The Blue Pig

Active: 30 minutes; Total: 4 hours; Serves: 12

Pork tenderloin	2  1-pound tenderloins
Pepper, freshly ground	2 teaspoon
Salt	2 teaspoon + ¼ teaspoon
Garlic powder	4 teaspoons
Blueberries, fresh	1 cup
Garlic; smashed,  minced	4 + 2 teaspoons
Thyme	7 to 8 sprigs
Honey	1 tablespoon
Balsamic vinegar	½ cup
Rice, rinsed	1 cup
Water	1 ½ cup
Butterfly-pea flowers	6 blossoms
Lemongrass purée	1 tablespoon
Pansy, fresh picked	Garnish

The Blue Pig:

1. Pat the tenderloin dry with paper towels.
2. Combine the pepper, 2-teaspoons salt, and garlic powder in a small bowl; rub the mixture all over the tenderloin.
3. Using a sous vide, preheat the water to 145°F; place each tenderloin in a separate foodsaver bag with two smashed garlic cloves and several thyme sprigs, seal, then cook them both for 3 to 4 hours. Let rest 15 minutes, then brown on all sides in a skillet over medium-high heat with oil.
4. Using an oven, preheat to 375°F; line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place the tenderloin on the baking sheet, and onto the center rack of the oven; bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until an internal thermometer reads 140°F to 150°F; rest for 15 minutes before cutting. 

Blueberry balsamic sauce: 

1. Combine the blueberries, garlic, honey in a small saucepan over medium heat. 
2. Mash the berries with the back of a wooden spoon to release the juices. 
3. Simmer 3 to 4 minutes, until the berries are softened. 
4. Add the balsamic vinegar, and simmer for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the mixture is reduced and thickened. 

Blue rice: 

1. Beat the lemongrass stalk with a mallet, then tied it in an overhand knot. 
2. Place the rice, lemongrass, and butterfly-pea flowers in a small pot, add the water; bring to a boil, cover, and cook for 20 minutes. 
3. Let the rice rest for 15 minutes, fluff with a fork, and remove the lemongrass. 

Gussying up the pig:

1. Shape the rice onto a large serving platter with a crater in the center for the tenderloin. 
2. Slice the tenderloin into ¾- to 1-inch slices, and arrange in the center of the rice. 
3. Drizzle some of the blueberry balsamic sauce over the tenderloin, and serve the remaining with the dish. 
4. Garnish with flowers, and serve! 

Note: This is a work-in-progress for an upcoming color-themed dinner party. First attempt had the flavors but lacked the textures; might have been the meat thickness. Also, tried to dye the tenderloin in the sous vide by adding butterfly-pea flowers but was unsuccessful; it was a speckled sow. The sauce is addictive. Lastly, the forget-me-not flowers lacked any plate appeal as garnish. Second attempt: we baked one and used the sous vide on another tenderloin. I thought the baked was overcooked and was bland, and the sous vide was juicy and flavorful; however, James thought the baked was what his tastebuds expects, and suspects the sous vide version was undercooked. Non-jasmine rice worked better, and beware of overcooking the sauce.

Recipe from me having to figure out a “blue” dish for a color-themed dinner party.

Thai salmon bake

Active: 10 minutes; Total: 45 minutes; Serves: 4

Garlic, crushed	2 cloves
Ginger, peeled, finely chopped	¾-inch piece
Coconut milk,	14 ounces
Sugar, coconut	1 tablespoon
Thai 7 Spice seasoning	1 ½ teaspoon
Fish sauce	2 tablespoons
Lime juice, freshly squeezed	1 tablespoon
Shallots, finely chopped	3 large
Cilantro, finely chopped	2 tablespoons
Salmon fillets, skin on	20 ounces
Asparagus, cut into ¾-inch piece	9 ounces
Rice, basmati, cooked

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. 
2. Place the garlic, ginger, coconut milk, sugar, seasoning, fish sauce, and lime juice in a medium-sized bowl, and mix together; then add the shallots and cilantro. 
3. Place the salmon, skin side down, and the asparagus on a sheet pan; pour the sauce over the top. 
4. Cover with foil, and bake for 35 minutes; serve with rice. 

