Sides » The Saucy Coq

WATERMELON SALAD WITH DATES & PISTACHIOS

Photo by The Saucy Coq

When was the last time you used your melon baller? Yeah, me neither. But my wife brought home a 1 kg bucket of Medjool dates and I was reminded of this salad I made last summer for a lobster dinner party at a friend’s place and never got around to posting.

Cold, crispy watermelon tossed with sweet Medjool dates and salty pistachios. This salad is very refreshing, sweet, salty and substantial! The total package. Goes fantastically well with BBQs! If you don’t have a melon baller, you can just cube the melon. Don’t sweat it. I don’t think it looks as nice, but it will impress nonetheless. The rose water is optional, but it adds a nice perfume and summer flavour to the whole thing.

WATERMELON SALAD

5 cups watermelon balls, chilled
6 Medjool dates, pitted and slivered
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
1/3 cup shelled pistachios, toasted and coarsely chopped
A tiny bit (1/8 tsp) rose water

This salad comes from Heidi Swanson’s vegetarian cookbook called Supernatural Everyday. It’s one of my favourite cookbooks in regular rotation and I’ve never made anything from it that I didn’t love.

Once the watermelon is balled or cubed, put it together with the dates in a large bowl. Stir the salt into the lime juice in a separate bowl and then drizzle it across the melon and toss well.

Put the melon and dates in the fridge for at least an hour before you serve, but preferably two hours. The colder the better as the melon will crisp up!

Just before serving, turn the salad out into whatever serving bowl you’ll be using and sprinkle with the pistachios and rose water.

Eat with spicy BBQ meat, burgers, seafood, chicken…anything really!

Enjoy!

PEAR CARDAMOM BUTTER

Photo by The Saucy Coq

“THIS IS NOT BUTTER” you might say if you were with a group of your snobby friends. Call it what you will, but this Pear Cardamom Butter is very, very good. Think apple sauce here, but more interesting.

You can make a butter from almost any fruit by just stewing it down with some liquid and sugar until it has reached a very thick consistency. Apple butter is likely the most common form, but this Pear Cardamom Butter is fantastic. You can have it with granola in the morning, serve it with pork chops or jerk chicken at dinner, or have it with peanut butter! What else would you use it for?

I found this recipe on www.shutterbean.com and tried it out last week to give to my sister for her birthday (Happy Bday Harmony!). I will definitely make it again, but might not cook it down so much as this recipe only gave me four (half-pint) jars full. I am not going to give a lesson on canning because there are much better teachers out there. Namely, Google.

Pear Cardamom Butter

6 pounds pears, peeled, cored and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
juice of 1 lemon
1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

I use my Dutch Oven for jams and sauces, but use whatever you’re used to. Get a nice heavy pot on the element and fill it with all of the great smelling things that you’ve prepped. Pears, lemon, sugar, salt and all of the spices. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Lower the heat, and continue to stir. You really want the pears to break down, so try helping them along after about 15 minutes with a wooden spoon or potato masher.

After about an hour, remove the pot from the heat and blend the pears with an immersion blender in the pot until you’ve reached the desired consistency. My immersion blender actually broke (albeit a year ago) so I just used my blender. Save yourself the mess and use an immersion blender if you can.

Return the pear butter to the heat, and simmer over medium-high heat for 20 minutes longer, or until butter mounds on a chilled spoon.

Ladle butter into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch head space. Check for air bubbles, wipe the rims and seal.

Place the jars in boiling hot water for 10 minutes. Note that you really don’t have to have all of the proper canning tools to do this. I only preserve things every once in a while so I just stick with using regular pots, kitchen tongs and a funnel. The only important step is to be sure you sterilize the jars properly. There are many sites out there to read up on the canning process if you like.

If you’re going to make just a fraction of this recipe to use within a couple of days, you don’t have to worry about the jarring process. Spoon into a nice serving dish and enjoy the fruits of your labour! Yes, I went there.

Pickled Red Onions

Pickling never really crossed my mind until recently. I guess I’ve always felt that anything involving canning, jarring or preserving was for grandmas, you know? Great to have on hand for the apocalypse, but otherwise, just too much work. Turns out, it couldn’t be easier. Now that I’ve made these pickled onions many times I can see the slippery slope ahead of me. I suspect that within two months I’ll be eating nothing but vinegar soaked veggies.

Pickled Red Onions

2 red onions, sliced whole

3/4 cup red wine vinegar

3/4 cup white vinegar

1 tbsp sugar

1 tsp salt

2 dried bay leaves

1 tsp whole fennel seeds

4-5 whole allspice berries

4-5 cloves

1 dried red chili

In North America, “pickle” almost always refers to a pickled cucumber. The word actually comes from the Dutch for “brine”, and almost any vegetable, or any perishable food for that matter, can be “pickled”. I’ve never actually gone through the trouble of jarring these since I always use them within about two weeks.

