Spicy Veggie and Hummus Spring Rolls ala ~DKBB~

Spicy Veggie and Hummus Spring Rolls ala ~DKBB~

(original recipe from www.chefsbliss.com)

 
Spring Rolls
8 rice papers
½ c. hummus* (store-bought or homemade)
1 tsp. sriracha sauce
1 Tbsp. lime juice
¼ c. shredded carrots
½ cucumber, julienned
½ red pepper, julienned
¼ c. fresh spinach leaves
Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
Bibb or butter lettuce leaves 

• Mix hummus, sriracha sauce, and lime juice to make a spicy, tangy spread (add more sriracha to increase the heat if desired).
• Prepare the veggies.
• Fill a large shallow dish with warm water and dip each rice paper into the water for 5-10 seconds until it softens.
• Lay the rice paper out on a flat surface; place a few spoonfuls of the spicy hummus in the center, followed by the cucumber, red pepper, avocado, carrots, and a leaf or two of cilantro (if using).
• Fold the side inward, then roll lightly into a cylinder.
• Repeat this process for each sheet of rice paper.
• Serve with large leaves of bibb or butter lettuce to wrap around the spring roll and with dipping sauce.

Dipping Sauce
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
½ tsp. sesame oil
¼ to ½ tsp. chili crisp
 
Mix all ingredients together, whisking well. Set aside.
 
This recipe can be cut in half for 4 spring rolls.

* My homemade hummus recipe can be found here.

Spicy Crab and Cucumber Spring Rolls ala ~DKBB~

Spicy Crab and Cucumber Spring Rolls ala ~DKBB~

(original recipe from www.chefsbliss.com)

 

Spring Rolls
8 rice papers
½ lb. crab meat (fresh or imitation)
2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. sriracha sauce (or to taste)
½ cucumber, julienned
½ red pepper, julienned
1 avocado, thinly sliced
Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
¼ c. shredded carrots

Bibb or butter lettuce leaves

• In a bowl, mix the crab meat (if desired, chop it up a bit to make the pieces small) with mayonnaise and sriracha sauce until the crab meat is well-coated. Add sriracha to increase heat as desired.
• Prepare the vegetables as directed and set each out in a bowl for assembly.
• Fill a large shallow dish with warm water and dip each rice paper into the water for 5-10 seconds until it softens.
• Lay the rice paper out on a flat surface; place a few spoonfuls of the spicy crab mixture in the center, followed by the cucumber, red pepper, avocado, carrots, and a leaf or two leaves of cilantro.
• Fold the side inward, then roll lightly into a cylinder.
• Repeat this process for each sheet of rice paper.
• Serve with large leaves of Bibb or butter lettuce to wrap around the spring roll and with dipping sauce.

Dipping Sauce
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. lime juice
1 tsp. honey (you could use hot honey if you’d prefer)
1 Tbsp. warm water
½ tsp. sriracha

• Mix all ingredients together, whisking well. Set aside.

This recipe can be cut in half for 4 spring rolls.

Samba Schutte's Key Lime Pie

Samba Schutte's Key Lime Pie

I did an online baking class with the actor and baker extraordinaire Samba Schutte through bemomentus.us. His classes are always a ton of fun, a bit naughty, and chaotic as heck. Anyway, this gem came out of that class.

Ingredients:
1½ cups graham cracker crumbs (2 packets of 9 crackers each)
5 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter
1 tsp. ginger powder
4 large egg yolks
6 ripe limes
1½ Tbsp. of lime zest
½ cup lime juice
14 oz. can condensed milk
2 Tbsp. sour cream
1 cup heavy cream

Crust:
You can use a store-bought graham cracker crust, but....

• Set oven to 350°F.
• Crush graham crackers either in food processor OR put them in a large Ziploc bag and roll them the dust with your rolling pin; add the ginger powder to your crushed crackers.
• Melt the butter and let it cool a bit, then add melted butter to cracker crumbs, using your hands to mix it all together; you want a texture that clumps together when you squeeze it; add 1 Tbsp. of water to this to help things hold shape.
• Put this crumb mixture into your chosen vessel (I use a 9” pie plate), spreading it evenly across the bottom and up the sides; press hard around the edges and firmly around the base so it holds its shape when baking.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes, until it’s golden brown and fragrant.
• Remove from oven and set aside to cool as you make the filling (leave the oven on).

