This Old Chef

OK...  You'll need to bear with me.

I have written plays that have been performed from coast to coast.

I've written food articles for national publications (Everyday with Rachael Ray, Great American Home…

TEMPURA LOBSTER TACOS with JERK SPICED SOUR CREAM

(Serves 6 - 1 taco per person)

Ingredients:

3, 5-6 oz. frozen lobster tails, defrosted, and carefully removed from shells

6 Large tortillas

Shredded cabbage or lettuce

½ C Sour cream

2…

(Serves 6)

Ingredients:

2 T oil

½ lb. Crawfish tails (defrosted if frozen)

8 T Unsalted butter

1 Medium shallot, chopped

½ t Tomato paste

2 T Cognac

1½ C Fish or shellfish stock

1 C Heavy cream

⅔ lb…

(Serves 6-8)

Ingredients: 

1 lb. Crawfish (defrosted if frozen)

8 T Unsalted butter

8 T AP flour

1 C Onion, diced fine (1 small onion)

2 Ribs celery, diced fine

1 C green pepper, diced fine

4 T minced garlic

…

(Serves 6)

Ingredients:

6 Poblano peppers

½ lb. Crab meat

⅓ C each:  Finely minced shallot, celery, and bell pepper (red, yellow, orange)

5 T Unsalted butter

1 t Lemon zest

½ t Salt

½ t Paprika

⅛ t Black…

(Serves 8)

Ingredients:

2 T Jerk spice 

1 C Mayonnaise

½ C Dill, chopped

Juice of 1 lime

¼ t minced habañero or scotch bonnet pepper (or more if you dare!)

8 ½ pound pieces of catfish

Oil for frying

…

(Serves 6)

Prep time:  5 minutes

Cooking time:  20 minutes

Ingredients:

1 Dozen hard-boiled eggs, peeled, split, yolks removed

⅓ C Low-fat yogurt, drained overnight

⅓ C Mayonnaise

1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh dill

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

¼ tsp…

(Makes 24 eggs)

Prep time:  10 minutes

Cooking time:  15 minutes

Ingredients:

12 hard cooked eggs, split, yolks removed

⅓ C Hummus

⅓ C Mayonnaise

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 Tbsp. capers, drained, rinsed, and chopped

1 tsp. Kosher salt

…

(Serves 6)

Prep Time:  30 minutes

Ingredients:         

1 Large can (1 pound 13 ounces) chickpeas

1 Garlic clove, minced

½  C Tahini (well stirred)

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

¾ tsp. salt

½ tsp. black pepper

In a food processor, combine…

(Makes 4 Cups)

Prep time:  10 minutes

Cook time:  5 minutes

Ingredients:

1 29 oz. can red beans, drained and rinsed

½ C Sour Cream

2 Tbsp. garlic (approximately 4 cloves) chopped

2 Tbsp. EVOO

1 tsp. Tabasco, or more…

(Serves 6-8... or just me!)

This is my version… not totally traditional...

3-4 lbs. Russet potatoes, peeled and cut in similarly sized chunks

¼ to ½ Head green cabbage, cored and sliced thin

Salt and pepper

Heavy cream

Chives, minced…

(Serves 4-6)

2 C Flat leaf parsley

½ C Basil leaves

½ C Toasted walnuts

1-2 T Chopped garlic

½-¾ C EVOO

½ C Grated Parmesan Cheese

1 lb. Pasta

Kosher salt

Pepper

1.  In a food processor, or using…