For my birthday, my mom gave me a copy of The Art of Living According to Joe Beef.  Joe Beef  is one of Montreal’s culinary gems and its book reads like a gastronomical novel – it’s just beautiful in content and images.

One of the recipes I knew I had to immediately try is the BBQ Pulled Pork over Seared Scallops.  Yes, it’s a bit odd in concept.  No, you haven’t made a better dish than this one at home – guaranteed.

I served this dish as a main course but I’ll have it in my back pocket as an amazing starter for upcoming dinner parties.

Pulled Pork Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. paprika
• 1 Tbsp. each salt, pepper, granulated sugar
• One 4-5 pound pork shoulder (sometimes called Boston Butt)
• ¼ cup yellow mustard
• ½ cup water
• 4-5 jumbo scallops per person
• Canola oil for frying
• Sea salt and pepper

Hollandaise Sauce Ingredients:

• 7 egg yolks, at room temperature
• 1 cup butter
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1 Tbsp. freshly-squeezed lemon juice

World’s Best BBQ Sauce, Ever, heated

Pulled Pork Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
2. In a small bowl, combine the paprika, salt, pepper and sugar.  Slather the pork with the yellow mustard then coat with the spice mixture.  Place pork in a large Dutch oven and add the water.  Put the pork in the oven for five hours.  After the initial five hours, check for doneness every hour, covering the meat with aluminum foil if it becomes dry or overly browned, until it’s cooked for nine hours total.  The meat should be fork tender.
3. Allow meat to cool for 15 minutes then, using two forks, pull it off into bite-size pieces and place in a large bowl (can be made a day ahead of serving if refrigerated then warmed in hot BBQ sauce).

Hollandaise Sauce Directions:

1. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter.  Allow to cool for 3 minutes.
2. In a tall container, like a pitcher, add the egg yolks.  Using an immersion blender, add the butter to the yolks in a slow, steady stream until the sauce thickens and is emulsified.
3. Add the cayenne pepper, the salt and the lemon juice.  Keep sauce at room temperature until ready to use.  Makes about ½ cup.

Plating Directions:

1. In a large cast iron or non-stick pan over high heat, add the oil and heat until shimmering hot.  Add the scallops and cook for two minutes on each side.  Remove onto a paper towel.
2. For each scallop you’re using: in a medium bowl, add one tablespoon of pork and two tablespoons of hot BBQ sauce.  Combine meat and sauce well.
3. Add a tablespoon of Hollandaise sauce per scallop on a plate (1-2 for a starter or 4-5 for an entrée).  Top the sauce with a scallop.  Top each scallop with a tablespoon of BBQ-sauced pulled pork.

Notes:  The pulled pork in its state at the end of step 3 of “Pulled Pork Directions” can be used in a multitude of ways when combined with BBQ sauce: pulled pork sandwich, as a topping for pizza, in tacos, etc…

Everyone at work knows I am a food and wine blogger.  At Christmas time, Judie, who I work with, brought me a tin of handmade caramels that she told me were a family heirloom.  Her Aunt Mary’s caramel recipe is loved by everyone in her family, but Judie is the only one to carry on the tradition of caramel-making.  Since the caramels were some of the best I have had, I implored her for the recipe, but alas, she would not part with it.

Come January, and my 40^th birthday, Judie brought me a mini gift bag with, to my surprise and joy, a copy of Aunt Mary’s Caramel recipe in it.  It is with Judie’s approval that I share the recipe with all of you.

Ingredients:

• 14-ounce can of condensed milk
• 1 cup dark corn syrup
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
• 2 sticks (½ pound) butter, divided
• Fleur de sel or gray salt (optional)

Directions:

1. Add the condensed milk, corn syrup, brown sugar, cider vinegar and one stick of butter in a saucepan over medium heat.  Once the mixture boils, reduce heat to medium-low and stir constantly for 12 minutes.
2. Add the remaining stick of butter and bring back to a boil.  Continue cooking at a boil for 13 minutes, or at soft ball stage ~ 245 – 250 degrees F.
3. Pour mixture into a buttered 8×8 or 7×10 metal pan and allow to cool overnight at room temperature.
4. Once cooled completely, unmold the caramel onto a cutting board, cut into 1” squares, sprinkle with gray salt (optional) and wrap in wax paper.

