Gluten Free Zucchini Muffins.......

These delicious muffins are from the cookbook Against the Grain. This is the first time I have baked gluten free from scratch and am thrilled with the results.  I also added 2 heaping tablespoons of coconut flour as well as a handful of walnuts after reading some of the reviews. Yummy!
Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cup almond flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• 3 eggs, beaten
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 ripe banana
• 1 cup shredded, unpeeled zucchini

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Combine the dry ingredients in a small bowl.
Place the wet ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer, then beat on medium for 1-2 minutes until frothy and fully combined. Add the zucchini and beat again just enough to incorporate.

Slowly add the dry ingredients with the mixer running, until all of the flour mixture has been incorporated.
Spoon the batter into 2 mini loaf pans. You can also use this batter to make muffins.
Bake for 30-35 minutes until the middle is set and a toothpick comes out clean.

Portuguese Fisherman's Hake

There is a skilled fish monger who faithfully meets the fishing boats coming into the harbor everyday at  3:30 in the morning.  He sells fresh fish from his truck in the Portuguese neighborhood of the large city that I  grew up in but now live next to.  Today I got there late and the only fish that was left was Hake.  The nice gentlemen assured me I would love it.  I took his word for it and bought the whole fish.  Word of advice.  TRUST YOUR FISH MONGER!  Here is the recipe.  It was delicious.

Ingredients for sauce:

• 1 28 oz.can of chopped tomatoes 
• 3 tbsp. olive oil
• 4 cloves of minced garlic 
• 1 cup of mixed colored peppers
• 1 onion sliced
• 1/4 cup  white wine
• 1/2 cup small black olives
• 1/4 cup stuffed green olives 
• 2  tsp. smoked paprika 
• 1 tsp, cumin
• 2 bay leaves
• salt and pepper to taste 

Fish: 

•  1 lb. or more of Hake
•  2 cups cornmeal for dredging
• 1/4 olive oil for frying fish  
• salt and pepper for the cornmeal 

Directions

1. Heat a heavy skillet on medium heat. Add the olive oil and chopped onion, cook until translucent and fragrant.
2. Add the garlic and cook for 3 minutes.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients to the onions and garlic and simmer on low for 10 minutes..
4. Heat a nonstick skillet on medium high, add more olive oil.  Make sure it is hot enough to make a crust on the fish.
5. Dredge the portions of hake in the corn meal. 
6. Cook 3-4 minutes on each side depending on thickness.

Remove the cooked fish to a cooling rack so that it stays crisp.

Pear, Spinach and Gorgonzola with Pecans......

The pears have been looking exceptionally lovely these days at the store. I bought a bag and I decided to try something I had seen on.......can you guess.....PINTEREST.  I didn't check out the recipe but just looked at the photo and did my own thing.  I will definitely make this again but with arugula instead of the spinach.  The peppery taste of the arugula will be a nice compliment to the sweetness of the pear and the creamy tang of the Gorgonzola. Simply cut the pear in thirds, stuff in the spinach, cheese and pecans. I mixed a little honey with cranberry and pear white balsamic vinegar and poured it over the top.  Delicious!

Giada's Chicken Marsala Meatballs......

One word...... delicious.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons milk, room temperature
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon Marsala wine
1 pound ground white meat chicken
1/4 cup grated pecorino, plus extra for serving
1 large egg, beaten
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
1 large shallot, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons flour
1 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Directions
Preheat the broiler to high.
In a large bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, milk and 1 tablespoon Marsala. Leave to soak for 5 minutes. Add the chicken, pecorino, egg, parsley, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and the pepper. With your hands, gently mix together the ingredients until just combined. Form the mixture into tablespoon-size balls and place on an oiled baking sheet. Broil for 5 minutes, or until the meatballs are beginning to brown and are just barely cooked through. Remove from the oven and set aside.

In a straight-sided skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the mushrooms are brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add the shallots and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook for another 2 minutes. Lower the heat to medium and stir in the flour and the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the 1/3 cup Marsala and stir until the mixture is smooth. Whisk in the chicken broth and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer for an additional 5 minutes to let the flavors blend. Serve hot, garnished with grated pecorino.

Great meal with mashed potatoes, pasta or polenta,  Thanks Giada, this recipe is a keeper.

Maine......

