20-minute clambake

BT Toronto | posted Wednesday, Aug 3rd, 2016

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Ingredients:

• 2 large or 3 medium shallots, cut into large wedges
• 6 garlic cloves
• 1 bottle of Sam Adams
• 1 cup water
• 1 1/2 pounds small new potatoes
• 1 pound hot dried chorizo, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• Coarse salt
• 3 lobsters (1 1/2 pounds each)
• 3lbs littleneck clams, scrubbed well
• 4 ears of corn, husked and halved
• 2 pounds mussels, debearded and scrubbed well
• 1 1/2 pounds large tiger shrimp (about 30), shell-on
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 lemons, halved
• 1 bunch of parsley, chopped
• 1 bunch of oregano, chopped
• Fresh seaweed, well rinsed, for layering (optional)

Method:

1. Combine onions, garlic, bottle of Sam Adams IPA and water in a 16-litre Dutch oven or stockpot. Cover with a layer of seaweed.
2. Add potatoes, chorizo, and 1 tablespoon salt. Bring to a boil.
3. Add lobsters; cook over high heat, covered, for 15 minutes.
4. Add clams and corn; cook, covered, for 5 minutes.
5. Add mussels and shrimp; cook, covered, until clams and mussels open and shrimp are cooked through, approximately 4 to 8 minutes.
6. Remove seafood, corn, potatoes, and chorizo using tongs, and transfer to large platter.
7. Discard seaweed and any unopened clams and mussels.
8. Strain liquid through a sieve into a bowl; add butter, swirling to melt add chopped parsley and oregano.
9. Squeeze lemons over clambake.

Courtesy of Chef Kevin Castonguay, owner of catering and events company ProvisionsTO

3 traditional Mexican recipes for Cinco de Mayo

BT Toronto | posted Thursday, May 5th, 2016

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Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with these three traditional recipes for Mexican street food from executive chef Elia Herrera of Toronto’s El Caballito.

Mushrooms al Ajillo

Ingredients:

100 g Oyster and Bottom Mushroom Mix

7 pc of sliced garlic

1 Guajillo pepper, sliced

1 large lime

1/3 cup olive oil

salt, to taste

Directions: 

1. Let the oil get hot in a pan

2. Add garlic and guajillo until is golden

3. Remove it from the oil

4. Add mushrooms until they get some color, add salt

5. Add the garlic and guajillo

6. Add lime juice

Ceviche Tradicional de Vera Cruz

Ingredients:

320 g fresh cod

125g onion, peeled

160g sherry vinegar

8g serrano peppers

150ml lime juice

20g coriander

1 1/4 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Dice the cod, onion, Serrano peppers and the coriander into 0.5 cm cubes.
2. Combine all the ingredients into a bowl and mix together.
3. Allow to cure for 2 hours.
4. Place in appropriate container and store in the fridge.

Guacamole

Ingredients:

14 pc avocado

87g chopped jalapeno

1/3 bunch chopped cilantro

585g chopped tomato

276g chopped onion

300ml lime juice

30g salt

Directions:

1. In mixing bowl combine all the diced ingredients.
2. Mix in the avocado flesh and combine in until mixed. Don’t over mix the avocado.
3. Season to taste.
4. Place in appropriate container and store in the fridge.

Recipes courtesy Elia Herrera, Executive Chef, El Caballito