Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Chef's Table "People Born on Your Birthday" - and the stupid satay sauce by Suzy

I call it stupid as in, "No, it's so good, it's STUPID! STOP IT! Suzy, you're a maniac with your stupid satay sauce!" I think it was the siracha. One can always blame the siracha ...



Hi guys,

This was the sauce recipe you asked for Joy and may wish to add to blog, Pam.
I used a natural peanut butter instead of the peanuts,
lime juice not tamarind, siracha sauce not cayenne and added some fresh cilantro.

Take care,
S.

From the website, http://thaifood.about.com/od/thaicurrypasterecipes/r/Easy-Satay-Sauce-Recipe.htm

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For an authentic satay sauce, try this easy Thai Satay Sauce recipe! While most Western versions of satay sauce are made with peanut butter, this one starts with real peanuts - and you'll taste the difference! At the same time, this is a very easy recipe to make - just throw everything into your blender or food processor and blitz. Satay sauce can be used for a variety of purposes, from a dip for chicken or beef satay to an Asian salad dressing or a dip for fresh rolls. Or use it to make a yummy cold noodle salad or as a marinade for grilled chicken or tofu (vegetarian instructions included). ENJOY!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Yield: SERVES 4-6 as a Dip

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup fresh-tasting dry roasted peanuts, unsalted
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp. dark soy sauce
  • 2 tsp. sesame oil
  • 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1 to 2 Tbsp. fish sauce, depending on desired saltiness/flavor - Vegetarians substitute 1.5 -2.5 Tbsp. regular soy sauce
  • 1/2 tsp. tamarind paste OR 1/2 Tbsp. lime juice
  • 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper, OR 1 tsp. Thai chili sauce (more or less to taste)
  • 1/3 cup coconut milk

Preparation:

  1. Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend or process until sauce is smooth. If you prefer a runnier peanut sauce, add a little more water or coconut milk.
  2. Do a taste test, adding more fish sauce (or soy sauce) if not salty enough, or more cayenne if not spicy enough. If too salty, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice. If you'd prefer it sweeter, add a little more sugar.
  3. Serve warm or at room temperature with my Thai Chicken Satay, Thai Pork Satay, or Vegetarian/Vegan Thai Satay. It also makes a great dip with fresh veggies, fresh rolls, or other Asian finger foods. Or combine with noodles to create a Thai-style noodle dish or cold noodle salad. Enjoy!
Note: This sauce tends to thicken as it sits - just add a little water or coconut milk to thin it out, as needed. Otherwise it stores well if kept covered in the refrigerator (keep up to 2 weeks; freeze thereafter).

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Our Classic Disney-themed Chef's Table. Phase 1: John's dish and recipe.

The always gracious and wonderful John Corona quickly shared his recipe with me a scant two days after our Disney-themed Chef's Table.  It is now about an hour from our next Chef's Table - and I am just now getting to post this.  I'm usually a lot better with posting things, but this summer has been a whirlwind.  So I do apologize.  The Disney theme may be in my all-time favorite Chef's Tables, so I will post more photos, even if people don't send me posts.
 
So, enough about me - how about John's magnificent dish?
 
 
 
Pam---

Thanks so much for sharing your home with us to host Chef's Table.  What a glorious time!

Could not have enough of your Earl Grey sugar cookies -- and Ben's melange of 4 different soups was tasty, and off-the-hook!

Below are the ingredients and brief directions for the Mango Salad with Pork Floss.

Pork Floss--this is the garnish

Basically -- roast pork tenderloin (325 per lb for 45-60 minutes or until interior is 165 degrees)
(Some will boil the tenderloin)
Shred the meat with a fork (some use two forks 'in opposition').
If you have a wok -- set heat at lowest setting and slowly heat until dry
Using a frying pan -- set heat at lowest setting and heat until dry..turning frequently
I used lime-infused olive oil which imparted a nice citrus flavor to the meat.

Lime-Honey Dressing

After completely removing the rind, puree 5 key limes.
This should provide 3/4 to 1 cup of pulpy liquid
To this add equal parts (3/4 cup to 1 cup)
     Vinegar ( I used Rice Wine Vinegar)
     Honey (plain, clover honey)
     Olive Oil (I used lime-infused olive oil)

To this I added regular sugar (up to 3 table spoons)...then emulsified with a blender
After refrigerating over night...give container a good shake to re-mix

Lay a bed of-
    1 leaf Butter Lettuce
    2 leaves Spinach
    2 leaves Basil

Sprinkle with a tablespoon of pork floss
Add 2 tablespoons of diced mango
Drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of dressing over all

Happy Days!

John