Tag: Vegetables

Categories
STARTERS/SIDES

Puy lentils with celeriac, hazelnuts and mint


Serves 4

Celeriac is probably my favourite root vegetable and Puy lentils an all time favourite pulse. Celeriac has a delicate, yet very nutty flavour, and has an elegant, almost, creamy smoothness. Like all good vegetables, it is marvellous, simply with a bit of olive oil. This recipe combines the lentils with the celeriac and nuts to create a hearty autumn vegetarian main course. Serve it warm, with a radish, cucumber and dill salad dressed with soured cream and olive oil. Or, allow it to cool down, then take it to work for lunch or on a picnic. It makes a marvelous side-dish with pork or duck.  (See Crispy skin duck breast with Puy lentils and glazed peaches and Marinated pork belly “sous vide”.

¾ cup/180 ml Puy lentils
3 cups/750 ml vegetable stock (or chicken stock if not for vegetarians)
1 tablespoon/15 ml carrot, finely diced
1 tablespoon/15 ml onion, finely diced
4 thyme sprigs
1 cup/250 ml celeriac, cut into 1 cm/¾” blocks
4 tablespoons/60 ml olive oil
3 tablespoons/45 ml hazelnut oil
3 tablespoons/45 ml good-quality red wine vinegar
4 tabelspoons/60 ml chopped mint
60g/2 oz whole hazelnuts, roasted and chopped roughly
salt and black pepper

Combine the lentils, stock, carrot and onion, and thyme in a small saucepan. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 minutes, then add the celeriac, and cook for another 10 minutes or until the lentils are al dente. Drain in a sieve.

In a large bowl mix the hot lentils (if they have cooled down they won’t soak up all the flavours) with the olive oil, 2 tablespoons of the hazelnut oil, the vinegar, some black pepper and plenty of salt. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
To serve straight away, stir in half the mint and half the hazelnuts. Pile onto a serving dish or in a bowl and drizzle the remaining hazelnut oil on top. Garnish with the rest of the mint and hazelnuts.
To serve cold, wait for the lentils and celeriac to cool down before finally adjusting the seasoning and possibly adding some more vinegar, if you like. Add hazelnut oil, mint and nuts in the same way as when serving hot.

Categories
MAIN COURSE

Thai vegetable curry


This is an ideal vegetarian dish to serve at any occasion.  For variation you can add some peeled prawns or chicken pieces, but try it first with only vegetables.  The curry can be quite strong but you can control it by simply put half the amount for the recipe and add gradually until you are satisfied.  Remember, though, that the longer it cooks the stronger it will become.  So it will be wise to go slowly.  You can also use different vegetables such as red pepper, celery, butternut or peas.  It’s your call.

THAI VEGETABLE CURRY

Serves 4

For the soup:
1 tablespoon/15 ml vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1-2 tablespoons/15-30 ml green curry paste (shop bought or make your own — see recipe at the bottom of the page)
1½ cups/375 ml coconut milk
1 cup/250 ml vegetable stock (or water)
1 cup/250 ml green beans, cut in short lengths
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut in pieces
1 cup/250 ml broccoli florets
4 kaffir limes (dry is good)
½ cup/125 ml corn, frozen and defrosted
2 tablespoons/30 ml fish sauce
2 tablespoon/30 ml lime juice
2 teaspoons/10 ml finely grated lime rind
1-2 teaspoons/5-10 ml sugar (optional)
fresh coriander, picked
spring onions, cut in lengths

  • Heat the oil in a large wok or saucepan and add the onions and curry paste.
  • Cook for 3 minutes over medium heat, whilst stirring.
  • Add the coconut and stock (or water) and bring to the boil.  Stir then reduce the heat and cook uncovered for 5 minutes.
  • Add the beans, carrots and broccoli, kaffir limes and corn to the pan and cook uncovered for 5 minutes. 
  • Add the corn, fish sauce, lime juice and rind, and sugar, if using, after tasting.
    Ladle the soup into deep bowls and sprinkle over some coriander and spring onions.
This can also be served with rice, if desired.

