Ceviche De Salmón

From the Ceja Vineyards
http://www.cejavineyards.com

Ceviche is a raw seafood dish that has been "cooked" in citrus (usually lime) juice. This citrus marinade firms up the fish and gives it a solid coloration. These details make it a very different dish from raw sushi. Many people feel safer eating ceviche, as its citrus preparation is believed to kill any diseases carried by fish.

Ceviche recipes vary widely depending on the seafood and accessories available in the area. Some ceviches are packed with full-bodied octopus and dogfish; others are lighter with the more delicate scallops and baby shrimp. The seafood is often paired with flavorful chiles and fresh herbs. The long marinade period blends the tastes together.


Ingredients:
· 2 pounds salmon steaks
· 3 cups fresh lime juice
· Finely chopped serrano peppers (from 1 to 6)
· 3 scallions finely chopped
· 2 skinned, cubed tomatoes
· 2 tablespoons olive oil
· 1 teaspoon white ground pepper
· 1 teaspoon salt
· Chopped cilantro & lime wedges
· Glass casserole dish


Directions:
· Clean and rinse fish. Pat dry with clean cloth and cut into bite-size pieces.
· Place fish in casserole dish and cover with lime juice and add white pepper and salt.
· Refrigerate 4 hours. Stir, and refrigerate two more hours.
· Drain ¾ of lime juice.
· Mix together serrano peppers, scallions, oil and tomatoes.
· Stir tomato mixture into fish, coating completely.
· Refrigerate 1 more hour.
· Bring to room temperature before serving (about 15 minutes).
· Garnish with chopped cilantro and lime wedges.
· Serve with corn tostadas or tortilla chips. (Serves 8)

Suggested wine: Ceja Carneros Chardonnay and Ceja Carneros Pinot Noir

How To Cut Up A Chicken

A quick and easy way to carve a chicken or turkey.

For more food preparation videos go to:
http://www.lookinatcookin.com/

Brown sugar a solid rock?
Has your bag or box of brown sugar turned hard as a rock?

Try this helpful hint: Place a slice of fresh bread in the package of sugar and close securely.
Let set for a few hours and your sugar will be as good as new!

Food Quotes

"Food is an important part of a balanced diet." - Fran Lebowitz

"The remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served us nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found." - Calvin Trillin.

"The trouble with eating Italian food is that five or six days later you're hungry again." - George Miller.

Thyme-Infused Vegetables

A Winter Dish
Susan Dash

Roasted root vegetables are always a treat. The natural sugar in the vegetables caramelizes during roasting and creates a sweet-savory flavor.

Feel free to alter proportions of vegetables to suit your guests' preferences.

8 medium shallots, peeled
2 medium red-skin potatoes, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
2 medium turnips, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
2 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
1 small rutabaga, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
1 Tbs. chopped fresh thyme
Salt and freshly ground black pepper


Preheat oven to 450 [degrees] F.

In a large bowl, combine vegetables, garlic, oil, thyme, salt and pepper; toss to evenly coat.

Transfer coated vegetables to a baking dish and bake until tender and browned, 35 to 40 minutes

Serve warm.
Serves 8

Boiling Corn


Never boil corn for more than 3 minutes.


Be sure to place the corn in boiling water, and do not add salt.

You will find the flavor is much better than cooking for 10 minutes or more.

Corn will never get soft, no matter how long you cook it-it will only lose its taste.

Spoon

Fella goes into his favorite deli where the waiter immediately brings him a bowl of matzoh ball soup. The customer signals the waiter to come back.

"Taste the soup!" he commands.

"Why?" inquires the surprised waiter.

"Taste the soup!" comes the reply.

"Max, you've been coming in here every day for ten years. There's never been anything wrong with the soup."

"Taste the soup!"

"What's wrong, too much salt--not enough salt?"

"Taste the soup!"

"What, the matzo balls aren't fluffy enough for you?"

"TASTE THE SOUP!"

The waiter finally agrees, "All right all right, I'll taste the soup! Where's the spoon?"

"A-HA!" chortles Max.