Midnight Buffet

Who wouldn't enjoy a tropical style midnight buffet? Here's a shrimp recipe that will make you want to hula - which I prepared on Live with Regis and Kelly. To get you in a tropical mood, watch my TV segment on the Caribbean Princess. We're somewhere in the tropics.

Sipping a Mai Tai, strongly suggested.

Watch George Hirsch TV Segment: Princess Cruises

Grilled Shrimp Salad Papaya Dressing 
Recipe Chef George Hirsch | Makes four servings 

Green papaya has a very mild, bland, taste. The green papaya soaks up the hot, sour, sweet and salty flavors, giving them a unique texture unlike any vegetable. Unripe papayas are readily available at many Asian markets. Select one that is very firm with shiny green peel. 

2 Medium green or half-ripe papayas 
12 large shrimp, peeled and devein 
1/2 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, split 
8 Lettuce leaves 
1/4 cup unsalted roasted cashews 

For Papayas Dressing
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil 
Juice of 2 limes 
1 teaspoon lite-soy sauce 
1 Tablespoon honey 
1 Maui or sweet onion, grilled & chopped 
1 clove garlic, chopped 
1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped 
1 teaspoon chili pepper flakes 

Peel skin off green papayas. Shred the green papayas into long strips using a grater or food processor. 

Mix all ingredients for papaya dressing. Add dressing to shredded papayas. Arrange four plates with lettuce leaves, top with marinated shredded papaya, tomatoes and cashews. 

For Shrimp Marinade
2 tablespoons Olive oil 
Juice from one lime 
2 teaspoons lite-soy sauce 
1 Tablespoon honey 
3 cloves garlic, chopped 
1 Tablespoon fresh mint, chopped

Pre heat grill to a very high heat. 

Mix all ingredients for shrimp marinade and pour over shrimp. 

Cook shrimp on hot grill and cook two minutes on each side, turning once. Baste the shrimp with any remaining marinade. Do not over cook. Remove shrimp from grill and serve with the papaya salad. 

Mai Tai 
Recipe Chef George Hirsch | as seen on Live w Regis & Kelly

Makes one drink
3/4 oz. Light Rum 
3/4 oz. Dark Rum 
1/2 oz. Amaretto 
1/2 oz. Roses lime juice 
1 oz. Triple Sec 
1/2 Orange Juice and 1/2 Pineapple Juice 

Float 1/2 oz. of Grenadine on top 

Fill a tall hi-ball glass with ice. Add the ingredients. Garnish with mint sprig, pineapple wedge and serve with a straw.

A Botanical Superhero

As national herb week wraps up today, I hope you have drawn inspirition to plant and cook with more fresh herbs in your daily diet. Last year dill held the title spot and this year horseradish is herb of the year. It happens to be one of those ingredients that I have integrated in many of my cookbooks + TV show recipes over the years to add a little kick in flavor and dress up even the most ordinary dishes to be more memorable, like smashed potatoes. Caution, fresh horseradish is one of those flavor profiles that sneaks up on your palate, and is usually followed by a teary eyed "wow that's got bite!" response.

Fresh horseradish root has a shelf life of a few weeks in the refrigerator. It's also always good to have prepared horseradish in long lasting jarred condiment form on hand, like Golds, for those impromptu entertaining moments to quickly fix up dips, sauces or dressings.

Horseradish is also considered a botanical superhero, recorded since ancient times with great medicinal properties; ideal for healing sinus conditions and boosting circulation. It's easy to grow in your garden, but been known to be a bit invasive, aka a root bully.

As per many hollywood movies, the bloody mary has the reputation for being a hangover helper, but today's inspiration is all about horseradish and making this refreshing cocktail for a late spring evening cocktail which can be enjoyed with or without liquor.

The Bloody Mary

It's one of those cocktails that doesn't have an exact recipe, per say. Everyone seems to have their own rendition of this recipe. I prefer mine with a bit of spicy kick; horseradish and a little hot sauce. 

To Make Bloody Mary Mix | from George Hirsch Living it UP! TV series
Fill a two quart glass pitcher with: 
46 ounces tomato juice
2-4 Tablespoons horseradish
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon crushed celery seed
2 teaspoons hot sauce
Juice of two limes 

Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
 

For a Virgin Mary, serve Bloody Mary Mix over crushed ice and garnish.

