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Lobster Rolls
Lobster Rolls
Lobster rolls are a staple all over New England; most notably in Maine and Connecticut. This buttery sandwich is said to have originated in Connecticut in the late 1920’s; gaining popularity up and down the Atlantic Coast. In Maine, the sandwich is typically served cold. In Connecticut, the sandwich is served warm. If cold, it is called a lobster salad sandwich. Either way you want to eat it is a win-win in my book.Unless you want to go through the trouble of cooking a whole lobster, breaking it down, and cleaning out any pieces of shells, you can buy already cooked lobster meat and save yourself some time. It usually will come frozen, so make sure to completely thaw it before cooking.
Servings: 2
Ingredients
- 8 oz lobster meat
- 2 tbsp celery finely chopped
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tsp chives finely chopped
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp butter divided
- 2 brioche hotdog buns
Instructions
- Mix together the mayonnaise, celery, lemon juice and zest, chives, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Melt 1 tbsp of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add in the lobster meat. Cook for 2 minutes, making sure the lobster is coated in the butter. Remove from the heat and let cool.
- Using a slotted spoon, scoop out the lobster meat from the butter and stir in to the mayonnaise mixture.
- Wipe out the skillet clean. Melt the other tbsp of butter in the skillet and toast the brioche hotdog buns.
- Equally distribute the lobster salad into the brioche buns.
Mexican Chocolate Ice Cream
Mexican Chocolate Ice Cream
Mexican chocolate is one of my favorites; and is even better when turned into ice cream. This ice cream has a chocolatey, cinnamony, taste with a hint of spice from cayenne pepper. Once the ice cream batter is ready to be churned, it takes only 20-25 minutes in most ice cream machines before you can indulge in a couple scoops, a pint, or a quart.
Equipment
- ice cream maker
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole milk divided
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 Mexican chocolate tablet
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Dissolve the chocolate tablet in the whole milk in a pot over medium heat. Whisk in the sugar.
- Turn the heat off. Whisk in the remaining ingredients and chill in the refrigerator overnight.
- Pour the ice cream batter in your ice cream machine and follow the manufacturer’s directions on preparation.
Afelia (Wine-Braised Pork)
Afelia (Wine-Braised Pork)
Afelia is a Cypriot dish consisting of pork shoulder braised in dry red wine and crushed coriander seeds. Wine and coriander happen to be a popular combination used in many dishes from Cyprus. The pork is usually served with bulgur pilaf, unless potatoes are added to the braise.
Equipment
- mortar and pestle
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless pork shoulder cut into 1” cubes
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 cups dry red wine
- 2 tbsp coriander seeds crushed
- 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 lb red potatoes cut into 1” cubes.
Instructions
- Crush the coriander seeds in a mortar and pestle.
- Marinate the pork with red wine, cumin, black pepper, bay leaves, and the crushed coriander seeds for 4 hours, preferably overnight. Drain and save the marinade.
- Add the olive oil to a sauté pan over medium high heat. Brown the pork for 10 minutes on all sides.
- Add the reserved marinade, water, and salt. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the potatoes. Cover and simmer over low heat for 75 minutes.
- Uncover and simmer for 10 minutes.
