Crispy Pork Belly Skewers with Chilli Garlic Caramel Sauce
Thursday, June 27, 2024Roasted pork belly with succulent, juicy flesh of meat and a crunchy crackling gets a real boost with a chilli garlice caramel sauce prepared with xylitol instead of sugar. The sauce can be prepared a few days ahead, cover and chill. For a well rounded meal, serve with an extra portion of leafy greens.
Fruity Summer Salad with Passionfruit Vinaigrette
Wednesday, June 26, 2024This easy summer salad is simple yet packed with flavour. A great way to enjoy summer produce from the farmer markets. I kept the salad very simple with just greens and seasonal fruit, but you can throw in some coconut chips, macadamia nuts, cheese, and avocado if desired. Passionfruit vinaigrette, quick and easy to make, brings an unexpectedly sweet and tart twist to this simple salad.
Bread Rolls with Bacon, Red Onion, and Thyme
Tuesday, June 25, 2024These simple savory dinner rolls are a mouthwatering combination of bacon, red onion and thyme. They are crusty, tender and downright irresistible. They can be put together quickly and will fill your kitchen with the most comforting aroma. You can shape them into an oval or round. Before going to the oven, spray the rolls with water and dust with some flour, then make a slash on top of each roll with a sharp knife if desired. They are great as a snack, breakfast and are also wonderful to pack as part of a picnic.
Bread Rolls with Bacon, Red Onion, and Thyme
adapted from Irish TimesPrawns with Vanilla Coconut Sauce
Monday, June 24, 2024If you think preparing prawns during workweek is too hard, think again. This easy delicious sauce made with dark rum, vanilla bean and coconut milk goes beautifully with plump white tiger prawns and is done in 15 minutes. Dinner is ready. Serve over some garlic rice, pasta or some crusty bread to dip into the sauce!
Pineapple Cucumber Jalapeño Salad
Sunday, June 23, 2024The combo of sweet juicy pineapple and crunch cucumber is absolutely delightful. Jalapeño here adds the perfect amount of kick while not being overpowering. I also sprinkled a pinch of Turkish pul biber, also know as Aleppo chilli flakes, over for subtle notes of cumin and fruity tang. It contains no seeds or inner flesh of the chillies, so it's not spicy at all. This salad is pretty straightforward and simple, so make sure to use the freshest and best produce you can find.
Red Lentil Crackers
Saturday, June 22, 2024You only need a few ingredients and less than 10 minutes of preparation to make homemade lentil crackers / crisps. Your oven will do the rest for you and they are guaranteed to be crispy, and kept fresh for several days. They are naturally gluten-free, protein-rich and free of any grains. A fun and healthy way to enjoy some legumes. Feel free to experiment with other herbs and spices and have fun!
Turkish Charred Onion Salad with Sumac and Parsley
Friday, June 21, 2024The salad is deliciously sharp, tangy and smokey and is also especially excellent with grilled fish, lahmacun or doner kebab and flat bread. You can make this completely raw with thinly sliced onions. Toss in some fresh tomatoes if desired.
Sumac, made from pulverized dried sumac berries, is a spice that is commonly used in many Middle Eastern countries. It tastes like fresh lemon juice and adds a bright red colour to a dish.
Edamame and Green Beans with Pistachio Pesto
Thursday, June 20, 2024Pesto and Parmesan add great flavor to this beautiful vegetable dish that's packed full of healthy ingredients. A stand out side dish that's easy enough for a busy weeknight and the whole family will enjoy. It's quick and easy to make, on the table within 10 minutes. Use fava beans or peas if you can't find edamame.
Chicken Marsala with Lemon and Caper
Wednesday, June 19, 2024Easy to make and ready in 30 minutes, this pan-fried chicken thighs (or use halved and pounded chicken breast if you prefer) with lemon, caper and Marsala caramelized butter sauce is great for a midweek meal that feels like a treat. Marsala wine is a fortified wine made in Sicily. Marsala is most commonly used in cooking to create nutty, rich caramelized sauces. If you don't have Marsala wine on hand, Madeira, sherry, port or even brandy would work too, just keep in mind that the flavour of the dish would be different since Marsala has a quite unique and complex flavour.
Asian Beef Short Ribs
Tuesday, June 18, 2024An easy and delicious oven-braised stew recipe for succulent, juicy Asian beef short ribs, flavoured with lots of ginger, garlic, gluten-free soya sauce, Szechuan peppers and Chinese Shaoxing rice wine. Perfect for a comforting family meal served with some steamed rice or your favourite starchy side and stir-fried vegetables.
Tomato Salad with Cucumber, Physalis, and Gooseberries
Monday, June 17, 2024Loaded with heirloom tomatoes, baby cucumbers and berries, this farmers' market inspired salad is delicious served with grilled kebabs / kabobs or salmon fillets. This simple salad definitely brings colour and vibrance to the dinner table.
The orange coloured physalis, aka golden berries or ground cherries, are sweet yet citrusy, creating a tangy flavour. They are perfect for eating raw and are great in salads.
Gooseberries are extremely low in calories and fat, yet packed with nutrients. They come in a variety of coluors. The darker the colour, the sweeter the berry.
Charred Octopus with Spicy Romesco Sauce
Sunday, June 16, 2024Spicy romesco sauce is a delicious Catalonian dip that's made with roasted tomatoes, smoked peppers, garlic and nuts of your choice. It's smoky, earthy, spicy and nutty and goes particularly well with raw / roasted vegetables, seafood and meat. I got cooked octopus from one of our local supermarkets. You can also find packaged octopus tentacles from LIDL and they are perfect for the recipe.