Deconstructed Roasted Tomato Grits And Shrimp With Sauteed Baby Mustard Greens And Bacon Confit Recipes

GRITS AND GREENS CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
• In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the half-and-half and 6 cups of the chicken stock and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once up to a boil, stir in the grits. Bring it back up to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer, stirring frequently, until the mixture has slightly thickened (it should resemble cooked oatmeal in thickness), 10 to 15 minutes. Use a whisk to break up any lumps that have formed.
• Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until just turning crispy, about 7 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel, patting it to remove any excess fat. Using the same saucepan, add the onions to the leftover bacon drippings and saute until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Then add the collard greens and the remaining 2 cups chicken stock and cook until tender, another 10 minutes. Drain the collards and onions in a colander.
• Once the grits are done, add the Parmesan, butter, salt, pepper and 1/2 cup of the Monterey jack. Stir until the butter has melted and all the ingredients are well combined. Then add the drained collards mixture and stir.
• Transfer the grits mixture to the prepared baking dish and top with the crumbled bacon and the remaining 1/2 cup Monterey jack. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 15 minutes.

PAN ROASTED COD, SHIITAKE QUINOA, OVEN ROASTED TOMATO AND SAUTEED ARUGULA WITH BACON BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE AND SWEET SUMMER CORN MILK

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Season the fish on all sides with the salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a saute pan over high heat. Sear the fish on the flesh side until it is golden brown. Turn the fillets over carefully and place the pan in the oven. Cook the fish in the oven to desired doneness. When the fish is done place 1/4 of the Shiitake Quinoa in the center of the plate. On top of the quinoa place a slice of Oven Roasted Tomato. Place the fish on top of the tomato. Place 1/4 of the Sauteed Arugala on top of the fish. Spoon the Bacon Balsamic Vinaigrette and Summer Corn Milk around the plate.
• Heat the oil in a saute pan. Add the shiitake mushrooms and cook until they start to release their liquid and soften. Add the quinoa and stir to coat the grains. Add the chicken stock. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on a low flame until the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is cooked, about 12 minutes. Take off the heat, season with salt and pepper and stir in the butter. Set in a warm place covered until needed.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the 4 slices of tomato in a baking dish large enough to fit the tomatoes in 1 layer. Season with salt and pepper and place 1 piece of bay leaf on each tomato slice. Sprinkle a little of the garlic and thyme on top of the tomato slices. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Place the dish on the middle rack in the oven and roast until the tomato is just hot and soft, about 2 to 3 minutes (convection oven), do not overcook. Take out of oven, remove pieces of bay leaf and set in a warm place until needed.
• Heat the oil in a saute pan. Add the arugula and stir around until leaves are wilted. Season with salt and pepper, remove from the heat and set aside.
• Chop the bacon and put in a pan over a medium-low flame. Render the fat making sure not to let it burn. When the fat is rendered out of the bacon add the balsamic vinegar. Add the butter and blend in with an immersion blender or hand held electric beater.
• Cut the corn off the cob by running a knife down the length of the cob. Put the corn kernels in a juicer or into cheesecloth and squeeze to extract the corn milk. Put the corn milk into a small saucepan.
• Heat gently over a low flame and stir frequently (be careful not to heat it too quickly). When the corn milk is hot add the chives and butter and mix with an immersion blender. Season with salt and pepper and reserve in a warm place.