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Category Archives: pescetarian

Leftover Madness: Corned Beef

I live with and love a staunch pescetarian.  And although a majority of the time our eating habits naturally mirror one another, I do opt for hearty beef dishes and pepperoni pizza whenever I can get it.

And today, I’m totally craving the CORNED BEEF of the cabbage and potatoes I’m planning to have for dinner.  Image

I add smoked salmon in lieu of corned beef to give it the smoky-salty-peppery goodness.  It’s delicious, heart-healthy, and very satisfying.  Especially with a few potatoes :)  

But here’s the kicker:  there is no leftover corned beef with the smoked salmon version.  As a woman of thrift heart, leftover madness is often the inspiration of premiere night.  Homemade corned beef hash is a fabulous Sunday Brunch!  I like to cut large diced pieces of potatoes, corned beef, yellow onion, red & green peppers so that I can really savor the corned beef beefiness, and get that extra little kick of peppercorn in each bite.  And a sunny side up egg on top?  Oh man.  Add an English muffin to the mix, and it’s my meal for the day.  THAT’s my jam!!

I had a breakfast meeting with a colleague a few weeks ago, and we went to Schneithorst’s.  Their corned beef hash was AH!Mazing!  Ever since, I’ve had an inkling of a craving that’s grown to a slight obsession.  Today isn’t helping!!  Not every restaurant does Corned Beef Hash well, but Schneithorst’s nailed it for me.  You can taste the quality of their ingredients, and everything was freshly prepared and freakishly perfect.

And for the discovery:  MANGIA ITALIANO! We happened to miss their brunch last week, but they have a Smoked Salmon Hash on their Sunday Brunch menu.  I must try!

“The time has come,” the Walrus said,
“To talk of many things:
Of shoes–and ships–and sealing-wax–
Of cabbages–and kings–
And why the sea is boiling hot–
And whether pigs have wings.”

excerpt from “The Walrus and The Carpenter”
by Lewis Carroll
(from Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, 1872)

If pigs had wings, I’d probably eat them.  Which brings me to the revival of my pre-pregnancy eating habits: The Hearty Pescetarian.  I’ve reveled in filet, meatballs, pork steak, bacon, sausage, ribs… *sigh*  And it’s reveling in me.  It’s reveling all over my thighs and my rear end.  And my gut.

Loving all things flavorful as I do, tomato soup sounded SUPER delicious this week.  And a mean, hearty tomato soup is filling, delicious, and good for the bod.

Cover the bottom of a stock pot with olive oil, and warm on  medium heat.  Dice 5 pieces of veggie bacon, and throw in to sizzle and flavor the olive oil.  Then, add a whole large diced sweet yellow onion, and cook until translucent.  Add 1 clove of pressed garlic. Salt & pepper to taste.  Add 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, and stir into the mix with 2 cubes of frozen basil cubes.  Then, add 2 big cans (28 ounce) of fire roasted diced tomatoes, and 1 big can of crushed tomatoes.  Stir in 2 tablespoons of vegetable soup base.  Throw in about 1 cup of frozen spinach.  Salt & pepper to taste.  Allow all the tomatoes and onions to simmer together.  Now, I use evaporated milk, fat-free half & half, and a little whole milk to make my soup creamy and delicious.  Some peeps freak at the use of dairy, so… whatevs.  Use what you’d like!

On the not-so-healthy side, we also had grilled cheese… :)  Freshly sliced sourdough, meunster cheese, pepper jack, and veggie bacon.  I LOVE using a little stone-ground mustard and sharp cheddar with my sourdough, but Omar was the brainchild of this one.  It’s tasty!

With recipes like this, who needs chicken?  ”Not I!” said the little red hen.

Yummy! Chunky soup for the chunky soul!

WELL WELL WELLINGTON

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Among my favorite things in life:  puff pastry.  I’ve not had the kitchen to attempt making my own, so for now, the frozen stuff will have to do.  But SERIOUSLY… puff pastry is such an ingredient-elevator.  It transforms the simple into something decadent and elegant.  Sweet or savory, puff pastry is divine.

I’ve made several different types of Wellington, because once you have the general idea, it’s a very versatile entrée or appetizer.  (Mini Wellington’s are DEeeee – LIGHTFUL! )  Vegetable, chicken, beef… and, for the hearty pescetarian, my take on

Salmon Wellington

Ingredients:

(1) Package of Puff Pastry (Keep refrigerated until ready to use) and a sprinkle of Flour
(4) pieces of 6oz. Salmon – Pat Dry – Boneless / Skinless
(1) Small Onion, diced
(1) lb of Fresh Spinach
3/4 c. Chardonnay (or your white wine choice)
(1) t. Tarragon
1/2 t. Red Pepper Flakes
1/2 t. Dijon Mustard
(2) T. Butter / Drizzle of Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper (I use fresh ground S&P)
(1) Egg for Egg wash 
 
  • Preheat oven to 425.  Sprinkle work surface with flour, roll out the pastry sheet and cut into (4) pieces.  Repeat with second sheet of pastry, to total (8) pieces.  Place (4) on a parchment-lined baking sheet.  Reserve additional (4) pieces.
  • Pat salmon dry.  Salt & pepper, and place each piece of salmon on the puff pastry pieces.
  • In a saute pan, heat butter & olive oil on medium heat.  Add onion, and saute until clear.  Add spinach, chardonnay, mustard, tarragon, & red pepper flakes, salt & pepper, and reduce over medium heat.
  • Spoon  spinach mixture on top of the salmon, and cover with reserved pastry sheets.  Pinch the edges closed.
  • Beat the egg in a separate bowl with a splash of water.  Brush the egg mixture over the pastry.  I LOVE to sprinkle tarragon or crack black pepper onto my pastries – up to YOU :)
  • Bake until golden – usually about 20 – 25 minutes.   (Varies based on your oven)
And so as I dream of Wellington, I’ll try to remember the SAUCE that I usually make with this goodness.  It’s buttery… yet I can’t think of all the ingredients.  Darn. Well I guess I’ll have to make Salmon Wellington for dinner soon, and document my sauce :)  Stay tuned!  
 
 
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