Spicy Crab & Avocado Salad

March 12, 2013March 30, 2015 The Culinary Chronicles16 Comments

More times than not, I’ve got a lot to say about everything. And when it comes to food– fuggedaboutit!

But then there are times when I take a bite of something and there are really just no words needed. Like with this Spicy Crab and Avocado Salad. MMMMMMM!!!!!!

TONS of sweet lump crab meat, paired with the creaminess of avocado, a slight crunch from the serranos and a kick of spice. Perfection!

Okay, okay. Maybe I do have a few words but trust me, one bite and you’ll know exactly what I mean.

By the way, in case you’re wondering–Why do I call this a “crab salad”? Well…the same reason why they call chicken salad, “chicken salad”. And yes, I may be trying to avert the question. 🙂

Laters!

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Spicy Crab and Avocado Salad
Serves 2

Ingredients:

5 ounces cooked lump crab meat
1 scallion, diced
1 teaspoon finely minced serrano pepper
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 teaspoon hot sauce
½ tablespoon lime juice
¼ teaspoon Old Bay Seasonings
kosher salt and pepper to taste
1 large avocado, halved and seeded
garnish with chives and additional Old Bay Seasonings

In a bowl, gently combine the crab, scallion, serrano pepper, mayonnaise, hot sauce, lime juice and Old Bay Seasonings. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper. Refrigerate the crab mixture for 30 minutes.

Spoon half of the crab mixture into each of the avocado halves. Sprinkle with a dash of Old Bay Seasonings and top with chives. Enjoy!

Seafood

Sriracha Crab Cakes–Bringing the heat to Valentine’s Day!

February 14, 2013 The Culinary Chronicles9 Comments

Oh l’amour…..

However, if you’re like the gazillion of other folks out there, you may be still scrambling to solidify your plans to woo your loved one.

So let a sistah help you out……..skip the overpriced restaurants with the “meh” prix fixed menus and jump in the kitchen to cook a delish meal for your sweetie.

But that doesn’t mean you need to slave away in the kitchen all day to impress your Boo. In fact, not only are these Sriracha Crab Cakes super easy to make but they are sure to BRING THE HEAT to your Valentine’s Day!

The crab cakes are jammed pack with lump crab and have a wonderful kick of heat from the Sriracha and jalapenos. Oh yea…..

Pair them with a bright bottle of bubbly and chocolate covered strawberries and BOOM! Instant recipe for love.

You’re welcome 🙂

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Sriracha Crab Cakes with Spicy Remoulade
Serves 2 entrees or 4 appetizers

Ingredients:

Crab Cakes:
1 tablespoon Sriracha hot sauce
1 large egg white
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1 garlic clove, finely minced
12 ounces cooked lump crab
1 red jalapeno, seeded and minced
2 scallions, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
¾ cup panko breadcrumbs, divided
kosher salt and black pepper to taste
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Sauce:
½ cup sour cream
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
½ tablespoon Sriracha hot sauce
2 pinches cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Begin preparing the crab cakes by whisking together the Sriracha, egg white, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, paprika, and garlic. Once combined, gently fold in the crab meat, jalapeno, scallions, parsley and ¼ cup of the bread crumbs. You may add additional breadcrumbs if the mixture is too wet. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Divide the mixture into fourths and form each portion into equal sized patties. Dredge the crab cakes with the remaining breadcrumbs. Cover the crab cakes and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Prepare the sauce by whisking together the sour cream, mayonnaise, Sriracha, cayenne and lemon juice. Add salt and pepper to taste and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes.

Heat a large skillet or cast iron on medium heat. Melt the 1 tablespoon butter into 2 tablespoons oil, swirling the liquid around the skillet. In batches, fry two of the crab cakes for 3-4 minutes on each side, until they are golden brown and heated through. Remove the crab cakes and wipe the skillet with a paper towel before adding the remaining butter and oil. Fry the remaining two crab cakes.

To plate, drizzle some of the sauce of each over each of the crab cakes and sprinkle additional chives and minced jalapeno over the top. Serve with additional lemon wedges.

