Spanish Tortilla

Serves 4 as light entrée; 6 as an appetizer. From Cook's Illustrated.

Spanish tortillas are often served warm or at room temperature with olives, pickles, and Garlic Mayonnaise (see related recipe) as an appetizer. They may also be served with a salad as a light entrée. For the most traditional tortilla, omit the chorizo and scallions. We recommend using our winning brand of extra-virgin olive oil, Columela. Use a cured, Spanish-style chorizo for this recipe. Portuguese linguica is a suitable substitute.




Ingredients
4 ounces Spanish chorizo , cut into medium dice
5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes (3 to 4 medium), peeled, quartered lengthwise, and cut crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick slices
1 small onion , halved and sliced thin
1 teaspoon table salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
8 large eggs
4 thinly sliced scallions (green and white parts)
Garlic Mayonnaise (see note) (optional)

Instructions
1. Heat chorizo with 1 tablespoon oil in 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until chorizo is browned and fat has rendered, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low.

2. Toss 4 tablespoons oil, potatoes, onion, ½ teaspoon salt, and pepper in large bowl until potato slices are thoroughly separated and coated in oil. Add potato mixture to skillet, and set bowl aside without washing. Cover and cook, stirring with rubber spatula every 5 minutes, until potatoes offer no resistance when poked with tip of paring knife, 22 to 28 minutes (it’s OK if some potato slices break into smaller pieces).

3. Meanwhile, whisk eggs and remaining ½ teaspoon salt in reserved bowl until just combined. Using rubber spatula, fold hot potato mixture and scallions into eggs until combined, making sure to scrape all potato mixture out of skillet. Return skillet to medium-high heat, add remaining teaspoon oil, and heat until just beginning to smoke. Add egg-potato mixture and cook, shaking pan and folding mixture constantly for 15 seconds. Smooth top of mixture with rubber spatula. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook, gently shaking pan every 30 seconds until bottom is golden brown and top is lightly set, about 2 minutes.

4. Using rubber spatula, loosen tortilla from pan, shaking back and forth until tortilla slides around freely in pan. Following photos below, slide tortilla onto large plate. Invert tortilla onto second large plate and slide it browned-side up back into skillet. Tuck edges of tortilla into skillet with rubber spatula. Return pan to medium heat and continue to cook, gently shaking pan every 30 seconds, until second side is golden brown, about 2 minutes longer. Slide tortilla onto cutting board or serving plate and allow to cool at least 15 minutes. Cut tortilla into cubes or wedges and serve with Garlic Mayonnaise, if desired.

Steak Tartare

I've said this before and I'll say it again; one of my favorite joys of cooking is that you dont need to travel to a fancy restaurant to try an amazing dish. All you need is top notch ingredients, determination and skills. With that said, I NEVER go to a restaurant and order something I can make myself, NEVER.
Well, last week I had the tartare where my hubby works and I'm in love with it. i have never attempted to make it myself since its a lot of work, mincing raw meat can be a nightmare, but I did it and it came out wonderful!
(I'm not just saying this because I made it)
Naturally I followed Anthony Bourdain's recipe from Les Halles, adding a few ingredients of my own. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

2 egg yolks
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
4 anchovy filets, finely chopped
2 tsp ketchup
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Tabasco sauce, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 olive
1 oz Cognac
1 small onion, freshly and finely chopped
2 oz capers, rinsed
2 oz cornichons, finely chopped
4 sprigs of flat parsley, finely chopped
1 1/4 lb. fresh sirloin, finely chopped
French fries, optional
4 slices fine quality white bread, toasted, quartered, for toast points

Directions:

Place the egg yolks in a large stainless-steel bowl and add the mustard and anchovies. Mix well, then add the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, and pepper and mix well again. Slowly whisk in the oil, then add the Cognac and mix again. Fold in the onion, capers, cornichons, and parsley.

Add the chopped meat to the bowl and mix well using a spoon or your hands. Divide the meat evenly among the six chilled dinner plates and, using a ring mold or spatula, form it into disks on the plates. Serve immediately with French fries and toasted bread points.

Rice Balls

This is a great recipe to make when you have left over rice, also very fast to make.

MAKES 6

INGREDIENTS

1 egg
2 cups of cooked rice
4 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup breadcrumbs

1. Beat the egg and add to the cooled rice along with cheese, and roll into a 2 inch ball.
2. Roll in seasoned breadcrumbs.
3. Deep fry the balls until crispy. Serve with pesto and marinara.