Avocado and Mango Salad with Tequila-lime Vinaigrette

February 10, 2010.   Categories Chef Viviane Banquet Farre, Light / Healthy, Salads, Seasonal Vegetables.

Avocado and Mango Salad with Tequila-lime Vinaigrette

  Avocado and Mango Salad with Tequila-Lime Vinaigrette Recipe and photo reprinted with permission by Viviane Banquet Farre www.foodandstyle.wordpress.com serves 4 For the vinaigrette 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lime zest (use a microplane grater) 1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest (use a microplane grater) 2 teaspoons lime juice 1 tablespoon Gold or Reposado Tequila 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar 3 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin...

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Quinoa Salad With Pecans, Green Herbs, and Grilled Salmon

January 19, 2010.   Categories Appetizers, Chef Rima Olvera, Contributing Chefs, Light / Healthy, Salads, Seafood.

Quinoa Salad With Pecans, Green Herbs and Grilled Salmon by Chef Rima Olvera of “Duet” www.rimaolvera.com My good friend Rima Olvera was kind enough to share one of her recipes with me.  She continues to surprise me with her ability to make her food unique and complex with flavors by combining simple and fresh ingredients.  For all of us who indulged a little too much over the holidays . . . this dish is an ideal...

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Cranberry Chutney with Figs

November 15, 2009.   Categories Chef Viviane Banquet Farre, Christmas, Fabulous Side Dishes, Light / Healthy, Thanksgiving Dinner, Vegetarian.

Cranberry Chutney with Figs

Cranberry Chutney with Figs Recipe and photo reprinted with permission by Viviane Banquet Farre www.foodandstyle.wordpress.com makes 2 cups For the figs 4 oz dried California or Turkish figs (about 1/2 cup) – cut in 1/4” pieces 2 tablespoons Cointreau 2 tablespoons orange juice For the chutney 1 1/4 cup apple or grape juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1/2 cup organic sugar 2 cinnamon sticks 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger (use...

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Maple-Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts

November 15, 2009.   Categories Chef Viviane Banquet Farre, Christmas, Fabulous Side Dishes, Fall, Light / Healthy, Seasonal Vegetables, Thanksgiving Dinner, Vegetarian, Winter.

Maple-Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts

Maple–Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts Recipe and photo reprinted with permission by Viviane Banquet Farre www.foodandstyle.wordpress.com serves 8 1 tablespoon sea salt for the blanching water 2 lbs Brussels Sprouts – ends trimmed and cut in half 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons maple syrup 6 oz roasted chestnuts in jars – broken in 1/2” pieces (use your fingers) 3 large...

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Lime and Ginger Grilled Prawns with Cilantro-Garlic Butter

October 21, 2009.   Categories Light / Healthy, Restaurant Recipes, Seafood.

Lime and Ginger Grilled Prawns with Cilantro-Garlic Butter

Lime and Ginger Grilled Prawns with Cilantro-Garlic Butter Recipe and photos by The Albion River InnMendocino Coast, California www.albionriverinn.com This is my favorite dinner entree at The Albion River Inn on the Mendocino coast.  It is almost impossible not to order this every time I am there for dinner.  They usually serve it over a bed of Jasmine rice.  It’s simple, yet packed with flavor! ...

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Smoked Turkey Breast with Spiced Chutneys and Yogurt Cucumber Sauce

October 7, 2009.   Categories Chef David Wells, Contributing Chefs, Light / Healthy, Poultry, Sauces / Gravy, Smoking / Grilling.

Smoked Turkey Breast with Spiced Chutneys and Yogurt Cucumber Sauce

 Turkey Breast with Spiced Chutneys and Yogurt Sauce Recipe and Photo by Chef David Wells – Grandma Dave www.grandmadave.com Recently, Chef David Wells (Grandma Dave) prepared this dish for a benefit for several cancer organizations in California.  It was received with rave reviews. . . and it’s no wonder!  That day he slow smoked his turkey breast and served it with an interesting layer of flavors including two...

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