BBQ Bacon Wrapped Shrimp | Friday Night Bites

Hello ASG friends!  I have been a bit M.I.A. lately.  A lot has gone on in the last month and half.

Crab Bites with Persian Cucumber Dip | Friday Night Bites

Who doesn’t love anything fried?  I can’t think of too many people.  The crispy, deep fried taste is like none other.  I have to admit that I would much prefer a fried anything over something sweet.  Albeit, not good for my health – in moderation, it is an allowed indulgence.

Crab Cake Sliders with Jalapeno Aioli + "Paying it Forward"

It was a beautiful weekend in the Bay Area.  The skies had hues of crystal blue along with a few hints of cirrus clouds hanging around at 50,000 feet above ground.  No wind in sight and my flip flops made it out of the closet and on to my feet.  Spent Saturday in San Francisco at a leaders retreat workshop for a professional organization I belong to.  It was a stunning day to spend the day in the city.  San Francisco is known for its perfectly sweet crab and the season in full swing.  On the way home, I picked up some Chicken of the Sea lump crab from Trader Joes since I promised hubby I would make my Crab Cake Sliders with Jalapeno Aioli.

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Spicy “Chicken of the Sea” Potato Croquettes + The Great American Gratitude Tour

The famous Mermaid on the can of Chicken of the Sea is turning 100 this year.  Boy she doesn’t look a day over twenty nine. Wink. Smile. Seriously, the Chicken of the Sea brand is celebrating its 100^th anniversary this year and is kicking it off by bringing the first ever Chicken of the Sea American Gratitude Tour.  It is a six month, 56-city journey across the country along with honor local non-profits and heroes who are making their communities great.

When companies give back it is one of the highest honors and gifts they can give as an organization in my opinion.  You can play a part in this philanthropic effort by nominating a deserving friend or non-profit organization for a $10,000 Gratitude Award.  Chicken of the Sea wants to pay it forward by investing $1 Million dollars in up to 100 public service minded individuals and non-profits across America.  Your nomination will recognize those special Americans who continue to “Ignite and Unite” with the priceless gift of community service and volunteerism.  Simply click here to nominate a worthy friend or group that is doing outstanding work in their community.

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Friday Night Bites | Crab Cakes with Srirachi Aioli

Have you made your New Year resolutions yet?  You know … those goals you set for yourself at the beginning of each year.  Wink. I have begun my list and it is getting a bit long and needs to be condensed to make it manageable.  With the year ticking over to 2013, it means that my blog is almost 4 years old.  Really?  Where did the time go? I honestly can’t believe it has been that long.  My first post was on January 17, 2009.  One of my goals is to do something fun for my blog anniversary. Ideas welcome.  Smile.

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{ Pan Roasted Salmon with Verde Relish }

Entertaining is my true passion. I completely enjoy creating a unique and tasty starter course to set the tone for a dinner party. Last weekend I wanted to impress my guests and give them a wonderful dining experience. I found these cute shell dishes a few years back since they really make a statement, especially when serving seafood in them. Typically I serve my crab cocktail appetizer in these and it just adds that bit of fun and whimsy.

For me, salmon is such a versatile fish and I find that most folks like it – I do know there are exceptions to every rule. Preparation and cooking time is minimal along with being virtually error free once you cook it a few times and master the technique. I was watching the new cooking channel, which by the way is quite addictive and interesting. I came across a show called Chuck’s Day Off and he made what he called a Green Gazpacho. It inspired me to adapt and create my Verde Relish recipe. My guests flipped for this starter – try it at your next dinner party.

Pan Roasted Salmon with Verde Relish

Serves 6

Verde Relish

1 ½ C. English or Persian cucumber, small dice
5 Tomatillos, remove seeds and small dice
2 Ears of white corn, slice kernels
5 Green onions, green and white part minced
2 Garlic cloves, minced
1/3 C. Olive oil
Splash of sherry vinegar
Salt and ground pepper

Add all of the above ingredients to a bowl and mix well. Taste before adding the salt and pepper and then adjust seasoning until the desired blend is achieved. Let sit for at least 30 minutes.

Pan Roasted Salmon

1 ½ to 2 Lb. Salmon Fillets (cut into 6 pieces)
Olive oil
Salt and pepper

Cut the salmon fillets into 6 pieces, approximately ¼ pound each. You can certain alter the size of the salmon you serve – I did this for more of a starter portion. Take out any bones. In a large skillet add enough olive oil to coat the pan and heat on medium. Season each fillet with salt and pepper. Starting on the non skin side lay into the pan and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes and then flip and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Making sure the skillet is an oven proof pan; cook for another 4 to 5 minutes in a 350 degree oven or until salmon is cooked through but not over done.

