Monday, June 28, 2010

Rhubarb-Strawberry Crisp

I went to the Farmer's Market this past weekend and picked up a few stalks of rhubarb.  I've tried to cook with it before and it turned out painfully tart.  So I decided to give it another whirl, and it was pretty good!  I think I would add more sugar next time, maybe even some brown sugar, as it was still a bit tart.  The kids haven't tried it yet and I'm not sure they will eat it unless I serve it alongside some ice cream.  But fresh out of the oven, this crisp would be phenomenal with ice cream!

RHUBARB STRAWBERRY CRISP
Yield: 8 servings


Filling:

6 cups (1/2-inch) slices rhubarb (about 2 pounds)

2 1/2 cups halved strawberries

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 teaspoon grated orange rind

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cooking spray

Topping:

2/3 cup all-purpose flour (about 3 ounces)

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup regular oats

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Dash of salt

6 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into small pieces

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. To prepare filling, combine the first 6 ingredients. Spoon into a 13 x 9–inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
3. To prepare topping, lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients (through salt) in a medium bowl; cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle topping over filling. Bake at 375° for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes.


CALORIES 303 (28% from fat); FAT 9.3g (sat 5.5g,mono 2.4g,poly 0.6g); IRON 1.5mg; CHOLESTEROL 23mg; CALCIUM 108mg; CARBOHYDRATE 54.3g; SODIUM 89mg; PROTEIN 3.1g; FIBER 3.5g

Cooking Light, MAY 2008

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Crab stuffed filet mignon with whiskey peppercorn sauce

The name says it all, right?  Not kidding, gang, this dish is out-of-this-world delicious!  I mean, crab and filet mignon?  Who could NOT drool at the sound of this?

We like to use fat-free half and half in place of the whipping cream, just to save on the fat and calories.  It does not detract from the sauce at all.  And you could use baby bellas, button mushrooms, or even canned mushrooms if fresh are not available.  We also prefer to sear the steaks in the pan and then finish off on the grill.  And as for the stuffing, we *really* prefer to prepare it and keep it warm on the stove or in the oven, then serve it mounded on top or on the side.  The thought of unsafe meat juices combining with seafood makes us think unplesant stomach-bug thoughts. 

Meh, serve it however you like, it's your call.  It don't matter, it's awesome no matter how you do it!

Ingredients


CRAB STUFFING:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon minced onion

1 teaspoon minced green onion

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon minced celery

1 teaspoon minced green bell pepper

2 tablespoons shrimp stock or water

1 (6 ounce) can crab meat, drained

2 tablespoons bread crumbs

1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

PEPPERCORN SAUCE

1 1/4 cups beef broth

1 teaspoon cracked black pepper

1 fluid ounce whiskey

1 cup heavy cream

STEAKS:

4 (6 ounce) filet mignon steaks

4 slices bacon, cooked lightly

salt and cracked black pepper to taste

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon minced shallot

1 cup crimini mushrooms, sliced

1 fluid ounce whiskey

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Directions

1.Make Crab Stuffing: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet. Saute onion, green onion, garlic, celery, and green pepper until tender. Stir in shrimp stock, crab meat, bread crumbs, and Cajun seasoning. Remove from heat, and set aside.

2.Prepare Peppercorn Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine beef broth and cracked black pepper. Simmer until reduced to 1 cup, stirring frequently. Add1 ounce whiskey and 1 cup cream. Continue simmering until reduced to 1 cup. Remove from heat, and set aside.

3.Prepare Steaks: Slice a pocket into the side of each steak, and stuff generously with crab stuffing. Wrap bacon around side, and secure with toothpicks. Season to taste with salt and pepper; set aside. Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic and shallot for 1 minute. Stir in mushrooms, and saute until tender. Remove mushroom mixture, and set aside.

4.Place steaks in skillet, and cook to desired doneness. Remove from skillet, and keep warm. Deglaze skillet with 1 ounce whiskey. Reduce heat, and stir in peppercorn sauce and Dijon mustard. Add mushroom mixture, and reduce sauce until thickened. Remove toothpicks and bacon from steaks, and arrange steaks on a plate. Top with sauce.