I am in love with...

Just recently I realized that I am in love with zest. Yes, zest, I know it's crazy but in all my years of cooking I've always included it in recipes however is just dawned on my how much I really love it. The zest of citrus fruits adds a depth of flavor that can't really be created with juice alone. The zest refers to the outer most layer of the peel of citrus fruits, the most commonly used fruits being, lemons, limes and oranges. The secret of the zest is in the very fragrant oils that are produced in peel. The most important thing to keep in mind when zesting is to only use the colored part of the peel, the white part is not zest, its the pith and its very bitter as you probably know from a bad orange peeling experience. Incorporating zest into recipes that already have citrus juice is a great way to take the recipe up a notch. As always I've included a recipe of my own to get you started, it is a delicious marinated shrimp that could be served on a skewer as an appetizer on as an entree on a bed of rice with a side of veggies. I call it kick-me because of the kick it gets from the zest and the cayenne pepper.

Kick-Me Shrimp

Serves 2

1/2 lb 16-20 shrimp, (or whatever size you like)peeled and devained
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp Cayenne pepper
1 tsp chopped garlic
1 TB green onion chopped
1 TB lemon juice
1 TB lime juice
zest from half one lemon
zest from one lime
zest from half of one orange
1 tsp cracked black pepper
1/2 tsp salt for seasoning

1. In a bowl combine olive oil,spices, garlic, green onion, lemon and lime juice, lemon, lime and orange zest, pepper and salt. Mix together
2. Toss the shrimp in the mixture and coat them evenly.
3. Let the shrimp marinate for at least a half hour. (1-2 hours is best)

After marinating, the shrimp can be cooked any way you like, on the grill in the oven or in the skillet. I definitely would go for the grill especially with summer right around the corner but its up to you. Allow yourself to be creative and inspired whenever you cook.

Enjoy!

A new start...

I have been so busy over the past few months and have seriously neglected my blog, however I am back. I have recently relocated to the DC and started a new job as a sous chef and my culinary inspirations have reached an all time high. I am constantly coming up with new recipes and finding better ways to get things done in the kitchen. To start things off again I have some great recipes that are quick and easy to prepared and have proved to be my new comfort foods since relocating. Try them out and see if they can make it onto you list of favorites. Enjoy.

Crepes with Nutella and Strawberries

Crepes
1/2 cup milk
1 whole egg
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp sugar
1/2 cup flour
2 tsp melted butter

1. In a bowl mix together the eggs, milk and vanilla
2. Next add the flour, sugar and butter and blend unil smooth
3. Allow the batter to sit for at least 15 minutes before cooking

To cook the crepes, heat a good non stick skillet over medium high heat. Pour in enough batter to coat the bottom of the pan spreading out into a thin layer. Watch closely because the crepes cook very fast about 30 seconds on each side.

For the filling

1 Cup of fresh strawberries
1/4 cup freah squeezed orange juice
1 tsp of orange zest
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp fresh mint, chopped
3 tb Nutella

1. In saute pan over medium high heat add the strawberries and cook for about 20 seconds
2. Next add the orange juice, zest, sugar and mint
3. Cook for 3 or 4 minutes unitl the juice reduces a bit and becomes like a syrup


Assembling the crepes is rellay easy, in each crepe spread out some of the Nutella on 1/4 of the crepe on the same edge put some of the filling and then just roll it up and eat. Its soooo delicious.

Greek Chicken Burger with Tatziki Sauce

1# of Ground chicken
2 tb diced red onion
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tb fresh dill, chopped
2 tsp fresh mint, chopped
2 tb worstershire sauce
salt and pepper to season
splash of lemon juice
Feta cheese to top burgers
Tatziki sauce (recipe below)

1.In a bowl combine the chicken,herbs and spices, worstershire and season with the salt and pepper and blend together.
2. Next, using your hands form into burger patties
3. The burgers can be cooked anyway you like, on the grill, in the skillet, or in the oven.

Enjoy the burger on your favorite bun with the tatziki sauce and topped with the feta cheese. This recipe is to die for it is soooo good, it's definately my newest favorite.

*Tatziki Sauce (cucumber dill sauce)

2 tb fine grated cucumber*
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tb manyonnaise
1 tsp chopped dill
1 tsp chopped mint
2 tsp lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste


*Tatziki is traditionally made with greek yogurt and sour cream, but I like to use mayo when its for a spread on a sandwich.

*To get the cucmber for this recipe just run it over the fine side of your cheese grater, and add the cucumber along with its juice into the mix.

As I always say my recipes are just a guideline, i am happy to know that they have been a starting point for you to unleash your own culinary creativty and put you stamp on the meal.

Happy eating!