Jumbo Scallops with Roasted Red Pepper Puree on Polenta

Jumbo Scallops with Roasted Red Pepper Puree on Polenta

4 jumbo scallops
1 zucchini, sliced 1/2 inch thick and grilled 3 - 4 minutes per side (reserve 3 slices)
1 package plain polenta
1 large shallot or two small, diced
1 - 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon thyme leaves
2 tablespoon olive oil

For the red pepper puree
2 large red pepper, roasted and peeled
Reserved 3 slices grilled zucchini
2 garlic cloves
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon thyme leaves
Salt and pepper to taste

For the pepper puree. Combine the red pepper, zucchini, garlic, thyme, and salt and pepper into a food processor and blend until smooth. Add the olive oil and blend. Set aside. This can be made a day in advance.

For the shallot topping. Heat oil in a pan and add the diced shallots. Simmer until translucent. Add the thyme. Simmer for one minute. Add a the balsamic and simmer for 30 seconds. Turn off the heat and set aside.

Slice off four 1/2-inch thick rounds of polenta and set aside. Grill the polenta slices 4 minutes on one side. Pan-sear the scallops about 2-3 minutes per side.

Layer the polenta, red pepper puree, and scallops. Dress with the shallot-balsamic sauce.

Plate with the grilled zucchini and serve with a Chardonnay-Viognier blend.

Garlic Herb K.C. Strip Roast

Photo Source: Epicurious 

Serves: 4 to 6, depending on roast size.

Ingredients

• 1 Kansas City strip roast
• 2 heads roasted garlic
• 3 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 1 1/2 cups red wine 
• 1/2 cup beef stock

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Separate the heads of roasted garlic into cloves and squeeze the roasted garlic out of the peels.
3. Place the garlic in a small bowl and mash with the back of a fork until mostly smooth.
4. Add 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, the rosemary and theyme, and stir to blend.
5. Pat this mixture evenly over the top and sides of the roast.
6. Place the roast in a roasting pan and add 1 1/2 cups red wine and 1/2 cup beef stock to the bottom of the pan.
7. Cook to desired doneness, removing roast at 135 degrees for medium rare; 150 degrees for medium.
8. Tent loosely with aluminum foil and let stand for 15 minutes. 

Recipe Source: vintagenaturalbeef.com 

Bison Meatballs

Photo Credit: CNN Eatocracy 

1 lb ground bison
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
Cumin, salt and pepper to taste
1 large can pureed tomatoes
1 clove garlic
1 large shallot, diced
2 or 3 sprigs of sage

Mix the bison, egg, breadcrumbs and seasoning in a bowl. Form into meatballs the size of golf balls and let them rest for 20 minutes.

Heat olive oil in a large pan with high sides. Add the meatballs and sear on all sides. You’re not trying to cook them through, just get color on the outside. Remove meatballs once they’re brown and reserve.

Add a touch more olive oil to the pan, reduce the heat and sauté shallots and garlic. Scrape up the burnt bits of bison as you go. Add the tomatoes and sage and let simmer for 10 minutes, never letting the sauce boil. If it gets too thick, add some stock or water.

Return the meatballs to the pan and simmer in the sauce until they’re cooked through. Serve meatballs and sauce over pasta.

Source: http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2012/07/09/national-bison-month/?hpt=ea_bn2

Honey Chicken Kabobs

Recipe source: allrecipes.com

Original Recipe Yield 12 servings

 Ingredients

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 1 inch cubes
• 2 cloves garlic
• 5 small onions, cut into 2 inch pieces
• 2 red bell peppers, cut into 2 inch pieces
• skewers

Directions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together oil, honey, soy sauce, and pepper. Before adding chicken, reserve a small amount of marinade to brush onto kabobs while cooking. Place the chicken, garlic, onions and peppers in the bowl, and marinate in the refrigerator at least 2 hours (the longer the better).
2. Preheat the grill for high heat.
3. Drain marinade from the chicken and vegetables, and discard marinade. Thread chicken and vegetables alternately onto the skewers.
4. Lightly oil the grill grate. Place the skewers on the grill. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until chicken juices run clear. Turn and brush with reserved marinade

Recipe of the Week: Simple BBQ Ribs

via allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 pounds country style pork ribs


• 1 tablespoon garlic powder


• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper


• 2 tablespoons salt


• 1 cup barbeque sauce

Directions

1. Place ribs in a large pot with enough water to cover. Season with garlic powder, black pepper and salt. Bring water to a boil, and cook ribs until tender.


2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).


3. Remove ribs from pot, and place them in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Pour barbeque sauce over ribs. Cover dish with aluminum foil, and bake in the preheated oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until internal temperature of pork has reached 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).

source: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/simple-bbq-ribs/

Recipe of the Week: Beef Carne Asada

via AllRecipes:

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1/3 cup lime juice
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped canned chipotle pepper
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 3 pounds flank steak

Directions

1. Combine the orange, lemon, and lime juice in a large glass or ceramic bowl along with the garlic, soy sauce, chipotle pepper, chili power, ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, black pepper, and cilantro. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until marinade is well combined. Remove one cup of the marinade and place in a small bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for use after the meat is cooked.
2. Place the flank steak between two sheets of heavy plastic (resealable freezer bags work well) on a solid, level surface. Firmly pound the steak with the smooth side of a meat mallet to a thickness of 1/4 inch. After pounding, poke steak all over with a fork. Add the meat to the marinade in the large bowl, cover, and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
3. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil the grate.
4. Remove the steak from the marinade and grill to desired doneness, about 5 minutes per side for medium rare. Discard used marinade. Remove meat from heat and slice across the grain.
5. Pour the one cup of reserved, unused marinade over the hot meat and serve immediately.