Category: Cook With Me! Live at the Public Market


Oct
2016

Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Chili Garlic Dip !

categories: 20 Minutes or Less, Cook With Me! Live at the Public Market, Dinner, Healthy Living, Party Time, Recipes

Sometimes the naming game is half the battle. Take this dish for example. Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Chili Garlic Dip was the final decision, but really the shrimp are chili, too. How much of the ingredients of a dish should be in the title? Is it going to be a surprise that I also roasted corn off of the cob and served it all over rice? With over two years of blogging recipes, there is still so much more to learn!

 

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Shrimp have been on my brain all week! I wanted to do shrimp tacos for taco tuesday, but the kids wanted “meat” tacos so we did steak. And today, as the ruler of my castle, decided to tell my kids they are eating what I make. I should mention now they ate it all… and seconds. #Winning!

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I love to do a citrus flavor and it always ends up with a cumin, chili powder, garlic salt blast on something. You know, because logically those three ingredients totally complement lime. Just something I’ve picked up with my obsession with these spices.

 

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It is easy to overcook the shrimp in this dish because they are coated. Look for the pink and meat to turn white instead of translucent. There is nothing worse than a succulent shrimp dish that lost all of its succulency….Well, you know what I mean.

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Can we talk about this dip? Chili Garlic Dip from Oil & Vinegar is actually the finest form of a Thai Chili Sauce I have ever had! Try it, Buy it, it is amazing. Last night I made bacon wrapped chicken and we also dressed those with this delicious sauce. The cooking TV show I co-host Between The Eats partners with Oil & Vinegar, check out some other fun products we have used in fabulous dishes!

Here it is…

Cilantro Lime Shrimp with Garlic Chili Sauce
(Feeds4-6)

Ingredients:
2 lbs. unpeeled, raw shrimp
6 cups of your favorite rice, prepared or uncooked
3 ears corn on the cob, cut off the cob
2 tbsp. chili powder
1-1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. garlic salt
black pepper
2 limes
1 small bunch cilantro, chopped
3 tbsp. olive oil
1 Jar Chili Garlic Dip, or your favorite spicy dipping sauce

Directions:

Peel shrimp, leaving tails intact.
In a small mixing bowl, blend chili powder, cumin, garlic salt, and pepper together.
Place shrimp in a large bowl and coat with spice mixture.
Begin cooking rice according to package.
Heat olive oil in a large pan.
Add 1/2 shrimp, be sure not to overcrowd or overlap. I did 2 batches.
Squeeze 1/2 lime over shrimp.
Cook 3-4 minutes and flip for 2-3 minutes, or until shrimp are pink and start to curl up.
Remove from heat and add second batch. Squeeze other 1/2 lime. Repeat cook. Place shrimp on a plate.
Meanwhile, add corn to the pan with all of the seasoning drippings and goodness in the bottom of the pan.
Roast until slightly browned and softened. Try one, should have a pop but be tender.
Remove corn from the pan and place into a bowl.
Add rice to pan, top with shrimp, 3/4 chopped cilantro and 1/2 lime juice.
Serve with corn and a scoop of chili garlic dip!

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Enjoy!
Ciao!


Apr
2015

Join A CSA! Make A Primavera!

categories: 20 Minutes or Less, Around Pittsburgh, Cook With Me! Live at the Public Market, Dinner, Healthy Living, Homemade Italian, Recipes

Thinking produce? Us, too! We cannot wait for fresh, local vegetables! Have you ever thought of subscribing to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program?  Although the name suggests you need to roll up your sleeves and help farm along with others, the exact opposite is true… You pick up your box. Done.

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Many farms near Pittsburgh offer CSA programs that include produce, eggs, cheese, and even meat.  A farmer who is part of the Pittsburgh Public Market family, Elliott Lengel of Lengel Brothers Farm, offers the community a fabulous CSA program out of Mercer, PA.

Lengel Brothers Farm- Mercer, PA
Lengel Brothers Farm- Mercer, PA

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The Lengel Brothers Farm CSA program runs August through November, pick up locations include the Public Market in the Strip, and they offer a discount for members starting now! The program runs 14 weeks and the pricing is $120 for a quarter share, $200 for a half share, and $350 for a full share.  Members can pick your own items for you basket or get what you get! Elliott also bakes homemade breads and offers jams and many other condiments at a discount for members!

Pasta Primavera is one of my favorite, quick and easy healthy dishes! Originating from LeCirque in New York City, Pasta Primavera was discovered by accident when Mr. Maccioni and his family were asked to prepare dinner for a food tour in Canada.  Mr. Maccioni was forced to do a vegetable fridge raid and tossed it with pasta and fresh grated parmesan cheese.  When the guests asked what he called the dish he responded, “Pasta Primavera!”  The dish is not on the menu at Le Cirque these days, but the dish is made table side for those who ask.

