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Friday, August 16, 2013

mystery ingredient club~

today i am joining michael lee west in her brand new girls gone wild with mystery makings! ok, so maybe i embellished a little bit, but she was kind enough to send a group of us various jars of meyers lemon products, prepared in different ways, and its up to us to thrill our very own taste buds any which way we choose, and to hopefully entertain you in return~
 
when my boxes arrived i was at sea dream, how exciting to get packages by the sea! and since i was by the sea, i just so happen to have some halibut, and this jar of meyers lemon zest in oil happily mentions its great with fish... it sounded like a win win for me! i think it took me all of 10' to have found a recipe, twisted open my jar and stepped into a world of new rich flavors. i don't have a very well stocked kitchen at the beach, but i had exactly what i needed to make this fast and delicious halibut~







Pan Roasted Line Caught Halibut with Soy-Lemon Sauce (ok my line was standing in costco)

4 6-ounce center-cut halibut fillets, skin-off
2 large minced shallots
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tablespoons white wine
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/3 cup chopped preserved lemons
1/4 cup chopped chives
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Extra virgin olive oil to cook

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. In a large saute pan or cast iron skillet, coated lightly with olive oil, season the halibut and sear until brown on top side, about 2 minutes. Flip halibut and add shallots and tomatoes in between the pieces of fish, drizzle some extra virgin olive oil place in oven. Roast for about 12-14 minutes until cooked through. Transfer the fish to a plate and place pan on high heat. Deglaze with wine and add preserved lemons and soy sauce. Reduce by half. Check for seasoning. Plate fish and encircle with sauce. Garnish with chives.

i confess i added some ginger halfway through my meal, i was craving lemon and ginger together, it was an excellent addition~

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on to the beautiful jar of preserved lemons. since i have made savory dishes before i wanted to try something totally new for me. normally i have it tucked deep into richly scented stews, this time i tried it straight from the jar in a raw salad. WOW! BAM! KABOOM!

 
oh my, talk about a real zing in your step! i took fresh greens mixed almost 50/50 with fresh mint, i LOVE mint. i then layered red onions, the sweetest cantaloupe my neighbor just gave me, salty creamy feta and then sliced one quartered piece of lemon to spread about.


 
i took the briney juice from the jar and added a bit of olive oil, pepper and honey and drizzled over the top. it was an explosion of taste in my mouth! the lemon with the mint and sweet cantaloupe with salty feta is THE perfect combo!
 

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i would like to thank michael lee for her EXTREMELY kind and generous gift to all of us participating in todays foodie friday mystery meyer lemon ingredient day. what a treat to receive such beautiful gifts and to be able to share from our tables to yours, i am humbled and thankful to be included, thank you so much for bringing sunshine into my cold gray days~


 









*** as a funny aside, i received this beautiful tree as a gift, perfect timing to share with our mystery meyer lemon ingredient day. i thought it would be cute to haul the tree down to the beach to show off that california fun in the sun you all think we are always enjoying. i had to walk up a steep dune, trudging back and forth 2 times to haul up my props. i had noticed some people at a beach house staring at me, i had arrived just as the gates opened.

i am on my hands and knees trying to get a decent foggy shot when up marches a very angry redhead, ok lets be honest, her hair was maroon, the exact same color as her parka and lipstick, just her coloring along was frightening, but she is SCREAMING AT ME, YOU CAN'T PLANT A TREE HERE!

oh i thought it was hysterical, but she was so NASTY that i gave it right back to her... i said i was taking pics, do you see a shovel any where? i mean really, like i am going to plant a citrus tree in freezing temps and gale force winds on a public beach with no water, did i mention dunes, as in NO dirt? when i think of all the things that go on at that beach and i am being chased down for taking a pic of a citrus tree i will forever laugh until i double over on this one.

she was obviously not a gardener, a citrus tree, come on, it could have been a banana tree or an orchid being transplanted in the arctic with about as much chance of survival, but the reality is some home owner was spying on me and terrified that they would lose their view and be forced to drink lemonade, eat lemon meringue pie and preserve their very own lemons come winter!

thanks so much for ALL the fun MLW, my boxes of lemons were such a delight to play with at sea dream, and now i will forever have this beach memory of when i tried to plant a lemon tree in dune and was instantly caught!

if anyone is still here reading, i am joining foodie friday, please stop by and visit the links of the other participants, i only hope they had as much fun as me!


17 comments:

  1. I'm doubled over with laughter! What a fun, funny story!
    I'm drooling over the caramel sauce and am off to order a bottle of that asap. I had such fun cooking with the Meyers that I feel as if I'm back in the kitchen saddle again. It's usually my husband that does all the cooking, but I seem to be on a roll! Will try these recipes. I'm smitten with these products. Will be making a salad for tonight's dinner. Thanks for sharing and thanks for the laugh! ~ Yum, Yum ~ Sarah

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  2. Wow, What a visual feast for the eyes! You got me first with the halibut swimming in the bowl with the cherry tomatoes and ended with the fabulous dessert!! I want a bite of all of it. Great job with the mystery ingredients.

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  3. Oh my...I've looked at your delicious post twice on my phone and couldn't wait to get to my laptop for a bigger serving!

    So many wonderful recipes~ the salad, the sandwich, the halibut...love your shrimp & avocado salad and your crab absconding with a shrimp :) And your puff pastry with your apple, pear & caramel sauce! I want to lick the board :)

    I have to come back tomorrow to take this all in!

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  4. Thanks for the giggles,(and I'm still laughing too!) I loved all of your dishes but could barely restrain myself with your cantaloupe salad - oh wow, I REALLY need to make a run to Safeway! Loved it and you totally rock!

