Kerry Simon Iron Chef Slider Recipes

FRESH PUMPKIN SOUP BY KERRY SIMON

Steps:

• In a stockpot over medium heat, melt butter and saute onion, carrot, apple, and sage until all are tender, add roasted pumpkin and cook about 8 to 10 minutes.
• Puree the mixture in a food mill; if you do not have a food mill, then puree in a food processor or blender (might need to add broth in the blender). Return the puree to the stockpot, add the chicken stock and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Then add the cream and simmer for 5 more minutes, lowering the heat if necessary so it does not boil. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
• Divide soup among 4 soup bowls and serve immediately.
• COOKS NOTE: To roast pumpkin, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut whole pumpkin in half and then cut each half into several pieces. Discard seeds or reserve for another use. Place pumpkin on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast in oven until tender but not falling apart, about 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool, peel away skin, and dice.

LAYERED SPINACH AND RICOTTA CHEESE BAKE-SBD STYLE

Steps:

• Saute the DICED Canadian bacon in a non-stick pan with two cloves of minced garlic and one diced red onion (about 1/2) cup.
• Add the fresh spinach and cook until the spinach wilts.
• Drain well.
• In a Pam sprayed glass pie plate, arrange the spinach mixture in one layer.
• Blend one cup of ricotta cheese with 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, and two tablespoons water.
• Stir in 1 Tbsp each of basil and dill.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Spread this over the spinach layer.
• Drain the chopped tomatoes and spread over the cheese layer.
• Garnish with a sprinkle of shredded cheese.
• Bake until the cheese melts and begins to brown, about 30 minutes at 350 F.

KERRY SIMON: IRON CHEF SLIDER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. In a heavy bottomed sauté pan on over medium heat render bacon until crispy. Add onions, celery and mushrooms and sauté until golden brown.
• Deglaze with dark beer and reduce until dry. Put ingredients aside to cool. In the meantime ,place brioche slices on a baking sheet and using a pastry brush, brush lightly with soft butter.
• When cooked ingredients have cooled, mix thoroughly with ground beef. With the ground beef mixture, form 8 square patties approximately two ounces each.
• Heat a large sauté pan to medium high. When pan is hot, add vegetable oil and place patties in one at a time being sure not to overcrowd. Cook each patty until well browned on each side (about two minutes) then flip each one and repeat the cooking process on the other side.
• When patties are cooked, place on a baking sheet and top each one with a slice of tomato and one slice of cheese. Place the tray of brioche and the tray of burgers in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and the bread is lightly golden brown.
• Assemble Iron Chef burgers by placing one patty on top of one slice of brioche and then topping with a pickle and another brioche slice.

CHICKEN KABOB

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients, and set aside (may be prepared in advance).
• Heat Oil in frying pan on medium.
• Take skewers and form 2-3 Tablespoons of mixture on one end, leaving room for griping.
• Place in hot oil, use fork to flatten for even and quick cooking.
• Flip at about one minute.
• Drain and serve warm with favorite dipping sauce.

IRON CHEF WINNER'S JAPANESE PAN-FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Remove excess fat from chicken.
• Remove hard end tips of mushrooms, and cut into halves or fourths depending on size.
• Destem and remove seeds from peppers; cut into 4-6 pieces if bell peppers are used.
• Heat a non-stick fry pan over medium-high heat until hot; add chicken skin side down, and cook until skin crisps and turns golden.
• Turn chicken and cook other side until brown.
• Add mushrooms and peppers to pan.
• When meat is cooked done, add the mirin and the soy sauce; turn chicken and vegetables frequently.
• Remove chicken when sauce thickens; cut into bite-size pieces.
• Arrange all on a platter.
• Serve sansho pepper and shichimi togarashi as table condiments.

GREEN TEA MOCHI

Steps:

• Combine mochiko, sugar, gelatin, and maccha in a large bowl and mix.
• Add Milk Green Tea and water, and mix througly with whisk or spoon. (Note: If a can of Milk Green Tea cannot be found, substitute 6oz of "Tazo Matcha with Honeydew Liquid Tea" and 6oz of milk).
• Pour into a 9x13" greased pan.
• Cover tightly with foil and bake at 350F for 55 minutes.
• Cool with cover on for 15 minutes.
• Remove Foil and cool for several hours before cutting.
• Cut out outer hardened portion of the mochi, and then cut into 32 squares.
• Optional step: Place 1/2 teaspoon of red bean paste in the middle of each square, fold square into triangle and press on the sides.
• Optional step: To improve presentation and add a bit of taste, soak 32 Oak or Sakura leaves in water, drain, and wrap around mochi pieces (dull side facing outside).

ROCK N ROLL SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• In a blender, pour vinegar, oil, ketchup, worcestershire, sugar, salt and onion. Blend till smooth.
• Tear the spinach leaves in bite-sized pieces into a large bowl. Toss in mushrooms, hard-cooked eggs, waterchestnuts and the crumbled bacon.
• Pour all the dressing over the salad and mix very well.
• Get a glass of wine and dig in!