Caprese Pie

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Caprese Pie

If you guys are anything like me, you have a “thing” for delicious mozzarella cheese. There’s nothing better than those salty little bites of chewy goodness, am I right? So, when I was asked to participate in the 2013 Galbani® Caprese Challenge, I couldn’t have been more honored or excited. Any chance to work with mozzarella, ripe red tomatoes, and fresh green herbs and you can count me in!

Galbani Mozzarella Fresca™ is made in the Italian tradition of fior di latte using fresh cow’s milk. The cheese is gently stretched and kneaded, then fresh-sealed, leading to a fresh mozzarella cheese that is unparalleled in texture and flavor. The cheese is slightly firm and salty–wonderful! They also offer other delicious varieties packaged in water, as well as a marinated variety, which would be a perfect addition to any antipasto platter.

The Mozzarella Fresca was recently named a favorite fresh mozzarella by the editors of Saveur Magazine, and for good reason. It melts beautifully but maintains its body–great chew factor! I also found that when melted, it released very little liquid. So often with other mozzarella cheeses I’ve tried, they released so much water–that’s no good for a pizza! Galbani Mozzarella Fresca is truly a superior product. Look for it in your local supermarket’s specialty cheese display.

So, without further adieu, here is my entry for the 2013 Galbani Caprese Challenge. A simple pie crust filled with layers of ripe tomatoes, Mozzarella Fresca, herb sautéed onions, and a splash of balsamic vinegar then baked to bubbly perfection. Paired with a green salad, it’s the perfect light summer meal. Such a great way to put all of those gorgeous summer tomatoes and fresh herbs to use!

Voting is open now, so go vote! To celebrate this fun challenge, Galbani is giving away all kinds of fun prizes to voters through August 9, with a grand prize of $500 given to a random voter at the end of the contest. You can enter once a day, so go check out the other blogger’s fun spins on the classic Italian dish Caprese, and vote for a chance to win some great prizes!

2013 Galbani Caprese Challenge

Caprese Pie

1 9-inch pie shell
1/2 onion, diced
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tomatoes, sliced in 1/4-inch slices
8 ounces Galbani® Mozzarella Fresca™
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tsp balsamic vinegar
salt, freshly ground black pepper
sliced tomato, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F. Place pie shell in oven and cook for 8-10 minutes or longer until lightly golden. Add olive oil to a medium skillet over medium high heat and sauté the onions until they start to brown on the edges. Add the garlic, oregano, and 1 tablespoon chopped basil. Cook for an additional minute. Remove from heat.

Place the sliced tomatoes in single layer on a cooling rack placed inside a baking pan, and sprinkle both sides with kosher salt. Let sit 15 minutes to let liquids drain. Blot with paper towels.

Cut the ball of cheese in half. Shred one half, and thinly slice the other half into 1/4-inch slices.

Sprinkle the bottom of the pre-cooked pie shell with the herbed onion mixture. Place a layer of sliced tomatoes in an even layer on top of the onions, followed by a layer of half of the sliced mozzarella cheese. Drizzle with the balsamic vinegar. Repeat layering process.

In a medium bowl, mix together the grated cheese, mayonnaise, yogurt, remainder of the fresh basil, and a sprinkling of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Spread the cheese mixture over the tomatoes. Top with a few slices of tomato for garnish.

Bake at 350, uncovered, until brown and bubbly, for about 40 minutes. Let cool for at least 1 hour before slicing.


Disclaimer: I have been compensated for my time to create an original recipe for the Galbani Caprese Challenge. As always, all thoughts are my own.

Spring Rolls

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Spring Rolls

I’ve mentioned before how I have a can have a hard time finding specialty ingredients here on the Eastern Shore. Like – exotic mushrooms for instance. Whenever I take a trip to Annapolis or Virginia Beach, I always make sure to get some funky fungus that I can’t find here at home – chantarelles, oyster, trumpet. I love them all!

Thankfully a local friend has started growing her own varieties of mushrooms. I visited her last week to pick up some gorgeous oyster mushrooms (her latest harvest), and was also kind enough to show me her garden, with all kinds of delicious goodies growing. She loaded me down with peas, lettuce, onions, herbs, and broccoli greens! We enjoyed them all week long in various dishes. There’s nothing like fresh picked produce – and growing on Chincoteague Island, right on the water – you can taste the salt from the air and the soil in the veggies. Absolutely wonderful. Thank you so much for showing us your little piece of paradise, Donna!

We enjoyed some of the mushrooms and onions sauteed, served over some thinly sliced roast beef and chevre on a baguette. But, the favorite thing that I made last week by far were these delicious spring rolls. I’ve always loved spring rolls from Chinese restaurants – but often the filling is bland and boring. My filling used the gorgeous oyster mushrooms, fresh bean sprouts, garlic scapes, shredded cabbage and carrots, as well as softened rice noodles. They turned out so delicious – rivaling my famous chicken egg rolls. Already can’t wait to make them again!

