Coriander-Almond-Crusted Halibut with Orange, Artichoke and Olive Salad

Halibut is a wonderful mild flavoured choice for this dish but if you aren’t able to find it use a Talapia or Cod.  I really liked the mixture of flavours in this dish.  From Food and Drink Summer 2015.

1 tbsp coriander seeds
1/2 tsp fennel seeds
1/4 cup raw untoasted almond slivers
1 tbsp fresh mint, coarsely torn
1 orange, peeled and cut into segments
1 jar artichoke quarters, drained
1/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup olive oil, divided
Salt
4 pieces halibut fillet, skinless
Pepper

• In an electric grinder or small food processor, grind together the coriander, fennel and almonds to form fine crumbs (do not over grind or they will become a paste).  Place crumbs on a plate.
• Preheat oven to 350F.
• In a small bowl, stir together the mint, orange segments, artichokes, olives and 2 tbsp oil.  Season with salt to taste and set aside.
• In a large nonstick skillet (I prefer my cast iron) heat remaining 2 tbsp oil over medium high heat.  Season halibut with salt and pepper and gently press each piece into crumbs to coat well.  Place crumb side down in oil and cook until golden and the almonds are toasted, about 2 minutes.  Turn over and brown the second side for 1 minute.  Place seared fish in preheated oven (on a baking sheet, or still in pan if it is oven proof) until fish is just cooked through, about 7 to 9 minutes depending on thickness.
• Divide the orange salad between 4 plates and top each with a piece of halibut.

Serves 4.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

The carnivores in my family love these kinds of recipes, serve with rice or a mashed potato.

1 lb ground beef
3/4 cup diced celery
1/4 cup chopped almonds
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp minced onion
2 eggs

Sauce:
1/4 cup sugar
3 tbsp cornstarch
1 cup boiling water
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1/4 cup vinegar
2 tbsp soya sauce
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup green pepper, cut in strips
1 cup pineapple chunks

Mix first 6 ingredients.  Make meatballs.  Fry for 20 minutes.  Mix sugar and cornstarch.  Dissolve chicken cubes in 1 cup boiling water.  Stir in cornstarch.  Add vinegar, soya, pineapple juice and chunks.  Cook until smooth.  Pour over meatballs; simmer 15 minutes.  SErve with rice.

Serves 6

Dark Chocolate Almond Macaroon Mousse

This came from the milk calendar however I changed their coconut for almonds.  Either one works well so use your favourite.  This is a simple dessert that is very rich.

1/2 cup slivered almonds
1 cup whipping cream, divided
3 oz bittersweet chocolate, broken into chunks
1 tsp vanilla extract

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, toast almond, stirring constantly for about 5 min or until golden and fragrant.  Set 1 tbsp aside.  Add 1/3 cup of the cream to remaining almonds in pan and bring to a boil, stirring often.  Remove from heat.
• Finely chop chocolate.  Add hot cream mixture and process until chocolate is melted and mixture is fairly smooth.  Transfer to a bowl, stir in vanilla and let cool to room temperature.  
• In a chilled bowl, whip remaining cream to soft peaks.  Fold about 1/4 into chocolate mixture, then fold in remaining cream just until blended.  Cover and refrigerate for 15 to 30 min or until starting to set, or for up to 1 day.  Serve sprinkled with reserved almonds.

Fruit and Almond Couscous

I was a little doubtful of this recipe when I first tried it but I am so glad that I made it.  The dried apricots and almonds really add to the flavour of this dish.  I couldn't find whole wheat couscous so I just used regular couscous.  I don't know if there is much of a difference.  From Fresh Juice Magazine.

1 cup whole wheat couscous
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
Half red onion, peeled and chopped
1 1/2 cups salt reduced chicken broth
1/4 cup parsley
1/4 cup cilantro or mint
1/4 cup thinly sliced dried apricots
1/4 cup dried cranberries
2 green onions, chopped
Zest of half lemon
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup chopped toasted almonds

1. Place couscous in large bowl, set aside.
2. In medium saucepan over medium, heat 2 tsp of the oil; add onion.  Cover and cook, stirring until onion is softened, about 4 minutes.  Add broth, increase heat and bring to a boil.
3. Remove from heat and pour over couscous.  Cover and let stand for 5 minutes; fluff with fork.
4. Chop parsley and cilantro until finely chopped and add to couscous.  Stir in remaining oil, apricots, cranberries, green onion, lemon zest and juice and salt.  Sprinkle with almonds; toss until evenly mixed.

Boterkoek (butter cake)

A nice moist cake that can stand on its own or have icing.

2 eggs
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp almond extract
1 tsp baking powder
1 pinch salt
1/2 cup sliced almonds

Preheat oven to 300F.  Gradually mix all ingredients except sliced almonds.  Pour into a greased baking tin and sprinkle with almonds.  Bake at 300F. for at least 30 minutes.  Serves about 8.

