Techniques | Saveur

Bhindi Masala (Okra Stir-Fry)

Fatima Khawaja — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 20:35:31 +0000

Photo: Linda Xiao • Food Styling: Jason Schreiber • Prop Styling: Summer Moore. Photo: Linda Xiao • Food Styling: Jason Schreiber • Prop Styling: Summer Moore

When people think of okra, they often think of slime and goo, but I’m here to tell you that, with the right technique, the tender green pod might become your new favorite vegetable.

Growing up in Pakistan, okra was always golden and crisp but also tender, robed in a saucy masala of juicy tomatoes and velvety onions. I still make it this way in my New York kitchen whenever I return from the farmers market with a bag of okra. Following my mom’s recipe, I start with a base of garlic, ginger, chile powder, and turmeric. Then I add the onions and fried okra and simmer everything to meld the flavors.

Sadly, I can’t always find okra at my local farmers market, but a bag of the frozen stuff from the Indian supermarket works great in a pinch. It comes stemmed and sliced, which saves me time in the kitchen; I just cook it a little longer and don’t deep-fry it (the extra water makes it splatter).

When buying fresh okra, look for medium pods that are bright green, dry, unblemished, and no longer than your index finger: The bigger, the tougher is the rule I go by. Okra is surprisingly inexpensive and will keep for about four days, refrigerated in a paper towel-lined produce bag. You can use any extra okra in this Caribbean-Style Sautéed Okra recipe, which is a personal favorite.

To clean okra, give the pods a rinse, then spread them on a kitchen towel. (They soak up water, so it’s important that they be as dry as possible to ensure proper crisping.) With some quick prep, this stir-fry comes together in no time. I encourage you to sop it up with roti (flatbread), like chapatis or parathas, or to ladle it over basmati rice.

Yield: 4

Time: 40 minutes

¾ cup vegetable oil
1 lb. okra, stemmed and cut into 1-in. lengths (5 cups)
3 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1 large white onion, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp. ginger paste
1 tsp. Indian red chile powder, or cayenne pepper
1 tsp. garlic paste
1 tsp. ground turmeric
1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more
2 medium plum tomatoes, cut into wedges
Steamed basmati rice or roti, for serving

Instructions

To a large, wide pot over medium-high heat, add the oil. When it’s shimmering and begins to smoke, add the okra and fry, stirring continuously, until softened and browned, 10–15 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate. To the empty pot, add the garlic and onions and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are translucent, 4–6 minutes. Add the ginger paste, chile powder, garlic paste, turmeric, and salt and cook until fragrant and beginning to brown, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have softened, 4–6 minutes. Stir in the reserved okra and continue cooking until the tomatoes have broken down, 2–3 minutes more. Season to taste with salt and serve hot with rice or roti.

The post Bhindi Masala (Okra Stir-Fry) appeared first on Saveur.

Grilled Lobster with Garlic-Parsley Butter

Curtis Stone — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 18:38:40 +0000

Mark Roper. Mark Roper

While steaming and boiling may be the most common methods, grilling lobster is a surprisingly easy way to cook the popular crustacean. A quick cleaver through the body kills the lobster instantly and painlessly. (To preserve its freshness, this step should be done immediately before cooking.)

If serving grilled lobster as a main course, count on at least one 1-pound lobster per person (though you can get away with less if you’re also grilling an assortment of other seafood). And don’t ditch the precious shells when you’re finished! Instead, freeze and then use them to make a rich lobster stock, which is the perfect base for bisque and other seafood soups and sauces.

Featured in “The Heat Down Under.”

Yield: 1–2

Time: 20 minutes

8 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
2 Tbsp. finely chopped parsley
1½ tsp. crushed red chile flakes
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 live lobster (about 1 to 1½ lb.)
¼ cup olive oil

Instructions

In a small bowl, stir together the butter, parsley, chile flakes, garlic, and lemon zest. Season to taste with salt and black pepper, then set aside.
Using a cleaver, split the lobster in half lengthwise through its head and tail. Scoop out and discard the yellow-green tomalley and break off the claws. Transfer the lobster halves, shell side down, to a large baking sheet. Crack the claws and transfer them to the baking sheet. Drizzle the halves and claws with oil, then season to taste with salt and black pepper.
Heat a charcoal or gas grill to high, then bank the coals or turn off the burner on one side. Place the lobster halves, flesh side down, and claws on the hottest part of grill and cook until slightly charred, 2–3 minutes. Flip the lobster halves and claws over and use a spoon to spread them with the garlic-parsley butter. Continue grilling until the lobster meat is tender, 3–5 minutes more.

