Crispy “Unfried” Breaded Fish

Although I am not a huge fried food fan (I know, I’m weird), JT loves the stuff. I don’t even like the way it stinks up the house, so if I do pull out the deep fryer, I usually set it up on top of the BBQ outside, sorry neighbours!

Recently, I’ve been experimenting using coconut flour instead of regular white or whole wheat flour in the breading process because I discovered that coconut flour draws moisture out, so it actually makes a fabulous base for a truly crispy coating, much like that of the unhealthy deep frying method. The first time I made this dish, I just eyeballed everything and hoped for the best. I received a lot of mmmmm, yummmm and best of all, JT said, “please make this at least once a week.” If that isn’t the top accolade, I am not sure what is. A week later, I got out my scale and measuring cups to document the recipe. If you like crispy breaded, deep fried-like things, I would encourage you to try this healthier alternative.

I can see using this method to “un-deep fry” many things in the near future!

Crispy Unfried Breaded Fish

A KitchenInspirations Original Recipe

Makes 2, 100 g portions

Ingredients:

• 200 g firm white fish, like tilapia
• 40 g (1/3 cup) coconut flour
• 125 mL (1/2 cup) egg whites
• 30 mL (2 tbsp water), plus a little more near the end of the breading process
• 45 g (1/2 cup) whole wheat panko bread crumbs
• Salt, to taste

Directions:

1. Cut the fish up into smaller, one to two bite portions, about the same thickness.
2. With a whisk, beat the egg whites with the salt until frothy.
3. Dredge the fish in the coconut flour, then dip it into the egg whites until entirely covered. Place the fish back into the coconut flour and coat again, and dip it into the egg white for the last time.
4. Toss the wet fish pieces into the panko until entirely covered, shake excess off. Place onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Continue with steps three and four until all of the fish is coated evenly and lined up on the baking sheet. You may need to add a bit more egg or water into the egg white mixture as it thickens with the coconut flour near the end. Discard unused coconut flour, egg whites and panko.
5. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rest for thirty minutes to two hours.
6. Preheat the oven to 200° C (400° F). Bake fish, turning once until both sides are golden and the fish has an internal temperature of 63° C (145° F). Serve immediately with Romesco sauce.

You may toast the panko, like my friend Sissi does, but I find using the whole wheat panko gives it a head start to a gorgeous golden colour.

Notes:

• Use this recipe in the popular fish tacos (like my friend John’s recipe), but these are much healthier.
• These fish pieces would also make a delicious hors d’œuvres, serve with tartar sauce.
• The facts below do not include the frying process.
• Recently, I have been adding about a tablespoon or so of toasted black and white sesame seeds and it really enhances the crispy texture as well as adds lovely flavour (I wish I had taken a quick pic of it, they are truly fabulous).

This is the nutritional breakdown of the coconut flour breading.

All purpose flour and whole egg breading.

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Spanish Romesco Sauce

I have seen this beautiful sauce pop up over a couple of blogs I follow, like Karen of Back Road Journal and Maureen of Orgasmic Chef and since I was making a Spanish potato omelet for an appetizer for a recent dinner party, I knew I had to pair it with this luxurious sauce. Spaniards sure know how to make beautiful raw dishes like Gazpacho, this sauce is smooth and perfectly balanced, making it an amazing addition to chicken or fish or even a simple pasta or gnocchi dish. The toasted almonds become the thickener and the olive oil emulsifies everything to a smooth, creamy sauce. I omitted the bread because I wanted to make it gluten free and because our dinner party had two kids, I went light on the smoked paprika and garlic, feel free to ramp it up if you’re in the mood.

Makes 375 mL  (1 1/2 cups) sauce

Original recipe, please click here

Ingredients:

• 1 large fire roasted red pepper, skin removed
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup almond flour, toasted
• 3 Campari tomatoes (see notes)
• 2 tbsp Red Wine vinegar
• Pinch of smoked paprika
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Mediterranean Sea Salt*, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Parsley, finely chopped

Directions:

1. Add everything but the parsley to your immersion blender container and blend until creamy and smooth.
2. Stir in the finely chopped parsley.
3. Serve warm or room temperature over fish, chicken or pasta. You can even use it as a dip for raw veggies or crackers.

*This is the sea salt I used. I purchased it San José, Spain last year.

Notes:

• You may use 1/2 cup passata if you don’t have campari tomatoes

• I always forget the parsley so it’s not a big deal if you miss it.

• I have also used smoked sea salt and it’s heavenly

• I generally use roasted garlic purée which I have on hand because our stomachs can’t take raw garlic

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Dulce de Leche Tiramisu

Dulce de Leche Tiramisu

A KitchenInspirations Original Recipe

Makes 1 round 18 cm (7 inch) round dessert

Ingredients:

• 6 churros (I bought mine from here)
• 125 mL (1/2 cup) strong coffee
• 30 mL (2 tbsp) Tequila (I used this one)
• 415 mL (14 oz) dulce de leche (I made this recipe), divided
• 2 egg yolks
• 125 g  (1/2 cup) cream cheese, softened
• 5 mL (1 tsp) cinnamon, divided
• 237 mL (8 oz) whipping cream, stabilized (see below)

Directions:

