**A Culinary Exploration of Mirliton: From Salads to Soups and Beyond**
Mirliton, also known as chayote squash, is a versatile vegetable native to Central America and Mexico. With its mild, slightly sweet flavor and tender texture, it has become a popular ingredient in various cuisines worldwide. This article presents a collection of delectable mirliton recipes that showcase its versatility and unique flavor profile.
**Mirliton Salad: A Refreshing Medley of Flavors**
The Mirliton Salad recipe offers a refreshing and vibrant dish that is perfect for warm weather. This salad combines shredded mirliton, crisp cucumber, juicy tomatoes, and zesty red onions, all tossed in a tangy vinaigrette dressing. The resulting salad is a delightful balance of flavors and textures, making it an ideal side dish or light lunch option.
**Mirliton Soup: A Hearty and Comforting Meal**
The Mirliton Soup recipe is a comforting and satisfying dish that is perfect for chilly days. This creamy soup features tender mirliton, savory chicken broth, and aromatic spices, all simmered together to create a rich and flavorful broth. The addition of shredded chicken and fresh herbs adds depth and complexity to the soup, making it a hearty and satisfying meal.
**Mirliton Gratin: A Cheesy and Indulgent Treat**
The Mirliton Gratin recipe is a decadent and indulgent dish that is sure to impress. This dish features thinly sliced mirliton layered with a creamy cheese sauce, then baked until golden brown and bubbly. The combination of tender mirliton, gooey cheese, and crispy breadcrumbs creates a delightful symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you craving for more.
**Mirliton Tempura: A Crispy and Delightful Appetizer**
The Mirliton Tempura recipe is a creative and delicious way to enjoy mirliton as an appetizer or snack. This dish involves coating mirliton slices in a light batter and frying them until golden brown and crispy. The result is a crunchy exterior with a tender and flavorful interior, perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce.
**Mirliton Ragu: A Savory and Versatile Sauce**
The Mirliton Ragu recipe presents a flavorful and versatile sauce that can be used in various dishes. This ragu combines ground beef, diced mirliton, and a blend of herbs and spices, all simmered together to create a rich and savory sauce. Whether you use it as a pasta sauce, a filling for tacos or burritos, or as a topping for grilled meats, this ragu is sure to add a burst of flavor to any dish.
**Conclusion**
Mirliton is a versatile and delicious vegetable that deserves a place in every kitchen. With its mild flavor and tender texture, it can be incorporated into various dishes, from refreshing salads and hearty soups to decadent gratins and crispy tempura. This collection of mirliton recipes provides a culinary journey that showcases the diverse possibilities of this unique vegetable. So, whether you're looking for a light and refreshing salad, a comforting and satisfying soup, or a crispy and flavorful appetizer, these mirliton recipes have something for every palate.
MIRLITON SALAD
This salad recipe is from chef John Besh of August restaurant. Serve with his Slow-Cooked Louisiana Shrimp and Grits for a delicious dinner.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Salad Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a medium-size bowl, add mirlitons and vinaigrette; season with salt. Add chives and shallot; toss to combine. Transfer mixture to a second medium-size bowl.
- In the first medium bowl, add greens, dill, and chervil; toss to combine.
- Divide mirliton mixture evenly between each of six plates. Top with greens; serve immediately.
MIRLITON
Mirliton (chayote) squash is the vegetable that is used to make this wonderful dressing. It's very popular here in Louisiana around the holidays.
Provided by MOUNTMAN
Categories Side Dish Stuffing and Dressing Recipes Bread Stuffing and Dressing Recipes
Time 2h30m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add mirliton, and boil until tender, about 45 minutes. Drain, cool, and peel. Cut in half, remove seeds, and cut into cubes.
