OLD SCHOOL SHRIMP SCAMPI

Not sure how you beat this. And considering this is "Super quick dinner week" and it goes from zip to amazing in less than 15 minutes...you gotta make it.

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 lb fresh large raw shrimp (21-30 size)

• 1/2 pack spaghetti

• 3 tablespoons butter

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 2 cloves garlic, crushed

• 1/3 cup Dry Vermouth

• pinch red pepper flakes

• 3 tablespoons curly parsley, finely chopped, (flatleaf will do)

• 1/2 lemon, fresh juice

• lemon wedge for serving

• drizzle of EVOO

• Optional: handful grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. In large pot boiled salted water add spaghetti, cook al dente

2. While that cooks... In a large skillet, on medium heat, add butter, oil, garlic, cook 30 seconds

3. Add vermouth, red pepper flakes, simmer 4 minutes to reduce liquid

4. Add shrimp, these guys only need 2 minutes, flip cook for 1 more minute

5. Add lemon juice and half parsley

6. Drain pasta, add to skillet coat in sauce

7. Serve garnished with parsley, drizzle of EVOO and a wedge of lemon. Sprinkle of Parmesan if you feel like it.

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Shiitake & Leek Benedict

No ham?  No bacon?  No chorizo?  Nope, none of that.  Just amazing sauteed shiitakes and leeks with a ridiculously good chive hollandaise.  And don't forget...to take the pressure off you for having to make perfect poached eggs at the last minute, you can always make 'em in advance (like the day before even) put them in an ice bath to stop the cooking, then simply store in cold water in the fridge.  Then slip them into simmering water for about a minute to serve.  Yes, I am here for you. 

Makes 4 poached eggs

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 pound shiitake mushrooms, stems removed and tops sliced thin
• 1 large leek, white & light green only part sliced lengthwise, then into thin half-rounds
• 2 tablespoons olive oli
• 3 tablespoons butter
• Kosher & fresh ground pepper

Blender Hollandaise

• 1/4 cup chives, super finely chopped
• 4 poached eggs
• 2 English Muffins or whatever break-like product your heart desires - I used a great flat bread and it was effing perfect (just sayin)

DIRECTIONS

1. Put shiitakes and leeks in a pan with the olive oil and butter - cook over medium heat until beautifully softened, 7-10 minutes and season to taste with salt & pepper
2. While they cook, make the Hollandaise, and when it's done throw in the chopped chives and blend another 15 seconds - keep warm
3. Poach the eggs, and toast your bread product
4. Serve by topping bread with the leek mixture, topping with an egg and adding the hollandaise - but then you already knew that, right?

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Lentil with Bacon Soup

Admittedly, this is not the best looking soup, but it is fricking delicious. Trying putting a piece of baguette in the bowl first...then adding the soup.  #nobadthere

Makes about 8 cups

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 pound bacon, diced
• 1/2 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 6+ cups chicken stock
• 1 cup lentils, rinsed
• Kosher salt (about 1/2 teaspoon) & 5 grinds fresh ground pepper
• Chopped cilantro for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. Cook bacon in a large pot until halfway to being crispy
2. Remove excess grease, leaving a couple tablespoons
3. Add onion, celery, carrot and cumin - cook until just softened, about 5 minutes
4. Put in broth and lentils
5. Bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer and cook 30-45 minutes or until lentils are soft
6. Add salt & pepper, mix well and serve with cilantro

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Best tuna salad

This is the best ever tuna salad, and once you have it in the fridge you can make last minutes snacks. Like... turn it into fricking ridiculous bacon & tuna scrambled eggs - and I’m not kidding.

Serves 4

3 - 5oz cans solid white albacore tuna

1/3 cup chopped fresh dill

1/3 cup chopped curly parsley

1/3 cup chopped sugar snap peas

1/3 cup chopped dill picklesI

2 tablespoons dill pickle juice

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil for a little added richness

Kosher salt & pepper to taste, salt is important here btw

Mayo - I used about 1/3 cup of Kewpie, Japanese mayo which makes ALL the difference. But because mayo (like cowboy boots) is very a personal thing and what I like is not necessarily what other people like, I suggest whatever amount works for you is what you go with. Remember tho - you can always add more, you can’t take it out.

• Put the tuna in a large bowl and break up with a fork - it’ll be easier now before the other stuff is added

• Add everything else and mix. Keep it in the fridge for snack time.

