Seared Chicken Thighs with Coconut, Tamarind and Spiced Vegetables

Watch me make this on my YouTube Channel!

Yield: 4 servings

1¾ teaspoons kosher salt, divided

1 teaspoon neutral oil, such as grapeseed oil

2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, excess fat trimmed and pat dry

2 tablespoons minced garlic, grated on a Microplane

2 tablespoons minced ginger, grated on a Microplane

2 teaspoons cumin seed

1 teaspoon coriander seed

1 teaspoon brown mustard seed

¼ teaspoon ground turmeric

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 medium yellow onions, peeled, halved and thinly sliced lengthwise

3 large carrots, peeled and medium diced

3 medium delicata squash (2 pounds), ends trimmed, halved lengthwise, seeded and sliced into 1/3-inch half moons

1 (5.4-ounce) can coconut cream

3 tablespoons tamarind concentrate

1 teaspoon dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice

½ cup fresh cilantro leaves

Season the chicken all over with 1 teaspoon of salt.

Adjust an oven rack to the middle-lower position and preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

Open a few windows and/or turn on the oven hood/fan; it might get a little smoky!

Heat a heavy 5.5 quart Dutch oven over medium-high until hot, then add the oil. It will most likely start to smoke. Swirl the pan to distribute the oil and place the chicken thighs skin side down in the pan. Cook until the skin turns golden brown, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Remove chicken and transfer to a plate, skin side up.

Reduce heat to medium. Add the garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, mustard seed, turmeric, cayenne and black pepper. Stir continuously until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.

Add the onion, carrots, squash and ½ teaspoon salt. Stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions begin to soften, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.

Remove from heat and place the chicken atop the vegetables, skin side up.

Transfer to the oven and cook, uncovered, until the thighs reach an internal temperature of at least 175 degrees, approximately 30 minutes.

While the chicken is cooking, add the coconut cream, tamarind, brown sugar, lime juice and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt to a small bowl. Stir to combine until the brown sugar and salt have dissolved. Set aside.

After 30 minutes, remove the Dutch oven from the oven. Transfer the chicken to a plate, skin side up. Stir the coconut tamarind sauce into the vegetables.

To serve, add a scoop of vegetables to a shallow bowl. Top with cilantro leaves, followed by a chicken thigh (skin side up).

Pan Seared Salmon with Dijon Crème Fraiche and Lentil Frisée Salad

Yield: 4 servings

Lentils:

1 cup beluga lentils, rinsed well and drained

3 cups vegetable stock

1 dried bay leaf

5 sprigs fresh thyme

Mix the lentils with the stock, bay leaf, and thyme in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring the saucepan to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for approximately 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are cooked through but not mushy. Drain. Discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaf.

Vinaigrette:

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

3 tablespoon red wine or sherry vinegar

⅛ teaspoon kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

In a small container with a tight fitting lid, combine the vinaigrette ingredients, close the lid tightly, and shake well to combine. Or, whisk to combine the ingredients in a small bowl.

Salad:

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 small yellow onion, peeled and diced small (⅔ cup)

2 medium carrots, peeled and grated (1 cup)

4 large garlic cloves, peeled and minced (1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon) 

¼ teaspoon ground cumin

¼ cup roughly chopped fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley

2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh mint

1 small head frisée, rinsed and dried, chopped or torn into bite-size pieces (2 cups)

Kosher salt, to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Add the olive oil, onions and carrots to a medium sate pan over medium-low. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the garlic and cumin and cook until fragrant, 1 minute.

In a large bowl, combine the contents of the sauté pan along with the lentils.

Grab the vinaigrette and give one more good shake or whisk, then pour it over the warm salad and gently mix with a large spoon.

Fold in the parsley, mint and frisée. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Salmon:

1 pound salmon fillet, 1½ inches thick, skin on, cut into 4 equal pieces

1 tablespoon lemon zest (zest of 3 lemons), grated on a Microplane

2 teaspoons roughly chopped fresh thyme

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon unsalted butter

Kosher salt, to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Pat the salmon dry, then pat the non-skin side with the lemon zest and chopped thyme, season lightly with salt and pepper, and allow the salmon to sit for 30 minutes at room temperature.