Recipe from Sheet Pan Dinners by Jenny Tschiesche & Liz Franklin.

Chicken korma

Active: 30 minutes; Total: 45 minutes + marinade; Serves: 2 to 4

Chicken, bone-in, skinless	1.2 pounds
Yogurt, plain	3 tablespoons + ¼ cup
Garlic, grate with microplane	2 cloves
Ginger, grate with microplane	1-inch piece
Turmeric, ground	¼ teaspoon
Paprika	1 teaspoon
Garam masala	1 teaspoon + ½ teaspoon
Salt	½ teaspoon + ¼ teaspoon
Oil	1 ½ tablespoons + 1 tablespoon
Cardamom, green, whole	5 pods + 1 pod
Onions, red, sliced	2 medium
Almonds, whole	4
Cashews, whole	6
Water	½ cup
Bayleaf	1 leaf
Cloves	3
Cinnamon	2-inch stick
Serrano chili, slit	1
Coriander powder	1 ½ teaspoon
Cilantro	Garnish
Rice, cooked

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken, 3-tablespoons yogurt, garlic, and ginger. 
2. Add the turmeric, paprika, 1-teaspoon garam masala, and ½-teaspoon salt. 
3. Mix together; set aside in the refrigerator up to overnight. 
4. Heat 1 ½-tablespoons oil in a pan, then add 3 to 5 cardamom pods. 
5. Add the onions; sauté, stirring often, until golden brown and caramelized. 
6. Turn off the stove, and add the almonds and cashews; cool completely. 
7. Blend the onion mixture with ¼-cup yogurt until smooth; set aside. 
8. In the same pan, heat 1-tablespoon oil, then add the bayleaf, cloves, cardamom pod, and cinnamon; sauté for a minute. 
9. Add the chicken and chili. 
10. Sauté on medium heat until the smell of raw garlic and ginger goes away; about 5 to 7 minutes. 
11. Add the onion paste and water, then ¼-teaspoon salt. 
12. Add ½-teaspoon garam masala and coriander powder, mix well.
13. Cover and cook on medium heat until the chicken turns tender and is soft cooked; adjust salt as needed, and add more water if it is too thick.
14. Sprinkle with cilantro, serve with rice. 

Recipe from Swasthi’s Recipes, June 2020.

Seared scallops with basil risotto

Active: 1 hour; Serves: 4

Pineapple juice	2 cups
Vegetable broth	1 ½ cups
Butter, unsalted	3 tablespoons
Onions, yellow, minced	1/3 cup
Garlic, minced	1 tablespoon
Rice, arborio, uncooked	1 ¼ cups
Parmesan, freshly grated	3/4 cups
Salt	½ teaspoon +
Pepper, freshly ground	¼ teaspoon +
Basil, fresh, minced	3 tablespoons
Sea scallops	1 pound
Vegetable oil	2 tablespoons +
Microgreens	½ cup

1. Combine the juice and broth in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. 
2. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover with a lid and remove from the heat. 
3. Heat the butter in a large saucepan set over medium-low heat. 
4. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. 
5. Add the rice and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. 
6. Add a ladle of the hot juice mixture to the saucepan and cook, stirring, until the liquid is fully absorbed. 
7. Continue adding the hot liquid to the saucepan, one ladle at a time and stirring intermittently, until the rice is no longer crunch, about 30 minutes. 
8. Stir in the cheese, salt, and pepper, then turn off the heat and stir in the basil; set aside, covered, while you cook the scallops. 
9. Pat the scallops dry, then season with salt and pepper. 
10. Heat the oil in a medium skillet set over medium-high heat. 
11. Once the oil is hot, add half of the scallops and cook undisturbed for 2 minutes. 
12. Flip the scallops once, then tilt the skillet and baste them with the oil. 
13. Continue cooking the scallops an additional 1 minute, until no longer translucent. 
14. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining scallops, adding more oil as needed. 
15. Divide the risotto among serving plates and top with the scallops. 
16. Garnish with the microgreens and serve. 

