Bacalao Salad - Holidays Recipe

FOOD:

The Cooking Lounge Bacalao Salad is a latin and caribbean take on a traditional whitefish salad made from salted cod. 

From Puerto Rico in the Caribbean to Italy, through Portugal on into Norway in Europe, there is recipe upon recipe for a whitefish salad made with dried, salted codfish. Triangular trade routes paved the way for cod to become a traditional staple across continents.

A friend from Puerto Rico and a friend's Mom from Panama dipped into memories of mothers' kitchens, sharing their favorite version of this traditional cod dish. Cooking Lounge's fresh take has big, bright flavors, that go well with almost any buffet spread, make a light yet filling lunch salad on a bed of greens, and complement meat as a side (see serving suggestion).

Bacalao Salad (capers, olives, chive flowers, fresh herbs)

Requires some planning to make but is relatively inexpensive. The salted cod soaks in cold water in the fridge for 24 hours; and, the water needs to be changed at least 3 times to desalinate the cod. Blanch rehydrated codfish with juice 1/2 lime. Drain. Toss with herbs, spices, capers, olives, onion, lemon, lime, extra virgin olive oil, etc. Chill to marry and enhance flavors.

So worth the effort because Bacalao Salad holds well, serves a group, and has fresh, bright flavors that satisfy. 

Bacalao Salad w/ Chorizo Bacon Fritata and Salsa Fresca
serving suggestion

Try this Cooking Lounge Holidays Recipe for Bacalao Salad.

Soaked Desalinated Codfish

Blanched, Drained Codfish

Bacalao Salad Preparation

Cooking Lounge Bacalao Salad

• 2 lbs boneless Bacalao (salted cod)
• 3/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1/4 cup Capers
• 3/4 cup Goya Olives
• 1/2 chopped Chive Flowers (was lucky at market; chives work.)
• 1 Lemon
• 1 Lime
• 1/2 Red Onion
• 1 Serrano peper (deseeded, diced)
• 1 cup Fresh Parsley
• 1 tablespoon Fresh Oregano leaves
• 1/4 cup Cider Vinegar
• Salt, Pepper, Crushed Red Pepper

Cooking Lounge is a guide. Make this recipe you own: play with measurements, use what you have, experiment. Have fun cooking.

• Blanch the rehydrated cod in hot water for 2-3 minutes. Cooking Lounge added the juice of 1/2 lime to the water. 
• Let fish cool. Break up fish and remove any stray bones or skin.
• Mix in capers, olives, chive flowers, red onion, fresh parsley
• Make Citrus Marinade with juice of 1 lemon, teaspoon lemon zest, juice of 1/2 lime, fresh oregano leaves, salt, pepper, crushed red pepper for extra spicy, optional. 
• Toss with marinade and chill for several hours for best flavor.

Enjoy,

Cooking Lounge

photos:wbj

Vote - November 6, 2012

LIFESTYLE:

NOVEMBER 6, 2012

Hurricane Sandy Relief - Donate to the Red Cross

Hurricane Sandy left a path of devastation across the the Eastern Seaboard. 

So many, lost so much.

Please donate to the Red Cross.

Also, you can donate by phone:

Text the word REDCROSS to 90999 
to make a $10 donation.

Call 1-800-HELPNOW.

*******    ********    ********

NBC's Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together raised $23 million for the Red Cross.

Lots of performances - Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Joe Perry, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Sting and Steven Tyler.

NEW YORK, November 3, 2012 – The American Red Cross and NBCUniversal's “Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together,” a live benefit telethon with lots of performances, raised nearly $23 million to aid people seriously impacted by Hurricane Sandy. 

A record number of donations were accepted by the American Red Cross. Additional donations will help the Red Cross offer relief to victims of Hurricane Sandy. READ MORE.

Staten Island native, Christina Aguilera - "Beautiful"

Cooking Lounge

Herbs and Spices Add More Than Flavor

FOOD + LIFESTYLE:

Adding herbs and spices to a dish can transport a meal to far away lands. Think about it. Galanga, cilantro and chilies are signature ingredients for Thai food. Oregano, basil and garlic are the triumvirate of Italian cuisine. Herbs and spices can make ho hum, everyday dishes vibrant and exotic.

