Biscotti Reginelle
Saturday, October 26, 2024Biscotti Reginelle, aka Biscotti Regina or Biscotti Inciminati, are classic cookies from Palermo (the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Metropolitan City of Palermo), but they are popular all over the island of Sicily. They were named after Queen Margherita di Savoia, hence the name Biscotti Reginelle, which means Queen Cookies.
These delicious Italian cookies are not too sweet and are loaded with sesame seeds. The crunchy texture makes them the perfect accompaniment to coffee, hot chocolate, or sweet wine. To make these cookies even more authentic, use 100% of lard instead of a mix of butter and lard. Once completely cooled you can store these cookies in an air tight container for at least two weeks. They freeze well too.
Seedy Pretzel Wedges
Friday, October 25, 2024Making those seedy pretzel wedges at home is easy peasy with this straightforward recipe. Made from yeast dough, brushed with a baking soda bath, then sprinkled with a mixture of seeds, this pretzels bread is as good as those from the bakery. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside and go well with soups, salads or as a snack! Instead of a springform ring, you can of course also use an ovenproof cake ring and adjust it to the right size. They are best when eaten warm, but will keep fresh in an airtight container at room-temperature for 1-2 days.
Butter Lettuce Salad with Cacao Nib Vinaigrette
Thursday, October 24, 2024This fairly simple yet colourful and fun salad plays on different textures and flavours of bitter cacao nibs, tender&sweet butter lettuce, tart&chewy dried cherries, creaminess of silky avocado and juicy sweet mandarin orange.
Cacao nibs, aka cocoa nibs, are fermented and crushed bits of dried cacao beans. They are naturally sugar-free and provide a rich source of fiber, protein, healthy fats and minerals.
Sri Lankan Carrot Curry
Wednesday, October 23, 2024Sri Lankan curry is usually heavily spiced and uses a blend of fresh spices and aromatics. This typically includes cumin, coriander, fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds, and curry leaves. The curry is usually prepared with coconut milk and commonly served with rice. If you can't find fresh curry leaves, use dried one or even pandan leaves. Don't like carrot? Use cauliflower, sweet potatoes, eggplants or green beans or a mixture of vegetables.
Double Hemp Cookies with White Chocolate and Macadamias
Tuesday, October 22, 2024These hemp cookies are soft, chewy and loaded with white chocolate and macadamias. Hemp seeds, aka hemp hearts, are a complete protein in the plant world, meaning that they provide all nine essential amino acids that your body needs but cannot produce. Both the seeds and the oil are rich in essential fatty acids. The hemp oil derives from the seeds of the Cannabis sativa plant (while CBD oil uses the stalks, leaves, and flowers of the hemp plant), so they do not contain cannabidiol (or just trace amounts), but still have a rich profile of nutrients and omega-3. So you will not feel the “high” while enjoying these cookies.
Roasted Spiral Pumpkin with Rosemary and Pepitas
Monday, October 21, 2024I will always find a way to bake with pumpkin. The autumnal star vegetable is just so versatile and delicious. This vegetable side with butter, pepitas, rosemary, garlic and nutmeg is as tasty as it is beautiful. You can substitute rosemary for the thyme, or use salbei, or any other fresh herb of you like.
Persimmon Salsa
Sunday, October 20, 2024If you like fruity chunky salsa, you definitely need to try this one with persimmon and optional pomegranate! Use ripe but firm fuyu persimmon for the best result. If you don't like cilantro, use mint or even parsley. Use half of jalapeno if you can't handle the heat. Not only is it delicious, it’s also quick and easy to make. It can be made up to one day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.
20+ Banana Bread Recipes to use up ripe Bananas
Saturday, October 19, 2024What’s more comforting than a freshly baked loaf of moist and dense banana bread fresh out of the oven? Nothing. Ok, maybe banana bread slathered with salted butter or Nutella? Here are 20 plus banana recipes to use up those over ripe bananas, from healthiest versions of refined sugar free, grain-free, gluten-free to rich treats with chocolate and Roquefort. Enjoy!
- 5-Banana Banana Bread
This banana bread is moist and delicious with loads of banana flavour! Don’t overmix the ingredients or the bread won't be soft and tender, and make sure the bananas are very ripe. If your bananas aren’t very ripe, you can place them on a foil covered baking sheet in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 150C/300F until the skins turn black. It releases the sugar and makes them perfect for baking. If you don't enjoy a walnut-studded quick bread, just leave it out or use chocolate or fruit instead.
Crispy Miso Pork Belly
Friday, October 18, 2024An irresistibly rich pork roast recipe with Asian flavours like miso, mirin, fresh ginger, and rice wine. Served with a simple blanched bok choy (and steamed rice if desired) for a perfect weekend meal. Mirin is a Japanese sweet rice wine made for cooking. If you don't have mirin on hand, use a sweet marsala wine or Sherry. Another alternative is to use rice wine vinegar, but keep in mind to cut the amount called for in half and then add some sugar (1 teaspoon for every tablespoon of rice wine vinegar) to replicate the sweetness of mirin.
Crispy Fried Anchovies
Thursday, October 17, 2024Anchovies might be small, but they have huge health benefits and flavour. They are a good source of omega-3, protein, various vitamins and minerals. So I hope that you embrace the idea of popping the whole fish (yes, heads, bones, fins..all is GOOD) into the mouth and savour every bit of this oily, bite-size superfood. The preparation is rather simple and straightforward-fresh anchovies are rinsed, dried and simply battered by tossing them with ground pork rind (or flour if you ain't on keto) and then in egg, and then quickly fried in tallow (or olive oil) until golden brown. They are great as a snack or an appetizer.
Bistro Chicken with Bacon, Tarragon and Crème Fraîche
Wednesday, October 16, 2024The chicken drenched in a rich, creamy bacon and tarragon sauce is a delicious, budget-friendly and delicious dinner night option, made with skin-on bone-in whole chicken legs. You can of course opt for the chicken breast if that's what you prefer, but go bone-in, skin-on when you can. Skin helps to keep the chicken moist during cooking, and the bones add an extra layer of flavour to the meat.