Appetizers/Small Plates · Seafood

Ringing in Tết with Crispy Crab & Avocado Wontons

February 10, 2013February 11, 2013 The Culinary Chronicles10 Comments

Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!!

That’s right, dear friends! It’s Tết – the Lunar New Year!

I have to admit, I just barely finished scrubbing down my home yesterday. As I’ve shared before, one of the rituals leading up to Tết involves some serious housekeeping. And heck–I do whatever I can to ensure that my loved ones and I will have a lucky and prosperous new year. No bad ju-ju here!

My clan won’t be gathering until next week but my mouth is already watering just thinking about all of the delicious traditional eats that are in my near future. Rice cakes, roasted pig, sticky rice…..yummers.

Since I’ll be getting my fill of all of the traditional Tết fixins’ next week, I thought I would whip up some quick, yet satisfying bites to pay homage to the Lunar New Year. These Crispy Crab & Avocado Wontons fit that bill! I figure that since dumplings are traditionally served during Chinese New Year to symbolize money, the same may go for these lovely wontons. After all, they are gold and look like little purses 🙂

The fried wontons are filled with lump crab and pairs beautifully with the creaminess from the avocados. The sriracha adds a slight kick and when dipped into the tamarind chili sauce–perfection!

And with that dear friends, please allow me to wish you a very Happy, Healthy, Meaningful, Joyful, and Adventurous Year of the Snake!

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Crispy Crab & Avocado Wontons
Serves 4

Ingredients:

Wontons:
6 ounces cooked lump crab meat
½ tablespoon sriracha hot sauce
½ cup diced avocados
1 tablespoon minced chives
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
kosher salt and pepper to taste
12 wonton skins
vegetable oil for frying

Tamarind Chili Sauce:

3 tablespoons tamarind juice concentrate
1½ tablespoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon warm water
½ tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon palm sugar
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 red chili, minced finely

In a bowl, gently combine the crab, sriracha, avocados, chives and limejuice. Season with salt and pepper.

Take one wonton skin and brush the edge of each side with water. Place about 1 heaping tablespoon of the mixture in the center of the skin. Fold the ends of the wrapper together, pinching to seal. Fold the other ends together to make a little parcel. Use your fingers and pinch together all the seams to thoroughly seal. Repeat with the remaining wonton skins.

Heat the oil in a heavy bottom pot to 375 degrees F.

While the oil comes to temperature, prepare the Tamarind Chili Sauce. In a bowl, whisk together all the items and refrigerate for 10 minutes. Sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Once the oil is ready, fry the wontons in batches for about 2 minutes until golden brown. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Repeat until all wontons have been fried and serve with immediately with the Tamarind Chili Sauce.

Seafood

Lobstah, Lobstah…..Lobster Rolls!

November 30, 2012 The Culinary Chronicles8 Comments

With every trip to NYC, I must stop by Luke’s to pick up a Lobstah Roll. So flippin’ good, I can hardly stand it!!

Their lobstah is lightly seasoned and has just a tad of mayo to hold things together. Wonderfully straightforward and showcases the sweet flavor of the meat. And of course, the decadent lobstah is enveloped in a buttery, toasted, New England-style bun. Lightly crunchy on the outside and soft in the inside.

Ermahgerd…..

In the spirit of Luke’s, I was inspired to throw down a few Lobstah Rolls myself. I kept things simple but you can add in minced celery, avocados, lettuce, or heck–even MORE lobster! I jammed my rolls with so much lobstah meat that you could barely pick it up. Trust me, it’s a good problem to have.

I also cooked my own lobstahs but if it makes you a bit squeamish, feel free to pick up some pre-cooked meat from a trusted fish monger. Either way, you’re going to want to make these beauties because……

Wait–do you really need a reason? HECK NO—They’re Lobstah Rolls! Drools.

And with that Friends, Happy Friday!!!

