Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 3 egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• Interior scrapings of 1/2 split vanilla bean, preferably Tahitian
• 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

For Classic Shortbread:

• 1 cup granulated, raw, or turbinado sugar

For Five-Spice Shortbread:

• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground star anise
• 1/4 cup turbinado or other granulated sugar

For Double Chocolate-Ginger Shortbread

• 1/4 cup turbinado or other granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup extra-brut cocoa or regular unsweetened cocoa
• 1 tablespoon peeled and grated fresh ginger
• 1/4 cup minced candied ginger
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips, or bittersweet chocolate chopped into small chunks

For Caramel Macadamia Nut Shortbread

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 pound macadamia pieces, or whole nuts, roughly chopped

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 325°F. In the bowl of a mixer, combine butter, sugar and salt and cream on medium speed until blended, about 2 minutes. One by one, add the egg yolks, mixing until incorporated. Add the vanilla extract and the scrapings of the vanilla bean. Scrape down the bowl.

Turn the mixer off and add the flour. Turn the machine to low and mix until the flour is completely incorporated. Remove the dough from the bowl. Working on parchment or wax paper, form dough into 4 logs 10 inches long and 1 1/4 inches in diameter; wrap and chill.

For the Classic, Five-Spice, or Double Chocolate-Ginger Cookies: In a small bowl, combine the ingredients listed.

Cut the chilled log into twenty 1/2-inch rounds. Dip one cut surface of each round into the mixture and arrange the rounds 2 inches apart on all sides on a parchment-lined or nonstick cookie sheet or sheets.

Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the cookies with a spatula and cool on a wire rack.

For the Caramel Macadamia Cookies: Grease a baking sheet, preferably rimmed.

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and 1/2 cup of water. Heat over medium heat until mixture begins to simmer, about 3 minutes. Cover the pan and continue to simmer, allowing steam from cooking mixture to wash down the sides of the pan. Remove cover and continue to simmer until the mixture turns golden, 7 to 8 minutes. Immediately remove from the stove, and, to avoid mixture bubbling over, carefully pour cream in a slow, steady stream into the pan; do not stir. Return the pot to the stove, reduce heat to low, and, using a wooden spoon, gently stir mixture until cream is completely incorporated.

Transfer the caramel to a medium heat-proof bowl, add the nuts, and stir to coat the nuts evenly. Transfer the mixture to a baking sheet, spreading it evenly, and bake until dark brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool the brittle to room temperature and chop mixture coarsely using a food processor, a cleaver or by hand.

Cut the log into twenty 1/2-inch rounds, press one cut side of each round into the brittle, and arrange the rounds 2 inches apart on all sides on a parchment-lined or nonstick cookie sheet or sheets.

Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the cookies with a spatula and cool on a wire rack.

Ming Tsai, via Epicurious

Ingredients

• vegetable oil
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups flour, sifted
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups oysters, drained and chopped

Preparation

Heat about 1/2 to 1 inch of oil in a deep heavy skillet to about 365°. Combine eggs, milk, flour, baking powder, and salt; blend until smooth. Stir oysters into the batter and drop by spoonful into the hot fat. Brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels.

Diana Rattray, About.com

The Corpse Reviver #2, tweaked by yours truly.

Ingredients

• 2 oz. gin (pref. citrusy, like Plymouth or Bluecoat)
• 1 oz. Lillet blanc
• 3/4 oz. lemon juice
• dash bitters

Preparation

Shake with ice, strain into a martini glass, serve with a lemon wheel.

Charles Pence

[CP: Originally meant to go on steak, this goes on everything. Mom did quail in it and it was really nice.]

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more
• 3–4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced or minced
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 1 Fresno chile or red jalapeño, finely chopped
• 2 cups minced fresh cilantro
• 1 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh oregano
• 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation

Combine vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, garlic, shallot, and chile in a medium bowl and let stand for 10 minutes. Stir in cilantro, parsley, and oregano. Using a fork, whisk in oil. Remove 1/2 cup chimichurri to a small bowl, season with salt to taste, and reserve as sauce. Put meat in a glass, stainless-steel, or ceramic dish. Toss with remaining marinade. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours or overnight. Cook meat, serve with sauce.

Matt Lee and Ted Lee, Epicurious

Ingredients

• 1 lb tiger prawns or jumbo prawns, peeled, deveined, tails intact
• 6 metal skewers or bamboo kewers (soak in water before using)
• Oil, for brushing

Marinade

• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 lemongrass, white part only, grated
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon Sriracha
• 1 (big) clove garlic, finely minced

Chili-Calamansi Dipping Sauce (optional)

• 1 1/2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/2 tablespoon chopped cilantro leaves
• 1 small calamansi, extract the juice (or 1 wedge lime)

Preparation

Clean the shrimp with cold running water. Pat dry with paper towels and transfer the shrimp into a bowl.

Add all the ingredients in the Marinade into the bowl. Stir to combine well with the shrimp. Marinate for 15 minutes. Thread three shrimp into each skewer. Brush the surface of the shrimp with some oil. Grill the shrimp on both sides until they are charred and cooked through. Serve immediately with the dipping sauce (optional).

Rasa Malaysia

Ingredients

• 12 jumbo (11-15 count) shrimp
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon sriracha
• 1 pound asparagus, tough ends trimmed
• 1/3 cup, plus 5 teaspoons olive oil
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 8 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms
• 8 ounces soba noodles
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2 green onions, whites and greens thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted

Preparation

Rub the shrimp with half of the garlic and ginger, and the sriracha. Cover and let the shrimp marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Spread the asparagus out on a baking sheet and brush it with 2 1/2 teaspoons of the oil. Roast just until the asparagus is tender, about 15 minutes. Remove, season with salt and pepper, and set aside to cool.