 

Maple Chipotle Wings

Makes a pound

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound chicken wings, I like to cut off the wing tip & separate the wing from the little tiny leg kinda thing
• 1 cup maple syrup (or if ur feeling cheap pancake syrup will totally do)
• 3 chipotle peppers, minced fine
• Kosher salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat broiler to high
2. Combine syrup & chipotle peppers, mix well and put on med/high heat
3. Bring to a boil, and turn down to a simmer - let go about 15 minutes or until slightly thickened
4. Meanwhile put wings on a foil covered baking sheet, and place baking sheet about 6 inches below glowing coils - broil about 10 minutes per side until done
5. Remove, put some wings in a large bowl, add some sauce and toss well
6. Serve & right fricking now!!!! 

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Kewpie shrimp

INGREDIENTS

• 30 raw shelled Shrimp (size: 21/25)
• 2-3 tablespoons Kewpie mayonnaise (Japanese mayo) 
• Nanami Togarashi (Japanese Mixed pepper seasoning) *
• 1-2 tablespoons EVOO
• Kosher salt
• Fresh black pepper
• wooden skewers, soaked in water

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat grill
2. Pinch tails off, skewer each shrimp so it is straight, see photo  
3. Drizzle EVOO, sprinkle with big pinch Kosher salt
4. Grill 2 minutes maximum, each side, remove from grill
5. Brush on Kewpie mayo to one side, sprinkle with Togarashi 
6. Place back on flaming hot grill for 15 seconds, until a little blacked, or if you have one use a gas torch, that's what I use.
7. eat

* If you don't have this seasoning, you can sub, with a mix of fresh Kosher salt, Paprika and  fresh black pepper.

RECIPE FEATURED ON "NEW OUTDOOR KITCHEN DAY" EPISODE OF SAM THE COOKING GUY SHOW

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BURRATA & PROSCIUTTO CROSTINI

Burrata is Buffalo Mozzarella's softer, creamier, way cooler cousin. You're gonna like this a lot.

INGREDIENTS

• Ciabatta loaf, sliced
• 1 garlic clove
• 4-5 Cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup Burrata cheese
• 1/4 lb Prosciutto
• EVOO
• Big pinch Kosher salt
• fresh black pepper
• Fresh basil

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat broiler
2. Drizzle with EVOO, place under broiler for 1 minute until golden, both sides
3. Chop garlic in half, on the oiled side of toast, rub in garlic
4. Chop tomatoes in half and rub the tomato into the same side of the bread
5. Layer each slice with Prosciutto, 2 teaspoons Burrata, drizzle EVOO and season with Kosher salt and pepper
6. Garnish with finely sliced basil

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Pho

Serves 4

That really good Vietnamese beef and noodle soup...and it's pronounced 'fuh', like duh.

Ingredients

• 1 16-ounce pack of Rice Noodles
• 32 oz low sodium beef broth
• 2 inch piece of fresh Ginger
• 3 limes
• 2 Star Anise stars
• 8 oz bag bean sprouts
• 1 bunch green onion light green and white parts only
• 1 big handful Cilantro
• 1 pound beef
• 1 small red jalapeno or chili, seeds removed and diced small
• 1/2 cup Hoisin sauce

Directions

1. 30 minutes before you're ready to serve - put the beef in your freezer
2. To a medium pot add broth, Star Anise, juice of 2 of the limes and ginger - bring to a boil and continue to boil about 15 minutes
3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add noodles and cook for 10 minutes
4. slice green onion into thin vertical strips
5. Slice beef into very thin strips and set aside
6. Drain noodles well and separate into 4 bowls
7. Cover noodles with beef slices, and top with broth
8. Then to each bowl add some bean sprouts, cilantro, green onion, red jalapeno, fresh lime juice and Hoisin
9. Mix in hoisin and eat - damn it's so good

MINI QUICHES

Bust these out for parties and NYE, they are quick and super delicious. Also, a great way to use up leftover pie dough and anything else in the fridge.

Makes 12 quiches

INGREDIENTS

• frozen and thawed pie dough
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 red onion, diced
• 12 mushrooms, sliced
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 3/4 cup soft goat cheese or Monterey Jack
• 2 handfuls of spinach
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup cream
• 1 teaspoon Sambal chili paste (or any hot sauce)
• Big pinch Kosher Salt
• 5 grinds fresh black pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. cut out 12 pastry 4'' circles (I use a cup), shape into muffin baking tray
3. Preheat skillet on high, add oil, mushrooms and onion cook 3 minutes
4. Lower heat to medium, add garlic, cook 1 more minute
5. Add spinach, let it wilt for 1 minute, remove from heat let it cool
6. Beat eggs, cream, Kosher salt and pepper, Sambal chili paste
7. Spoon 1 tablespoon of vegetable mix into each, spoon 2 tablespoons of egg mix
8. Bake for 22 minutes, cool on rack for 2 minutes, eat!

