Salmon Quiche - perfect for a dairy Shabbat breakfast or lunch

In this quiche, I used a bit of spinach I had in the refrigerator.  It is not included in the recipe below as it is not necessary.

First, the crust. I use a 9"/23cm quiche pan.  I have been using frozen, parve short crust as it is readily available.  You can use any short crust pasty recipe that you enjoy or even perhaps the following:

Crust: 

1       cup all-purpose flour
1/2     teaspoon salt
1/3    cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening, margarine or butter
2       to 3 tablespoons (60-90ml) cold water

Alternatively, you can use frozen shortcrust pastry - thawed

Mix flour with salt.  Cut shortening into flour mixture until the shortening is about the size of small peas.  Do not over-work this important part - you want flaky crust.  Add cold water and stir with a fork.  If the dough is too dry and does not stick together, then add a few more drops of water.  Wrap in plastic and chill while cleaning up or for about 15 minutes or so.

Roll out into a circle a few inches larger than your pie pan or removable-bottomed quiche pan.  Place into pan and crimp edges to make it pretty. Make little prick marks with a fork or add pie weights to keep the crust from puffing up at this point.  Pop this into the oven (350°F/175°C) for about 5-8 minutes - this helps to prevent the bottom crust from being soggy.  You do not want to completely bake it - just temper it a bit.

Now, for the quiche mixture:

Ingredients:
3-4 eggs, depending upon size
One can evaporated (not condensed!) soy milk or 12 oz milk, soy milk (or other liquid milk alternative)**
1 Tbsp freshly chopped tarragon/1tsp dried tarragon leaves
200gm/7oz smoked salmon (lox), chopped
1/2-3/4 cup cheese
2 Tbsp. Capers, optional but nice
Freshly cracked pepper
Salt to taste (may not be necessary as the salmon is usually salty enough)
Sliced Fresh Tomatoes - either full sized ones or nice cherry tomatoes

**Some people do not combine liquid milk and fish.  I don't mind in a cooked dish.  Therefore, I often use regular milk if I do not have evaporated milk, and simply add an extra egg. 

Method:
In a milchig bowl, beat three extra large eggs, checked (or four regular sized eggs) well.  Add one can of evaporated milk (375ml/12oz standard can) and beat together.  Snip up some fresh tarragon - about a Tablespoon - or use one teaspoon of dried tarragon leaves.  Mix again.

Check the pie crust if you have forgotten about it! ;)

Add to the milk/egg mixture the following:

200gm/7oz smoked salmon (lox), chopped up a bit.
  *I use 'cooking salmon' as it is made from off-cuts and you can find it quite reasonable on sale and freeze it for later.  Photo below.
1/2-3/4 cup cheese - I often use a mixture of what ever I have here - cheddar (white, rennet-less), mozzarella, etc. 
Capers - about 2 Tbsp, if you can find kosher ones.  Quite nice, actually.
Freshly cracked black or mixed pepper
Salt - careful with the salt as the salmon is quite salty.  You should not need much.

Mix the above all together and pour into 9"/23cm quiche pan.



Top with fresh sliced tomatoes. 

Bake in oven (350°F/175°C) for about 25 minutes - I have a fan forced/convection oven - your timing might be about 5 minutes longer.  When a knife comes out clean, remove quiche from oven and cool on a rack.

This delicious quiche can be eaten hot, after cooling for about 5 minutes, or can be cooled and then stored in the refrigerator overnight for a lovely dairy brunch entrée. 

This is the type of smoke salmon/lox that I use.  As it is off-cuts (not perfectly sliced lox) it is often available at a discount price and can be successfully frozen for later use.

Easy Metric to Imperial Kitchen guide  <-- this is a good link to use if you need to convert!  Enjoy.

