Avocado & Hearts of Palm Salad with Grilled Fish

 By: The Food Hunter

Need weeknight meal that is easy to make and tastes delicious. Look no further! This salad and fish combo is will do the trick. I happened to have some grouper on hand from my latest Fish Fixe haul but I can imagine other types of fish would work equally as well with this salad. 

Avocado & Hearts of Palm Salad with Grilled Fish
1/4 lb piece of fish
juice of a lime
torn leaves of romaine lettuce
1 jar of hearts of palm, sliced
1 large cucumber, sliced
1 avocado, diced
3 Tablespoons olive oil

While the fish is cooking mix all of the salad ingredients together and dress with the olive oil and lime juice. Serve salad with cooked fish and extra pieces of sliced lime. 

Brioche French Toast With Bananas And Caramel Sauce

By: The Food Hunter

May 14th is not only Mother’s Day but also National Brioche Day! A delicious 24 hours devoted to France’s magnifique, golden glazed, airy sweet bread. Once a novelty crafted by specialty bakeries; Brioche bread was believed to be enjoyed only by royalty. This changed thanks to America’s #1 Brioche brand St Pierre Bakery making the bread more accessible to both humble home cooks and renowned culinarians.

With a lightly sweet taste, delicate texture and irresistible richness, St Pierre’s Brioche Loaf is delectable as is, or toasted as a snack. You can add Parisian flair to your breakfast or brunch by using brioche to make your French Toast.   

 

 Brioche French Toast With Bananas And Caramel Sauce

• 6 slices St Pierre Brioche Loaf
• 2 free range eggs
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tbsp caster sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Large knob butter
• 1 tbsp oil
• ¼ cup pecan nuts
• 2 bananas
• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup soft light brown sugar
• 2 tbsp mascarpone cheese

1. Roughly chop the pecan nuts and toast in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes, keeping an eye on them so they don’t burn. Tip onto a plate and set aside
2. Make the sauce. Place the butter, sugar and mascarpone into a heavy saucepan and heat gently until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved, only stirring once or twice
3. Increase the heat slightly and bubble for about 4 minutes until thick and glossy. Turn off the heat and set aside while you make the French toast
4. Crack the eggs into a large bowl and add the milk, sugar and vanilla. Whisk with a fork
5. Heat a large skillet over medium heat then add a little oil and a little of the butter
6. Dip a slice of brioche into the egg mixture so both sides are coated then allow the excess to run off
7. Place in the skillet and repeat with another one or two slices, depending how many will fit in your frying pan. Fry for a couple of minutes then turn and cook the other side until golden. Lift out and keep warm.
8. Add a little more oil and butter to the pan and repeat with the other slices. Keep warm while you cook the bananas
9. Melt a little butter in the skillet then add the sliced banana and cook over a high heat for a minute until starting to turn golden then turn the slices and cook another minute
10. Arrange the toast onto a large platter and top with the bananas
11. Scatter over the toasted pecans and drizzle with some of the caramel sauce

 

 

Celebrate Mother's Day with Bakery Worthy Scones

 By: The Food Hunter

This year say "I love you" to mom, by waking her up with a homemade scones. Making scones for breakfast can be a challenge due to timing; but it doesn't have to be. The right recipe and an amazing toaster is all you need to prepare these stellar scones in advance and enjoy them on Mother's Day morning.

I absolutely adore my Smeg toaster. This retro looking appliance combines ergonomics, functionality, and style to make toasting bread, reheating scones, and even defrosting bagels a breeze. The bread slots can easily accommodate large breakfast items and the bagel button can be used to perfectly toast only one side of pastries. This multi-functional toaster is a winner when it comes to reheating...especially scones!

I received product and/or compensation for this post. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Tips for Making Bakery Worthy Scones at Home

1. For a better rise, use cold or frozen butter. The colder the butter, the better. Once frozen, grating the butter with a cheese grater is easy.
2. Use heavy cream for fluffy scones.
3. Don't over-mix the dough. Although you may be tempted to mix more thoroughly, I can't urge you enough not to.
4. Once the sconces are shaped, space them about one inch apart and chill them for at least 15 minutes before baking.
5. Don't over-bake your scones.
6. Make them in advance and reheat them in the toaster
   

Mother's Day Scones

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 2½ tsp baking powder
• ½ cup unsalted butter, frozen
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 large egg
• 1½ tsp pure vanilla extract