Spring Rolls

4 oz. vermicelli (thin rice noodles)
6 oz. oyster or exotic blend mushrooms, thinly sliced
2 1/2 cups shredded cabbage
3 carrots, peeled and shredded
2 cups fresh bean sprouts (1 package)
3 cloves garlic, minced (I used garlic scapes from my crop share)
2 Tbsp soy sauce
3 Tbsp oyster sauce
4 scallions (green and white), sliced
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 package spring roll or lumpia wrappers
1 tbsp cornstarch, mixed with 3 tbsp cold water

Soak rice noodles in warm water for 25 minutes. Drain well, roughly chop, and set aside.

Line a large pot with a couple layers of paper towels, set aside.

Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in wok over medium-high heat, add mushrooms, cabbage and carrots. Use tongs to “toss” the vegetables. Cook, over high heat, for about 2 minutes. Or, until cabbage begins to wilt. Add the bean sprouts, garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, green onions, and vermicelli. Toss to combine and cook for another 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

Place a colander in your sink, or over a large bowl. Add vegetable mixture to the colander. Using several layers of paper towels, press down firmly on the filling, pressing out as much moisture as possible. Repeat process several times. Let filling cool for 30 minutes before rolling into wrappers.

Heat 3 inches of vegetable oil in a dutch oven. I like to fry the rolls at about 375. While the oil is coming up to temperature, wrap the rolls according to the package directions. Place into oil 4 or 5 at a time, turning over occasionally, until golden brown. Usually about 4 minutes.

Remove from oil with tongs, and place vertically into the prepared paper-towel lined pot to drain. This vertical drain is key, as it really helps the rolls not to become soggy.

Serve with plenty of soy sauce and Chinese hot mustard.

Grilled Pineapple Salsa

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Grilled Pineapple Salsa

I love getting creative with different kinds of fruit salsas in the summertime. This pineapple version is one of my favorites! A quick char of fresh pineapple, paired with traditional salsa ingredients – red onion, cilantro, and fresh jalapeno, and you have yourself a damn fine salsa.

My original plan included mango in the mix, but it looked less than desirable when I cut it open – and I really liked the fact that the pineapple was the star of the show. Didn’t miss the mango one bit.

It’s fabulous on fish tacos, grilled chicken or pork chops, or on it’s own served with tortilla chips. Perfect for a summertime fiesta in the backyard!

Grilled Pineapple Salsa

5 (1/2-inch thick) slices of fresh pineapple
1 small red onion, finely diced
2 jalapenos, seeded and finely diced
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
juice of 1 lime
1/4 tsp kosher salt

Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Add the sliced pineapple and grill for about 2 minutes on each side, or until nice grill marks develop. Remove to plate and set aside to cool.

Combine pineapple, red onion, jalapenos, cilantro, lime, and salt. Toss to combine. Season to taste with salt before serving.

Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

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Roasted Tomatillo Salsa (Salsa Verde)

Ahh, Cinco de Mayo – pretty much my favorite holiday next to Christmas. Where I can drink as many margaritas and eat as much guacamole as I want, and not be chastised for it. It’s funny actually, because a little over 5 years ago I wouldn’t have touched Mexican food with a 10 foot-pole. Can  you believe that? Thank goodness I came around, and things like tomatillos and cilantro are on my shopping list every week. In fact, I’ve started visiting my local Latin produce guy at the flea market every week – just because his produce is superior, and a much better bargain than at Mega Mart. I get all my Mexican staples there – dried beans, limes, corn husks for tamales, poblanos and jalapenos. Heh, it never ceases to amaze me where these roads in my kitchen are leading me everyday!

So, in case you were wondering – like I was 5 years ago – what in the Hell is a tomatillo? And, what do I do with it? I’m here to help! While they look similar to green tomatoes – they’re actually closely related to gooseberries. They have a papery husk on them that must be removed before cooking. They have a bright flavor, with a natural smokiness. When roasted, that flavor is amplified. And when combined with other flavors – like roasted garlic and jalapeno, it’s just out of this world.

I like to serve this salsa whenever I make carnitas, as I think the brightness plays off wonderfully against the richness of the pork. But, it’s good with all kinds of traditional Mexican dishes! And, a change of pace from the traditional red salsa that we all know and love. So step outside of your comfort zone, and try something new for this Cinco de Mayo!

Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

6 medium tomatillos, husked, rinsed, and halved (about 8 ounces)
4 large garlic cloves, peeled
1 jalapeno
about 1/3 cup loosely packed, roughly chopped cilantro
1/2 small white onion, chopped
juice of 1 lime
1/4 cup water
salt

Heat a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  lay the garlic, tomatillos, and jalapeno in a single layer, laying the tomatillos cut-side down.  Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the tomatillos are well-browned.  Turn everything over and brown the other side (the tomatillos should be very soft).  Remove the tomatillos and garlic and add to a food processor or blender, and cook the jalapeno on all sides before removing to a cutting board.

When the jalapeno is cool enough to handle, peel the shriveled blackened skin, halve, and remove ribs and seeds.  Roughly chop and add to the food processor as well.

Add 1/4 cup of water, onions, and cilantro to the food processor, and blend to a coarse puree.  Pour into a dish and add more water if necessary, to give the salsa the proper consistency.  Add lime juice and salt (about 1/2 tsp) to taste.

Source: adapted from Mexican Everyday by Rick Bayless via Pink Parsley