The Summer Catch

Despite the smoldering heat that has turned my beloved herbs into atrophied stems, I have been in the kitchen making some great, simple food.  My friend Matt gave me some freshly caught Mahi Mahi sourced from off the coast of Key West, and I went to work.  I lightly seasoned each fillet with fine sea salt and cracked black pepper, quickly seared each side, and poached the fish in a tomato, saffron, olive oil, and garlic bath for a few minutes.  We topped it off with our fresh basil that surprising wants to grow in the heat, while the other herbs feign.  Here is the product of simply wonderful ingredients.

I thought that only the fish should be featured this time around as it turned into eye candy by itself. 

The Things I do For Mandi

My wife is an amazing, creative person.  She puts up with my antics in the kitchen and seldom shies away from trying my new experiments.  Every year for her birthday I strive to do something different, yummy, with a little flair of mischief.  Here is what I made for Mandi's birthday this year. 

Seared Lamb Loin Chops with Roasted Apricot, Mint Cream

Creamy Baby Bella Mushrooms and Peas Risotto

Sauteed Green Beans- Not Really Shown

 

Everything turned out perfect.  To put a twist on the lamb, I roasted some apricots, and pureed them up with demerara sugar, chocolate mint, and greek yogurt.  The chops were seared with a hint of ancho chile powder, cracked black pepper, and salt.  If some of you have not tried risotto, you need to, soon.  It is one of the creamiest, buttery dishes that around.  For those of you who have had risotto and have tried to replicate it at home with little success, all I have to say is be patient grasshoppa.  Risotto is not a hard dish to make, but it takes patients, timing, and constant coddling.