Reduce the oven temperature to 300°F. Toss the shiitakes with another 2 1/2 teaspoons of oil, spread them out on a baking sheet, and transfer to the oven. Roast just until the mushrooms begin to shrivel, about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and set aside to cool.

Put the shrimp in a small baking dish or ovenproof sauté pan, cover with the remaining 1/3 cup oil and season lightly with salt. Cover the dish with foil and poach the shrimp in the oven just until the exteriors are bright orange and if you slice into one, the interior is still opaque, about 15 minutes (don’t worry that it doesn’t look completely done as it will carry-over cook a bit). Remove the shrimp from the oil and reserve the oil, allowing it to cool.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the noodles according to the package directions. Rinse with cold water and set aside to cool.

Cut the asparagus into 1-inch pieces and the shiitakes into thin strips. Toss the vegetables with the cooled noodles.

Whisk together the remaining ginger and garlic with the soy sauce, honey, and mustard. Slowly whisk in the reserved poaching oil. Pour the dressing over the noodles and toss well to combine. Top with the shrimp, green onions, and sesame seeds before serving.

Girl in the Kitchen, via HuffPo

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• juice from 1 lime
• 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
• 1 heaping tablespoon Sriracha, or other red chili sauce
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
• salt and pepper to taste
• 6 6-ounce salmon filets

Preparation

Preheat oven to 450°F. In a medium bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients and cilantro.

Line a baking sheet with foil, then place salmon filets (flesh-side up) on the foil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Spoon the glaze over the fish so it’s fully coated.

Bake at 450° for 12-15 minutes, or until fish feels semi-firm with you press it with your finger. If it’s not done when you initially check it, put it back in the oven at 2 minute intervals until cooked to desired level. Fish easily overcooks, so keep a close eye on it. Remove from oven, let cool 1-2 minutes, then serve each filet over a pile of rice mixed with green onions, lime zest, and cilantro.

Amelia Winslow, HuffPo

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced peeled ginger
• 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 2 tablespoons mirin
• 2 tablespoons dry white wine
• 1 tablespoon Sriracha chile sauce
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 6 6-ounce, 1-inch-thick tuna steaks
• 1/2 cup sesame seeds

Preparation

1. In a saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the ginger, onion and garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, 5 minutes. Add the vinegar, orange juice, mirin, wine and Sriracha and simmer until the liquid is almost evaporated, 10 minutes. Add the cream and simmer until reduced by half, 15 minutes. Strain the sauce, season with salt and pepper; keep warm.

2. Season the tuna with salt and pepper and coat both sides with the sesame seeds. In a nonstick skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the tuna; cook over moderately high heat, turning once, until the sesame seeds are browned and the tuna is medium-rare, 5 minutes. Slice the tuna 1/3 inch thick and serve with the ginger cream.

Hosea Rosenberg, HuffPo

Ingredients

• 3 oz (1 c.) coffee beans, preferably dark roast
• 2 tbsp. cardamom pods
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 2 c. (approx) heavy cream
• 1 c. whole milk
• 7 large egg yolks

Preparation

Put the coffee beans and cardamom pods in a food processor or coffee grinder and pulse to roughly chop (not grind) them. Turn the chopped beans and pods into a medium saucepan and add 1/2 c. of the sugar. Put the pan over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the sugar starts to melt. Once the sugar has melted, continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar caramelizes (to deep amber, almost mahogany). Now, standing back, slowly pour in 1 c. of the cream and the milk. The caramel will immediately seize and harden, but it will smooth out as the liquids warm again. Bring to a boil, and pull the pan from the heat once everything is smooth. Cover the pan and allow it to infuse for 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 300 F.

In a large bowl, whisk the yolks and the 1/4 c. remaining sugar until the mixture is pale and thick. Strain the coffee-cardamom liquid into a measuring cup (discard the beans and pods) and add enough cream to bring the liquid to 2 cups. Gently (without creating air bubbles) mix the liquid into the egg mixture; skim off the foam, if there is any.

Arrange 6 4-oz espresso cups or ramekins in a roasting pan, leaving space between them, and fill them with the custard mixture. Put the pan in the oven, then fill the pan with enough hot water to come halfway up the sides. Cover the pan with foil and poke two holes in opposite corners. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the edges slightly darken and the custards are set but still jiggle in the middle.

Remove the pan and let the custards sit for 10 minutes. Remove cups from the pan and cool in the refrigerator. Let them warm for 20 minutes to room temperature before serving.

Daniel Boulud, Cafe Boulud Cookbook

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon Asian (toasted) sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
• 1/4 Asian pear, coarsely grated (about 1/4 cup)
• 1/2 medium onion, coarsely grated (about 1/2 cup)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 teaspoon)
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted, plus additional for garnish
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound beef sirloin, trimmed of excess fat and thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 8 red leaf or bibb lettuce leaves, for serving
• 1 cup cooked white rice, for serving
• 1/2 cup kimchi, for serving
• 1 cup fresh enoki mushrooms, trimmed
• 4 teaspoons hot bean paste

Preparation

In large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, mirin, pear, onion, garlic, ginger, sesame seeds, and pepper. Let marinade stand 30 minutes at room temperature, then add beef and toss to coat. Refrigerate, covered, 1 hour.

In large skillet over moderately high heat, heat oil. Remove beef from marinade, draining it very briefly over bowl to remove excess liquid, and then cook until browned and done medium-well, 6 to 7 minutes.

Remove beef from heat and serve by filling each lettuce leaf with about 2 tablespoons Korean sticky rice, small handful of beef, 1 tablespoon kimchi, about 8 enoki mushrooms, and about 1/2 teaspoon hot bean paste. Serve immediately.

Epicurious, January 2009