Miso-Marinated Black Cod From “Nobu: The Cookbook”

Nobu Black Cod

Nobu Black Cod

For those of you who’ve been fortunate enough to dine at Nobu: you’re welcome for this recipe!  For those of you who haven’t: enjoy!

Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup Mirin
  • ½ cup Sake
  • 2 cups White miso paste
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 4 Black cod fillets, ½ lb. each
  • 4 Hajikami stalks

Directions:

Bring mirin and sake to boil in saucepan over high heat; boil 20 seconds to evaporate alcohol.

Reduce heat and add miso paste. Stir, increase heat and add sugar, stirring until dissolved. Cool.

Pat cod fillets dry and coat with miso mixture. Marinate 2 to 3 days, refrigerated.

Lightly wipe off miso but do not rinse. Put under broiler or hot grill until surface browns. Remove to preheated 400F oven and cook until done.

Place fish on plates and garnish with hajikami and miso mixture

Yield: 4 servings

Lasagna a la Laetitia

Lasagna Final Product

Lasagna Final Product

This simple lasagna recipe uses my grand-mother’s untraditional meat sauce.  The unbaked lasagna can be made and refrigerated the day before serving or can be frozen for up to a month (thaw overnight before baking per step 10).

Ingredients:

  • 12 lasagna noodles from a 9-ounce package, no-boil lasagna (used Barilla)
  • 1 32-ounce container, large curd cottage cheese
  • 5 cups, Bolognese Sauce a la Laetitia
  • 1 8-ounce package of 5-Italian cheeses (from dairy aisle)
  • 4 tbs, grated parmesan cheese

Instructions:

  1. Heat oven to 375F.
  2. Butter a 13x9x3 lasagna pan.  Ladle 2 cups Bolognese Sauce a la Laetitia on bottom of pan.
  3. Layer 4 uncooked noodles over the sauce.

    Lasagna Step 3

    Lasagna Step 3

  4. Empty cottage cheese container over the noodles in the pan and spread evenly.  Sprinkle 2 tbs grated parmesan cheese.
  5. Layer 4 uncooked noodles over the cheeses.

    Lasagna Step 5

    Lasagna Step 5

  6. Ladle 2 cups Bolognese Sauce a la Laetitia over the last noodle layer.
  7. Layer 4 uncooked noodles over the sauce.

    Lasagna Step 7

    Lasagna Step 7

  8. Ladle 1 cup Bolognese Sauce a la Laetitia over the last noodle layer.
  9. Spread the package of 5-Italian cheeses, then remaining 2 tbs grated parmesan over the sauce.

    Lasagna Step 9

    Lasagna Step 9

  10. Bake covered with foil for 50 minutes.  Uncover and continue cooking until cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.  Remove from the oven and let stand 15 minutes before cutting.

6 Servings.

Beer Braised Slow Cooker Pork Roast

Beer Braised Slow Cooker Pork Roast

Beer Braised Slow Cooker Pork Roast

This recipe is simple and produces a flavorful roast with a rich sauce.  Perfect served with mashed potatoes.

Ingredients:

  • 1 – 4lb pork roast, fat trimmed off
  • 2 tbs Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbs brown sugar
  • 1 tsp each – salt, pepper
  • 1/2 tsp each – onion powder, garlic powder, ground thyme
  • 1 bottle beer, medium bodied
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tbs flour
  • 1 tbs butter, softened

Instructions:

  1. Rinse pork roast with water and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Spread mustard on roast and rub all over surface.
  3. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and all the spices.  Rub over the meat.
  4. Place roast in the slow cooker, pour beer and broth around it.
  5. Cook on LOW for 9-10 hours, then remove roast from slow cooker.
  6. Combine softened butter and flour to form a paste.  Add to liquid from slow cooker and whisk to form a smooth sauce.  Serve sauce over meat.

4 Servings.

Grilled Salmon in Grape Leaves

Grilled Salmon in Grape Leaf

  • 4 Large grape leaves, fresh or in brine (if in brine, drain and rinse well)
  • 2 Salmon filet, 8 oz each
  • 2 Teaspoons, red wine vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons, vegetable oil
  • 1 Teaspoon, lemon juice
  • 2 Slices of lemon, cut in halves
  • 1/2 Teaspoon, garlic salt
  • Salt & pepper
  • Non-waxed dental floss or thin kitchen twine

Step 1:  If using fresh grape leaves, remove stems and blanche in boiling water for 1 minute. Remove from water and pat dry with paper towel.

Step 2:  Lay two grape leaves on a work surface so that stems are facing each other and leaf edges are facing opposite directions, slightly overlapping.

Step 3:  Place one salmon filet long ways over the grape leaves.  Sprinkle each filet with 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar, salt, pepper and 1/4 teaspoon of garlic salt.  Place 2 half lemon slices on each salmon filet.

Step 4: Wrap the overhanging grape leaves over the salmon to completely cover it and to form a tight packet.  Using dental floss or twine, tie 3 times across each packet to secure the grape leaves.  Rub 1 tablespoon over the packet to coat.  Repeat steps 2 through step 4 for second filet.

Step 5:  Heat grill on high.  Place both salmon packets on the grill and turn heat to medium.  Cook 4-5 minutes on each side.  Remove from grill and let stand 2 minutes.

Step 6:  Remove floss or twine and discard.  Open each packet by peeling back the grape leaves.  Discard the grape leaves.  Squeeze 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice over each filet and serve.

Serves 2.

