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Cuban Mojo Shrimp

Cuban Mojo Shrimp

Cuban Mojo Shrimp

Cuban mojo marinade is a quick and easy way to prepare one of my favorite seafood items: shrimp. It’s citrusy, garlicky, and relatively healthy for you; only taking 6-7 minutes to cook. The shrimp pairs well with steamed rice and sweet fried plantains. These shrimp can also be skewered and grilled for the same amount of time as in a sauté pan.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time6 minutes
Marinating Time1 hour
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Cuban
Keyword: Caribbean, Cuban, main course, seafood
Author: Alex Gorgos

Ingredients

  • 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp tails removed; 16/20 ct
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 orange juiced
  • 3 limes juiced
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp ground cumin

Instructions

  • Mix together all of the marinade ingredients. Marinate the shrimp for 1 hour.
  • Heat up 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Add in the shrimp in a single layer.
  • Sauté the shrimp for 3-4 minutes a side, flipping only once.
Stuffed Italian Meatball Grinder

Stuffed Italian Meatball Grinder

Stuffed Italian Meatball Grinder

On the East Coast, a grinder is a sandwich on Italian hoagie rolls with hot ingredients instead of cold cuts; with cheese and Italian salad on it. My sandwich is reminiscent of the old MN state fair grinder stall that serve meatballs, sauce, and cheese stuffed into hollowed out Italian bread; instead of slicing the bread in half.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: American, Beef, European, Italian, main course, Pork, sandwich
Author: Alex Gorgos

Ingredients

  • hoagie buns
  • mozzarella cheese shredded

Meatballs

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef or 50/50 ground beef and pork
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 small yellow onion finely chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves minded
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 tsp dried basil
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper optional

Sauce

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 small yellow onion finely chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 16 oz canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 1/4 cup basil chopped
  • 2 tbsp oregano chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cracked black pepper

Instructions

  • Mix all of the meatball ingredients together.
  • Roll into mini meatballs about the size of a cherry.
  • Add olive to a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Cook the meatballs for 10-12 minutes. Remove from the pan.
  • Add in another 2 tbsp of olive oil. Sauté the onions for 4 minutes. Add in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
  • Add in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
  • Deglaze the pan with the red wine. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.
  • Add the meatballs into the sauce. Cover and simmer for 10 more minutes.

Sandwich Assembly

  • Cut each of the hoagie buns in half. Hollow out the inside, making sure not to tear open the outside.
  • Place one of the halves in a pint glass to hold it upright. Put a small pinch of mozzarella in the bottom.
  • Place 2 meatballs and some sauce on the bottom.
  • Repeat this layering process 2 more times so there’s a total of 6 meatballs in the sandwich.
  • Place some mozzarella cheese on top.
Venison Burger with Fried Duck Egg

Venison Burger with Fried Duck Egg

Spread garlic aioli on both sides of the bun. Top with the burger and fried duck egg.

Duck Egg Frittata

Duck Egg Frittata

Duck Egg Frittata

Duck eggs have become my new obsession. They are super rich in flavor; being twice the size of a chicken egg, with more yolk than white. They are less uncommon to find and can be bought at just about any grocery store. I fortunately got mine fresh from my dental hygienist who raises chickens, quail, and ducks.
This frittata is a great way to try duck eggs for the first time. You can use just about any veggies and cheese of your liking to add in. I used cremini mushrooms, sweet peppers, spinach, and grape tomatoes, plus an herbed shredded mozzarella.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Breakfast, brunch
Keyword: breakfast, brunch, Eggs, how to make, signature dishes
Servings: 6
Author: Alex Gorgos

Equipment

  • glass pie pan

Ingredients

  • 5 duck eggs
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 4 oz cremini mushrooms sliced
  • 4 mini sweet peppers sliced
  • 4 oz baby spinach
  • 8 oz shredded cheese divided
  • 8 grape tomatoes sliced in half

Instructions

  • Whisk the dug eggs, milk, paprika, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Set aside.
  • Melt the butter in a sauté pan over medium heat. Sauté the mushrooms and sweet peppers for 8 minutes.
  • Stir in the spinach. Sauté for 2 more minutes.
  • Once the spinach has wilted, turn off the heat.
  • Grease a glass pie pan. Place the sautéed vegetables in the pan. Pour in the duck egg batter. Stir in half of the cheese.
  • Top the frittata with the rest of the cheese. Arrange the halved grape tomatoes cut side up across the top. Place in a preheated 400° oven for 20 minutes until firm.
  • Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.