut into quarters and set aside. LearnHow To Peel Fresh Tomatoes.
To a large sauté pan, add olive oil and onion, sauté over medium-high heat until onions begin to soften. Add zucchini, eggplant, garlic and green beans, and sauté. Add salt at this time as it helps to release juices from the vegetables. Note: If the vegetables seem dry, add a little chicken broth. Place lid askew on pan and let the mixture cook until almost softened.
Tomatoes
Add the peeled tomatoes, oregano, thyme, saffron, and Zatar; toss well, replace lid, and turn heat to low and finish cooking. Taste for seasoning and correct to your taste. If desired, drizzle a little more olive oil over vegetables prior to serving.
Makes 4 servings.
 
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