Pan-fried White Asparagus with Green Tahini Sauce
Thursday, May 09, 2024The usual preparation of white asparagus is usually simmered in water or steamed and served with hollandaise sauce or/and butter. Here we are going to try pan-frying them until beautifully charred and tender but still al dente. It tastes fabulous with a herby tahini sauce.
Unlike their green and purple counterparts, white asparagus are pale from end to tip because they are grown underground. White asparagus must always be peeled, thin or thick, or else they will be bitter and stringy.
Frisée Salad With Warm Bacon Vinaigrette
Friday, May 03, 2024This delicious, satisfying lettuce salad highlights frisée lettuce with soft-boiled eggs and croutons made with wild garlic soda bread. Pairing with a warm bacon vinaigrette, which works fabulously with pleasantly bitter, peppery curly endive leaves and runny yolks. Instead of croutons, you can use nuts, seeds or some roasted potatoes if you want to use up some leftover.
Panch Phoron Roast Carrots with Raita and Pistachios
Monday, April 29, 2024Are you looking for a way to elevate your side dishes and impress your guests? Here is a starter or side dish full of flavour where the humble carrot takes centre stage. Substitute cilantro with other herbs such as parsley, fennel fronds, or dill.
Panch Phoron (or panch phoran), literally means “five spices”, is a delicious Indian spice blend of cumin, fenugreek, brown mustard seeds, fennel and nigella seeds. Raita is a creamy Indian condiment made with yoghurt, vegetables, herbs and spices.
Prosciutto-wrapped Halibut Loin with Asparagus Sauce
Saturday, April 27, 2024The delicate white fish works amazingly well with the earthy, subtly sweet and nutty flavour of the traditionally cured prosciutto. You can substitute with Serrano ham or even smoky bacon. I used cod, but any other white fish (hake, cod or haddock) would work too. The loin of fish is much better in this recipe because it is much more uniform in thickness. I didn't salt the fish because there's enough salt in prosciutto.
Asparagus with Black Forest Ham and Bolzano Sauce
Tuesday, April 23, 2024Spring is a prime time of renewal and detoxification. Asparagus supports this spring cleanse unlike any other vegetable! Seize the asparagus season and enjoy this delicious vegetable as much as you can.
Bolzano sauce is a traditional sauce from the Bolzano area in German-influenced Alto-Adige and goes perfectly with cooked asparagus. It is similar to Hollandaise sauce, but is firmer and richer in consistency. The sauce has a long tradition in Bolzano and was prepared by South Tyrolean farmers over two hundred years ago. It's made with a combination of hard-boiled eggs, olive oil, white vinegar, mustard, chives, and beef broth. Once cooked, the eggs are simply chopped and mashed with the other ingredients.
Carrot and Chickpea Salad with Honey Coriander Dressing
Monday, April 15, 2024Wild Garlic Cheddar Soda Bread
Saturday, April 13, 2024Make the most of this antibacterial and antifungal spring herb and try this delicious wild garlic Cheddar soda bread that the whole family will enjoy. The bread has a deep brown crust with a dense, but quite tender crumb. The crust is lovely crunchy when it comes out of the oven and becomes a little chewy next day. Serve warm out of the oven with lots of butter or/and homemade wild garlic pesto.
Kumquat Blackberry Salad
Thursday, April 11, 2024Roasted Red Onion Salad with Honey Pecans and Apple Vinaigrette
Sunday, April 07, 2024This is an utterly simple, yet quite unlike any other salad. The humble onion gets a makeover with honey glazed pecans and apple vinaigrette. I have roasted them in oven, but if you are blessed with a grill, then grill them on medium for 7-8 minutes until lightly softened and charred. The recipe works just as well with other types of onions, but red one looks prettier. Walnuts, hazelnuts or pine nuts are great substitutes for pecans. They are excellent with grilled fish, or kebab and flat bread.
Baked Fish with Anchovy Crust and Sauce Vierge
Friday, April 05, 2024The sauce vierge (which translates to “virgin sauce”) is a classic tomato-based French vinaigrette filled with olives and fresh herbs that will go perfectly with many dishes for the warmer days. It can be served at room-temperature or warm and goes perfectly with fish and other seafood. It was created in 1976 by the great French chef Michel Guérard. The sauce is fresh, bright and versatile and can be prepared up to a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Allow the sauce to come to room temperature before serving.
Roasted Purple Carrots with Sriracha Yoghurt and Chives
Wednesday, April 03, 2024These roasted heirloom purple carrots are naturally sweet, tender and earthy and they are hands down the easiest side dish ever with less than 10 minutes preparation. Creamy spicy sriracha yoghurt and sweet tangy pomegranate molasses help balance the dish. For a spicier sauce, use 2 tablespoons (or more) of sriracha and 1 tablespoon if you prefer it milder.
Griddled Asparagus with Serrano and Pine Nuts
Thursday, March 28, 2024Tender crispy charred green asparagus, toasty pine nuts and dry-cured Jamon Serrano with a garlicky, tangy and zesty wild garlic dressing create a spring salad that is naturally gluten free, high in fiber, delicious and just bursting with flavour. It makes the perfect Easter side dish for a relaxed brunch. Use other fresh herbs, such as arugula, parsley, scallions or basil, if you can't find wild garlic, aka ramson.
Smoked Goose Breast Salad with Pine Nuts and Raspberries
Monday, March 18, 2024Smoked goose breast has a wonderfully succulent texture and a smooth, smoky flavour. They are ideal for a delicious starter with some bitter crunchy salad leaves and earthy toasted pine nuts. The tangy and perfectly balanced Dijon mustard vinaigrette comes together in minutes and pairs really well with salad.