Kamis, 15 April 2010

Using Star Fruit in Savory Recipes

Star fruit is a five pointed fruit, which is also known as a carambola. This fruit ranges in flavor from slightly sweet to sour and tart. The more yellow a star fruit is, the sweeter its flavor will be. The fruit are delicate and bruise easily so be careful with them.
You can use them in soup recipes, salad recipes and to make tarts or curries. Because of their attractive star shape when you slice them across the middle, star fruit are often used as a garnish. You can slice and saute star fruit as a simple side dish or add a few slices to a meat or fish and vegetable stir fry for color and flavor.
The fruit is not a very sweet fruit, which means it is ideal to use in savory recipes when you want a semi-sweet flavor. Of course, you can use strawberries, apples and other sweet fruits in savory recipes too but the tart, slightly sour flavor of star fruit makes it ideal for using in recipes where you want just a hint of sweetness or fruity flavor.
This fruit has been grown for centuries throughout southeast Asia but it is a relatively recent addition to western cuisine. When shopping for star fruit, you should choose one, which is bright yellow, firm to the touch and fragrant.
Recipe for Red Snapper Soup with Star Fruit
This recipe makes enough to serve six people and the combination of fish with star fruit is amazing. Chilies, lemongrass, garlic, ginger and other ingredients complement the overall flavor of this tasty dish and this soup recipe is elegant enough to serve at a dinner party or formal gathering.
You will need:
  • 2 chopped tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 sliced cloves garlic
  • 1/2 inch piece peeled, sliced ginger
  • Shells from 4 1/2 cups shrimp
  • 1 lb finely sliced red snapper fillets
  • 2 sliced Thai chili peppers
  • 2 peeled, sliced shallots
  • 2 thinly sliced star fruits
  • 1 stalk lemongrass
  • 1 halved lime
  • 10 cups water
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Cilantro leaves, for garnish
How to make it:
Heat the oil over a high heat in a big pot and add the shells of the shrimp. Cook them for a couple of minutes, stirring all the time. Add the garlic, ginger, and shallots and cook for a few more minutes, or until the shrimp shells are golden brown. Add the water, tomatoes, chilies, and lemongrass and bring the mixture to a boil.
Turn down the heat and simmer the soup uncovered until it is reduced by half. This will take about an hour. Strain the broth and return it to the pot. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Heat the broth to a simmer then add the red snapper and star fruit slices. Squeeze the lime juice into the soup, and then add the lime to the pot. Let the soup simmer until the fish is cooked. This will only take a couple of minutes. Remove the lime shells and serve the soup with the cilantro leaves scattered over it for garnish.


Source: ezinearticles



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