Simply Elegant - Roasted Grapes

When it comes to food and entertaining, there is one mantra I live by: details matter, but the details should be simple. It's so true that with a tiny bit of extra care, you can elevate everyday items to be something special. I hope each and every day that readers of Neurotic Kitchen can see how easy it is to turn out beautiful food with minimal effort.

One way I like to elevate ordinary foods is by focusing on plating and pretty presentation. As is is oft repeated, you truly do eat with your eyes. 

The best hostess tricks not only enhance the beauty of a dish, but also the all-important taste of it.

The beautiful cheese board featuring Roasted Grapes -
 prepared by my friend Louise, Photo: NK 

And the little flourishes you add to your meal need not be complicated to offer pizzazz or refinement (for whatever mood you're in).

I first learned about Roasted Grapes when my mom's good friend served them as part of a fantastic shower she catered in my honor. She used them to anchor the most beautiful cheese board. They also happened to taste great - they serve as a good example of how amazingly easy steps that make all the difference in flavor and presentation. 

Roasting Grapes concentrates their flavor and makes for a more interesting visual presentation. You can add them to Crostini or plate them as is with your Cheese Selection. They can't help but add elegance with almost no effort. 

Muscat Grapes Paired Perfectly with Baked Camembert, Photo: NK

Roasted Grapes

Ingredients: 
1 bunch of Seedless Grapes of your choosing - I like Red Globe or Muscat (pictured right) 

Olive Oil

Salt 

Pepper

Method: 

Preheat the oven to 400.
On a baking sheet, toss small bunches of grapes in a Tablespoon or two of Olive Oil, and then sprinkle with salt and pepper. 

Bake for 17-20 minutes until slightly crisped and soft on the inside. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature - can be made a few hours in advance. 

Check out how my Roasted Grapes came out with baked Camembert and a toasty Baguette: 

Roasted Muscat Grapes and Baked Camembert with
Pear Jam & Thyme, Photo: NK 

Enjoy!!

Mad Men Farewell - New York Brunch Bites

It is only fitting that the show that has captured our imagination over the past eight years be sent off with a proper culinary bang. It's Mad Men Series Finale night, and we couldn't be sadder. Matthew Weiner's masterpiece has also inspired so many smashing menus here at Neurotic Kitchen. The ultimate New York T.V show pairs perfectly with New York's classic nosh, our twist on Lox on a Bagel. This bite-sized appetizer combines our classic Salmon Canape topping and turns it into a mini version of one of my MOST FAVORITE things in the world - Smoked salmon on an Everything Bagel with all the fixins. And, you guessed it, we'll be using our Everything Seasoning that I am, admittedly, obsessed with.

New York Brunch Bites, Photo: NK 

Enjoy, and goodbye Mad Men. Thanks for the memories. Sunday night won't be the same without you. 

New York Brunch Bites With Smoked Salmon, Creme Fraiche & Everything Topping
Makes about 16

Everything Topping Ingredients 

2 teaspoons Poppy Seeds

2 teaspoons Dried Onion Bits (We used Frontier Brand) 

2 teaspoons White Sesame Seed

2 teaspoons Dried Minced Garlic or Garlic Granules (not Garlic Powder)

1/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt

Canape Ingredients:

5 Ounces Organic Smoked Irish Salmon

1 small bunch of Fresh Dill

1 Lemon, zested with a microplane, and 7 or 8 long strips of zest cut in half (optional)

1/2 Cucumber, seeded and minced

1 Shallot, minced

3 Tablespoons Lemon Juice 

Black Pepper
5 Ounces Creme Fraiche

16 Bagel Chips without holes such as Stacy's     

Method:
Mix Everything Topping Ingredients.

Lay Bagel Chips on a work surface.

On a cutting surface, Stack Smoked Salmon Slices in layers and slice thin strips vertically. 

Turn your cutting surface ninety degrees, and slice the Salmon again vertically. This will create fine dice. Place diced Salmon in a medium bowl. 

Add grated Lemon Zest to Salmon mixture, and set the optional strips of Zest aside for garnishing later on.  

Combine Minced Cucumber, Minced Shallot, and Lemon Juice into Salmon Mixture. Add ample amount of Black Pepper to taste. Recipe can be prepared up to this point up to 6 hours before serving. Just cover mixture and place in the fridge if you choose. When ready to assemble, give the mixture a stir and add more Lemon Juice as desired.

To assemble, place a small dollop of Salmon Mixture atop the Bagel Chip. Top with a small drop of Creme Fraiche, and sprinkle with a liberal pinch of Everything Seasoning. Garnish with a sprig of Dill. 

The Salad As Art - Five Ingredient Grapefruit & Endive Salad

A thing of beauty is a joy forever. Or in the case of today's salad, for how ever long it takes you to eat it. Eye-catching salads are big in my book. Nothing is worse than a boring, or generally bland tasting salad (more about that HERE).  If your dish tastes as striking as it looks, all the better. Today's simple, brightly colored salad of Red Grapefruit and Endive is as pretty as they come. 

Grapefruit & Endive Salad, Photo: NK

This time, I served it alongside a hearty French style Hunter's Stew to lighten the mood a bit, but it would make a great addition to an elegant luncheon or as an extremely quick side for a delicate fish fillet. It's a stunner no matter how you present it. 

A quick prep with a big payoff, Photo: NK 

Ruby Red Grapefruit and Endive Salad
Serves 4 as a light side

Ingredients:
1/2 Large Ruby Red Grapefruit, very ripe, peeled & cut into 1/2 inch sections + 1 Tablespoon Grapefruit Juice
2 Medium Belgian Endives, base cut off and leaves carefully separated
1 heaping Tablespoon Minced Italian Parsley
1 teaspoon Olive Oil
1/8 teaspoon Salt
Black Pepper
Flakey Salt to finish (French Grey Salt or other Coarse Sea Salt would be great choices)

Cutting the Endive, Photo: NK

Method:
1. In a bowl, toss Endive Leaves gently with the Grapefruit Sections. 

2. In another small bowl, mix the Olive Oil, 1/8 teaspoon Salt, Black Pepper and Grapefruit Juice. Mix.

3. Drizzle dressing over the Endive leads and toss again. 


4. To serve, arrange Endive leaves as pictured in a long rectangular or oval platter. Place Grapefruit sections as you see fit. 

5. Sprinkle with Parsley and one or two small pinches of Coarse Salt (optional).