Potluck Sourdough Sandwich

Condiment Salad:

  • Artichoke hearts
  • 6 ounce jar of pimentos
  • 1 cup black olives
  • 1/2 cup green olives
  • 2 garlic cloves

Sandwich:

  • Loaf of round sourdough bread
  • Swiss cheese sliced
  • American cheese sliced
  • Boiled ham
  • Salami
  • Provolone
  • Pastrami

For salad:

Puree the mixture in blender until well incorporated.  Transfer to a bowl and coat with olive oil, salt and pepper.

For sandwich:

Cut a lid into the top of the loaf and put aside.  Empty most of the inside of the loaf, leaving the outer shell intact.  Spread 1/2 of the salad on the bottom of the loaf.  Alternate the cold cuts and the cheese on top of the salad layer.  Mustard can be added if desired.  Top the layers of cold cuts and cheese with the other half of the salad mixture and replace the lid on top of the loaf.  Place a weighted object on the loaf to press it down.  Refrigerate overnight.

4 Servings.

Linguini with Crab and Two-Cheese Sauce

  • 1 small pkg. flake-style imitation crabmeat
  • 6 ounces linguini
  • 2 large minced garlic cloves
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • 2 tbs. butter
  • 1 medium tomato, chopped
  • ½ cup whipping cream
  • ½ cup sliced green onions
  • ½ cup Swiss cheese
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.  Cook garlic and oregano in butter in a saucepan, stirring frequently, 1 minute.  Add tomato; continue cooking, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes.  Add remaining ingredients; mix well.  Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until cheese is melted and sauce is hot.  Top pasta with sauce.

3-4 Servings.

Linguini with White Clam Sauce

  • 1/3 cup bread crumbs
  • 48 little neck clams in the shell
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, crushed
  • pinch hot pepper flakes
  • 1/3 cup white wine
  • 1 tbs. chopped parsley
  • 1 lb linguini, cooked according to package directions

Soak clams in water to cover for 5 minutes, rinse and scrub under running water.  In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil.  Add garlic cloves and cook 5 minutes.  Add pepper flakes, clams, white wine and cook 5 minutes or until wine evaporates.

Cover and simmer, shaking pan, about 5 minutes until clams open.  Discard any clams not opened.

Toss clams with parsley and cooked linguini, top with bread crumbs.

4 Servings.

Quebec Meat Sauce a la Laetitia

Quebec Meat Sauce a la Laetitia

Grand-Mother’s non-traditional meat sauce that I’ve enjoyed since birth and now make regularly.

This meat sauce is ideal when making a lasagna or simply over spaghetti. The chili powder and touch of clove gives this sauce a little taste unlike others.

I suggest this Bolognese sauce recipe be doubled as it freezes very well and makes weeknight meals a breeze.

Love a Big Sauce Pot!

Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 8 ounces celery, diced
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • ¾ pound ground pork
  • ¾ pound ground beef
  • ½ Tbsp. red pepper flakes
  • 1/8 tsp. ground cayenne pepper
  • ½ Tbsp. each chili powder, salt and pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ¼ tsp. cloves
  • 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 1 20-ounce can tomato juice
  • 1 28-ounce can Italian-style tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 6-ounce cans of tomato paste
Pantry Ingredients
Meat and Veggies Cooking
Sauce Simmering

Directions:

In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, warm the oil. Add the onion and celery and sauté for 5 minutes. Add garlic and sauté another minute. Add meats and sauté until completely cooked, 5-7 minutes. Add spices and sugar and cook 1 minute. Add tomato juice, Italian-style tomatoes and the tomato paste and stir to combine. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 2 hours. Season again with salt, pepper and sugar as needed.

8 Servings.

Everyday Seafood Lasagna Roll Ups

  • 6 lasagna noodles
  • 1 can (15 ounces) Italian-style tomato sauce

Filling:

  • 1 pkg. imitation crab flakes
  • 1 cup cottage cheese, drained
  • ¼ cup parmesan
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbs. parsley
  • ¼ tsp. onion powder

Cook noodles as directed on package.  Rinse in cold water; drain well.  Combine filling ingredients with fork.  Spread 1/3 cup filling on each noodle.  Roll tightly; place seam-side down in a 9-inch baking pan.  Pour sauce over rollups.  Bake covered at 375 F for 30 minutes.  Garnish with grated cheese.

6 Servings.

Prime Rib with Cabernet Jus

  • 2-750 ml bottles Cabernet Sauvignon
  • 4 cups beef stock or canned broth
  • 2 cups ruby Port
  • 3 large garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1 large shallot, peeled, halved
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 tsp. dried thyme
  • 1 6-pound boneless prime rib beef roast
  • 4 large garlic cloves, pressed

Combine first 6 ingredients and 1 tsp. thyme in a large nonaluminum saucepan.  Boil until reduced to 2 cups, about 1 hour.  Strain.

Preheat oven to 450 F.  Place beef, fat side up, in heavy 13x9x2-inch baking pan.  Rub beef all over with pressed garlic and remaining 2 tsp. thyme.  Season with salt and pepper.  Roast 1 hour.  Tent beef with foil.  Continue roasting until meat thermometer inserted in center registers 118 F for rare, about 35 minutes.  Transfer to platter and let stand 20 minutes.

Pour all of the fat from the roasting pan.  Place pan over medium-high heat.  Add Cabernet mixture to the pan and bring to a boil, scrapping up any brown bits.  Season with salt and pepper.  Pour jus into a sauce boat.  Carve beef and serve.

8 Servings.