East Meets West Guacamole Recipes

THE BEST GUACAMOLE

Steps:

• Put the diced onion into a small strainer and rinse under cold running water. Transfer to a small bowl and cover with 1 cup cold water. Stir in the vinegar and let sit for 10 minutes.
• Slice the avocados in half, remove the pits and scoop the flesh into a medium bowl. Pour the lime juice over the avocado. Using a fork or potato masher, mash the avocado until creamy with some chunks remaining. Drain the onions well and add to the bowl, along with the jalapeno, garlic, salt and cilantro. Stir to combine.
• Serve immediately with tortilla chips. Or press a piece of plastic wrap directly against the surface of the guacamole to prevent discoloration and refrigerate until ready to serve.

EAST MEETS WEST CANNELONI

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Spread 1/2 cup marinara sauce over the bottom of a 9X13 in baking dish.
• In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, goat cheese, parsley, basil and cornstarch. Mix with fork until well combined. Season with salt and pepper.
• Lay an egg roll wrapper on a dry, flat surface. In a strip along one edge, spoon 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture. Top with a bit of the spinach, roasted peppers, and mushrooms. Roll the wrapper into a tube around the fillings, moistening the edge with water and pressing firmly to seal. Transfer to the baking dish. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.
• Pour the remaining marinara over the canneloni, completely covering them. Bake for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with the parmesan cheese and bake for 10 minutes more.

EAST MEETS PORTUGAL 'ALENTEJANA' -- PORK AND CLAMS EAST MEETS WEST STYLE

Steps:

• Place the clams, salt and cornmeal in a bowl and completely cover with cold water. Let them soak and purge for 1 hour. Drain, rinse and set aside. In a hot saute pan, coat lightly with oil and saute half of the garlic and ginger. Add the zucchinis and caramelize, about 3 minutes. Remove from pan and add drained clams.
• Deglaze with half of the wine and shaoxing and cover. Add a little water if needed if clams do not fully open. Once clams are open, set aside. (discard any that do not open). Keep liquid. Wipe pan out and coat with oil on high heat. Season the pork brisket with salt and paprika and brown on all sides. Add onions and caramelize. Add black beans.
• Deglaze with remaining shaoxing and wine and reduce by 50 percent. Add chicken stock and half of the reserved clam juice. Check for seasoning and add more clam juice if necessary. Bring to a simmer and reduce by 60 percent. Check again for seasoning and add zucchinis and clams. Add lemon juice and whisk in butter. Check one more time for flavor. While the sauce is reducing, season the pork tenderloin with salt and pepper and sear in a hot, oiled pan. Brown well on all sides and finish in a 375 degree oven until medium, about 10 minutes.
• For the potatoes, heat the curry oil to 375 degrees and first blanch the potatoes until lightly brown. This can and should be done in advance. Right before serving, fry again, this time until golden brown, drain well, season with salt, and toss with cilantro. (frying it twice produces a very crisp product).
• PLATING Using an o-ring in the center of the plate, fill with the pork sauce. Top with fried potatoes. Cut each pork tenderloin into 3 equal pieces and surround ring. Pull ring off and serve.
• Make a paste with curry powder, water salt and slowly add oil. Let stand for 1 hour to settle. Use top, yellow oil for garnish or frying.

EASY GUACAMOLE

Steps:

• Peel and mash avocados in a medium serving bowl. Stir in onion, garlic, tomato, lime juice, salt and pepper. Season with remaining lime juice and salt and pepper to taste. Chill for half an hour to blend flavors.