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Lobster Rolls
Makes 2 rolls

Ingredients:

½ pound lobster meat, mix of both tail and claw
1½ tablespoons mayonnaise
¼ teaspoon celery salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped chives (more for garnish)
2 -3 pinches cayenne pepper
2 top-split hot dog buns
2 tablespoons melted butter
lemon wedges

Chop the lobster meat into ½ inch pieces and place in a large bowl. Gently mix in the mayonnaise, celery salt, black pepper, chives and cayenne. Set aside.

Heat a cast iron skillet or pan and brush the exterior of the buns with the melted butter. Toast the buns on both sides. Fill the buns with the lobster mixture and sprinkle additional chives on top (optional). Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

Pastas/Noodles · Seafood

Lobster Macaroni and Cheese because it’s my Blogiversary!

November 11, 2012November 11, 2012 The Culinary Chronicles12 Comments

My how time flies……

In the past three years, I left a comfortable job and moved to a brand new city. My family has welcomed a few new additions and have had our share of ups and downs. I’ve celebrated milestones with friends and loved ones and have stumbled upon great adventures.

And of course, three years ago I started this blog.

I can hardly believe how a quick decision one “wine-induced” night has catapulted me into a wonderful world of food and self-exploration.

This experience has introduced me to the food blogging community—a group of folks who are so supportive and generous. And I have been extended wonderful projects to participate in–which I still find so mind boggling! Not too shabby for this home cook 🙂

After three years, I am still so grateful. Thanks to my loved ones who serve as my steady food testers and inspiration.

And Thanks to you All for your continued support of The Culinary Chronicles. I promise, there’s a lot more to come.

ps. To celebrate, try out my Lobster Macaroni and Cheese. Comforting and a bit decadent…just how I like my food.

Happy Foodventures!

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Lobster Macaroni and Cheese
Serves 6

Ingredients:

¾ Pound Elbow Pasta
2½ Cups Whole Milk
2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
4 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
2 Cups Gruyere Cheese, shredded
1 Cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
1 Cup Fontina Cheese, cubed
½ Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1/8 Teaspoon Freshly Grated Nutmeg
Kosher Salt, to taste
Black Pepper, to taste
10 Ounces Cooked Lobster Meat, tail and claw
½ Cup Toasted Panko Breadcrumbs
¼ Cup Parmesan Cheese, finely grated
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Tablespoon Fresh Chives, diced

Bring a large pot of water to boil. Heavily salt the water and cook the pasta for 8-10 minutes until it is just shy of al dente. Drain well and set aside.

In a small saucepan, add the milk and bring to a slow simmer.

Meanwhile, in a large pot, melt the butter and vegetable oil together over medium-low heat. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk for about 2-3 minutes to allow the flour to cook. Whisk in the hot milk and continue to stir until the sauce thickens. Remove the pot from heat and add in the Gruyere, Cheddar Cheese and Fontina. Stir until the cheeses have melted and then add in the red pepper flakes, nutmeg, kosher salt and black pepper. Add in the pasta and lobster and stir until thoroughly combined. Pour the mixture into a greased 9×9 inch baking dish. Sprinkle the top with Panko and Parmesan Cheese. Drizzle the olive oil over the top and bake in a 400 degree F oven for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the chives over the baked dish.

Pastas/Noodles · Seafood · Sunday Family Dinner

Grilled Shrimp with Chimichurri Orzo

August 16, 2012November 20, 2015 The Culinary Chronicles1 Comment

I’m quite pleased to share that our Sunday Family Dinners have been going swimmingly well.

And what’s fun is that we’ve adopted some international themes for each dinner—the last inspired by Latin flavors. It was a memorable afternoon/evening where everyone had a hand in creating our delicioso menu.

My contribution this time around were fresh margaritas (no pre-bottled stuff here!) and a huge bowl of Grilled Shrimp with Chimichurri Orzo.

I’m pretty obsessed with Chimichurri Sauce –full of bright herbs and citrus flavors. I usually drizzle it over grilled skirt steak but I’ve been known to stir a spoonful of it into scrambled eggs or as a spread in sandwiches in lieu of pesto.