The post Grilled Lobster with Garlic-Parsley Butter appeared first on Saveur.

Pescado Embarazado (Grilled Fish Skewers)

Esther Sanchez — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 15:10:16 +0000

Photo: Paola + Murray • Food Styling: Olivia Mack McCool • Prop Styling: Sophie Strangio. Photo: Paola + Murray • Food Styling: Olivia Mack McCool • Prop Styling: Sophie Strangio

Spanish for “pregnant fish,” pescado embarazado is a mishearing of this dish’s actual name, pescado en vara asado, or grilled fish on a stick. It’s one of the most popular dishes to eat at the beach in Nayarit, Mexico. In this version adapted from chef Esther Sanchez, the marinade is made with achiote paste, citrus, tomato, and cumin. Reserve some of the flavorful sauce and serve it on the side as a zesty condiment.

Featured in “This Fish on a Stick Might Be the Best Beach Snack in Mexico” by Matt Taylor-Gross.

Yield: 4

Time: 50 minutes

1¾ cups fresh orange juice
1¼ cups canned tomato purée
½ cup achiote paste
4 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped (2 Tbsp.)
2 tsp. cumin seeds
1½ tsp. finely chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves and tender stems
1½ tsp. finely chopped rosemary leaves
1½ tsp. finely chopped thyme leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Four 1-lb. whole mackerel or branzino, gutted and cleaned (or substitute 2½ lb. dogfish or mahi mahi fillets, cut into 2-in. cubes)
Vegetable oil, for the grill
Hot sauce and lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

Make the marinade: To a blender, add the orange juice, tomato purée, achiote paste, garlic, cumin, parsley, rosemary, and thyme. Pulse until completely smooth, then transfer to a small pot.
Bring the marinade to a boil over medium-high, then turn the heat to medium-low to maintain a strong simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching, until the marinade is slightly thickened and the garlic no longer tastes raw, 15–20 minutes. Season to taste with salt and black pepper, then transfer to a large heatproof bowl and set aside to cool to room temperature. Use immediately, or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
If using whole fish, use a sharp knife to score the fish crosswise on each side, being careful not to cut through to the bone. Place the fish in a large baking dish and rub 1½ cups of the marinade all over the exterior and inside the slits. (If using fillets, in a large bowl, toss the cubed fish with 1½ cups of the marinade.) Set aside to marinate at room temperature for at least 15 minutes, or up to 40.
Meanwhile, heat a charcoal or gas grill to high (alternatively, heat a grill pan over high). When it’s hot, liberally oil the grates. Thread the fish onto four 10-inch metal or bamboo skewers (if using bamboo, soak for at least 30 minutes before grilling). Transfer to the grill and cook, turning occasionally, until the fish is charred in places and cooked through, 14–16 minutes for whole fish, 5–6 minutes for cubed fish. Transfer to a platter and serve with lime wedges, hot sauce, and the remaining marinade.

The post Pescado Embarazado (Grilled Fish Skewers) appeared first on Saveur.

Broccoli Strascinati (Sautéed Broccoli with Garlic and Chile)

SAVEUR Editors — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 22:27:43 +0000

Photo: Murray Hall • Food Styling: Jessie YuChen. Photo: Murray Hall • Food Styling: Jessie YuChen

Strascinati, which means “dragged,” refers to a technique for sautéing in olive oil with plenty of garlic and chiles. This Roman side dish, which pairs beautifully with porchetta or pork chops, can be made with regular broccoli, broccoli rabe, or broccoli romano, known in the U.S. as romanesco.

Featured in “Roman Contorni” by Dana Bowen.

