Tomato and Peach Salad With Whipped Goat Cheese
Sunday, August 23, 2020Sweet ripe peaches and tomatoes team up with creamy whipped goat cheese in this bright colourful summer salad tossed with a simple vinaigrette. It's sweet and savoury, creamy and fruity, works great as a starter, a side or a light summer meal. If you want to make it more filling, add some beans, lentils or crunchy garlic croutons.
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- In a large bowl, whisk the olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard and lime juice. Season generously with salt and pepper, stir in the red onion and set aside.
- Whip goat cheese in a mixing bowl until creamy. Add the heavy cream and lime zest and whip just until fluffy, about 1 minute, scraping the bowl as needed. Season to taste with salt.
- Spread the whipped goat cheese on a large serving platter or in shallow bowl, distributing it evenly using the back of a spoon. Add the tomato wedges, peach wedges and chopped basil to the dressing and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place on top of the whipped goat cheese and serve immediately.
Bacon Gugelhupf with Hazelnuts and Rosemary
Wednesday, August 19, 2020The combination of toatsed hazelnuts, smoky bacon and woody aromatic rosemary gives this savory "cake/bread" a sophisticated flavour. The cake may look complicated but it's easier than you think. It's highly adaptable, very delicious and perfect to serve with a seasonal salad for a pleasant lunch. If you don't have a bundt pan, then use muffin tin or loaf pan.
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- Coarsely chop the hazelnuts. Place them in a dry heavy skillet. Stir often over medium heat until golden brown and aromatic. Cook the bacon bits in a small pan until crisp. Drain bacon bits on paper towels. Mix together hazelnuts, reserving one tablespoon for the bundt pan, bacon bits and chopped rosemary. Set aside.
- Grease a 24-26cm bundt cake pan with butter and sprinkle the reserved chopped hazelnuts all over.
- Whisk together spelt flour, baking powder, and dried yeast in a mixing bowl. In another mixing bowl or jar, stir together the salt, honey and sparkling water. Add to the flour mixture. Use a hand mixer to beat everything together. Fold the nut-bacon mixture into the batter until just incorporated. The finished batter is thick but still pourable.
- Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan. Cover with a plastic film and leave it at a warm place for 30 minutes.
- Place a baking tray with boiling water at the bottom of the oven and preheat to 200C/400F. Bake the bread in the middle of hot oven for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. Remove and set aside for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Watermelon Caprese Skewers with Basil Vinaigrette
Monday, August 17, 2020Traditional Caprese salad is made with sweet ripe tomatoes and originates from the Isle of Capri, Italy. This is a fun twist on the traditional Caprese salad using watermelon instead of tomatoes. It is super easy to put together and makes an easy last-minute appetizer.
Basil Vinaigrette | |
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- Place all the ingredients for the vinaigrette in a blender and give them a quick whiz until the mixture is smooth. Chill until ready for use.
- Cut the watermelon into 3 inch rounds and use a melon baller to scoop out as many balls as possible.
- Thread watermelon balls, bocconcini, Parma ham and basil leaves onto 10 skewers. (or 6 skewers and serve the rest in a bowl). Season with salt and pepper. Serve, drizzle with prepared basil vinaigrette.
Cantaloupe Olive Salad with Mint Lime Dressing
Thursday, August 13, 2020A wonderful combination of fruit and lettuce with a mint lime dressing. This salad makes an ideal accompaniment to cold or smoked meats and poultry. As well as being fresh, light and tasty, this salad is incredibly easy to make. Truly a refreshing summer delight! If you prefer, you can substitute honeydew or watermelon for cantaloupe.
Mint Lime Dressing | |
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- Place all the ingredients for the dressing in a jar with lid. Shake until thoroughly mixed and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Use a melon baller to scoop balls from the cantaloupe. Peel the rest and cut into small cubes.
- Place cantaloupe and mixed olive in a bowl. Add in 2 tablespoons of mint lime dressing. Toss to combine.
- Cut the romaine lettuce heart into 4-6 wedges and arragne them on a serving platter. Place the melon and olive mixture in the center and between the wedges. Spoon some dressing over and serve immediately!
Watermelon Pizza with Berries, Greek Yoghurt and Rose Petals
Monday, August 10, 2020Watermelon Pizza is an easy dessert loaded with fresh summer berries, vanilla flavoured Greek yoghurt, rose petals and fresh herbs. It's easy and fun to make and the perfect treat for a hot summer day! I thought the pizza looks prettier topped with naturally colourful and beautiful summer berries, but you can change it up and use whatever fruit (mango, kiwi, strawberry, or currants) you have in your fridge. If you're lactose intolerant, coconut cream works as an excellent substitute for Greek yoghurt. Shave some chocolate over if you are a fan. Be creative and enjoy the summer!
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- In a small bowl, mix Greek yoghurt, maple syrup and vanilla together until combined.
- Divide the yoghurt mixture onto two slices of watermelon and top with berries, herbs, and rose petals. Cut each pizza into 6 or 8 slices. Serve immediately.
Galia Melon Red Currant Bowl
Thursday, August 06, 2020The Galia melon looks like a cantaloupe on the outside and a honeydew on the inside. They taste light, smooth and sweet. The Galia melon can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. Great in salads, breakfast, and main dishes. This fruit bowl is not only easy, but it's fun to put it together, too and perfect for breakfast, a snack or as a dessert.
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- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add in coconut flakes and shake in the skillet until lightly toasted and aromatic.
- Cut the melon into half. Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds. To make perfect melon balls, press down firmly so the melon baller digs into the flesh, then twist to make the ball.
- Carefully scrape the rest of the melon flesh with a spoon, being careful not to damage the shell. Blend the melon flesh, mascarpone and lime juice together until smooth using an immersion blender.
- Return the mixture into the prepared shells. Add in melon balls, red currants and sprinkle some toasted coconut flakes over. Garsnish with lemon thyme. Enjoy!
Lettuce Wedge Salad with Bacon and Sour Cream Dressing
Monday, August 03, 2020Lettuce wedge salad is one of the easiest salads to make! It’s crunchy, smoky, juicy and so delicious with a rich, tangy sour cream dressing. Serve it on its own or as a side with a grilled steak or chicken. Both bacon and the dressing can be prepared one day ahead. Iceberg lettuce can be substituted with romaine lettuce.
Sour Cream Dressing | Salad |
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- Whisk sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl to combine. Dressing can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
- In a skillet cook the bacon bits until crisp or to your liking.
- Core and cut the head of lettuce into 4 equal wedges. Transfer each wedge of lettuce together with a couple of grape tomatoes if using onto serving plates. Spoon over some sour cream dressing and sprinkle with finely chopped chives or parsley, diced sweet pepper and cooked bacon bits.