Ham Recipe Sent Via Comment

Good Monday afternoon foodies. I hope all of you had a great weekend! This morning I received a great Ham recipe comment on my Niman Ham post. This recipe sounds so good, I felt it should be a post of it's own. So here it is...I can't wait to give this one a shot.
And thanks again to @diella and @jeffallennyc !



Here's what we would do:
a) make a paste of mustard, minced garlic, paprika, fresh herbs (thyme is nice) and black pepper.
b) score the surface of the ham all over. Slather with mustard paste.
c) Drain and rinse a bag or two of sauerkraut.
d) In a roasting pan put sliced yellow onions, kraut, some garlic cloves, bay leaves, fresh thyme, whole peppercorns, some cloves, and a couple bottles of light German style beer.
e) add some smoked pork Kielbasa cut into 1-2 inch pieces
f)Place the ham on top of the kraut, cover the whole thing with foil and bake in the oven the right amount of time for the size of your ham. Then uncover and cook for additional 30 minutes or until a nice crust forms from the paste.

We like to slice and eat with rye bread, some of the kraut, sliced pickles and spicy mustard. Pairs nicely with beer or an off-dry Riesling. It also goes excellently with breakfast. Fry up some eggs and add thin ham slices to the pan and fry at the same time. Put on a bagel or English muffin, add a little Swiss or cheddar, etc.

Enjoy!
@diella and @jeffallennyc

Roasted Lobster with Basil Mint Pesto

This is a complicated recipe that I have only made once. When I found the base recipe for this, it included the Lobster Tomalley (Liver). Since I know better than to eat the filter system of an animal, I naturally cut that part out. If you would like to enjoy the Tomalley, it is considered a delicacy, however red tide blooming on the east coast has prompted the FDA to warn AGAINST eating the Lobster Tomalley.

Ingredients

• 2 cups (packed) fresh basil leaves
  
• 1/3 cup (packed) fresh mint leaves
  
• 4 garlic cloves
  
• 1/3 cup olive oil
  
• 3 tablespoons pine nuts, lightly toasted
  
• 4 1 3/4-pound live Maine lobsters
  
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  
• 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  
• 2 tablespoons whipping cream
  
• 2 cups panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
  
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
  
• Lemon wedges

Directions
Preheat oven to 450°F. Blanch basil and mint leaves in large saucepan of boiling water 5 seconds. Drain. Transfer leaves to large bowl of ice water to cool. Drain. Squeeze leaves to remove excess liquid. Mince garlic in processor. Add basil and mint leaves, 1/3 cup olive oil, and pine nuts. Puree until pesto is smooth. Drop 1 lobster headfirst into large pot of boiling water. Cover; cook 3 minutes (lobster will not be fully cooked). Using tongs, transfer lobster to work surface. Return water to boil. Repeat with remaining lobsters, 1 at a time. Place 1 lobster, shell side down, on work surface. Place tip of large knife in center of lobster. Cut lobster lengthwise in half from center to end of head (knife might not cut through shell), then cut in half from center to end of tail (use kitchen shears to cut through shell if necessary). Crack claws. Repeat with remaining lobsters. Arrange lobster halves, cut side up, on 2 heavy large baking sheets. Discard head sac and long thin intestinal tract that runs alongside lobster tail meat. Sprinkle meat with salt and pepper. Transfer lobster meat and pesto mixture to medium bowl. Stir in Parmesan cheese and cream, then panko and lemon peel. Season pesto mixture with salt and pepper; divide among lobster halves, filling cavities and covering meat completely. Roast lobsters until meat is just cooked through and topping is golden, about 14 minutes. Serve with lemon.
Source:Basil Mint

Cheesy Grilled Maine Lobster Tails

This recipe is so easy to make, the most difficult part is waiting for it to be done!. As usual, I prefer to use Maine Lobster Tails, but you can use Brazilian Lobster Tails, North Australian Lobster Tails or any kind of Lobster tail you want!

Ingredients

• 4 6-7oz frozen Maine lobster tails
  
• 3 tablespoons margarine or butter
  
• 3 to 4 green onions, sliced (1/2 cup)
  
• 1 clove garlic, minced
  
• 1-1/2 cups soft bread crumbs (2 slices)
  
• 3/4 cup shredded creamy Havarti cheese (3 ounces)
  
• 2 teaspoons snipped fresh basil or 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
  
• 2 tablespoons margarine or butter, melted
  

Directions
Thaw lobster tails, if frozen. Rinse lobster tails; pat dry with paper towels. To butterfly tails, use kitchen shears or a sharp heavy knife to cut lengthwise through centers of hard top shells and meat. Cut to, but not through, the bottom shells. Using fingers, spread meat apart slightly. For stuffing, in a medium skillet melt the 3 tablespoons margarine or butter. Add green onion and garlic. Cook for 1 minute; remove skillet from heat. Stir in bread crumbs. Stir in cheese and basil; toss to mix. Spoon stuffing into slits in lobster tails. In a grill with a cover arrange medium-hot coals around edges; place a drip pan in center of grill. Test for medium heat over the drip pan. Place lobster tails over drip pan, stuffing side up. Cover and grill for 25 to 30 minutes or until lobster meat is opaque. Drizzle lobster tails with 2 tablespoons melted margarine or butter. Makes 4 servings.
Broiler Method: Prepare lobster and stuffing as directed above, except do not stuff lobster tails. Place unstuffed lobster tails on the unheated rack of a broiler pan. Broil lobster 4 to 6 inches from the heat for 10 to 11 minutes or until meat is opaque. Spoon stuffing into slits in lobster tails. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes more or until stuffing is light brown and heated through. Continue as directed.
Source:Cheesy Tails

Walnut Shrimp

When I first found this recipe, I was a little hesitant. I had never had walnut shrimp before and was a little skeptical about how good they could be. I'm so glad I tried them anyway, these things are awesome!