Filling:

• Using a fine grater, zest all the limes; set this zest aside for now.
• Cut the limes in half and juice them (roll them on the counter first to help release juices); strain out any pulp/seeds; you’ll need ½ cup of lime juice (set aside for now).
• Using your stand-up mixer, add your separated egg yolks and 1 Tbsp. lime zest to the mixing bowl, then mix on high speed for about 5 minutes until the mixture becomes fluffy and gains a bit of volume.
• Add the condensed milk and mix again at high speed for about 3-4 minutes until it all blends together and thickens up a bit.
• Add the 2 Tbsp. of sour cream and mix again on high speed for a bit.
• Add the lime juice and mix at high speed for 30 seconds.
• Gently pour the filling into the cooled pie crust, using a spatula to make sure it is evenly spread.
• Place the pie in to oven and bake for 17-20 minutes, checking at around 15 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the center is set but still quivers when you shake the pie plate. I check it like I do pumpkin pies…place a butter knife in the center and if it comes out clean, the pie is done.
• Let the pie cool completely before adding the (optional) topping.

Topping*:
I chill the bowl and beaters before I make any sort of whipped cream.

• In a medium mixing bowl, add the heavy cream; mix on high speed until it forms stiff peaks (usually 3-5 minutes).
• Use a spatula to dollop the whipped cream onto the top of the cooled pie and spread it evenly; use the remaining lime zest to dust over the top of the whipped cream.

*Remember, the topping is optional. The pie tastes just as good without it, and you save some calories.

Lime, Soy, and Maple Drizzle for Pork Chops ala ~CHB~

Lime, Soy, and Maple Drizzle for Pork Chops ala ~CHB~

(original recipe in October 2016 edition of Cooking Light)

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

1 garlic clove, minced

2 Tbsp. lime juice (fresh, if you’ve got it)

2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup

1½ Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce

1 Tbsp. of balsamic vinegar (a hot one works good)

Dash of crushed red pepper

1 tsp. water

½ tsp. cornstarch

2 pork chops

• Melt butter in small, heavy saucepan over medium heat; add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned (about 30 seconds).
• Add lime juice, maple syrup, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and red pepper; stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
• Stir together water and cornstarch in small bowl; add to sauce.
• Cook, stirring often, until sauce thickens (about 2 minutes).
• Grill pork chops, basting the chops with some of the sauce.
• Drizzle remaining sauce over chops to serve.

Pina Colada Pork Chops with Tropical Fruit Salsa ala ~DKBB~

Pina Colada Pork Chops with Tropical Fruit Salsa ala ~DKBB~

(original recipe from Jenn Tidwell in Summer 2016 Taste of Home magazine)

Pork Chops and Sauce

1 can (10 oz.) frozen pina colada mix, thawed and divided OR 1 cup of pina colada drink mix

2 to 4 boneless pork chops

Salt and cracked pepper

1 cup chicken broth

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 Tbsp. lime juice

⅛ to ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper

2 Tbsp. cold butter 

• Place ¾ cup pina colada mix in shallow glass dish; add pork chops, turning to coat all sides; cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• Drain pork, discarding marinade; sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper; grill, covered, over medium heat 6 to 8 minutes on each side (let stand at least 5 minutes before serving).
• In a small saucepan, combine chicken broth, remaining pina colada mix (or ½ cup of pina colada mix), lemon and lime juices, and cayenne pepper; bring to a boil and cook uncovered until liquid is slightly thickened, 10 to 12 minutes; remove from heat and whisk in butter 1 Tbsp. at a time until creamy.

Tropical Fruit Salsa

1 mango, peeled and finely chopped

2 kiwi fruit, peeled and finely chopped

½ medium not-quite-ripe banana, peeled and finely chopped

1 small avocado, peeled and finely chopped

2 tsp. lime juice

1 tsp. minced fresh cilantro (optional)

1 tsp. minced fresh basil (optional)

• Mix all salsa ingredients together.
• Serve pork chops with salsa and sauce; brown rice makes a nice accompaniment for this dish, and the sauce works well on the brown rice.