Game-day Meal: Feast of the Sea

It's pretty safe to say that the summer heat has certainly settled in around us. Scorching days with record-setting temperatures don't typically inspire us spend a lot of time in our kitchens slaving over a hot stove.

But summertime is the perfect time to cook a dish like the one we're featuring this week. Using fresh fish along with herbs and vegetables straight from your garden or farmer's market, you can create a light and delicious meal without even breaking a sweat.

Many thanks to our South American correspondent for another tasty Brazilian recipe!

São Paulo, BR. -- The fishing tradition and heritage of indigenous culture in Brazil, profoundly influenced regional Capixaba cuisine, making it eclectic, a product of many influences such as Portuguese, Africans and peoples of northern Europe. To explain, Capixaba refers to people from Espirito Santo, a heavily-forested state on the eastern coast of Brazil. Rovena, a member of the All Habs team, is Capixaba.

With the arrival of other European immigrants new dishes were added to the Capixaba cuisine. Among the most famous dishes we can mention is Moqueca, a delicious seafood stew made with onions, garlic, cilantro and coconut milk.

Moqueca

Ingredients

2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup canned or jarred hearts of palm, drained and diced
2 plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and diced
5 tablespoons dendê oil (you can use extra-virgin olive oil or peanut oil)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1 1/4 pounds sea bass, cut into 2-inch chunks
1/2 cup freshly chopped green bell pepper
1/3 cup freshly chopped yellow bell pepper
1 1/2 cups fish stock (you can substitute clam juice, low-sodium chicken broth, or equal amounts of both)
1 scallion (white and green parts), chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 small piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
4 large cloves garlic, minced
1 cup coconut milk

Directions

1. In a bowl, mix together half of the scallion, half of the onion, half of the ginger, and half of the garlic. Add 2 tablespoons of the dendê oil, all of the olive oil, and half of the cilantro. Place the chunks of fish in a resealable plastic bag and add the marinade, pressing the bag to evenly coat the fish. Remove all of the air from the plastic bag and seal it. Place the bag in a shallow bowl, making sure the chunks of fish are completely covered by the marinade, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

2. Take the fish out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking. Preheat the oven to 175C(350F)

3. Place the remaining 3 tablespoons of the dendê oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the remaining scallion and onion along with the green and yellow bell peppers, and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.

4. Add the remaining ginger and garlic to the pan and cook, stirring to combine, for another minute or until it’s hot. Add the fish stock and let it come to a full boil. Add the coconut milk and tomato paste and return to a boil. Immediately lower the heat to medium-low or so and simmer the sauce, nice and gently, while you prepare the fish.

5. In the meantime, place the fish and its marinade in a gratin or casserole dish. Pour the lemon juice on top and season lightly with salt and pepper. Bake until the fish is almost but not quite cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.

6. Carefully transfer each chunk of fish to the pan with the gently simmering sauce. Add any juices in the dish from the fish and marinade. Cover the pan, reduce the heat to low, and cook just until the fish is soft and tender, 5 to 8 minutes.

7. Uncover the pan, add the hearts of palm and tomatoes, and just let them get hot, which will take only a minute or two.

8. Taste the moqueca, season it with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with the remaining fresh cilantro.

Variations

Moqueca de Camarão: Substitute shrimp for the fish. A very popular variation.

Use any type of seafood you like: crab, mussels, lobster.

For a lighter stew, substitute water or stock for 1 cup of the coconut milk.


photo credit: www.1-2-3artdinner.com


Share YOUR favourite game-day meal or snack with us! Send your recipe and a photo of the finished product to amy@allhabs.net today!

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All Habs Hockey Party in Montreal: Habs vs Flyers

by Amy, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Our mission here at All Habs is "to build a world-wide network of Montreal Canadiens fans who are informed, engaged, entertained, and connected".  "It's more than just meeting for hockey - it's growing potential friendships," says our friend Karine - perfectly summing up the reason why All Habs Hockey Parties are the premiere way to bring Habs fans together!

Karine and her boyfriend James attended their first All Habs Hockey Party last weekend.  James is a writer for All Habs and says, "I knew about the All Habs parties before, they are quite famous on Twitter."  A Laval native (and life-long Habs fan), James admits that a little bit of shyness had prevented him from attending in the past but decided it was time to find out what all the festivities were about.  "I was very excited at the thought of meeting new people that shared the same passion I have for hockey!"

