White Asparagus with Summer Truffle
Monday, April 01, 2024In Germany, the king of vegetable is WHITE asparagus. It's like a national treasure and you will find it on menus nationwide from April April to June.
Tender, sweet, and loaded with earthy flavour, these blanched white asparagus with browned butter and summer truffle make for a great spring party appetizer. The skin of white asparagus can taste very bitter and fibrous, so make sure to peel it off completely before blanching. White asparagus are delicate and brittle, so lay each spear flat on a work surface to peel. This way ensures they won't snap during peeling.
Chocolate Sourdough Beer Bread
Saturday, March 30, 2024This sourdough bread, adapted from tastecooking, is made with plain wheat flour, freshly milled kamut and Dutch-processed cocoa powder. Like any sourdough bread, this one takes time too. Plan to make it over two days, mixing the dough on day one, letting it ferment overnight, then baking it the following morning. The combo of beer and chocolate might sound a little strange, but the bitterness in the two play well off each other. I used lager beer, but you can use whatever beer you like. If you prefer it bitterer, richer, use stout or other dark beer. It is perfect for grilled cheeses, nut butters, homemade jam and pate. Use rice flour to dust the banneton if you it on hand as it's less sticky and won't burn easily.
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.
Uova al Pomodoro Piccante (Eggs in Spicy Tomato Sauce)
Tuesday, March 26, 2024This is a quick and delicious comfort meal in which the eggs are poached in spicy tomato sauce. It's very similar to North African Shakshuka and Mexican Huevos Rancheros. So versatile and adaptable and all you need are pantry staples and a couple of fresh eggs gently poached in tomato sauce. It's really that basic and simple, but if you like, you can add some pancetta and parmesan for extra flavour. Serve it with some homemade bread to mop up the sauce.
Slow Cooker Leg Of Lamb
Sunday, March 24, 2024This is truly the easiest way to prepare a leg of lamb – simply season the meat with garlic, roseamry, salt and pepper and let your slow cooker work its magic for 8-10 hours until the flesh falls off the bone! The slow cooker maximises the flavour of the lamb by locking in all of the aromas of the beef broth and spices that keep the flesh succulent and tender during cooking. The lamb is ready to be served once it's done in slow cooker. Browning in the oven is optional.
I have used the cooking juice to make a gravy to serve with lamb. However, if you ain't fancy for gravy, then serve them with some browned lemon and garlic halves. Enjoy with some roasted or steamed vegetables or a simple salad.
Kumato Puttanesca Salad
Friday, March 22, 2024Inspiration for this simple salad comes from the flavours of a popular Neapolitan puttanesca sauce, which usually contains tomatoes, anchovies, garlic and capers. You can make this all year round with any kind of tomatoes you like, but it would make a really good summer salad when tomatoes and fresh herbs are in abundance.
Kumato tomato is a unique product of natural crossbreeding among several varieties, including some wild Mediterranean specimens. It is succulent, sweet and slightly tart and has a strong distinctive taste that changes as the tomato colour moves from green to brown to dark red.
Salmon with Creamy Wild Garlic Sauce
Wednesday, March 20, 2024Smoked 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.
Cumin and Fennel Hasselback Carrots
Saturday, March 16, 2024This healthy, budget-friendly carrot side dish, adapted from tesco, is fun to make and so flavourful with a lovely tender and sweet interior. They are one of the best side dishes to add on your dinner table and re-heat well too, so they're great for making ahead!
Herby Cucumber Salad with Whipped Feta
Thursday, March 14, 2024Creamy, sea salted and mildly tangy Feta Lesbos (made exclusively from the milk of Lesbian breed sheep in the isle of Lesbos) and Greek yoghurt are whipped into a dip and top with a refreshing herby cucumber salad that goes well with every meal. It's naturally gluten-free and keto-friendly. Serve it with some crispy pita chips or crackers if you wish.
Spicy Chicken Legs with Cashew and Coconut Sauce
Tuesday, March 12, 2024A super-easy meal the whole family will enjoy, this spicy chicken and pumpkin traybake is worth adding to your weekday menu. Chicken and pumpkin are a winning dinner combo. They go well together with this cashew nut and coconut sauce in the traybake. Serve with hot steamed rice, crispy fried potatoes, or flatbreads.