Cumin Crust Rub Food

RIB DRY RUB

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Store in an airtight container. Pack on the dry rub onto your next rack of ribs.

CUMIN-RUBBED CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

Steps:

• Sprinkle the chicken generously all over with salt, pepper and the cumin. Let sit for 30 minutes at room temperature.
• Heat the olive oil in a soup pot over medium-high heat. When the oil begins to swirl, add the chicken, skin-side down. Cook, undisturbed, until a peek beneath reveals a golden crust, about 5 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate. (The goal here is to just get flavor and fat from the chicken, not cook it.)
• Add the jalapeño, pearl onions and a pinch of salt to the pot. Cook, moving the veggies around, until they become golden in spots, about 4 minutes. Add the sofrito and soup base and bring to a bubble. Remove the skin from the chicken and discard. Add the chicken back to the pot and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes. Add 4 cups water and bring to a bubble again. Lower to a simmer and cook 15 minutes.
• Add the noodles to the pot and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Just before serving, add the cilantro and stir. Divide the soup among bowls, giving each a piece of chicken.

CUMIN CRUST RUB

Steps:

• In a small, dry frying pan over low heat, toast the cumin, stirring often, until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Pour onto a plate and let cool.
• In a small container with a tight-fitting lid, stir together the cumin, paprika, sugar, coriander, cayenne pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Cover and shake vigorously to mix. Use right away, or store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 month.

CUMIN-CRUSTED CHICKEN CHEDDAR QUESADILLAS W/ BASIL SOUR CREAM

Steps:

• For chicken: In a small bowl, combine cumin, salt, pepper and cayenne. Rub chicken breasts with spice mixture. Grill chicken 6 minutes on each side or until tender. Remove from heat and thinly slice; set aside.
• For sautéed mushrooms: Heat butter in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add sliced mushrooms and onions. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook until mushrooms are soft. Remove from heat and set aside.
• For basil sour cream: Combine basil, garlic, salt and pepper in a food processor. Process until pureed. Mix into sour cream. Set aside.
• To assemble quesadillas: Pre-heat grill or griddle to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place tortillas on a flat surface. Generously sprinkle cheese onto one half of each tortilla. Combine chicken and mushrooms; divide evenly on top of the cheese. Sprinkle cheese on top of the chicken and mushroom mixture. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Fold each tortilla in half (creating a half circle shaped quesadilla). Cook each quesadilla about 4-6 minutes, until cheese is melted and the tortilla begins to brown and crisp. Flip tortilla and repeat about 4-6 minutes. Remove quesadilla from heat and cool about 30 seconds before cutting into 3 triangle slices. Serve with basil sour cream.

CUMIN CRUSTED CHILEAN SEA BASS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a dry large skillet over medium heat, toast the cumin seeds for 2 minutes or until they just begin to smoke.
• Grind together the cumin, salt, and pepper in a mortar and pestle or other grinding tool (I use an electric coffee grinder) until finely ground.
• Rub the cumin mixture on both sides of the sea bass fillets.
• Heat the oil and butter together in an oven-safe pan/skillet over medium-high heat, then add the fish and brown each side of the fillets for 2 minutes.
• Transfer pan to the oven (you can wrap the handle of the pan with foil, if necessary), and bake for 4 to 5 minutes or until the fillets flake easily when tested with a fork.
• Garnish with chopped parsley and lemon wedges and serve.
• Source: Cooking Light, Dec. 2001 and Gail's Recipe Swap.

CUMIN-CRUSTED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH GRILLED TOMATILLO SALSA

Steps:

• 1. In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs and oil. Toss to coat the thighs evenly. Transfer the thighs to a platter and sprinkle evenly on all sides with the cumin rub. Set aside at room temperature.
• 2. Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for indirect grilling over medium heat; the temperature inside the grill should be 350°-375°F (180°-190°C). If using charcoal, bank the lit coals on either side of the grill bed, leaving a strip in the center without heat, and place a drip pan in the center. If using gas, preheat the burners, then turn off 1 or more of the burners to create a cooler zone. Brush and oil the grill grate.
• 3. To make the salsa, place the tomatillos and chile over the direct-heat area of the grill. (You'll probably need a grill screen for the chile or you'll lose it through the grate.) Cook, turning as needed, until well charred on all sides, about 3 minutes. Transfer the tomatillos and chile to a blender, add the lime juice and oil, and pulse until combined but still chunky. Transfer to a bowl, fold in the cilantro, and season with salt. You should have about 2 cups (16 fl oz/500 ml). (The salsa can be made up to 1 week in advance and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
• 4. Place the thighs, meaty side down, over the indirect-heat area of the grill. Cook, turning once, until the thighs are nicely grill-marked on both sides and firm to the touch and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh away from bone registers 170°F (77°C), 10-15 minutes on each side.
• 5. Transfer the thighs to a platter and let rest for 10 minutes. Serve at once with the tomatillo salsa.

CUMIN CARROTS

Steps:

• Put the carrots in a shallow saucepan and just cover with water. Add the star anise, butter and 1 tsp salt, then bring to the boil and simmer for 10 mins until the carrots are just cooked. Leave the carrots to cool a bit in the liquor, then remove and pat dry.
• Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Roll the carrots in the cumin, patting off any excess.
• Carefully fry the carrots until golden brown. Serve straight away, or keep warm in the oven until ready to serve.