Yield: 2–4

Time: 15 minutes

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 lb. broccoli, stemmed and cut into florets
3 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
½ tsp. crushed red chile flakes
Kosher salt

Instructions

To a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil. When it’s hot and shimmering, add the broccoli and cook, turning occasionally, until lightly browned, 6–8 minutes. Sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of water, then add the garlic and cook until golden, 2–3 minutes. Add the chile flakes and continue cooking until toasted, about 2 minutes more. Season to taste with salt and serve immediately.

The post Broccoli Strascinati (Sautéed Broccoli with Garlic and Chile) appeared first on Saveur.

Fried Cucumbers with Sour Cream Dip

SAVEUR Editors — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 22:42:16 +0000

Photo: Paola + Murray • Food Styling: Barrett Washburne • Prop Styling: Carla Gonzalez-Hart. Photo: Paola + Murray • Food Styling: Barrett Washburne • Prop Styling: Carla Gonzalez-Hart

This appetizer plays with cucumber‘s crunchy appeal by coating slices with a spicy cornmeal crust and frying them up until piping hot. A cool green goddess-style dip squelches the heat.

Yield: 8–12

Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the dip:

1 cup sour cream
2 Tbsp. milk
2 Tbsp. grated yellow onion
1 Tbsp. finely chopped chives
1 Tbsp. finely chopped parsley
1 Tbsp. finely chopped tarragon
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, mashed to a paste with 1 tsp. kosher salt
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the cucumbers:

Vegetable oil
2 cups cornmeal
1½ cups all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. baking powder
1 Tbsp. celery salt
1½ tsp. kosher salt, plus more
1½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1½ tsp. garlic powder
1½ tsp. onion powder
1½ tsp. sweet paprika
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
1½ lb. Kirby cucumbers, halved lengthwise, seeded, and cut into 3 by ½-in. sticks

Instructions

Make the dip: In a large bowl, whisk together the sour cream, milk, onion, chives, parsley, tarragon, lemon juice, and garlic. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Cover the bowl and refrigerate.
Fry the cucumbers: Into a large pot fitted with a deep-fry thermometer, pour 2 inches of oil and turn the heat to medium-high. While the oil heats, in a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, celery salt, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne. Add the cucumbers and toss to coat, shaking off any excess. When the temperature reads 375°F, working in batches, add the cucumbers and fry, turning once or twice, until crisp and golden brown, about 2 minutes per batch. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried cucumbers to a paper towel-lined plate. Serve hot with the reserved dip.

The post Fried Cucumbers with Sour Cream Dip appeared first on Saveur.

Dibi Hausa (Senegalese Grilled Beef Kebabs)

Pierre Thiam — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 21:18:40 +0000

Belle Morizio. Belle Morizio

This recipe, which appeared in Adrian Miller’s book, Black Smoke, is adapted from beef kebabs made by chef Pierre Thiam, a Senegal native, who is doing much to educate Americans about the food of his native country. It’s also a great way to get a taste of West African barbecue in a short period of time. Though this recipe calls for beef, you can use any other meat or vegetable to achieve delicious results. If using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for an hour before using. The tankora spice mix will last up to two months stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

Featured in “The Real Star Of West African-Style Grilling? This DIY-Friendly Seasoning” by Adrian Miller.

Yield: 4

Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

For the tankora powder:

1 cup roasted, unsalted peanuts, crushed to a fine powder
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. freshly ground white pepper
½ tsp. ground cayenne pepper

For the kebabs:

1 lb. round steak, sliced into strips about 1½ by 2 by ⅜ in.
2 Tbsp. plus 1½ tsp. finely grated white or yellow onion
1 Tbsp. tomato paste
½ tsp. finely chopped garlic
¼ tsp. finely grated fresh ginger
1 chicken bouillon cube, crumbled (optional)
1 Tbsp. peanut or vegetable oil
1 tsp. freshly ground white pepper
½ tsp. cayenne pepper
½ tsp. kosher salt

