Couples Cooking Corner
From Stefan Spath, Regional Executive Chef
Couples Negril Resorts
PO Box 35, Negril, Jamaica

APPETIZER:
Smoked Marlin Quesadillas

Ingredients:
3oz Smoked Marlin (cut into strips)
1 small onion
1 each red and sweet pepper
1 small tomato (diced)
grated cheese (Cheddar or Monterey Jack)
8 each flour tortillas
oil for frying

Method:
Finely dice the onion. Sauté in little oil. Add diced peppers. Divide mixture onto 4 flour tortillas, top with smoked marlin, tomatoes and grated cheese. Cover with remaining tortillas. Heat oil in a frying pan and fry quesadillas until golden brown on both sides.

Cut into quarters and serve immediately with a tossed green salad. Mango chutney makes a perfect accompaniment.

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MAIN COURSE:
Tamarind Lamb Chops with Pumpkin and Almond Risotto (Serves 2)

Ingredients:
4 double lamb chops
4 tbsp. tamarind pulp (soaked in hot water)
4 oz. White Rum
3 tbsp. heavy cream (whipped)
3 tbsp. sesame oil
4 tbsp. parmesan cheese
.75 Kg. Pumpkin
11/2 oz sliced Almonds
1 box aborio rice (for risotto)
Chicken stock

Method
Tamarind Glaze:
Puree in blender tamarind pulp, White Rum, and sesame oil until smooth.

Take out the seeds from the Pumpkin leave on the skin, rub with garlic and olive oil. Wrap in tin foil and roast in oven for approx 45 minutes at 400 degrees. Cool, remove from foil and dice.

Prepare the risotto .

Grill lamb and continuously baste with tamarind glaze until cooked to desired temperature.

Place the almonds on a baking sheet in the oven until golden brown, add diced Pumpkin and cooked risotto. Add a touch of chicken stock. Season and finish with whipped cream and parmesan..

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DESSERT:
Tropical Passion Fruit Cheese Cake

Sweet Pastry Ingredients:
8oz unsalted butter
4oz granulated sugar
12oz flour
2 egg yolks
lemon rind
vanilla

Method:
Combine the butter with the sugar, add egg yolks, little vanilla and the finely grated rind of one lemon. Add the flour and combine quickly without overworking. Chill for at least 45 minutes. Roll out dough to about 2/8th inch thickness. Line a tall cake pan with the sweet pastry.

Cheese Cake Mixture

1lb cream cheese
5oz granulated sugar
2 eggs
1tbsp corn starch
vanilla
lemon rind
150ml milk
50ml passion fruit concentrate (passion pulp)
1˝oz melted, unsalted butter

Method:

Mix the cream cheese with the sugar. Add corn starch, eggs, vanilla and lemon. Add milk and passion fruit concentrate. Add hot, melted butter last.
To finish:

  • Pre heat oven to 375 Fahrenheit
  • Poor cheese mixture into prepared cake tin
  • Bake for approximately 45 minutes. Cake will be ready when mixture feels firm and “wobbly”
  • Chill well before removing from the cake pan