Monday, April 28, 2014

Chicken Cacciatore




2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
                           OR
3 pounds lbs chicken leg quarters, skinned and debone

1 large or 2 small onions
2 cups frozen bell pepper mix (green, red, and yellow), thawed
1 cup arrabbiata sauce
1 cup crushed tomato
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon black pepper.
Cooking spray


Step 1: 

Heat a grill pan over high heat; the goal of this step is to get char marks on the chicken and vegetables. Grill the chicken for 2 min each side. Reserve the chicken to a slow cooker.  Grill the onion and the peppers for about 30 seconds to achieve char.  Add the onions and peppers to the slow cooker.





Step 2:


In a medium bowl mix the arrabbiata sauce, crushed tomato, garlic, and pepper.  Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables.  Set the slow cooker on high for 30 minutes and then reduce it to low and cook for 6 hours.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Gin Martini



1 6oz martini glass
Ice
Water
2 oz gin
1/2 oz dry vermouth

Garnishes:
3 queen green cocktail olive, or a lemon twist  (or if making a Gibson - a cocktail onion)


Step One:
Pour ice and the water into the martini glass to chill the glass. Alternatively, glasses can be kept in the refrigerator an hour ahead of time.











Step Two:
Add ice to a mixing glass.  Add the gin and vermouth to the glass. Employing a jigger (pictured) makes short work of measuring.  Jiggers are two sided measuring tools. Typically one side of the jigger is smaller (holds less volume) than the other.  The larger side is 1 1/2 ounces and the smaller side is 1 ounce.









Step Three:
Pour the ice water out of the martini glass.  Using a cocktail spoon, stir the gin, vermouth,  and ice for no more than 20 seconds and then strain the mixture into the martini glass.










Step Four:
Garnish the martini, and imbibe.



Thursday, April 3, 2014

Grilled Salmon




1 1/2 pounds of salmon filet, skinned and pin bones removed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon Everglades All-Purpose Seasoning
Cooking Spray or cooking oil

OR

1 1/2 pounds of salmon filet, skinned and pin bones removed
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Cooking Spray or cooking oil


Step One:
Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Spray or brush oil on the grill.  While the grill is coming up to temperature, section the salmon widthwise into one inch pieces. Season the salmon on both sides.  Place the pieces on to the hot grill pan skin side ( or what was the skin side) up. Grill the salmon for about 1-3 minutes.





Step Two:
Turn the pieces over.  Using a fish turner is helpful here.  The presentation side will have beautiful grill marks. That's why that side is grilled first. Grill for about 1-3 minutes pending on your desired level of doneness. Like with tuna or steak. Salmon should not be over cooked. Once you've achieved your desired level of doneness remove the salmon from the grill to a plate or tray.  Allow the salmon to rest for about 3-5 minutes, and then serve.