 
What's not to love about the beautiful state of Maine. Lighthouses, beaches, scenic marsh land  and of course lobster. I love everything about Maine. It's easy to see why I think Portland Head Lighthouse is one of the most charming New England destination you can visit.  This is why every summer while visiting my good friend Mary, I make sure we have a visit.  I feel so fortunate to have Mary from Ocean Breezes  and her husband Ron in charge of the sightseeing.  They could have jobs as Maine tour guides.  They know the history of almost every nook and cranny.
An  interesting fact about Portland Head Lighthouse is that it is the most visited, most painted and most photographed of all  lighthouses in New England. Looking at the photo I believe you can see why. I myself take dozen of photos every time I visit.
The very first time I visited the lighthouse it was high tide and the waves were crashing against the rocks.  A heavy fog began rolling in from the open sea and then as though on cue the resonant sound of the fog horn started to blow.  I was in awe.  It is a memory that I remember vividly and treasure still.  Thank you Mary and Ron for another memorable visit to what is now one of my favorite destinations

Condiment Trio.......

I won the condiment lottery with this trio. All made without chemicals, preservatives, food coloring, pesticides, synthetics or GMO's.  Healthy and natural,  just the way I like it!.

Ketchup recipe from Country living.  Mustard and relish from Better Home and Gardens.
Here are the recipes starting with the ketchup.

• 1 28 oz. can of organic crushed tomatoes
• 1 med. onion, sliced
• 1 tbsp. capers, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 orange, juiced 
• 1/2 grapefruit, juiced
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 1.2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp. ground pepper

Directions:

1. Puree tomatoes in a blender.  Transfer to a saucepan and set aside.  Saute onion, let cool.
2. In blender, puree onion and capers.  Add sugar and blend until smooth.  Add the rest of the ingredients, blend.
3. Transfer onion mix into the saucepan and stir.  Simmer over low heat until thick, about 1 hour.  Using a funnel, pour into bottles.  Refrigerate.

Here's the relish recipe

• 6 cups pickling cucumbers, seeded and finely chopped
• 3 cups finely chopped onions
• 3 cups red sweet peppers, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup pickling salt
• cold water
• 3 cups sugar
• 2 cups apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp. mustard seeds
• 2 tsp. celery seeds
• 1/2 ground tumeric

Directions:

Wash cucumbers and peppers. Chop, discarding pepper stems and seeds; seed cucumbers, if desired. Measure 6 cups of cucumber and 3 cups of peppers. Peel and chop onions; measure 3 cups. Combine vegetables in a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt; add cold water to cover. Let stand, covered, at room temperature for 2 hours.
Pour vegetable mixture into colander set in sink. Rinse with fresh water and drain well.
In a 4-quart Dutch oven or kettle combine sugar, vinegar, celery seed, mustard seed, and turmeric. Heat to boiling. Add drained vegetables; return to boiling. Cook over medium-high heat, uncovered, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes or until most of the excess liquid has evaporated.
Ladle relish into hot, clean half-pint canning jars, leaving 1/2-inch head space. Wipe the jar rims; adjust lids. Process filled jars in a boiling-water bath for 10 minutes. Remove the jars, cool jars on racks.

Last but not least, the mustard recipe:

1/4 cup each of brown and yellow mustard seeds
2/3 cup white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
3 tbsp. honey
2 cloves garlic minced

Directions:

Place seeds, vinegar and spices in a small bowl and let stand 24 hours.

Pour the seeds which have absorbed all the vinegar along with the honey and minced garlic into a food processor

Processor for one to two minutes. Scrape down sides a few times.  The mustard will not be smooth.

Culinary Institute of America.......

How do I begin to describe how thrilling it was to take a cooking class at the esteemed CIA in Hyde Park New York this past spring?  There really are no words.  The class was titled Spring in the Hudson Valley with Chef Martin Matysik. The menu was extensive and varied and cooked by the students. Here is the menu from my dream come true weekend.

• Watermelon and Feta Salad
• Spring Salad of Asparagus, Ramps and Peas, with Poached Egg and Lemon Zest Vinaigrette
• Grilled Trout with Lemon Crust and Wild Garlic Sauce
• Pan- Fried Wild Striped Bass with Bacon and Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
• Grilled Cornish Hen Breast with Dandelion Greens and Mustard herb Vinaigrette
• Grilled Duck Breast with Pickled Watermelon
• Roasted Rack of Lamb Persille, Fresh Spring Pea Puree with Mint and Roasted Garlic
• Grilled Rib Eye Steak, Asparagus with Wasabi Hollandaise Sauce, Sauteed Foie Gras with Caramelized Pearl Onions
• Chilled Wild Blueberry Soup with Poached Pears
• Warm Chocolate Fondant with Rum Marinated Berries
• Hudson Valley Cheese Platter with Truffle Honey

This is one of the many kitchens inside the CIA.  A classroom to learn, create and master your craft. Thank you Mary and Rick for inviting me to participate in something I derive so much joy from.