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Warm nuts

Bunch last minute visitors arrived on your doorstep...?! Have no fear. Keep your pantry stocked with these simple ingredients and it will always be a breeze.

INGREDIENTS

• bag of nuts (any kind, but I prefer cashews, unsalted)
• 1 teaspoon butter
• dash of smoked paprika
• pinch of Kosher salt

DIRECTIONS

1. In small heat-proof dish, add all ingredients
2. Microwave for 30 seconds
3. Mix and serve with a ice cold beer or cocktail.

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Filet Topped with Crab & Bernaise Sauce

Serves 2

A super delicious and romantic dinner...unless you're my wife who doesn't like sauces. Bernaise (sort of a non-lemony Hollandaise) goes brilliantly with beef.

Ingredients

• Two 6 oz filet mignon, about 11/2 inches thick
• Olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Fresh ground pepper
• 4 ounces crab meat (notice I spell crab with a C, not a K)
• Package Bernaise sauce

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees
2. NOTE: remove filets from fridge 30-45 minutes before cooking
3. Rub filets with oil on all sides and season well with salt & pepper
4. Heat a cast iron (preferably) pan or other oven safe pan on high heat for 5 minutes - with nothing in the pan
5. Sear the filets until brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side. Then put the pan in the oven until the internal temperature reaches 130 to 135 degrees - about 4-5 more minutes
6. Remove from oven, cover loosely with foil and let rest 10 minutes
7. Meanwhile, make sauce according to package directions
8. To serve, top filet with crab and drizzle with Bernaise

Herbed Goat Cheese

A perfect last minute appetizer for the holiday season or any party.

INGREDIENTS

• 4oz soft goat cheese log
• 2 green onions, chopped finely 
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped finely (or, dill works too)
• pinch Kosher salt
• 6 grinds fresh black pepper
• whatever bread you have... Bagel, French Baguette, sliced thinly

DIRECTIONS

1. mix green onion parsley and salt and peper
2. roll the goat cheese in the mix coat generously and evenly
3. toast your bread and serve. 

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Hummus 2.0

One of my favorite go-to lastminute appetizers, take a simple little hummus and make it party fancy. 

INGREDIENTS

• Spicy hummus (or whatever you have in the fridge)
• kalamata olives, chopped
• pita bread or flat bread
• extra virgin olive oil
• pinch Kosher salt
• pinch cayenne pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Garnish hummus with drizzle of evoo, olives, dusting of cayenne and pinch salt
2. Toast bread and slice and serve 

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Crispy rice pancake & eggs

Sometimes you gotta go with what you've got - and when it turns out, it's wonderful. I made it for breakfast, if you love Loco Moco this is a close cousin.

INGREDIENTS

• egg
• 1 cup cooked white rice, chilled
• 10 crimini mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 small red onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce  
• Pinch kosher salt
• Few grinds black pepper
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

DIRECTIONS

1. In small pot on medium heat, add chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce and season
2. mix cornstarch with few tablespoon of cold water to make paste, then add to broth, cook 5 minutes
3. preheat hot skillet, add oil, mushrooms and onion, cook 2 minutes
4. add rice to skillet, mix, then flatten forming a pancake, cook 1-2 minutes each side
5. cook egg over easy
6. layer pancake, egg, season add gravy

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Herbed slow-roasted salmon

I know 250 sounds low, but the result is perfectly cooked salmon - not dried out at all.  Plus it's delicious, fresh and healthy - you're gonna love this.

Serves 6-8

INGREDIENTS

1 whole side of salmon, about 3 pounds

Kosher salt & fresh ground black pepper

Approx 1/4 cup Kewpie Japanese mayonnaise, or regular mayo

1-2 tablespoons sriracha

1/3 - 1/2* cup finely diced green onions, white & light green parts only

1/3 - 1/2* cup curly parsley, finely chopped

1/3 - 1/2* cup fresh dill, finely chopped

*depending on how large your salmon is

• Preheat oven to 250° and line a baking sheet with foil

• Put salmon on foil, parchment or a silpat - brush on mayo & sriracha, then season with salt & pepper

• Combine green onion, parsley & dill in a bowl and mix well to combine

• Top salmon with herb mixture and bake 30 minutes

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Herb Roasted Whole Turkey

One of the keys to a great, moist turkey is brining it first – and you can follow this link for a recipe. You’ll be glad you did. 