It was the March All Habs Night at McLean's Pub in Montreal and the Habs were slated to take on the Flyers.  As is the case with every monthly All Habs event at McLean's, attendees who had RSVP'd via Twitter or Facebook had special reserved seating in the center of the pub with fantastic views of the surrounding television screens, along with beer specials and menu discounts.  This was also James and Karine's first visit to McLean's.  "The multimedia setup (TVs, sound) was awesome and when I saw the menu I thought, 'Oh well this is a great start!'" says Karine.

Soon they were joined by dozens of other Habs fans who were just as thrilled to meet each other and reunite with friends.  They, along with the full house of bar patrons, were ready to cheer on the Canadiens in a conference rivalry matchup.  Karine was pleasantly surprised at how warmly she and other first-timers were received.  "It was easy to relate with other people, there was no pressure at all!  Everyone was so welcoming!"  James agrees, stating, "I felt at home, I felt like I found a new group of people where I belonged."

At intermission it was time for the All Habs Trivia Challenge, which focused on Habs vs. Flyers history.  Jay Farrar took over the microphone from behind the bar and led the entire pub through the Trivia Challenge (with some jokes along the way of course!).

The competition was tough but after the results were tallied we had quite a few winners!  Prizes included tickets to the Habs Hall of Fame and gift certificates to McLean's Pub.  Even our server-extraordinaire Adrienne won a Habs car flag!

But we didn't stop there - other participants were awarded for having "alternative" prize potential.  A t-shirt honouring the participant who answered every question with the same answer went to Katherine.

It also pays to NOT win!  The award for the person who had answered the most questions incorrectly was a signed Toronto Blue Jays baseball.

And finally the prize for the most creative answers went to Karine. "I had no clue what to write, so I decided to go with funny answers."  Looks like it paid off!

Even though the evening didn't end with a Canadiens win, James says it was a definitely a night to remember.  "It was an experience I will never forget, and I look forward to future All Habs Hockey Parties!"

Luckily there isn't long to wait since the next All Habs Hockey Party at McLean's Pub is Saturday, April 7th for the Habs vs Leafs game, which is the final game of the regular season.  You don't want to miss out on all the fun!  Be sure to click HERE to RSVP and reserve your seat at the best Habs fan event around!

And don't worry, the All Habs crew celebrates hockey 365 days a year, so be sure to follow @All_Habs and @habstweetup on Twitter to stay updated on Hockey Party announcements for events throughout the summer!

Check out the complete photo album from this event by clicking HERE!

Photo credits:  Pablo Ortiz

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All Habs Hockey Party in Montreal: Habs vs. Leafs

by Amy, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Sometimes there's just nothing better than a Habs win over the Leafs, you know? Well, nothing except a Habs SHUTOUT over the Leafs! And to top things off, getting to watch the Canadiens blank the Maple Leafs surrounded by a fun-loving and excited group of devoted hockey fans makes the whole evening even more memorable.

I must say a big thank you to Old Man Winter for having such a calm temperament this year in order to allow me to make the road trip to Montreal during a season that's usually too unpredictable weather-wise for driving.  (Although admittedly I was quite giddy to see so much snow on the ground when I arrived in Montreal.)

But even if it HAD snowed, nothing could have kept me from trekking north for the inaugural All Habs Night at McLean's hockey party! Recently, a new partnership was announced between All Habs and McLean's Pub (you can read more about it HERE) and one of the most exciting parts of that announcement involves a monthly All Habs Hockey Party fan event at McLean's.  So what better way to kick things off than with a Habs/Leafs matchup on Hockey Day in Canada? We also dubbed the evening as "Bring a Buddy" night - because more is always merrier!

As a result, we not only had the chance to reconnect with friends and familiar faces, but we were also thrilled to welcome some new folks into the mix as well.  Some of them came to us courtesy of a new promotion outreach via the All Habs Facebook page while others, like Emily (@hockey_princess) were enticed to come out because of the excitement of All Habs/McLean's partnership news.

Emily (@hockey_princess)

"I was a little hesitant to go at first because I figured everyone would already know each other and I would be the odd one out.  But that wasn't the case, I was welcomed with open arms!"

