I’m typically not a lemon dessert fan; something about the lemony-tartness encroaching on the sweet flavors bothers me. Why intentionally ruin a good thing? But, in my culinary journeys I’m always willing to try new things, especially if they’re part of an authentic meal or cultural tradition. So, during my first afternoon tea, I dutifully tried lemon curd with my scones. Overwhelmed by all the sensual delights at the time, it didn’t strike a chord with me one way or the other.
I followed the fried sage appetizer with an elegant cream of asparagus soup. If you’ve ever had a homemade cream soup before, you know the decadently rich quality they possess. The cream boosts the savory notes of vegetables, as does the smooth velvety texture. Canned varieties are a lackluster imitation of actual cream soups—their texture is subpar and they lack freshness. Don’t let a previous experience with canned cream soups dissuade you from making this satisfyingly smooth soup.
I settled on cream of asparagus soup because I wanted to use a vegetable that signified spring. Even though Chicago’s spring seems far off—it snowed a foot last week—I wanted a semblance of it. I associate asparagus with spring not only because it’s a spring crop, but also because I always have it on Easter. This excellent soup makes for a great lunch or first course for dinner.
Krab salad with spicy mayo makes for a wonderful appetizer or light entrée. It’s made from imitation krab sticks, which are composed of precooked fish with crab flavoring. Krab sticks have a slightly sweet taste with a hint of crab. They’re low in fat, easy to prepare, and inexpensive, making them an excellent item to have on hand. If you’ve ever tried a California roll, then you’ve had imitation krab.
The spicy mayo adds a nice kick to the subtly sweet krab. The krab’s delicate texture, which mimics actual crabmeat, gives the meal an airy lightness, balanced with the richness of Japanese mayo. The spicy zest of the mayo and the thick, sweet eel sauce add waves of flavor to this salad and really takes it to the next level.
Today I give you a dish inspired by the flavors of Mexico, utilizing cilantro, lime, garlic, tomatillos, and peppers. This dish makes for a wonderful presentation, with the yellow of the corn, the red and green of the peppers, and the nice golden-brown of the fish; it is sure to please the eye. This meal is packed full of flavor and healthy to boot. Serve with cold beer or margaritas and you’re in for a fun night.
Featured Ingredient: Tomatillo
Tomatillos are related to tomatoes. They are small, round, green fruit and have a greenish-brown papery husk covering them. When using tomatillos, first remove the husks; the husks will be somewhat sticky. Carefully wash the tomatillos, removing any dirt. Next cut the top off the tomatillos. Then use the tomatillos as needed. Tomatillos are a staple in Mexican cuisine and can be used in salsas, as well as in a variety of sauces. If you have not tried them, you really should.
Hummus is one of the oldest foods in the world. In fact, it is believed that chickpeas were being cultivated over 7000 years ago in the Middle East. The exact origin of hummus remains a mystery, since its long history. However, it is most often theorized as coming from the Middle East. The name hummus actually means chickpea in Arabic. You might also hear chickpeas referred to as garbanzo beans, which is the Spanish translation. There are endless variations of hummus and today I present you with one of my favorites: Red Pepper Hummus.