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Category Archives: Sides

Irish Soda Bread

3 cups all purpose
¼ cup evaporated cane juice (sugar)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup mixture of raisins, cranberries and currants, chopped
2 tablespoons orange zest
1 tablespoon fennel seeds, crushed or powdered
4 tablespoons super cold butter, cut into little pieces
1 ¼ cups buttermilk
1 egg, beaten

Preheat oven to 400.
Grease a large cast iron skillet or a 10 inch cake pan.

Transfer the flour, sugar, salt and baking soda in a mixing bowl, whisk together. Add the butter and mix briefly with fingers, incorporating the butter. Add the raisins mixture, zest and fennel seeds and mix well. Mix the buttermilk and egg together in a small bowl and whisk well and refrigerate until needed (the key is to have this liquid as cold as possible) Add the liquid slowly to the dry mixture while mixing it with a fork. Once all the liquid is incorporated, gently mix everything with your fingers and form an 8 inch round loaf and transfer to the cast iron skillet or cake pan. Mark the top with an ‘X’ with a knife about ½ inch deep.
Bake for 20 minutes in the oven and check if the top is getting too brown. If it is, then top with aluminum foil and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes. Take out of oven and keep the foil on till it cools off.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Orange Cream & Cranberries

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Orange Cream

  • 1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and cut in half
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Transfer the sprouts on to a lined baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle salt. Mix well and roast for about 20 minutes till soft and golden brown.

  • ¼ cup cream
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Zest of one orange
  • Salt
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries

Heat a wide frying pan with the oil. Add the garlic and orange zest. Saute on low heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cream and cook for 4 to 5 minutes on medium heat. Add the Brussels sprouts and cranberries and mix well. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add salt to taste and serve.

Roasted Brussels sprouts with Chorizo

  • 2 pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved lengthwise
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 pack fresh Mexican chorizo, casings off and crumbled
  • Salt
  • 2 medium shallots, chopped
  • ½ cup pine nuts
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Blanch the Brussels sprouts in boiling water, drain and put them into an ice bath to shock them and retain the color. Take out of the water and pat dry. Keep aside. This can be done a day before and refrigerated.

Heat a large skillet with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the chorizo and cook on medium heat for about 5 to 7 minutes till golden brown. Add the shallots and cook, stirring and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes. Add the pine nuts and cook for a minute. Add the Brussels sprouts to the mixture, mix well and cook for 5 to 6 minutes till the sprouts are cooked through. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with cilantro and serve.

Cranberry & Pineapple Salsa

Great take on cranberry sauce!

  • 16 ounces fresh cranberries
  • 1½ cups pineapple juice
  • ¾ cups brown sugar
  • 1½ cups fresh pineapple, cut into small chunks
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ cup cilantro, chopped
  • ½ cup green onions, chopped

Add the cranberries, pineapple juice to a boil and let simmer for 5 minutes. Add the brown sugar, fresh pineapple, salt and paprika. Cook on low heat for ten minutes until the sauce is thick. Check for seasonings and let cool. Can be frozen at this point for up to a week. Add the cilantro and green onions right before serving.

Potato Salad with Anchovies and Olives

Potato Salad with Anchovies and Olives

  • 5 to 6 red skinned potatoes, boiled and cut into ½ inch slices

Dressing

  • 3 to 4 anchovies
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium red onion, chopped
  • ¾ cup kalamata olives, sliced
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • ¾ cup parsley, chopped
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons salt

Heat a large non-stick frying pan with the olive oil. Add the anchovies and melt on a medium heat. Add the garlic and onions and sauté on medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes. Turn the heat off and add the olives and vinegar. Add the warm dressing to the hot potato slices. Mix well and check for seasonings. Add the salt and parsley. Can be made several hours ahead of time. Serve room temperature.

Moroccan Style Potato Salad

Potato Salad

  • 5 to 6 potatoes, skinned and cut into 1 inch squares, cooked in water till soft
  • Salt

Sprinkle some salt on the hot potatoes once they are drained well.

Dressing

  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 tablespoons boiling water

Add the tomato paste and garlic into a small bowl. Add the boiling water and mix and let sit for 5 minutes.

  • 1 tablespoon harissa sauce
  • 1 preserved lemon, chopped (zest of one lemon can be used instead)
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons lemon juice from the preserved lemons (or juice of a lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon roasted cumin- crushed
  • Salt
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • ½ cup chopped cilantro

Add the harissa, preserved lemon, juice, cumin, salt and honey. Drizzle the oil slowly, whisking the dressing constantly. Check for seasonings and add to the hot potatoes. Mix well and taste for seasonings and add more salt if needed. Top with cilantro and serve.

Watermelon Tomato Salsa

How can I forget watermelon when I am posting summer sides!!! This salsa is great with any grilled meat or seafood… or just plain with tortilla chips!

  • 2 cups watermelon, chopped
  • 2 yellow plum tomatoes, seeds taken out and chopped
  • 4 green onions, chopped
  • ½ cup cilantro, chopped
  • Juice of one lime
  • 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon honey

Mix all the ingredients together in a medium bowl. Let the salsa sit for at least an hour before serving with either tortilla chips or on top of any grilled meat or fish.