May 2021 – Page 2 – spades, spatulas & spoons

This post is part of a monthly roundup of goings on in kitchens around the world. It’s hosted by Sherry of Sherry’s Pickings. Please consider joining and adding your own monthly update.

We had our first weekend guests at start of this month (who were vaccinated and actually allowed indoors) since the pandemic started 14 months ago. Although it was sunny during the day, evenings were chilly and we were able to beat a welcome retreat inside for dinner.

To celebrate we had these stunning botanical gin and tonics featuring elderberry tonic garnished with flowers and herbs from the garden. Spring is definitely here.

Botanical Gin and Tonic

Along with buttermilk brined beer can BBQ chicken, I served this delightful celery and lentil salad. Along with crisp crusted local sourdough, it was an easy and delicious meal.

Celery and Lentil Salad

Buttermilk Brined Roast Chicken

In my kitchen there have been new salads that are perfect for serving with spring and summer cookouts.

Curried Sweet Potato Salad – I’ll have some of that!

A curried sweet potato salad with cashews and creamy goat cheese served with a simple grilled steak.

In my kitchen I have a new Korean pepper paste made with brown rice and red peppers.

Gochujang

While considering what to make for dinner in my kitchen, I saw a recipe for Spicy Fire Chicken (it was also called Maangchi’s Cheese Buldak) in the NY Times food section and was intrigued. Truthfully cooking has become somewhat tedious and the recipe was outlandish and completely out of my usual comfort zone. Here is a link to a YouTube video of Emily Kim (she is the Korean web star known as Maangchi) preparing the dish. I was able to order the rice and red pepper paste on Amazon. And although I fully intended to try the dish, when I tasted a spoonful of the paste it was HOT! So much so that I questioned the wisdom of cooking with it and imagined the hours of heartburn that might result. To the rescue came another very simple recipe using it. This time a simple marinade of equal parts gochujang and honey with a splash of soy sauce and olive oil. To my surprise the comments said that it was not overly spicy. And it was true. So true that I don’t have pictures because we wolfed down the dish before I could pull out my camera! The marinated skirt steak was delicious, it was not hot at all but had a wonderful depth of flavor. I will try and restrain myself long enough to post it next time.

In my kitchen was (all gone now) a cheesecake made with labne. The recipe is from the cookbook Nothing Fancy by Alison Roman. She called it Sweet and Salty Cream Cheese Tart, it’s made with a crust of Ritz crackers and includes grapefruit juice. It appealed to me because it wasn’t overly rich or sweet, and it was easy to prepare (very important). I don’t usually make desserts, preferring savory over sweet.

Sweet and Salty Cheese Tart

It cracked a little in the center when cooling but a few fresh raspberries concealed it.

Lastly in my kitchen I made a sheet pan coconut fish and tomato bake. I will post the recipe because it was wonderful. Stay tuned.

Sheet Pan Coconut Fish and Tomatoes

The rockfish was purchased fresh off the boat in Noyo Harbor. I served it with fresh asparagus and a creamy combination of mashed potatoes and pureed roast cauliflower (left over from a previous meal).

What’s new in your kitchen this month?

Celery and Lentil Salad

So I am going to start this post by admitting that I am not a great celery fan. Not a fan of celery seeds either. But this salad converted me. The celery provides a crisp freshness to the lentils, toasted almonds and sauce which is rich with umami from anchovies and capers. I personally love anchovies but I know many folks do not agree. For a vegetarian version leave them off; you may want to add a splash of coconut aminos or soy sauce to the dressing to provide a similar lift. If you want to make the salad several hours ahead, just bring it back to room temperature before serving. Refrigerated leftovers were wonderful for lunch the next day, this time with some crumbled goat cheese on top. I think cottage cheese would also be good.

If your celery from the market has its leaves, use them in the salad. Otherwise chopped Italian parsley or baby arugula will work. I used a combination of all of those.

I served it at our first BBQ of the season with a buttermilk brined beer can chicken and crisp sourdough bread. It was perfect.

Celery and Lentil Salad with Salsa Verde

Ingredients:

For salsa verde or vinaigrette:

3 anchovies, smashed and minced
2 tablespoons minced shallots
1 teaspoon capers, rinsed and chopped
1 large lemon, finely grated zest and 3 tablespoons of juice
2 pinches kosher salt
4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

For salad:

3/4 cup of green French lentils
1 bay leaf
3 tablespoons raisins
1 lemon, juiced
2 pinches kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 pinch red pepper flakes
5 celery stalks, trimmed and thinly sliced on the diagonal (about 3 cups)
2 – 2 1/2 cups of chopped celery leaves, Italian parsley leaves, and/or baby arugula
1/3 cup toasted thinly sliced almonds
2 oz. shaved pecorino or parmesan cheese

Method:

Toast the almonds in a small dry skillet until beginning to turn golden. Turn them out to a small plate to cool.
Place lentils and bay leaf in a saucepan and cover with several inches of water. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down and simmer until the lentils are tender, about 20 minutes. Keep the lentils covered by addition additional water if needed.
Meanwhile make the salsa verde: combine the anchovies, shallots, capers, lemon zest and juice with a few pinches of salt in a small jar with a lid. Shake to combine and let sit for about 5 minutes for the flavors to meld. Then add the oil and shake to emulsify.
When the lentils are done, drain them and discard the bay leaf. Return the lentils to the pan, add about 3 tablespoons of the salsa verde and the raisins. Let cool and then taste for seasoning. Add more salt and/or lemon juice if needed.
In a large serving bowl, toss the celery and leaves with 1 tablespoon of the vinaigrette, red pepper flakes and salt if needed. Add the lentils and almonds, toss to mix. Taste again and add more of the vinaigrette, lemon juice or salt if required.
Shave the pecorino or parmesan on top when serving.
Can be served immediately or at room temperature.

Celery and Lentil Salad

This recipe comes from the Food52 site by EmilyC.

I’m taking this one to Fiesta Friday, a virtual blogging party hosted by Angie. The party is home to bloggers with recipe and craft ideas. It’s Fiesta Friday #379 and this would be wonderful served at your Mother’s Day BBQ. Please consider joining us and adding your own post to the party.