Aspic Jelly Eggs with Ham, Sweetcorn and Sweet Pepper
Thursday, March 16, 2023Aspic is a clear, savory jelly, traditionally made with a clarified meat / fish broth, sometimes with added gelatine, flavoured with spices, herbs, peppercorns and vegetables. It is rich in amino acids and minerals. This colourful, fun and make-ahead aspic jelly appetizer looks great on a festive holiday table at Easter, Christmas or any brunch buffet. These aspic jelly eggs are made of homemade beef broth, ham, bell peppers and sweetcorn and not only look appetizing, they also taste super delicious.
Egg Salad Stuffed Snow Peas
Wednesday, March 15, 2023Crunchy, light and delicious, these stuffed snow peas so easy to prepare and are great as an appetizer or anytime snack. If you are making them for a crowd, blanch and split the snow peas ahead of time, chill until ready to fill. The egg salad can be prepared ahead too. Besides egg salad, you can also use herb-flavoured cheese, chicken, tuna or crab meat to fill the pea pods.
Baked Salmon with Green Asparagus
Tuesday, February 28, 2023Whip up this quick and easy one pan salmon recipe for your dinner! In just 20 minutes, you can have a complete dinner ready to serve your family. Salmon and asparagus are baked together with compound butter infused with lemon and fresh herbs that add depth of flavour and richness to the dish. It's gluten-free and keto-friendly.
Sesame Seared Tuna with Herby Runner Beans
Saturday, February 18, 2023Fresh tuna steaks are crusted with black sesame seeds, then quickly seared and served rare, so be sure to use the best quality fresh tuna that you could find. It's quick and easy enough for a weeknight but also special enough for entertaining. Tuna is healthy, packs in nutrients, with lots of omega-3 fatty acids and protein. The underated runner beans, aka stringless beans, are a member of the bean family and they have a mild, pleasant taste. They are an excellent protein source, as 29% of their calories are from protein, and high in folate and fiber too.
Snow Peas with Chorizo and Eggs
Saturday, February 04, 2023Vitamin C rich, sweet snow peas add flavour and texture to many dishes, from quick stir-fries to salads and soups. Snow peas can be eaten raw or cooked. However, blanching snow peas will reduce the fibrousness of the edges of snow peas, and boost sweetness and brighten colour. Ready in 20 minutes, this is a light yet flavourful dinner you won't be able to resist.
Tellicherry and regular black pepper come from the same vine, but they are larger than regular black peppercorns. Unlike other black peppers, the Tellicherry is not immature but ripely picked. That's why Tellicherry peppercorns are more pungent and provide an increased complex flavor with added woodsy and citrus notes. It is considered one of the best pepper varieties in the world. Use these peppercorns to season meats, poultry, seafood, sauces, vegetables and desserts.
Baked Belgian Endive with Tomato Passata
Tuesday, January 31, 2023Belgian endives are the star of this simple yet divine dish. They are delicate in texture and pleasantly bitter with sweet and nutty undertones. They can be enjoyed raw where they taste crisp and slightly bitter. They are also delicious cooked, either boiled, braised or baked, where their sharp flavour softens into a mellow, nutty sweetness. No rinsing or washing necessary as it will make it more bitter tasting. Just pull off and discard outer leaves or use a damp cloth to wipe the outer leaves and trim the base.
Tomato passata is an uncooked tomato puree made with very ripe red tomatoes that have been strained from seeds and skins. They are usually sold in glass jars or bottles. Sometimes it comes with basil but nothing more. If you can't find it, just use marinara / pasta sauce instead.
German Cheese and Leek Soup
Saturday, December 31, 2022Cheese spread, aka Schmelzkäse in Germany, and crème fraîche add a comforting creaminess to this indulgent cheesy leek soup recipe. It's a very popular soup in cold winter days here in Germany and traditionally, this German cheese leek soup (Käse-Lauch-Suppe) is prepared with ground meat. I had chosen to leave it out as I had a huge porterhouse as the main. However, you can top the soup with some crispy bacon bites and croutons for the crunchiness or simply serve it with some warm bread or rye crackers.
Cheese spread or processed cheese (Schmelzkäse in German) is made from ripe semi-hard cheese or fresh cheese (at least 50 %) with the addition of other milk products, such as butter or cream. It thickens sauces and soups and gives the dishes a fine, savoury note. Processed cheese is also perfect for gratin. It usually has a longer shelf life.
Roasted Carrots with Pumpkin Seed Pesto and Yoghurt
Sunday, December 18, 2022Use baby carrots or heirloom carrots if you could find them. Adding pesto is an easy way to elevate the flavour of this humble root vegetable. It makes a perfect side dish or even a lunch. Swap the yoghurt for a dairy-free alternative if you have a dairy sensitivity. Leftover pesto is perfect on some pasta or served as a dip.
Pumpkin Quince Curry
Thursday, November 10, 2022Creamy Quince and Parsnip Soup
Monday, October 31, 2022This fruity and delicious soup will protect you perfectly during the cold season, as quince provides plenty of immune-boosting vitamin C and contains tannins and tartaric acid, which have antiviral and antibacterial effects. Along with vitamin C, parsnips are rich in potassium, a mineral that helps your heart function, balances your blood pressure, and lowers your risk for kidney stones. It's economical, easy to throw together with a few ingredients and incredibly versatile. Besides parsnip, you can also use pumpkin, root celery, carrot or sweet potato to make the soup.
Aubergine with Tahini Yoghurt and Zhoug
Sunday, October 23, 2022Eggplants or aubergines are incredibly versatile and one of few vegetables that I can enjoy without having stomach issues. This warm Middle Eastern eggplant salad on a bed of tahini-yoghurt is great with roasted meat or poultry, especially if they are beautifully charred. Zhoug is a popular Middle Eastern condiment made with fresh cilantro, jalapeños, cumin and garlic. Instead of this spicy cilantro-based sauce, you can also drizzle the roasted eggplants with a little pomegranate molasses. The tahini yoghurt and zhoug can be prepared one day ahead.
Stuffed Eggplants with Lamb and Apricot Chutney
Tuesday, October 04, 2022An easy stuffed eggplant recipe - delicious, comforting and loaded with flavour! The medium-sized eggplants are first roasted until tender, then filled with ground lamb and apricot chutney, returned to the oven for a further 15 minutes until very soft and tender. Whether you're looking for a simple weeknight meal or something to show off at your next dinner party, these delicious stuffed eggplants are sure to be a crowd-pleaser! Feel free to make the recipe with your favorite stuffing (red lentil, chickpea, haloumi, etc). If you belongs to those people with OR6A2 gene who are sensitive to the aldehyde component (the soapy smell) found in cilantro and dislike the taste of cilantro, use flat parsley instead.