BREAKING GOOD FRIDAY FAST ~ MUSSELS PROVENCALE & SPICY TOMATO LEMON BISQUE

~ Dogwood in May

_________________

MUSSELS PROVENCALE

~ This is peak season for mussels. Not only are they inexpensive but the richest of all shell fish in the 'miracle' fatty acid, Omega-3. Figure at least a pound of mussels per person for this delicious recipe.

2 lbs. scrubbed & debearded mussels

4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

3 cloves minced garlic

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper

1 cup either Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir

1/4 tsp. dried thyme

3 cups chopped seeded tomato

(halved grape tomatoes work well also)

pinch sea salt

1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper

3 Tbsp. chopped parsley

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil

Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and crushed red pepper; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add wine & thyme; bring to boil and simmer 3 minutes. Add tomato, salt & pepper and again bring to boil. Reduce heat and cook 1 minute.
Add mussels and bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat slightly and cook until shells open, about 4 minutes. Toss with parsley & fresh basil. Serve a crusty baguette for slurping in sauce. (Discard any unopened shells)

Note: For more facts on mussels visit Chef De Cuisine:

http://www.chefdecuisine.com/seafood/mussels/musselmain.asp

_________________________________

SPICY TOMATO BISQUE

~ a savory, satisfying soup while waiting for seasonal ripe tomatoes to reach peak flavor

2 (14 1/2 oz.) cans Italian stewed tomatoes

1 large can spicy V-8

4 Tbsp. large chopped green onions

juice of a large lemon & zest

3 dashes Worcestershire sauce

5 dashes Tabasco

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil

1 tsp. Lawry's Seasoned pepper

Combine all ingredients. In 2 batches, process 1/2 at a time. Can refrigerate until ready to serve.
Gently heat in saucepan on low heat until piping hot. Adjust seasoning. Serve topped with chopped basil & garlic croutons.

Comments

AUTUMN DINNER ~ ROASTED SAGE SPAGHETTI SQUASH With GUYERE, SAUTÉED FRESH GARLIC, PARSLEY and TOASTED PINE NUTS

“Welcome sweet November, the season of senses and my favorite month of all.” ― Gregory F. Lenz November Sunset (Hubbard Lake, MI) ROASTED SAGE SPAGHETTI SQUASH With GUYERE, SAUTÉED FRESH GARLIC, PARSLEY and TOASTED PINE NUTS ~ Delightful autumn dinner slightly adapted from pinch of yum . 1 halved and seeded spaghetti squash Extra-virgin olive oil coarse salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste 2-3 minced cloves garlic 2 tsp. white balsamic vinegar 1 cup minced fresh parsley 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh sage or 2 tsp. dried 1 cup grated Gruyere cheese 1/2 - 3/4 cup toasted pine nuts Preheat oven to 375º. Rub squash with olive oil and sprinkle with coarse salt and freshly ground pepper. Place cut side down on sprayed rimmed baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes or until fork tender. Let cool until able to handle and scrape inside with a fork and pull strands away from ski...

SUMMERTIME ... AND THE LIVIN' IS EASY ~ SPICY PULLED PORK & COLE SLAW / BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE

"A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken." ~James Dent LILIUM / LILIUM / STOKESIA ( BLUE DANUBE) DAYLILY /FROG STUPOR/ ASTILBE DAISY/ MONARDA / DAYLILY _____________________ SPICY PULLED PORK ~ A must-have for simple summer suppers adapted from a Detroit Free Press clipping __________ 4-5 lbs. pork shoulder blade Boston roast or trimmed pork tenderloins 12 sandwich rolls or good hamburger buns Rub: 1/4 cup brown sugar 3 Tbsp. favorite chili powder 2 tsp. cumin 1 tsp. Hungarian Paprika 1/2 tsp. coarse salt 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 2 tsp. garlic powder 2 tsp. onion powder Sauce: 3 cup (or more as needed) favorite barbecue sauce 1/2 cup brown or yellow mustard 3 Tbsp. Tabasco sauce (or to taste) juice of 1 lemon Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Trim most of fat from roast, remove bone and separate into 2 pieces (pork tenderloins work well and less work). Combine rub ingredients in small...

FIRE TO WARM THE SOUL & BODY ~ SOUPE A L'OIGNON GRATINEE (FRENCH ONION SOUP)

" The sun broke like an egg into a full sunset and the water caught fire." ~ Pamela Johnson January sunset (Hubbard Lake) __________________ SOUPE A L'OIGNON GRATINEE (adapted from Mastering the Art of French Cooking ) “Onion soup sustains. The process of making it is somewhat like the process of learning love. It requires commitment, extraordinary effort, time, and will make you cry." ~ Ronni Lundy _________________________________________ (FRENCH ONION SOUP) 6 pounds thinly sliced yellow onions 6 Tbsp. butter 3 Tbsp. oil 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. sugar 6 heaping Tbsp. flour 5 quarts good beef stock 2 cups dry white wine coarse salt and cracked pepper few drops of Kitchen Bouquet 12 Tbsp. Cognac 1 pound Swiss cheese* 1 - 1 1/2 pound assorted shredded cheddar, Colby and Swiss or Parmesan Cook onions slowly in butter and oil in covered stockpot for 15 minutes. Uncover, raise heat to moderate , and stir in salt and sugar. Cook for 30-40 minutes stirring frequently until on...

THE VILLAGE VOICE

Search This Blog