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Popular Recipes From Hot Dallas Restaurants
My 5-year-old daughter loves the tuna melt at Kathleen’s Art Cafe, and she’s really picky. Can I get the recipe?
Jennifer Barry, Dallas
Kathleen’s Art Cafe’s Tuna Melt
(serves 4)
4 6-ounce cans chunk light tuna, well drained (tuna must be very dry)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 sprigs fresh chives, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
Fresh ground black pepper to taste
8 slices seven-grain bread
1 1/2 cups, divided mild cheddar, shredded
1/4 cup butter, softened
Combine above ingredients and mix well. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Place 4 scoops of tuna salad in a large skillet at low heat to warm salad (optional). Place each scoop of tuna on a slice of bread and top with shredded cheese. Cover with another slice of bread and spread one tablespoon of butter on top. Place bread buttered-side down in preheated skillet on medium low heat and cook for 3-4 minutes. Spread butter on remaining bread slice. Flip sandwich and cook an additional 3-4 minutes. Sandwich should be golden brown and crispy. Serve with your favorite side.
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Please help! I’m tired of making the same chicken dishes night after night, and I love the Asian chicken at Maguire’s.
Adrienne Losingee, Plano
Maguire’s Grilled Asian Chicken
(serves 8)
8 double chicken breasts
2 bunches asparagus, cooked
2 pounds baby spinach
2 large red onions, sliced
2 pounds mushrooms
2 large red tomatoes
2 large yellow tomatoes
4 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Asian dressing (recipe follows)
Season chicken breasts and grill until no longer clear in center. Heat saute pan until hot. Add oil, sliced onions, mushrooms, and cooked asparagus. Cover bottom of a platter with baby spinach. Place sauteed vegetables over spinach and lay cooked chicken on top of vegetable mixture. Slice tomatoes down the middle in 1/4-inch-thick rings. Fan out slices, alternating yellow and red. Drizzle with Asian dressing.
Asian Dressing
3 tablespoons fresh ginger
1 cup pure olive oil
5 tablespoons champagne vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
5 tablespoons soy sauce
Combine all ingredients in blender. Process until smooth.
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Taverna is my wife’s favorite restaurant in town. I want to surprise her with a special entree. How can I make the walnut-filled pasta with cream sauce at home?
John Horton, Plano
Taverna’s Dolcelatte Cream Sauce with Pear and Walnut-filled Pasta
(serves 6-8)
Sauce
1 quart heavy cream
6 tablespoons Dolcelatte
Gorgonzola cheese
Sugar to taste
Salt and white pepper to taste
In a heavy saucepan, heat cream to a slow boil. Slowly add cheese, while stirring constantly, until completely melted. Add a touch of sugar and season with salt and pepper. Reduce sauce slightly, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Pasta Filling
4 tablespoons Gorgonzola cheese
1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons heavy cream
Salt and pepper to taste
With a stand mixer and paddle attachment, cream together cheese and nuts. Add cream in small increments to give a smooth texture. Salt and pepper to taste. Place mixture in refrigerator to chill, about 10-15 minutes. Fill ravioli or pasta of choice and boil until tender. Combine pasta with fresh arugula, chopped walnuts, and thinly sliced sweet pear. Drizzle with cream sauce to taste.
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I’m hosting a luncheon for my girlfriends, and I want to impress them with the hummus from Cafe Istanbul.
Kathryn Carrol, Oak Cliff
Cafe Istanbul’s Hummus
(makes one bowl)
3/4 cup garbanzo beans
2 cloves fresh garlic
2 tablespoons cumin
1/4 cup tahini (pureed sesame seeds)
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and white pepper to taste
Puree ingredients in a food processor to form creamy paste. Serve with hot pita bread.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Homemade cilantro (or parsley) olive oil drizzled on top of hummus adds a fresh, bright taste.
Cilantro olive oil
(makes 1/4 cup)
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup cilantro or parsley leaves
Combine ingredients in blender or food processor. Oil will be slightly green with small cilantro pieces throughout. Drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of oil on hummus. Use additional oil as needed.
