Red Wine Marinated Lamb Chops

Lamb. Lovely, luscious lamb. I haz lamb. Red wine marinated lamb chops (not with the traditional mint flavors) are paired with steamed brussel sprouts tossed with garlic butter. Thanks to The Market at Washington and High, my new home, we'll be enjoying lamb much more frequently. I hope you'll try it too.

I'm one of those very strange people who love, love, love lamb, but I really don't like mint, a traditional flavor profile for lamb. The combination of garlic and rosemary really hits the taste spot for me. I'll sometimes use the following marinade with a teaspoon of Dijon mustard in it too, but I didn't have any Dijon this night.

Red Wine Marinade:
2 cups dry red wine
2 tbsp. lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 sprig of rosemary, whole
1 bay leaf, whole
1/2 tsp. salt

Pour all ingredients in a zip-lock bag along with the lamb chops and marinade for 2 hours in the refrigerator. Turn and shake several times. Remove the zip-lock bag from the refrigerator and bring the chops to room temperature before cooking.

Remove the chops from the marinade and discard (the marinade...not the chops! =D ). Chop fresh rosemary and sprinkle both sides of the lamb chops with the rosemary and salt and pepper. Place in a screaming hot skillet.



Cook on the first side until it's nicely caramelized. Turn and continue cooking on second side until rare to medium rare (Please don't overcook lamb), about 2 1/2 to 3 minutes on each side.



While the lamb was cooking, I steamed some brussel sprouts in a double boiler. In a separate pan, I melted butter and added a crushed clove of garlic, salt and pepper. Remove the crushed garlic before serving and toss the brussel sprouts in the butter.



That's all there is to some lip smackin' goodness. Can haz lamb!

Paula

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Pan Seared Sea Bass

This week I had a couple of OMG moments. The first one occurred when I finally found the time to check out a new local market. This store made me feel like I had died and gone to heaven! The market is set in this lovely old brick building that was renovated for its new use. This post is a result of this amazing new place, The Market at Washington and High.

I live (not literally, but it has seemed like it food wise) in the middle of nowhere. The availability of fresh sea food, fabulous meats, organic produce and other incredible products to cook with was limited. This new place is relatively close, about a 20 minute drive from my house. I can't believe that I finally have access to the wonders that are offered there without a 40 minute drive!

I wandered around like a kid in a candy store. They had cobia, so fresh that it had not a single odor. They had Chilean sea bass and wonderful Italian sausages and venison, lamb, elk, duck, fresh baked breads, organic produce (Chinese eggplant! I'm going to have to cook some of that), spices and dried mushrooms and peppers and incredible condiments. I'm in love.

The second OMG moment happened when I ate this meal. Pan seared sea bass with mushroom garlic parmesan grits and fresh spinach. Wow, was it ever tasty.

Mushroom Garlic Parmesan Grits:
4 Tbs butter
1 clove garlic, pressed or minced
1/8 tsp dry thyme leaves
1 Pint mushrooms (I used portobello)
1 cup quick grits
2 cups chicken stock
2/3 cup heavy cream
salt and black pepper to taste
4Tbs parmigiano reggiano cheese, finely grated

Directions:
In a sauce pan, melt 2 Tbs of the butter, add the garlic and thyme. Saute for about 3 minutes, add the mushrooms. Saute until golden. Stir in grits, add chicken stock, reduce heat and simmer until the grits thicken. Add the heavy cream, 2 Tbs butter, salt and pepper.

Transfer to baking dish and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Bake at 400 degrees until golden brown and bubbly (About 20 minutes). This is enough time to prepare the fish and spinach.

Pan Seared Sea Bass and Spinach:
Center Cut Fillets of Sea Bass
Salt and Pepper
2 Tbs canola oil
6 ounces of fresh spinach, washed
2 Tbs butter

Directions:
Season the sea bass on both sides with salt and pepper. Place a heavy skillet over medium heat, add the canola oil and bring it to a very slight smoke. Add the sea bass and cook for 7 minutes (Don't move it). Carefully turn the fish and cook the other side for the same time. The beautiful golden color and crispy skin is your reward. Remove the sea bass and hold in a warm location.

In the same skillet, add the spinach. To the wilted spinach add the butter and season with salt and pepper.

Layer the plate with a square of the grits, a small amount of the spinach on the grits and place the sea bass on an angle.

Heck. Just toss it on the plate. You won't be looking at how pretty it is, you'll be chowing down. This is some seriously good stuff.

Enjoy!

Paula

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Jack's Potato Salad...Not Jacked Up

Summer isn't the only time to enjoy potato salad. In my world, it's a year round favorite side dish. I'm on a side dish kick lately! ;)

I learned the secret of really excellent southern style mustard potato salad from our friend, Jack Gregory. I'll share it with you. It's not jacked up.

The secret to really excellent southern style mustard potato salad you ask? Eggs. Lots and lots of hard cooked eggs. Really, you can just consider this an egg salad recipe with a few potatoes added in.

Mustard Potato Salad:

5 pounds potatoes, cooked whole/skin on until fork tender, peel, cube
12 eggs, hard cooked, chopped
1 3/4 cup onion, chopped
1 1/2 cup celery, chopped
1 tsp celery seed
2 tsp salt
1 tsp cracked black pepper
2 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1/2 cup + 2 Tbs yellow mustard

Jack uses pickle relish in his, but I'm not a fan so I left it out. I also added celery seed to mine. I hope he won't mind.

Being a southern girl, I can't think of a better comfort food side dish than potato salad. Except maybe macaroni and cheese.

This recipe makes a lot. This is good; it only gets better and if it's my house, it doesn't last long.

Enjoy!

Paula

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Simply Spicy Side - Spicy Coleslaw

Simple side dishes are a great thing to have on hand and this super simple spicy slaw is so unexpectedly good that I made it 938843847 times since I first sampled the recipe.

It was a lovely summer evening at the home of some friends where I first got to taste this recipe. The occasion was a fish fry and guests had volunteered to bring a dish. The spicy coleslaw was added to the menu by our dear friend, Steve Head. I instantly fell in love with the cool/hot nature of the slaw. It's now my absolute favorite slaw recipe.

As a matter of fact, I have made double batches and eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I'm a bit of a freak.

Oh, did I say how simple it is to prepare?

Spicy Cole Slaw:
Ingredients:
1 16 ounce package coleslaw cabbage mixture
1 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
2 Tbs pickled jalapeno, minced fine
1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
2 Tbs green onions, diced
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
3 shakes hot sauce (I use Marie Sharp's)
2/3 cup Marzetti Slaw Dressing (I've made my own, but use the shortcut for ease)

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, toss with Slaw Dressing. Chill for 1 hour and serve.



Simple right? Can haz slaw.

Enjoy!

Paula

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