Pan-fried White Asparagus with Green Tahini Sauce
Thursday, May 09, 2024The usual preparation of white asparagus is usually simmered in water or steamed and served with hollandaise sauce or/and butter. Here we are going to try pan-frying them until beautifully charred and tender but still al dente. It tastes fabulous with a herby tahini sauce.
Unlike their green and purple counterparts, white asparagus are pale from end to tip because they are grown underground. White asparagus must always be peeled, thin or thick, or else they will be bitter and stringy.
Cheesy Baked Asparagus with Mascarpone and Parmesan
Tuesday, May 07, 2024This dish is a delicious and fuss-free way to showcase this spring's favourite veggie. The green asparagus still retains its texture and flavour, but it's enveloped in a rich, creamy, cheesy custard-like sauce. It's is surprisingly simple with a very short list of ingredients, but so flavourful and decadent. Use medium asparagus for this recipe, as delicate, thin spears will overcook. Mascarpone has 55% fat, if it is too rich for you, then substitute with ricotta or crème fraîche.
Beef Ribs Bourguignon
Sunday, May 05, 2024Beef bourguignon (aka beef Burgundy) is a traditional French dish of slow cooked beef in a red wine sauce, with pearl onions, button mushrooms and bacon lardons. It's traditionally named from the Burgundy region in France, where it originated. It’s cooked until the meat is falling apart, and the wine-rich gravy thickens slightly to coat the meat.
This version from Colin Fassnidge via DELICIOUS uses the same beef bourguignon flavour on beef short ribs to upgrade this timeless stew. Beef ribs Bourguignon is always better the next day or even a few days later. It really needs time to mature and have the flavours marry together. Serve with some crusty bread to mop up all the sauce or over some creamy polenta or mashed potatoes, and of course a glass of red Burgundy!
Frisée Salad With Warm Bacon Vinaigrette
Friday, May 03, 2024This delicious, satisfying lettuce salad highlights frisée lettuce with soft-boiled eggs and croutons made with wild garlic soda bread. Pairing with a warm bacon vinaigrette, which works fabulously with pleasantly bitter, peppery curly endive leaves and runny yolks. Instead of croutons, you can use nuts, seeds or some roasted potatoes if you want to use up some leftover.
Chive Pinwheel Bread Rolls
Wednesday, May 01, 2024Pamper your family and friends with these delicious savoury rolls made with on-hand ingredients from your pantry and a chive sour cream filling. These little buns are not only perfect for brunch but alongside soup, salads and so many other dishes. These are best eaten on the day, so invite everyone around. They may look complicated but actually are very easy. If you don’t have the exact size pan for baking you can always just use something similar, a rectangular baking dish would work too.
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.