 Chef Naim Bellan focuses on an
international menu at the Giraffe Room Lounge and
Restaurant
located at the Inn at Great Neck in Great Neck, New
York. He
graciously takes time out from the kitchen to share a few of his
tempting
recipes for Lentils and Rice with Fried Onions,
Tomato and
Cucumber Salad, Chicken Mona Lisa, and Bourbon
Steak.
Naim Bellan grew up in Haifa Israel, and he brings
international flavor to the Giraffe Room Lounge and Restaurant where he has
been the Executive Chef for the last 7 years. Prior to joining the restaurant
at the Inn at Great Neck, he owned several
restaurants and a catering company.
In April 2010, I had the opportunity to meet with Chef Naim
Bellan after having dinner at the restaurant. He grew up with an appreciation
of good food, as his mother is an excellent cook who still enjoys cooking for
her large family. Chef Bellan has continued to hone his culinary skills, and
after 30 years in the business remains passionate about what he does.
Chef Naim Bellan
In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his four
daughters, and loves going to the East
Village in New York to eat with friends. He is also part
owner of a vineyard and winery in Galilee,
Israel that
will produce wines to raise money for charity. They planted their first vines
one year ago, and he hopes that they will be able to enjoy their first harvest
in 2012.
Chef Naim Bellan graciously shares a sampling of his recipes
to provide a delicious taste of the Giraffe Room Lounge and Restaurant.
The Menu
Lentils and Rice with Fried Onions
Tomato and Cucumber Salad
Chicken Mona Lisa
Bourbon Steak
Lentils and Rice with Fried Onions
Ingredients:
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2
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Cups
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Dried Lentils
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1
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Cup
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Rice
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White Onions
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Salt and Pepper, to taste
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Method:
Wash the lentils and the rice, and add both to a pot. Cover with water 1-inch
above the lentil and rice mixture. Add salt and pepper and cook until lentils
are rice are cooked. In a sauté pan sauté the julienne white onions until
golden. Season with salt and pepper.
Presentation:
Top the lentils and rice mixture with the sautéed onions and serve with the
Tomato and Cucumber Salad.
Tomato and Cucumber Salad
Ingredients:
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|
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Tomatoes, diced
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Cucumbers, diced
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White Onion, diced
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Red Radish, diced
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Fresh Italian Parsley, minced
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Fresh Mint, minced
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Salt and Pepper, to taste
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Olive Oil
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Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed
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Method:
Toss together in a bowl and serve.
Chicken Mona
Lisa
Ingredients:
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Chicken Breast
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Artichoke Hearts, quartered
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Red Pepper, sliced
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Garlic cloves, chopped
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White Wine
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Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed
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Chicken Stock
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Asparagus
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Butter
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Method:
Sauté chicken breast in butter until golden. Add artichoke hearts, red pepper,
and garlic, white wine, lemon juice, and chicken stock and cut asparagus. Cook
through and finish with butter if desired.
Bourbon Steak
Ingredients:
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Steak
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White Onions, diced
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Mushrooms, sliced
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Beef Stock
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Cream
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Butter
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Fresh Parsley, minced
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Method:
Sauté onions and mushrooms until golden brown. Add bourbon and reduce. Add beef
stock and reduce. Add cream and butter at the end. Garnish with minced fresh
parsley.
The Giraffe Room Lounge and Restaurant is open for Breakfast
daily from 7:00am until 10:30am, Lunch daily from 11:00am until 2:30pm, and Dinner from 5:00pm until 11:00pm.
Giraffe Room Lounge and Restaurant
Giraffe Room Lounge and Restaurant
Inn at Great Neck
30 Cutter Mill Road
Great Neck,
New York 11021
United States
Telephone: +1-516-858-3690
Website: www.InnatGreatNeck.com
Read about the Gold Coast in the Destinations
section.
© May 2010. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com
All Rights Reserved.
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