Main Challenge Red Chili Citrus Mushrooms With Grilled Zucchini Recipes

MAIN CHALLENGE: GRILLED BARRAMUNDI WITH WASABI SAUTEED SHRIMP AND SCALLOPS IN AN ASIAN BROTH

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, heat 3 tablespoons sesame oil over medium heat. To pan, add the chopped shrimp, chopped scallops, shallots and garlic. Cook until lightly golden. Add the mirin, soy sauce, rice vinegar and simmer about 5 minutes. Stir in the water and 1 cup cilantro and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer the broth until reduced by 1/3, about 20 minutes. Strain liquid and discard solids. Reserve the liquid.
• Preheat grill or grill pan.
• Combine the remaining cilantro, the basil, green onions and carrot in a bowl. Set aside.
• Season the fillets with salt and pepper. Grill until tender and flakes easily. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, toss the whole shrimp and scallops in wasabi and season with salt and pepper. In a medium saute pan, heat remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil over medium heat. Cook the whole shrimp and scallops until golden on both sides. Set aside.
• Place 1/4 teaspoon of the chili sauce in the bottom of each soup bowl. Ladle some of the broth into each bowl. Stir to gently mix the broth and the chili sauce. Lay 1 fillet of fish into the broth, then surround the fish with 1 shrimp and 1 scallop. Garnish with chopped cilantro, basil, green onions and carrot mixture. Serve immediately.

MAIN CHALLENGE: ROASTED TOMATO AND RED CHILI SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat and add the onions. Cut 1 chile pepper in half, lengthwise and remove the seeds and veins. Chop the chile and add to the onions; saute until golden brown. Add the tomatoes, garlic, cilantro and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Transfer the chile mixture to a blender and puree until smooth.* Return the puree to the pot. Seed and chop the roasted chile and add to the soup along with the lime juice.
• Ladle soup into bowls. Then lay a Quesadilla Crouton in the soup and top with a dollop of Cilantro Sour Cream.
• Lay 2 tortillas on a working surface. Divide the cheese between the tortillas. Sprinkle the cumin among the tortillas. Top each with the remaining 2 tortillas. Place on grill and cook until golden brown on the outside and the cheese starts to melt.
• Cut the quesadillas into 1/2-inch strips. Then cut each strip on an angle to create 2 smaller strips.
• Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine.

ZUCCHINI CHILI

Steps:

• Char the skins of the poblano chiles by placing them over a gas burner or under a hot broiler with the oven door slightly cracked. Turn the chiles until the skins are black. Remove and cool the chiles in a tightly covered bowl, then peel and finely chop or process into coarse puree in food processor.
• Heat extra-virgin olive oil over medium-high heat and add zucchini, onions, garlic, hot pepper, cumin, coriander, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper, stir frequently for 10 minutes. Add in the tomato paste, and stir 1 minute more. Deglaze the pan with beer, stir in poblanos and beans and about half of the stock, bring to a bubble then reduce heat and simmer 10 to 15 minutes to combine flavors. Cool completely, cover and store for make-ahead meal. Reheat over medium heat.
• While the chili reheats make the rice. Melt the butter in a saucepot over medium heat and add the rice, toast a minute or 2, then stir in 1 1/2 cups stock, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and cook covered, over low heat 15 minutes.
• To food processor, add the spinach, cilantro, if using, and a little salt, and pulse into a fine paste. Stir the paste into the rice after 15 minutes. Turn off the heat, cover the pot and let the rice stand another 5 to 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve in shallow bowls with zucchini chili and toppings of choice to garnish.
• Toppers to choose from: crushed tortillas or warm soft tortillas, sour cream, shredded cheeses, scallions or finely chopped onions, lime wedges.