1/4 cup cornmeal
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
4 six ounce trout fillets
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon lemon juice
salt and pepper

1. Combine cornmeal, flour, garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper and lay out on a plate.
2. Press the flesh of the trout into the beaten egg and then into the cornmeal.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Melt butter in the olive oil, then cook the trout, cornmeal side down, until crisp. Flip and cook on the skin side until the center of the fillet is opaque.
4. Drizzle with lemon juice to serve.

Makes 4 servings

1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1/2 warm water
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup warm milk
1/3 cup butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
3-1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
3/4 cup raisins

1. Combine yeast, warm water and 1 teaspoon of the sugar in a bowl and set aside until foamy.
2. In a separate bowl, combine remaining sugar, milk, butter, salt and eggs, then add the yeast mixture.
3. Gradually incorporate all of the flour until you have a smooth, slightly sticky dough. Add more flour if necessary.
4. Knead dough on a floured surface for several minutes, then transfer to a greased bowl, cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about an hour.
5. Punch dough down and roll out into an even rectangle about 1/4" thick.
6. Brush the dough with half the melted butter. Combine cinnamon and sugar and sprinkle a generous layer over the buttered dough, then arrange raisins over top.
7. Carefully roll up the dough tightly like a jelly roll and slice into 12 equal portions.
8. Coat the bottom of 2 baking dishes with remaining butter and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon sugar.
9. Place cinnamon rolls closely together in the pans. Let rise again in a warm place for another hour.
10. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
11. Bake cinnamon buns until they are golden brown. Serve drizzled with icing, if desired.

Makes 12 servings

1/2 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon sugar
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup milk
1 cup corn kernels
4 scallions, chopped
1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 ounces mild cheese, grated
salt

1. Combine flour, baking powder, paprika, oregano, sugar and a pinch of salt in a bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs and milk and gradually incorporate into the dry ingredients, making sure the batter is free of lumps.
3. Fold corn, scallions and red pepper flakes into the batter and refrigerate for a couple of minutes.
4. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil and drop about 2 tablespoons of the batter into the pan. Repeat 3 or 4 more times, leaving space between each fritter.
5. When the underside begins to brown and the top has set, flip the fritter and continue to fry the other side. Transfer to a warmed plate and top with cheese when finished cooking.
6. Repeat with additional batter and cheese, adding more oil as necessary.

Makes 4 servings

1/2 pound sirloin steak, thinly sliced
1 egg, beaten
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1/4 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon orange zest
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon cold water
3 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
1 tablespoon chili oil or sweet chili sauce
salt and pepper

1. Season beef with salt and pepper. Combine egg and sesame oil, then dunk individual slices of beef into the egg mixture, then the cornstarch, shaking off excess. Set aside.
2. Bring water, orange zest and red pepper flakes to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce by half, then strain and reserve water.
3. Return water to the saucepan, along with brown sugar, sesame oil, vinegar and soy sauce. Bring to a boil.
4. Combine cornstarch and cold water and gradually whisk into the sauce. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until thickened. Stir in the sesame seeds and reduce heat to low.
5. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and dry fry the beef until cooked through.
6. Combine with prepared sauce and drizzle with hot chili oil. Serve over white rice.

Makes 4 servings

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup boiling water
or
8 flour tortillas
1-1/2 tablespoons sesame oil

2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice wine
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 pound pork tenderloin, sliced
10 dried shittake mushrooms
6 scallions, chopped
12 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons ginger puree

3 tablespoons rice wine
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 eggs, beaten
1 head napa cabbage, chopped
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
water

1. Combine flour and water in a large bowl and stir into a soft dough. Knead until smooth and elastic, then divide into 16 equal portions.
2. Roll each portion of dough into a 6" circle. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly brush each pancake with sesame oil and lightly cook on each side until puffed and browned. Remove from pan and repeat with remaining dough. Set aside.
3. Combine soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil and cornstarch and marinate pork for at least an hour.
4. Meanwhile, soak shittake mushrooms in boiling water until tender. Discard stems and slice. Combine with scallions, garlic and ginger and set aside.
5. Combine rice wine, soy sauce, cornstarch, sugar and pepper and set aside.
6. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Drain pork and discard marinade, then fry in the skillet until cooked.
7. Remove pork from the skillet and add the eggs. Quickly scramble them, then stir in the vegetables.
8. Return the pork to the skillet, along with the prepared sauce, and continue to cook until sauce is thick.
9. Spoon a portion of hoisin sauce onto each pancake and top with a portion of the pork mixture. Roll up and repeat with remaining pancakes and filling.

