Pistachio Stuffed Dates

Looking for a light, Mediterranean, candy-like dessert that is sure to wow the crowds? Well, try this one on for size. It is super simple to create, a healthy alternative to most desserts and combines salty and sweet in such a way as to amaze you with how good it is. Try it… trust me. (I served mine with a touch of Metaxa 5, but Ouzo would have worked just as well.

OPA! – Chez

1. 1 c blanched almonds



2. 1 cup pistachios (1/2 c coarsely chopped and 1/2 c whole… shelled of course)



3. 1 tbs fig jam or orange marmalade



4. 1 tbs whole milk



5. 24 Medjool dates, pitted and split on one side and opened



6. ½ tsp Kosher salt
   

Pulse almonds in a food processor to create a paste.

Add milk, jam or marmalade to paste and pulse to mix.

Add ¼ cup of the chopped pistachios to paste and combine

Mix salt and remaining chopped nuts

Stuff about ½ tsp of nut paste into each date, top with salted nut mixture

Serve on a bed of whole pistachios.

Spiced Orange and Honey Sorbet

With the warmer weather upon us, its time to revisit the classics and perhaps create a few new ones that won't heat up the kitchen. This recipe won Star Status for 5/22 with its unique taste combination and its cool and bright flavor profile. Whether you use it as a palate cleanser or as a dessert it will ‘hit the spot’.

- Chez

• 3 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup clover honey
• 2 tablespoons finely grated orange peel
• 1 tablespoon chopped peeled fresh ginger
• 2 whole star anise
• 5 cardamom pods
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 small bay leaf
• 2 cups chilled fresh orange juice
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp ground cardamom

• Combine first 8 ingredients in heavy large saucepan. Bring to boil over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.

• Boil until syrup is thick and mixture is reduced to 2 cups, about 12 minutes. Discard bay leaf; cool syrup.

• Strain syrup into medium bowl. Add orange juice and lemon juice. Transfer to ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer's instructions. 5 minutes before complete sprinkle in the ground cardamom and allow to incorporate.

• Transfer sorbet to container, cover, and freeze until firm, at least 6 hours and up to 3 days.

One Pan Whiskey Pork Chops (serves 4)

Creamy pork chops with lots of mushrooms, goes great with mashed potatoes and garlic green beans! Think of it as Pork Stroganoff... and before you wrinkle up your nose, take this one for a test drive. Trust me, you are not being steered wrong!

It was, after all, the Star Winner for 5/1/2011!

- Chez

What you'll need:

• 4-6oz. bone-in center cut pork chops-trimmed and seasoned with salt & pepper



• 1 c fat free sour cream



• 1/2 c water



• 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour



• 1/2 tsp thyme, dried



• 1/4 tsp black pepper



• 1/2b tsp kosher salt



• 2 Tbsp olive oil, extra virgin



• 1/2 c chopped onion



• 1-8oz. pkg sliced baby bella mushrooms



• 1/2 c whiskey

Directions:

1 Preheat oven to 300.

2 Combine the sour cream, water, flour, salt,pepper and
thyme in a small bowl.

3 Heat oil in a large oven safe skillet over medium high heat.

4 Add the seasoned pork chops and saute 5 mins on each side or until golden. You really need to get a good sear on them!

5 Remove pork from pan. Add onions and mushrooms and saute for 3 mins.

6 Add whiskey, cook 1 min, or until most of liquid evaporates.

7 Stir sour cream mixture into pan.

8 Return pork to pan and spoon sauce over the pork.

9 Cover the pan with tin foil and bake in oven for 1 hour.

10 Serve as you see fit but mashed potatoes and garlic green beans work REAL well with this dish.