Lobster Hollandaise Poutine

Serves 2

So maybe this isn’t textbook poutine: there’s no fries, no gravy and certainly no cheese curds - but it's crazy damn good.

Ingredients

• 3 cups onion tots

• Two 6 ounce lobster tails, out of their shells

• 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced

• Neutral oil (just means unflavored: as in no extra virgin, no sesame etc)

• 12 ounces beer, something preferably not dark - unless that’s all you have in which case it’s perfect

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter

• 2 eggs, poached, how-to video here

• Hollandaise sauce, see recipe

• Parsley & green onion for garnish

Directions

1. Cook tots according to package directions - but you want them crispy, so if the timer goes off and they’re not - put em back in

2. Cook mushrooms in a non-stick pan with a tablespoon of oil, until they begin to soften - about 5 minutes, then turn off the heat but leave in the pan

3. Melt butter in a small pot and add beer - allow to heat through and come to almost a simmer

4. Put shelled lobster tails in the beer/butter and cook until just done - 2 to 3 minutes - remove and slice into bite-sized pieces

5. While they cook, put the heat back on the mushrooms and add a couple tablespoons of the beer/butter - mix well

6. Then plate - and by plate I mean bowl: tots, mushrooms, lobster, poached egg, Hollandaise and garnish

GRILLED STEAK SALAD

This is a staple meal in our house – protein with a bunch of greens, so quick and delicious. I can get it on the table in 10 minutes.

Serves 2, as an appetizer

INGREDIENTS

• 1 boneless New York steak
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Fresh black pepper
• 10 grape tomates, halved
• 1/2 avocado, diced
• big handful watercress
• big handful baby arugula
• big handful frozen peas
• 1/4 sliced onion
• handful blue cheese crumbles

DRESSING

• 1/3 cup olive oil
• big pinch Kosher salt
• 6 grind fresh black pepper
• 1 tablespoon grainy Dijion mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/2 lemoon

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat dry cast iron pan or skillet until smoking hot
2. Throw all dressing ingredients in a jar and shake well
3. Rub steak with little oil and season well on both sides
4. Cook steak for 3 minutes, flip cook 2 minutes – let meat rest 3 minutes
5. While thats cooking, defrost peas in a collinder under running hot water for 1 minute 
6. In large bowl, drizzle 3 tablespoonsof dressing over leaves, onion, avo, tomatoes and peas, toss the salad
7. Crumble over the blue cheese
8. Serve the salad, topped with sliced steak (cutting against the grain), drizzle over a little more dressing.

WATCH ME MAKE THIS

(btw... in the video, I forgot the red onion and blue cheese, doohhhh!) 

HONEY SAUTÉED FIGS WITH LABNE

I have two words for this dessert: holy shit, cuz this is insanely good. Don’t like figs? Well you better start.

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS

• 5 ripe figs, stem removed, sliced in half...and I used white Kadota figs
• 3 tablespoons slice almonds, toasted, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons runny honey
• 1/2 cup Labne (strained Greek yogurt)
• pinch Kosher salt

DIRECTIONS

1. In med/large skillet melt butter and honey on medium heat
2. Place figs face down in skillet, coat in syrup, cook 2 minutes, flip cook 2 minutes
3. Serve: labne, figs, drizzle over honey/butter syrup, top with toasted almonds and sprinkle Kosher salt

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WATCH ME MAKE THIS...

Tomato, Onion & Goat Cheese Pie

This is no quiche - not that there's anything wrong with that. It's just a wonderful collection of simple ingredients that you'll love. My teenager had friends over one day when I was making this and they all ate it. All of it. Here's what they said:

Nick: "Sam at the top of his game." John: "It was a loped out dank piece of pie." Dean: "It was a gnarly chill pie." Josh: "It's a creeped out danky piece of dank cheese pie."

You can see how moved they were. Maybe you should try it for yourself.

