Preserved Tomatoes With Lemon Thyme Food

PRESERVED TOMATOES WITH LEMON THYME

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees. Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add tomatoes, and cook 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer tomatoes to the ice-water bath to stop the cooking; let cool completely in ice-water bath. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels, and let drain.
• Slit tomatoes lengthwise, leaving halves attached along 1 edge. Open each tomato like a book, and arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast until edges have shriveled slightly, about 40 minutes. Let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, stir together garlic, red pepper flakes, lemon thyme, and salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle one side of each tomato with about 1 teaspoon of the seasoning mixture; fold over other side.
• Layer tomatoes in a sterilized, dry 1-quart jar. Pour in enough oil to cover tomatoes. Place a round of waxed paper on surface to keep them submerged. Refrigerate at least 24 hours; let stand at room temperature 1 hour before serving.

TOMATO PRESERVES

Steps:

• Slice an x in the top of each tomato. Place in a pot of boiling water until skin begins to peel off. Immediately place in a bowl of ice water. Slough off skin and remove stem button.
• Weigh tomatoes and place in a non reactive bowl (plastic or glass). Gently squeeze tomatoes by hand or with a wooden spoon to release juice. Add an equal weight of sugar. Let stand for 12 hours.
• When ready to cook, place two metal teaspoons in the freezer.
• Drain juice into a large sauce pan. Boil until the syrup thickens and falls of a spoon in heavy drops. Approximately 20 minutes.
• Rough chop the tomatoes and add to the thickened syrup. Grate the lemon zest and add to the syrup. Cut lemon in half and squeeze juice into the syrup. Add the ginger or cinnamon.
• Boil mixture until thick for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• To test for doneness, remove one spoon from the freezer. With the spoon you used to stir the preserves remove a small amount of jam and pour into the frozen spoon. Tilt the frozen spoon over the pot, if the preserves pour off in large thick drops it is done. If it pours off quickly, boil for another few minutes and retest with the other frozen spoon.
• Remove ginger or cinnamon. Put preserves in sterilized jars and boil in a water bath canner for 20 minutes.

GRILLED FILLET OF GROUPER WITH ROASTED CIPOLLINI AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• For the garlic confit:.
• Heat the oil and garlic in a small saucepan over low heat until the garlic is tender, about 30 minutes. Set aside.
• For the grouper:.
• In a mortar and pestle, mix 1 1/2 tablespoons oil with the garlic, rosemary, thyme and chile. Rub the mixture over the fish and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
• Heat the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the fish with salt and pepper, then sear on the skin side until crisp and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Continue cooking in the oven until the flesh is flaky, about 25 minutes.
• For the roasted cipollini and tomatoes:.
• Heat the oil in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Add the cipollini and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Add the tomatoes and garlic confit without the oil (just the garlic cloves). Cook over high heat until the cipollini are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the butter and season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, transfer the grouper to a platter, top with preserved lemons and drizzle with olive oil. Spoon the roasted cipollini and tomatoes on top of the fish. Garnish with the cilantro and parsley.
• Preserved Lemons:.
• Wash the lemons very well. Cut each lemon lengthwise in quarters without slicing all the way through, leaving the lemons whole. Place the lemons in a sterilized jar. Add the salt, lemon juice, peppercorns and kaffir lime leaves and mix well. Add more lemon juice if needed to just cover the lemons. Close with a lid and refrigerate. Stir the lemons every day or two to help dissolve the salt. Allow the lemons to cure for at least 1 week. Rinse under cold water before using.

SPICED LAMB TAGINE WITH PRESERVED LEMON AND GREEN OLIVES

Steps:

• In a saucepan large enough to hold the lamb, heat a good splash of olive oil, add the vegetables and garlic and cook overlow heat for 15 to 20 minutes or until completely soft but not brown.
• Add the mixed spices to the vegetables and increase the heat to medium and stir for 2 minutes.
• Add the lamb, tomatoes, bay leaves, thyme and enough stock/water to cover the lamb.
• Bring to the boil, skim the surface of any fat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer very gently for 2 hours or until the meat is very tender.
• Skim the fat from the surface again, then add the honey, harissa, olives and preserved lemon.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper, then transfer to a tagine dish for serving.
• Scatter the herbs generously over the top and serve immediately, with steamed couscous on the side.