Heat a large sauté pan over high heat until hot; add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the butter to the sauté pan. The butter will bubble up, turn brown and perhaps even smoke. Swirl the sauté pan to distribute, then add the salmon, skin side up.

Cook for 1 minute, flip to skin side down and continue cooking for 30 seconds.

Cover the sauté pan and immediately push the sauté pan off the heat. Turn off the heat and allow the salmon to rest undisturbed for 15 minutes.

Dijon Crème Fraîche:

1 tablespoon whole-grain Dijon mustard

¼ cup crème fraîche

Place the mustard and crème fraîche in a small bowl and stir until combined.

Serve salmon topped with a dollop of Dijon crème fraîche and on a bed of the lentil frisee salad.

Note: I recommend preparing this recipe in the following way in order to maximize your time. Cook lentils first. While lentils are cooking, make the vinaigrette, followed by the Dijon crème fraiche. Start the salmon and then work on the salad. And, as always, mise out/prep your ingredients first!

Lemony Spaghetti with Cannellini Beans, Arugula and Brown Butter Breadcrumbs

Watch me make this on my YouTube Channel!

Yield: 4 servings

Brown Butter Breadcrumbs:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

¾ cup panko

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

In a medium sauté pan, over medium heat, heat the butter until it foams up, subsides, and begins to turn golden brown.

Add the panko, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until the breadcrumbs are toasted, approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Set aside.

Lemony Spaghetti:

2 tablespoons + ½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided

½ pound spaghetti

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 large shallot, peeled and diced small

10 large garlic cloves, peeled and minced

¼ teaspoon red pepper (chili) flakes

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon lemon zest, zested on a Microplane

1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 small bunch fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley leaves, roughly chopped

1 packed cup baby arugula

¾ cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano (not pre-grated)

Add 16 cups water to a large pot. Add 2 tablespoons salt and bring to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti to the boiling salted water and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente (almost done, or “to the tooth”).

While the pasta is cooking, in a Dutch oven, add the remaining ½ teaspoon kosher salt, butter, olive oil, shallot, garlic, red pepper flakes, black pepper, lemon zest and beans. Place over medium-low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallot is translucent and the garlic is fragrant, approximately 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

When the pasta is al dente, lift the pasta out of the water with tongs, and add it to the Dutch oven. Add in 1 cup of pasta water and the lemon juice. Stir until the liquid has thickened. Add in the parsley and arugula and stir to combine. If you feel that the sauce has gotten too thick, add additional pasta water.

Serve immediately by dividing the pasta among bowls and topping each serving with generous helpings of breadcrumbs and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.

Coconut Lemongrass Wild Salmon

Coconut Lemongrass Wild Salmon

Enjoy this recipe recently featured in Clean Eating Magazine! Photo by Ronald Tsang.

Yield: 4 servings

1 large shallot, peeled and diced small (3 tablespoons)

6 3-inch pieces lemongrass, bruised with the back of a knife

1 large 3-inch piece of fresh ginger (3-ounces), peeled and cut into 1/8-inch slices

3 medium garlic cloves, peeled and crushed with the back of a knife

2 large makrut lime leaves, ribs removed

1 small Thai chili, cut in half widthwise

1 13.5-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk (not lite, no guar gum)

1 cup water

1 cup low sodium chicken stock

8 ounces grape tomatoes, halved (approximately 25 grape tomatoes)

½ teaspoon kosher salt, divided, plus more to taste

1¾ pound head cauliflower, core and leaves discarded, cut into bite-sized florets

8 ounces baby bok choy, cleaned and quartered

1¼ pound skin-on wild sockeye salmon, 1-inch thick, pin bones removed and cut into 4 equal sized pieces *

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice

In a large pot (which fits a steamer basket), add the shallot, lemongrass, ginger, garlic, lime leaves, chili, coconut milk, water, chicken stock, grape tomatoes and ¼ teaspoon salt.

Insert steamer basket. Add cauliflower in an even layer to basket.

Cover with a lid. Turn heat to high and set a timer for 25 minutes.

Once you see steam, reduce heat to medium-low.