Yields about 65 caramel squares.

Notes:  Do not double the recipe.  Make sure you wear a mitt when pouring the hot liquid into the pan to prevent burns from any splattering.

Need some inspiration for a romantic meal this Valentine’s Day (or any old day)?  Here are four, simple-to-make dishes along with wine pairings that are sure to show your loved one(s) how much you care.

• Savory Cheese Tartlets with Blackberries paired with  La Marca Di Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco ($12)
• Cream of Asparagus and Vermont Sharp Cheddar Cheese Soup  paired with  2007 Hirsch Vineyards San Andreas Pinot Noir ($65)
• Boeuf en Croûte (Beef Wellington)  paired with  2006 Stag’s Leap Artemis Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($40)
• Simple Greek Yogurt and Berry Tart  paired with  2008 Heron Hill Late Harvest Vidal Blanc ($18)

BONUS – breakfast:  Strawberry and Nutella-Stuffed Crepes

Whichever dish you decide to prepare for your loved one(s) this Valentine’s Day, I hope your meal is paired with love.

Cheers,

Veronique

I take no credit for this BBQ beyond buying the cookbook and trying it.  It’s the legendary BBQ sauce by Joe Beef restaurant in Montreal, Canada.  Without exaggerating, I want to bathe in this stuff, it’s that good.  Sweet, spicy, full of depth and simple to make.  This BBQ sauce would be great over grilled chicken or ribs and combined with pulled pork for an amazing sandwich.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Coca Cola
• 1 cup ketchup
• ¼ cup cider vinegar
• 2 Tbsp. molasses
• 1 Tbsp. Sriracha
• 1 tsp. ground coffee
• ½ tsp. each salt and pepper

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine all the ingredients and cook for 30 minutes, stirring a few times.

Notes:  Sauce keeps for up to two weeks in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Photo by Chris Absheer

It is thought the name “Hummingbird Cake” was penned as a result of people ‘humming’ after tasting the scrumptious dessert.  This delicious recipe is provided by St Louis guest blogger, Chris Absheer, who is on a quest to provide decadent desserts that are simple enough for the home baker.

Cake Ingredients:

• 3 cups self- rising flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 2 large bananas, mashed
• 8-ounce can crushed pineapple
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 4 large eggs, beaten

Frosting Directions:

• 1 pound confectioner sugar
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 6 Tbs. butter, softened
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1 Tbsp. milk, more if needed
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans and 9 pecan halves

Cake Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Grease and flour three 8” round cake pans.
3. In a large bowl combine all the cake ingredients.  Stir by hand until smooth.
4. Divide batter in the three pans.  Bake 26 to 28 minutes, or until cake surface springs back when touched.
5. Cool cake pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove cakes from pans and place on rack until cooled completely.

Frosting Directions:

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine confectioner sugar, cream cheese, butter, vanilla and 1 tablespoon of milk on medium speed until smooth.  If the frosting is too stiff, add more milk, one tablespoon at a time.
2. Frost the cake and decorate with pecans.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Makes 8 servings.