Ingredients

• 3 large red onions, sliced thin
• 3-4 large ripe tomatoes, in 1/4 inch slices
• 6 ounces crumbled goat cheese with herbs
• 1-9 inch unbaked pie crust
• Olive oil

Directions

1. Saute onions in olive oil until softened, season with salt & pepper
2. Place pie crust in pie plate, and fill with onions
3. Cover with sliced tomatoes in a nice pattern
4. Sprinkle cheese crumbles over the top
5. Bake at 350 until edges become brown
6. Remove from oven and slice into wedges

Corn Salad

Serves 4

You can use either fresh corn that you grill or a can of corn - and trust me...the can is very easy and still really really good. Don't knock it until you've made it.

Ingredients

• 3 ears of corn, husks removed, or
• 15 ounce can corn kernels
• 1 red pepper, diced small
• fresh cilantro, finely chopped to make about 1/4 cup
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
• 4 ounces goat cheese crumbles
• Juice from 1/2 lime
• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
• Pinch of Kosher salt

Directions

1. Brush corn with about 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and roast on the grill until softened and brown in spots (probably 20-25 minutes)- let cool, cut off the husk and put in bowl, or
2. If using the canned corn, drain the water and cook corn in a very hot pan with a little oil until it softens a bit and starts to get browned in spots - then put in a bowl
3. Add all remaining ingredients and mix well - serve and smile

Caprese Salad

This is one of the favorite salads in our house - even the kids love it. A second option would be to substitute small yellow 'pearl' tomatoes and red 'grape' tomatoes along with the tiny rounds of mozzarella.

Ingredients

• Ripe red tomatoes
• Ripe yellow tomatoes
• Fresh mozzarella rounds
• 1 bunch fresh basil
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Fresh ground pepper
• Kosher salt

Directions

1. Slice tomatoes and mozzarella into 1/4 inch slices
2. Alternate slices of red, yellow and mozzarella on serving plate
3. Place basil leaves in between tomatoes
4. Drizzle olive oil over the top and mix gently
5. Drizzle very gently with vinegar
6. Add a few good grinds of pepper and salt

Feta Shrimp

Looking for a ridiculously easy meal, or a super fast appetizer? You've come to the right recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1/2 lb raw, peeled and deveined shrimp
• 3-5 ounces tomato sauce
• 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
• oregano - dried or fresh

Directions

1. Heat olive in pan until hot, but not smoking.
2. Add garlic, shrimp and about a teaspoon of oregano and saute until cooked - will only take a couple of minutes
3. Add tomato sauce and cook for about 30 seconds
4. Add crumbled feta and cook until thickened - about a minute.
5. Garnish with a littlechopped oregano and serve over rice if you like - it's very, very good.

Tequila Shrimp

This one is so quick and fun to make. Once the flames burn down you can added greek yogurt and chipotle to add even more flavor to the dish.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound large shrimp - peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 large cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/4 cup tequila
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat
2. Add shrimp saute quickly until almost done - then add garlic
3. Saute for another minute, then remove completely from heat and add tequila
4. Allow alcohol to burn off briefly and carefully return to heat (there's a good chance here will be flames - just be careful)
5. Add cilantro, salt & pepper - stir briefly and serve (you can add greek yogurt and chipotle to add even more flavor to the dish).

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Mediterranean Chicken Wrap

Makes 4

All the flavors of the Meditteranean in your hand - wait...that doesn't sound quite right.

Ingredients

• 1/2 bag of the ready to go Caesar Salad
• 1/2 small cucumber, diced large
• 4 ounces crumbled feta
• 1 1/2 cups shredded deli roasted chicken
• roasted red pepper strips
• 4 wraps, try the spinach ones

Directions

1. Dress approximately 2 cups of the salad greens
2. Warm wraps slightly in non-stick pan and put on flat surface
3. Spread salad among the wraps and add to each: some chicken, some feta, some cucumber and some of the red pepper strips
4. Roll up and serve

BBQ Shrimp PO Boy

Serves 3 - maybe 4, but probably 3

A classic New Orleans-type of sandwich. But instead of deep-fried, it's done on the grill or on a grill pan...