Make your own Green curry paste:
1 tablespoon/15 ml coriander seeds
2 teaspoon/10 ml cumin seeds
1 teaspoon/5 ml black peppercorns
2 teaspoons/10 ml dried shrimp paste
8 large fresh green chilies, roughly chopped
1 cup/250 ml shallots, chopped
1 tablespoon/15 ml ginger, chopped
12 small cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup/250 ml fresh coriander leaves, chopped
6 kaffir lime leaves, chopped
3 stems lemon grass (white part only), finely chopped
2 teaspoons/10 ml grated lime rind
2 teaspoons/10 ml salt
2 tablespoons/30 ml vegetables oil
Makes approximately 1 cup.
  • Place the coriander and cumin seeds in a dry frying pan and heat for 2-3 minutes, shaking the pan constantly.
  • Pour the roasted spices and peppercorns in a mortar and pestle or spice grinder and grind until fine.
  • Grill the shrimp paste for 2-3 minutes, then add to the spices.  Add all to a processor.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and process fo 20 seconds until the mixture forms a smooth paste — periodically scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Categories
MAIN COURSE

Herb crusted salmon with Swiss chard


This is a very elegant and delicious dish to serve at your next dinner party.  Most of the components can be prepared well in advance.

SALMON WITH HERB CRUST

Serves 4

Preheat the oven to 220ºC/430ºF.

 800 g/1.8 lb salmon, skinned, bones removed
salt and freshly ground white pepper
1 tablespoon mustard
2 tablespoons tomato sauce (recipe follows)
2 tablespoons mushroom duxelle (recipe follows)
200 g soft herb crust (recipe follows)

Cut the salmon in even portions and season with salt and pepper. Lightly spread Dijon mustard on top of each piece of fish,  then a spread of the tomato sauce, then the mushroom duxelle. Place a neat tile (the size of the fish) of the soft herb crust on top of the fish.  Heat an ovenproof pan with a splash of oil and put the salmon in with the crusted side facing up. Cook for 1 minutes then place the pan in the preheated oven for 6-8 minutes.

Keep an eye on it so that the crust does not burn.  Set aside to rest for 5 minutes.

Tomato sauce:
100 ml/3.4 fl oz olive oil
½ shallot, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
6-8 large ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded and finely diced
1 sprig fresh thyme
¼ bay leaf

Heat the olive oil in a pan and sauté the shallots and garlic for a few minutes without coloring. Add the tomato and thyme and continue cooking very gently until all the moisture of the tomato has evaporated and you are left with a dry tomato paste. Remove the sprig of thyme and bay leaf, and put the mixture in a blender and blend until smooth.

The mushroom duxelles:
2 cups mixed mushrooms, finely chopped
salt and freshly ground white pepper
1 tablespoon cream

Wipe the mushrooms and trim the stalks if necessary. Chop very finely in a processor or by hand, then cook in a dry pan until all their liquid has evaporated and the mushrooms formed a paste.

Add the cream and mix in to bind the mushrooms.

Yoghurt can be used instead of cream, but add it right at the end of cooking the mushrooms and do not bring to a boil.


The herb crust:
175 g/6 oz fresh breadcrumbs
80 g/2.8 oz Gruyère cheese
50 g/1.87 oz mixture of fresh parsley, fresh tarragon, and fresh thyme leaves, finely
chopped
125 g/4.4 oz unsalted butter
salt and freshly ground pepper

Place all the ingredients into a food processor and process until thoroughly mixed. On a tray lined with greaseproof paper, spread the crumb mixture about 2 mm/0.07 in thick on to a tray and freeze uncovered.  Cut the crust big enough to fit nicely on top of each portion of the fish.

There will be some left over.  Cover it tightly and freeze for later us.


