Paper Palate http://paperpalate.net Food and wine in magazines and newspapers, cookbook reviews Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:15:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 en Mesa Grill’s Southwestern Potato Salad http://paperpalate.net/2007/12/19/mesa-grill%e2%80%99s-southwestern-potato-salad/ http://paperpalate.net/2007/12/19/mesa-grill%e2%80%99s-southwestern-potato-salad/#comments Wed, 19 Dec 2007 06:00:53 +0000 Matt Khoury Miscellaneous http://paperpalate.net/2007/12/19/mesa-grill%e2%80%99s-southwestern-potato-salad/ SWPotatoSalad.JPG

If we’re a playing word or name recognition game and you say, “Southwestern Cuisine,” the first thought that would pop into my mind is Bobby Flay. The guy is a grill master known for unique southwestern flavors, and this dish delivers. It’s called Mesa Grill’s Southwestern Potato Salad. Mesa Grill is Bobby’s restaurant with a location in New York, and do you think this guy would name something “Mesa Grill” and serve it in his restaurants if it didn’t taste fabulous?  Don’t think so.   

Going along with a southwestern theme, this dish delivers 100% and here’s why it’s fabulous… It’s got the cooling flavors of a good mayonnaise, with the kick of Dijon mustard, with the mild heat of chipotle peppers.  Who doesn’t like potato salad?  I think most of us do.  If you’re interested in making your own potato salad with a kick, and tired of the store-bought kind, give this a go for your next party.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups prepared mayonnaise
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons chipotle pepper puree
1 large ripe tomato, seeded and diced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
3 scallions, chopped, white and green parts
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
16 new potatoes, about 3 to 4 pounds, cooked, drained and sliced 1/2-inch thick

Combine all the ingredients, except the potatoes, in a medium bowl and and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Place warm potatoes in a large bowl and pour the mixture over the potatoes and gently fold to combine.  Put in the fridge until the salad is cold, then serve… Enjoy!

Makes 8 Servings

]]> http://paperpalate.net/2007/12/19/mesa-grill%e2%80%99s-southwestern-potato-salad/feed/ The Master Italian Sandwich on Ciabatta http://paperpalate.net/2007/11/01/the-master-italian-sandwich-on-ciabatta/ http://paperpalate.net/2007/11/01/the-master-italian-sandwich-on-ciabatta/#comments Thu, 01 Nov 2007 06:00:52 +0000 Matt Khoury Miscellaneous http://paperpalate.net/2007/11/01/the-master-italian-sandwich-on-ciabatta/ Italian SandwichWhat is not to love about sandwiches?  They’re universal, and easy and fun to make, if you get creative.  Cooking can be fun, if you get creative and let your mind wander to the open possibilities.  In my household, the typical sandwich meats are turkey and ham, with variations of smoked and honey cured.  Can you go wrong with that?  Probably not, but can you make it better? 

I love Italian meat sandwiches so I decided to explore and add all the “Italian” ingredients I could find onto this sandwich, and this is a sandwich, a huge sandwich great for any party.  Think Football game, Poker Party, anywhere testosterone gathers!

The Italian sandwich has freshly sliced salami, pepperoni, ham and smoked turkey! Then add some fresh provolone, green peppers, red onions, tomatoes, lettuce, good Italian dressing and special garlic mayonnaise and we’re sizzling!  The only thing you will need to be concern about is if you can get the sandwich in your mouth to take a bite!  The next key to a great sandwich is good quality bread and for this sandwich we are using great quality freshly baked Ciabatta bread.  Ciabatta is a great bread for sandwiches because of its air pockets which hold dressings well.  Combine all the ingredients together and start stacking your sandwich, and most importantly, have fun creating your sandwich.

Ingredients:
1 loaf of fresh Ciabatta bread
Sliced Turkey
Sliced Ham
Sliced Salami
Sliced Pepperoni
Sliced Provolone
Romaine Lettuce (whole)
1 large firm Tomato, Sliced
1 Green Bell Pepper, Sliced
1 Small Red Onion, Sliced
Italian Dressing
Garlic Mayo (recipe follows)
Salt
Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Method:

1. Split the ciabatta bread.  On the bottom half add the Italian dressing throughout the entire loaf of bread.  Spread the mayo on the top piece of bread.

2. Add a layer as follows (first to last):
Red Onions
Green Peppers
Tomatoes
Ham
Turkey
Salami
Pepperoni
Salami
Provolone
Lettuce

*If you’re feeling daring, repeat!

3. Top with the top slice of bread.  Alternate preparation:  once the cheese has been added heat your broiler at 425 degrees and set the sandwich in the oven (without the top) and melt the cheese, about 5-10 minutes.  Then add the lettuce and top half of bread, slice and serve!

Garlic Mayo Recipe:
3/4 Cup of Mayo (Hellman’s)
3 Garlic Cloves, Smashed, Crushed into a paste
Pinch of Salt
Pinch of Onion Powder
Pinch of Fresh Ground Pepper
Mix

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