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  5. Amid gorgeous photography, enticing dishes, and your wonderful, addictive words, I get to the part about the tree-that-almost-didn't-make-it-to-you, and I fall over laughing, tears streaming, and my husband has to stop the recorded version of Jon Stewart and ask what the heck is wrong. So I read aloud from your blog about the maroon loon, and he's laughing and Bandy is laughing.

    You had me at shovel, Jain.

    "when i think of all the things that go on at that beach and i am being chased down for taking a pic of a citrus tree i will forever laugh until i double over on this one."

    Okay, I would stand in line for this kind of humor, and it's served with food that should be Michelin-starred.

    I can't thank you enough for putting together this stellar, unforgettable, gorgeous (and witty) post, especially when you were tucked away in the fog and so far from a grocery. But I'm so thrilled that you played with me, because we all get to sample the many ways to use preserved Meyers. A whole, yellow world has opened up for me, just reading this post. I get stuck in a culinary gear, real low and grindy-loud, and won't cook without the brakes on. But just look at all of the ways to cook a lemon! It really should be a book. I've bookmarked this post because it should be a lemon-themed cookbook, along with the lavender as a separate book. I can relive the wonder again and again. You are a rare soul, one I am proud to know. Thank you for this unforgettable, stunning post. xx

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  6. Thanks for this post. I love lemons and I loved the story of the crazy lady on the beach. I loved your lavender posts and visited your blog all week. Great information and great recipes. Also thanks for visiting My Cozy Corner.
    Betty

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  7. I'm back to lick the salted caramel spoon...

    Your chicken salad is on my lunch menu next week! You are fearless with your use of preserved lemons and salt. It was a wee bit daunting to me but you've whet me appetite to experiment. I'm looking forward to trying the salt and lemon in olive oil.

    Enjoy your weekend. Hope you're safely tucked away in a foggy cocoon, away from the screaming lemon tree planting police :)

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  8. I must admit that it was late last night when I got a chance to explore the FF links and when I got part way through yours, I stopped and said, I must be fresh when I read this, and went to bed! Now as the sun is coming up over the sandy beach of the Gulf coast where I happen to be, I am savoring every luscious lemon description, salivating, and enjoying the bonus laugh at the end of an incredible romp! Your words and photos always transport and I don't know which recipe to try first, the salad with melon, chicken salad, cake...I'm fairly certain the salted caramel sauce will be in my pantry soon...Thank you for sharing your talents, my tastebuds are zinging and I have much cooking to do with lemons and lavender!
    Jenna

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  9. Oh my, I am going to try making the halibut your way next. I'm on my phone where everything is teeny tiny but I spied that sea glass wine. Love that! When I get back home, I'm coming back on the big screen. This was fun!!

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  10. WOW Jain...each recipe outdid the other! What a fabulous post today. I have never seen any of these products and am wondering where I might find them. Do you think they will be available in our regular supermarket?
    I am also wondering how you managed to control yourself when the "maroon loon" was making a complete idiot of herself. I think I might have had fun at her expense. :) :)

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  11. Hi Jain - What a perfectly wonderful way to start the day! I loved every word of your post, your mouthwatering recipes and stunning photos. I have a mental picture of you and your citrus tree on the beach and will chuckle over it many times I'm sure.

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  12. Suzanne of Simply Suzannes at Home

    So happy to have found you!
    Your incredible post has introduced me to products that I didn't know existed. I can't wait to try the Meyer Lemon Caramel with Sea Salt!
    I've shared your post with other folks who love and appreciate food as much as you & I do.
    Your post took me on a fun (and funny) adventure! Thanks so much for sharing!
    Have a beautiful weekend,
    Suzanne

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  13. I knew you would be one of the mystery ingredient people!! So, I rushed right over here to see your lemony goodness and of course you did not disappoint. I can't believe that woman approached you! How rude!

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  14. Love Lemons!!! Every recipe has my mouth watering. I am so excited I found your blog (again) my search for once in a blue moon was met with a dead end but...I spotted your signature photo syle (somewhere?) and I was whisked away to your world. I am off to my fav. gourmet grocery store in the morning and all the products you used are on my list. OH YUM!
    Thanks for beauty and a good laugh.
    Kelley

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  15. Fan-Freaking-Tabulous! Brava~ you did a GREAT job utilizing all of Michael's most generous gifts.

    I want to try every single one of your recipes... that "Line-caught Halibut" recipe is a must! You crack me up "ok my line was standing in costco" (hahaha)

    Beautiful job and your images are stunning!

    Too much (regarding the Maroon-head.) *roll-eyes* One of the reasons I don't miss CA...

    ...though we have our challenges up here (*hack, hack, cough, cough & burning eyes*) They are predicting the fires won't be extinguished completely until the autumn rains--- smoky skies until then.

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  16. Hi Jain!

    So nice to connect with you again!
    You did a wonderful job of using all the delicious lemon 'stuff' that ML sent to us.
    The halibut looks really good; "line caught" in Cosco~LOL

    I'm craving a bite of that luscious looking chicken salad! I think I'll make that next with my preserved lemons.
    Your photos just knock my socks off...so incredibly talented & inspiring.

    You were very creative to make it look like the silver crab had captured one little shrimp in his claws. You always do such a fabulous job of presentation!

    Be well...sending some warm Ohio sunshine your way,
    fondly,
    Rett

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  17. What great food and a great read.

    I was at a small public park close to my home taking photos of the roses planted there. A lady in a walker screamed and me and said, "Don't you dare cut those flowers." I told her politely that I was only photographing. So apparently she could not tell the difference between a camera and pair of shears. I could not believe someone that could hardly walk would pick a fight. What if I had been as mean as she was?

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welcome~