Michael Kurek, Composer: FOOD !

Welcome to the food page of Michael Kurek's website! If you have come here straight from MySpace, we invite you to explore the rest of this site by clicking on the links to the left! Here you will find selected recipes from the kitchen of Michael Kurek, all tested and approved by those unfortunate (sometimes fortunate) souls who are pressed into service as his tasters. If you try out any of these and want to comment, please send Michael an e-mail at Mickeykurek@aol.com. Check back each month for a new recipe!

June/July Recipe Is . . .

Crunchy Wasabi Salmon

with Ginger-Cilantro Rice!

This is an easy-to-make pairing and very light for summer. Enjoy! (Monthly recipes will return August 1, 2010.)

 

Salmon

Mix either powdered wasabi, or (preferably) wasabi paste (try sushi section of grocery store deli) with ½ cup mayonnaise, to taste. Spread on both sides of skinless salmon filets, and dredge in panko (Japanese bread crumbs, available in most grocery stores). Bake at 400 degrees about 12 minutes. Start them with the “top” (presentation side) down first, then turn once during baking. If not browned when done, put them under broiler for a couple of minutes until they are, at the end.

 

Rice

1 cup white rice (long grain)

thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger

2 and 1/3 cups chicken broth

1 and 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 green onion, roughly chopped

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon Asian sesame oil

1 teaspoon rice vinegar

Peel ginger and mice one teaspoon-worth of it, cutting the rest into coin-shaped disks (these disks will be discarded later, so don't worry over the shape). Combine rice and the ginger coins in a large sauce pan with broth and a sprinkle of salt. Bring to a boil, stirring often. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer till broth is absorbed and rice is done, according to length on rice directions. While that is cooking, blend in blender or mini-processor the cilantro, onion, and minced ginger. Add both oils and the vinegar and blend until smooth. Taste and add in salt, pepper, and more vinegar, as desired. Remove ginger coins from cooked rice and toss with the blended oil, serve.

 

 

Celebrating FIVE YEARS of fun recipes on this site! Contact MK for any of these past recipes:

September, 2004: Hoisin Crusty Bleu Pork Chops; October, 2004: Heavenly Lime-Crab Clouds of Ecstasy; November, 2004: Pumped-Up Pumpkin Soup; December, 2004: White-Chocolate Key-Lime Pie with Gingersnap Crust; January, 2005: Fresh Salmon Cakes; February, 2005: Kurek's Bizarre and Wicked Chili; March, 2005: Shrimp and Mango Spring Rolls; April, 2005: Seafood or Chicken or Vegetarian Curry -- The Real Thing; May, 2005: Russian Kotleta; June, 2005: Cajun Brie, Spinach, and Artichoke Bread Pudding; July, 2005: Sunburn Shrimp Dip with Grilled Volcano Butter Crostini; August, 2005: Maui Zowee Pineapple Coconut Cream Carrot Cake; September, 2005: Fabulous Fish Tacos with Authentic Red Rice; October, 2005: Crawfish-Goat-Cheese Potstickers with Basil-Marsala Cream Sauce; November, 2005: Cheesy Beef Stroganoff Enchiladas; December, 2005: Shrimp Cakes with Chili-Lime Cream Sauce;

January, 2006: Chocolate Mink; February, 2006: Easy Home-made Buttermilk Chicken Pot-Pie; March, 2006: King Ranch Chicken; April 2006: Orange Shrimp on Saffron-Parmesan Grit; May 2006: Rum-Pineapple-Ginger Upside-Down Cake; June, 2006: Paella Miguel; July, 2006: Mexican Polenta Casserole; August, 2006: Scintillating Sesame Noodles; September 2006: Mongolian Fiery Coconut Orange Shrimp Stir Fry; October 2006: Coconut Chess Pie; November 2006: Extreme Mac and Cheese Makeover; December 2006: Shangri-La

January 2007: Heart Attack On A Plate; February 2007: Bonus: Cooking Tips From Michael's Kitchen; March 2007: Benedictine-Cherry Sauce on Pork Chops or Duck Medallions; April 2007: Red-Wine-Mushroom Gravy on Beef with Gorgonzola-Crispy-Onion Potatoes (Bonus: Pear Martinis); May 2007: Intensely Lemon Artichoke and Spinach Fettuccine (with Bonus Recipe: BLT's for Grown Ups); June 2007: International Surprise-Burger Cookout; July 2007: Coffee-marinated Grilled Pork Loin with Island Rice; August 2007: Frozen Strawberry-Margarita Pie (plus bonus recipe: Corn-bread-stuffed Poblanos); September 2007: Crunchy Wasabi-Crusted Giant Prawns with Vanilla Rice; October, 2007: Lime Salmon over Jalapeno-Creamed Fresh Corn; November, 2007: Shrimp and Grits with Cajun-Andouille Gravy; December, 2007: Insane Holiday Stuffing

January, 2008: Appetizer Quartet (Savory Pineapple Cheese Ball, Mini-Seafood Rolls, Prosciutto-Gruyere Pinwheel Puffs, Parmesan Cheese Twists); February, 2008: Tuna-Polenta Casserole; March, 2008: America-the-Beautiful Pizza; April, 2008: Mom's Famous Bourbon Balls and the Best Meatloaf Ever; May, 2008: An Outdoor Concert Picnic: Michael's Mega-Sandwich and A Nice Pasta Salad; June, 2008: Maui Zowee Pineapple Coconut Cream Carrot Cake (repeat from August, 2005); July, 2008: Maggie Gamboa's Mexican Cornbread and Michael's Easy Black Beans; August, 2008: Make Your Own Hummus! and tip on a better way to make rice; September 2008: Beef Short Ribs Braised in Ancho Chile – Coffee Sauce! (over Saffron Cheese Grits); October, 2008: Pork Chops Au Poivre with Potato-Apple Latkes; November, 2008: Pumped-Up Pumpkin Soup; December, 2008: She-Food Soup;

January, 2009: Insane Ginger Cookies; February 2009: Authentic Spaghetti and Meatballs; March, 2009: Coconut Cream Pie with Bonus: Homemade Butterscotch Sauce for ice cream; April, 2009: Easy Salmon Wellington and Apple (or Cherry) Turnovers; May, 2009: Welsh Rabbit and Fresh Pea Soup; June, 2009: Shrimp and Grits with Cajun-Andouille Gravy (and Fresh Strawberry Piña Coladas); July, 2009: Crab Pot Pies; August, 2009: Korean Shrimp or Seafood Pancakes; September, 2009: Wuthering Heights Bread; October, 2009: Oktoberfest Brisket Braised In Dark Beer; November, 2009: Fluffiest Blueberry Pancakes Ever; December, 2009: Osso Buco with Lamb-Shanks

January, 2010: Classic Coq au Vin; February, 2010: How Do I Luv Thee Cookies; March, 2010: Great Lasagna; April, 2010: Authentic Shepherd's Pie; May and June/July, 2010: Crunchy Wasabi Salmon with Ginger-Cilantro Rice