Panch Phoron Roast Carrots with Raita and Pistachios
Monday, April 29, 2024Are you looking for a way to elevate your side dishes and impress your guests? Here is a starter or side dish full of flavour where the humble carrot takes centre stage. Substitute cilantro with other herbs such as parsley, fennel fronds, or dill.
Panch Phoron (or panch phoran), literally means “five spices”, is a delicious Indian spice blend of cumin, fenugreek, brown mustard seeds, fennel and nigella seeds. Raita is a creamy Indian condiment made with yoghurt, vegetables, herbs and spices.
Prosciutto-wrapped Halibut Loin with Asparagus Sauce
Saturday, April 27, 2024The delicate white fish works amazingly well with the earthy, subtly sweet and nutty flavour of the traditionally cured prosciutto. You can substitute with Serrano ham or even smoky bacon. I used cod, but any other white fish (hake, cod or haddock) would work too. The loin of fish is much better in this recipe because it is much more uniform in thickness. I didn't salt the fish because there's enough salt in prosciutto.
Coffee Honey Glazed Carrot Coins
Thursday, April 25, 2024These glossy carrot coins, flavoured with strong coffee, Kahlúa, honey, balsamic and chilli pepper flakes, and topped with a sprinkling of chopped mint leaves and toasted salted hazelnuts, are pretty enough for a special meal. Coffee and carrot-- an unexpected combination that works. The smokiness of the coffee works great with the sweetness of the carrots and honey, creating a spectacular side that goes great with burgers, casseroles or some grilled chicken. Use other herbs (parsley, dill or thyme) if you don't appreciate mint. You might need to keep an eye out for those big fat carrots for this recipe.
Asparagus with Black Forest Ham and Bolzano Sauce
Tuesday, April 23, 2024Spring is a prime time of renewal and detoxification. Asparagus supports this spring cleanse unlike any other vegetable! Seize the asparagus season and enjoy this delicious vegetable as much as you can.
Bolzano sauce is a traditional sauce from the Bolzano area in German-influenced Alto-Adige and goes perfectly with cooked asparagus. It is similar to Hollandaise sauce, but is firmer and richer in consistency. The sauce has a long tradition in Bolzano and was prepared by South Tyrolean farmers over two hundred years ago. It's made with a combination of hard-boiled eggs, olive oil, white vinegar, mustard, chives, and beef broth. Once cooked, the eggs are simply chopped and mashed with the other ingredients.
Fried Sprats with Tomato Salad
Sunday, April 21, 2024Sprats, aka brislings or spratus spratus, are a small oily fish and rich in high quality protein and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Like whitebait, these small oily fish can be eaten whole including head, fins, bones and innards-EVERYTHING. However, it's a matter of personal preference how you prepare them. If you like, you can cook your sprats gutted or with or without head. If you ain't on keto or low-carb, then try dusting the fish with some seasoned flour or dipping them with a beer batter before frying.
One-pan Chicken with Bay, Garlic and White Wine
Friday, April 19, 2024Blanched Asparagus with Caviar Cream Sauce
Wednesday, April 17, 2024Caviar Cream Sauce is an ultimate sign of decadence and deliciousness. This sauce is incredibly rich and to cut through the richness, I balanced the sauce out with a simple blanched asparagus. I used dry white wine for the sauce, but if you have some Champagne or dry sparkling wine, feel free to use it. If using alcohol is not an option, you can try using sparkling cider, but the sauce will taste sweeter then. It's important to fold caviar into the sauce after it has cooled a bit or it would ruin the caviar.
Carrot and Chickpea Salad with Honey Coriander Dressing
Monday, April 15, 2024Wild Garlic Cheddar Soda Bread
Saturday, April 13, 2024Make the most of this antibacterial and antifungal spring herb and try this delicious wild garlic Cheddar soda bread that the whole family will enjoy. The bread has a deep brown crust with a dense, but quite tender crumb. The crust is lovely crunchy when it comes out of the oven and becomes a little chewy next day. Serve warm out of the oven with lots of butter or/and homemade wild garlic pesto.
Kumquat Blackberry Salad
Thursday, April 11, 2024Asparagus, Soft-Boiled Eggs and Caviar
Tuesday, April 09, 2024Caviar goes very well with different kinds of vegetables. Gently blanched fresh green asparagus with soft boiled egg pairs perfectly with rich creamy caviar that adds a touch luxury to every bite.
Argan oil, a specialty oil produced in Morocco, extracted from the seeds of the argan tree, known as Argania spinosa, has a distinctive nutty and robust flavour, but not overpowering, and it's best enjoyed as a finishing oil. It is hard to come by, so you may use hazelnut or walnut oil instead, or simply use olive oil.
Roasted Red Onion Salad with Honey Pecans and Apple Vinaigrette
Sunday, April 07, 2024This is an utterly simple, yet quite unlike any other salad. The humble onion gets a makeover with honey glazed pecans and apple vinaigrette. I have roasted them in oven, but if you are blessed with a grill, then grill them on medium for 7-8 minutes until lightly softened and charred. The recipe works just as well with other types of onions, but red one looks prettier. Walnuts, hazelnuts or pine nuts are great substitutes for pecans. They are excellent with grilled fish, or kebab and flat bread.