Instructions

Make the tankora powder: In a small bowl, stir together the peanuts, ginger, salt, white pepper, and cayenne; set aside.
Prepare the kebabs: Heat a charcoal or gas grill to high. To a large bowl, add the steak, onion, tomato paste, garlic, ginger, and bouillon cube (if desired); toss to combine. Add the oil, white pepper, cayenne, and salt and toss to coat the meat evenly in the seasonings. Set aside to marinate for 10–15 minutes.
Thread a few slices of meat onto eight 6-inch skewers. Pour the reserved tankora powder onto a wide plate and roll each skewer in it, evenly coating all sides and shaking off any excess. Using a pastry brush, brush a bit more of the remaining marinade over each skewer. Transfer to the grill and cook, turning occasionally and basting with the marinade, until the meat is seared and browned all over and cooked through, 12–14 minutes. Serve hot or warm.

The post Dibi Hausa (Senegalese Grilled Beef Kebabs) appeared first on Saveur.

Fried Corn on the Cob

SAVEUR Editors — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 22:39:08 +0000

Photo: Murray Hall • Food Styling: Tyna Hoang. Photo: Murray Hall • Food Styling: Tyna Hoang

Yes, you can deep-fry corn! A quick turn in hot oil yields kernels that are crisp and juicy at the same time. Other than a sprinkle of salt at the end, the ears need no embellishment. We found that super sweet corn—with its high sugar content—fries up best.

Featured in the July/August 2002 issue.

Yield: 4–6

Time: 15 minutes

Vegetable oil
8 ears fresh corn, shucked
Kosher salt

Instructions

Into a large pot fitted with a deep-fry thermometer, pour 2 inches of oil and turn the heat to medium-high. When the temperature reads 365°F, working in batches (do not overcrowd the pot), add the corn and fry until most of the kernels are deep golden, 3–4 minutes per batch.
Transfer the corn to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Season to taste with salt and serve.

The post Fried Corn on the Cob appeared first on Saveur.

Grilled Mushrooms with Garlic-Parsley Oil

SAVEUR Editors — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 22:50:20 +0000

Photo: Murray Hall • Food Styling: Tyna Hoang. Photo: Murray Hall • Food Styling: Tyna Hoang

The savory simplicity of mushrooms grilled over hot coals is always a favorite summer flavor. Only a hint of garlic and parsley are needed to season these rich and earthy fungi. If you can’t find oyster mushrooms, use any variety that won’t fall through the grate of your grill.

Featured in the August/September 2003 issue.

Yield: 4–6

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
¼ bunch parsley leaves, finely chopped
Kosher salt
1 lb. oyster mushrooms, cleaned and trimmed
½ lb. white mushrooms, stemmed

Instructions

Heat a charcoal or gas grill to medium-high. In a small bowl, stir together the oil, garlic, and parsley, then season to taste with salt.
Add the mushrooms to the grill and cook gill side up without turning, basting continuously with the parsley oil, until charred and tender, 5–10 minutes.

The post Grilled Mushrooms with Garlic-Parsley Oil appeared first on Saveur.

Grilled Scallops with Yuzu Kosho Vinaigrette

Tadashi Ono — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 22:43:11 +0000

Photo: Murray Hall • Food Styling: Tyna Hoang. Photo: Murray Hall • Food Styling: Tyna Hoang

One night, on the southern Japanese island of Kyushu, I ordered a bowl of ramen and watched the cook serve a paste alongside the noodle soup that I’d never seen before. It was yuzu kosho. It only has three ingredients: salt, hot pepper, and yuzu, the Japanese citrus, but it’s fascinating. It has spice, fragrance, aroma—everything. There are two types: red, made from ripe yuzu and red chiles, and green, from unripe fruit with green chiles. I use the sharper green version to cut through rich meats, and the milder red in seafood dishes, like these grilled scallops.

Pairing note: Earthy Sumiyoshi Tokubetsu Junmai sake from Japan’s Yamagata prefecture stands up to yuzu kosho’s spice.

