Radicchio Salad with Chicken in Kiwi Vinaigrette
Tuesday, January 03, 2012A quick, light and tasty salad with leftover pan-seared chicken breast (turkey could be used instead here), antioxidant-rich radicchio, kiwifruit, cherry tomatoes, physalis (aka cape gooseberry) tossed with a fresh, fruity and delicious kiwi vinaigrette dressing. So If you feel stuffed and want a a healthy and soothing meal after holiday feasts, this salad might be what you need.
Kiwi Vinaigrette | Salad |
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- To make the dressing, combine all the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth, about 5 to 10 seconds. Pour into a serving container and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces. Coarsely chop the radicchio leaves. Arrange the radicchio and onions on a large serving platter. Top with chicken, kiwi,tomato,and physalis halves. Serve with kiwi vinaigrette.
Mango and Vanilla Ice Cream Trifles
Friday, December 30, 2011Trifle, a lovely and very British dessert dish, is usually made from vanilla custard, fruit, cake and whipped cream, very similar to parfait. These ingredients are usually arranged into layers in the trifle bowl.
A traditional English trifle uses stale sponge or pound cake, which may be soaked in alcohol, like sherry or port wine. Over time, many variations on the original recipe have been created. Nuts or layers of whipped cream may be added for variety. The flavour of the custard may also be changed to complement the flavour of the cake.
Here is my leftover tribute to this English dessert with its multiple layers in glass. Dip your spoon into this sweet delight to end your New Year’s celebration with these individual delicious trifles.
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- In a large mixing bowl using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add the softened vanilla ice cream and beat until thoroughly combined.
- First arrange the half of the cookie crumbs over the bottoms of glasses. Next spoon on the mango puree, to just cover the cookie crumbs. Lastly cover the puree with cream mixture and then repeat the layers once more.
- Pipe the whipped cream on top and garnish with a physalis. Chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
Potato and Whole Grain Spelt Pancakes
Sunday, December 25, 2011There’s nothing like good old fashioned potato pancakes as a side dish. It’s an awesome way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. You can serve these potato pancakes with meat patties, or simply enjoy them as breakfast.
May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and blessed Christmas and success and health for the New Year 2012!
So wünsche ich Euch von Herzen ein frohes und gesegnetes Weihnachtsfest und viel Erfolg und Gesundheit für das Neue Jahr 2012!
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- Thoroughly clean the potatoes and place them in a medium sized pot. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Add in about 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook, uncovered, until potatoes are tender all the way through, about 20 minutes.
- Drain potatoes and let cool slightly. Peel the potato and push potatoes through a ricer into a large bowl or mash with a large fork thoroughly. Add in spelt flour and baking powder, then add in whole egg and egg yolk. Gradually pour in milk, stirring well to make a smooth batter. Season the batter with salt and pepper.
- Place 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. When the butter turns a light amber, drop about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the batter in the skillet. You should be able to cook 3 pancakes at a time, allowing enough space between them so they have a nice round shape.
- Cook about 2 minutes on the first side, flip them over and cook about 1 minute longer. Remove from the pan, and keep warm. Continue adding butter to the pan and frying the rest of the batter. Serve the pancakes warm as a side with ground meat patties.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic, Honey, and Walnuts
Wednesday, December 21, 2011Roasting is an easy cooking method that enhances the flavour of this hearty winter vegetables. Browned and crisp, those Brussels sprouts are roasted with a mixture of balsamic vinegar, olive oil and honey, then tossed with chopped walnuts and pomegranate pearls. While this humble and versatile side dish easy enough for weeknight meals, it's also good for the dinner parties.
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- Preheat oven to 200C400F. Remove the outer leaves from Brussels sprouts and trim the stems. Cut the sprouts in half. Slice the shallots and place them in a roasting pan together with Brussels sprout halves.
- Combine olive oil, Balsamic vinegar and honey in a small bowl. Toss the Brussels with Balsamic mixture and thyme sprigs. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Roast, tossing twice during cooking, until the Brussels sprouts are tender and lightly browned, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven. Add in chopped roasted walnuts and pomegranate pearls. Serve immediately.
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.