For a Bloody Mary Cocktail; add 1 oz vodka to a highball glass filled with ice, then fill glass with pre-made bloody mix. Stir, garnish and serve. 

Garnish should include a celery stalk and lime wedge. Optional additions may include olives, pickles, pickled asparagus spears, carrots, cured meat, smoked fish and semi-hard cheeses. 

Horchata

Although Cinco de Mayo is not a national holiday celebrated in Mexico, in the US it has become a day of celebrating Mexican heritage and pride. Cinco de Mayo was commemorated in the late 1880s in the US - and naturally food and drink made their way to the center of the celebration. We've all had margaritas, cervezas, guacamole, salsas + tortilla chips, but there's also a popular border-town beverage called horchata that deserves to be part of the celebration. 

Horchata is a traditional Mexican beverage that looks and tastes like milk, but it's rice-based. It is best served over ice. This sweet beverage has many variations (depending on Spain or Latin American influence) and can be flavored with almonds, cinnamon, sesame seeds, and vanilla. This beverage is good news for the lactose-intolerant, but better yet a perfect drink to finish-off spicy Mexican food; supposedly good for the stomach. 

You can find horchata commonly served at Mexican restaurants or taquerias - on the menu under aguas frescas. Making horchata from scratch at home is also an option, but it is a very long process requiring a few days to make the rice-based milk. I suggest shopping in a Spanish market for good quality bottled versions or fine organic instant mixes.

For more Cinco de Mayo food ideas:

Mexican Calzone
George’s ’60 Second Guacamole
Tomatillo Sauce
George's Salsa Fresca

Spiked or Not

There is good reason why rich and delicious eggnog is limited to being served-up only during the holiday season. Is it possibly the caloric intake, or is it just reason to reserve it to be one of those nostalgic beverages you look forward to toasting with each and every year? May be a bit of both. One thing is for sure, if I am toasting with it, it might as well be spiked! Cheers.

Traditional Eggnog 

Recipe by Chef George Hirsch

Makes 4 Servings

6 egg yolks, save the whites *see below
2 cups milk
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup bourbon, or rum 
1/4 brandy
1/2 cup pure cane sugar, or Turbinado
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon fresh grated orange rind

Using a mixer with a whip attachment on medium speed; whip the egg yolks until light in color, about 4-5 minutes. Add sugar and mix until completely dissolved. Set aside.

In double boiler, combine the milk, heavy cream, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange rind and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and combine, while tempering the hot milk-cream mixture into the egg-sugar mixture.

Return all ingredients to double boiler and heat constantly stirring with a spatula until the mixture reaches 160 degrees (well below simmer), eggnog begins to resemble custard.

Remove from the heat, stir in the bourbon, and brandy. Pour into a bowl, cool and refrigerate for at least two-four hours. Best if refrigerated overnight.

Serve in cups with a shaved chocolate, or unsweetened cocoa powder dusted on top.

Optional Toppings: with a dollop of *meringue (made from all the left over egg whites), or ice cream, or whipped cream.

Big Apple Wine

You know it’s Autumn when Big Apple Wine is released. It is made by my friend, Roman Roth; who is the winemaker for Wölffer Estate Vineyards in Sagaponack, New York. This seasonal specialty wine is made from such aromatic apples such as Fuji, Braeburn, and Jonagold - all from the East End Halsey Family Orchard, which dates back to the 17th century.

Watch my TV segment at Halsey Orchard in Watermill, New York.

Big Apple Wine is a wonderful transition to fall, this seasonal wine is made from a blend of seven different varieties of locally grown apples produced at Wölffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack. Outstanding on its own with a light chill, Wölffer Big Apple is also a harvest-ready “Fall Refresher,” a light drink that that makes a great companion to antipasti and other light fare for fall picnics and tailgating.

Chill slightly, BAW pairs perfectly with roasted poultry or even with a pumpkin dessert!

chefgeorgehirsch.com

George Hirsch Living it UP! TV Segment: Hampton's Halsey Orchard