Lamb Lollipops with Chimichurri

Lamb Lollipops with Chimichurri

Lamb Lollipops with Chimichurri
Garlicky Smoked Creme Fraiche & Lemony Arugula Salad

Juicy lamb rib chops are cut from the rack and cooked to medium with a nice crust. Each chop gets a spoonful of chimichurri right on the tip of the meat for a fresh, herby kick. They’re served over a bed of peppery arugula tossed with lemon, and come with a side of garlicky smoked crème fraîche for dipping. It’s an impressive yet effortless starter guaranteed to disappear in minutes.

Lamb Lollipops with Chimichurri

Chops go straight from the fridge into a hot pan—rubbed with olive oil, seasoned with salt and pepper, and seared over medium-high heat for about 4 minutes per side. Rested before serving so they stay tender and flavorful.

Lamb Lollipops with Chimichurri Recipe

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Salmon Crudo, Smoked Soy

Salmon Crudo, Smoked Soy

Salmon Crudo, Avocado, Jalapeño
Smoked Soy, Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Microgreens

This simple yet sublime salmon crudo dish hits all the notes. Pristine raw wild Alaska sockeye is shingled with creamy avocado slices and spicy jalapeño then drizzled with smoked soy sauce, fruity olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Just a touch of flaky sea salt and a scatter of vibrant peppery microgreens complete the dish.

But it’s really the smoked soy that pushes this dish over the top — unexpected and distinctive. A few drops of all-natural hickory liquid smoke transforms plain soy sauce into something magical.

Seasoned sushi rice is served on the side, great for dipping in the intoxicating sauce and pairing with bites of salmon.

Cold sake makes a crisp and refreshing accompaniment to the salmon crudo’s bright, clean flavors of citrus, soy, and olive oil. The chilled sake mirrors that cool, clean mouthfeel, keeping the palate refreshed instead of weighing it down.

Salmon Crudo, Smoked Soy

Salmon Crudo Recipe

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Baba Ganoush (Eggplant) Soup

Baba Ganoush (Eggplant)  Soup

Baba Ganoush (Eggplant) Soup

A chilled velouté inspired by the Middle Eastern classic dip Baba Ganoush, this soup blends roasted eggplant with creamy tahini, garlic, and bright notes of fresh lemon.

The smoky depth of the eggplant is balanced by the nuttiness of sesame and a whisper of citrus, resulting in a silk-smooth, refreshing bowl that honors its baba ganoush roots while reimagining them in an elegant, spoonable form. Finished with a drizzle of olive oil, za’atar, and chives – it’s a sophisticated starter ideal for warm-weather dining.

Chilled Baba Ganoush Soup Recipe

Baba Ganoush (Eggplant)  Soup

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Cocktails in the Las Vegas Subway?

Try a Smoky Dirty Martini!

Cocktails in the Las Vegas Subway?

Try a Smoky Dirty Martini!

It fits the mood…

A little while back I wrote about a fantastic dinner and the chef’s very clever Dirty Martini Salad at Diner Ross at The LINQ Hotel Las Vegas. What I neglected to share was how to get there… curiously, you must enter the diner only through a secret subway station entrance.

Cocktails in the Las Vegas Subway?

Dirty Martini Salad

Cocktails in the Las Vegas Subway?

Sip delightful cocktails to the music and trippy sounds of an occasional train passing through the “tunnel” while awaiting your dinner reservation.

Cocktails in the Las Vegas Subway?

Inspired by the fabulous Dirty ol’ Martini served in the subway, here is my version:

A Smoky Dirty Martini

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Extra Smoky Eggplant Dip (Baba Ganoush)

Extra Smoky Eggplant Dip (Baba Ganoush)

🍆 Extra Smoky Eggplant Dip 🍆
Baba Ganoush

Baba ganoush is a beloved Middle Eastern dip that celebrates the smoky, earthy flavors of roasted eggplant.

At its core, baba ganoush is made from charred or roasted eggplant, which is blended with tahini (sesame seed paste), garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. The result is a creamy, slightly tangy, and nutty dip with a hint of smokiness, thanks to the roasted eggplant.

Here, the traditional ingredients are used but for extra smokiness a few drops of natural hickory liquid smoke are added. Fans of smoky foods will swoon over this recipe.

Served with pita, cucumber, radish, and gluten-free crackers, this is a terrific vegan appetizer to serve before Thanksgiving (or any) big dinner. With wide appeal, it has tons of flavor, color, and crunch and won’t fill up your guests before the main event.

Extra Smoky Eggplant Dip Recipe

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