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound shrimp, 21/25's raw shell off and de-veined
• Kosher salt
• Fresh ground pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne/li>
• 4 French Rolls
• Shredded Iceberg lettuce
• Sliced tomatoes
• Olive oil
• SAUCE
• 1/4 cup mayo
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
• 2 tablespoons chili sauce
• 1 tablespoon prepared
• horseradish
• 2 teaspoons hot sauce

Directions

1. Heat grill or pan to medium
2. Combine mayo, onion, chili sauce, horseradish and hot sauce - mix well and set aside
3. Mix shrimp with cayenne, 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and season with salt & pepper
4. Slice rolls lengthwise and drizzle lightly with olive oil
5. Grill shrimp until done
6. Place rolls on grill or gil pan and brown slightly
7. Build PO Boy with shrimp, sauce, lettuce & tomato
8. Eat it quick and then make another one...

Simple Roasted Asparagus

Serves 2

What goes better with a great rack of lamb...or anything else for that matter?

Ingredients

• One pound asparagus, not too thick, not too thin - just right
• 1 - 2 tablespoons olive oil, depending on the size of the
• Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 500 (You will have already done this if you are making this with the Rack of Lamb.)
2. Rinse the asparagus and cut off the tough ends
3. Put on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and season with Kosher salt and pepper
4. Put in hot oven (hopefully with the rack of lamb) for about 10-ish minutes. They will get a little darkened but stay crisp and taste wonderful
5. Put on something that looks cool and serve

Feta Stuffed Lamb Burgers

Makes 4 Burgers

A different version of the typical grilled burger.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground lamb
• 1/2 red onion, diced small
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped fine
• 2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves, chopped fine
• 1/2 teaspoon each Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
• 1 piece Feta cheese, big enough to get four 3/4 inch square blocks

Directions

1. Heat your grill outside to high
2. Put the lamb, onion, mint, oregano, salt & pepper into a bowl and mix really well
3. Separate lamb mixture into 4 equal portions and form into patties using the feta squares as the center - get it?
4. Grill until done and evenly cooked - the cheese might leak a bit - if so, no big deal
5. I like to serve them without a bun

Cheater Seafood Paella

Serves 8

Paella can be one big pain in the, well - you know. This...is not.

Ingredients

• Two 7-ounce packages Rice-a-Roni Spanish Rice
• One 28 ounce can tomatoes to make the Rice-a-Roni
• 3/4 pound raw shrimp, peeled & de-veined
• 1 pound fresh mussels
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges

Directions

1. Cook rice according to package directions
2. When the rice has about 7 minutes left to cook, add shrimp and mussels and re-cover
3. Remove the lid, stand back and marvel at your excellence
4. Serve with a big fat wedge of lemon on the side - but don't serve any mussels that didn't opened - because they were d.o.a. and that's no bueno

Chinese BBQ Ribs

Serves 4

So good...and a little different you'll love them. If you're a beer person (and who isn't with ribs?) pick up a some Chinese beer, Tsing Tao to go along with these.

Ingredients

• 2 racks pork back ribs, about 4 pounds
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup Hoisin Sauce
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons 5 spice powder

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Place ribs and vinegar in a large baking or casserole dish - cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake 75-90 minutes or until very tender
3. Mix soy, honey, hoisin, garlic and 5 spice powder - set asideRemove from oven and carefully lift off foil - watch out for steam
4. Heat bbq to medium and place ribs meat side down without sauce - but you can baste the back with the sauce
5. Cook until they start to develop grill marks, and turn over - now baste the top
6. You could stop here after they grill a bit on this side, or you could baste them a bit more and then give them a couple more minutes meat side down
7. Give them one extra basting after they've been removed, and just before you serve them

Warm Butternut Squash & Crispy Bacon Salad

Serves 4

The title kinda says it all doesn't it?

