Mussels for dinner

So....tonight was a learning experience indeed....I have never ever tastes or cooked mussels before.  I read about mussels, I talked to my brother in law the chef and I came up with a recipe.  It was a learning experience.  Thank you to my east coast friend who helped guide me in terms of whether they were cooked or not.  My kids both tasted the mussels and were not fans, interesting textures.  I read on the internet about how to store, how to cook, I looked at different recipes too.  I created a recipe that was fantastic using the inspiration of others.  It took a few times before actually having the mussels cooked properly, my friend who is always very critical of my cooking was dining with me and is also a seafood lover.  Which means I will know if the recipe is good and if I cooked it well.  


Teresa's Mussel Marathon in a curried coconut lime ginger soup


-6 pounds of mussels, washed, and scrubbed
-1 onion minced
-3 cloves of garlic chopped
-3 tablespoons ginger grated
-5 lime leaves
-3 tablespoons thai curry (yellow)
-1 tablespoon chili powder
-1 cup white wine
-juice and zest of of 2-3 key limes
-pepper
-2 tablespoons soya sauce 
-pepper to taste
-cilantro and green onions to garnish


I started by a little butter in my Dutch oven, I sautéed an onion in the butter until soft, I added garlic and grated ginger.  I added a can of coconut milk, lime leaves and the juice and zest of 3 key limes.  Soy sauce was added about 3 tablespoons of Thai yellow curry, chili powder and wine and I allowed to simmer on low for an hour.  In the sink I washed and scrubbed my mussels.  I let the soak for 20 minutes before scrubbing. I turned the mixture up high and allowed to boil, I added the mussels.  (I cooked for 10 minutes and realized that medium heat was not high enough and that is why I recommended high heat)  You need to make sure that you discard any shells that did not open up and also when cleaning get rid of broken or damaged shells.  The mussels also added a great deal of broth.  I also realize that I should have cooked the mussels in smaller batches.  The meal was amazing, we had our fill and were satisfied


Life is about these moments, where we overcome our fear of new experiences and realize that we are better for the experience.  I want to say thank you to my friend for his patience and criticism as he has helped me to develop my cooking, encouraging me to take risks and to have new experiences with me and to help foster my love of cooking...not to mention the conversation and wine.

Hot hamburger sandwiches

Last night my friend came with a bag of organic fruit and vegetables that she has delivered to her house weekly.  She came bearing the gifts of a mango, which was my snack today.  Radish greens, carrot tops, apples, oranges, zucchini, pears.  A feast, not to mention a pesto sauce she had made and a chickpea, mushroom, crab salad with olives.  We ended up going out for Indian...we were out picking up my daughter from school and the weather changed quickly and we were delayed returning to my place. So we stopped at an Indian restaurant where we enjoyed the delights.  It was unfortunate not to be able to inspire each other in the kitchen.  However my children were able to experience the different tastes of India.  Yum.

Today I had yet another visitor, she is one on my longest friends and it started out she was just going too be here between meetings and it turned into a two meal affair.  It started with a late afternoon snack, we ate the chickpea salad made by friend from yesterday and I made a spinach salad with pomegranate.  I was shocked to fine them in my supermarket this morning and bought three to celebrate!!!! Then as my friends second meeting was rescheduled we first worked to rearrange my apartment and she helped me to de clutter a few items.  I then started making hot hamburger sandwiches.  I know people have asked how to save money with meals etc, I think tonight's dinner was low cost, delicious and quick and easy.  Know, I used pre-made prime rib burgers that I got on sale, regular whole wheat bread and sweet potatoes.  I used a can of beef gravy...which came home with my from the grocery store and someone was given my can of coconut milk :( it a few months ago, and we used it to make hot hamburger sandwiches.


We panned friend the hamburgers than placed in the oven at 300 to keep warm.  


Sweet Potato Goodness


-3 medium sweet potatoes, sliced like coins
-1 small onion diced
-1 tablespoon chilipowder
-1/4 teaspoon cumin
-1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
-salt an pepper
-1 teaspoon tamari soya sauce
-1/4 cup white wine
-1 tablespoon brown sugar
-2 tablespoons parmesan cheese


In a large frying pan I sautéed Onions, sweet potatoes cut like coins in a dash olive oil on medium heat, once they had cooked for about five minutes I started to add the dry spices (Chili powder, cumin, mustard, pepper) I continued to cook until the sweet potatoes were beginning to brown, I added tamari, and the spash of white wine and allowed it to cook, at this point I found it spicy and knowing my friend I added some brown sugar and topped with parmesan cheese and served.

Yesterday (meal ideas)

Yesterday I was working and my friend sent me a message....I need some inspiration for dinner.  I have asparagus and 2 coloured carrots.  I suggested that she roast almonds dry in a frying pan with soya sauce and fresh ginger grated, when browned and removing almonds from heat to drizzle with maple syrup.  The asparagus to be panned fried with ginger soya sauce and maple syrup and top with roasted almonds.  I suggested chicken backed in oven with peppercorn goat cheese covered, he was unable to find peppercorn goat cheese but purchased herbed goat cheese.  The carrots she roasted in the oven with potatoes and spices...an amazing delicious meal with very little work...the roasted almonds covered with maple syrup is a favourite of mine.  Her dinner was delicious and I helped to inspire a home cooked meal to be shared with her and her soon to be hubby

Dinner at a friends

Am dining at a friends tonight, on the menu Scallops, salmon, spinach salad....so delicious.

Flank steak

So tonight had a few friends over for dinner.  I started marinating the steak at lunch time and it turned out amazing.  I also served asparagus with roasted red peppers and artichoke hearts and made I made rice.  My mango salsa and I made a fresh tomato salsa with avocado.  I also had fresh tomatoes stewing on the stove all day for my chicken parmesan that I am cooking tomorrow night.


Teresa's Flank Steak


-2/3 cup olive oil
-1/3 cup white balsamic vinegar
-salt & pepper
-1 tablespoon chili powder
-1/2 teaspoon thyme
-1 tablespoon tamari soy sauce
-3 tablespoons smoked mustard
-2 tablespoon maple syrup
-1/2 teaspoon cumin
-juice of 1 lemon

I scored meat with 1/2 inch deep cut about an inch apart.  I dry rubbed the spices, mustard and maple and let sit for an hour.  I then added the olive oil, vinegar, tamari and lemon juice and I let sit for several hours.  Broiled on high on top rack for 8 minutes and flipped over for another 8 minutes.  I have an apartment oven so maybe need less time depending on your oven.

Monday List of meals

Hello,

I know I didn't post over the weekend...was busy after work.  I am about to head out with a friend to do my shopping, I am thinking of trying a flank steak, chicken parmigiana.  The weather here in Toronto has been incredible, the flank steak should be BBQ'ed but living in an apartment it is impossible.  I haven't made oven baked flank steak so this is an experiment.

Life is series of moments....