Bruschetta with Gorgonzola Cheese and Honey

Bruschetta with Gorgonzola Cheese and Honey

Amy (amylz)
Giada De Laurentiis 6 servings.

36 slices (1/2-inch thick) baguette bread, about 1 loaf

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

8 ounces Gorgonzola, sliced

3 tablespoons honey

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange the sliced baguette on a baking sheet. Brush with olive oil. Bake until the bread is pale golden and crisp, about 10 minutes. Arrange the cheese on the toasts and bake until the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes. Drizzle the toasts with honey. Place on a serving platter and serve immediately.

Zesty Lime Shrimp and Avocado Salad

Zesty Lime Shrimp and Avocado Salad

1 lb jumbo cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined, chopped*
1 medium tomato, diced
1 hass avocado, diced
1 jalapeno, seeds removed, diced fine
1/4 cup chopped red onion
2 limes, juice of
1 tsp olive oil
1 tbsp chopped cilantro
salt and fresh pepper to taste

In a small bowl combine red onion, lime juice, olive oil, pinch of salt and pepper. Let them marinate at least 5 minutes to mellow the flavor of the onion.

In a large bowl combine chopped shrimp, avocado, tomato, jalapeño. Combine all the ingredients together, add cilantro and gently toss. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

Makes 3 1/2 cups.

*Weight after shrimp has been peeled.

From here.

Green Bean Fries with Wasabi Sauce

Green Bean Fries with Wasabi Sauce
Printable Version 

Wasabi Sauce
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1/2 cup peeled, seeded,chopped cucumber
1 tablespoon horseradish, drained
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
1-2 teaspoons wasabi
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Kosher salt

Beans
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 pound green beans, trimmed
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
1 cup instant flour
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 teaspoon onion powder teaspoon garlic powder
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Kosh er salt and freshly ground black pepper
Peanut or vegetable oil, for frying

For the dip, puree the dressing, cucumber, horseradish, milk, vinegar, wasabi, cayenne pepper, and salt to taste in a blender until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
To prepare the beans, fill a large bowl with ice water. Bring the broth to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Add the green beans and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove the beans with a slotted spoon and transfer to the ice water to stop the cooking. Let cool in the water, then drain and pat dry.
Whisk the egg and milk in a shallow bowl. Put 1/2 cup flour in another shallow bowl. Combine the breadcrumbs, the remaining 1/2 cup flour, the onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne, and salt and pepper to taste in another bowl.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss the green beans in the flour and shake off the excess. One at a time, dip the beans in the egg mixture, dredge in the breadcrumb mixture and lay on the prepared baking sheet. Freeze until the coating is set, about 30 minutes.
Heat 3 inches oil in a deep pot over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Fry the green beans in batches until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the beans with tongs or a skimmer to a rack or paper towels to drain. Serve with the dip.

Recipe from Food Network Magazine

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

For the shrimp:

2 pounds (12 to 15-count) shrimp
1 tablespoon good olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the sauce:

1/2 cup chili sauce (recommended: Heinz)
1/2 cup ketchup
3 tablespoons prepared horseradish
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Peel and devein the shrimp, leaving the tails on. Place them on a sheet pan with the olive oil, salt, and pepper and spread them in 1 layer. Roast for 8 to10 minutes, just until pink and firm and cooked through. Set aside to cool.

For the sauce, combine the chili sauce, ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Serve as a dip with the shrimp.

From here.

Ham and Cheese in Puff Pastry

Ham and Cheese in Puff Pastry

Ingredients:

1 package (2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, defrosted (recommended: Pepperidge Farm) 
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 
1/4 pound black forest ham, sliced 
1/2 pound Swiss Gruyere cheese, sliced 
1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
 
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place a piece of parchment paper on a sheet pan.

Lay 1 sheet of puff pastry on a floured board and carefully roll it out to 10 by 12 inches. Place it on a sheet pan and brush the center with the mustard, leaving a 1-inch border around the edge. Place a layer first of ham and then cheese, also leaving a 1-inch border. Brush the border with the egg wash.

Place the second sheet of puff pastry on the floured board and roll it out to 10 by 12inches. Place the second sheet on top of the filled pastry, lining up the edges. Cut the edges straight with a small, sharp knife and press together lightly. Brush the top with egg wash and cut a few slits in the top to allow steam to escape.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until puffed and golden brown. Allow to cool for a few minutes and serve hot or warm.

From here.