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Pasta Primavera

Ingredients:
2 tbsp. basil olive oil …The Olive Tap 
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 small onion, chopped…Produce from Lengel Brothers Farm Market
1 zucchini, chopped 1/2 inch
1 cup snap peas, chopped
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 pint cherry tomatoes
2 cups fresh grated Parmesan Reggiano cheese…Pennsylvania Macaroni Co.
2 tbsp. fresh basil, chopped
1 lb. dry or fresh pasta
salt/pepper to taste
extra fresh grated parmesan cheese
Directions:
Heat olive oil in a large, deep frying pan.
Add garlic and cook until golden and softened.
Add vegetables according to cooking time. Longest first.
Add onion, zucchini, mushrooms, snap peas and cook until tender not mushy.
Meanwhile, throw in 1 lb. pasta and cook until al dente.
Drain well and toss with vegetables in the pan.
Add parmesan cheese and coat.
If too dry add a lithe bit more olive oil or a 1/2 cup chicken stock..
Throw in salt/pepper and basil.

Enjoy!
Ciao!

For more information on Pittsburgh CSA programs Click Here!


Jan
2015

Cook With Me! Pittsburgh Public Market’s Ikea Kitchen! Cheesy Meatballs

categories: Around Pittsburgh, Cook With Me! Live at the Public Market, Recipes, Recognition

I was so nervous my hands were shaking, I prepped extra chopped garlic and basil because I could barely handle the knife…
Lights, camera, action. The fear melted away and turned into feelings of excitement and calm. It was as if I was in MY kitchen cooking for MY friends. I finally figured it out EEEEK! THIS is what I should be doing. THIS is what they talk about when they say doing what you love is not a job.

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For my first time cooking live, I figured it should be familiar. I decided to cook Sunday Sicilian Sauce and cheesy meatballs. I only make this 40-45 Sundays per year! And I am pretty well versed in tomatoes, olive oils, and parmesan cheese- thought this would ease my nerves- Ha!

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We are so lucky in Pittsburgh to have the Pittsburgh Public Market, where farmers and vendors sell fresh, local products. I get to cook in the Ikea Kitchen using the best quality ingredients and the audience can easily pick them up on the way out!
Other fresh ingredients not sold at the market come from Pittsburgh’s Strip District and other local businesses.

Thanks to all who shop local, support small businesses, and cook with me! I will be at the Pittsburgh Public Market on February 14th at 11am with a Valentine’s Surf and Turf menu featuring Timmy Reynolds from Penn Avenue Fish Company and Canonsburg’s Sarris Candies Chocolate Fondue for Dessert! Stop down and Cook with me! Free samples and open to the public! RSVP today!

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So for the sauce, I used Cobrancosa olive oil from The Olive Tap, garlic, fresh rosemary and fresh basil from Lengel Bros. Farm Market, Ciao San Marzano tomatoes and Parmesan Reggiano from Pennsylvania Macaroni Co., and the pre-made sauce was full of fresh ox tail from Clarion Farms Beef. We were lucky to sample the sauce by sopping it up with Mediterra Bakehouse Italian Bread sold by The Olive Tap.
Topping it all off with fresh grated parmesan and Shof Kase cheese from Wheel and Wedge is the most important part!!

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Cheesy Meatballs
Makes 18-20 1-1/2 inch meatballs

Ingredients:
1 lb. Ground Beef (Clarion Farms Beef)
4 garlic cloves, chopped (Lengel Brothers Farm Market)
2 tbsp. basil, chopped (optional)
1 egg
1 cup fresh grated Parmesan Reggiano (Penn Mac’s cheese counter)
1 cup fresh grated Wheel and Wedge Shof Kase cheese (Or pecorino romano or even better Locatelli or all 4! Play around and see what you like!)
1/2 cup Cento plain breadcrumbs
Salt and pepper to taste (approx. 10 shakes)

Directions:
Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
Completely mix by hand until well blended.
Roll 1-1/2 inch meatballs.
Place meatballs 1 inch apart on a jelly roll pan.
In a rush?
Bake 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until browned and cooked through.
Place into sauce and cook for 15-20 minutes.
Top with fresh grated parmesan cheese.
Not in a rush?
Throw them in the sauce raw and cook for 2-3 hours or until center is cooked through.
Don’t cook them in the sauce longer than 3 hours. Unless you want a chunky meat sauce! The meatballs will break down and fall apart.

Serve with your favorite pasta and always top with fresh grated parmesan!
Enjoy!
Ciao!