Parmesean-Crusted Barramundi with Lemon Butter Sauce

This recipe is a quick and delicious way to enjoy Barramundi or other mild fish fillets**



4 - 175 gm Barramundi fillets, lightly floured
2 eggs whisked with 1 Tbsp milk (or water) to make an egg wash.
1 Cup bread crumbs
1/2 Cup Parmesean cheese, grated
3 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
Salt and cracked pepper - to taste
Oil for frying

Lemon Butter Sauce - see link below
Capers - optional

In a flat bottomed bowl, combine bread crumbs, grated Parmesean cheese, chopped parsley, salt and pepper

In another bowl, whisk egg and milk together

Heat a pan of oil - about 1/2 inch deep - on medium-high

Dredge washed Barramundi fillets in flour, then dip into egg mixture and then coat evenly in bread crumb/parmesean mixture.

Carefully slide fillets into hot oil and cook until the bottom side is turning brown - timing depends on how thick your fillets are.  Carefully turn with a spatula and cook on the other side until golden brown.

When plating up - drizzle Lemon-Butter sauce over fish and scatter capers over, if desired.
Serve with rice and a green vegetable.

This recipe will serve 3-4 people.

In the photo the fish is served with Mizrahi Rice.  Jasmine or Basmati rice would be nice as well.

Lemon Butter Sauce recipe here

** Kosher Fish List

Notes:  I rinsed off the fish and put all the ingredients into each bowl.  I then got the rice going and the first part of the lemon butter sauce ready while the oil in the pan was heating.  By the time the oil was hot and the fish was halfway cooked, the rice and vegetable was ready and I only needed to finish the sauce.  This entire meal took me between 30 and 45 minutes from start to finish.

If someone in your household has an allergy to gluten, potato flour would work as a nice substitute for the bread crumbs.  Use cornstarch/cornflour instead of wheat flour in first step.

I have not tried to make this recipe under the broiler/grill in my oven.  If you try this method instead of frying I would enjoy your feedback.  Thanks!

Salmon Patties - Kosher for Pesach!

Ingredients:

1 can salmon 415g/tall can - pink is best - juice and all
1 egg
1 Tbsp potato starch (or matzo meal, flour or fine bread crumbs) or smashed/ground instant potato flakes
finely minced onion - about 2 Tbsp (optional)
finely minced parsley - about 1 Tbsp (optional)
oil for frying - doesn't take much


Method:
In a bowl, add the canned salmon, egg, onion, parsley and mix a bit with your hands or a fork.  Add the potato starch (or other binding agent)  Do not overwork this mixture.

Heat a fry pan on medium high with just a drizzle of oil to cover the bottom.

Make patties using a large tablespoon - you should get about 9 patties from this amount of salmon

Place patties into the hot pan and do not press down.  Allow them to cook for about 4 minutes or until brown on one side.  Flip over with a spatula (easiest when the patties are small as directed)  and cook until brown on the other side.

Serve with salad (and grits! if not during Pessah)

Enjoy.

I have found that children prefer the milder taste of pink salmon.  Thankfully, it is less expensive than the red canned salmon.


Recipe can easily be doubled or tripled according to the size of your family.

Smoked Trout Pate - can be made "Kosher for Passover"

 I have eaten smoked trout pate from the store and although it has been nice, this recipe is delicious, less expensive and much nicer to serve. 

It might sound sophisticated but this smoked trout pate is quick and easy to prepare.  Other smoked varieties of fish are equally nice.  Can easily be served as kosher for passover - check labels on all ingredients.

Makes 2 - 3 cups

Ingredients:

    400g (14-16 oz) smoked trout fillet (carefully check for bones!)

    280g (9 oz.) margarine (or unsalted butter), softened

    2 Tbsp. horseradish

    Pinch of cayenne pepper

    100ml (5 tbs) creme fraiche or sour cream (or use non-dairy alternative)

    40ml (2 Tbsp.) lemon juice, plus extra to serve

    2 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill

Method:

Place all ingredients in a food processor and process until combined, then season with salt and pepper. Place in a bowl, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Garnish with a sprig of fresh dill and lemon wedges.

