In addition to his paintings, Stephen Blancett also enjoys creating culinary works of art. His cookbook, Artist In The Kitchen is available on Amazon.com and other outlets. Click on the photo of the book to order your copy. Below are a few sample recipes from the book.

Enjoy!

Recipes and photos by Stephen Blancett

Lemon Chicken

Servings: 4

Ingredients

MARINADE
2 lbs chicken breasts, boned and skinless
1 tsp olive oil
1 egg
2 tsp cornstarch
2 tsp dark soy sauce
¼ tsp white pepper

BATTER
¼ cup all-purpose flour
¼ water
2  tsp cornstarch
2 tsp olive oil
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
oil (for frying)

SAUCE
½ cup chicken broth
¼  cup honey
¼ cup lemon juice
3 tbsp light corn syrup
3 tbsp white vinegar
2 tsp olive oil
3 tsp catsup
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp white pepper
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tsp lemon zest

GARNISH
4 green onions, finely chopped
2 tsp sesame seeds
A few lemon slices to garnish

Directions

In a large bowl whisk egg, cornstarch, soy sauce and white pepper. Add the chicken, toss well to coat, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Heat oil in a wok or frying pan on medium-high heat. When oil is hot add chicken and fry in batches in a single layer for about 5-6 minutes, turning half way during cooking, until golden and cooked through.

Transfer the cooked chicken to a paper towel- lined plate. Discard the oil and wipe wok/pan dry with paper towel.

Using the same wok/pan, add all of the sauce ingredients and heat over medium-high heat. Stir, sauce until simmering and thickened. Return the chicken to the wok/pan and mix with the sauce until evenly coated (about 2 minutes).

Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with green onions, sesame seeds and lemon slices.

Serve with jasmine rice.

Sweet & Sour Pork

Ingredients

PORK
6 pork chops, thick cut, boneless

SUACE
2 tbsp olive oil
¼ cup honey
¼ cup soy sauce
2 tbsp white vinegar
2 tbsp dijon mustard
2 tbsp freshly grated ginger
¼ cup orange juice
1 tsp orange zest
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp. fresh ground pepper
1 tsp cornstarch

GARNISH
3 to 6 orange slices

Directions

In a mixing bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce, white vinegar, dijon mustard, ginger, orange juice, orange zest, garlic and fresh ground pepper

Heat olive oil in 12” skillet, heat over medium heat. Add pork chops and cook for about 5 minutes each side until browned. Pour mixture over chops, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 25 minutes. Remove chops, place on serving dish. Add cornstarch to mixture and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Drizzle mixture over the pork and garinish with orange slices.

Spring Greens Salad Topped with
Pecan Crusted Tofu and Mojito Dressing

Servings: 4

Ingredients

PECAN CRUSTED TOFU
1 16-oz. package firm tofu
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup pecans, chopped fine or ground in food processor
¼ tsp nutmeg
Dash of salt and pepper

SALAD
10 ounces mixed spring green lettuces
1 green bell pepper seeded and cut in long thin slices
½ English cucumber cut into thin slices

MOJITO DRESSING
2 limes
1 tsp finely grated lime zest
Juice from the two limes
¼ cup chopped fresh mint
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup white balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp rum (optional)
1 tsp crushed red pepper
4 cloves garlic, chopped or minced
Dash of salt and pepper

Directions

In a small bowl, whisk all xof the ingredients for the Mojito dressing. Placein refrigerator for at least one hour before serving.

In a shallow bowl, mix pecans, nutmeg and salt and pepper. 

Cut tofu width-wise into ½-inch thick “filets” slices.  Brush with both sides lightly with extra-virgin olive oil. Place in bowl of pecan mixture and roll tofu filets in mixture. Heat remaining olive oil in frying pan. Fry the tofu filets until light brown, about 2 minutes each side. Let cool on paper towel, then cut into bete-size pieces.

Tip: If you have an electric grill, you could use it instead of frying.

On four individual plates, arrange lettuces, bell pepper and cucumber slices, top with pecan crusted tofu bets and drizzle with Mojitio dressing.

Turkey Reuben Burgers

Servings: 6

Ingredients

PATTIES
2 lbs Ground Turkey
12 oz. Can of Corned Beef
1 Clove Garlic, minced
1 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp White Pepper

TOPPING
1 med onion, sliced
16 ounces Sauerkraut, drained and rinsed
12 slices Swiss Cheese
Thousand Island Dressing
Dill Pickle Slices

BREAD
12 slices rye bread lightly buttered and toasted on grill

Directions

PATTIES
Mix ingredients for patties in a medium bowl. I find it best to use your hands for mixing. Form mixture into six even patties. Place patties on a sheet of wax paper until ready for grilling. Preheat grill for high heat, place patties on grill about 5 minutes on each side. Place two slices of Swiss Cheese on each patty, then top the cheese with Sauerkraut. Let the cheese melt and the Sauerkraut warm for about a minute.

Remove from grill and place a patty on a slice of rye bread (buttered and toasted) add topping, place rye bread (buttered and toasted) and serve.

Hot Buffalo, Bacon, Blue Burgers
with Celery Salsa

Servings: 6

This is an awesome burger! But like buffalo wings a little messy ... but then again, only the best burgers are. Have the your napkins ready and enjoy! 

Ingredients

CELERY SALSA
1 cup Celery, Diced
½ cup Onion, Finely Chopped
1 Jalapeno Pepper, Finely Diced
2 Clove Garlic, minced
1 Medium Tomato, diced
¼ cup Hot Pepper or Buffalo wing Sauce
4 tsp Brown Sugar
2 tsp White Vinegar
¼ tsp Paprika
¼ tsp White Pepper

PATTIES
2 lbs Ground Beef
4 Clove Garlic, minced
8 to 10 Slices Bacon, Cooked Crisp and Crumbled
1 cup Crumbled Blue Cheese
2 Eggs, Beaten
1 tsp Crushed Red  Pepper Flakes
1 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper
¼ tsp Salt

TOPPINGS
6 Crisp Iceberg Lettuce Leaves
6 Tomato Slices
Bread Butter Pickle Slices
Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing

BUNS
6 Onion Buns, split and lightly toasted on grill

Directions

CELERY SALSA
Mix ingredients for patties in a medium bowl. Place in refrigerator and let chill for at least hour before using.

PATTIES
Mix ingredients for patties in a medium bowl. I find it best to use your hands for mixing. Form mixture into six even patties. Place patties on a sheet of wax paper until ready for grilling. Preheat grill for high heat, place beef patties on grill about 5 minutes on each side. 
 

Remove from grill and place patties on bottom half of onion buns, add the topping, and celery salsa, place bun top on top and serve.