Za’atar Salmon with Spinach and Tahini
Thursday, August 03, 2023Salmon fillets with a packed-with-flavour za'atar plus extra sumac crust are perfectly paired with creamy, nutty tahini sauce in this quick and easy dish from the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen : Shelf Love. It is an easy recipe to make, perfect for a weeknight supper. Toss in your favourite greens and ready in 15 minutes!
Za’atar, a versatile and popular Middle Eastern mix of dried herbs and spices is a glorious combination of earthy, nutty, zesty, and tangy flavours, and it goes on salads, meat / fish, vegetables, labneh / yoghurt, bread, hummus...just about anything. You can easily find it in Middle Eastern grocery stores or online or make your own.
Blackberry and Lemon Tartlets
Tuesday, August 01, 2023A sweet and tangy fruit tart made with tangy lemony frangipane, a delicious tart filling made with ground almonds or other nuts and seeds. The addition of blackberries and lemon gives delicious fruity flavour which complements the sweet rich frangipane and buttery tart crust wonderfully. It is perfect for sharing with friends or family after dinner or as an anytime treat.
Crispy Goat Cheese and Arugula Salad
Sunday, July 30, 2023Decadent pork rind-crusted goat cheese on a bed of arugula (any baby green will work though) and cherry tomatoes tossed in a light honey vinaigrette, scattered with candied pecans.
Slicing the fresh goat cheese can get a little messy, if it crumbles, just press the rounds back into the correct shape before coating with beaten egg and pork rind. The goat cheese cooked in airfryer will come out perfectly crunchy on the outside and warm, creamy on the inside.
Easy M&M Banana Bread
Friday, July 28, 2023This is such a delicious and easy recipe that is great for any occasion. It's moist, flavourful, perfectly dense, filled with leftover white chocolate eggs, dried fruit and topped with lots of M&Ms. One of the keys to getting a natural, strong banana flavour and a tender texture is to use over ripe bananas. I used erythritol, a sugar alcohol which has a very similar taste to sugar, to sweeten the bread, feel free to use regular white sugar instead. Store any leftover banana bread slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Creamy Chanterelles
Wednesday, July 26, 2023With this simple recipe, the creamy chanterelles become particularly fine. The fragrant mushrooms in cream sauce taste mild yet very flavourful at the same time. The creamy chanterelle is very versatile and goes well with many dishes (pasta, dumplings, chicken or steak).
I usually use a brush and wet towel to clean the chanterelles. But if you pick them up in the woods, you might want to rinse them thoroughly under water, then use a salad spinner or gently pat them dry with towels. You can also wash the chanterelles, leave them in the fridge overnight to dry out and cook them the next day.
Raw Avocado Tart with Lime and Matcha
Monday, July 24, 2023Dairy-free, gluten-free, and so delicious-you simply have to try this avocado tart. With a base made with nuts, soft dates, Dutch-processed cocoa, coconut flakes, and coconut oil, and a filling with ripe creamy avocado, lime, maple syrup and coconut oil, it makes the perfect refreshing summer treat! If your dates are hard, place them in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes to soften before draining them and adding them to the food processor. I garnished the tart with matcha powder, freeze-dried raspberries and coconut chips, but it's completely optional. You can also just scatter some mini white chocolate chips and lime zest over.
Zucchini Parmesan Crisps
Saturday, July 22, 2023These 3-ingredient Zucchini Parmesan Crisps are so delicious and addictive. A tasty addition to salads or soups or to enjoy as a crunchy snack. To avoid soggy zucchini crisps, you have to squeeze the excess moisture out of the vegetables before mixing with Parmesan and baking. It's gluten-free and keto-friendly.
Icelandic Rye Bread
Thursday, July 20, 2023Icelandic rye bread, or rúgbrauð, a staple of Icelandic cuisine, is traditionally baked underground, buried in a bubbling geothermal pit for 24 hours. Since I don't have a hot spring in my back yard or live in a geothermal area, baking the bread in a simpler and more convenient modern oven is an ideal alternative way to get to taste this iconic Icelandic Rye Bread, which you would think it's healthy. Well, not this one as it contains a whole cup of honey and molasses in it, but it's DELICIOUS with a light caramel note and dense texture. Since it’s leavened with baking powder and baking soda, it’s very easy to throw together. This delicious traditional rye bread can be served in a variety of ways, topped with smoked fish / lamb, skyr, cheese or even just butter or simply with your favourite toppings. Store leftover bread tightly wrapped at room temperature for several days or up to 3 months in the freezer.
I adapted the recipe from King Arthur Baking, as 2-hr-baking time seems reasonable for me. Other recipes suggested baking at 100C/200F for 6 hours. Alternatively you can make this in a slow cooker, covered with aluminum foil, for 4 hours. I haven't tried it myself yet, so if you do please let me know how it turns out!
Cherry Streusel Cake with Chocolate
Tuesday, July 18, 2023Nothing is better than a sweet juicy cherry cake with crunchy, buttery crumbs on top. Whether you use fresh, frozen or canned cherries, this German coffee cake / Kirschstreuselkuchen is packed full of delicious cherry and chocolate flavours and great for afternoon tea, or as a snack. I used 100 grams of raw sugar for the cake, but if you prefer it sweeter, use up to 150 grams.
Air Fryer Keto Halloumi Fries
Sunday, July 16, 2023Enjoy these easy air fryer halloumi fries in only 15 minutes. Dunk into a creamy Greek yogurt dip with pomegranate molasses. Soft, delicious cheese is pepped up with a spiced pork rind coating to create a fabulous side dish worthy as an accompaniment to any summer meal. Serve alongside burgers, salads or steak.
Cake-Style Blackberry Cobbler
Friday, July 14, 2023A cobbler is a deep-dish fruit dessert typically consisting of a fruit base and a slightly sweet biscuit topping or pie dough topping. Traditionally the fruit stew is the base for the topping, but variations can include the biscuits on the bottom, and some even use batter in place of biscuit dough. The common belief is that the name came from the biscuit topping’s resemblance to cobblestones. The ideal cobbler topping should be light and fluffy underneath, to soak up all those juices, but firm and golden crispy on the top.
You can make a cobbler from any type of fruit. Use a single type, or experiment with different combinations of your favourites. Frozen fruit is also fine, but make sure it is properly thawed before you use it. Serve the cobbler warm, with a scoop or two of good vanilla ice cream.
Ottolenghi's Roasted Aubergine with Saffron Yoghurt
Wednesday, July 12, 2023This simple yet fantastic eggplant salad as a starter, with only minor changes, comes from one of my favourite chefs and cookbook authors, Yotam Ottolenghi.
Among all my favourite salad pairings, eggplant, pine nuts and pomegranate seeds has to be one of the tastiest. The creamy Greek yoghurt dressing uses a rejuvenating and elegant touch with the addition of saffron. With its contrasting flavours, vibrant bright colours, fresh herbs and toasted nuts, this salad is definitely bound to impress your guests and the family.