The Cabinet/Freezer Project: Smoked Trout, Horseradish and Green Apple Wraps

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I have started a new personal project. That project is to clean out both the cabinet and freezer of stuff that’s been in there quite a while and that I haven’t used yet. Step one, of course, is checking the dates (of the canned items at least). After that? Anything goes. And the first thing to go is the smoked trout.

After ascertaining that my can of smoked trout was still within it’s usable time period, I hunted for a recipe. Most of the interesting ones included some kind of smoked trout/apples/horseradish combination. Sounded good to me. As usual, jwa was skeptical, as he tends to be with meals that involve fish that we normally don’t eat often, but it ended happily.

Now, I will mention that I thought I had two tins of smoked trout, but then I remembered that I gave one away for the Postal Service food . . . → Read More: The Cabinet/Freezer Project: Smoked Trout, Horseradish and Green Apple Wraps

Super Foods Friday #3: Lentil Fritters with Yogurt Mint Sauce

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Today’s Super Foods recipe is a little like falafel — ‘cept it’s not. Instead of garbanzo beans it uses lentils. I was very surprised by the overall flavor difference, in that there was one. These have a nuttier taste and were very, very good. Even jwa expressed a surprised liking for these. That’s quite a recommendation as he typically does not get too excited about lentil recipes.

These were a little crumbly, so you probably don’t want to over stuff the pita. Two-three patties per each sandwich.

Next week, Sugar High Friday kicks Super Foods Friday to the curb.

Lentil Fritters with Yogurt Mint Sauce
From a recipe in Gourmet Magazine
1 1/4 cups lentils, picked over and rinsed
1/2 cup rolled oats
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp ground cumin
dash of red pepper flakes
1 large egg, beaten lightly
Olive oil for frying
6 pita pockets, split (or flat bread)
Spinach leaves
1 tomato, chopped
1/4 . . . → Read More: Super Foods Friday #3: Lentil Fritters with Yogurt Mint Sauce

The Schnitzelwich Put a Spell on Me

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Tábor
Downtown at SW 5th and Stark
503-997-5467

Mmmmmmm…schnitzelwich
Before I even tried Tábor, I thought it was the lunch cart with the most personality. The colorful Eastern European cottage facade, the music from the outdoor speakers … cute! After reading the little write up in Portland Magazine I finally managed to stop by for lunch and now I am in love with the schnitzelwich.

Breaded pork loin or chicken breast in a Ciabatta roll with lettuce, paprika spread, sautéed onion and horseradish $5.00.

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It is, first of all, huge. H-U-G-E. I eat half for lunch, wait an hour or so, then eat the rest because I loved the first half so much. Crispy chicken, caramelized onions and horseradish, you say? Fabulous. Sign me up.

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I need to try a few of the other items on the menu — the potato pancakes and chicken paprika are . . . → Read More: The Schnitzelwich Put a Spell on Me

Monte Christo Sandwiches: It’s Like Eating French Toast for Lunch (or Dinner)!

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When I was little, whenever we’d go out for lunch, I would get a Monte Christo sandwich. It was my absolute favorite. I think it was the, “I’m eating French Toast for lunch!!”, thrill of it all. Granted, this was a simpler time, long before Freedom Toast.

Recently, however, I was browsing thorugh the Food Network site and saw this recipe, originally featured on Sara’s Secrets — recipe from Mama’s on Washington Square, San Francisco, CA. So, grab a pan and some eggs, bread, meat and cheese and let’s make some freedom on a plate, San Francisco-style.

Monte Christo Sandiches (makes 2)
4 slices white bread
Mayonnaise, as needed
4 slices Gouda or Havarti
4 slices smoked turkey
2 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup milk
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp unsalted butter
Optional: Powdered sugar

Serving suggestion: Really good blackberry jam on the side.

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Using a knife, cut the crusts off the sandwich (this . . . → Read More: Monte Christo Sandwiches: It’s Like Eating French Toast for Lunch (or Dinner)!

Southeast Style Asian Turkey Burgers (with No Cheese!)

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I know! Blasphemy! Burgers without cheese is crazy talk. But these burgers don’t even need any cheese. Really. Besides, what kind of cheese would work here? The only kind I could think of was cream cheese. But again, no need. These burgers are great just like this.

I played with the herbs here — the original called for 1/4 cup mint, 1/4 cup basil and 1/4 cup cilantro. I used about 1 tbsp mint, 1/4 cup basil and 1/3 cup cilantro. I also add a few splashes of Worcestershire sauce. The original recipe is from Gourmet Magazine.

The burgers are garnished with a Asian cucumber slaw, just like the one I usually serve with Seared Tuna.

For pickled cucumbers
1/2 an English cucumber, peeled and diced
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp pickled ginger (optional) — if you have a container of sushi lying about, use the ginger in . . . → Read More: Southeast Style Asian Turkey Burgers (with No Cheese!)