Portabella Mushroom Burger

Portabella Mushroom Burger, today's good eats.  Using grilled Portabella Mushroom caps instead of hamburger buns was an idea from one of The Biggest Loser episodes.  And it is tasty too.  I don't think that the show would approve of the bacon and cheese stuffed beef burger with extra cheese.  On the episode they suggested using lean turkey for the burger.     

Raw Video: Oracle Octopus Picks Spain

We're coming up to the final game of the World Cup this Sunday with a match up between Spain and the Netherlands. Yeah, Spain knocked out Germany out of a spot in the final match.  I have to admit that my favourite player in this event has to be Paul the Octopus.  Haven't heard about Paul?  Seriously?  Paul has been attracting a great deal of media attention for his prediction of Germany's world cup matches. 

And today, despite what most were anticipating a German win over Spain, Paul proved once again that he has the inside scoop [no pun intended].

Rumor has it that they are going to eat Paul for predicting Spain's win.  I just happen to have a great recipe for the occasion.  Now they can go with a traditional Spanish Octopus recipe but that might be too hard for the German team and we all know the Portuguese make the best!  


Polvo Guisado

Cook octopus (in this case fresh).

Some Portuguese people, when cooking their octopus, like to beat it with a stick to tenderize it.  This might help the German team get their fustrations out.  

Boil whole.  When the octopus is done let it cool and cut into bite size pieces using kitchen sears.  Set aside octopus and reserve the cooking liquid.  

By the looks of that YouTube video Paul is a big octopus.  So use a large pot.  Pour enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pot.  Saute two large onions that have been coarsely chopped.  When caramelization starts to happen add two heads of coarsely chopped garlic and a coarsely chopped bunch of parsley.  Yes, I said bunch... gotta have a good deal of parsley.  

Add the chopped octopus, cooking liquid, salt (coarse sea salt if you have it), a teaspoon of paprika, about 5 heaping tablespoons of Portuguese Pira Pira sauce and a bay leaf.  Reduce the heat to medium-low and keep an eye on it over the next 20 to 30 minutes, you may need to add more of the reserved cooking liquid.  Add about 5 medium to large potatoes that have been cut into bite size pieces.  Continue to cook for about another 30 minutes.  Test the octopus, if it is still chewy or tough, let it cook a wee bit more.  Thicken the octopus with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with a bit of the cooking liquid, if you like.  

Enjoy!

Urganda Dark Chocolate Raspberry Tiramisu

Here is my gluten-free version of the classic Italian dessert.  Enjoy!    

Beat 6 egg yolks with 6 tablespoons of sugar until it reaches a pale yellow colour.  

In a separate bowl, beat 6 egg whites until soft peaks form. 

Gently fold in egg whites into the bowl with egg yolks and sugar.  Add a 475 g container of mascarpone cheese, gently scrapping it out of the container with a fork and gently folding into the egg mixture.  

 Set aside.  

Now the good stuff:

  Take 1 1/4 cups of cooled coffee.  You can use espresso or any strong coffee.  I like the deep rich chocolate flavour found in Rwanda coffee beans.  

Add your favourite liqueurs to taste.  

Here are my favourites when making tiramisu.  

Dip lady finger cookies in the coffee-liqueur mixture, just long enough for a short dip for both sides of the cookie.  You can find gluten-free lady finger cookies at speciality stores like Lorenzo's Specialty Foods Ltd. http://www.lorenzosfoods.ca/ here in Winnipeg. 

 

Layer the lady finger cookies in a baking dish.  

Cover first layer with the egg-cheese mixture.  Top with a layer of raspberries and then a layer of shaved Uganda (80%) dark chocolate.

This chocolate has an excellent cocoa taste with a subtle smokey flavour.  I found this at the downtown Hudson Bay grocery department.

Add another layer of lady finger cookies that have been dipped in the coffee-liqueur mixture.  

Top with the remaining egg-cheese mixture and more chocolate shavings.  

Chill overnight to allow the flavours to soak into the lady-finger cookies.  Trust me, it is worth the wait.  

  

Don't forget about the left-over coffee-liqueur mixture--excellent in your coffee!