1. Cut the churros in half lengthwise. Cut each end about 6 cm (2 inches) long. Lay cut churros into a pan large enough to hold them in one layer.
2. Combine the coffee, tequila and 15 mL (1 tbsp) of the dulce de leche and mix well. Pour half of this mixture over the cut churros and set aside for 10 minutes, turned occasionally.
3. In the meantime, in a double boiler or bain-marie, combine the remainder of the coffee, 30 mL (2 tbsp) dolce de leche and 2 egg yolks and mix well. Set over hot water and beat with a hand mixer constantly until doubled in bulk and thickened. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
4. Cream the cream cheese until smooth and slowly add the thickened egg mixture and beat until fluffy and well combined.
5. In a 18 cm (7 inch) springform pan, begin to line the edges with the churros, placing cut side down so the nice curly side is up. Line the bottom of the churros with the remaining middle cuts (this will also help hold the churros on the sides up!).
6. Reserve 30 mL (2 tbsp) dulce de leche. Add the remaining dulce de leche sauce to the bottom of the tiramisu directly on top of the bottom layer, spread as evenly as possible. Sprinkle with 2.5 mL (1/2 tsp) of cinnamon. Spoon the cream cheese mixture on top and spread evenly. Sprinkle with the remainder of the cinnamon.
7. Whip the cream with the final 30 mL (2 tbsp) dulce de leche until incorporated. To stabilize, see notes below. Spoon the whipped cream over the cream cheese mixture and swirl naturally on top.
8. Chill well to cut nice slices. To serve, sprinkle with additional cinnamon if desired.

Notes:

• No need to stabilize the whipped cream if you are eating this treat right away, only if you plan to keep leftovers.
• To stabilize whipped cream, melt 1 tsp of gelatin in about 3 tbsp cold water, nuked until gelatin melts completely, cools to room temperature but does not set, whip into the whipping cream.
• You may use whole churros, you’ll need to buy 12.
• The churros I purchased were 6 for nine Canadian dollars, which I found to be pricey. I will make my own next time (and there will be a next time!). This recipe looks good!

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Mexican Lasagna

On May 5, we hosted a Cinco de Mayo dinner party with a few friends. I’m not sure what I was thinking because I had already a very busy week planned, then my dear Mom’s widow became ill and had to be hospitalized so we were running up to the hospital he was in (about 45 minutes away) every few days (he is doing better but still in the hospital). I only had 3 days to prepare!!! I chose the menu based on foods that I can make ahead of time, knowing that they would only get better! In case you wondered, I made a variation of this dip as hors d’œuvres, this salad and for the main, this pulled chicken molé AND a Dolce de Leche tiramisu (recipe to come) for dessert. It was a bit decadent, but sometimes I really need to play in the kitchen!

This lasagna is a delicious combination of flavours and it’s worth making each layer yourself, if you must, choose canned beans to save a little time.

It’s a flavour sensation! I put a poached egg on top the next day for a very tasty brunch!

A KitchenInspirations Original Recipe

Serves 4 as a meal or 6-8 as an appetizer

Ingredients for the Pulled Pork:

• 250 g pork tenderloin
• 125 mL (1/2 cup) stock (I used beef)
• 250 mL (1 cup) passata (tomato sauce)
• 125 g (1/2 cup) sweet onions, thinly sliced
• 5 mL (1 tsp) cumin
• 5 mL (1 tsp) coriander
• 5 mL (1 tsp) Hungarian paprika
• 1.25 mL (1/4 tsp) smoked paprika
• 2.5 mL (1/2 tsp) salt
• 1.25 mL (1/4 tsp) pepper

Directions for the Pulled Pork:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in the bowl of a slow cooker or crock pot and mix well.
2. Cook on high for 4 hours or until pork is easily pulled using two forks.

Ingredients for the Lasagna:

• 6 corn tortillas, cut in half
• 250 mL (about 1 cup) shredded pork (recipe above)
• 85 g (1/2 cup) dried black beans, cooked and either puréed or mashed with a fork
• 80 g (1/2 cup) sweet onions
• 125 mL (1/2 cup) grilled corn
• a handful (~1/4 cup) of cilantro
• 125 mL (1/2 cup) Salsa
• 150 g (about 1 cup) Mexican cheese or mozzarella
• cilantro, for garnish
• loosened yogurt (in a squeeze bottle)
• sriracha sauce mixed with loosened yogurt (in a squeeze bottle)

Directions for the Lasagna:

1. Preheat the oven to 220° C (425° F).
2. In a non-stick skillet, caramelize the onions, add the beans, mushing some of the beans (add some stock if necessary). Set aside.
3. Spray a pate terrine with non-stick spray.
4. Layer 2 half corn tortillas on the bottom of the pan, cover with 1/3 of the shredded pork, 1/3 of the mashed beans, 1/3 of the corn, 1/3 of the cilantro, 1/2 of the salsa and 1/3 of the cheese. Repeat for two more layers, leaving out the salsa on the last layer. Cover with a non-stick sprayed piece of foil or the top of the pan, if you have one.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes covered, then uncover and bake for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and lightly golden. Allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving.
6. Serve garnished with a drizzle of loosened greek yogurt and sriracha sauce and a sprinkling of chopped cilantro.

Notes:

• I was unable to find Mexican cheese so I used Manchego and Mozzarella.
• If you cannot grill fresh corn, frozen is acceptable but you will miss the grilled flavour.

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