Vermicelli With Leeks And Scallions Recipes

VERMICELLI WITH LEEKS, AND SCALLIONS

Steps:

• Cut off roots and leaf ends from leeks; discard any tough outer leaves.
• Cut each leek lengthwise in half, then crosswise into 1/4-inch-wide slices.
• Place leeks in large bowl of cold water; with hand, swish leeks around to remove sand.
• Transfer leeks to colander. Repeat process, changing water several times, until all sand is removed.
• Drain well.
• Heat large saucepot of salted water to boiling over high heat; add vermicelli and cook according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, in a nonstick 12-inch skillet, melt margarine or butter over medium-high heat.
• Add leeks, green onions, shallots, garlic, both black & red peppers, and 3/4 teaspoon salt, and cook until vegetables are tender and golden, about 10 minutes, stirring often.
• Add broth, half-and-half and cheese; cook 1 minute.
• Drain vermicelli or spaghettini well; return to saucepot.
• Add leek mixture and toss well to coat.
• Sprinkle with nuts.
• This dish would go well with a nice robust wine, a loaf of bread(so as to sop up the sauce)and sliced tomatoes with avocados.

SCALLOPS WITH VERMICELLI

Steps:

• Rinse scallops.
• Combine scallops, lemon juice and parsley in glass dish; cover and marinate in refridgerator while preparing sauce. Do not let the scallops sit for too long as this will completely cook them due to the acid in the lemon juice, so do not allow the scallops to sit in lemon juice for a period longer than while you are preparing the sauce for this recipe. (FYI: by marinating the scallops [or any seafood] in lemon juice [or any acid] you are actually using the acid in the lemon juice to "chemically" cook it. This process is called Ceviche. Although this recipe is not completely cooking in the scallops in the lemon juice, it is beginning the process so this step is important. You will complete cooking of the scallops in a skillet as this recipe calls for below.)
• In large skillet on medium heat add 1 T of butter, and olive oil.
• Add onion and garlic and sautee over medium heat just until onion is tender.
• Add diced tomatoes with juice, basil, oregano and thyme. Reduce heat to low.
• Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Drain scallops from marinade.
• In another skillet, cook and stir scallops in remaining 1T of butter over medium heat until scallops are opaque (approximately 2 minutes).
• In a pot cook vermecelli to desired doneness, I prefer al dente.
• Add cream and nutmeg to tomato mixture and then combine it all with the skillet that has completed cooking scallops.
• In large bowl pour sauce & scallop mixture over cooked vermecelli.
• Garnish as desired. I use a sprig of the basil or oregano or even parsley if you used fresh herbs any will do.
• Enjoy!

FISH VERMICELLI WITH FRESH DILL AND PINEAPPLE SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. In a medium-size bowl, mix the marinade ingredients together. Cut the halibut into 1 1/2-inch-long pieces. Add the fish to the marinade and toss well. Set aside for 30 minutes.
• 2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, in a blender, blend the pineapple sauce ingredients until smooth.
• 3. When the water is boiling, add the vermicelli and stir. Cook until the noodles are soft but not mushy, 1 to 2 minutes. (Or just soak the noodles in a bowl of hot water for 4 to 5 minutes.) Drain well and divide among 4 plates; set aside.
• 4. Heat a large sauté pan over high heat. When the pan is hot, add half the marinated fish and reduce heat to medium. Cook until the fish starts to brown, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Carefully turn the fish pieces over, then cook for about 20 seconds more. Add half the dill and scallions and sauté for about 20 seconds, or until the scallions are wilted.
• 5. Divide the cooked fish, scallions, and dill over 2 of the plates of noodles.
• 6. Repeat the cooking process with the remaining fish, scallions, and dill, then divide them over the remaining two plates.
• 7. Drizzle 1 to 2 tablespoons of the pineapple sauce over the fish and noodles. Sprinkle with the roasted peanuts and serve immediately. Pass the extra pineapple sauce at the table.