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Steamed Salmon in Black Bean Sauce

Steamed Salmon in Black Bean Sauce

Steamed Salmon in Black Bean Sauce

This is a low maintenance and healthy meal that can be made in under 25 minutes. A white fish fillet is typically used for steamed fish with black bean sauce, but I saw some nice salmon steaks at my local Asian market that caught my attention. I purchased a large steak that was 1 lb.; but you can use 2 – 8oz fillets. I like steaks because they are the same thickness all the way through and cook more evenly then a fillet.
Line a steamer basket with parchment paper. Make a bed of sliced onion. Lay the salmon steak on top of the onions. Drizzle with olive oil. Pour over all of the black bean sauce and top with green onions. Wrap up the parchment package so excess water doesn’t dilute the sauce. Steam for 15 minute. If using fillets, steam for 10-12 minutes. Serve with steamed rice. You can also add a vegetable of your liking to the salmon while steaming such as asparagus.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: Chinese, East Asian, fish, main course
Servings: 2
Author: Alex Gorgos

Equipment

  • steamer

Ingredients

  • 1 lb salmon steak or 2 – 8oz fillets
  • 1/4 white onion thinly sliced
  • 1 green onion chopped
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Black Bean Sauce

  • 2 tbsp fermented black beans
  • 1 1/2 tbsp shaoxing cooking wine
  • 1 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tsp ginger grated
  • 2 tsp sugar

Instructions

  • Mix all of the sauce ingredients together. Set aside.
    Chinese, main course, fish
  • Line the inside of a steamer with parchment paper. Put a layer of sliced onion over the bottom. Place the salmon steak on top of the onions. Drizzle with olive oil. Cover with the black bean sauce and green onion. Fold over the parchment paper to cover up the salmon. Place the cover on the steamer and steam for 15 minutes.
    Chinese, main course, fish
  • Let rest before serving.
    Chinese, main course, fish
Chinese, main course, fish
Moroccan Lamb Tagine with Apricots

Moroccan Lamb Tagine with Apricots

Moroccan Lamb Tagine with Apricots

I’ve been really excited to finally make this recipe in an actual tagine. The tagine I bought is made of earthenware pottery. It happens to be unseasoned, so I had to season it. First, the tagine has to be submerged in water for at least 2 hours. After that, the tagine needs to be rubbed with oil and tempered in the oven at 300 degrees for 2 hours. It then needs to cool in the oven. Then it is ready for use.
The lamb needs to be cooked in batches, searing for 4 minutes a side. Set the lamb aside. Brown the onions, ginger, and garlic. Mix in the tomato paste and seasoning. Add the lamb back in along with the apricots soaked in beef stock. Place the cover on and simmer over medium low heat for 1 hour. Stir in slivered almonds. Turn off the heat and garnish with cilantro and mint. Serve the tagine over couscous.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 30 minutes
Marinating Time1 hour
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Moroccan
Keyword: lamb, main course, Moroccan, north african
Author: Alex Gorgos

Equipment

  • tagine

Ingredients

  • 4 lbs boneless leg of lamb cubed
  • 1/2 tbsp coarse ground salt
  • 1 1/2 cups beef stock
  • 1 cup dried apricots
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger minced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • pinch saffron
  • 1/4 cup cilantro chopped
  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds
  • 1/4 cup mint roughly torn
  • cracked black pepper

Instructions

Seasoning the Tagine

  • If this is the first time using a tagine, it will need to be seasoned. If not, skip this step. Submerge the entire tagine in water for at least 2 hours.
    Moroccan, main course, lamb
  • Pat dry. Rub the entire tagine with oil. Place in a cold oven. Turn the oven to 300 degrees. Let the tagine sit in the oven for 2 hours. Turn off the heat and let cool completely inside the oven. Now it’s ready for use.
    Moroccan, main course, lamb

Lamb Tagine with Apricots

  • Season the lamb with salt. Let marinade for an hour.
    Moroccan, main course,
  • Bring the beef stock to a boil in a small pot. Add in the dried apricots. Remove from the heat and let sit for 15 minutes.
    Moroccan, main course, lamb
  • Heat up olive oil in your tagine over medium high heat. Brown the cubed lamb in 3 batches for 4 minutes a side. Set the lamb aside.
    Moroccan, main course, lamb
  • Add in the onions to the tagine. Brown for 5 minutes.
    Moroccan, main course, lamb
  • Add in the garlic and ginger. Cook for a minute.
    Moroccan, main course, lamb
  • Stir in the tomato paste, making sure all of the onions are coated. Cook for 2 minutes.
    Moroccan, main course, lamb
  • Stir in all of the spices. Cook for a minute.
    Moroccan, main course, lamb
  • Add in the lamb, stock and apricots. Bring to a boil.
    Moroccan, main course, lamb
  • Cover. Reduce the heat to medium low. Simmer for 1 hour.
    Moroccan, main course, lamb
  • Take off the cover. Stir in the slivered almonds. Turn off the heat.
    Moroccan, main course, lamb
  • Garnish with cilantro and mint.
    Moroccan, main course, lamb
Moroccan, main course, lamb
Serve over couscous.
Ensopado de Camarao (Brazilian Shrimp Stew)

Ensopado de Camarao (Brazilian Shrimp Stew)

Ensopado de Camarao (Brazilian Shrimp Stew)

Shrimp stew is a popular Brazilian dish eaten during holidays and celebrations. The stew base is of shrimp stock, coconut milk, and sautéed onions, peppers, garlic, and tomatoes; all puréed smooth. Sautéed shrimp are added to the stew along with lime juice and cilantro. The shrimp stew is always served over rice.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Brazilian
Keyword: Brazilian, Latin American, main course, seafood
Servings: 8
Author: Alex Gorgos

Equipment

  • blender

Ingredients

Shrimp Stock

  • 3 cups water
  • 2 cups shrimp shells

Shrimp Stew

  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 lbs 21/25 ct. shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 1 medium white onion chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper chopped
  • 10 garlic cloves
  • 2 roma tomatoes chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups coconut milk
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 lime juiced

Garnish

  • cilantro chopped

Instructions

  • Bring the water to a boil with the shrimp shells. Reduce to half the amount; about 1 1/2 cups.
    Brazilian, main course, seafood
  • Strain and set aside.
    Brazilian, main course, seafood
  • In the same pot, heat up 2 tbsp of olive oil over medium high heat. Sauté the shrimp for 3 minutes.
    Brazilian, main course, seafood
  • Set aside.
    Brazilian, main course, seafood
  • In the same pot again, heat up the rest of the olive oil over medium high heat. Sauté the onions and peppers for 5 minutes.
    Brazilian, main course, seafood
  • Toss in the whole garlic cloves. Sauté for 2 minutes. Add in the tomatoes and sauté for 3 more minutes.
    Brazilian, main course, seafood
  • Add the sautéed vegetables to a blender along with the shrimp stock and coconut milk. Purée until smooth.
    Brazilian, main course, seafood
  • Pour the purée back into the pot. Simmer for 10 minutes over medium heat.
    Brazilian, main course, seafood
  • Stir in the shrimp. Cook for 2 more minutes.
    Brazilian, main course, seafood
  • Turn off the heat. Squeeze in the lime juice. Garnish with cilantro.
    Brazilian, main course, seafood
Brazilian, main course, seafood
Serve over steamed rice.