chicken cacciatore with red wine and herbs

Cacciatore means “hunter” in Italian. “Hunter-style” refers to dishes made with the hunters catch of the day, such as rabbit or chicken, with tomatoes, onions, herbs, bell peppers and sometimes wine. The northern Italian chefs often used white wine in this dish, whereas in southern Italy, red wine is often used.

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Chicken Cacciatore with Red Wine and Herbs
This classic Italian dish is perfect on a cold winter night with a good red wine and some crusty bread.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Salt and pepper the chicken on both sides. Sauté in olive oil over medium heat until light brown on each side. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  2. Add the bell pepper, onion, and garlic, crushed red pepper, and oregano and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Add the tomatoes with their juice, chicken stock, red wine, capers and oregano. Return the chicken to the pan and coat in the sauce. Add the rosemary. Bring the sauce to a simmer over low heat and cook for about 10 minutes. Transfer to a platter, sprinkle with basil and serve.
Recipe Notes

Serve this with pasta and some good crusty bread to sop up the sauce with. © Galley Chef All Rights Reserved

POTATOES DAUPHINOISE, A FRENCH TRADITION

The humble potato originated in  Peru  and the  extreme  western portion  of Bolivia.   It is an essential crop in Europe (especially eastern and central Europe), where per capita production is still the highest in the world, but the most rapid expansion over the past few decades has occurred in southern and eastern Asia. China is now the world’s largest potato-producing country, and nearly a third of the world’s potatoes are harvested in China and India.

Floury, or mealy russet (baking) potatoes have more starch (20–22%) than waxy (boiling) potatoes (16–18%) and are better for  baking or making french fries.   The best varieties for potato salad are Yellow Finn, Yukon Gold, and red potatoes. Their high moisture content will give them a more pleasant texture when cold, and their waxier flesh holds up better to chopping and to tossing with dressing than drier, potatoes, like Russets. Fingerling potatoes are low in starch and tend to be good for potato salads as well as roasting.

In conclusion, before you make your next potato dish, give some thought to which potato will work best for the texture you are trying to achieve.

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Potatoes Dauphinoise, a French Tradition
A creamy, nutty potato side dish elegant enough to impress the most discerning individual, yet rustic enough to serve any time.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine French
Cook Time 1 hour
Passive Time 12 hours
Servings
Course Side Dish
Cuisine French
Cook Time 1 hour
Passive Time 12 hours
Servings
Instructions
  1. Finely slice the potatoes using a mandoline and set aside in water until ready to use. Combine the cream, milk, nutmeg, garlic and a pinch of salt and pepper in a large saucepan and bring to the boil. Once boiling, remove from the heat and set aside. Strain the water off the potatoes and layer inside a small oven dish lined with parchment paper, sprinkling gruyere cheese between each layer and being sure to overlap each layer as you go. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Pour enough of the cream mixture over the potatoes to cover and bake in the oven for 45 minutes or until slightly golden on top and tender through the middle. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Weigh down with butter, cheese or any other heavy square object and set aside in the fridge to press for up to 12 hours. Reheat the potato dauphinoise in the oven set to 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Divide into portions and serve immediately as a side dish.
Recipe Notes

* Make this a day in advance and reheat for your party. For a variation, layer with cooked mushrooms and truffle cheese. © Galley Chef All Rights Reserved

SALMON TARTARE

This recipe is compliments of Chef Mo Khan of Shooter’s Waterfront in Fort Lauderdale.  It is one of his favorite menu items.

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Salmon Tartare
Wild Scottish salmon, frisee, shallots, chives, citrus vinaigrette, potato gaufrettes
Course Appetizers
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
For the Salmon Tartare
For the Potato Gaufrettes
Course Appetizers
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
For the Salmon Tartare
For the Potato Gaufrettes
Instructions
For the Salmon Tartare
  1. Dice salmon. Add shalllots, chives, citrus vinaigrette. Spoon mix into a mold. Top with dressed frisee and potato gaufrettes.
For the Potato Gaufrettes
  1. Criss cross peeled potato on mandoline slicer and place directly into water to prevent browning and remove starch. Fry at 350 degrees until golden brown.
Recipe Notes

© Galley Chef All Rights Reserved

SHRIMP PERNOD WITH SPINACH CAKES

Pernod is an anise-flavoured, or black licorice flavoured liqueur.  This beverage becomes cloudy when diluting over ice because it is  aniseed-based. It contains oils called  terpeness, which are soluble in an aqueous solution that contains 30% ethanol or more by volume. When the solution is diluted to below 30% ethanol, the terpenes become insoluble causing the beverage to become cloudy.

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Shrimp Pernod with Spinach Cakes
A restaurant-quality dish with a creamy sauce and a hint of licorice flavor.
Course Main Dish
Prep Time 45 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Course Main Dish
Prep Time 45 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Instructions
For the Shrimp Pernod
  1. Combine ½ teaspoon salt, cayenne and garlic powder and rub the shrimp with it. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute the shrimp for 3 minutes. Add the onions, celery and garlic and sauté for 2 or 3 more minutes. Add the pernod and cook for 1 minute. Add the parsley and cream and bring to a boil. Season to taste.
For the Spinach Cake
  1. Heat the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add ¼ cup of flour. Stir constantly for 5 to 6 minutes to make a blond roux the color of sandpaper. Add the onions and cook, stirring for about 2 minutes until slightly wilted. Add the milk and stir until the mixture thickens. Add the spinach, salt, cayenne, pepper, nutmeg and garlic and cook stirring for about 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Add bread crumbs, parmigiano reggiano, and Pernod and mix well. Let cool for about 30 minutes.
  2. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and shape into patties. Heat the oil in a non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Combine the remaining ¼ cup flour and the rub. Dredge the patties, coating evenly in the flour. Fry the cakes for about 2 minutes on each side until golden. Transfer to a warm platter. Spoon shrimp and sauce over the cakes and serve.
Recipe Notes

Shape the spinach cakes a day in advance, dredge in flour and refrigerate until ready to fry. © Galley Chef All Rights Reserved