Today is Crab-Stuffed Flounder Day!

Today is Crab-Stuffed Flounder Day! It has been way too long since I have enjoyed ANYTHING crab-stuffed, so I am sure to celebrate this food day!

(image from www.cbcrabcakes.com)

In fact, I am going to fulfill my crab-stuffed cravings with this recipe, courtesy of FoodNetwork.com!

Crab Stuffed Flounder Fillets
Recipe courtesy Gourmet Magazine

Ingredients:

4 flounder fillets
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
2 cups crab stuffing
1/2 cup white wine
1/4 cup water
Crab stuffing
1 cup crab meat, cleaned
2 tablespoons minced red pepper
2 tablespoons minced green onions
2 tablespoons celery
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 1/2 cups soft white bread cubes
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Chardonnay cream sauce:
1 1/4 cups Chardonnay or other dry white wine
1/3 cup chopped shallots
3/4 cup whipping cream

Preparation:

Lay fillets flat, more attractive side down, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place about 1/3 cup stuffing on each fillet and roll up from widest end; secure with toothpicks. Arrange in a buttered shallow casserole, add wine and water, cover loosely, and bake 20 minutes in a preheated 375 degree oven. Lift rolls to a heated deep platter with a slotted spoon, cover, and keep warm. Strain cooking liquid and reserve. Stir-fry red pepper, scallions and celery in butter in a skillet over moderate heat 2 to 3 minutes. Add bread cubes and stir-fry until lightly browned. Off heat, add lemon juice and toss lightly to mix. Boil wine, shallots and juices from fish in heavy medium saucepan until mixture is reduced to 1/2 cup, about 10 minutes. Add cream and boil until liquid is reduced to sauce consistency, about 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.


Visit Jet-Chef.com to find a caterer, personal chef or restaurant for your special meal or occasion!

Are you a caterer, personal chef or restaurant and want to be part of the Jet-Chef.com success? Log on to Jet-Chef.com and start your listing today with a FREE, NO OBLIGATION 6-month membership! Contact us via email at info@imaiusa.com!

Today is National Indian Pudding Day!

Today is National Indian Pudding Day! I had never heard of Indian Pudding, however, after checking out this recipe for Indian Pudding from Epicurious, I am sure it will soon become a family favorite!

(image from mileometer.net)

Indian Pudding
Bon Appétit October 1998

Yield: Serves 8

The name for this time-honored dessert probably is derived from the fact that it was prepared with cornmeal, which the early American settlers strongly associated with the Indians. Similar in texture to thick porridge, this easy-to-make classic is great on a cold day when you want something warm, comforting and sweet!

Ingredients:

5 1/2 cups whole milk
1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
2/3 cup yellow cornmeal
2 tablespoons mild-flavored (light) molasses
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 325°F. Butter 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Combine first 6 ingredients in heavy large saucepan. Whisk over medium-high heat until mixture thickens but can still be poured, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Whisk in butter and vanilla extract.

Transfer pudding mixture to prepared baking dish. Bake pudding until golden brown and center no longer moves when pan is shaken, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Cool 10 minutes. Scoop pudding into bowls. Top with ice cream or frozen yogurt and serve.


Visit Jet-Chef.com to find a caterer, personal chef or restaurant for your special meal or occasion!

Are you a caterer, personal chef or restaurant and want to be part of the Jet-Chef.com success? Log on to Jet-Chef.com and start your listing today with a FREE, NO OBLIGATION 6-month membership! Contact us via email at info@imaiusa.com!

Today is Almond Day!

Today is Almond Day! I traveled with my family to Sacramento last Spring Break, and while we were there, we were able to enjoy a special Agriculture Day at the State Capitol building. And I learned a couple of fascinating facts about almonds:

Did you know that almonds are the top agricultural export for California?

Did you also know that the pollination of California almonds takes about one million hives which is about one half of the hives in the entire US?


I love almonds, and I have been told that a handful of almonds a day is good for my heart...what a fantastic excuse to enjoy almonds!

I also came across this recipe from Epicurious for Almond Cookies that sound amazing! What a great accent for a nice, hot cup of tea!

(image from www.epicurious.com, photo by: Tina Rupp)

Chai-Spiced Almond Cookies
Bon Appétit January 2006

Yield: Makes about 22
Active time: 20 minutes
Total time: 60 minutes

These cookies, a twist on traditional snowballs, are just the thing to enjoy with a spot of tea.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/3 cups powdered sugar, divided
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup finely chopped toasted almonds

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Using electric mixer, beat butter, 1/3 cup sugar, both extracts, spices, and salt in medium bowl. Beat in flour, then stir in almonds.

Using hands, roll dough into tablespoon-size balls. Place on large baking sheet, spacing apart. Bake until pale golden, about 25 minutes. Cool on sheet 5 minutes. Place remaining sugar in large bowl. Working in batches, gently coat hot cookies in sugar. Cool cookies on rack. Roll again in sugar and serve.


Visit Jet-Chef.com to find a caterer, personal chef or restaurant for your special meal or occasion!

Are you a caterer, personal chef or restaurant and want to be part of the Jet-Chef.com success? Log on to Jet-Chef.com and start your listing today with a FREE, NO OBLIGATION 6-month membership! Contact us via email at info@imaiusa.com!