Month: May 2013

Brunch

Recipe—Breakfast Portobellos

Diva di Cucina

This is one of those recipes I found on Pinterest and have been meaning to make for quite some time. I only wish I would have made it months ago! It was absolutely delish! Being a semi-frequent low-carb eater I am always looking for new and exciting breakfast recipes. This was completely decadent and unlike anything I had ever had before. The portobellos have this great earthy flavor that is perfectly complemented by the sallty prosciutto, and if you cook them just right you get a nice little bit of yolk to sop up with the mushroom. So I If you are looking to make a fabulous breakfast then give this recipe a try. It would be the perfect dish to serve mom for Mother’s day!

Note: If you end up with shallow mushrooms the eggs may try to slide out of the caps when you put them in, so if you have the ability to examine the underside of the mushrooms look for ones that have a deeper well and are even in depth.

INGREDIENTS
2 large portobello mushrooms (4”–5” in diameter)
olive oil
salt & pepper
3 ounces of sliced prosciutto
4 eggs
1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley

STEPS

  • Preheat oven to 375º.
  • Wash the portobello caps and pat dry.
  • Using a spoon scrape out the stem and all the gills creating a well in the mushroom cap.
  • Rub the mushrooms with olive oil and then season with salt and pepper.
  • Line each mushroom cap with a couple of slices of the prosciutto making sure to go up the sides. (This will help keep the eggs in if your well isn’t quite large enough to hold two eggs.
  • Place the mushrooms in a glass baking dish.
  • Carefully crack two eggs into each mushroom cap.
  • Carefully place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 20–30 minutes. (Cooking time will depend on the thickness of your mushrooms and how you like your eggs cooked.)
  • Remove the eggs from the oven and garnish with the chopped parsley and additional salt and pepper.

Recipe adapted from Paleo Spirit.

Dinners

Recipe—Macadamia Nut Crusted Halibut

Diva di Cucina

One of my all time favorite restaurants in Sacramento is Scott’s Seafood. They are known for stunning presentation and of course their out-of-this-world fish dishes. One of my all time favorite meals that they serve is their melt in your mouth macadamia nut crusted halibut. It is incredible! They take an already awesome piece of fish and seem to make it more awesome then you can possibly imagine. Lucky for me (and you I suppose), they have some of their more popular recipes on their website. The other night I decided to attempt to make their popular halibut dish on my own. It did not disappoint, it was awesome! The brown butter gives the dish a salty and nutty flavor and the macadamia nuts themselves give the fish a mild sweetness and great texture. My husband, son, and I chowed down and we were in heaven! If you have a little extra time and money on your hands, and you want to impress, try this decadent recipe. It is an incredible way to enjoy halibut.

Note: This recipe is written to use an oven safe skillet. If you don’t have one, no biggie. Just use whatever large skillet you have and then transfer the fish to a large baking dish and finish off in the oven.

INGREDIENTS
4-6 oz halibut filets, skin removed
1/2 c panko
1 1/2 c macadamia nuts
1/2 lb salted butter
4 tbsp olive oil

STEPS

  • In a large saucepan bring the butter to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until it just starts to turn a golden brown color. Be sure not to burn it!
  • Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 350º.
  • Place the panko and the macadamia nuts on a baking sheet keeping them separated.
  • Toast both the panko and nuts for 3–4 minutes or until just starting to brown.
  • Transfer the toasted panko to a plate or shallow bowl.
  • Using a food processor, or by hand, chop the macadamia nuts.
  • Add half of the chopped nuts to the toasted panko and mix.
  • Place the other half of the chopped nuts in the brown butter and stir.
  • Turn the oven up to 375º.
  • Coat the halibut filets in the panko and nut mixture making sure to cover as much of the fish as possible and set aside.
  • Heat the olive oil over medium high-heat in a large oven safe skillet.
  • One by one add the breaded fish.
  • Cook until golden brown on the bottom and then flip to cook the other side.
  • Once both sides have turned a golden brown place the skillet in the oven to finish cooking, about 5–8 minutes depending on the thickness of the filets. When the fish is cooked through it should flake off easily with a fork.
  • When the halibut is cooked, stir the brown butter and nut mixture and then ladle it over the top of the fish.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Scott’s Seafood Grill & Bar.

Sweet Treats

Recipes—Craisin White Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies

Diva di Cucina

The first time I made these cookies was actually around the holidays. They turned out delicious! So good that I even included them in my annual holiday goodie boxes. While cranberries and white chocolate are perfect for the holiday season, I think they are equally perfect for any time of year. Cranberry and white chocolate is such an awesome flavor combo, why only enjoy during the winter months? Pudding cookies are great because they turn out super moist and are some of the softest cookies you will ever have! The pudding really helps to hold them all together so you end up with perfect little mounds of deliciousness!

INGREDIENTS
2 1/4 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 c butter, softened
3/4 c brown sugar
1/4 c sugar
3.4 oz vanilla instant pudding mix (dry, do not prepare)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 c craisins
3/4 c white chocolate chips

STEPS

  • Preheat oven to 350º.
  • In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour and baking soda. Set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, mix together the butter and sugars.
  • Add in dry pudding mix and beat until well blended.
  • Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.
  • Slowly incorporate flour mixture until well combined.
  • Mix in craisins and white chocolate chips.
  • Roll the cookie dough into 1² balls and place on a greased baking sheet.
  • Bake cookies for 8­12 minutes or until just turning golden on the edges.

Recipe adapted from Chef in Training.