Reel Chow Blog

Culinary Postings from the Original Gourmet Craft Service Industry Insider

Whole Wheat Pasta with Shiitake and Arugula

Reel Chow Original Recipe!This dish is a favorite of mine. Whole Wheat Pasta with Shiitake and Arugula is easy to make and perfect for a summer lunch or dinner. The balance of the ingredients makes it seem light, but not insubstantial.

I love using shiitake as a meat replacement. It’s a hearty mushroom and has a formidable texture. You can find it in vegetarian burgers, quite often, such as the ones Ron often samples.

The arugula in this dish adds in some spice. It isn’t overpowering, but it doesn’t hide itself. You can try my recipe below for starters. The next time you make it, you can always alter the amount of arugula in either direction if you feel strongly about it.

The whole wheat pasta can be replaced with gluten-free pasta if desired. I add no butter, just some virgin coconut oil to give it the savory flavor we all enjoy. Organic feta cheese is included for some extra creaminess!

Whole Wheat Pasta with Shitake and Arugula.

Whole Wheat Pasta with Shitake and Arugula. ©Reel Chow

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Shrimp and Mango Salad

Reel Chow Original Recipe!I hardly ever make shrimp anymore. I think it’s because after Ron and I started dating we probably ate shrimp twice a week. We just enjoyed eating it. Shrimp is one of those foods with which you can have fun switching up the flavor. I went through a period of no shrimp after a while for a few years, but all things culinary come in cycles. The other day at the fish market, I saw fresh jumbo shrimp, and it gave me the craving for my old shrimp salad.

This is a recipe I have been making for years, way back while Ron and I were still dating. The shrimp is marinated in turmeric, fresh ginger, dried dill and sliced shallots with light extra virgin olive oil. It’s a spicy shrimp dish without the intense heat.

Shrimp and Mango Salad.

Shrimp and Mango Salad. ©Reel Chow

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French Breakfast Radish Crostini

Reel Chow Original Recipe!While shopping at the farmers’ market this past weekend I stumbled upon French breakfast radishes. I was taken away with their cuteness and knew I had to come up with a tasty original for Monday’s One-bite post. The French breakfast radish is crisp and sweeter than most radishes. They’re definitely worth trying if you see them offered by your produce vendor.

This no-cook recipe is a perfect prelude for a weekend brunch. It’s simply been named the French Breakfast Radish Crostini. From your first bite of one of them, they’ll go down perfectly with a nice glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc, especially if you’re sitting outdoors.

Breakfast Radish Crostini with Avacado, Fennel and Arugula.

Breakfast Radish Crostini with Avacado, Fennel and Arugula. ©Reel Chow

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