The dish turned out to be a winning combination that can be served either warm or at room temperature. Total Nguyen-Win 🙂

Stay tuned for our upcoming Family Dinner where we will venture to Europe!

This Month’s Family Dinner Menu

Cocktails: Margaritas on the Rocks
Appetizers: Fresh Guacamole
Entrees: Grilled Tri Tip, Grilled Shrimp with Chimichurri Orzo

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Grilled Shrimp with Chimichurri Orzo
Serves approximately 6

Ingredients:

1 Pound Dried Orzo
1 Pound Large Shrimp, peeled and deveined
Kosher Salt
Pepper

Chimichurri Sauce
1 Large Bunch Fresh Cilantro, roughly chopped
1 Large Bunch Fresh Parsley, roughly chopped
6 Sprigs Fresh Oregano
2 Large Garlic Cloves
1 Serrano Chile Pepper*
1 Tablespoon Lime Zest
¼ Cup Lime Juice
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
½ Teaspoon Red Chili Flakes*
1 Teaspoon Honey
3/4 – 1 Cup Olive Oil, more if needed
Kosher Salt
Pepper

Season the shrimp with salt and pepper and set aside.

Prepare the Chimichurri Sauce. In a food processor or blender, add the first nine ingredients and pulse several times. Stream in the olive oil and blend until the items have fully incorporated. More olive oil can be added if a smoother, loose texture is desired. Check for seasonings and add salt and pepper as needed. Refrigerate until ready to be used. (*Chile amounts can be adjusted based on heat level preference)

Bring a grill pan to medium high heat. Cover the pan with cooking spray and grill the shrimp about 1-2 minutes per side. Transfer the shrimp to a plate and set aside.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the orzo until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain well.

In a large bowl, toss together the orzo, shrimp and ½ cup of the Chimichurri Sauce at a time. (Add additional sauce as needed.) Plate and garnish with additional cilantro.

Giveaways · Seafood · Sponsored

Crispy Red Snapper with Chili Tamarind Sauce + Nambé GIVEAWAY

July 16, 2012June 21, 2016 The Culinary Chronicles56 Comments

You know what can make me do the Happy Dance?

When I can cook something pretty and then serve it on something pretty. Win-Nguyen in my book.

So when our generous friends at Nambé gave me the chance to create something to showcase their beautiful Fish Platter, I jumped at the opportunity!

I love making whole fish—it retains a lot of moisture and I believe, often enhances the flavor of the fish. I opted to drizzle this crispy red snapper with a sweet and sour tamarind chili sauce—and trust me, you will LOVE the flavor and texture balance.

And guess what? Not only can you make this Crispy Red Snapper but you will also have the opportunity to win the stunning Fish Platter! Woo Hoo!

How to Enter:

Leave a comment and tell us what the first thing you’ll serve using the Fish Platter

For extra chances to win, leave a separate comment for each indicating which of the below you did:

Subscribe to The Culinary Chronicles & get automatic emails when new posts are published (If you already Subscribe, leave a comment indicating so);
Like the Nambé Facebook Fan Page (If you already “Like” Nambé, leave a comment and let us know); or
Like our Facebook Fan Page (If you already “Like” us, leave a comment indicating so); or
Follow @CulinaryChron on Twitter (If you already Follow us, leave a comment indicating so).

The deadline to enter is Sunday, July 22nd at 5pm (PST) and the winner will be announced the next day.

Best of luck friends and THANKS so much Nambé!

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Crispy Red Snapper with Chili Tamarind Sauce
Serves 2

Ingredients:

Chili Tamarind Sauce
2 tablespoons shallots, minced
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
2-3 Thai chili peppers, finely minced (more or less depending on heat preference)
1/3 cup tamarind juice concentrate
2 tablespoons palm sugar
3 tablespoons fish sauce
¼ cup water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Fish
1 (2 pound) whole red snapper, head-on and thoroughly cleaned
Vegetable oil (for frying)
½ cup red bell pepper, julienned
2 scallions, diced
1 cup fresh cilantro

In a sauce pan, heat the vegetable oil and sauté the shallots and garlic for 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Add in the chili peppers and cook for an additional minute. Add the tamarind juice concentrate, palm sugar, fish sauce and water. Continue cooking over medium-low heat while stirring until all the sugar has dissolved. Lower the heat and gently simmer until the sauce has thickened. Taste the sauce and adjust with the desired level of sweetness or heat by adding more chili peppers, palm sugar or tamarind juice concentrate.

