Archive for the ‘antipasti’ Category

DIM SUM TROLLEY

Octopus, Spring rolls and Scallop/shrimp rolls

Dim Sum originated in Southern China hundreds of years ago as part of the YUM CHA “drinking tea” tradition.  Dim Sum means “to touch the heart”. The best way to describe these delicious treats is to address them as Chineese antipasti, tapas, or hors d’ouvres. They are usually steamed or deep fried and can be savory or sweet.  I first encountered them decades ago in San  Francisco.  Back then you could only find them in Chineese bakeries…..but today they can be found in most large cities.  They are absolutly addictive! My all time favorite place is Jing Fong in New York’s China Town (#20 Elizabeth St)  There on the second floor you will find 120 beautiful fucia tables with hundreds of Dim Sum fans……..enjoying a continuous stream of ladies pushing trolleys loaded with stange and inticing little plates and steamers of Shiu Mai, Crispy Taro Kor, Steamed Chicken Feet, Spring Rolls, Shark Fin Dumplings, Spicy Garlic Squid  etc.   Here in Michigan, we enjoy the selection at the Golden Harvest ( 6880 12 Mile Rd, Warren, MI )  The best time to find a good selection of Dim Sum is on a Sat or Sunday, between 11 am and 2 pm.  Be sure to pick only the hot dishes on top of the trolley, and not the ones on the bottom shelves.   Once you take the first plunge, you will be hooked forever!

Whether you grill these inside on a grill pan or outside over coals, these jumbo shrimp wrapped in prosciutto will be a big hit. The secret is marinating them in lime juice for about a half an hour before you put them on the grill.  This is a super simple and super fast dish, so do them at the last minute just before serving.

Prosciutto Wrapped Grilled Shrimp

Jumbo shrimp wrapped in prosciutto with lime

6 Jumbo shrimp (16-20 per lb peeled tail on)

3 slices prosciutto (cut lengthwise)

2 lime juice

1 toe minced fresh garlic

2 lbs olive oil

Chopped Parsley

Lime wedges

• Marinate the shrimp in lime and olive oil for ½ hour
• Wrap a strip of prosciutto around each shrimp
• Grill on grill pan or over coals for 2 minutes on each side
• Garnish with parsley, serve immediately with lime wedges

Bon appetitto

OK, you’re going out for the evening.  You ask your host “Can I bring anything”  They say, sure,

how about an hors d’oeuvre or some munchies?  You think…WHAT CAN I BRING that’s not “chips n’ dip”

So here’s the solution….create a beautiful antipasti platter.  You won’t need that much and it won’t break

the bank. You’ll need a good sized platter….oval are great. OK now, go to your local deli or Italian specialty

shop. I use the following…..a little less than 1/4 lb of each of these salumi (all prepared meats are called salumi in Italy)

1. Capicollo (sweet), 2. finnochiona or spressatta, 3. regular Genova salami, 4. Mortadella…..all sliced very thin. Next you’ll need some olives. Try about ten of each, calamata (pitted), regular domestic black pitted olives, maybe a couple alphonsos, greek (pitted). Next a small punch of grapes, some nice broad green leaf lettuce and some mint or chives for garnish. OK….ready to create.

Cut all the salumi in half. Start with the finnochiona and place each half along the rim of the platter, next do the same with the coppicollo halves. Now break off about four or five big lettuce leaves and put them in the middle of the platter. Add the grapes to the middle. Now, take each half of the Genova salami and make little cones out of them. (The fat from the salami will stick them together)  Place these (5-6) at both ends of the platter, then arrange various olives in the spaces remaining. Finish with the mortadella halves that you can just bunch up and stick them in the remaining spaces. Now to finish , stick a bunch of the mint sprigs into the space in the bunch of grapes and sprinkle the chopped chives all over the whole thing. Just look what you have created….look at the colors and textures!  People with think you are a culinary genious…and now you are!

The first course of every Italian dinner is the antipasto.  No, this doesn’t mean you are against pasta. These mushrooms can be served hot with an assortment of cold antipasti for a special occasion, or as a side dish (contorno) with a salad (insalatta)

6-8 large mushrooms or 3 portabellos
1 Italian sausage (crumbled)
½ cup roughly grated asiago cheese
¼ cup roughly grated asiago cheese (for garnish)
½ cup PANKO breadcrumbs
1 egg (beaten)
1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
1 toe garlic finely chopped
2-3 Tbs mixture of chopped fresh herbs
(basil, parsley, oregano, tarragon, thyme etc)
2 cups fresh mixed greens
1 Tbs olive oil & natural bristle paintbrush
1 Tbs light Italian salad dressing (for greens)
Salt (1/2 tsp) & pepper
Chopped chives for garnish

Instructions
1.  Carefully remove stems, spoon out insides, & chop stems
2. Sauté sausage until crumbled, add chopped stems, S&P, onion, garlic (cook 4 mins)
3. Transfer to bowl & add herbs, cheese, egg & breadcrumbs (mix very lightly)
4. Loosely stuff mushrooms, mound up stuffing
5. Place stuffed mushrooms in greased baking dish
6. Paint tops of mushrooms with olive oil
7. Bake in 375 oven for about 15-20 minutes until browned
8. Lightly dress greens, place cooked mushrooms on bed of greens
9. Garnish with asiago cheese & chives

Cooking with Cordier