Among my circle of friends, I’m typically the one cooking and baking (and loving it).  This weekend, my two girlfriends from Florida, Eileen and Gloriann, came to visit me to help celebrate my 40^th birthday.  To their surprise and my amusement, I put them to work to make me a birthday pie.  The recipe below is inspired by a chocolate cream pie by Hershey and it’s delicious.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 1 ounce bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 3 cups milk, divided
• 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
• 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 3 Tbsp. cornstarch
• ½ tsp. salt
• 3 egg yolks
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 9-inch pie crust, baked and cooled
• 2 cups heavy cream, whipped

Directions:

1. Combine chocolate and 2 cups milk in medium saucepan.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, just until mixture boils.  Remove from heat.
2. Stir together sugar, flour, cornstarch and salt in medium bowl.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining cup of milk and the egg yolks.  Stir the egg mixture into the sugar mixture.   Gradually add the egg and sugar mixture to the saucepan with the warm chocolate.  Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until mixture boils, about 2 minutes.  Boil and stir 1 minute.  Remove from heat and add the butter and vanilla extract.
4. Pour the chocolate mixture into the pie crust.  Press a sheet of shrink wrap directly onto the surface of the chocolate mixture to prevent a skin from forming.  Cool for 20 minutes then refrigerate until well chilled, at least 2 hours.
5. Top the pie with whipped cream before serving.

8 to 10 servings.

I came home from a business trip Saturday night to find my guy having planned meals for every night this week.  How great is that!!?

For dinner last night, he prepared salmon on the grill with this really great glaze on it that was inspired by a recipe by Bobby Flay.  He reserved some of the glaze and drizzled it over steamed green beans for a tasty and simple side dish.

Ingredients:

• 3 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp. maple syrup
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 2 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. finely chopped ginger
• Vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper
• 2 salmon fillets, 6 ounces each

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the brown sugar, maple syrup and butter. Remove from the heat and whisk in the mustard, soy sauce, olive oil and ginger.  Let cool.
2. Preheat grill to medium heat.  Brush salmon skin with vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.  Place the salmon skin side down on the grill. Brush some of the glaze over the salmon fillets.  Grill for 10 to 12 minutes to medium doneness, with the lid of the grill closed.

Serves 2.

Notes:  You’ll have some glaze leftover.  Brush additional glaze over the grilled salmon and drizzle over steamed vegetables or boiled potatoes.

I was making prime rib for a small New Year’s Eve party I was hosting and couldn’t see not serving Yorkshire Puddings.  Some past recipes I’d tried failed and I was somewhat intimidated to try again, particularly for a holiday dinner party.  I found the following straight-forward recipe that proved both simple to prepare and delicious.

Adapted from a recipe by Regina Varolli.

Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk, divided
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• ½ tsp. coarse kosher salt
• ¼ cup liquid beef rendering or vegetable oil

Directions (at least 6 hours prior to serving the puddings):

1. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs with ½ cup of milk, set aside.
2. In another medium bowl, combine the flour and salt together.  Add the egg mixture and whisk vigorously until there are absolutely no lumps left in the batter.
3. Cover the batter with plastic wrap and keep it at room temperature until ready to use (at least 6 hours).

Directions (when ready to serve the Yorkshire puddings):

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Place a 12-muffin tin into the hot oven and heat it until the pan is very hot, about 5 minutes.  Measure out one teaspoon of beef fat (or oil) into each muffin cup and place the pan back in the oven.  Leave the pan in the oven until the fat is literally smoking hot, about 5 minutes.
3. As the fat is heating, whisk the remaining ½ cup cold milk into the batter that’s been sitting out all day.  Whisk in some fresh, coarsely ground black pepper to taste. Put the batter into a vessel that makes it easy to pour.
4. When the fat is smoking, take the muffin tin out of the oven and, working as quickly as possible, pour the batter evenly into the 12 cups.  If the batter doesn’t sizzle as you pour it in the muffin cups, expect your Yorkshire puddings to not rise.
5. Immediately return the pan to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.  Do not open the oven for the first 20 minutes of baking.  The Yorkshire puddings are done when they are dark golden brown and dry to the touch.  The inside of the puddings will be moist.
6. Serve immediately.  Yorkshire puddings don’t wait, so bake them as you need to serve them.

Makes 12 standard muffin-sized puddings.

{photo by Andre Baranowski, via Saveur}

When Saveur showcased this dessert (from Brooklyn’s Marlow & Sons) on its cover, I thought I’d go mad.  Wow, what a beauty!  At a friend’s request, I made it for my New Year’s Eve dinner party and it was as delicious and it is gorgeous.