A native of a small New Brunswick town named Stanley (about thirty minutes north of Fredericton), Emily just moved to Montreal two months ago, at the beginning of December, and has been a Habs fan for as long as she can remember (thanks to her dad).

"I had heard of tweetups before and they looked like a fun way to enjoy a game.  I also thought it would be a good way to make some new friends in the city."

Thanks to our friends at McLean's, Emily and the rest of the attendees who had reserved their seat with the All Habs group via Twtvite or Facebook were given the VIP treatment:  prime seating in the center of the dining area with perfect views of many of the big-screen televisions, discounted prices on the pub's hockey menu, and beer specials.  With more than twenty people seated in our group, it was great to see so many people in the pub sporting an All Habs nametag!

Throughout the evening, manager Jay Farrar was master of the microphone, getting the entire bar pumped up for the rivalry game against the Leafs and playing the part of emcee for the All Habs Trivia Challenge.  This time we took the Trivia Challenge to a whole new level - trivia was open to everyone in the pub!

The questions were focused on Hockey Day in Canada - something to really test those trivia gurus!  Enticed by the prospect of winning one of many prizes, more than 80 people battled to get the most answers right or, more importantly, come up with the most creative answers.

Needless to say, we had lots of winners!  Prizes included a very chic Montreal Canadiens hat, two sporty All Habs t-shirts, as well as two gift certificates to Mac's Taps, an Alexander Keith's t-shirt and a hat all generously donated by McLean's Pub.  Of course the most coveted prize of all was a NASCAR mug awarded to the person with the worst answers.  Who says we don't have a sense of humour?

People all around the pub were buzzing, asking when the next event would be held and looking forward to the next chance to win prizes and test their trivia skills.  Others wanted to know how to be included with the All Habs VIP group at the next event.

Perhaps you're wondering the same thing as you read this?  Just be sure to RSVP for our next All Habs Night at McLean's on March 24th - it's that easy!  So sign up, tell your friends and family to do the same, and make sure you don't miss out on the next All Habs Hockey Party.

Oh, and as for that shutout?  Well the Habs REALLY made it a special night by completing dominating the Leafs in a 5-0 win.  It was a very fun game to watch with so many friends!  And we're happy to report that our friend Emily went home at the end of the evening having made a whole group of friends to interact with in her new home.  "It was great, the atmosphere in the pub was awesome."

Check out the complete photo album for this event by clicking HERE!

Also, be sure to reserve your seat early for our next All Habs Night at McLean's on March 24th when the Habs take on the Flyers AND on April 7th for the last game of the season against the Leafs.

Go Habs Go!

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The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies: Raspberry Ribbons

Photo credit: Amy Johnson - AllHabs.net

by Amy, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- 'Tis the season for sweets and treats! If there's one thing I look forward to the most during the holidays, it's Christmas cookies. Chocolate chip cookies made from scratch and homemade fudge are December staples in my family. Gee, I wonder where I developed my sweet tooth?

In the spirit of the most popular baking season of the year, we present a special edition of Game-Day Meal called "The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies". Every day from now until Christmas Eve we'll feature a new cookie recipe for you to bake and share, if you don't eat them all first!

To kick off the series, we begin with a recipe from one of our All Habs team members, Kathy (@czechtacular). She says that her Raspberry Ribbons are "the first Christmas cookies I made all by myself". These rich, buttery cookies are a bit like a piece of shortbread biscotti with a scrumptious jam filling. Try them and I bet you can't eat just one!


Raspberry Ribbons
Recipe courtesy of AllRecipes.com

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

COOKIES:
1 cup butter, softened (no substitutes)
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup raspberry jam (I used black raspberry jam & apricot preserves)

GLAZE:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tbsp. evaporated milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1. Place softened butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl.



2. Cream butter and sugar mixture on medium speed until fluffy and smooth.

3. Beat in egg and vanilla.

4. In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture and continue mixing until soft dough forms.

5. Divide dough into four portions and shape each into a log, press down on the top to slightly flatten. Make an indentation down the center of each dough log. Place on a foil-lined cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

6. Spoon jam into indentations in dough.

7. Return trays to the oven and continue to bake at 350 degrees for another 10-15 minutes, until cookies are golden brown. Cool for 2 minutes, then transfer cookie logs to a cutting board. Cut logs into bite-sized pieces and transfer to a wire rack.