After 25 minutes, remove the insert (careful, hot!) and transfer to a plate. (Heat is still set to medium-low.) Add the bok choy evenly atop the cauliflower. On top of the bok choy, add the salmon pieces, evenly spaced, skin side down. Season the salmon with ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper.

Re-insert the steamer basket, cover with a lid and set a timer for 4 minutes. After 4 minutes, your salmon should be opaque and lighter in color. Turn off the heat.

Remove steam basket and place on plate again. Add the lime juice to the steaming liquid, stir and season to taste with salt as needed. Strain liquid, pressing on the solids with the back of a spoon to get all the delicious broth!

To serve, place some cauliflower and bok choy in the center of a shallow bowl. Remove skin if you prefer and place salmon filet on top of the steamed vegetables. Spoon over ¼ cup of the broth per bowl.

*Salmon note * If your salmon has a slight fishy smell to it – not a problem, give it a quick rinse in cold water and pat it dry.

Radicchio & Ricotta Linguine

Radicchio & Ricotta Linguine

Enjoy this recipe recently featured in Clean Eating Magazine! Photo by Ronald Tsang.

 

Yield: 4 servings

1½ tablespoons + ½ teaspoon kosher salt, divided, plus more to taste

½ pound whole wheat linguini

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

5 large cloves garlic, peeled and minced (2 tablespoons)

4 large shallots, peeled and diced small (3/4 cup)

1½ teaspoons ground fennel

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

1 cup whole milk ricotta

½ cup packed freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for serving (1.75 ounces)

½ small head of radicchio, cored and sliced into 1/8-inch thick slices (2 packed cups) (5-ounces)

½ cup toasted walnuts, chopped roughly

½ cup packed roughly chopped fresh flat leaf Italian parsley

 

Bring a small pot of water and 1½ tablespoons of salt to a rolling boil. Once the water has come to a rolling boil, stir the linguini into the boiling salted water and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente (almost done, or “to the tooth”). Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining. When pasta is done, turn off heat, drain pasta and return to the original pot and cover with a lid to keep warm.

Meanwhile, while the pasta is cooking, in a medium saucepan, add the olive oil, garlic and shallots and place over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots just begin to brown, approximately 5 minutes. Add the fennel and black pepper and stir continuously for 1 minute.

Remove from the heat and carefully stir in ¾ cups of the reserved pasta water. Add the lemon juice, cream, ricotta, Parmigiano-Reggiano and remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Whisk until ricotta is fully incorporated.

Add the sauce to the cooked pasta followed by the radicchio, walnuts and parsley. Stir until sauce thickens slightly and all the linguini is well coated. If the sauce is too thick, loosen with the remaining ¼ cup reserved pasta water. Divide onto plates, top with additional Parmigiano-Reggiano and serve immediately.

Dragon Fruit Salad with Lemony Chicken & Butternut Purée

Dragon Fruit Salad with Lemony Chicken & Butternut Purée

Enjoy this recipe recently featured in Clean Eating Magazine. Photo by Ronald Tsang.

 

Yield: 4 servings

Carrot Ginger Puree:

4 cups water

1 pound peeled and medium diced (1/2-inch) butternut squash (3 1/3 cups)

1 pound peeled and thinly sliced (1/4-inch discs) carrots (2 1/3 cups)

2 teaspoons peeled and grated fresh ginger, (grated on a Microplane)

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 20 small cubes (each tablespoon quartered)

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

¾ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

 

In a large pot (which fits a steamer basket), add 4 cups water. Insert steamer basket and add squash and carrots to the basket. Cover with a lid and turn heat to high. Once steaming, reduce heat to medium and steam for 20 minutes. Carefully transfer steamed veggies to a blender and add ginger, butter, orange juice, lemon juice, salt and pepper and blend on medium low until smooth. Keep covered until service.

 

Roasted Chicken:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2½ teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme

2 teaspoons grated and finely chopped lemon zest, grated on a Microplane

 

Adjust an oven rack to the top position and preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pat the chicken thighs dry and coat with olive oil on both sides. Season the thighs evenly (both sides) with salt and pepper followed by the thyme and lemon zest.

Line a sheet pan with foil and evenly space the chicken thighs on the sheet pan. Place, uncovered, in the oven.