It is important to point out here that, much like most of the cooking I do, nothing is exact. Especially with pickling. You can use whatever spices you want and have on hand. Most recipes for pickled red onions use only white vinegar, but I really like the sweet tanginess that red wine vinegar imparts on the onions, so I use a mix. The only reason I mix it is because white vinegar is much cheaper. In the end, you just need enough vinegar to cover to the top of the onions in the pot you’re using. If your onions are larger, use more if you need it! I like to slice the onions whole – I think the full rings look better for serving – but cut the onions in half first if it’s easier for you.

Add the vinegar, sugar, salt and spices to a pot on medium-high and heat until the sugar & salt are dissolved. Add the onions to the pot and stir them around for about 3 or 4 minutes. You only need to blanch the onions and soften them up. Allow the onions and pickling juice to cool enough to safely add to a jar or airtight container.

Since the first time I made these onions, I’ve had a jar in my fridge at all times. I’ve served them with all kinds of grilled meats from pork chops to jerk chicken to steaks. They’re great with burgers, hot dogs, fish tacos or even just with a spread of meats and cheeses!

HOMEMADE BASIL PECAN PESTO

Pesto is a great thing to make yourself for several reasons: 1) it tastes infinitely better, 2) it’s much cheaper than a store bought version, 3) it’s open to a lot of variation. And, if you’ve never made it before, I think you’ll be surprised at how simple it is to make.

If you’ve bought pesto in the grocery store before, it was most likely of the pine nut-basil variety and cost you a month’s rent to fill a cracker. I’ve tried a few different nuts in this pesto and find I like pecans the best, but feel free to use any nuts you have on hand and let me know what you think.

Traditionally, pesto is hand made. The word pesto in fact comes from the same Latin root word as pestle, “to pound”. I actually did make this batch using my mortar and pestle, but have made it before with a food processor. Both work great, but I wanted a bit more texture this time around.

Basil Pecan Pesto

Makes about 1 cup

3 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves
1 small handful pecans (1/2 cup at most), toasted
2 garlic cloves, chopped
Pinch of sea salt
Pinch of fresh black pepper
1 tsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/3 cup fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (medium grate)
1/2 cup very high quality extra virgin olive oil

Lightly toast the pecans in a pan or in the oven to bring out the nuttiness. This will only take a couple minutes in a pan on medium heat. All you’re looking for is a bit of browning. As a general rule for toasting nuts and spices, once you can smell the aroma, they’re done!

Once you’ve toasted the pecans, add a splash of olive oil to the pan and add the garlic for about 30 seconds. This will help take some of the sharp, raw garlic taste out so it doesn’t overpower the pesto. Remove the garlic and set aside.

If you’re using a mortar and pestle, give the basil and pecans a rough chop before you pound together with the pestle. It’ll just make things easier. Pound together basil, garlic, pecans and S & P until you’ve got a nice paste. If you’re using a food processor, just pulse the ingredients a few times to keep a bit of texture. Next, add the cheese and lemon juice and mix to combine. Finally, pour in the oil in a slow steady stream while mixing the pesto.

Keep the pesto in an air tight container in the fridge for up to a week. But, it HAS TO BE AIR TIGHT or it will oxidize and become bitter. Pouring a layer of olive oil on top will help keeping the air out of the pesto. You can also freeze the pesto for a year or so.

Good eating!

GRILLED CORN w CHILI LIME BUTTER

I’m going to let you in on a secret. Corn.

Grilled corn is such a simple, versatile side dish that it gets it’s own post. Jealous? Whenever I’m short on time and need a “veg”, grilled corn is a solid go-to. It’s cheap, easy and you can dress it up any way you like. Yes, I realize the parallels to a dad joke there.

Like any food that grows, corn is best when it is in season (May through September), and is sweetest right after being picked (the sugars begin to turn to starch once it’s picked). Luckily, corn is loaded with so much natural sugar that grilling a mediocre cob will bring out some ace flavors. And, if that doesn’t work, I’m sure you’ll put way too much butter on it anyway.

This chili lime butter is good to have a bit of in the fridge. It works with this corn, other grilled veg, or even on a steak.

Gilled Corn with Chili Lime Butter:

2 Corn cobs
2 tbsp butter, room temperature
Zest and juice of 1/2 lime
1/2 chili (serrano or jalapeno), finely diced

For the chili lime butter, whip the butter with 1/2 of a finely diced chili, lime zest and lime juice. Set aside.

