What's On Barbara's Menu for Labor Day?

Barbara's Sensational Summer Appetizers

Shh... don't tell your friends, but Barbara is sharing two of her favorite CULINAIRE Sensational Summer Recipes: Citrus-Lemongrass Chicken Skewers and Caprese Salad with Stone Fruit. Both are delicious crowd favorites that will enhance any Labor Day celebration. 

Citrus-Lemongrass Chicken Skewers
serves 8-10 as an appetizer

​Marinade
3 stalks lemongrass, sliced very finely with very sharp knife
1 lime zest and juice
3 shallots, sliced
1/2 jalapeno with seeds
1" piece of peeled ginger
1/2 t turmeric
1 T coriander
handful cilantro stems
2 t cumin
3 T soy
2 T brown sugar
2 T fish sauce
3-4 T Canola oil

1. Place all ingredients in Vitamix or food processor and process 1 min. 

Chicken

1. 3 lbs. chicken breasts or tenders, cut in 1" chunks
2. Place in 1 gallon Ziploc, pour marinade in.  Marinate at least 1 to 2 hrs.
3. Thread 2-3 pcs per skewer on soaked bamboo skewers.
4. Grill 2 min. on each side until done.  Cut a piece to make sure no pink is showing.

Caprese Salad with Stone Fruit

1. Cheese:  Fresh mozz, buffalo mozz, homemade ricotta, or farmer cheese
2. Tomatoes:  Summer tomatoes at their peak, or charred or slow-roasted tomatoes in winter
3. Fruit:  Stone fruit, such as peaches or plums at their peak, pickled or roasted in the off-season
4. Fresh Basil Leaves and/or mint
5. The best olive oil you can find
6. Fleur de sel and FRESHLY ground pepper
7. Balsamic reduction, pesto, etc. OPTIONAL...simpler is better

• Be sure all ingredients are cool/room temp, NOT COLD
• Arrange on plate or platter - Be creative
• Best to "tear" the cheese into small chunks rather than slicing, this gives a more rustic and natural look to the composition

Happy Labor Day from CULINAIRE - Inspired Cuisine & Events.
​Enjoy!