To Serve:

For Pesach:  Spread on matzah or use as a dip for raw veggies.
During the rest of the year:  crackers or dry toasted bread (like Melba toast) is nice

If you have non-dairy sour cream available, this pate can be made 'parve' - which makes this a more versatile recipe.

Moroccan Fish Cakes in Lemon Sauce

Adapted from Levana Kirshchenbaum


Ingredients:


For the fish cakes:

• 1 pound skinless, boneless fish fillets, such as cod, hoki, scrod, flounder, sole, tilapia or salmon, cut into big chunks (children usually prefer a mild fish such as cod, hoki or sole)
• 1/2 small onion
• 4 sprigs flat-leaf parsley, stems removed - sometimes I use corriander/cilantro - yum!
• 1 beaten egg
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 tablespoon grated lemon zest
• dash of nutmeg
• dash of cayenne
• salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs

For the sauce:

• 1 1/2 cups water
• pinch of saffron threads
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon capers
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

 Method:

1. Combine the fish, onion, parsley or coriander/cilantro, egg, oil, lemon zest, nutmeg salt and pepper to taste in a food processor, and process until perfectly smooth. Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl, add the bread crumbs, and GENTLY mix thoroughly. With wet hands, shape the fish mixture into 6 oval patties.
2. Combine the water, saffron, turmeric, oil, lemon juice, and capers and bring to a boil in a heavy saucepan over high heat.
3. Add the fish patties to the pot and cook, uncovered, for about 20 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the patties to a platter. Reduce the liquid in the pot until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the mustard and stir until smooth. Pour the sauce over the patties. Serve warm or at room temperature.

YIELD: About 6-8 fish course servings

K (p)

Salmon Wrapped in Phyllo with Spinach and Mushrooms

Salmon Wrapped in Phyllo with Spinach and Mushrooms

Serves 4 as a main dish, can be doubled or serves 8 as an appetizer.

Ingredients:

4 (6-ounce) centre cut salmon fillets, skin removed (equal size pieces)
1 lemon, zested and juiced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 medium Vidalia onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chopped shiitake mushrooms, stems discarded
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
4 cups washed, dried, and loosely packed fresh baby spinach
1/4 cup sour cream
2 frozen puff pastry sheets, defrosted
Chopped fresh parsley leaves, for garnish

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Brush both sides of the salmon with 1 teaspoon lemon juice and sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.

Warm 2 tablespoons oil in 2 separate skillets over medium-high heat. Add half of the onion and half the garlic to each pan. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms and thyme into 1 pan and the spinach, lemon zest and remain lemon juice in the other pan. Stir the spinach until it wilts, then transfer it to a bowl and set aside. Sauté the mushrooms until they are reduced and tender, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and stir in the sour cream. Set aside.

Unroll a pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. With a rolling pin lightly seal the seams and lengthen the dough slightly. Cut the pastry sheet into 3 equal strips, using the natural seams as a guide. Roll out the second puff pastry sheet to get 1 more strip. Save remaining puff pastry for another use. Lightly prick the 4 strips with a fork. Put 1 heaping spoonful of mushroom mixture on 1 half of each pastry, top with salmon, and then layer with a heaping spoonful of spinach mixture. Wet the edges of the pastry with water and fold over the other half, pressing lightly and folding to seal the edges. Repeat with remaining pastry and filling. Cut 2 vents on the top of each pastry packet and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake until the pastry is golden and fish is just opaque in the centre, about 25 to 30 minutes.

Garnish with chives or parsley and serve with the sauce below, if desired:

  This is a simple lemon-butter sauce made with
3 Tbsp dry white wine or Vermouth
2 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup butter, cut in small cubes  (Use margarine for a Pareve sauce)
 a pinch of salt -
In a saucepan put the wine, lemon juice - cook, watching carefully, and reduce until it is about 2 Tbsp.  Add pinch of salt.  Slowly, over low heat, add the little chunks of butter until you have a fabulous sauce.
I usually double this sauce - it is sooo good!