Orange and Almond Cake

A wonderful cake made without flour!  This has great flavour and isn't too sweet.

2 large navel oranges, unpeeled (I used 4 clementines)
3 eggs, separated
1 1/2 cups ground almonds
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

GARNISH
3 tbsp icing sugar
Orange slices

1. Simmer oranges in water to cover for 1 1/2 hours.  Drain, cool and chop up.  Puree in food processor. (I used a blender and it was fine)
2. Preheat oven to 375F.  Butter and flour an 8 or 9 inch springform.  Line base with parchment paper.
3. Beat egg yolks, then add to oranges in processor together with almonds and 1 cup sugar.  Pulse until well mixed (once again, I just used a blender).
4. Whisk egg whites until frothy.  Keep beating while adding remaining sugar.  When thick and glossy, stir into orange mixture.  Spoon into springform. Bake for 1 hour or until a cake tester comes out clean.
5. Cool in pan, and turn out.  Sprinkle with icing sugar and serve with orange slices.

Serves 10

Japanese Cabbage Salad

A nice variety of veggies in this one.

1/2 cup slivered almonds
2 tbsp sesame seeds
3/4 medium cabbage, shredded
12 oz fresh bean sprouts
2 cups fresh sliced mushrooms
2 or 3 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
Water chestnuts
1 1/2 cup chow mein noodles

Dressing:
1 pkg seasoning from instant noodles (chicken flavour)
1/2 cup Olive oil
2 to 4 tbsp soy sauce
3 tbsp vinegar
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp pepper

Pour dressing over just before serving.

Braided Sweet Loaf

Well, I am trying to stay away from breads...but I haven't eliminated them completely.  For a treat - and to share with others here is a fantastic loaf.  It originally called for raisins...I prefer nuts, but you could use chocolate chips, dried fruit, or whatever you prefer.

4 cups unbleached bread flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 pkgs quick rise yeast
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup warm milk
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup toasted almonds

Glaze:
2 tbsp corn syrup
2 tsp butter

1. Combine flour, sugar, yeast and salt in a mixer fitted with a dough hook. (I don't own one of these so I just mix by hand). Add milk, butter and eggs; beat well for 2 minutes.  Knead in almonds with your hands for about 5 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic.
2. Cut dough into three equal pieces.  Roll each piece into a 14 inch long cylinder.  Squeeze ends of cylinders together and braid tightly.  Squeeze loose ends together and tuck under loaf.  Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Cover loaf loosely and let rise for 45 minutes or until double in bulk.  Preheat the oven to 375F.
3. Bake for about 25 minutes in centre of preheated oven or until hollow sounding when tapped.  Let cool for 10 minutes.  Stir butter with corn syrup and brush evenly over warm loaf.  Cool completely on a rack before slicing.

Hazelnut Chocolate Crisps

These are great with coffee!

1 1/4 cups hazelnuts
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup each of granulated and brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp pure vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp each of baking soda and baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 oz bittersweet chocolate, finely grated

1. Chop nuts so that small pieces are still visible.  Set aside 1/2 cup.  In a large bowl, stir butter until creamy then stir in oil and sugars.  Stir in egg and vanilla.
2. In a separate bowl, stir flour with cream of tartar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Gradually stir into butter mixture.  Stir in 3/4 cup nuts and grated chocolate.
3. Turn dough out in a log about 14 inches long and 1 3/4 inches thick onto a large sheet of waxed paper.  Use waxed paper to help shape into a smooth log.  Pat outside of roll with reserved 1/2 cup nuts, again using waxed paper to help turn log.  Roll log up in waxed paper; tuck ends and place roll in a tray in the freezer.  When hard, cut into 4 pieces each about 3 1/2 inches long.  Leaving waxed paper intact, over wrap each with foil and place in an airtight plastic freezer bag. Return to freezer.
4. To bake cookies, preheat oven to 375F.  For each dozen cookies, remove one segment of roll from freezer.  Remove foil and waxed paper.  Using a heavy chef's knife, cut into slices about 1/4 inch thick.  Place 1 inch apart on baking sheet lined with parchment or foil lightly coated with cooking spray.  Bake 9 to 12 minutes or until edges are browned.  Cool on a rack.

VARIATION:

Almond Blondies

Use blanched slivered almonds instead of hazelnuts.  Use all white sugar by replacing brown sugar with 1/2 cup granulated sugar and substitute vanilla with 1/4 tsp almond extract.

