Honey Glazed Grilled Calamari Over Wilted Spinach With Capered Couscous Recipes

GRILLED CALAMARI

Steps:

• Cut the squid bodies along the sides to open flat. With a thin sharp knife, lightly score the insides, being careful not to cut through all the way.
• In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes. Add the squid bodies and tentacles, toss to coat, and marinate for 2 hours, refrigerated, turning twice.
• Preheat the grill to high heat.
• Cook potatoes in boiling salted water until tender. Drain and set aside.
• With a pastry brush, lightly coat both sides of the sliced bread with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Place the bread on the hot grill and cook until golden brown on both sides, 2 to 4 minutes. Arrange on a large platter.
• Grill the squid, turning until opaque, slightly golden, and just cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the squid to a cutting board and slice into strips. Slice the tentacles if desired.
• Place the squid on top of the grilled bread and top with the chopped olives. Arrange potatoes decoratively around squid. Lightly drizzle with additional extra virgin olive oil as desired, sprinkle with Essence and parsley, and serve with the lemon wedges on the side.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

SPIKED MONKFISH OVER COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add onions and peppers and saute for about a minute. Cover and cook until onions are tender, about 5 minutes. Add the carrots, tomatoes and their juices, cumin, saffron and crushed pepper. Cover and cook until carrots are tender, about 5 minutes
• Add chick peas and monkfish. Cover and simmer until fish is cooked through, about 10 minutes While fish is cooking, bring fish stock to a boil. Add couscous and immediately remove from heat. Let couscous steep about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add butter; season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle couscous in a bowl and ladle soupy monkfish stew over the top.

WILTED SPINACH SALAD WITH BALSAMIC-HONEY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Trim, wash and dry the spinach thoroughly and place in a salad bowl.
• Coat a saute pan with 2 tablespoons olive oil and put over medium heat. Fry the prosciutto and garlic for a minute to flavor the oil, and then add the mushrooms and onions. Saute the mushrooms and onions until they are slightly brown and tender, about 3 minutes.
• Scrape the mixture on top of the spinach, return the pan to the stove. Add balsamic vinegar and scrape up the bits at the bottom of the pan. Add remaining oil and honey. Swirl pan around for a minute to warm the vinaigrette.
• Pour the vinaigrette over the salad, top with Gorgonzola. Season with salt and pepper, toss, and serve immediately.

WILTED SPINACH SALAD WITH HOT BACON DRESSING

Steps:

• Place the spinach in a large bowl and leave at room temperature. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Use a slotted spoon to gently lower the eggs into the water. Boil until both the whites and yolks are set (hard-boiled), about 10 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl filled with ice water and cool completely. Once cool, peel the eggs and cut each into quarters.
• Meanwhile, put the bacon in a large skillet and set over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Remove half of the bacon fat to a small bowl and reserve.
• Return the skillet and remaining bacon fat to medium heat. Add the mushrooms, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and a few grinds of black pepper to the same skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Pour in the reserved bacon fat, vinegar, mustard and honey and whisk until smooth and emulsified. Taste and season with more salt and pepper.
• Pour the hot bacon dressing over the spinach and toss until evenly coated and slightly wilted. Transfer to a platter and top with the eggs, red onion and reserved bacon.