Happy BlogDay 2005!

The big day is here! Thanks Nir Ofir for organizing this event!

My BlogDay recommendations are:

Small Farms: Shows love and appreciation for the hard work farmers and their families do to create such beautiful places and beautiful food. If you love good food, it all starts here!

OrangePulp: Is a pulpy orange who likes to draw and observe the world of oranges.

Black Looks: An African fem living on the margins of Andalucia Spain...She blogs for the human rights and to stop violence against women.

Planeta Reboque: Pedro blogs from Lisbon about his travels, politics and arquitechture. Lots of beautiful photos and stories!

Dulce Julian: This is one delicious blog from my favorite city Buenos Aires, Argentina! Julian is a very talented Chef that loves to share his knowledge and recipes with his readers. Blog is in Spanish.

Tag: BlogDay2005

WebSite: BlogDay.org

by Chef Melissa - CookingDiva · August 31, 2005 · 04:16 PM
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La Receta del Dia: Ensalada de Cangrejo y Mango

This recipe has the key to prepare a colorful and scrumptious crab salad with mango salsa. It is great served with toasts as an appetizer or light lunch on a bed of crunchy greens.
Buen provecho!
Chef M

For the crab salad: combine well all of the following ingredients and store in the fridge until ready to serve. For best flavor eat within one day.

• 1 lb. crab meat
• 1-1/2 cups ripe mango puree, or chopped small
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
• 1/4 cup red onion, minced
• 1/2 cup of a combination of red, green and yellow bell peppers, chopped small
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon lime juice, fresh
• 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• a dash of hot sauce, optional  (or to taste)

For the mango salsa: combine the following ingredients and let stand in the fridge 15-30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to develop. To serve: top the crab salad with mango salsa and enjoy!

• 1 ripe mango, peeled and chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 4 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/4- 1/2 teaspoon serrano or jalapeno peeper, minced

Very important note: When handling hot peppers, PLEASE wear gloves or use a fork and knife. Because...I have heard so many horror stories: you forget you touched them and then you touch your eyes, or just imagine if you use contact lenses and you forget you touched habanero peppers...Oh my...I promise you`ll remember it for the rest of your life.

by Chef Melissa - CookingDiva · August 29, 2005 · 06:36 PM
Permalink · Comments (1) · TrackBack (0) · Categories: RECETAS - Mariscos · RECIPES: seafood · Tropical Fruit and Vegetables

La Receta del Dia: Lobster Salad (Ensalada de Langosta)

Buenas Tardes to all of our readers from all over the world (and beyond!). Next is one succulent lobster dish (starring our popular Caribbean Lobster!) created by Chef M with love.

Our first suggestion is to serve it as a salad:

Our second suggestion, is to make a beautiful sandwich with your favorite bread:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups finely chopped cooked lobster
• 1 cup finely chopped celery
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped black olives
• Romaine lettuce leaves
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (or parsley)

Directions:

1. Combine first eight ingredients in a bowl, stirring well.
2. For the salad: serve on a bed of romaine lettuce leaves and sprinkle with cilantro or parsley. If desired, garnish with pita bread or raw veggies sticks.
3. For the sandwich: go to the bakery, get your favorite freshly baked bread (or bake it yourself!) and make the perfect sandwich using this yummy salad as the filling :)

ENJOY!

by Chef Melissa - CookingDiva · August 22, 2005 · 02:32 PM
Permalink · Comments (0) · TrackBack (0) · Categories: RECETAS - Pescados y Mariscos · RECIPES: seafood

La Receta del Dia: Pescado Frito (Crispy Fried Whole Fish)

Para obtener la receta en Español entre AQUI!

The fried whole fish, simple delicious and nutritious, always has been a notorious element in the Latin American, tropical kitchen. Its golden color shines among the plates of natives and visitors. It is a tradition for the tourist and an everyday delight for the locals.

Among the ideal varieties of fish to fry are jurel, mero, pargo (red snapper), boquinete and corvina (sea bass). The only requirement is that the fish is fresh and of good size.

For good health, use coconut, palm or olive oil.

Next is a very simple and delicious recipe that I am sure you and your family or guest will rave about endlessly!

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Remember you can always email me if you have questions.

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Pescado Frito (Crispy Fried Whole Fish)

Ingredients:

• 1 whole fish (about 1 1/2 pounds) – gutted, gills removed, thoroughly rinsed
• 2 limes cut into halves
• 2 cups vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of mashed fresh garlic cloves, or to taste
• 3/4 cups all purpose wheat flour
• 1/4 cup  cornstarch (makes it stick better)
• kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper

Preparation:

1. Cut a shallow, crisis-cross pattern on both sides of the fish. Using kitchen scissors or a sharp knife, trim the fins, if they are very long.
2. Rub fish inside and out with salt, pepper and garlic.
3. Combine flour, cornstarch, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.  Dredge the fish in the flour mix and let sit a minute or so, shaking off the excess. Place it in hot (360 degrees) oil. Fry for 4-5 minutes each side OR until light brown and skin is crispy on each side. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.
4. Serving suggestion: serve with lime wedges. It is delicious with cole slaw, green salad, potato salad, fried green plantains, white rice and stewed red kidney beans, or beans and rice. Your choice!

Serves one really hungry person or two quasi-hungry souls. ENJOY!

Para obtener la receta en Español entre AQUI

by Chef Melissa - CookingDiva · August 19, 2005 · 09:16 AM
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Vacation time!.:::.De Vacaciones!

My dear readers: Thank you for visiting! I have not been posting recently because I am on vacation in San Pedro, Belize! The weather has been wonderful and the food delicious. When I get back home in Panama will post some great photos and delicious recipes I have designed specially for you.

Happy cooking!

Melissa

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Mis queridos lectores: gracias por visitarnos! Desde hace una semana estoy de vacaciones en la isla de San Pedro en Belize. El clima ha estado fantastico y la comida espectacular! Cuando regrese a Panama estare publicando fotos magnificas que he tomado en el area y compartiendo unas recetas tropicales que he creado especialmente para Uds.

Abrazos,

Melissa

by Chef Melissa - CookingDiva · August 09, 2005 · 12:22 PM
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