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper
• 2 cups butternut squash, cut into a 3/4 inch dice
• 2 teaspoons butter
• 1/2 pound bacon, diced
• One 4-5 ounce bag salad greens

Directions

1. Combine syrup, vinegar and oil - whisk well, season with salt and pepper and set aside
2. Put squash in a bowl, add 2 tablespoons of water, cover with plastic wrap (making a couple small knife slits in the plastic) and microwave until softened but not mushy, approximately 4 minutes
3. Cook bacon in a non-stick pan until just getting crispy, remove excess oil and add squash -  cook until squash just begins to brown, remove from heat
4. Put greens in a bowl, add squash & bacon and toss with some of the dressing - plate

Halibut with Olive Tapenade

Serves 2

Simple and simply great.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Black olives
• 3 tsp capers
• 3 tsp parsley
• 1/4 cup olive Oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 - 6oz Halibut fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Kosher Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions

1. Chopped drained olives, capers and parsley either by hand, or in a processor until chunky but fine add olive olive, salt & pepper - mix well and set aside
2. Drizzle halibut with olive oil and season with salt & pepper
3. Grill or sear until cooked to where you want it
4. Top with tapenade - serve

Potato/Leek Flatbread

Makes one 7"x12" flatbread

Flatbread pretty much just means very thin crust pizza - and this is a delicious one. Many supermarkets now sell balls of raw pizza dough - or you can make your own. Either way you'll like this.

Ingredients

• 1 large leek
• Olive oil
• Salt & Pepper
• 1/2 ball store bought pizza dough
• Soft garlic & herb cheese, like Alouette
• 3 or 4 small red potatoes, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425
2. Cut off root end and bright green tops of leek
3. Slice what's left (the white & light green middle) in half lengthwise, rinse under cold water to remove any dirt and dry
4. Slice each half lengthwise into thin match sticks and saute in a non stick pan with a little olive, salt & pepper until softened (about 3 minutes), remove from heat
5. Lightly oil baking sheet and spread out dough into about a 7x12 oval
6. Spread with garlic & herb cheese, potato slices, sauteed leeks and finally the Parmesan
7. Bake until crispy & golden brown, 10-12 minutes

Asparagus and Pea Pasta

Serves 4

Quick, fresh, light and delicious - make it, so easy.

Ingredients

• 1 pack Penne pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 10 asparagus spears, 1'' pieces
• 2 leeks, finely sliced
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1/2 cup fresh or defrosted frozen peas
• 1/4 cup cream
• zest 1/2 a lemon
• 1/4 teaspoon finely crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese
• Kosher salt and pepper to season

Directions

1. Boil salted water in medium pan, add pasta cook for 7-9 minutes
2. Heat oil in a skillet on medium heat, throw in the leeks and asparagus, cook for 4 minutes
3. Add the peas and garlic cook for 2 minutes
4. Add the cream, parmesan, zest and stir
5. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and coat with the sauce
6. Season with Kosher salt and pepper, eat!

Orecchiette with Tuna & Arugula

Serves 8

Quit looking down ur nose at tuna - it's not a junky ingredient. And when it's this delicious, you'll want it all the time.

Ingredients

• 1 pound orecchiette pasta (little ear shape)
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 4 large cloves garlic, minced
• 2 - 6 ounces cans albacore tuna, drained
• 1/2 - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 bunch arugula
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Kosher salt & fresh ground pepper

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions
2. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat and add garlic - heat but don't let it brown
3. Add tuna & red pepper to garlic & oil, stir well and heat through
4. Put arugula on top of garlic & oil
5. Drain pasta and add to arugula pan - mix well until arugula wilts
6. Add lemon zest and season with salt & pepper - mix well and serve