Beyond adding enticing flavors, herbs and spices do wonders imparting healthful benefits too. 

Click links to read more:
A Beginner's Guide to Herbs and Spices
Spice of Life

International Grocery 543 9th Ave NYC 10018
photo: wbj

Enjoy,

Cooking Lounge

NYC Honey Festival and Concord Grapes

FOOD:

Went to the New York City Honey Festival on the boardwalk at Rockaway Beach as summer slipped into fall.

Check out the Cooking Lounge Tumblr to see pictures from New York City Honey Festival.

In Union Square Farmers' Market,  honey bees swarmed baskets of concord grapes. 
Sweet reminder of how Honey comes to be.

Enjoy,
Cooking Lounge

photo: wbj

From a Brooklyn Garden

LIFESTYLE + FOOD:

arugula, basil, yellow grape tomatoes, Tuscan kale, poona keera, cucumber, sage

As August rolls into September, summer starts to fade while backyard gardens burst with homegrown pride. After a visit to a friend's garden in Clinton Hill, I left with Tuscan kale, arugula, sage, basil, yellow grape tomatoes, and an odd cucumber (poona keera...thought it was an eggplant at first). The sun kissed warmth of the fragrant herbs and just picked vegetables almost radiated from the crowded canvas sack. 

chili pepper

Headed to the nearest grocery store. Decided to cook beef sauteed with the fresh sage, onions, garlic and Union Square Farmers' Market chili peppers. In the check-out line, a woman inhaled deeply and exclaimed in a bright, melodic Caribbean lilt the basil's aroma was "wonderful." Without hesitation, I shared the basil and even some of the sage. The check-out girl smiled in disbelief. I texted my friend, the gardener. Her reply..."See gardens r for sharing."

Enjoy,

Cooking Lounge

photos:wbj

Quinoa Turkey Meatballs, Market Salad - Arugula, Peas, Radish

FOOD:

Quinoa Turkey Meatballs, Market Salad - Arugula Peas Radish, Whole Wheat Pita

Quinoa Turkey Meatballs are a high protein, light and healthy recipe. Quinoa Turkey Meatballs store well and are perfect for quick, satisfying meals. Ground turkey, turkey sausage and turkey breast are go-to items for making batch dishes. For a family, couples or singles, batch cooking is so practical; because, you can freeze portions (homemade frozen food) and refrigerate some for tasty, low cost meals during the week. 

Quinoa Turkey Meatballs

Radish Union Square NYC

1lb Ground Turkey

1 cup cooked Quinoa

1 cup sauteed Onions

2-3 cloves minced Garlic

2 large Eggs

1/3 cup chopped Fresh Parsley

Herbs and Spices to taste (get creative with choices)

1/3 cup cooking oil (prefer Olive Oil)

Saute onions in oil till golden; mix in garlic; cook for 2-5 more minutes.

In a mixing bowl, add ground turkey, quinoa, 2 eggs beaten, parsley, herbs and spices, sauteed onion and garlic. With forks or fingers, thoroughly mix all ingredients together. Form meatballs and cook in oiled skillet until lightly browned. Make sure the meatballs are completely cooked. For large batches, increase ingredients in proportion.

Market Salad - Arugula, Fresh Peas, Radish

Arugula Union Square NYC

While walking through Union Square Farmers' Market, in downtown NYC, picked up inexpensive seasonal produce straight from local farms - Arugula, Radish, and English (shell) Peas.

Toss together well washed arugula, shelled peas and thinly sliced radish with a few wedges of stem tomatoes. Quick and easy.
This is a nice summer salad with a peppery bite from the arugula and radish. Good with Oil and Vinegar to keep things simple.
A Lemon Vinaigrette (fresh lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper) on this salad pairs perfectly with the Quinoa Turkey Meatballs, giving the light meal a nod to Mediterranean cuisine.

English Peas Union Square NYC

Enjoy,

Cooking Lounge

photos: wbj