March 19, 2013

A Manhattan cocktail

Manhattans with a gingery kick

Mixology

Cardamom bitters

Scrappy's sample pack of bitters

Super nuclear cherry

This is a a slightly spicy version of a classic Manhattan cocktail. Ginger is steeped and simmered in 1 cup of water, and 3/4 cup of demerara brown sugar to make a gingered simple syrup. The simple syrup can last in the fridge for several weeks. I store mine sealed in a ball jar. Making simple syrup is easy. Combine 1 part water with equal parts sugar. I add less sugar, and never notice.

The cardamom bitters add a little something special.  Readers, I must confess. I had made this fine cocktail and then placed it on a coaster on top of the coffee table. I thought, "this deserves blogging." So Neeli kicks her feet up, laptop on lap, bottom on couch, and extends her feet and then watches in slow motion as she knocks over the drink. Clumsiness at its finest. In the pic above, there are two Manhattans. The hubs happily gave me his. Feel free to omit the honey. The dry vermouth adds a bit of balance.

A Manhattan with gingered simple syrup and cardamom bitters
Adapted from a classic Manhattan; yield 1 beverage

Ingredients:
2 oz rye, such as Bulleit Rye
1 oz gingered simple syrup (see note below)
1/2 oz dry vermouth (sweet vermouth is usually preferred) I like Dolin Vermouth
1-2 dashes cardamom bitters (Scrappy's bitters are featured here)
honey (optional)
maraschino cherry

Directions:
1. In a shaker (or other suitable vessel good for mixing drinks without spilling) add ice, and then the rye, gingered simple syrup, vermouth, and bitters. Shake for 10 seconds. If you are opposed to shaking, stir everything together until chilled and combined.
2. In a martini glass, add the cherry, and line just under the rim with a a bit of honey. Strain the drink into the martini glass, and serve immediately. Oh yum.

Gingered simple syrup
Yield: 1 cup of simple syrup

Ingredients:
4-5" segment of fresh whole ginger, chopped into 1/2 inch slices. I also use a microplane and grate about 1" whole.
1 cup water
1/2 cup to 1 cup sugar (I used demerara brown sugar)

Directions:
Combine all of the ingredients in a small sauce pan and bring to a simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Let it cool down, and strain into a ball jar, or other glass jar. The syrup will keep in the fridge for a few weeks.

March 11, 2013

Tuna with black bean sauce

Tuna with a white wine fermented black bean sauce and Thai-basil

Tuna with black bean sauce and Asian herbs with crispy potatoes
This recipe is adapted from Mark Bittman's Roasted Thick Fish Fillets. 

This dish smells marvelous when it's cooking. It's rich and filling for a Monday night dinner. Although it appears to take much longer to prepare, I made the fish, a brown rice pilaf, some flash-fried potatoes, and some steamed cabbage - in under an hour. Honestly, I did. I even put a bottle of wine into the freezer. 

I used frozen thick cut tuna steaks, and lots of freezer items. The premise of this dish is to pan-sear the tuna over medium-high heat for a few minutes on each side, and then finish the cooking in the oven. You add a liquid and some herbs and it creates a rich sauce. I chose a white-wine base with lots of Asian herbs (Thai basil, cilantro), ginger, fermented black bean sauce, and sun-dried tomatoes. My freezer is stocked with frozen herbs, and my pantry is stocked with useful ingredients. The freezer items included frozen fresh ginger, frozen cabbage from my fall CSA-box, Thai basil, and frozen cilantro. Frozen herbs aren't as good as fresh, but they seem more flavorful than dried. I store them whole in zip top bags, or I store them in ice cube trays. Place freshly chopped herbs and water in an ice-cube tray and freeze until frozen. Ginger root stores well in the freezer. When you want to use it just grate it frozen over a microplane, or run under water until just softened and chop. Jalapeños store well in the freezer.

The tuna was served with the sauce alongside a brown rice pilaf and steamed cabbage. Top the tuna with the fried potatoes and serve immediately. I paired this meal with a Sauvignon blanc. 

Tuna with a white wine fermented black bean sauce and Thai-basil
This recipe is adapted from Mark Bittman's Roasted Thick Fish Fillets
Yield: Serves 2 to 4

Ingredients:
3 tbsp olive oil 
1 medium potato, peeled and cut into a small dice (1/2" by 1/2")
1 or 2, 6 oz tuna steaks
salt and pepper
3/4 cup white wine plus 1/4 cup water (can also use vegetable broth instead of wine)
1 tbsp fermented black bean sauce (such as Lee Kum Kee)
1/2 cup mixed Thai basil and cilantro 
1 tbsp sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
Fresh ginger, shredded 

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 450º F (230º C).
2. In an oven-proof skillet, heat up 3 tbsp of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add in the small diced potatoes and cook until golden brown (6 minutes). Once golden, spoon off the potatoes with some of the remaining olive oil and place on a non-stick baking pan in the oven to finish cooking. Set a timer for 8 minutes to avoid overcooking. You should have about 2 tbsp of olive oil leftover. 
3. Dredge the tuna in a bit of salt and pepper. I used Trader Joe's chili sea salt. Place the tuna in the skillet, and sear on each side for about 2-3 minutes. Meanwhile, combine wine, water, and the fermented black bean sauce and pour into the skillet. The skillet will make an impressive sizzling sound. Lift the pan and swirl around the liquid, and then place in the oven. Set the timer for 10 minutes. 
4. Combine the herbs, sun dried tomatoes, and slivered, or shredded, ginger in a small bowl and set aside. 
5. Once the 10-minute timer goes off, flip the tuna over, add the bowl of herbs from step 4, and set the timer for another 5-6 minutes. If the tuna is thicker, it may require additional cooking time. Alternatively, if you like your tuna on the medium side, cook for less time. The fish is done when it flakes easily. Serve immediately and garnish with potatoes.