Cook until the thighs reach an internal temperature between 165 and 170 degrees Fahrenheit, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer the chicken thighs to a cutting board to rest for 10 minutes, loosely covered with foil, before slicing chicken into ½-inch strips.

 

Dragon Fruit Salad:

1 medium shallot, peeled and diced small (3 tablespoons)

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 dragon fruit (1 pound), peeled and diced into ¼-inch pieces (2 cups)

1 medium apple (6-ounces) (preferably Braeburn, Fuji, or Honeycrisp), unpeeled, cored, quartered and thinly sliced (1/16-inch slices)

¼ pound frisée, cut into 2-inch pieces (2¼ packed cups)

10 medium fresh mint leaves, finely chopped (1 tablespoon)

1/3 cup pomegranate seeds

1/3 cup roughly chopped toasted almonds

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

 

Place all ingredients in a medium bowl and gently fold to combine.

To serve, scoop ¾ cup of the puree into large shallow bowls. Top puree with 1 cup of the salad and arrange sliced chicken on top.

Summer Squash Salad with Pecorino Romano and Capers

Watch me make this on my YouTube Channel!

Yield: 6 servings

Vinaigrette:

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 medium shallot, peeled and diced finely (3 tablespoons)

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Salad:

3 small zucchini or summer squash (mix of both, preferably)

Kosher salt, to taste

1 tablespoon capers, rinsed and drained

Pecorino Romano or Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, not pre-grated, for serving

¼ cup roughly chopped fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley

1. In a small container with a tight fitting lid, combine the vinaigrette ingredients, close the lid tightly, and shake well to combine. Or, whisk to combine the ingredients in a small bowl.

2. Using a mandoline or your vegetable peeler, carefully slice the zucchini lengthwise into 1/16-inch thick slices lengthwise. The slices will resemble wide pasta noodles. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

3. Place the zucchini in a medium bowl.

4. Whisk the olive oil into the shallot mixture and add the capers. On a plate, loosely arrange some zucchini slices into a small pile, then spoon some of the caper vinaigrette over the top.

5. Lastly, using a vegetable peeler, top with some shavings of cheese and some of the parsley.

Herb Grilled Rockfish with Lemon Garlic Potatoes

Memorial Day is coming, so fire up that grill because this is one heck of a recipe and it’s using one of my favorite sustainable seafoods – rockfish! The resurgence of (West Coast) rockfish is the ultimate success story when it comes to sustainable seafood. You can read all about how local government and conservation groups brought this fishery back to life so we can now enjoy this delicious fish! Use Seafood Watch  (download the app on your smartphone) to locate the best choice for rockfish at your local grocery store / fish market and grill away! (P.S. You can watch me cook this on TV in a spot I did with Seattle Refined to educate people about the Seafood Watch App)

Herb Grilled Rockfish with Lemon Garlic Potatoes

Yields: 4 servings

 

Lemon Garlic Potatoes:

1½ pounds peewee or small fingerling potatoes

6 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed

7 sprigs fresh thyme

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

5 ¼-inch slices of lemon (reserve leftover lemon for grilling)

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for coating the grill

 

Preheat a grill to medium-high. Once hot, clean the grill, then, using tongs, lightly dip a cloth in olive oil and wipe to coat the grill rack.

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and toss to combine. Place potatoes in the center of a large sheet of aluminum foil. Create a well sealed pouch ensuring that the potatoes are laying flat and not stacked on top of each other so they all cook evenly.

Place on the grill and cook for 20 minutes, shaking the bag every 5 minutes.

Remove from grill and open pouch carefully (hot!). Use a fork to test potatoes for doneness (fork should pierce through the potato easily). Season to taste with additional salt and pepper.

 

Rockfish:

1½ pounds rockfish, pin bones removed, cut into 4 equal sized pieces

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for coating the lemons

¾ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon lemon zest (zest of 3 lemons), grated on a Microplane, chopped finely

¼ cup packed fresh Italian parlsey leaves, chopped finely

¼ cup packed fresh mint leaves, chopped finely

¼ cup packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped finely

2 lemons (plus the remaining lemon from the potato recipe), halved

 

Pat the rockfish dry (all sides). Next, coat the rockfish with olive oil (all sides), then season both sides with salt and pepper. Finally, season the fish (all sides) with the lemon zest and chopped herbs.

