The Califunky Hot Brown

Submitted by randilicious
Serves 2

Ingredients

5 tbsp canola oil 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1½ c. milk 6 tbsp Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
3 tbsp sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 egg, beaten
½ tbsp pepper ½ tbsp oregano
1 tsp paprika 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
1 c. mushrooms, sliced 8 stalks asparagus
1 tomato, thinly sliced 4 slices of bread, toasted
1 avocado leftover turkey slices and/or ¼ lb. pork roast thinly sliced

Directions

  1. To prepare sauce, in a large skillet combine 3 tbsp canola oil & flour little by little & mix to create a roux.  Stir in flour to absorb the oil.  Slowly whisk in the milk, & add Parmesan cheese & cheddar cheese.  Stir in the egg to thicken the sauce, but do not allow to boil.  Season with pepper, paprika, & Old Bay seasoning & remove from heat.
  2. In a separate skillet, heat 2 tbsp canola oil.  Saute mushrooms in the oil until soft.
  3. In the same skillet, saute the asparagus.
  4. Preheat the oven broiler.  For each serving, put 2 slices of toast on a broiler-safe dish.  Cover toast with layer of slices of turkey/pork roast & mushrooms.  Smother each serving with sauce.
  5. Place dish in broiler until the top of the sauce in speckled brown & bubbly.  Remove from broiler, add tomatoes, & cross cross 4 stalks of asparagus (per serving) over top, & serve.
  6. For each serving, slice up half an avocado & add as garnish.

Chef’s Note: The Kentucky Hot Brown retains a special place in my heart, as I was born in Kentucky.  Of course, I had to add in more of a California flavor (and a dash of my Maryland side too) to make it healthier.

Cream of Crab Soup

Submitted by The Crab Place

Ingredients

3 tbsp all-purpose flour 1 oz. dry Hollandaise sauce mix
½ tsp dry mustard 4 c. half and half
¼ c. butter 2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
¼ tsp celery seeds 1 c. whipping cream
1½ tbsp cooking sherry 1 lb. Maryland crab meat

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl, blend flour, Hollandaise sauce mix, & dry mustard with two cups of half and half.
  2. Melt butter over medium heat in a 4 qt. saucepan.  Slowly add above mixture to melted butter, stirring constantly to ensure smooth consistency.
  3. As the mixture begins to thicken, add remaining half and half, Old Bay seasoning, celery seeds, & whipping cream.  Heat to simmer, stirring constantly.
  4. Reduce heat to low, add crab meat & sherry.  Stir gently until heated through & serve.
  5. Top each bowl with freshly ground pepper to taste.

Note: Submitted to The Crab Place by Phoebe Ferguson of Crisfield, MD.

Sweet & Sour Halibut

Submitted by Carli

Ingredients

Sweet & Sour Sauce 2/3 c. sugar
¼ c. corn starch 8 oz. chicken broth
2/3 c. vinegar 1/3 c. ketchup
¼ c. soy sauce 1/8 tsp Tabasco sauce
1/3 c. pineapple juice 1 medium green pepper
1 medium red pepper ½ medium onion
2lbs Halibut 1 tsp pepper
1½ tbsp Old Bay Seasoning

Directions

  1. Combine the sweet & sour sauce, sugar, & corn starch. Add chicken broth, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, Tabasco, & pineapple juice. 
  2. Heat to a boil. Boil 1 minute until thickened.
  3. Sauté green pepper, red pepper, & onion until crisp & tender. Add sautéed vegetables to the sweet & sour sauce mixture.
  4. Mix together the flour, pepper & Old Bay seasoning. Cut halibut into bite sized chunks & dredge in this dry mix. 
  5. Deep fry until just done, add to sweet & sour sauce & serve with rice.