Panforte

I almost didn't make this traditional Italian candy as I wasn't sure I would like.  I am so glad I tried it.  It was absolutely delicious and very easy to do.  I am not a big fan of Sambuca so instead of buying a new bottle of it (white) I just used some of what I had (black).  This is a great candy to give at Christmas. From Food and Drink 2000

3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup honey
1/4 cup Sambuca
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
2 cups dried cranberries
1 cup chopped hazelnuts
1 cup slivered almonds
2 tbsp grated orange rind

1. Preheat oven to 325F.  Oil an 8 x 10 inch pan and line with greased parchment paper.
2. Combine sugar, honey and Sambuca in large, heavy pot.  Bring to boil on high heat and boil for 5 to 6 minutes or until the mixture forms a soft ball when dropped into cold water.  A sugar thermometer will reach 238F.
3. Mix remaining ingredients in a bowl and pour hot syrup over.  Mix well to combine.  Pour mixture into prepared pan and smooth top.  It should be about 3/4 inch thick.
4. Bake for 35 minutes or until mixture is set but slightly soft.  Cool, remove from pan, peel off parchment paper and cut into 1 inch squares with a serrated knife.

Mango Mini Cheesecakes

I like that these are individual.  It makes it so much more fun.  A simple recipe and the fruit toppings can be switched up according to your preference.  Try strawberries, raspberries, pineapple or manderin oranges! You can change the crust to a regular graham crust, but why would you?  The ginger crust makes this different and delicious.  From Food and Drink 2005.

2 cups crumbled gingersnaps
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup melted butter
3/4 cup mascarpone cheese
1/2 cup plain cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup honey
2 tsp grated lime rind

TOPPING
1 large mango, peeled and sliced
3 tbsp apricot jam (I left this out - I prefer just putting on the fresh fruit)

1. Place gingersnaps and almonds in food processor (or blender) and process together until almonds are finely chopped.  Add butter and process briefly.
2. Grease 6 wells of a muffin tin, and line each with plastic wrap.  Divide crumbs amongst wells; press into bottom and up sides to make 6 mini crusts.  Chill for 30 minutes
3. Use a hand mixer to beat together mascarpone, cream cheese, sour cream, honey and lime rind.  Divide into 6 and spoon into chilled shells.  Chill at least 1 hour or overnight.
4. Place mango on top of cheesecakes.  Melt jam until just liquid, strain and brush over mango.  Let set for 30 minutes.  Then remove cheesecake from muffin cups.  Serve with extra fruit if desired.

Serves 6.

Cranberry Hazelnut Stuffing

Something for your next big dinner

1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup orange liqueur or orange juice
1 1/4 cups chopped celery
1 1/4 cups chopped onion
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp poultry seasoning
1 8 oz pkg herb seasoned stuffing mix 2 cups
2 cups peeled, chopped apple (2 apples)
1/2 lb turkey sausage
1 cup cooked wild rice
1/2 cup shopped hazelnuts or slivered almonds
1/2 cup snipped parsley
3/4 to 1 cup chicken broth
Salt and pepper to taste

• In a small saucepan bring cranberries and orange liqueur or juice to boiling.  Remove from heat and set aside.
• In a large skillet cook celery and onion in hot butter till tender.  Stir in poultry seasoning; set aside.  In a large bowl combine stuffing mix, apple, cooked sausage, wild rice, hazelnuts or almonds, and parsley.  Stir in the cranberry mixture and celery and onion mixture.  Drizzle with enough chicken broth to moisten, tossing lightly.  Season with salt and pepper.  Use to stuff one 8 to 10 lb turkey, or bake covered, in an ungreased 3 quart casserole in a 325 oven for 40 to 60 minutes or till heated through.  Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Chocolate Dipped Nut Brittle with Sea Salt

Be careful - this is highly addictive!

½ cup walnut pieces

½ cup pecan pieces

½ cup pine nuts

½ cup slivered almonds

¼ cup unsalted butter cut into pieces

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 tsp baking soda

1 ½ cups granulated sugar

½ cup white corn syrup

1 cup semi sweet chocolate pieces

1 tsp sea salt

1. Preheat oven to 350F.  Spread all the nuts on ungreased baking sheet and bake until toasted, about 10 min.  Stirring once. Let nuts cool completely.
2. Line a shallow rimmed 15 ½ x 10 baking sheet with parchment paper and grease lightly with butter.  In a small bowl, place butter, vanilla and baking soda (no need to blend; set aside.
3. In a heavy bottomed saucepan over high heat, bring sugar, corn syrup and 1/3 cup water to a boil, uncovered.  While sugar cooks, brush down the sides of pan with cool water.  Boil sugar over high heat until it turns a light amber colour about 12 min.  Remove from heat and quickly stir in butter, vanilla and baking soda with a wooden spoon (the baking soda will make it foamy).  Stir in nuts until coated and spoon mixture onto prepared baking tray.  Spread brittle as thinly as possible.  Let brittle cool completely at room temperature.
4. Melt chocolate chips in microwave on medium, stirring every 10 sec. until melted.  Crack brittle into desired serving pieces and dip halfway into melted chocolate and place back onto greased parchment lined baking tray.  Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and allow chocolate to set.

