Las Vegas Cooking Archives - Taste With The Eyes

Seared Scallops, Crispy Prosciutto, Smoky Chickpeas

Seared Sea Scallops, Crispy Prosciutto
Smoky Chickpeas with Spinach

The inspiration for this super dish comes from another Las Vegas restaurant, this time, Superfrico at The Cosmopolitan.

Their current menu serves roasted sea scallops with cannellini beans, smoked butter, and prosciutto. A past menu served the scallops with chickpeas, Calabrian chile, and kale. Here, with a nod to both the old and new menus, I heat the chickpeas with a smoked paprika butter, then add baby spinach to wilt.

The pan-seared buttery sea scallops have a rich, sweet flavor. Prosciutto brings savory salty notes and when cooked, it develops a delightful crunch while retaining its intense umami taste. Nutty, earthy, and slightly creamy chickpeas are paired with tender garlicky spinach where the paprika butter adds complexity, depth, and an alluring smokiness. It is one tasty Vegas-style dish that comes together in minutes with very little prep!

Superfrico Instagram: Scallops, Prosciutto, and Cannellini Beans

Seared Scallops, Crispy Prosciutto Recipe

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Charred Octopus Appetizer

Tender Charred Octopus

🐙 🐙 Tender Charred Octopus 🐙 🐙
with
Royal Corona Beans, Charred Tomato, Jalapeño, and Lemon
Fried Capers, Fresh Oregano, Olive Oil

What better way to celebrate our great spring weather than with a charred smoky octopus appetizer? Truth be told, we actually cook outside on the Blaze Grill all year long here in Las Vegas, but it is especially nice in April when it’s not too hot and not too cold.

Here I begin with Cooked Octopus Tentacles (Pulpo Cocido). Among other places, this product can be found in the refrigerated seafood section at Costco. The octopus is from the Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean, a product of Spain. It has already been cleaned and tentacles have been separated from the head. Preparation is as easy as opening the package.

The tender pre-cooked octopus is marinated in olive oil and dried oregano, then grilled until it is hot, smoky, and charred. It is plated with enormous creamy royal corona beans; charred tomatoes, jalapeños, and lemons; and fried capers. It is so tasty, colorful, and impressive that your guests will definitely think “restaurant quality.” Crusty bread makes a great accompaniment, along with a local IPA or a nice Sauvignon Blanc.

Tender Charred Octopus

Charred Octopus Appetizer Recipe

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Lokshen Kugel (baked noodle pudding)

Lokshen Kugel
(baked noodle pudding)

🕎 🕎 🕎 🕎 🕎

Happy Hanukkah! We celebrated the first night of Hanukkah this year with a delicious family meal.

Fortunately, my brother Bill was passing through town this holiday, on his way back to The Philippines. Along with sister Paula and chef/brother-in-law Ron, we cooked up a fabulous celebratory meal. Kudos to Paula and Ron for preparing the best latkes, ever. And kudos to Bill for assembling the most delicious kugel.

Sending our family’s warmest wishes to you at Hanukkah. May you be blessed with joy, good health, good food, and peace.

Noodle Kugel Recipe

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Crunchy Salty Oatmeal Cookies

Crunchy Salty Oatmeal Cookies
With Whole Cashews and Raisins

I keep these cookies under glass on the kitchen counter next to the coffee maker. Guests seem to find them irresistible!

They are less sweet than some traditional oatmeal cookies but the raisins bring plenty fruitiness. These oatmeal cookies are quite crunchy, and pleasantly salty and savory – with a bit extra salt in the batter and Maldon sea salt flakes on top. The whole cashews add extra buttery nutty textures and flavors.

And when my guests leave after a fun time in Vegas, they head back with some Crunchy Salty Oatmeal Cookies for the trip home.

🧡 Cookies Baked in Vegas, Don’t Stay in Vegas 🧡