Sample Recipes from Paella and Tapas Class

Tips for cooking Paella:

• Paella actually refers to the pan the dish is cooked in, not the ingredients
• Don't simply boil the rice in water, sauté all items in the pan, then add rice and sauté in oil to ensure it doesn’t stick, then add liquid
• Another secret is to use the bases, stock, and/or to boil the rice in; never water
• After you put in some oil and throw in red pepper, green pepper, a little bit of onion, and a couple of chopped tomatoes, you fry this for two or three minutes, but not completely. You fry the chicken, too. Fry the rice a little, and then put that water on top. And meanwhile, you've been putting together six garlic cloves and parsley and chicken base, a lot of fish and saffron. You make a paste with that with a mortar and mix it in. That's paella!

Sangria

Chop 1 green apple, one plum, and one pear into small pieces Add to large clear pitcher, mix with 2 tsp. confectioner's sugar and 1/2 cup Triple Sec Refrigerate overnight   Add 1 bottle of chilled red wine and serve Top with seltzer water or lemon/lime soda, optional

Mushroom Tapas

• 1/3 __cup finely chopped shallots  
• 1 ____teaspoon minced garlic  
• 1 ____ to 2 tablespoons olive oil   
• 3/4____pound mixed fresh mushrooms, thinly sliced  
• 2 _____tablespoons dry sherry or Madeira   
• 1/2 ___teaspoon salt  
• 1 _____tablespoon finely chopped fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried  
• 5 _____English muffins, split and lightly toasted (or good bread)
• 12 ____ounces  mascarpone or cream cheese – softened 

Cook shallot and garlic in oil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until tender. Add mushrooms and cook on high for 5-10 minutes; add sherry, and salt; cook, stirring constantly until mushrooms are tender. Stir in thyme, and cook until most of liquid evaporates. Spread muffins with cheese; top evenly with mushroom mixture. Place muffins on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Remove appetizers from oven, and spoon Almond-Garlic Streusel (see below) evenly over mushroom mixture. Garnish, if desired. Spread on a paper plate or paper towel to cool. Makes 1 cup.

Almond-Garlic Streusel  

• 1_____English muffin  
• 2 1/2__teaspoons olive oil  
• 3_____cloves garlic -- minced     
• 1/4____teaspoon freshly ground black pepper     
• 1/4____cup chopped slivered almonds  

Place English muffin in container of an electric blender; process until fine crumbs. Combine crumbs, olive oil, and remaining ingredients in a large skillet; cook over medium-high heat 3 to 5 minutes or until crumbs and almonds are golden.