To prepare the corn, I always peel the outer most husks off (the darker green ones), then peel back (but don’t remove) the inner husk and remove the silk fibers. Sexy. Replace the attached husk and soak the corn cobs in cold water for about 30 minutes before you grill. This will prevent the husks from burning to a crisp.

Preheat the grill to high and grill the corn, husk on, for about 10 minutes or so, turning the corn every couple of minutes. You’re looking for a few blackened kernels, but don’t overcook it or it’ll be mushy.

To serve, gently massage each kernel with some butter, working out all the kinks. Or, just brush it on. Top the corn with a Quenelle of butter (university talk for a blob). I usually peel back the husk and leave it on for dramatic effect. Eating the husk does this as well.

Enjoy!

FOR A GOOD TIME CALL APPLE POMEGRANATE SALAD

This salad of pomegranate seeds, crisp apple, roasted hazelnuts and peppery watercress is a very refreshing, light and flavor-packed dish. Goes great with any protein and tastes even better the next day.

My girlfriend and I were in London a couple of weeks ago and, as per usual, hunting for good food was a big part of the bill. We were very successful. And by successful, I mean that no vegetables were consumed. If I recall, there may have been some baby spinach in some ravioli I had and maybe some plantain with my roast suckling pig, but that’s it.

In typical post-vacation-depression style, we made an attempt to replenish our supply of essential vitamins and minerals. I set out for fresh, healthy, low fat, high nutrient foods. I’ve made this salad a few times and it seems to fit any season. Light and refreshing enough for the summer and hearty enough for the winter.

Pomegranate’s are in season (in the Northern hemisphere) from September to February. They really are a fascinating fruit. Historical and religious significance; sweet and tart at the same time; and may be helpful in reducing heart disease factors, systolic blood pressure and viral infections. Oh, they also fight dental plaque and are very high in fiber. Take that other fruit.

Apple Pomegranate Salad

2/3 cup hazelnuts, blanched*
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon hazelnut oil (I used peanut this time and it still tasted great)
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons fresh pomegranate juice, plus seeds from one pomegranate
1 tablespoon sherry (or sherry vinegar)
2 teaspoons rice vinegar
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium apple, diced
1/2 lemon, for juicing
1 bunch watercress

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Spread hazelnuts on a baking sheet; toast, stirring once, until fragrant and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool; coarsely chop nuts, and toss with 1 teaspoon hazelnut oil and salt. *If you don’t have blanched hazelnuts, you can put them in boiling water for two minutes, plunge them in ice water, then pinch the skins off. In other words, buy blanched hazelnuts.

In a small bowl, combine, pomegranate juice, sherry, rice vinegar, and salt. If you have them on hand, it would be very sophisticated and wise of you to add in some diced shallots here and let sit for a few minutes; about one shallot would do. Since I have no class and had no shallots I didn’t use any. Whisk in olive oil and remaining 1 tablespoon hazelnut oil.

In a large bowl, toss apple and pomegranate seeds with dressing; season with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon. Gently toss with watercress. Arrange salad on a serving platter, and garnish with hazelnuts. Serve immediately.

I served this over some nice pieces of seared white fish and browned brussels sprouts. Give it a try with some red meat and let me know how it works out.

Enjoy!

PEACH RADISH SALSA

Tomato and chili sauce has been called salsa since the mid-16th century . In 2000, salsa surpassed ketchup as America’s favorite condiment. In fact, the study that garnered this data went even further to show that Salsa lovers may, loosely translated, be more exciting people than ketchup enthusiasts. They tended to be more extroverted, sociable, competitive and athletic; in short, risk takers. So, naturally, I’m making a salsa.

Sometime in recent history, somebody decided that salsa could stretch beyond tomatoes. Good for them. And, good for us. The peaches here can be substituted with any pitted fruit (mangoes, apricots, plums, nectarines) and be just as delicious and versatile.

I served this particular salsa with some fish tacos that I made, but I can almost taste how great it would be with grilled shrimp or jerk chicken. Oooo, I’m gonna write that down…

Peach Radish Salsa

1 lime
3 ripe peaches, diced
2-3 red radishes, diced
1/2 red onion, diced
1 Serrano chili, finely diced
1 tsp chili powder
handful fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp orange juice
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper

Remove the peel and pith from the lime and cut between the membranes to remove the segments. In chef-speak, this is called “supreming”. Put the supremes into a bowl and squeeze over the juice from what’s left of the lime. Add the remaining ingredients and mix. Season with salt and pepper and refrigerate until ready to use.