Mint Chimichurri

prep: 10 minutes, plus 30 minutes resting

makes about 1½ cups

you’ll need…

1 cup mint leaves

¼ cup red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

4 garlic cloves

2 teaspoons crushed red pepper

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup olive oil

let’s get to it…

Pulse the mint, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, red pepper and salt in a blender container or small food processor until blended, but not smooth.

Pour mixture into a medium bowl and slowly stir in the olive oil. Let rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.

cooking know-how: Refrigerate any leftover chimichurri. Bring to room temperature before serving.

If you like chimichurri, you’ll love this recipe for Chimichurri Empanadas!

Cobb Salad inspired by The Hotel Bel Air’s Infamous Salad

prep: 45 minutes
cook: 30 minutes

serves 6

for the salad you’ll need…
1 large head of romaine lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces
3 eggs, boiled and chopped
6 strips of bacon, cooked and chopped
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
3 to 4 tomatoes (depending on size) chopped
2 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted and chopped
1 half red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup crumbled blue cheese

for the Herb Vinaigrette you’ll need…
1¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup white wine vinegar
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
1 shallot, finely minced
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoon finely minced chives
2 tablespoon finely minced parsley

let’s get to it…
Wash the lettuce before beginning. Tear romaine lettuce in bite size pieces and place in a large salad bowl.
Place the chopped eggs, avocado, tomatoes, chicken, onion, bacon and blue cheese in even rows on top of the salad greens. Refrigerate.
Whisk the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, shallot, mustard, sugar, salt and pepper together in a medium bowl. Add the chives and parsley and whisk until well blended.
Pour about ½ of the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently. Serve remaining vinaigrette with the salad.

Cook’s Tip: Use a blender to make the vinaigrette! Place the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, shallots, mustard, sugar, salt and pepper together in a blender container. Blend on High for 30 seconds. Add the chives and parsley and pulse 5 times until mixed.

Shrimp and Sweet Onion Pickle

prep: 10 minutes
cook: 4 minutes
chill: 4 hours or overnight

serves 8

you’ll need:
1½ pounds (26-30 count) medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
2 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon mustard seeds
½ teaspoon cumin seeds
½ teaspoon celery seeds
1 cup olive oil
½ cup lemon juice
¼ cup white vinegar
½ cup finely chopped parsley
6 dried bay leaves
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
½ teaspoon red chile flakes
1 sweet onion (about 8 ounces) thinly sliced lengthwise

let’s get to it…
Boil 10 cups of water in a large saucepan or stockpot. Add Old Bay and shrimp to the boiling water. Reduce heat to low and cook shrimp 2 to 4 minutes or until pink. Drain in a large colander. Place ice cubes on top of the shrimp to cool.
Grind salt,mustard seeds, cumin seeds and celery seeds in a spice grinder or blender container; pour into a large bowl.
Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, parsley, bay leaves, minced garlic and chile flakes into large bowl with the ground spices.
Layer shrimp and sliced onions in 8 half-pint mason jars or into a large, sealable container. Pour oil mixture over layered shrimp and onions. Cover with lid. Chill at least 4 hours (although overnight would be best!).