INGREDIENTS

• ½ cup butter, softened

• 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped fine

• 3 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped fine

• 1 tablespoon garlic powder

• 3 tablespoons Kosher salt

• 16–18 pound turkey, preferably (think 1.5 pounds of turkey per person)

• 2 large onions, peeled and quartered

• 1 lemon, quartered

• 2 sprigs each rosemary & thyme

• 1 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper

• 2 cups chicken broth

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees

2. Combine butter, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder and 1/2 the salt – mix well to combine

3. Remove little bag of ‘parts’ from inside the turkey (save for another use) rinse turkey and dry really well with paper towels

4. Rub the outside of the turkey with the herb butter. But you also want to get some butter under the skin, so work your fingers carefully between the skin and breast to loosen and spread some of the butter. Continue until turkey is well buttered all over

5. Season cavity and outside of turkey well with remaining salt & fresh ground pepper

6. Put onions, lemons and sprigs of rosemary & thyme into the cavity of the turkey

7. Tie turkey together with cooking twine

8. Place turkey on a rack in a roasting pan (or on a bed of rough chopped onions, carrots and celery) and add broth to the bottom of the pan - roast approximately 13 minutes a pound

9. If the breast starts to brown too much, cover with foil

10. When a thermometer reads 155-157 in the breast remove from the oven, carefully reserve drippings from the pan and cavity, then place the turkey on a carving board and tent loosely with foil (the temperature will continue to rise) and let rest about 30 minutes before carving

11. While turkey rests, separate fat from drippings and make gravy

12. Remove twine, onions, lemons & sprigs from cavity – discard and carve

13. Have a happy & delicious Thanksgiving!

Chicken & Waffle Sandwich

Makes 1

Ah yes, the iconic chicken & waffles. A magical combination when served separately - but when turned into a sandwich with bacon & coleslaw...look the hell out.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons mayo
• 2 teaspoon maple syrup (btw pancake syrup is just fin here)
• 2 thick waffles, toasted
• 2-3 chicken tenders, cooked, crispy & delicious - mine came from the supermarket
• 1/3 cup of coleslaw (it's easier to use the coleslaw kit from the market)
• 4 pieces of bacon, cooked and crispy

Directions

1. Combine mayo and syrup - mix well and spread on both toasted waffles
2. To one waffle add coleslaw, chicken, bacon and top with other waffle
3. Cut in half, plate and serve - or just stand there and eat it yourself :)

Crab Roll (the New England kind, not the sushi kind)

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 pound crab meat
• 1/4 cup greens onions, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons curly parsley, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons dill, finely you know what
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
• 3 tablespoons mayo (I like Kewpie) 
• 1  1/2 tablespoons Sriracha
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 4 hot dog bun-type things

DIRECTIONS

1. Put all ingredients except buns in a large bowl and mix well to combine
2. Toast buns lightly if you want, add crab mix and serve.

Sriracha Chicken Wrap

Super fast food, then perfect munchie food remedy. Make it!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup Deli Roasted Chicken breast meat, shredded
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon Srirach
• 1 tablespoon runny honey
• Blue Cheese crumbles
• Iceberg lettuce
• handful celery leaves
• wheat tortilla

DIRECTIONS

1. In small pot on low heat melt butter, add Sriacha and honey 
2. Add chicken, cook 2 minutes (until heated through)
3. Warm tortilla
4. Build: tortilla, lettuce, chicken/sauce, blue cheese crumbles, celery leaves.

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GREEK CHICKEN WRAP

Proof you can eat healthy quickly, this takes 5 minutes. 

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup deli roasted chicken breast meat, shredded
• 1/4 cup English cucumber, skinned, thinly sliced half rounds
• 1/4 red onion very thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• pinch Kosher salt
• 2 pita breads
• 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup greek yoghurt

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix chicken, red onion, cucumber, fresh herbs (keep a pinch aside for garnish)
2. In small container mix oil, lemon juice, and Kosher salt, pour dressing into chicken/mix and coat well
3. Warm pita breads, 1 minute each side in dry skillet
4. Build: pita, chicken/salad mix, yoghurt, garnish with pinch of herbs

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