Whole Grain Bulgur Salad with Mango and Walnut
Saturday, December 17, 2011Bulgur, or Bhulghur, is made by soaking and cooking the whole wheat kernel, drying it and then removing part of the bran and cracking into small pieces, which are sorted into different grain sizes: fine, medium and coarse. Whole grain coarse bulgur has the coarse bulgur size while it is darker in colour and has twice more fiber compared to regular bulgur. Bulgur will absorb twice its volume in water and can be used as a substitute for almost any rice dish. Bulgur is sometimes confused with cracked wheat, which is crushed wheat grain that has not been parboiled.
Bulgur has a mildly nutty and roasted flavour and can be used in baked goods, casseroles, stuffing, soups, salads. It is a good source of protein, iron, magnesium, and B vitamins. It is packed with fiber and contains very little fat. This is a very simple and delicious bulgur salad that's quick to put together and consists primarily of whole grain bulgur, mangoes and walnuts.
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- Rinse the bulgur. Bring water to a boil, add in bulgur. Return to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover and cook for about 20 minutes until soft, but not mushy.
- Drain and transfer the bulgur into a large bowl. Stir in the chopped onion, minced garlic, spring onion slices, diced mango, chopped walnuts and avocado oil. Toss well. Season with salt and freshly mulled black pepper. Serve warm and chilled.
Marzipan Ravioli
Tuesday, December 13, 2011If you're looking for a way to add some fun to your holiday cookie platter or a delightful idea to share at a cookie swap, these little marzipan filled ravioli cookies are perfect for you. Feel free to substitute with your favourite fillings, like Nutella, cream cheese.
Marzipan Ravioli
adapted from Lecker
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- Sift the flour, 50 grams of sugar, and salt into a mixing bowl. Add in butter, egg and vanilla extract. Mix with your fingertips until combined. Wrap the dough with a plastic film and chill for 1 hour.
- Place the marzipan pieces, remaining powdered sugar, chopped almonds and orange liquor in another bowl. Stir until all well combined.
- Remove the cookie dough from the fridge and place on a lightly floured work surface. Roll out thinly and cut into 50 squares, 2 inches by 2 inches. Mix the egg yolk and milk in a small bowl. Preheat the oven to 190C/375F.
- Brush half of the squares with egg wash. Place about a teaspoon marzipan filling in the center. Top with the remaining cookie squares, enclosing the filling, and crimp edges with a fork. Bake for about 15-20 minutes until lightly golden. Melt the chocolates separately and drizzle over the tops of cookie raviolis.
Chocolate Peanut Crumble Cookies
Monday, December 05, 2011A classic and divine combination of chocolate and peanuts. These buttery cookies simply melt in the mouth. Drizzle across the cookie top with some melted white chocolate if you are feeling sugar high and decadent.
Chocolate Peanut Crumble Cookies
adapted from DeliciousTopping | Cookie | |
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- Preheat the oven to 190C/375F and line two baking trays with parchment paper. Make the topping. In a large mixing bowl, rub the butter into the flour and sugar with your fingertips, until a soft, crumbly dough is formed. Add the chopped and whole peanuts, then set aside.
- Prepare the cookie dough by creaming cream the sugar, butter and peanut butter in a separate mixing bowl. Add the egg and beat again. Sift in the flour, cocoa, and baking powder and add the chopped chocolate. Mix well to form a soft dough.
- Roll the mixture into 20 small balls and divide between the baking trays, spacing well apart. Press each cookie down and top with a little crumble mix. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the crumble topping is golden, then remove from the oven and leave for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
Crostini with Scrambled Eggs, Avocado and Smoked Salmon
Friday, December 02, 2011Rich, salty smoked salmon and smooth, creamy avocado have given this classic light egg scramble dish a sophisticated touch and star appeal. These crostini can be a terrific Christmas appetizer when you need to bring something to a holiday dinner or if you are throwing one at home. A sublime flavour combination that’s perfect for entertaining any crowd.
