Tag: main course

Crab Salad

Crab Salad

Crab Salad

While we eat a lot of deli crab salad in America, its origins are actually Japanese. Imitation crab(kani) was created in Japan; made out of ground white fish paste called surmi. The Japanese version consists of crab, cucumber, carrots, Japanese mayo, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. This recipe is the American version, with a mayo/lemon juice/dijon mustard dressing and celery, shallots, and herbs mixed in. This salad is great on its own or on a toasted baguette. Step aside, Subway.
Prep Time10 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Fusion, Japanese
Keyword: American, Fusion, Japanese, main course, seafood, side dish, signature dishes
Author: Alex Gorgos

Ingredients

  • 1 lb imitation crab flakes chopped

Dressing

  • 2/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 ribs celery finely chopped
  • 3 tbsp shallots finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp dill finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp chives finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp parsley finely chopped

Instructions

  • Mix together the dressing ingredients.
  • Stir in the crab meat. Refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving.
Red Wine Braised Beef Short Ribs over Goat Cheese Polenta

Red Wine Braised Beef Short Ribs over Goat Cheese Polenta

Red Wine Braised Beef Short Ribs over Goat Cheese Polenta

Of the current 1363 recipes on my site, I’d say that this is in the top 5 of tastiest. This preparation is a fusion of French and Italian techniques. The french aspect is using shallots and a french red wine; Italian would substitute onions for shallots and using an Italian wine. Either way you go, these ribs fall off the bone. When serving, place a short rib in the center of a mound of polenta; spooning over the red wine sauce.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time3 hours
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: French, Fusion, Italian
Keyword: Beef, European, French, Fusion, Italian, main course, signature dishes
Author: Alex Gorgos

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs English cut beef short ribs 2 1/2” thick
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • salt and pepper
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 ribs celery finely chopped
  • 2 carrots finely chopped
  • 1 large shallot finely chopped; or 1 medium yellow onion
  • 2 cups red wine French or Italian
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 2 sprigs rosemary
  • 2 sprigs thyme

Goat Cheese Polenta

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups water
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 cup polenta
  • 4 oz goat cheese

Instructions

  • Pat the short ribs dry with paper towel. Season with salt and pepper. Dredge the short ribs in flour.
  • Heat up olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add in the short ribs.
  • Brown on all sides for 3 minutes a side. Remove from the pan.
  • Add in the carrots, celery, and shallots. Sauté for 8 minutes.
  • Pour in the red wine; scraping up the bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook for 5 minutes.
  • Pour in the beef stock. Add in the short ribs, rosemary, and thyme. Place on the cover and put in a preheated 300° oven for 3 hours.
  • The last 20 minutes of cooking the short ribs, bring the milk, water, and seasonings to a simmer in a large pot.
  • Add in the polenta and continuously whisk over low heat for 3 minutes. Place on a cover and cook for 10 minutes.
  • Whisk in the goat cheese and turn off the heat.
Lemon Garlic Swordfish

Lemon Garlic Swordfish

Lemon Garlic Swordfish

I’m a huge fan of swordfish: the true chicken of the sea. Swordfish is an oily, firm-fleshed fish that takes on whatever you season it with. This lemon garlic butter sauce is so flavorful; adding richness to this fish. If you aren’t a fan of swordfish, you can substitute salmon, opah, sable, or any other firm fleshed fish.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Keyword: fish, main course, signature dishes
Author: Alex Gorgos

Equipment

  • oven-safe sauté pan

Ingredients

  • 12 oz swordfish steak
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Lemon Garlic Sauce

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp garlic chives finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch cracked black pepper

Instructions

  • Pat the swordfish dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Heat up the olive oil in an oven-safe sauté pan over medium heat. Add the swordfish steak to the sauté pan.
  • Cook for 3 minutes a side. Place the pan in a preheated 400° oven for 10 minutes.
  • While the swordfish is in the oven, cook the lemon garlic sauce ingredients in a small sauté pan over medium low heat for 5 minutes.
  • Pull the swordfish out of the oven and pour the lemon garlic sauce over.