While the sauce is reducing, rinse the fish with cool water and pat dry with paper towels. Score both sides of the fish about every 1½ inches. Fill a heavy bottom pot or wok with oil deep enough to submerge your fish. Heat the oil to 350 degrees F and carefully slide the fish into the oil. Fry the fish until golden brown—about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the fish from the oil and drain on a cooling rack that has been placed on top of a sheet pan. Allow to drain for 1-2 minutes before transferring to a serving dish.

Cover the crispy fish with scallions, red bell pepper and drizzle the sauce all over the top. Add the fresh cilantro and serve immediately with steamed rice.

Appetizers/Small Plates · Condiments/Sauces · Pork · Seafood · Sunday Family Dinner

Bacon wrapped Shrimp with Pesto…..and our new Family tradition.

June 15, 2012November 20, 2015 The Culinary Chronicles6 Comments

I love the movie Soul Food and have watched it at least a cajillion times. Sure, it had some predictable spin of dramas but I always envied the Sunday family dinner at Big Mama’s house with all the delish soul food and of course–the family time.

Since moving back down to Southern California, I have really appreciated the frequency and quality time I get to spend with my family—and in particular, my nieces and nephew. Because of the distance, I only used to see them on sporadic weekend trips for holidays or special occasions. And it was because of this that I was always worried that I was missing out on seeing them grow up.

Now that I’m only about an hour’s drive away, I try to see them as often as possible—for “non-holiday” visits. And truth be told, I’m trying to squeeze in as much time as possible since my older nieces (now 13 and 11) will soon get to the age where it won’t be cool for them to hang out with their auntie. Eeek! Add that with the fact that we’re all busier than ever, it is so important that we establish some type of traditions to keep our family ties strong.

So, with a little inspiration from Soul Food, I cajoled my siblings into agreeing on having a monthly Sunday dinner—something that is established and routine so that no matter what invitations roll in or events arise, we would say– “Sorry, I’ve got to pass—it’s my family dinner.”

Several weeks ago we kicked off our first family dinner and it was a great start to a new tradition. We cooked together (getting the kids involved, too), lounged about, sped “plasma cars” up and down the street, searched frantically for the eclipse, and of course–delved into some delish eats. Grilled steaks topped with blue cheese & fried onions, “dirty rice”, corn, bacon wrapped shrimp and strawberry pastries. YUM! Unfortunately our sister P (who lives in SF) and our brother V and his family (who live in NYC) weren’t physically at dinner—they were sure there in spirit. Plus, I’m hoping they’ll plan their future visits so that it’ll land on a Sunday Family Dinner.

I’m pretty sure Mom would have loved the idea of us coming together to keep the family close—-and of course, that it’s an event that revolves around food. After all, we are her kids and the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree 🙂

This Month’s Family Dinner Menu

Cocktails: Vino
Appetizers: Bacon wrapped Shrimp with Pesto
Entrees: Grilled Steaks topped with Bleu Cheese & Fried Onions, Dirty Rice, Corn
Dessert: Strawberry Pastries

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Bacon wrapped Shrimp with Pesto

Ingredients:

1 Pound Shrimp, cleaned with tails left on (about 24-30)
12 Slices Bacon
Black Pepper
Cooking Spray

Pesto:
2½ Packed Cups Sweet Basil
½ Cup Roasted Pine Nuts, unsalted
2-3 Garlic Cloves, finely diced
½ Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
Juice from 1/2 Lemon
Approximately ½ – ¾ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Kosher Salt and Pepper to taste

Soak wooden skewers in water for 10-15 minutes.

Prepare the Pesto. In a food processor, pulse garlic and nuts. Add basil, cheese, lemon juice, and salt/pepper. With the food processor on, stream in olive oil and blend until the pesto is fully incorporated. Be sure to scrape down sides in between steps. More olive oil can be added if a smoother, loose texture is desired. Refrigerate until ready to be used.

Preheat your oven broiler.

Season the shrimp with black pepper. In batches, line a plate with paper towels and lay slices of bacon on top. Cover with additional paper towels and microwave for about 2 minutes so that the bacon is slightly cooked but still pliable. Cut each slice of bacon into half and wrap the half around each shrimp. Skewer the shrimp in a fashion so that the bacon stays secure. Approximately 3 bacon wrapped shrimp should fit on a skewer. *Alternatively, you can use soaked toothpicks and secure each shrimp individually.

Place the skewers on a aluminum foil-lined baking sheet that has been lightly covered with cooking spray. Place the sheet directly under the broiler and cook the shrimp for 8-10 minutes (flipping halfway through) until the bacon has crisped and the shrimp have turned pink.

Slide the shrimp off the skewers and serve immediately with the Pesto.

Pastas/Noodles · Seafood

Shrimp and Tofu Pad Thai

May 11, 2012May 12, 2012 The Culinary Chronicles14 Comments

Okay. Here’s my confession.

The way I feel about Pad Thai is how I imagine “non-Vietnamese folks” feel about phở. It’s kind of the gateway dish to the culture’s cuisine but it’s so flippin’ good!

Pad Thai has a whole range of textures and flavors all in one plate…what’s not to love?

So it was high time that I started to make it on my own. After grabbing a few key essentials, I turned to Alice over at Sweet Savory Life to fix up some seriously authentic and delicious Pad Thai.

By far, this is the best recipe I have tried yet. The sauce is totally clutch and is what makes this version a keeper! I also suggest to not substitute cane sugar for palm sugar as it will be way too sweet.

As for the tamarind, I opted for the concentrate like Alice but my sis shared that she used tamarind pulp when she took a Thai cooking classes.

And once you have the sauce done, the rest goes by super quick and easy. I owe you big time Alice—this recipe is definitely staying in heavy rotation! 🙂

With that dear Friends, I hope you have a fabulous Mother’s Day Weekend!

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Shrimp and Tofu Pad Thai
From The Sweet Savory Life

Ingredients:

1/3 cup fish sauce
1/2 cup palm sugar
1/2 cup tamarind juice concentrate
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 ounces dried rice stick noodles
6 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1 ½ cups thinly sliced shrimp and fried tofu
1 egg
1 cup carrots, match sticks
1 cup green onion cut diagonal in ½ inch segments
1 cup mung bean sprouts
1 cup cilantro
1 cup toasted peanuts chopped
Lime wedge

To make pad thai sauce, heat a small pan on medium low and add fish sauce, palm sugar, tamarind concentrate, and garlic. Cook sauce until palm sugar has completely dissolve. At this point, you will want to taste the sauce and tweek the sweetness or hotness (be careful, the sauce will be hot). To make it more spicy add a little Thai chili powder (I used Thai chiles). Remove from heat and allow to cool 10 minutes before storing it in a jar or plastic container.
Boil noodles for 4-5 minutes and drain immediately rinsing with cold water for a few seconds. Noodles should be slightly firmer than Al dente. But don’t worry, they will continue to soften and cook later when stir frying. Using kitchen shears, cut the noodle clump in half. This will make it easier to fry and eat.
Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a wok or frying pan on high and cook raw shrimp with tofu for 3-4 minutes. Remove tofu/seafood into a small bowl. Next, heat the remaining oil and then add garlic and red onions to the hot pan and stir fry for 1 minute stirring the garlic mixture so it will not burn. Add noodles and stir for 1 minute. Add 3-4 tablespoons Pad Thai sauce continually stirring noodle mixture until well coated with sauce. Add cooked meat/tofu/seafood back and fry for 2-3 minutes. Move the noodle and meat mixture to one side of the pan and crack an egg on the other side. Scramble the egg with a wooden spoon and cook for 30 seconds. Add carrots, green onions, and sprouts and cook for one more minute frying everything together. Test the firmness of the noodle. If the noodle is too firm, fry for an additional minute. If your noodles need more flavor, add another tablespoon of sauce and fry another half minute.
Remove from heat and serve. Garnish with remaining raw carrot match sticks, spouts, cilantro, toasted peanuts, and a wedge of lime. Enjoy!

Giveaways · Pork · Seafood · Sponsored

Spicy Mussels with Andouille Sausage + Nambé GIVEAWAY

April 18, 2012June 21, 2016 The Culinary Chronicles59 Comments

Man, oh man……

This is a doozy.

You might as well just jump through the screen and hug me now.

Not only do I have a DELISH recipe to share with you but we have a FABULOUS GIVEAWAY!!!!! Oh yes, it’s another Win-Nguyen Situation!

Our generous friends at Nambé have offered to give one of our readers a STUNNING Cradle Pasta Bowl. I’m not kidding friends. When I took mine out of the box, I literally gasped! Forget about calling it a “pasta bowl”, it’s a work of art!

I had so many different dishes I wanted to display in this beauty but finally settled upon a flavorful and easy summer meal– Spicy Mussels with Andouille Sausage. I often steam mussels in white wine with tons of citrus and herbs but wanted to kick up the flavors a bit this time around. The spice and richness from the Andouille were perfect! The broth is extremely satisfying as it melds the earthiness of the sausage with the briny goodness from the mussels and clam juice. I think it’s best enjoyed with a hunk of crunchy bread and a glass of crisp vino but it would also go well with some linguine. Exquisite!

But as delectable as these mussels are, I’m sure you want to know how to win the lovely Cradle Pasta Bowl, right? Well the good news is that you have FIVE (5) separate chances to win! To enter:

Leave a comment and tell us what the first thing you’ll serve in the Cradle Pasta Bowl;
Subscribe to The Culinary Chronicles & get automatic emails when new posts are published (If you already subscribe, leave a comment indicating so);
Like the Nambé Facebook Fan Page and leave us a comment here indicating so (If you already “Like” Nambé, leave a comment and let us know); or
Like our Facebook Fan Page (If you already “Like” us, leave a comment indicating so); or
Follow @CulinaryChron on Twitter (If you already Follow us, leave a comment indicating so).

The deadline to enter is Monday, April 23rd at 12pm (PST) and the winner will be announced the next day.

Best of luck friends and THANKS so much Nambé!

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Spicy Mussels with Andouille Sausage
Serves 6

½ pound Andouille Sausage, casings removed
½ cup diced shallots
1 tablespoon minced garlic
½ teaspoon red chili flakes
1½ cups dry white wine
1 cup clam juice
1 32-ounce can crushed San Marzano tomatoes
5-6 sprigs fresh thyme
½ cup chopped Italian parsley, plus more for garnish
5-6 lemon slices
4 pounds fresh mussels, scrubbed and debearded
vegetable oil
kosher salt
black pepper

Heat a heavy bottom pot with 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add in the sausage and use a wooden spoon to crumble up the meat while it’s browning. Once cooked, remove the sausage to a plate.

Lower the heat to medium and cook the shallots for 2-3 minutes until tender but not browned. Add in the garlic, chili flakes and cook for an additional minute. Turn the heat back up to high and add in the white wine. Deglaze the pan with the wine and use the wooden spoon to scrape up the brown pits. Reduce the liquids by half. Add in the clam juice and tomatoes (with its juices). Once the liquids come to a slow boil, carefully add in the mussels, thyme, parsley, and lemon slices. Stir in the cooked sausage and cover the pot with a lid. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the mussels have opened. Remove the mussels to a serving dish. Check the broth for seasonings and adjust as needed with the kosher salt and pepper. Ladle the broth over the mussels and garnish with additional parsley and lemon wedges. Serve immediately with warm bread (baguettes or ciabatta).