Chef Nick Stellino Thinks Skirt Steak Is Misunderstood...

 

Chef Nick Stellino's Grilled Skirt Steak with Tomato Infused Marinade
& Tomato, Buratta & Arugula Salad

Ingredients
2 ½ to 3 lb skirt steak

Marinade
5 garlic cloves
½ c fresh mint
1 T fresh thyme
1 c fresh basil
1 c fresh parsley
1 ½ T salt
1 T fresh rosemary
1 28 oz. can, Italian Style peeled tomatoes
½ c extra virgin olive oil
½ c pomegranate infused Balsamic Vinegar
2 T sugar

Salad
¼ tsp. salt
¼ tsp ground pepper
¼ tsp. onion powder
¼ tsp. dried oregano
¼ tsp. sugar
4 large tomatoes
4 oz. baby arugula
3 T extra virgin olive oil
1 T balsamic vinegar
6 oz. buratta or mozzarella cheese
1 oz. shaved Parmesan cheese

Method
Marinade: Place all marinade ingredients into a food processor and pulse until smooth. Place the meat in a large reusable bag and cover with the marinade. Seal bag, mix thoroughly and refrigerate for at least 5 hours, preferably overnight, turning twice.
Meat: Preheat grill or broiler to high and cook the steak 4-6 minutes per side, according to your preference. Remove from heat, cover with foil and let it rest for 2 minutes.  
Salad: Mix the dry spices and sugar together in a small bowl. Cut the tomato and the cheese into 1/2 inch slices and sprinkle both side with the spice mixture. Drizzle the arugula with 1/2 T of olive oil and 1/2 tsp. of the vinegar.

To Plate

Place the dressed arugula in the center of the plate, top with tomatoes and cheese, alternating the slices. Drizzle each plate with the remaining oil & vinegar. Cut the steak into strips and layer beside salad.

About Chef Nick Stellino
Nick Stellino grew up in Palermo, on the island of Sicily and came to the United States in 1975. In 1991, he decided to leave his lucrative career as a Wall Street stockbroker in order to follow his dream of becoming a chef. He started his culinary career as a dishwasher. Over time, he apprenticed with the best chefs in America. "I was in heaven working my way up the restaurant line," says Nick. "But I wanted to share my enthusiasm for Italian cooking with more people. I decided a cooking show was the answer." Employing the energy, dedication and entrepreneurial vision that had taken him from Palermo to Wall Street, Nick began calling television production companies. His efforts culminated in the highly successful series Nick Stellino Cooking with Friends, Cucina Amore I, II and III, Nick Stellino's Family Kitchen I, II, III, IV and V, and the PBS specials, Nick Stellino's Dinner Party and Nick Stellino: Food, Love & Family.

Nick has published many cookbooks and has partnered with major publishing companies including Putnam and Doubleday. In 2006, Nick celebrated the launch of his seventh cookbook, titled Dine In!, which is the companion to his public television series, Nick Stellino's Family Kitchen. His other titles, which can be purchased from major retailers such as the Barnes & Noble online store and Amazon.com, include:

• Nick Stellino Cooking with Friends
• Cucina Amore
• Nick Stellino's Glorious Italian Cooking
• Nick Stellino's Mediterranean Flavors
• Nick Stellino's Family Kitchen
• Nick Stellino's Passione; Pasta, Pizza, and Panini
• Mangiamo! Let's Eat! 
• Nick Stellino's Dine In!

Nick makes numerous appearances at popular food festivals around the United States, including Boston Cooks, Philadelphia's The Book and The Cook, Seattle's Festa Italiana and the Aspen Food & Wine Festival.

He was Grand Marshal of San Francisco's 1999 Columbus Day Parade, the first time in 130 years that a chef had been accorded that honor. In May 2000 and 2001, Nick appeared as a presenter at the prestigious James Beard Foundation Awards held in New York. He is also one of the few chefs who have been selected to cook at the Grand Gala Dinner for the James Beard Awards for three years in a row.