Delicious with this dish or asparagus or Artichokes or broccoli or...well, anything!

K (D) unless you use margarine and Tofutti better than sour creme - then it is K (P)

Grilled Fish Tacos with Rubio's Sauce - Yum!!!

Rubios, THE place for fish tacos in California, both breads and deep-fries the fish for their tacos.  I prefer this grilled version as it is lighter and the flavour of the delicious fresh fish is more prominent.



Fish:
1 1/2 - 2 pounds (1 kilo) of firm fleshed white fish (mahi mahi, striped bass, hoki, halibut, tilapia)

Fish Marinade:
1 cup seeded and chopped tomatoes (I have used 400gm tinned tomatoes in a pinch)
3 scallions/shallots, thinly sliced
2 fresh or pickled jalapeño chilies seeded and minced
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh corriander/cilantro, chopped


Rubios Sauce:
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh dill
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
juice of 1 lime
salt to taste

15-20 small corn tortillas

Fixings:
1 1/2 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced - I use napa cabbage
2 avocados, sliced or 1 cup of your favorite guacamole
1 cup of fresh tomatoes, chopped or your favorite salsa
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese or extra tasty cheese
1/2 cup corriander/cilantro, chopped
Extra limes to squeeze on the tacos


Preparation
In a bowl combine the ingredients for the marinade. Add the fish. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight.

Make the Rubios sauce by whisking the ingredients together in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate. Can be made two days ahead.

Wrap groups of 5 corn tortillas in aluminum foil.

Place an oiled hinged fish grate onto a large plate. Transfer the fish from the marinade and place into the grate. (The plate underneath prevents the marinade from dripping). Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Grill the fish until the center is just opaque, about 5 minutes per side. While fish is cooking, place the foil-wrapped tortillas on the grill to warm.

Set up a buffet with all of the fixings, the tortillas and the fish.  I also serve these fish tacos with homemade rice and beans.  Yum!

K (D)

 Kosher Fish List

Serve with homemade mexican rice and refried or black beans.

Szechuan Mahi Mahi Brochettes

Szechuan  Mahi Mahi Brochettes(or Chicken - chicken can be used and is equally nice)



Ingredients:
1 kg Mahi Mahi steak(s) cut into cubes - *See alternate Kosher fish varieties listed below *
Vegetables:
A pretty combination of thickly sliced red onions, zucchini cut into 1" rounds, eggplant - skin on, cut in about the same size as zucchini,
capsicum - any colour, mushrooms, other summer squash, etc. I also like cherry tomatoes! Use what is available fresh and is good to eat.

Marinade
1/4 cup soy sauce
2T orange zest
1/4 cup orange juice
1 T lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
2 T sesame oil
2 T vegetable oil
2 T tomato paste
2 large garlic cloves, pressed or minced
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp ginger,freshly grated

Cut the fish into 1-1/2 inch chunks.

In a medium bowl, place all the marinade ingredients together and whisk well. Divide all the veggies and fish into 12 piles so that each skewer will have equal amounts of everything and your guests won't whinge that "He got more mushrooms than I did"

Place the fish on the skewers, alternating with the vegetables. Brush all over with the marinade. You can do this up to one-hour ahead- no longer or the fish will begin to break down because of the acid in the marinade.

The marinade can be made up to a day ahead of time and kept separately in a container in the fridge.

Now, prepare a fire in a charcoal grill.

When the coals are ready, lightly oil the rack and let it heat for a bit before putting the skewers on. Place the brochettes on the grill and cook, covered for about 5 minutes. Turn and brush again with the marinade, and continue this until the fish is opaque all the way through and tender when flaked with a fork.

Remove to a platter and serve with basamati rice and lots of lemon.

This is so incredibly delicious that you will want to be trying the marinade out on other foods. It IS THAT GOOD!

Kosher Fish List <--- click here for a list of kosher fish

*Important*
 Swordfish is NOT Kosher.  Instead, use Blue Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, or Mahi Mahi  for this recipe to be
K (P)