Preparation

1. Whisk flour, sugar, salt and baking powder together in a large bowl. 
   
2. Grate frozen butter using a cheese grater. Add it to the flour mixture and combine with a fork until the mixture comes together into small-sized crumbs.
3. Whisk ½ cup heavy cream, the egg and vanilla together in a small bowl.
4. Pour over the flour mixture, and mix together until everything is moistened. Don't over-mix.
5. Turn out onto the counter and, with floured hands, work the dough into a ball as best you can. The dough will be sticky. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour. If it seems too dry, add heavy cream until you reach the right balance.
6. Press the dough into an 8-inch disc and, with a knife cut it into 8 wedges. Place scones, on a baking sheet lined with parchment and chill for at least 15 minutes.
7. Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
8. Bake for 18-26 minutes or until golden brown around the edges and lightly browned on top. Remove from the oven and cool for a few minutes before serving.

The Best Wine and Food Pairings for Mother's Day

 By: The Food Hunter

As Mother's Day is a special occasion to show appreciation and love for all the amazing moms, why not make it even more memorable with a hand-picked wine from this curated selection of favorites. Whether your plans include a memorable brunch an afternoon picnic or an apperitivo hour, there is something on this list to brighten any meal. 

I received product and/or compensation for this post. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Reds

Montes “Twins” Red Blend ($21)

If twin siblings are celebrating mom on her special day, this wine is aptly named! From the Colchagua Valley in Chile, Montes Twins is loaded with aromas of red and black fruit, sweet spices and bitter chocolate. The wine is creamy, youthful, and easy to drink. Mom will enjoy this with pizza or own its own. 

Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages ($16)

Recently featured in episode 3 of “The Last of Us,” this crisp, fruit-forward, juicy wine has expressive aromas and flavors of ripe red berries, with nice weight in the mouth. Make mom a plate of pasta and pour a glass of this stellar red.

Craggy Range Pinot Noir ($28)

Hand-harvested from one of the most prestigious growing sites within the Martinborough region of New Zealand, this bright red wine has enticing pure fruit aromas of red cherry and raspberry melded with rose and damp earth. Open it for mom if you are serving poultry, pork, salmon or soft cheese. 

Calling Alexander Valley Cabernet ($37)

This impressive lighter Cabernet from Sonoma County pairs well with many dishes including both red meat and grilled fish. Mom will love sipping this wine while grazing a charcuterie board loaded with fresh figs, hard cheese and salami.

Hahn SLH Pinot Noir ($30)

The palate is rich, with refined silky tannin, and medium acidity. The wine shines with flavors of cherry, red plums, raspberry and subtle notes of allspice. Cook mom a pork or chicken dish and serve this elegant red.

Balletto Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($34)

Everything you would expect from a Pinot Noir and so much more. A wonderful option for a special dinner featuring quail or rabbit. This is my mom's favorite.

Whites

Biltmore Masterpiece Collection White ($14)

 

A delightful blend of Albariño, Orange Muscat, Sémillon, Viognier, and Riesling sourced from California. A bottle that’s pretty enough to leave on the table and perfect for enjoying with brunch, and light seafood dishes.

 

Earthgrown Chardonnay ($9)

 

A balanced wine with flavors of fruit and hints of butter. Serve it to mom along side smoked salmon for an all around good pairing.  

 

Naidu Viognier, Russian River Valley ($40)

 

There is nothing better than serving a woman owned wine for Mother's Day. This lovely wine with its lush texture will impress even the pickiest moms. Thinking of a picnic lunch for mom? Pair this wine with chicken or tuna salad for the perfect afternoon outdoors. 

 

San Angelo Pinot Grigio ($20)

 

A fantastic white from northern Italy, that is fruity, crisp and refreshing. Mom will appreciate this with swordfish roulade or lemon chicken. 

 

 

 

One Pot Pasta, Cannelini & Spinach Soup

 By: The Food Hunter

When you’re craving a last minute bowl of soup this is a wonderful option that can be made in under 30 minutes. Canned beans, soup vegetables (carrots and/or celery) some pre-made chicken stock (I always have stock in the freezer) along with mini pasta made specifically for soup is all you need for a nourishing meals made in mere minutes. 

One Pot Pasta, Cannelini & Spinach Soup

1 teaspoon fresh rosemary

2-3 medium carrots, sliced into rounds

2 cups roughly chopped spinach

4 cups chicken stock

1 can cannelini beans

1/4 cup soup pasta

Salt and pepper, to taste

In a soup pot, boil carrots in stock until soft about 10 minutes.

Add beans, rosemary, spinach and pasta simmer for 10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender.