Grilled peach salsa from the new Certified Good Food Fighter

Hey yall. Just wanted to wish you all a great weekend and let you know about an awesome organization I will be blogging for called the Good Food Revolution. This photo is from my very first post for a delicious summer grilled peach salsa. Chow for now! xo j. 

Gastropost: Memories of summers past - Salsa Verde Potato Salad

UPDATE: http://gastropost.nationalpost.com/jaimeverkperez
This week I'm thinking about a summer BBQ favorite also know as my sisters mayonnaise nightmare aka #Potato Salad. As a kid my mom never kept mayonnaise in the house, leaving my sister and I totally clueless about potato or macaroni salad. It wasn't until going to a family friends bbq's one summer when I first laid eyes on this heaping bowl of lumpy piled high creamy potato hell. I knew I wasn't missing anything and for the life of me couldn't understand what everyone was raving about.  The so called salad looked pretty pitiful, it kind of reminded me of what came spewing out of my sisters mouth after going to a birthday party where she had gorged herself on pizza, birthday cake and ice cream (sorry for all the nasty details TMI for sure). Until this day the sight of mayo sends my sister into a tailspin, clammy hands, cold sweats, you name it... it totally grosses her out. I've since gotten over my own nightmares of my first potato salad sighting and have learned to accept the eggy dressing here and there mostly on french fries or a club sandwich. This refreshing take on the classic potato salad is for Courtney my amazing little sissy and it contains absolutely no mayonnaise. 

Salsa Verde Potato Salad -  INGREDIENTS: 

yukon gold potatoes - par boiled & chopped 

radishes - thinly sliced 

red bird chilies - thinly sliced 

fresh mint - leaves for garnish 

fresh (or frozen) peas 

Greek yogurt 

salt & pepper - to taste 

FOR SALSA VERDE:

mint

cilantro

green onion

parsley 

2 garlic cloves

handful capers 

lemon - juice & zest 

olive oil 

salt & pepper - to taste  

cumin - pinch 

PREP: In a blender (or hand blender) pulse equal parts mint, parsley, cilantro, green onion with garlic, lemon, pinch of s &p & cumin. While blending drizzle olive oil until you get the perfect fluid texture. Par boil potatoes (about 10 mins) then chop. Thinly slice radish, chillies & thaw out peas if frozen.

COOK: Toss potatoes in olive oil a pinch or s &p and roast (or fry) until slightly crispy and creamy inside. Toss hot potatoes & peas in the salsa verde with a big dollop of Greek yogurt, then add in radishes & red chilies. Adjust seasoning as needed.

SERVE: Along side your favorite BBQ dinner. The salsa verde is delicious on anything... meat, fish, corn you name it!

Gastropost: Just Peachy - Summer crumble

 We are super lucky this summer since peach season has started early. Thanks to our super hot & sticky summer no doubt a direct cause of global warming. At least it's good for something - yes I'm looking on the bright and sarcastic side of things. This local array of fruit makes a delightful summer crumble which is easy as pie to make... well easier cause it's crumble - pies reliable & modest cousin. One of my all time favorite desserts that really needs no measuring, just love and a scoop of ice cream doesn't hurt either.

INGREDIENTS: 

peaches - rough chopped 

blueberries - whole 

yellow plums - rough chopped

honey or sugar or maple syrup for sweetening 

cardamom - a pinch 

cinnamon - a pinch 

salt - a pinch 

butter - handful chopped

flour - a few spoonfuls 

oats - a few handfuls 

love - as much as you can part with 

PREP: Pre heat oven to 350. 

FILLING: Chop fruits adding a few spoonfuls of something sweet to the fruit mixture, 2 spoonfuls of flour, pinch cardamom. Mix well.

TOPPING: Combine chopped butter, cinnamon, spoonful of flour, handful of oats & some more something sweet (few spoonfuls of honey is nice)

BAKE: Spread topping over filling and bake for 45 mins. 

SERVE: Warm with vanilla ice cream

ENJOY!

Purple Potato Perfection

I just had to share this photo with you all. I was so intrigued when I cut into the very last potato in my farmers market basket and found this...

Gastropost: Chill out treat = watermelon slushy

I don't know what it's been like in your neck of the woods, but in Toronto it's been a scorching summer. Pretty stunning actually, with a few periods of extreme heat and humidity conveniently when the AC in my building wasn't working (obviously). Torontonians are funny about the weather, maybe it's even Canadians in general but we complain no matter what. It's too hot, it's too cold, it's too dry, it's too rainy - we find fault in every season. For my second GASTROPOST I'm going to let you in on a delicious heat wave treat - The Watermelon Slushy. I recently saw a recipe like this somewhere I don't remember where but I remember the easy details... freeze watermelon & blend was the gist of it. For my version add some lime, mint, a splash of white rum if you're of the age and feeling frisky and voilà a perfect chill out beverage. 

INGREDIENTS:
seedless watermelon - cubed & frozen
1 - 2 limes juiced
mint leaves or basil - for garnish
pinch of fresh cracked pepper
1.5 oz (per 1 cup of slush) white Jamaican rum

Per 1 cup of frozen watermelon add 1 juiced lime. Blend on low until the slushy consistency is to your liking, about a minute. If you are lucky enough to have a Breville blender there is actually a "shave" setting which is perfect for this. 

Gastropost: What does Canadian food mean to me? A refreshing clam beverage known as the Bloody Caesar

For my first Gastropost mission I'm going to tell you about an amazing cocktail that always makes me think of home. The iconic Bloody Caesar goes back to 1969 in Alberta, Calgary.  Restaurateur Walter Chell concocted this masterpiece in honour of a new Italian restaurant launch. The Caesar is said to be inspired by the famous Italian dish spaghetti alle vongole which in English means spaghetti and clams. Mmmm pasta & seafood. In the last 40 some odd years the Caesar has become one of Canada's most exclusive and beloved elixirs. It is virtually unknown by the rest of the world, which makes it a perfect candidate for my contribution to a Canadian food post. When I think of a bloody Caesar I think of summer, sitting up north at a cottage with good friends enjoying Ontario's beautiful weather. It's really one of the most perfect aperitifs since it is both both a drink and a snack. I've really kicked up this aspect of the cocktail in my version which uses the clamato juice to poach a stunning jumbo shrimp. Definitely the perfect garnish along side a pickled bean & some celery shavings.  Not too shabby for a pre dinner snack. I like to use the regular clamato juice and use my own spice blend of horseradish, Montreal steak spice, Frank's Red hot & worcestershire sauce of course.

INGREDIENTS:

Motts clamato juice

2 oz (frozen) vodka - your preference 

2 tbs fresh grated horseradish 

pinch Montreal streak spice - for the rim & to the drink as well 

splash of pickle, olive or bean "juice" 

dash of Franks red hot sauce 

lemon wedge - for garnish

lime wedge - for garnish

celery - shaved with a vegetable peeler 

raw jumbo zipper back shrimp - for garnish

Matt & Steve's "The Extreme Bean" - for garnish

TO POACH THE SHRIMP: Cut the spine of the shrimp to remove the shell leaving the tail behind. In a small pot bring a cup or so of clamato juice to the boil then turn off the heat. Place the raw shrimp in the liquid for 3-5 mins until they are firm and pink. Remove from the liquid & place in a small bowl in the fridge until ready to assemble your beverage.

This refreshing clam beverage beats out the bloody Mary any day! Try using the clamato poached shrimp in a salad with a citrus vinaigrette for a light tasty summer dinner. Chow for now!

In honour of Spain lets make some churros

Holla amigos, buenos dias. Hoy me voy a escribir halgo sobre un postre increíble de verano...los churros. I bet I just threw you all for a loop there eh. My Spanish may be limited but my love of the food, people and soccer team knows no bounds. I hope you all enjoyed your long weekend. Happy Canada day to my Canadian readers, Happy 4th of July to the yanks & a HUGE felicidades to everyone who rooted for Spain in the Euro cup. It really was an unbelievable win against Italy on Sunday. In honour of Spain's legendary win I'm going to let you all in on my amazing churro recipe. It took me a while to perfect these delicious donut sticks and it's my absolute pleasure sharing my secret with you.  Churros are popular in pretty much every Spanish speaking country in the world. In Spain and other parts of South America they are an extremely popular street food eaten with dulce de leche - a delicious caramel like sauce made from boiled sweetened condensed milk. In Mexico churros are enjoyed along side a spicy hot chocolate drink. Either way they taste absolutely delicious. You will need a pastry bag and large star tip to make the churros as well as a hell of a lot of muscle to fold the dough (choux paste) until perfectly smooth.

INGREDIENTS: 

1 cup water 

2 tbs white sugar + more for dusting

1/2 tsp salt 

1/3 cup unsalted butter 

1 cup a.p. (all purpose) flour 

2 eggs - beaten 

1/2 tsp vanilla 

pinch ground cinnamon - for dusting

pinch ground nutmeg  - for dusting 

vegetable oil or shortening to fry (you need about 4 inches of oil in a medium pot)

STEP 1: Whisk eggs and vanilla together and place off to the side. Combine sugar, a pinch of cinnamon & nutmeg in a dish and place to the side for dusting.

STEP 2: Pre heat fryer oil on high (you will test the oil before frying churros by dropping a small amount of dough)

STEP 3: In a medium pot bring water, sugar, salt & butter to a boil. Turn heat off before step 4.

STEP 4: Add flour and stir with a wooden spoon until combine (will form a large ball). 

STEP 5: Add egg/ vanilla mixture and continue to work into the dough until everything has come together. 

STEP 6: Place the star tip inside the pastry bag and fill with 1/2 the churro mixture. 

STEP 7: Test the oil by squeezing a small dollop of dough and if large bubbles form around it the oil is ready.  Squeeze 6-10 churros into the oil and fry for about 5 mins until a deep  golden colour.

STEP 8: Place the churros on to paper towel and then into the mixture of cinnamon sugar.

My legendary Kale salad

 Good Monday to you all. I've been obsessed with this salad for the last five or six months now. I eat it so often I don't even think of it as something to photograph and blog about, but since so many of my friends and family have requested the recipe I think its time to let you all in on this simple and delicious salad. The ingredients definitely vary depending on what's in my fridge/ pantry but the star remains - the simple dressing and the kale! The photo is just one example including fresh green peas & purple cabbage. Basically everything but the kale, tomatoes & some sort of cabbage is optional. The dressing is also not exact just taste until you are happy with the acid, salt garlic balance. You can also add lentils or beans to the salad for extra protein, or serve with your favorite entree - anything works!

INGREDIENTS: 

organic kale - julienned

red cabbage (or green) - julienned

romaine lettuce - julienned (optional)

cherry tomatoes - divided

avocado - chopped

hearts of palm - sliced/ chopped 

fresh green peas (optional)

radishes - thinly sliced (optional)

garlic - 1 clove minced

lemon juice - squeeze

apple cider vinegar - splash

s & p - to taste 

olive oil - drizzle

You pretty much just toss everything together until the salad is dressed really well, and seasoned to your taste. If you omit the romaine lettuce the salad will stand up over night and be great the next day. Feel free to play around with adding other veggies you like and make this your very own. 

 

Better late then never - Za'atar salmon with lemon potatoes & tzatziki

Oh hello friends. No I have not fallen off the planet or gone on a long over due vacation, or even been avoiding you. I've just been taking some mental time off to gather my thoughts, recipes and do my piles of laundry. Seriously it's been a busy last few weeks and my sheets & towels have been piled high. This post comes as a request from some lovely couples I've had the pleasure to cook for. This simple dish is quick & healthy. Like most things it's even more delicious on the bbq.

INGREDIENTS: 

za'atar - mix of dried oregano, marjoram, thyme, sumac, sesame, cumin, savory and fennel

salmon or arctic char fillets - skin on always better

yukon gold potatoes - chopped

parsley - chopped

2 garlic cloves - minced (divided)

lemon - zest & juice

Greek yogurt

mint - chopped

dill - chopped

cucumber - seeded and finely chopped 

olive oil 

s & p 

FOR THE TZATZIKI: Add 2 tbs chopped cucumber, 1 clove of minced garlic, tsp lemon zest, tbs dill & mint to the Greek yogurt with salt & pepper to taste. 

FOR THE LEMON POTATOES: Cut potatoes into desired size & par boil until slightly tender. While potatoes are cooking (10 - 15 mins) combine olive oil, chopped parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, s & p in a medium bowl. Once potatoes are done boiling pat them dry and fry in a hot pan with a drizzle of evoo pinch of s & p until crispy and slightly charred on the outside. Then toss them in the lemon & parsley dressing as soon as they reach desired crispiness.


FOR THE SALMON: Pre heat oven to 350. Generously dust the flesh side of the salmon fillet with za'atar s & p. In a hot cast iron pan drizzle olive oil and sear fish presentation side down (if you like to eat crispy fish skin go skin side down, if you like to remove the skin before eating cook flesh side down). Cook for 2 minutes then flip cook for another min and place in the oven for another 4-6 mins depending on how well done you like your fish & how thin/thick the fillet is.


I hope you all enjoy this recipe - happy Friday!

Lamb kefta with fennel green apple slaw

This may not be the prettiest dish I've ever written about but sure did it taste good. For the most part when I'm writing a recipe I'm usually just posting about a meal that I made spontaneously and it happened to be worth reporting on. Yes there are the times where I plan a post and stage a photograph but this just isn't one of those instances.

INGREDIENTS:
FOR THE KETFA: 
1 pound New Zealand spring lamb - ground
1 medium cooking onion - diced
2 cloves garlic - minced
pinch of cumin
pinch of sumac
pinch of paprika
small handful parsley - chopped
1 egg
about 1/4 cup almond meal
evoo - extra virgin olive oil 

PREP: Sautee the onion & garlic in a drizzle of evoo until translucent add spices & a pinch of s&p and continue to cook for a minute or two. Place off to the side to cool. When mixture has cooled add chopped parsley, almond meal, egg a pinch of s&p. Rub your hands with evoo before portioning off individual keftas. Shape into cigar shape.  Pre heat oven to 350.
COOK: Heat a cast iron pan and drizzle a small amount of evoo before searing off the keftas until slightly charred on all sides. Transfer the pan into the oven and continue to cook for 5-7 mins until the keftas are cooked through.

FOR THE SLAW:
fennel - julienned 
green apple - julienned
purple cabbage - julienned
green cabbage - julienned
cucumber - ribbons
mint - gently tear leaves
basil - gently tear leaves
FOR THE DRESSING: 
apple cider vinegar 
apple butter, 
dijon mustard
evoo 

PREP:  Chop & slice all veg. In a small glass jar combine 1 tsp apple butter, 1tsp dijon mustard, 4 tbs apple cider vinegar, 1/3 cup (or so) evoo and pinch of s&p. Toss everything together. 
Enjoy!