{ Pan Roasted Salmon with Baby Shitake and Green Garlic }

My husband and I have a goal to eat pretty healthy during the week and then splurge a bit on the weekends. We figure the balance along with some exercise, will keep us healthy. With this goal, we have now added salmon at least once a week to our dinner menu regime. At the farmers market they had these amazing baby shitake mushrooms at one of the vendors I visited, so I had to purchase them. I ventured a few stalls down with green garlic flowing and knowing it has a short season, another purchase was made. In looking at my farmers market treasures, I came up with this recipe.

Pan Roasted Salmon with Baby Shitake and Green Garlic

2 half pound salmon filets
¼ cup flour
1 t. salt
1 t. pepper
3 T. olive oil

In a bowl mix flour, salt and pepper. Rinse and pat dry with a paper towel each of the salmon filets. Dip each one into the flour mixture and dust off excess.

In a medium, oven proof skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Place the filets into the pan and sear for a minute or two on each side. Start with the non-skin side. Place into a 350 degree oven for 12 to 17 minutes until the salmon is just firm.

2 C. Baby shitake mushrooms, trim stems
5 Green garlic, trimmed and sliced the white and tender portion of the green
2 T. Olive oil
1 T. Butter
Salt and pepper

In a large skillet add the oil and butter to melt over medium heat. Add the shitake mushrooms and cook on medium high heat for about 4 to 5 minutes or until fragrant and they begin to brown. Add the green garlic and sauté for a couple minutes with the mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

When ready to serve, add a bit of butter on top of each filet and then spoon the mushroom mixture on top of the salmon.

Cauliflower Soup with Bacon, Corn and Shitake Mushroom Relish + Friends

If you’re passionate about something, then you’re going to be looking for everything you can to get better at it. This is very true for me with the art of entertaining. The entire process of planning, shopping, decorating, creating the menu to selecting the wine excites me and ignites my creativity. I have done both large and small dinner parties to lunching with the ladies to a formal high tea. One of my favorite ways to entertain is with four to six guests and serving small plates with wine. Often we will sit in the family room and enjoy multiple courses of small plates while pairing with various wines. It is more intimate, comfortable and conversation tends to flow really easy.

Coconut Crusted Tilapia with Spicy Apricot Sauce

Coconut Crusted Tilapia with Spicy Apricot Sauce

Tilapia:
1 ½ C. Sweetened Flaked Coconut
2 T. Flour
2 T. Creole Seasoning
Salt
4 (4oz) Tilapia Filets
½ C. Flour
1 Large Egg + 1 T. Water
1/3 C. Vegetable Oil

The “Three Bowl Method” is great for breading fish or chicken. You will want to use three different bowls for the flour, egg wash and coconut crust topping.

First bowl - place the ½ cup of flour. Second bowl - mix the egg and water together until blended. Third bowl - add the coconut, 2 tablespoons of flour and Creole seasoning and mix together.

Take each Tilapia filet through the breading process and place on a plate until ready to cook. One filet at a time, you will want to cover with flour, dip in egg wash and press coconut topping on both sides of filet. Repeat process until all four are prepared.

In a large skillet pan, place the oil in pan and heat on medium. Place each filet into the pan and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes per side. After removing from the pan, season with salt.

Spicy Apricot Sauce:
½ C. Apricot Jam
1 T. Brown Mustard
2 t.. Horseradish

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and serve as a dipping sauce.

Pan Seared Salmon with Lemon & Garlic Sauteed Spinach

Pan Seared Salmon with Sautéed Garlic Spinach

2 half pound salmon filets
¼ cup flour
1 t. salt
1 t. pepper
3 T. olive oil

In a bowl mix flour, salt and pepper. Rinse and pat dry with a paper towel, the salmon filets. Dip each one into the flour mixture and dust off excess.

In a medium, oven proof skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Place the filets into the pan and sear for a minute or two on each side. Start with the non-skin side. Place into a 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes until the salmon is just firm.

Sautéed Fresh Spinach with Lemon and Garlic

2 ½ pounds of fresh spinach
3 T. olive oil
2 T. butter
2 cloves minced garlic
4 T. fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper

In a large saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter and add the olive oil. Add the garlic and cook for one minute. Then add the spinach and toss until wilted. Finish with the lemon juice and salt and pepper. Serve immediately.