Ingredients:

• 1 lbs Medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
  Coating:
  
• 1 Egg white
  
• 1 tsp Salt
  
• 2 tsp Cornstarch
  
• 1/2 cup Peanut oil, for velveting
  
• 2 tsp Fresh ginger, finely chopped
  
• 2 tbsp Fresh scallions chopped fine
  
• 1/2 cup Walnuts
  
• 1/2 tsp Salt
  
• 1 tbsp Hoisin sauce
  
• 1 tbsp Rice wine
  
• 6 tbsp Chicken stock
  
• 1/2 tsp Cornstarch mixed with 1/2
  
• Tsp water
  
• 1 tsp Sesame oil
  

Directions:
Combine shrimp with coating ingredients in a bowl; mix well and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Heat wok or large skillet until hot and add peanut oil. When oil is just warm, quickly add shrimp, stir to separate, and turn off heat. Allow shrimp to sit in the warm oil for about 2 minutes; drain in a colander set inside a stainless steel bowl. Wipe the wok clean, return 1 1/2 tb of the drained oil to the wok, and add the ginger and scallions, stir frying for 30 seconds. Stir in the walnuts or cashews, salt, and continue to stir fry another 30 seconds. Return the shrimp to the wok with the remaining ingredients and stir fry another 2 minutes. Turn out onto a platter and serve at once.
Source:Walnut

Deep Fried Lobster

This is an easy lobster recipe to make any night of the week! I prefer to use Lobster tails for this recipe, but if you like you can use Live Maine Lobster!

Ingredients

• 2 cups cornmeal
  
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  
• salt and pepper to taste
  
• 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
  
• 4 pounds lobster tails, cleaned and halved but still in shell
  
• 2 quarts oil for deep frying
  

Directions:
In a gallon sized plastic zip seal bag combine, cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper, cayenne, garlic powder and onion powder. Shake well. Place one half of a lobster tail at a time in to the bag. Shake to coat the tails completely. Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large skillet to 365 degrees F. Place one coated lobster tail at a time into the oil. Cook until the lobster turns white and the coating is lightly browned. Let the fried tails dry on paper towels.
Source:Fried

Platter of Shellfish & Sauces

This is my favorite seafood recipe to prepare for parties. I made it for our office holiday party last year and I was shocked to see how fast the food went! Try it for your next gathering and you will see what I mean!

Ingredients

• 8 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  
• 1/4 cup minced shallots
  
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh Italian parsley
  
• 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel
  
• 3 large frozen uncooked lobster tails, thawed, cut lengthwise in half
  
• 6 jumbo shrimp, peeled, deveined, butterflied
  
• 6 very large dry sea scallops
  
• 2 pounds cooked large Alaska King crab legs, cut lengthwise in half
  
• 3 tablespoons water
  
• Lemon wedges
  
• Fresh Italian parsley sprigs
  
• Lemongrass and Cilantro Sauce
  
• Saffron Mayonnaise
  
• Roasted Grape Tomato, Orange, and Basil Relish

Directions
Preheat oven to 450°F. Brush 2 large roasting pans with 1 tablespoon olive oil each. Mix shallots, minced parsley, and lemon peel in small bowl. Arrange lobster tails, cut side up, in 1 roasting pan; brush with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then 2 tablespoons shallot mixture. Roast until just opaque in center, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, combine shrimp, scallops, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 2 tablespoons shallot mixture in medium bowl; sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss gently to coat. Arrange in single layer in second prepared roasting pan. Roast alongside lobster until shrimp and scallops are just opaque in center, about 5 minutes for shrimp and 7 minutes for scallops. Transfer lobster to large platter; cover with foil. Arrange crab legs in lobster roasting pan; drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle with remaining shallot mixture, then drizzle with 3 tablespoons water. Roast just until heated through, about 5 minutes. Arrange shrimp, scallops, and crab legs on platter with lobster. Pour any pan drippings over shellfish. Garnish with lemon wedges and parsley sprigs. Serve with Lemon grass and Cilantro Sauce; Saffron Mayonnaise; and Roasted Grape Tomato, Orange, and Basil Relish.
Source:Platter

Balsamic & Black Pepper Crusted Steak

This is an excellent steak recipe Great for New York Strips or Filet Mignon! I recently tried this with a combination of Bison (Buffalo) Strip Steaks & Rib Euy Steaks and they were incredible!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons molasses
  
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
  
• 4 Steaks of your choice
  
• Cooking spray
  
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
  
• 3/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions
Preheat broiler. Combine molasses and vinegar in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add steaks, turning to coat. Place steaks on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle steaks with salt and pepper. Broil 6 minutes; turn over. Broil an additional 5 minutes or until desired degree of doneness. Serve immediately.
Source:Black Pepper