Yield: 4

3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. fresh or bottled yuzu juice
1 Tbsp. finely chopped scallions, white parts only
1 Tbsp. red yuzu kosho
2 tsp. soy sauce
16 large sea scallops
1 Tbsp. finely chopped parsley leaves, for garnish
Kosher salt

Instructions

In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the oil, yuzu juice, scallions, yuzu kosho, and soy sauce. To a medium bowl, add the scallops and one-third of the yuzu vinaigrette, then toss to coat.
Heat a charcoal or gas grill to medium-high. Alternatively, heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Add the scallops and grill, turning once, until golden brown and just cooked through, about 4 minutes total. Transfer to a platter and drizzle the remaining yuzu vinaigrette over the scallops. Garnish with the parsley, season to taste with salt, and serve hot.

The post Grilled Scallops with Yuzu Kosho Vinaigrette appeared first on Saveur.

Grilled Porterhouse Steaks with Garlic and Miso

Tadashi Ono — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 22:42:44 +0000

Photo: Murray Hall • Food Styling: Tyna Hoang. Photo: Murray Hall • Food Styling: Tyna Hoang

A marinade of red miso, ginger, and garlic gives these steaks a crisp, flavorful crust and a juicy interior. Serve them with chef and cookbook author Tadashi Ono’s Grilled Tomatoes with Soy Sauce and Yuzu Kosho.

Featured in “The Japanese Grill.”

Yield: 4

Time: 35 minutes

Two 1½-in.-thick bone-in porterhouse steaks (3½ lb.)
½ cup soy sauce
¼ cup red miso
3 Tbsp. olive oil
3 Tbsp. sesame oil
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
8 garlic cloves, grated
One 2-in. piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated

Instructions

Place the steaks in a 9- by 13-inch baking dish. In a medium bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the soy sauce, miso, oils, black pepper, garlic, and ginger. Pour three-quarters of the marinade over the steaks, reserving the remaining marinade, then cover the dish with plastic wrap and set aside for 10 minutes.
Heat a charcoal or gas grill to high, then bank the coals or turn off the burner on one side. Add the steaks to the hottest part of the grill and cook without flipping until browned, about 1 minute. Move the steaks to the cooler part of the grill and cook until juices appear on top of the steaks, about 4 minutes. Flip the steaks, return to the hottest part of grill, and, using a brush, baste with the reserved marinade. Continue grilling, flipping and brushing every few minutes, until the meat is caramelized and begins to shrink away from the bone, 10–12 minutes for medium rare or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the steaks reads 125°F. (If the outside of the steaks begins to burn before the inside is cooked, move them to the cooler section of the grill and continue grilling until cooked to desired doneness.) Remove the steaks from the grill and set aside to rest for 5 minutes. To serve, slice against the grain along the bone.

The post Grilled Porterhouse Steaks with Garlic and Miso appeared first on Saveur.

Marcella Hazan’s Braised Celery with Tomatoes

Marcella Hazan — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 22:48:37 +0000

Photo: Julia Gartland • Food Styling: Jessie YuChen. Photo: Julia Gartland • Food Styling: Jessie YuChen

This sedano e pomodori brasati (braised celery and tomato) recipe, adapted from celebrated Italian cookbook author Marcella Hazan, produces results that are surprising from celery: creamy, sweet, luscious. The stalks’ stringy fibers, often removed before cooking, here act as a brace that helps the vegetable keep its shape through a long simmer.

Featured in “The Soft Approach: In Praise of Soft-Cooked Vegetables” by Lesley Porcelli.

Yield: 4–6

Time: 2 hours

3 oz. pancetta, cut into 1-in. pieces
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 bunches celery (about 2 lb.), stalks trimmed and cut on the bias into 2-in. pieces
¾ cup whole peeled canned tomatoes with their juices, crushed by hand
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

To a large pot over medium-high heat, add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fat renders, about 12 minutes. (If the pancetta begins to brown too fast, turn the heat to medium-low.) Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pancetta to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside to drain.
Return the pot to medium-high heat and add the oil. When it’s hot and shimmering, add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and light brown, about 10 minutes. Add the celery, tomatoes, and ¼ cup of water and season to taste with salt and black pepper. Cover the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the celery is very tender, about 1½ hours.
Transfer the celery with its juices to a serving bowl and sprinkle with the reserved pancetta. Serve hot or at room temperature.

The post Marcella Hazan’s Braised Celery with Tomatoes appeared first on Saveur.