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- Break the eggs in a large bowl, add in sour cream, chives and seasoning. Whisk to blend everything together. Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Pour the egg mixture into the pan and cook until just barely set, 2-3 minutes.
- Meanwhile, toast bread. Put avocado into a bowl, mash with a fork, and season with lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Spread mashed avocado over each slice of toast. Spoon eggs over avocado. Drape salmon slices over eggs. Garnish, if desired, with chives.
Thai Style Salmon Fritters
Tuesday, November 29, 2011A perfect party starter, these salmon fritters are coated with batter and deep fried until crisp and golden brown. They are best eaten fresh out of the oil while they're still hot and crisp.
I have substituted a few ingredients as I don't happen to have them on hand. Please do visit I Just Love My Apron for the authentic and original recipe.
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- Beat eggs, milk, fish sauce and lime juice in a mixing bowl until everything is incorporated. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, white pepper, red curry powder and lime zest.
- Add the flour mixture into the egg mixture. Stir until just incorporated. Add in drained green peas, tinned and fresh salmons to the batter. Stir until well combined.
- Add oil to a saucepan and heat it up to 190C/375F. Line a baking tray with paper. Preheat your oven to 100C/210F.
- Drop by tablespoon into hot deep oil. Don't overcrowd. Once they are nicely brown, remove from the pan and keep warm in the oven and repeat the process until you have finished the batter.
- Sprinkle the fried fritters with salt and cayenne pepper. Use same oil to fry fresh celery leaves until crispy. Place the fritters on a platter and top with celery leaves. Serve salmon fritters hot accompanied with preferred yogurt dressing.
Cinnamon Spelt Ring aka Estonian Bread Kringel
Saturday, November 26, 2011This cinnamon bread, also knows as “Bread Kringel”, has been baked for hundreds of years in Estonia, for holidays, birthdays celebrations and special occasions. It originated in Germany and is basically a sweet enriched bread that’s twisted into the shape of a pretzel or a simple ring.
Recipe inspired by Chocolateoblivion
Dough | Filling |
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- Place milk, egg yolk, walnut oil and maple syrup in the pan of your bread machine. Add in flours and the dried yeast. Select the “Dough” cycle, and press “Start”.
- Mix together the cooled butter, sugar and cinnamon powder in a bowl. When the “Dough” cycle is finished, transfer the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead it briefly.
- Divide the dough in half. Using a rolling pin, roll each out into a 1cm thick rectangle. Spread the 1/3 cinnamon butter mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a 1cm border. Roll dough up, starting lengthwise to form a Swiss roll. Seal edges well by pinching close and slice it in half lengthwise, leaving 5cm intact.
- Turn each half cut-side up and carefully plait the halves together, keep the cut-side up to expose the filling. Join both ends to form a round wreath and transfer to a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Brush the bread top with the remaining cinnamon mixture. Scatter the silvered almonds over if used. Preheat the oven to 190C/375F. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Poppy Thumbprints with Lemon Curd
Tuesday, November 22, 2011Those buttery cookies, which are rolled in poppy seeds and filled with homemade lemon curd or with your favourite jam., are perfect for the holidays. You can replace poppy seeds with finely chopped nuts or coconut shreds. Thoroughly delicious and a welcome addition to any cookie tray.
Lemon Curd | Cookie |
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- Whisk the eggs and sugar in a saucepan until smooth, then place pan over a low heat. Add the butter, lemon juice and zest and whisk continuously until thickened. Strain through a sieve into a sterilised jar. Lemon curd keeps, covered, in the fridge for 2 weeks.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and lemon zest. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy with a hand mixer. Add egg yolk and lemon extract. Beat until combined. Sift the flour mixture into the creamed butter mixture and mix until the dough starts to come together. Dump on a floured board and roll together into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and lightly roll it in poppy seeds. Place on the prepared baking tray and press a light indentation into the top of each with your finger. Drop 1/2 teaspoon of lemon curd into each indentation. Bake for 15-18 minutes until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool.
