Easy Mojito for One

Developed July, 2016. This tall, refreshing cocktail was first mixed in Cuba, where it remains popular. In the original recipe, raw white rum, cane syrup, and yerba buena (apple mint) were used. This recipe is an easy-to-make update using familiar ingredients.

4 to 6 fresh spearmint or yerba buena leaves
1-1/2  oz rum, white or dark
1/2 oz bottled or fresh key lime juice
1-1/2 oz simple syrup
club soda

Place mint and rum together in bottom of tall glass. With a wooden muddler, bruise but don’t tear the mint leaves . Add the lime juice, syrup, and fill with ice. Top with club soda, and stir. Garnish with mint leaves or a lime twist.

Kosher-Style Deli Corned Beef

Developed July, 2016. The usual method of preparing corned beef brisket by simmering for many hours with cabbage, carrots, onions, and potatoes produces a satisfying meal but does not yield a product like the juicy tender meat stacked up on rye bread in a kosher-style corned beef sandwich. What is the delicatessen secret? Very simple, don’t boil, steam!

2 to 3 lb corned beef brisket (point cut is preferred but flat cut is more commonly sold)
spice packet

Remove the meat from its wrapping but do not rinse. Arrange, with the fat cap uppermost, in the insert of a steamer pot or directly on the stainless-steel basket in an improvised steamer. Sprinkle the spices from the enclosed packet evenly on the upper surface. Start the steamer with about a half inch of water, leaving room for the ample fluid that will be released from the meat as it cooks. Adjust the heat to maintain slow steaming, restoring water as needed. Steam 3 hours or until a carving fork penetrates easily. Let cool, covered in steamer. To serve, slice thinly across the grain, removing and discarding the ample fat. Reheat slices in a steamer as needed.

Stir-Fried Cauliflower in Lobster Sauce

Developed April, 2005. The sauce contains no lobster but is often used with lobster or crab. Softening the cauliflower in the microwave speeds up cooking.

6 cups cauliflower, broken or cut into bite-size florets
salt

2 T vegetable oil
1 medium onion, sliced thinly through the poles

Sauce
3/4 c chicken or vegetable stock
1 t sesame oil
1/2 t mustard powder
1 T fermented black beans (dow see, 豆豉)
1 t garlic, finely chopped
1 T soy sauce
1 T rice wine (or dry sherry)
1 t sugar
1 t salt
1 T cornstarch suspended in 2 T water
2 eggs, beaten with 1/4 t salt

Place the florets in a microwavable bowl, mist with water, lightly salt, cover, and microwave on high power for 3 minutes. Soak the dried black beans in water for 10 minutes, drain, and finely chop. Heat a wok over medium-high, add the oil, and when smoking, add the cauliflower. Stir fry for several minutes until cauliflower begins to color, add the onions, and continue frying. When the onions are softened, stir in the stock, black beans, mustard, garlic, soy sauce, rice wine, and sugar. Cover the wok and bring to a boil and stir in the cornstarch slurry. When thickened, drizzle the beaten eggs over the surface, and when eggs set, combine with the sauce. Serve with steamed rice. Variation: Incorporate 6 ounces of fried shrimp at the end before serving.

Balsamic Vinaigrette for Salad Caprese

Salad Caprese

Developed July, 2016 from internet recipes. This simple salad combines slices of mozzarella and ripe tomatoes, garnished with a chiffonade of basil leaves, perfect as part of a light summer meal. Caprese refers to the Isle of Capri.

1 oz balsamic vinegar
1/2 T Dijon mustard
1/2 t mashed garlic
1/4 t salt
1/4 t freshly-ground pepper
3 oz extra-virgin olive oil

Add the first five ingredients to a jar with tight-fitting lid. Shake to disperse, add oil, and shake well to disperse. Drizzle sparingly on the assembled salad. Yields about 1/2 cup. Store unused portion cold. Rewarm to room temperature and shake well before next use.