Archive for April, 2009

Garlic-Basil Pesto

April 19th, 2009 by Justin | Comments Off on Garlic-Basil Pesto | Filed in Rubs, Sauces

I’ve had a mortar and pestle sitting around for quite a few months now but haven’t really used it much.  So today, after a long couple weeks of work and not doing much cooking of my own, I decided to experiment while cooking dinner for Sherelle and I.

I came up with two offerings, both sauces: a garlic power house and a surprisingly sweet complement to chicken.  This is the first of two mortal and pestle sauces.

Ingredients

  • Package of fresh basil, minced
  • One clove of garlic, minced
  • 1/2 lemon

Combine all in a mortar and pestle with approximately one tablespoon each of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and a squeeze of lemon.  Work mixture until a paste is formed.

Can be applied directly to prepared chicken, fish, vegetables, pastas, etc, or used as wet rub for grilled fish and chicken.  You can also make this in bulk and use to bolster red and other sauces.

I’m a huge fan of garlic, but just to warn you, this combination creates a very strong garlic flavor that I know not everyone is keen to, so use your discretion when cooking for the garlic shy or someone you plan on kissing anytime soon.  All that said, anyone can enjoy its full flavor when applied thinly.

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Sweet Hazelnut Reduction

April 19th, 2009 by Justin | Comments Off on Sweet Hazelnut Reduction | Filed in Sauces

Ingredients

  • 1 handful (10 to 15) hazelnuts, crushed and minced
  • 2 cups white wine
  • 3 tsp sage
  • 1 lemon

Begin reducing the white wine in a sauce pan over medium-high heat. Grind hazelnuts in mortar and pestle with 1/2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil until a semi-smooth paste is formed (you may need more olive oil depending on the amount and/or size of hazelnuts used).  If you are using fresh sage, grind that with the hazelnuts as well; otherwise, combine the hazelnuts, sage and the juice of half a lemon with the white wine once it begins to simmer.  Allow it to continue to simmer, stiring occasionally.  I let it sit while I cooked the chicken that it was going to be served on top of (5 to 10 minutes).

If you want your sauce a little thicker, as I did, you can reduce the heat to low and whisk in about 2 tbsp of flour.  Then pass the reduction through a mesh strainer to remove any unabsorbed globs of flower and to produce a smoother texture.  Also, you can add about 2 to 4 tbsp of salted butter for a creamier consistency.

White wines are sweet, and because of this the further you reduce them, the sweeter your sauce will be since the sugars will be left behind.  Keep this in mind when determining how long you want to let your sauce reduce.  I reduced it down to about 1 cup’s worth and was pleased with the results.  Enjoy!

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