Taste With The Eyes

Mahi Mahi & Jasmine Rice “Stew” with Thai Flavors

Mahi Mahi & Jasmine Rice ~ Thai Flavors
Ginger, Garlic, Lemongrass, Thai Chili
Thai Basil, Kaffir Lime, Scallion, Mint

Just like the previous post, Hot Spicy Fish Soup, this fragrant fish “stew” can also be made in less than a half hour — little more than the time it takes to cook a pot of rice. Mahi mahi is mildly sweet with a distinctively firm texture, the perfect fish for this style of cooking. I use fillets straight from the freezer. A jaunt through the garden and a trip to the farmers’ market for the fresh herbs and voilá, we have a vivid fish & rice dish with bold lively flavors.

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Hot Spicy Fish Soup (Maeuntang)

Fresh Local Swordfish over Spicy Fish Soup with Gochujang and Gochugaru
Doenjang Braised Beech Mushrooms, Red Jalapeño, Scallion, Cilantro

This version of Korean Maeuntang, a hot spicy fish soup is bright, fresh, and fiery. Chili paste, chili flakes, and fresh chilies layer on the heat while beech mushrooms add slightly crunchy slightly nutty texture and flavor to the fragrant fish broth. Pan-seared fresh local swordfish sits atop the soup, retaining its crispy exterior. Fresh cilantro and scallion add verdant sparks. The flavor comes from the various forms of red chili, not from a long simmer, so this mouthwatering red-hot meal can be on the table in about 20 minutes…

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bison & onion burger ~ grill basket method

grilled bison & onion burger
arugula & tomato
on toasted sour dough with thai chili mayo

Posting “last night’s dinner” on Taste With The Eyes? A simple burger with onions and the ubiquitous chili mayonnaise? Well, actually, yes. But for a reason. I want to share my method. Here in Southern California we’re grilling all year round. And I love this grill basket.

Burgers and onions fit in one layer. Brush lightly with olive oil, pop it on a hot grill, flip once after 5 minutes. The burgers are juicy and the onions perfectly charred, while the rings remain concentrical.

A whole fish can be stuffed with lemon and herbs, rubbed with olive oil then grilled over high heat. The edible skin is crisp and charred contrasting the melt-in-the-mouth flesh. Using a grill basket makes easy work of flipping the fish, and helps to keep the nicely charred skin intact for presentation.

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Pappardelle ~ Apple, Fig, Pistachio, Mint, Saffron Cream

Pappardelle with Saffron Cream
Apple, Fig, Pistachio, Mint

Our 5 Star Makeover Cooking Club is featuring apples for the fabulous September event.
My family and friends are celebrating the Jewish New Year 5773. And I’m thinking about noodle kugel. Kugel is a sweet Jewish casserole. I bake mine with egg noodles, golden raisins, cottage cheese, cinnamon, and apples. I was also thinking about my saffron matzoh balls…
My little guy Wilson needed some tests. When I dropped him off, his awesome veterinarian gave me a big basket of fresh figs from her garden.

These three events cosmically intertwined. Apples & figs collided with noodles & saffron. And the result was a delightful vegetarian pasta with a luxurious saffron cream sauce. It was an exotic marriage of sweet & savory, creamy & crunchy. The colors were glorious ~ golden yellow saffron, pale green granny smith apples, pink salmon-hued figs, and bright green mint.

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hot pot! swordfish, kimchi, soba noodle

hot pot! swordfish, kimchi, soba noodles
in a rich beef broth
with cucumber, tomato, scallion, jalapeño
togarashi & cilantro garnish

A super-satisfying one dish meal complex in flavor and texture. Generally a HOT POT is a pot of simmering hot stock for cooking meats and vegetables, which is placed in the center of the dining table. Here, this Korean~Japanese~Californian fusion hot pot meal is composed in individual bowls. Rich beef stock adds depth and pairs surprisingly well with fresh local California swordfish fillets while kimchi adds complexity with its sour, spicy, and umami notes. Farmers Market tomatoes, cucumber, and green jalapeño add bright crisp fresh notes to the pot.

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