Rub the flesh side of the lemons with enough olive oil to coat.

With the grill on medium-high, place the lemons, flesh side down on the grill. Cook for approximately 4 minutes (this will time out perfectly while cooking the rockfish).

Place the rockfish on the grill. Cook until the edges of the fish begin to turn opaque, approximately 2 minutes. Flip rockfish and continue cooking for 1½ to 2 minutes, until fish just begins to flake at the thickest point.

Remove fish and lemons from the grill.

To serve, evenly divide the potatoes onto plates, top with the grilled rockfish and add a grilled lemon half to each plate.

Spaghetti with Spicy Sausage Marinara

Keep things hot and spicy this Winter!

Spaghetti with Spicy Sausage Marinara

Yield: Serves 4

 

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

½ pound spicy Italian pork sausage

2 large yellow onions, peeled and diced small (3 cups)

12 large garlic cloves, peeled and chopped roughly (¼ cup)

3 tablespoons tomato paste

1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, undrained, preferably fire-roasted

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh oregano

2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped finely

1 dried bay leaf

¼ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning

⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning

⅛ teaspoon crushed red chile pepper (chile flakes), or to taste

½ teaspoon ground fennel seed

¾ pound spaghetti

¼ cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, not pre-grated

¼ cup flat-leaf Italian parsley leaves

 

For the pasta, bring a small pot of water to a rolling boil.

Add the olive oil, sausage, and onions to a medium saucepan and cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent, breaking up the sausage into small pieces with the back of a wooden spoon as it cooks.

Add the garlic, stir and cook until fragrant, 1 minute.

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 3 minutes more.

Add the remaining ingredients and continue cooking, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, reducing the heat to low and stirring more often as the sauce thickens.

Once thick, remove the bay leaf and, season to taste with salt and pepper.

For the pasta, once the water has come to a rolling boil, add 2 tablespoons kosher salt. Stir the penne into the boiling salted water and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente (almost done, or “to the tooth”). Drain (do not rinse), reserving 1/3 cup of the pasta water. Toss pasta with spicy marinara sauce, adding some of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce, if needed.

Divide onto plates and top with the freshly grated cheese and parsley.

Recipe: Spiced Catfish Tacos with Chipotle Crema and Pickled Shallots

Today I did a Facebook LIVE from the Clean Eating Magazine Facebook page and made my Sustainable Spiced Catfish Tacos with Chipotle Crema and Pickled Shallots. In case you missed the LIVE, you can still watch me cook (or cook alongside me) the tacos here:

And for those of you who want the recipe, I’ve included it for your dining pleasure!

Spiced Catfish Tacos with Chipotle Crema and Pickled Shallots
Yield: 8 tacos

Pickled Shallots
6 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ pound shallots, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch slices
½ cup + 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar

Place shallots in a medium bowl.

Heat water, sugar and salt together in a small saucepan until sugar and salt are dissolved. Pour over shallots and add vinegar. Stir together.

Let sit until taco time!

Chipotle Crema:
¼ cup organic sour cream
1½ teaspoons adobo sauce
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

Mix to combine ingredients together in a small bowl.

Catfish:
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1½ teaspoons kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound skinless catfish fillets (approximately 6 filets)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided.

In a small bowl, mix to combine the cumin, coriander, salt and pepper.

Pat catfish fillets dry with a paper towel. Season the fish on both sides evenly with the spice mix.

Place 1 tablespoon of butter in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Heat until the butter bubbles up, turns brown and perhaps even smokes, approximately 2 minutes. Swirl the pan so the butter coats the bottom of the pan.

Gently add three of the catfish fillets to the pan. Cook for 2 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Remove fillets from pan and transfer to a paper towel lined sheet tray or plate. Wipe the pan clean with a paper towel and repeat the process with the remaining fish. Flake the fish into bite-sized pieces.

Assembling the Taco:
8 corn tortillas, warmed through
2 avocados, pitted and sliced
½ cup shredded purple cabbage
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
2 limes, quartered

Smear a dollop of chipotle crema on a corn tortilla. Top with a few slices of avocado. Add some catfish, cabbage, pickled shallot and cilantro. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lime. Eat. Repeat.