Reginette with Radicchio and Hazelnut Cream Sauce
Friday, November 18, 2011A really simple pasta dish with crunchy bitter radicchio, that’s balanced by the rich, earthy taste of roasted hazelnuts and luscious, fresh cream. Some chopped roasted nuts would be a nice addition sprinkled on top. Serve with some garlic bread for a complete meal.
Reginette with Radicchio and Hazelnut Cream Sauce
Inspire by Robyn Cooks and All Recipes- 100 g Reginette
- 1 Radicchio, rinsed and sliced
- 40 g Ground hazelnuts, toasted
- 30 g Butter
- 120 ml Low-fat cream
- 1 tsp Brandy
- Salt and freshly mulled black pepper
- Cook the reginette in in a large saucepan of rapidly boiling salted water until al dente, about 9 minutes.
- In the meantime, toast the ground hazelnut in a small skillet over medium-high heat for a couple of minutes, stirring constantly. Lower heat, then add the butter, stir until melted, then add the cream and brandy. Stir to combine, and cook until thickened, 5 minutes. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
- To serve, pile some radicchio into the bottom of a rimmed soup bowl, then top with reginette. Spoon the sauce over the top. Serve immediately.
Rye Rolls with Poppy
Monday, November 14, 2011Those dinner rolls, made from egg white enriched rye dough, have a really shiny and beautiful crust, partly because of overnight proofing in the fridge, partly due to the egg white wash applied prior to baking at high temperature with steam.
Starter | Starter | Others |
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- Dissolve the fresh yeast in the water. Stir in bread and rye flours until well combined. Cover and leave it at room temperature for 2 hours, then transfer to the fridge for 12 hours.
- Place all the dough ingredients together with starter in the mixing bowl of your stand mixer. Stir at low speed until all ingredients have been incorporated, then increase the speed and mix until the dough gathers into a ball. Add more water, a tablespoon at a time, if too stiff.
- Cover with a plastic and set aside until it doubles in size, 1-2 hours. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Lightly press down the dough and shape into a round. Divide the dough into 10-15 pieces. Shape each piece of dough into a round or an oval. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and proof until double in bulk. This will take about 90 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 230C/450F and place an old baking pan on the bottom rack. Combine egg white and water in a bowl. Brush the top of bread rolls with egg wash and sprinkle with the poppy seeds. Slash a 1/4-inch/5-mm deep cut across the top of each roll. Place rolls in the oven on the next shelf up, pour 1 cup of water into the old baking pan and close the door quickly. Bake for about 20 minutes until richly brown.
Crusty Hard Rolls
Monday, November 07, 2011Those bread rolls, known in Germany as Brötchen, are crunchy, richly golden brown rolls with a soft interior, and flavourful thanks to an overnight sponge. Serve them warm with jam or/and butter for the breakfast or with a bowl of piping hot soup as dinner. You can always freeze them and re-crisp in the 150C/300F oven.
Starter | Dough |
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- Combine together the flour, water and yeast in a mixing bowl. Cover and leave the starter at room temperature for 16-20 hours.
- Whisk together the water and fresh yeast in the bowl of your stand mixer. Add in the rest of ingredients together with the sponge. Mix until a soft, smooth dough forms.
- Shape the dough into a ball and return it to the mixing bowl. Sprinkle a bit of flour over the top of dough. This will keep the dough from sticking. Cover with a plastic and set aside for 90 minutes to rise.
- When the dough has doubled in bulk, turn it out on a lightly floured work surface. Lightly press down the dough and shape into a long roll. Cut the roll into 12 - 15 pieces. Take each piece of dough and form into a round or oval shaped roll.
- Place rolls on the baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Cover and let rise until double, about an hour. Preheat oven to 230C/450F and place an old baking pan on the bottom rack. Slash a 1/4-inch/5-mm deep cut across the top of each roll.
- Place rolls in the oven on the next shelf up, pour 1 cup of water into the old baking pan and close the door quickly. Turn oven down to 220C/425F and bake for 20-25 minutes until they're richly brown. Remove them from the oven, and cool on a wire rack.