Quesadillas w/ Roasted Corn and Turtle Bean Salsa

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These quesadillas can be served as an hors d’oeuvre or as a luncheon entree. They are much tastier and prettier than a plain grilled cheese sandwich.

Ingredients

For the Quesadilla:

•   6 8-inch flour tortillas
•    3 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese or Mexican Manchego cheese
•    1 ½ cups Roasted Corn and Turtle Bean Salsa

For the Salsa:

•    2 ears fresh corn or 3/4 cup whole kernel corn (canned or frozen)
•    ½ cup cooked Turtle (black) beans
•    1/4 cup diced red or green bell pepper
•    3 tablespoons finely minced red onion
•    2 jalapeño chiles, stems and seeds removed, diced
•    2 cloves garlic, finely minced
•    1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
•    1/4 cup olive oil
•    2 tablespoons vinegar or lime juice
•    1 teaspoon dried oregano, Mexican preferred
•    Salt to taste
 

Instructions

For the Quesadillas:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Arrange 2 tortillas in a layer on a greased baking sheet. Top with ½ of the cheese and salsa. Top each with another tortilla and repeat with the cheese and salsa. Place the remaining tortillas on top and, if desired, sprinkle with a little more cheese.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the tortillas are slightly crisp and the cheese begins to melt.

Cut the quesadillas in wedges and serve with additional salsa on the side.

 

For the Salsa:

Cut the corn off the cob (if using ears) and put the kernels in a hot, dry saucepan and roast for 5 minutes, stirring constantly so that they don’t burn.

Combine with the remaining ingredients and allow to sit for an hour to blend the flavors.

 

Empanaditas with Mango Banana Habanero Salsa

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Empanaditas are little fruit or meat filled pies. Just about any fruit salsa will work in this recipe, but I especially like the tropical ones. If you’re short on time, ready-made pie crusts can be used for the pastry.

Ingredients

For the Empanaditas:

•    1 recipe Mango Banana Habanero Salsa (see recipe below)
•    1 package active dry yeast
•    1 cup warm water
•    1/4 cup shortening
•    3 cups flour
•    1 teaspoon salt
•    1 egg, beaten

For the Salsa:


•    2 ripe mangos, peeled and diced
•    1 banana, diced
•    1/4 cup minced purple onion
•    1 habanero chile, stems removed, minced
•    1/4 cup orange juice
•    2 tablespoons lime juice
•    2 tablespoons olive oil
•    1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint

 

Instructions

For the Empanaditas:

Preheat an oven to 400 degrees.

Dissolve the yeast in the water.

Cut the shortening into the dry ingredients. Add the yeast water and mix well. Do not let the dough rise.

Separate the egg and lightly beat the white. Beat the yolk with 1 tablespoon of water. Set them aside.

Roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. If using a commercial pie crust, do not roll. Cut into circles 2 to 2 ½-inches in diameter. Place a spoonful of salsa off-center on a circle. Brush the edges of the circle with the egg white, fold over and crimp the edges to seal.

Brush the empanaditas with the egg yolk and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden.

For the Salsa:

Combine all the ingredients and allow to sit for an hour to blend the flavors.

 

BBQ Chipotle Halibut w/ Watermelon Onion Salsa

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The salsa recipe is courtesy of the National Watermelon Promotion Board and the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Marketing Committee. It is a refreshing change from more traditional salsas, and since it is low in calories and contains virtually no fat, it’s a perfect example of the healthy trend in fresh salsas.

Ingredients

For the Fish:

  • 4 6 oz-halibut steaks or fillets
  •  1 small onion, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons cooking oil
  • ½ cup commercial chipotle sauce (your choice)
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 cups water
  • Salt to taste

For the Salsa:

  • 1/4 cup orange marmalade
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/4 cup minced jalapeño chiles
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups chopped seeded watermelon
  • 1 cup chopped Walla Walla Sweet Onion
  • 1 cup chopped orange sections

 

Instructions

For the Fish:

Sauté the onions and garlic in the oil until they are softened. Add the chipotle sauce, honey and water and simmer for 10 minutes. Season with the salt. Puree the mixture until smooth, adding more water if necessary to thin.

Dip the halibut in the sauce and grill over hot wood coals or chips to the desired temperature, approximately 1 to 3 minutes each side.

Serve with the watermelon salsa.

For the Salsa:

Combine the marmalade, cilantro, jalapeño, vinegar, garlic and salt. Add the watermelon, onion and orange, and gently toss together until coated. Chill at least 30 minutes before serving. 

 

Orange Chicken with Red Chiles

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This chicken and chile dish is a standard in western China, where the flavors of poultry and citrus are often combined. Dried orange peel is available in Asian markets. Any small, dried red chiles may be used in this recipe. Serve it over steamed rice or rice pilaf.

Ingredients

For the Marinade:

  • 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon dry vermouth or white wine
  • 1/2 pound boneless chicken breast, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

For the Sauce:

  • 1/2 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 1/2 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 green onion, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground Sichuan peppercorns
  • 1 tablespoon dry vermouth or white wine
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon hot bean sauce
  • 2 tablespoons dried orange peel, soaked in hot water for 1/2 hour and shredded
  • 2 teaspoons sugar or honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

For the Stir-Fry:

  • 2 tablespoons peanut oil
  • 6 small dried hot red chiles, such as Japones or de Arbol

Instructions

Combine the ingredients for the marinade in a bowl, stir well, and add the chicken. Let sit for 30 minutes.

Combine all the sauce ingredients in a bowl, stir well, and set aside.

Heat the wok over high heat. Add the peanut oil and when it just begins to smoke, add the chiles and marinated chicken. Stir-fry for about 1 minute. Add the sauce and stir-fry for an additional 30 seconds. Remove the chiles before serving.

Xinjiang Lamb and Chile Grill

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Xinjiang, which borders Mongolia, is noted for its barbecued lamb even though lamb is rarely eaten in other parts of China. In fact, the Mongolian tribes introduced lamb to the rest of China. This simple barbecue could easily be prepared by the nomads on the plains of Xinjiang. Note that this recipe requires advance preparation.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup chile oil
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons crushed Sichuan peppercorns
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 pounds lamb, cut in 2-inch cubes
  • 8 whole jalapeño chiles
  • 4 sesame seed buns
  • Chopped scallions, including the greens
  • Chopped cilantro

Instructions

Combine the chile oil, lemon juice, rice wine, garlic, peppercorns, salt, and sugar. Marinate the lamb and jalapeños in the refrigerator overnight or for 2 to 3 hours at room temperature.

Thread the lamb on skewers, alternating with the jalapeños.

Grill or broil, basting frequently with the reserved marinade until done.

Serve the lamb and chiles in the buns with the chopped scallions and cilantro.