Nick Stellino has been a featured guest on numerous national shows, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Today, CBS This Morning and Good Morning America. He has been featured in national publications including Robb Report, TV Guide, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, The Magazine of La Cucina Italiana, Bon Appétit, InSync, Home, WatchTime and Primo.

Nick spends his time traveling in the United States and abroad, sharing his passion for food and life. "I believe that the family table is our last tribal meeting ground, where we all sit together and share our stories surrounded by great food, great wine, our family and friends. A family that eats together stays together!" Nick has been married for 28 years to his lovely wife, Nanci. www.nickstellino.com

Bon Appetit,

Lou

Sources; Images, video and recipe courtesy of NickStelliino.com

A Taste of the Islands: Blood Orange Basil Mojito & Rosemary Skewered Shrimp with Herb Aioli

Oceana is a fine dining restaurant set on the seaside patio of a historic house in Frenchtown. The property where Villa Olga stands has a long and varied history. It was settled by the first Danish Governor of St. Thomas, Jurgen Iversen, in 1672-1679. The name of the estate differed from "Dybbel, Dyppel, to Dopple."

This name was believed to be Iversen's nickname. Oral history has it that he built a dyke in the channel to Hassel Island (Hassles are The Gourmet Girl, Elaine Giammetta's family) so as to extend his holdings.

The estate went through many owners during the 18th century and its name was changed to Altona and Welsgunst. It seems to have been a livestock type of estate with sugar and vegetable cultivation. At this time the Public or Western Cemeteries were founded on lands of the estate. In 1821, it was owned by one Abraham Helm who deeded a piece of the estate to the Moravian Church and the St. Thomas Synagogue, both for cemeteries. In 1894 the Russian Consul Theodor Brondsted bought what was left of the estate, including the Villa and the cisterns for $12,000 from the Helm descendants. He renamed the estate Villa Olga and it was used as the Russian Embassy for the next nine years. It was then sold to a Mrs. Petersen in 1904. It went through several owners and names before its present use as an outdoor restaurant.

The main house is thought to date from the 1850's, but there is evidence of earlier foundations dating back to the early 18th century. It has thick rubble walls to withstand hurricanes and earthquakes. The doors and windows have wooden hurricane shutters and are trimmed with brick brought over from Scotland as ballast. It has decorative tile work on the welcoming arms of the staircase at the entrance and the surrounding galleries. The galleries are a typical West Indian feature to help shade the house from the tropical heat, and catch the trade-winds. The house was badly damaged by Hurricane Marilyn in 1995, and has been lovingly restored and renovated and is now open to the public as a fine restaurant.

Executive Chef Patricia Lacorte is a Cordon Bleu trained chef with over 20 years experience creating exciting, passion driven, award winning food in the Caribbean. She has received accolades from Vogue, N.Y. Times, Bon Appetit, Caribbean Travel and Life, N.Y. Post, Gourmet Magazine. Chef de Cuisine Jennifer Litwin is a culinary graduate from Johnson & Wales in Rhode Island. She's been cooking in the Caribbean for three years now and has received lots of culinary accolades. Here are two great recipes courtesy of Patricia & Jennifer. Enjoy!

Blood Orange Basil Mojito with Sugar Cane Swizzle Stick

Basil Infused Simple Syrup
Ingredients
1 c. Granulated sugar
1/2 c. Water
1/2 c. Basil fresh leaves well-washed & packed into measure 
Method
Place the sugar and the water in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to help dissolve the sugar. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove the syrup from the heat, and add the basil leaves to the saucepan. Allow the syrup to sit for at least 1 hour before straining through a fine-mesh sieve. Discard the basil leaves. Store the syrup in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator until ready to use. Syrup will keep, refrigerated, for several weeks.

