grilled salmon with mustard beurre blanc served over mustard roasted potatoes and green beans

Ingredients

For the fish:
1 shallot, peeled and minced
1 cup dry white wine
2 ounces fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon heavy cream
1 tablespoon whole grain Dijon mustard
12 tablespoons cold butter, cubed
Salt and pepper
canola oil
1 – 2 pounds salmon fillets

For the veggies:

2 lbs. fingerling potatoes
1 lb. green beans, end trimmed
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions 

For the roasted veggies:
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Cut the potatoes in half and place them on a sheet pan. Place green beans on separate sheet pan.
3. Make the vinaigrette: whisk olive oil, mustard, 1 tsp. salt, and the pepper.
4. Pour half the vinaigrette over the potatoes and the other half over the green beans. Toss each to coat.
5. Bake potatoes for 50 minutes to 1 hour, until they are lightly browned on the outside and tender on the inside. Toss the potatoes from time to time with a metal spatula so they brown evenly.
6. Bake the green beans 15-20 minutes, or until they are crispy but not soggy.

For the fish:
1. In a heavy bottomed pot, combine shallots, white wine, and lemon juice. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until reduced to 2 tablespoons. Add cream and mustard; stir and reduce heat to low. While whisking continuously, add one cube of butter at a time allowing it to melt before adding the next. The key to this sauce is adding the butter slowly over low heat so it does not break. Once all of the butter is incorporated and the sauce is creamy, remove from heat and add salt and pepper to taste. If you’re not serving this immediately, cover and keep it warm on the stove.
2. Turn all burners to medium heat if using gas grill. Clean and oil grill. Season salmon with salt and pepper. Grill until the fish is cooked all the way through, but still flaky.
3. Plate over roasted fingerling potatoes and green beans and top with a spoonful of the mustard Beurre Blanc.

*beurre blanc recipe from InSockMonkeySlippers

crispy proscuitto, asparagus, and brie grilled pizza

Ingredients

1 ball of store-made pizza dough
1/4 cup olive oil
4 garlic cloves, miced
red pepper flakes
kosher salt
1 small bunch of asparagus, ends removed and sliced into thirds
6-8 slices prosciutto
8 ounces brie cheese, thinly sliced
freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Blanch the asparagus. Drop asparagus into boiling, salted water and cook for 3 minutes. Using an Asian strainer remove cooked asparagus and place in bowl of ice water to immediately cool. When completely cooled, drain and place on paper towels to dry.
2. Fry the prosciutto. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Lay a couple pieces of prosciutto at a time on the pan and cook until crispy, flipping halfway though.
3. Make the garlic oil. Heat the oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds - 1 minute, do not let it brown. Add a generous pinch of red pepper flakes and salt and remove from heat.
4. Meanwhile lightly flour your counter and roll out the pizza dough. For a thinner crust, I recommend using only half of a standard sized dough ball per pizza.
5. Turn all burners to high if using a gas grill. Brush and oil the grill.
6. Using a wooden pizza peel transfer the dough to grill and place directly onto the grill grates. Cover and cook for 45 seconds. Using grill tongs and/or pizza peel flip the dough and cook for 1 more minute. Using grill tongs and/or pizza peel remove the cooked dough from the grill and bring inside to top with ingredients. 
7. Spread a generous portion of garlic oil over crust. Sprinkle cheese over dough. Arrange asparagus and prosciutto over the cheese. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper
8. Place pizza on a metal grill plate until cheese melts, about 5 minutes. (The grill plate helps protect the bottom of the crust from burning). 

lamb kebabs with mint pesto

Ingredients

For the pesto:
1 cup (packed) fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup (packed) fresh cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons pine nuts
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 medium garlic clove, peeled
1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1/2 cup olive oil
 
For the kebabs:
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil plus additional for brushing
4 large garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons coriander seeds, ground in spice mill or in mortar with pestle
2 pounds trimmed boneless leg of lamb, cut into 1 1/4-inch cubes
2 large red bell peppers, cut into 1-inch squares
1 large red onion, cut into 1-inch squares

Instructions

For pesto:
Blend first 7 ingredients in processor to coarse puree. With machine running, gradually pour in 1/2 cup oil; puree until almost smooth. Transfer pesto to bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

For kebabs:
1. Mix 1 tablespoon oil, garlic, coarse salt, and coriander in medium bowl. Add lamb; toss to coat. Cover and chill at least 2 hours and up to 4 hours.
2. Prepare grill (medium-high heat). Thread lamb on skewers alternating with peppers and onions. Place on baking sheet. Brush with oil; sprinkle with pepper.
3. Grill to desired doneness, turning occasionally, 7 to 9 minutes for medium-rare.
4. Arrange kebabs on serving platter. Drizzle each kebab very lightly with pesto and serve remaining pesto alongside.