Recipe from The Secret Ingredient Cookbook, July 2021.

Carolina fish, shrimp, & okra stew with black rice

Active: 40 minutes; Total: 1 hour 10 minutes; Serves: 6 to 8

Shrimp, medium, raw, peeled, deveined; shells reserved	1 pound
Water	3 cups
Cod or catfish fillets, skinless, halve lengthwise if large; cut crosswise into 1-inch strips	1 ½ pounds
Salt, kosher	1 teaspoon +
Oil, olive	2 tablespoons +
Flour, all-purpose	2 tablespoons
Onion, white, chopped	1 large
Bell pepper, red, chopped	1 large
Celery, chopped	2 stalks
Garlic, chopped	3 cloves
Tomatoes, diced, undrained	15 ounces
Okra, stemmed, cut crosswise into ½-inch pieces	8 ounces
Worcestershire sauce	2 tablespoons
Thyme, fresh, chopped	2 teaspoons
Bay leaves, dried or fresh	2 leaves
Creole seasoning	2 teaspoons
Pepper, freshly ground	½ teaspoon +
Rice, black, cooked
Scallions, thinly sliced	Garnish

1. Combine the reserved shrimp shells and water in a medium saucepan. 
2. Bring to a simmer over medium heat; remove from heat, and let stand 15 minutes. 
3. Pour mixture through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a bowl; discard solids, and set the stock aside. 
4. Toss together the fish pieces and salt in a large bowl; cover and chill until ready to use, up to 1 hour. 
5. Over medium heat, warm the oil in a large Dutch oven. 
6. Add the flour, whisking constantly, until smooth and lightly browned, about 1 minute. 
7. Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. 
8. Cook, stirring often and scraping the bottom of the Dutch oven to prevent scorching, until softened, about 8 to 10 minutes. 
9. Stir in the shrimp stock, tomatoes with juices, okra, Worcestershire, thyme, bay leaves, Creole seasonings, and pepper. 
10. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. 
11. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover, and simmer until the okra is almost tender, about 15 minutes. 
12. Stir in the fish and shrimp, and reduce the heat to low. 
13. Cover and cook until the fish and shrimp are cooked through, about 5 to 8 minutes. 
14. Remove and discard the bay leaves; season with salt and pepper. 
15. Serve with black rice garnished with scallions. 

Recipe from Food&Wine Magazine, October 2020

Orange chicken stew

Onion, chopped	1 medium
Bell pepper, red, chopped	1 medium
Carrots, thinly sliced	2 medium
Fennel bulb, trimmed, halved, core removed, thinly sliced	1 medium
Sweet potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks	2 medium
Chicken thighs, boneless, skinless	1 ½ pounds
Salt, kosher
Pepper, freshly ground
Oil, olive	2 tablespoons
Thyme, dried	1 teaspoon
Broth, chicken	1 cup
Juice, orange	½ cup
Olives, kalamata, sliced	¼ cup
Parsley, chopped	¼ cup
Rice, cooked

1. Combine the vegetables in a bowl; set aside. 
2. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. 
3. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. 
4. Brown the chicken, 3 to 4 minutes per side; transfer to a plate. 
5. Add the vegetables to the skillet with the thyme, a sprinkle of salt, and a few dashes of pepper, and sauté until they begin to soften, about 4 minutes. 
6. Return the chicken to the pan along with the broth and juice, and bring to a boil. 
7. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes or until the chicken and vegetables are tender. 
8. Scoop the chicken from the pot, raise the heat to medium-high, and cook the liquid and vegetables for another 3 to 4 minutes to reduce. 
9. Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces, and return to the pot with half the parsley and the olives. 
10. Taste, and add more salt or pepper, as needed. 
11. Serve over the rice with a sprinkle of parsley. 

Recipe adapted from One Pan, Whole Family by Carla Snyder.