Parsley Pesto

Pesto is a sure way to add flavour to a meal with a minimum of salt.

1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped flat leaf parsley

2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup skin on almonds, preferably toasted

1 tbsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/3 cup olive oil

1/2 cup freshly grated Romano or Parmesan cheese

1. Place parsley, garlic, almonds, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a food processor and pulse until coarsely pureed.  With machine running, slowly pour oil through the feed tube until mixture is pureed.  Whirl in cheese until mixed.  Taste and add additional salt if needed.

Chocolate Caramel Cookie Bark

mmmmm...holiday baking!

Cookie

1 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar, packed

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp water

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

Topping

1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar, packed

2 pkgs milk chocolate chips (3 cups)

1 cup toasted almonds, finely chopped (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350F.  Grease a 17”x11” baking sheet and line with parchment paper, overlapping at the two ends for easy removal.
2. Cookie:  Beat butter sugars, vanilla and water until smooth.  Add remaining 3 ingredients and beat until mixture is combined.
3. Spread dough to cover prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake in preheated oven 15 minutes.
5. Topping:  Meanwhile, over medium heat bring butter and brown sugar to a boil.  Stir to combine.  Spread mixture over partially baked cookie dough.  Return to oven and bake an additional 8 minutes until caramel is bubbling.
6. Remove from oven, immediately sprinkle chocolate chips over hot caramel.  Wait 5 minutes and spread melted chocolate over cookie.   If using nuts, sprinkle over chocolate.
7. Cool in refrigerator until chocolate is set.  Once at room temperature, break or cut cookie slab into irregular pieces or into your favourite cookie cutter shapes.

Layered Apple Parfait

A great desert any time of the year, but especially in the fall.  The Mascarpone has great texture and flavour and is lightened up by the whipping cream.  From Food and Drink magazine Autumn 2010.

2 cups rose wine
2 cups apple juice
1 cup granulated sugar
4 star anise (optional)
3 slices ginger, smashed
2 inch piece cinnamon stick
4 apples, peeled, cored and quartered
1 cup mascarpone cheese
1 cup whipping cream
1 cup crushed amaretti or ginger cookies
1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds

1. Combine wine, apple juice, sugar, star anise, ginger and cinnamon stick in a pot large enough to hold apples in 1 layer.
2. Bring to a boil over high heat stirring to make sure sugar is dissolved.  Boil for 2 minutes until well combined.
3. Reduce heat to medium low add apples, and cover with a circle of parchment to help them stay submerged.  Poach for 15 to 20 minutes or until soft and saturated with flavour.  Remove with a slotted spoon.
4. Return heat to high and bring juices to boil.  Boil until reduced to a thick syrupy texture, about 15 to 20 minutes.  There will be about 3/4 cup left.  Return apples to pot to coat with syrup.
5. Combine mascarpone with 1/4 cup syrup.  Beat whipping cream until soft peaks form and stir half of whipped cream into mascarpone.
6. Layer amaretti cookies, mascarpone cream and 2 quartered pieces of apple in a parfait glass and repeat the layers.  Top with remaining whipped cream and drizzle with a little syrup.  Scatter over toasted almonds.

Serves 4

Green Beans with Almandine Crumbles

Lots of crumbles here - so hold onto the leftover ones and use them for your next meal - they are very yummy!  This is a nice way to dress up green beans.  The recipe calls for blanching the beans but I steamed them - either way they are delicious!  This came out of Food and Drink Magazine Early Summer 2011

1 to 2 kaiser or Italian rolls
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp lemon zest
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
1 to 1 1/2 lbs thin French green beans or a mixture of ordinary green and yellow wax beans
1 to 2 tbsp butter

1. Make very coarse crumbs by finely dicing bread, including crusts, into scant 1/4 inch cubes; measure out 2 cups.  Toss bread crumbs with parsley, zest salt and pepper in a mixing bowl.
2. Heat oil with garlic in a large frying pan over medium to medium low heat until hot and fragrant.  Add bread mixture and almonds; cook, stirring very frequently for 10 to 12 minutes or until crumbs are crisp and almonds are golden.  Stir in cheese just until mixture is clumpy; cool in pan off heat.  (Store airtight if making ahead.)
3. Cut off stem end of each bean, but leave gracefully curved opposite end intact.  If beans are somewhat thick, french them by slicing each in half lengthwise.  (If making ahead, cover and refrigerate for up to a day.)
4. To serve, steam or boil beans in at least 1 inch water for 6 to 8 minutes or until tender crisp.  Drain; place back in warm pan and lightly toss with butter.   Turn into warmed serving dish; liberally sprinkle with crumbles.  Serve right away, passing additional crumbs.

Makes 6 to 8 servings