*From Epicurious.com

grilled cajun fish

Ingredients

1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons coarse salt
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro, plus sprigs for garnishing
2-pound fillet of striped bass or red snapper, skin intact (we used Grouper)
Lime wedges, for garnishing

Directions

1. Stir together spices and salt. Mix in olive oil and cilantro. Use a sharp knife to make shallow slashes about 1 1/2 inches apart into the fish skin; transfer to a large dish and rub both sides with spice mixture. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
   
2. Preheat a clean, lightly oiled grill to high heat. Place fish, flesh-side down, on hot grill. Do not move for 3 to 5 minutes, or until fish is opaque. Flip using two spatulas. Cook until fish flakes slightly when pressed, about 5 to 7 minutes more.
   
3. Transfer fish fillet to a plate. Set aside to cool slightly.

*Adapted from Martha Stewart.com

grilled pork chop with dijon sauce

Ingredients

2 center-cut pork chops
1/2 tsp. salt, divided
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
cooking spray
1 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. cider vinegar
2 tbsp. water
2 tbsp. finely chopped shallots
2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 tbsp. maple syrup

Instructions

For the chop:
1. Sprinkle both sides of pork with 1/4 tsp. salt and pepper.
2. Grill chop until a slight blush in the center (3 minutes per side on high).
3. Let rest for 10-15 minutes on cutting board covered with loosely tented tinfoil.

For the finishing sauce:
1. Preheat saute pan to medium high.
2. Add butter to pan, swirling pan to coat.
3. Add shallots; saute 3 minutes or until tender and translucent.
4. Add water and vinegar; bring to a boil, and cook 1 minute.
5. Stir in mustard, syrup, and remaining 1/4 tsp. salt; cook 1 minute or until slightly thick. Serve pork with sauce.

* Adapted from Ellie Krieger

grilled corn and potato chowdah

Ingredients

1 pound small red potatoes, quartered

1 tablespoon salt, divided

3 tablespoons softened butter, divided

6 ears shucked corn

Cooking spray

3/4 cup finely chopped onion

1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

3 cups 2% reduced-fat milk

1/2 cup half-and-half

2 thyme sprigs

3 tablespoons finely chopped chives

1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 

Instructions

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.

2. Place potatoes and 2 teaspoons salt in a saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil; cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Let potatoes stand in hot water 5 minutes. Drain; cut into 1/4-inch cubes.

3. Melt 1 tablespoon butter; brush evenly over corn. Place corn on grill rack coated with canola oil. Place potatoes on a grill pan. Grill corn and potatoes 15 minutes or until slightly charred, turning occasionally. Cool corn slightly; cut kernels from cobs. Place 1 cup corn kernels in a food processor; process until smooth.

5. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add remaining 1 teaspoon salt and red pepper; cook for 30 seconds, stirring frequently. Stir in potatoes, remaining corn kernels, pureed corn, milk, half-and-half, and thyme sprigs; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat; simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Discard thyme sprigs. Stir in chives and remaining ingredients.

*Adapted from Cooking Light

apple and cheddar burgers

Ingredients

1 lb. grass-fed beef
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
4 slices of Boar's Head sharp cheddar cheese
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and shredded
4 slices applewood smoked bacon

Instructions

1. Cook bacon. Set aside and let rest on a paper towel-lined plate.
2. Combine beef, onion, mustard, salt, pepper, and apple in a large bowl. Do not overwork mixture. Form gently into 4 patties.
3. Grill burgers until medium rare. In the last minute of cooking, top with cheese to melt.
4. Top with bacon, arugula, and a smear hamburger roll with more Dijon mustard.

blue-rugula burgers

Ingredients

1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. butter
2 onions, thinly sliced
1 tbsp. brown sugar
salt and pepper
1 lb. ground sirloin
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
handful of breadcrumbs
1/2 lb. blue cheese, thinly sliced
crusty rolls, lightly toasted
2 handfuls of arugula leaves
spicy brown mustard

Instructions

1. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, brown sugar and season with salt and pepper. Lower the heat to medium-low and cook until caramelized and sweet, about 40 minutes.
2. Combine meat with garlic, Worcestershire, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper. Form 2-3 patties.
3. Grill burgers. In the last minute of cooking time, top burgers with a few slices of blue cheese.
4. Place burgers on bun bottoms and top with arugula and caramelized onions. Spread spicy brown mustard on the top bun.

*Adapted from Rachel Ray