- When the mirliton are almost done, bring another pot of water to a boil. Add shrimp, and cook for about 5 minutes, until pink. Drain shrimp, reserving the water for later. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry onion and garlic in the oil until soft. Transfer to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Add the shrimp, ham, and cubed mirliton. Beat the egg in a small dish with a tablespoon of the water from the shrimp; pour into the baking dish. Mix in the bread crumbs, parsley, thyme, salt and pepper until evenly blended. If it seems a little dry, add a little more water from the shrimp. You have the choice to freeze, refrigerate, or bake at this point. Sprinkle some more breadcrumbs on top if desired.
- Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown on top.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 318.7 calories, Carbohydrate 23.1 g, Cholesterol 141.3 mg, Fat 14.1 g, Fiber 3.8 g, Protein 24.7 g, SaturatedFat 4.5 g, Sodium 1061.7 mg, Sugar 4.4 g
MIRLITON AND SHRIMP DRESSING
Mirlitons, our local squash, are also know as chayote. Any variety of fall squash may be substituted. Diced day-old bread is the best to use for these kinds of dressings; bread crumbs will make the dressing too dry. Mirliton dressing is too loose for a stuffing, so it's always served as a side dish.
Provided by Food Network
Categories side-dish
Yield Serves 10
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Rub the mirlitons with oil. Place them on a baking sheet cut side down and bake until they are fork tender and easily peeled, about 45 minutes. Set the mirlitons aside to let rest until they are cool enough to handle, then peel and cut them into 1-inch pieces.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over moderate heat. Add the onions, celery, and bell peppers and cook until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Increase heat to medium-high, add the fresh herbs and shrimp, and stir frequently, until shrimp are just cooked , 3-5 minutes. Stir in the crabmeat. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add the diced mirlitons and the remaining ingredients and stir until well combined.
- Spoon the dressing into a large buttered baking dish and bake until golden brown, 20-30 minutes.
RED-PEPPER JELLY VINAIGRETTE
This vinaigrette recipe from August chef John Besh is used to make his Mirliton Salad.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking
Yield Makes about 1 3/4 cups
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together vinegar, jelly, and chile paste; season with salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in canola oil until mixture is well combined.
CHAYOTE OR MIRLITON SALAD
From a 1998 issue of Sunset Magazine. I use roasted red bell pepper instead of the raw one. Mozzarella or any firm cheese of your choice which will hold its shape can be substituted for the cheddar. Other fresh chiles can be used instead of jalapeno.
Provided by zeldaz51
Categories Vegetable
Time 30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a 3- to 4-quart pan over high heat, bring about 1 1/2 quarts water to a boil. Peel chayotes and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (the soft seed is edible). Add diced chayotes to water; simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain, then shock in ice water and drain again.
- Gently combine cooked chayote jalapeno, roasted peppers, cheese, avocado, and green onions in a large bowl.
- Mix vinegar, oil, and cilantro, then to the mixed vegetables and cheese. Mix gently. Season to taste.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 220.6, Fat 18.9, SaturatedFat 4.9, Cholesterol 13.4, Sodium 88.7, Carbohydrate 10.1, Fiber 5.5, Sugar 2.5, Protein 5.8
Tips:
- Choose ripe mirlitons: Look for mirlitons that are firm and have a deep green color. Avoid any that are bruised or have soft spots.
- Prepare the mirlitons properly: Before using, peel the mirlitons and remove the seeds. You can also boil or steam them until they are tender.
- Use a variety of ingredients: Mirliton salad is a versatile dish that can be made with a variety of ingredients. Some popular additions include tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, carrots, and bell peppers.
- Dress the salad with a flavorful vinaigrette: A simple vinaigrette made with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper is a great way to dress mirliton salad. You can also add other herbs and spices, such as basil, oregano, or garlic, to taste.
- Serve the salad chilled: Mirliton salad is best served chilled. This helps to keep the flavors fresh and crisp.
Conclusion:
Mirliton salad is a healthy and delicious dish that is perfect for a summer meal. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own personal preferences. So next time you are looking for a light and refreshing salad, give mirliton salad a try!
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