To assemble Mojito
5 Mint leaves
5 Basil leaves
½ oz. Basil infused simple syrup – recipe follows
3 oz. Blood orange puree
3 oz. Cruzan Estate Light Rum
Club soda 
Method
In a tall glass, gently muddle the mint and basil with the simple syrup. Add the blood orange puree and rum. Fill with ice and top with club soda. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a sugar cane swizzle stick. Look for canned sugarcane in syrup at Asian markets - drain the sugarcane & cut it into lengthwise sticks with a sharp knife. Sugarcane swizzle sticks are also available in the fruit department of many large supermarkets.

 Rosemary Skewered Shrimp with Herb Aioli

Ingredients
2 dozen U-15 Shrimp, shelled and de-veined

The Marinade
Ingredients
1 dozen Fresh rosemary stalks
6 T Extra virgin olive oil
6 Garlic cloves - minced
Juice of 4 lemons
2 t. Rosemary - chopped
Salt & pepper

Herb Aioli
Ingredients
2 Garlic cloves – minced ¼ c. Basil – chop fine
2 Egg yolks ¼ c. Parsley – chop fine
1 t. Dijon mustard ¼ c. Chives – chop fine
1 T. Lemon juice 2 c. Blended oil
Method
In a blender, blend the garlic, egg yolks, mustard & lemon juice. When fully incorporated, slowly add the oil blending continuously until thick. Fold in the herbs.

Tomato Oil
Ingredients
2 Roma tomatoes
¾ c. Blended oil
Blend the tomatoes and oil. Season with salt & pepper.

Method
Poach the shrimp in a court bouillon (water bath of lemon juice, salt, pepper, bay leaves, carrots, celery). In a small bowl, mix well – olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, rosemary, salt & pepper. Marinate the shrimp for at least 4 hours.Skewer the shrimp on rosemary stems – 2 shrimp to a stem.

Place 2 skewers on each plate overlapping. Fill small ramekin with aioli & drizzle plate with tomato oil.

Next time you are in St. Thomas, stop by and enjoy an awesome meal overlooking the CharlotteAmalie Harbor and Hassel Island. Oh and tell them the Gourmet Guy sent you! Until then, enjoy this wonderful combo at your next outdoor gathering!

Bon Appetit,

Lou

Pineapple Carpaccio~Lemon Sorbet w/ Cinnamon~Clove Drizzle & Fresh Blueberries...

This simple recipe is so refreshing on a hot summer day. It comes to us courtesy of The Gourmet Girl, Elaine Giammetta.

Pineapple Carpaccio~Lemon Sorbet w/ Cinnamon~Clove Drizzle & Fresh Blueberries

Serves 2

Ingredients
1 medium pineapple
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
8 whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks, 1 cut in half
1 pint lemon sorbet
1 pint blueberries

Method

Cinnamon Clove Drizzle

In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring the 1/2 cup of water to a boil. Add cloves, 1 cinnamon stick and sugar. Cook until the sugar is dissolved completely. Remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool.

Prepare the Pineapple

Cut off the pineapple top. Peel skin, trim and remove any eyes. Cut the pineapple in half on the short side. Set the slice size on a mandoline to 1/32 inch. Attach half the pineapple to the plunger. Make at least 12 slices. Set aside.

Prepare the Sorbet

Take sorbet out of the freezer. If using a store-bought package, remove the lid and slice the container down the seam. Remove and discard the packaging. On a chilled marble board, with a sharp knife, cut 6 discs 1/8 inch wide. Keep in freezer until ready to plate.

Plating
Place two slices of pineapple on the plate, creating 'steps.' Next place one sorbet disc on top of the slices, keeping the step pattern. Place two slices of pineapple on the sorbet. Repeat with sorbet and pineapple. Scatter blueberries around the plate. Reheat syrup in microwave for 30 seconds. Drizzle over pineapple and sorbet. For added visual appeal, freshly grate cinnamon over the entire dish, Create a sorbet curl and place on top of the last two pineapple slices. Place a 1/2 cinnamon stick on top of the curl. Repeat entire process for second plate. Serve.

Bon Appetit

Lou