Originally published in Saveur magazine

Crust Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 cups flour
• 1⁄4 cup plus 1 tbsp. Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1⁄4 tsp. kosher salt
• 10 tbsp. unsalted butter, cubed and softened
• 1⁄2 cup plus 2 tbsp. confectioners’ sugar
• 2 egg yolks, preferably at room temperature
• 1⁄2 tsp. vanilla extract

Caramel Ingredients:

• 1 1⁄2 cups sugar
• 3 tbsp. light corn syrup
• 1⁄4 tsp. kosher salt
• 6 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 6 tbsp. heavy cream
• 1 tbsp. crème fraîche

Ganache Ingredients:

• 1⁄2 cup heavy cream
• 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• Gray sea salt for garnish

Crust Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350˚.
2. Combine flour, cocoa powder, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.
3. Using a handheld mixer, cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl until mixture is pale and fluffy; mix in yolks and vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients.
4. Transfer dough to a 9″ fluted tart pan with a removable bottom and press dough evenly into bottom and sides of pan. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
5. Prick the tart shell all over with a fork and bake until cooked through, about 20 minutes.  Transfer to a rack and let cool.

Caramel Directions:

1. In a 1-qt. saucepan, whisk together sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 6 tbsp. water and bring to a boil. Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer inserted into the syrup reads 340°.
2. Remove pan from heat and whisk in butter, cream, and crème fraîche (the mixture will bubble up) until smooth. Pour caramel into cooled tart shell and let cool slightly; refrigerate until firm, 4–5 hours.

Ganache Directions:

1. Bring cream to a boil in a 1-qt. saucepan over medium heat.
2. Put chocolate into a medium bowl and pour in hot cream; let sit for 1 minute, then stir slowly with a rubber spatula until smooth.
3. Pour ganache evenly over tart and refrigerate until set, 4–5 hours.
4. Sprinkle tart with sea salt, slice, and serve chilled.

Serves 8.

Traditional Bean Pot

When I was growing up in Quebec, the family would gather at Grandma’s house for baked beans breakfast several times a year.  She’d bake fresh loaves of bread and the aromas would be divine.

Grandma would soak her dry beans overnight then cook them slow and low overnight, with Grandpa adding a little water throughout the night.  The beans were prepared simply: salt pork, a whole onion (that uncle Dan would always get to have) and some molasses.  Grandma would serve the beans on mismatched plates, no two alike, and I’d pour Quebec maple syrup on them and scarf then down – bliss.  I’ve eaten my way around a bunch of cities and this meal is still my favorite breakfast.

This year, with Grandma’s passing, my mom, Diane, decided to fix this dish for us as a sort of an ode to Grandma.  She’d even bought a handsome bean pot for them to simmer in!  I’m providing the recipe below, but it’s not really about making this dish, it’s about the story behind it.  Way to go mom for keeping this tradition alive and the family well-fed!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups dried white beans
• 1/2 pound salt pork, cut into 1″ cubes
• 1 medium onion, peeled
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 tsp. dry mustard
• 1 tsp. each salt and pepper

Directions:

1. 

   Place the beans in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water then cover with foil.  Place the saucepan in the refrigerator at least 12 hours.

2. Preheat oven to 250 degrees.  Take the beans out of the refrigerator and put on the stovetop on high heat.  Boil the beans for 30 minutes, then, using a colander, drain the water.
3. Place half of the cubed salt pork in the bottom of a heavy, oven-proof pot or Dutch oven (if you have a traditional bean pot, even better).  Add the beans and top with the remaining salt pork.  Tuck the onion in.  Combine the rest of the ingredients and pour over the beans and pork.
4. Cover the beans with hot water, place in the oven, covered, and cook for 7-8 hours.  Halfway through the cooking process, add more hot water to once again cover the beans.

Makes 6-8 servings.