Pumpkin Seed Vinaigrette Food

ESCAROLE HEARTS WITH LEMON-PUMPKIN SEED VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a large skillet over high heat, toast the pumpkin seeds until they pop. Remove the skillet from the heat and add the olive oil. Whisk in the lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Cut the escarole on the bias, dividing each heart into 2 servings. Place a half on each of 4 salad plates and top with 1/4 cup cilantro. Drizzle with the salad dressing and serve.

PORK CHOPS AND SQUASH WITH PUMPKIN SEED VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Spread out pumpkin seeds on a large rimmed baking sheet. Toast, tossing once, until just beginning to darken, about 4 minutes. Let cool. Coarsely chop; set aside.
• Toss squash with 1 tablespoon oil on a large rimmed baking sheet; season with salt and pepper. Roast squash, turning occasionally, until golden brown and tender, 35-40 minutes.
• When squash has been roasting for 30 minutes, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Season pork chops with salt and pepper and cook until brown, 5-8 minutes. Turn over and cook until pork is cooked through, about 3 minutes longer.
• Whisk garlic, 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro, 2 tablespoons lime juice, reserved toasted pumpkin seeds, and remaining 3 tablespoons oil in a small bowl to combine. Season vinaigrette with salt, pepper, and more lime juice, if desired.
• Divide squash and pork among plates; spoon vinaigrette over. Top with cilantro leaves.

PUMPKIN SEED OIL VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Whisk together vinegar and oil.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.

PUMPKIN SEED VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spread the pumpkin seeds on a baking sheet and lightly toast them for 3 to 4 minutes in the oven.
• Put half the toasted seeds, the pumpkin puree, garlic, turmeric and 1/2 cup of the vinegar in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes until reduced by a third. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the oil. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of vinegar and season with salt and pepper.
• Puree the mixture in a blender for 30 seconds. Set aside and keep warm. At serving time, use remaining pumpkin seeds as garnish.

BIBB AND BUTTERNUT SALAD WITH PUMPKIN SEEDS, CRACKLINGS AND CRANBERRY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
• Peel and seed squash. Slice and toss with extra-virgin olive oil and chopped garlic. Roast for 8 to 10 minutes and remove from heat and cool. Melt butter in a large skillet and then toast the pumpkin seeds in the pan. Season with curry, cayenne and salt. Pick and wash the leaves of the Bibb lettuce and frisee.
• Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it reaches 350 degrees F. Carefully drop turkey skin into oil and deep-fry until crisp and golden. Remove and drain on paper towels.
• Combine both cranberries, orange juice, sugar and cinnamon stick in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer the cranberries for 1 hour or until the juice has thickened to a nape. Remove 2 cups of the finished cranberry sauce and whisk in the vinegar, the shallots and the pumpkin seed oil.
• In a large bowl, toss the lettuces, squash, seeds, and cracklings with the vinaigrette. Garnish the plate with pumpkin seed oil and Parmesan.

SPINACH AND PUMPKIN SEED SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk together vinegar and oil and add salt, pepper and mustard until it is well blended.
• Toss with the spinach until the leaves are nicely coated.
• Toss again with the tomatoes and the scallions.
• Place salad portions in bowls, garnish with a small amount of alfalfa sprouts, sprinkle with pumpkin seeds, and serve.

SEARED LEMON PEPPER TILAPIA WITH CREAMY PUMPKIN SEED VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In food processor, place the vinegar, mustard, shallot, thyme and pasteurized egg yolks. Cover; process until smooth. With the machine running, add the 1 cup pumpkin seed oil and then the 1 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon at a time. If the mixture gets too thick, add the 1 tablespoon ice water. Season with the salt and pepper. Stir in pumpkin seeds. Refrigerate while making tilapia.
• Place the flour, 2 eggs and the bread crumbs in 3 separate shallow dishes. Dip each fillet in flour then in eggs and finally, dredge on both sides in bread crumbs, shaking off the excess.
• Heat 2 skillets over high heat. Divide 3 tablespoons olive oil evenly between skillets. When hot, add the fish; reduce heat to medium, and cook until nicely browned, about 5 minutes. Turn fish and cook on the second side until the fish is done throughout (test with a fork), about 4 minutes, depending on thickness.
• Transfer the fish to 6 individual plates. Garnish with the lemon wedges. Toss the lettuce with a portion of the dressing; divide among plates of fish. Spoon some of the additional dressing over the fish; sprinkle pomegranate seeds over all, and enjoy.
• Copyright 2010 Michael Chiarello. Recipe provided by Chef Michael Chiarello - June 2010.

PUMPKIN SEED OIL DRESSING

Steps:

• Put all ingredients in a small bowl.
• Whisk together with a fork or small whisker until emulgated.
• Dressing is enough for about 16-20 cups lettuce. Use some toasted pumpkin seeds for topping.
• NOTE: Instead of pumpkin seed oil you can try other specialty oils like toasted sesame seed oil or walnut oil. But you should start then with less than 1 teaspoon to evaluate the flavour.