Tuna Pepper Pasta

Kiki asked me if I could make stuffed peppers.  I had never heard of these, so I invented this recipe.  It wasn’t what she expected… but she loved them! The beauty of this recipe is that at first the flavors of the pepper and stuffing is distinct from the pasta, but as it’s eaten, the stuffed pepper collapses and integrates with the pasta, changing the experience as you enjoy it. I love Truffle Oil and, despite it’s price, I consider it a staple in a my kitchen.  A little bit adds so much flavor and can even eliminate the need for sauce.

Boil 2 eggs for 10 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350.

Mix:
2 cans Tuna
2 Eggs, hardboiled, diced
3 tbsp Green Olives with Pimentos (about 9), finely diced
1 tbsp Capers
1/2 medium White Onion, finely diced
2 tbsp Mayonnaise
1/2 tsp Dijon Mustard
1/2 cup Zucchini, finely diced
1 tbsp (heaping) Dill Pickle, diced
1/3 cup Asiago Cheese*
, shredded
Pinch of Salt
Black Pepper to taste

* Can substitute fresh Parmesan or Romano cheese.

Cut top off green or red peppers to make bowls. Carve out a circle in the tops to remove the stem. Remove seeds. Fill pepper with tuna mix. (Do not pack). Cover peppers with tops and place in oven for 15 minutes

Boil water.
Cook Whole Wheat Spaghetti or Spaghettini.

Heat in skillet on medium heat with 2 tbsp olive oil until soft:
1/2 medium White Onion, finely diced
1 tbsp Marinated Sundried Tomatoes, finely diced
3 tbsp Green Olives with Pimentos (about 9), finely diced
Once hot, splash with lemon juice

Strain pasta.
Add to strained pasta:
1/2 tsp Black Truffle Oil
3 leaves Fresh Basil (hand-torn)
Pinch of Rosemary
Pinch of Sage
Vegetables from skillet (listed above)
1 tbsp Asiago Cheese
Splash of Lemon Juice

Place cooked stuffed peppers in center of pasta bowl.
Surround with pasta.

Bon appetit!

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This will serve 2 with some extra tuna salad left over (for lunch).

Citrus Bliss

Have you ever needed a virgin cocktail? Last night while mixing drinks for a mixed crowd, I didn’t want to leave out the young ones. In a flash of inspiration, I whipped this together and was very happy with the result!

4 oz Club Soda
4 oz Unsweetened Orange Juice
2 tbsp Granulated Sugar
1 tbsp Fresh Lemon juice
1 tbsp Fresh Lime juice
1 tsp Grenadine

• Shake well with ice in cocktail shaker.
• Strain liquid into a Martini glass or tumbler.
• Serve with maraschino cherry.

Salut!

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Add 1 ounce of White Rum to make what I call a Citrus Kiss… delish!

Schwartz Spice Salmon

Montreal Steak Spice on Salmon? Oui! Salmon is my favourite food, and this is the best I’ve tasted. Of course, imitations of Montreal Steak Spice can be found anywhere, but Schwartz is the definitive, the ultimate, the iconic and the tastiest. And for those who crave authenticity, Schwartz cannot be beat.Order the original Montreal Steak Spice from this web site: http://www.schwartzsdeli.com Or phone them: (514) 842-4813 Or drop in: 3895 Saint-Laurent Boulevard, Montreal, Quebec, H2W1X9

NOTE: Use fresh, Altantic salmon.

OPTIONAL: Remove skin using a good quality fillet knife.

Add generous layer of Schwartz Montreal Steak Spice to salmon.

Heat in skillet on medium heat:
2 tbl olive oil
1/2 lemon, juiced

Add salmon to skillet.

For a 1.25 inch thickness, cook 3 min 30 seconds on each side.

Do not overcook! (Every bite should be moist. Raw in center is perfect).

If you serve with rice, pour the juice from the skillet over the rice and top with chives.

Serve with red pepper and green pepper ringlets, cooked along with the salmon.

Enjoy with Chianti served at the temperature of a cool room.

Bon appetit!

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Tell me how you like it!
If you believe this is NOT the ultimate salmon recipe, I must know it!  Don’t be shy!

Brunswick Chowder

Making chowder transports me to a scene in my heart where time does not exist. As I prepare the chowder, it’s winter, and it’s dark out. I’m energized by the calm focus created by shortened days of winter. The company is jovial yet subdued, happy to be indoors, protected from harsh weather on the Atlantic coast of Canada. There is nowhere anyone needs to be, no outside world to distract from the pleasure of camraderie accompanied by the humble richness and pure goodness of steaming hot chowder. In a word: nostalgia, at it’s absolute best!

Boil 15 – 20 minutes (should still be firm) and then dice:
2 potatoes

Heat 2 tbl olive oil in skillet on medium, then cook until slippery and slightly transluscent:
1 large white onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced

Add above ingredients to large pot along with:
1.5 litres 1% milk
1 bottle of pale beer (Alexander Keith’s, Dos Equis, Stella Artois)
1/2 lb diced tilapia *
1/2 lb crab *
1/2 lb scallops *
2 tbl capers
1/2 tbl coarse salt
1/2 tbl freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tbl oregano
pinch rosemary

* Can substitute shrimp, cod, lobster, clam.

• Bring to a boil, stir, lower heat and let simmer. Serve once all ingredients are hot (although often tastes even better the next day).
• Top with fresh chives and freshly ground black pepper.
• Accompany with dinner roll or French baguette,
• Pair with pale beer or unoaked Chardonnay.

Enjoy!

* * *

Many prefer a thicker consistency than this recipe, which can be accomplished by adding flour, cream and butter.  Personally, I prefer a light broth dominated with strong flavours extracted from the vegetables, spices and of course, the seafood.

Have you made chowder before?  Tell us about it!