Makes 8 servings

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1-1/2 cups milk
6 ounces Gruyere, grated
1 cup plain yogurt of soft cheese
3 eggs, beaten
10 sheets phyllo pastry
1/2 cup butter, melted
salt and pepper

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for a minute or two.
3. Slowly whisk the milk into the saucepan and continue stirring until thickened.
4. Reduce heat to low and add the cheese, yogurt and eggs, stirring to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Lightly brush an oven proof dish with butter and lay a single sheet of phyllo on the bottom. Brush lightly with butter and top with a second phyllo sheet.
6. Alternate layers of the cheese mixture and phyllo dough, brushing each layer of phyllo with the melted butter and ending with a layer of phyllo.
7. Transfer to the oven and bake until golden brown, about 40 minutes. Let cool slightly before slicing.

Makes 8 servings

1/2 pound lean ground pork
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 scallion, minced
24 wonton wrappers
1 egg, beaten
water

1 teaspoon cornstarch
3 cups chicken stock
1 cup vegetable broth
2 teaspoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 carrot, peeled and thinly sliced in coin
3 scallions, chopped
white pepper

1. Combine the ground pork with soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar and scallion and refrigerate for an hour.
2. Moisten the edges of a wonton wrapper with egg wash and place about a teaspoon of pork filling into the center. Fold the wontons as directed by the wonton package; over lengthwise, fold over again, keeping your thumbs in place, then join the corners to make a wonton shape. Repeat with remaining wonton wrappers and filling.
3. Meanwhile, prepare the soup while making wontons. Combine cornstarch with cool chicken stock and vegetable broth. Put in a large soup pot over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Stir in the soy sauce and oyster sauce then add the carrots and scallion. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until carrots are tender.
4. Add wontons to the simmering broth and cook until pork is fully cooked, about 10 minutes. Serve with a bit of freshly grated white pepper.

Makes 4 servings

12 sardines
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 egg yolks
1 tablespoon lemon juice
salt and pepper

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Rub sardines with some of the olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
3. Place sardines on a baking tray and put the oven, roasting until eyes turn opaque, about 5 or 6 minutes. Remove from oven.
4. Meanwhile, combine garlic, egg yolks and lemon juice in a blender. Slowly add the olive oil until you have a thick mayonnaise. You may not need all of the olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. Serve sardines hot with a tablespoon or two of the aioli.

Makes 4 servings

4 six ounce beef tenderloin
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons dry white wine
1 tablespoon shallot, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, chopped
3 egg yolks
1/2 cup butter, softened and cubed
salt and pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Heat a large oven proof skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Season steaks with salt and pepper. Lay on hot skillet. Sear all sides then transfer to the oven to finish cooking to desired temperature.
4. Remove steaks from the oven and allow to rest while preparing Bearnaise.
5. Bring vinegar, wine and shallot to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce to about a tablespoon of liquid.
6. Cool vinegar mixture and combine with tarragon and egg yolks in the top of a double boiler.
7. Slowly whisk in the butter to the vinegar and eggs until you have a smooth sauce.
8. Serve steaks with the prepared sauce.

Makes 4 servings

1/4 cup warm water
1/3 cup honey
2-1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup warm whole milk
1 tablespoon ground coriander seed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons butter, melted
4 cups flour

1. Whisk together warm water and honey in a small bowl, then stir in the yeast. Allow to proof for 5 minutes while preparing other ingredients.
2. Combine the egg, milk, coriander seed, cinnamon, cloves and salt in a large bowl, beating until smooth.
3. Stir the yeast mixture into the egg mixture, as well as 5 tablespoons of the butter. Gradually incorporate the flour until it becomes a smooth dough. Add more flour if necessary.
4. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, at least 5 minutes. Place dough in a clean bowl greased with the remaining butter and cover with a damp towel. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1-1/2 hours.
5. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
6. Punch dough down and form into a round. Transfer to a baking sheet and allow to rise for 10-15 minutes while the oven is warming. Bake until the crust is a light golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when you tap on it, about an hour. Allow to cool before slicing.

Makes 8 servings