8. In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the glaze until smooth and glossy.

9. Drizzle glaze over warm cookies (I recommend placing wax paper under the wire rack for easy cleanup). Allow cookies to cool completely, and enjoy!

        

Be sure to check back tomorrow for our next delicious cookie recipe - Almond Kisses!

photo credits: Amy Johnson and Kathy K.

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Game-Day Meal: Brazilian Treat

MONTREAL, QC. -- Game-day meal. For athletes, the formula for the fuel that propels them to peak performance is often one-third nutritional science and two-thirds superstition or lucky-charm. Fortunately for fans, it's much more rudimentary -- something simple, tasty and manageable without disturbing one's gaze from the action.

At Habs Tweetup, we're all about the social side of the game. That can mean connecting you with other fans who are getting together at one of our All Habs approved venues, or providing tips to improve your viewing experience at home. Our series called Game-day Meal will feature meals and snacks that are easily prepared when you're expecting a few friends for the game or watching alone.

Today's suggestion is truly international originating in Brazil with a touch of old Italy. It comes from one of our South American correspondents. Keep in mind that our sister site AllHabs.net has original content articles written in Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, French and English. 

São Paulo, BR. -- This treat is called Palha Italiana. Despite the name, roughly translating to Italian Straw, the origin of the candy is unknown -- many, however, believe it was created right here in Brazil. It is told that the idea came from the preparation of the chocolate salami, a typical Italian recipe, that is prepared with the mass of Palha Italiana.

It's one of those simple desserts, but everyone loves to eat, and during a game, can't stop eating! The recipe mixes plain biscuits, chocolate, cream and condensed milk. Just looking at the ingredients, we can see that the sweet is a delight, can't we?

Palha Italiana

Ingredients

200ml sweetened condensed milk
100ml heavy cream
30g dark chocolate
50g plain biscuits

Preparation

1. In a saucepan, whisk condensed milk, cream and chocolate. Heat over low heat, always stirring, until is possible to see the bottom of the pan, the mixture won't be sticking to the pan. Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes
2. Coarsely chop the biscuits and fold in the warm chocolate mixture. Pour in a greased 15cm square pan. Level with a spoon and let cool completely in room temperature.
3. After the fudge is cooled, cut into squares.


Tip: You can add chopped pecans, hazelnut or Brazil nuts.

(photo credit: Jon Keen)

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Home Cooking with Habs Tweetup: Summertime Sangria

by Amy, HabsTweetup.com (AllHabs.net)

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Hello Habs fans! If you're like me you're enjoying beautiful weather, summer sunshine, and BBQs....and missing hockey! (Is it October yet?) Of course our friends at AllHabs.net have been keeping our hunger for hockey satisfied with regular news and updates on trades, free agency and development camp. Be sure to visit them regularly!

The warm weather might leave you a bit reluctant to do any heavy cooking indoors, but we've got the perfect way to beat the heat with a refreshing glass of sangria! These days sangria comes in almost every flavour and variety you can imagine: white sangria, mango sangria, peach sangria, sparkling sangria, strawberry sangria...the list is endless. It's easy to get creative with the ingredients once you've got the basics - which is what today's recipe features.

Traditional Red Sangria can be made with almost any red wine and just a few simple ingredients. Invite a few friends over and mix up a pitcher for your next gathering!

BASIC SANGRIA RECIPE
Recipe courtesy of about.com

Prep time: 5 minutes
Total time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:
1 bottle of red wine (Cabarnet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Shiraz)
1 lemon (cut into wedges)
1 orange (cut into wedges)
2 tbsp sugar
1 oz. brandy
2 cups ginger ale or club soda

1. Pour wine into a glass pitcher and squeeze the juice from the lemon, lime and orange wedges into the wine as well.
2. Add the wedges to the pitcher, being careful to remove any seeds first.
3. Add sugar and brandy, stir well.
4. Chill overnight.
5. Add ginger ale (my preference) or club soda just before serving.


This recipe sounded so tasty I had to try it for myself with a bottle of merlot...the photo above depicts the result. Very tasty, quite refreshing...a guaranteed party pleaser!


Do you have a favourite recipe you'd like to share with Habs Tweetup readers? Email amy@allhabs.net to be featured in a future edition of Home Cooking with Habs Tweetup!

photo credit: Amy Johnson

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