Mint And Black Pepper Loaf With Pistachio Topping Food

PISTACHIO LOAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom of an 8 1/2- by 4 1/2-inch loaf pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper, then butter and flour the entire pan. Pulse 1 cup of the pistachios and 1/4 cup of the sugar in a food processor until very finely ground. Transfer the pistachio mixture to a large bowl. Whisk in the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• In a large bowl, beat the butter and the remaining 3/4 cup sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and beat until combined. Beat in the lemon zest. In three additions, beat in the pistachio-flour mixture, alternating with additions of buttermilk, starting and ending with pistachio-flour mixture. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with moist crumbs attached, 50 to 60 minutes.
• Transfer the pan to a rack to cool for 15 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the cake and then tip the cake out of the pan. Remove the parchment, turn the cake right side up, and let it cool completely. Sprinkle the remaining pistachios on top of the cake before serving.

PISTACHIO-MINT PESTO

Steps:

• Put the pistachios in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Add the mint, garlic, lemon zest, red pepper flakes and 1/4 teaspoon salt and pulse until finely chopped. Add the Pecorino-Romano and pulse to combine. With the motor running, slowly pour in the oil and process until combined. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the olives.

ROASTED STRAWBERRIES WITH BLACK PEPPER

Steps:

• Rinse the strawberries in cool water, place in a colander or strainer and shake off most of the water. Slice strawberries about 1/8-inch thick, place them in a large bowl, and sprinkle them with the sugar. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, and up to 4 hours. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Toss strawberries with the black pepper, add the balsamic vinegar, and put the strawberries and all of their juices into a large saute pan or a large ovenproof dish. Roast for 8 to 10 minutes, until the juices are bubbling and the strawberries are hot but not mushy. Divide among individual dishes and serve immediately, with ice cream or whipped cream if desired.

PISTACHIO AND POMEGRANATE MEATBALLS (KUFTEH-YE PESTEH-O ANAR)

Steps:

• To make the meatballs: Place all the ingredients, except the ground turkey and egg, in a food processor and pulse until you have a grainy paste. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and add the turkey and egg. Lightly knead with your hands for a few minutes (do not over-mix). Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 10 minutes or up to 24 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Generously oil a wide, non-reactive baking dish, large enough to fit 24 meatballs, (about 12 x 14 in/30 x 35 cm) and set aside.
• Remove the turkey mixture from the fridge and shape into walnut-sized balls (about 1 1/2 tablespoons each, using an ice-cream scoop). Place the meatballs in the baking dish and brush well with oil. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, until bottoms of the meatballs are lightly golden.
• Meanwhile, in another mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients for the glaze.
• Spoon the glaze over the meatballs and bake for another 5 minutes to infuse them with the flavor of pomegranate.
• Garnish with the pomegranate arils and serve warm with the sauce. These meatballs are perfect for wrapping with sprigs of fresh basil in lavash bread or green lettuce.

LAMB SKEWERS WITH HOT MINT AND PISTACHIO SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. Cut the lamb into 1 inch cubes. Place in a Ziploc bag and add the rest of the ingredients. Seal and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
• 2. Turn your oven to broil and skewer the cubes on the chopsticks. If the chopsticks are not lacquered then place them in water for an hour before use, so they won't char in the oven.
• 3. Grill the skewers in the top of your oven for about 12 minutes or until completely cooked through. Turn after half the time.
• 1. Peel and chop the pistachio nuts. Add to a small saucepan and roast for 2 minutes or until hot. Lower the heat and add the mint gel, letting it melt over low heat.
• 2. Add the peppers to taste. By stirring the peppers, they will cook more evenly.
• Lamb that is grain fed has a less gamey flavor than the grass-fed lamb. So if you usually don't like lamb because it is gamey, try grain-fed lamb.

LAMB CHOPS WITH PISTACHIO SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Make the Pistachio Salsa Verde:
• Pulse shallots, garlic, parsley, mint, pistachios, lemon juice, capers, red pepper flakes, and salt in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Scrape into a medium bowl and stir in oil.
• Cook the lamb chops:
• Season lamb chops with salt and pepper; allow to come to room temperature.
• Prepare a grill or grill pan for medium-high heat. Grill chops, working in batches if needed, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the lamb registers 125°F for medium-rare, 2-3 minutes per side. Serve with Pistachio Salsa Verde.
• Do Ahead
• Pistachio Salsa Verde can be stored and chilled in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

PISTACHIO MINI LOAVES

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine cake and pudding mixes.
• Add sour cream, eggs, oil and water; beat until blended Pour into five greased 5-3/4-in.
• x 3-in.
• x 2-in.
• loaf pans.
• Combine the pecans, brown sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over batter.
• Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
• Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.