Scallop Lettuce Wraps, Truffle Sauce

Scallop Lettuce Wraps, Truffle Sauce

🥬 Scallop Lettuce Wraps 🥬
🌿 Truffle Sauce with Chervil 🌿
🌼 Radish, Edible Flowers 🌸

Raw, buttery day-boat Sea Scallops, renowned for their subtle sweetness and delicate velvety texture, are paired with crisp, peppery radish slices and a heavenly truffle sauce infused with chervil. These delightful scallop clusters are then wrapped in tender little gem lettuce leaves, creating an exquisite culinary experience.

Scallop Lettuce Wraps, Truffle Sauce

Mizuna Blossoms and Stock Flower Petals

Mizuna blossoms share a similar flavor profile with the leaves of the mizuna plant, offering a mild yet peppery taste with hints of Chinese mustard.

Stock flowers are known for their dense clusters of fragrant blooms that come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, purple, and shades of red and yellow. They have a snappy radish-like flavor with floral undertones. The taste can vary depending on the variety and growing conditions.

While their beauty is undeniable, the garnishes serve a purpose beyond aesthetics. They play a crucial role in enhancing the dish, contributing elements of both mustard and radish to the final flavor profile.

Scallop Lettuce Wraps, Truffle Sauce

About Maine Day-Boat Scallops

They are harvested by fishermen that go to work in the icy waters then return to port that same day.

Since the fishing trip is short, day-boat scallops do not need to sit on melting ice like longer expeditions, and therefore do not absorb water over the course of the trip.

The taste is pure and natural, as the scallops are not bloated with water after harvest. These scallops are treated with the utmost care, and never soaked in a solution of sodium tripolyphosphate which is commercially used as a preservative but unfortunately degrades the quality of the scallop. Day-boat scallops are always more expensive but worth every penny in taste and texture.

Note: Our fishermen tell us to NEVER let scallops touch fresh water as they soak it up like sponges!

Scallop Lettuce Wraps, Truffle Sauce Recipe

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Shrimp Bisque with Old Bay Croutons

Shrimp Bisque with Old Bay Croutons

🦐 Shrimp Bisque with Old Bay Croutons 🦐
🌺  Creme Fraiche, Chives, Edible Flowers 🌺

Whereas my previous Shrimp Bisque was hearty and rustic, the texture of this one is smooth and elegant. It is the same hearty-style recipe inspired by Emeril Lagasse and Ina Garten but at the end I simply purée the soup with an immersion blender. And instead of garnishing with jumbo sautéed gulf shrimp, here I top the bisque with buttery homemade Old Bay croutons.  A swirl of crème fraîche, snipped chives, and sometimes an edible flower finish it off.

Shrimp Bisque with Old Bay Croutons

Shrimp Bisque and Old Bay Croutons Recipes

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Creamy Gochujang Braised Salmon

Creamy Gochujang Braised Salmon

Creamy Gochujang Braised Salmon

The inspiration for this delicious dish comes from maeuntang, a spicy Korean fish stew.

Maeuntang is a flavorful and spicy stew that typically features a variety of seafood, tofu, vegetables. The broth is always seasoned with Korean red pepper flakes (gochugaru) and often red pepper paste (gochujang) plus other aromatic ingredients like garlic and ginger. It’s usually served with a side of rice.

This braised salmon dish takes on a creamy twist, blending Korean with French influences by incorporating unconventional elements such as butter, white wine, and heavy cream. Rather than serving it with rice on the side, the stew embraces a unique touch for the starch – mini potatoes braised directly within the broth.

Gochujang is a Korean red chili paste with sweet heat and a fermented umami richness. It is definitely spicy – but also has a balanced fruitiness, slight smokiness and depth of flavor from the sun-dried Korean red peppers.

It’s a heavenly pairing, marrying the freshness of the sea with the richness of a fiery, creamy broth. Each spoonful delivers a perfect balance of heat and richness. Potatoes and radish contribute not only to the stew’s visual appeal but also to its complexity of flavor. A sprinkling of parsley, scallion, and red chiles add fresh, colorful notes.

For a striking garnish, add a purple dendrobium orchid which is durable and has the ability to withstand varying temperatures without wilting, making it suitable for hot dishes. And while the orchid is considered safe for culinary purposes, here it is used for visual appeal rather than taste.

Creamy Gochujang Braised Salmon

Gochujang Braised Salmon Recipe

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Leftover Turkey Soup: Panang Curry

Leftover Turkey Soup: Panang Curry

Leftover Turkey Soup

Panang Curry Turkey Broth, Shredded Turkey, Crispy Tofu Croutons
Broccoli, Zucchini, Carrots, Jasmine Rice
Lime, Scallion, Cilantro, Basil
Bean Sprouts and Cashews on the Side

It’s that time of year again. Time for the Annual Leftover Turkey Soup. This year doesn’t disappoint – it’s Thai-Style! Super-fragrant, complex, mildly spicy, slightly sweet & creamy – panang curry broth definitely complements the shredded roast turkey. Chock full of vegetables, jasmine rice, and plenty of fresh herbs this soup is so satisfying. And if you are, by now, a little bit tired of that traditional Thanksgiving bouquet, this dish is on the opposite end of the flavor spectrum.

Leftover Turkey Soup: Panang Curry

Leftover Turkey Soup: Panang Curry

Leftover Turkey Soup with Panang Curry Recipe

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Palos Verdes Pastoral at Terranea Resort 2023

Palos Verdes Pastoral at Terranea Resort

Palos Verdes Pastoral 2023

🌿 🦋 🦉 🌼 “Go Wild for the Peninsula” 🌼 🦉 🦋 🌿

Nestled amidst the pristine beauty of the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Southern California, Terranea Resort, a world-class coastal haven, was the stage once again for the annual garden-to-table gala that marries a heavenly dining experience with environmental consciousness.

Palos Verdes Pastoral at Terranea Resort

Palos Verdes Pastoral at Terranea Resort

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy (PVPLC) is a non-profit organization passionately dedicated to safeguarding the Peninsula’s open spaces and natural landscapes. Since 1988, the Conservancy has preserved more than 1700 acres of natural land.

Terranea Resort, sprawled across 100 acres of picturesque terrain, continues to be the ideal venue for this splendid affair. Offering breathtaking vistas of the ocean, it was the perfect setting for an event that combined gourmet delights, wonderful wines, entertainment, and philanthropy.

Palos Verdes Pastoral 2023

Palos Verdes Pastoral at Terranea Resort

The fundraiser featured fine cuisine, a signature cocktail, and wine that enchanted the palate and elevated the spirit. As the sun set over the Pacific, attendees of this magnificent soirée found their hearts and minds aligned with a purpose: to ensure that the Palos Verdes Peninsula remained a pastoral masterpiece for generations to come.

The Menu

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