The sauce:
500 g/1 lb  butter
1 tablespoon shallots, minced
100 ml/3.4 fl oz white wine
1½ cup fish stock
pinch of kosher salt
pinch of white pepper
lemon juice

Heat 1 tablespoon butter and add the shallots.  Sauté until translucent (do not brown), then add the wine.  Reduce until there are only about 1 tablespoon of the wine left, then add the fish stock and reduce until half.  Set the pan over low heat and whisk 2 knobs of butter into the reduction and continue whisking the rest of the butter, a knob at a time, allowing each piece to dissolve into the sauce before adding more.  When all the butter is used up, remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the lemon juice.  Taste and adjust the seasoning, then strain through a fine sieve into a bowl.  Keep warm.

The Swiss chard:
1 large bunch of Swiss chard, freshly picked
1 small clove garlic, sliced
1 tablespoon/15 ml butter
salt

Rinse out the Swiss chard leaves thoroughly, then remove the tough stalk and cut the leaves into wide strips.

Heat a saucepan on medium heat, add the olive oil and the garlic and sauté for a few seconds, then add the sliced Swiss chard leaves and salt. With tongs lift and stir the leaves constantly to ensure that the bottom ones don’t overcook. (It should not be necessary to add water because the chard releases quite a bit of moisture.) Do this for no longer than 5 minutes. It will become soft and silky and still is bright green.  Taste a piece and add seasoning if necessary.  Set aside until needed. 

To serve:
In the centre of each serving plate, spoon the Swiss chard, place the salmon on top and spoon the sauce around.  Serve immediately.

 

Categories
MAIN COURSE

Oxtail wrapped in a herb dumpling


Serve with rice and fried glazed ginger and lemon confit with glazed baby beetroot and horseradish cream.

This can be made with leftover oxtail.
The meat should be very tender and come off the bone quite easily after the cooking process. If you prefer, leave the meat on the bone and serve the dumplings, steamed in a bamboo steamer, separately.
OXTAILServes 4 with possible leftovers
If you have the time (and inclination), prepare a separate stock to strengthen the flavor of your dish.  It is optional but worth it.  Start making this sauce before starting to cook the oxtail.
Additional flavor: (Optional)
1 tablespoon olive oil
any trimmings from the oxtail
1 medium onion, diced
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
2 cups beef stock, heated
2 cups of water
reserved tomato peels and seeds plus 1 extra tomato finely diced
3 juniper berries
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
2 thyme sprigs
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
season to taste
In a saucepan, add all the above ingredients and bring to a boil, skimming the surface all the time to remove all the impurities.  Cook for 30 minutes and let sit for another 30 minutes whilst preparing for the cooking of the oxtail.

The oxtail:
1 oxtail, trimmed and wiped dry, reserve the trimmings
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
½ bottle of red wine
1 large onion, chopped finely
3 cloves of garlic, chopped finely
1 cinnamon stick, whole
2 bay leaves
4 whole cloves
2 cups beef stock, heated (or the stock you prepared earlier, if you did)
salt and freshly ground pepper

1 large tomato, peeled, seeded and finely diced
1 onion, finely chopped

The lemon confit:
6 lemons, zest and juice
150 g (5.2 oz) castor sugar

The garnish: (optional)
glazed ginger, sliced and lightly fried in butter

The beetroot:
8 baby beetroot
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 sprig of thyme
1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 small onion, thinly sliced
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey, or to taste
1 teaspoon port

The horseradish cream:
¼ cup fresh horseradish, grated
1 tablespoon mustard
½ teaspoon lemon juice
½ castor sugar or to taste
1 tablespoon dill
salt and pepper
1 cup cream, whipped

The oxtail:

  • Heat the oil in a cast iron pan and add the oxtail pieces. Fry over moderate heat until brown all over, then add the red wine and bring to a boil until nearly dry, stirring regularly.
  • Add the onions, garlic, cinnamon, bay leaves, cloves, hot stock (or the above prepared sauce, strained), and salt and pepper, and cover tightly with the pan lid. Turn down the heat to a moderate simmer.
If you prefer to cook the oxtail in the oven, now is the time to put it in an oven preheated to 180°C/356°F.
  • Cook for at least two hours, checking at regular intervals that it does not cook dry. Top up with 1 cup boiling water and repeat every time it seems to be cooking dry.
  • When the meat separates easily from the bones, remove from the heat.  Spoon the meat in a separate container and leave the sauce, which should have formed a thick sludge by now, behind and keep warm.
  • Check the seasoning of the sauce, discard the cinnamon stick and bay leaves (and cloves if you can find them!), then reduce the sauce to a syrupy consistency and remove from the heat. Set aside in a warm place.
If you plan to serve the oxtail on the bone with the steamed dumplings, your oxtail is ready to be served now.
  • If you want to serve it with the dumplings wrapped around the meat, remove the bones from the meat and discard.
  • Roughly chop the meat, and mix in the tomato and onion. Shape the mixture into a sausage about 6 cm/2.5 in in diameter, and roll it in plastic film.
  • Twist the ends to seal well, then refrigerate to set.

For the dumplings:

  • Into a food processor bowl, sift the flour and baking powder, add oil and enough milk to bind the mixture and pulse until it just comes together as a dough.
  • Add the cheese and chives and pulse again to just combine.
  • Transfer the mixture to a lightly floured surface and knead very lightly. Roll out the pastry to a rectangle measuring 18 x 48 cm/7 x 19 x in.
  • Carefully remove the plastic film from the oxtail sausage and place the meat in the center of the dumpling dough. Roll the dough over the meat and seal the edges. Trim the two ends of the sausage then cut it into 8 even slices.
  • Prepare the steamer and line each steam basket with some cabbage leaves rubbed with oil. Place the oxtail dumplings flat on the cabbage leaves (this is to prevent the oxtail from sticking to the basket) so that the meat is visible and steam for 15 minutes.
  • Halfway through the steaming process change the steamer baskets around so that they both get equal steam.
  • Carefully remove each dumpling and put on a warm plate. Discard the cabbage leaves.

For the lemon confit:

  • Peel the lemons, leaving the pith behind, and slice the zest as fine as possible. Place the zest in a saucepan and just cover it with water. Bring to the boil but drain as soon as it starts boiling.
  • Repeat the whole process twice, starting off with fresh cold water every time.
  • After the final draining, place the zest back in the saucepan and cover with the lemon juice and the sugar and, if necessary, add a little water. Cook over very low heat (barely simmering) until the zest is tender and the juice becomes syrupy.

The beetroot:

  • On a large piece of foil, place the beetroot in the centre and drizzle with the olive oil, then add thyme and garlic. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Enclose the foil and seal, then place on a baking tray. Bake for about 1 hour until very tender.
  • Remove from the oven and, unwrap the foil and tip the beetroot into a bowl. Cover the bowl with some plastic film and leave for 20 minutes to allow the skins to loosen and the beetroot to cool.
  • Remove the plastic film and discard the thyme and garlic.
  • Rub off the skins of the beetroot and cut in half. Put all the beetroot in a bowl and add the onion.
  • In a saucepan, bring to a boil the vinegar, honey, port and 1 tablespoon cold water. Reduce until it starts to thicken to a rich glaze. Add the cooked beetroot and stir to cover with the glaze, remove from the heat and leave to cool.

For the horseradish:

  • In a food processor blend the horseradish, lemon juice, sugar and dill.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk the cream until stiff then fold into the horseradish mixture.
  • Season to taste, then strain through a sieve (optional) and refrigerate for 4 – 8 hours.

To serve:
Pour the sauce in the center of the plate and place two of the oxtail dumplings on top. Spoon the lemon confit and ginger on top of the oxtail and serve on rice with glazed baby beetroot and horseradish cream.

Categories
STARTERS/SIDES

Mixed vegetables with coriander and beetroot gel


Add more or different vegetables and serve as a sidedish with Leg of lamb, deboned, rolled and stuffed with rosemary and garlic.

For the beetroot gel, start the day before.

The beetroot gel:
4 large beetroot, grated, to yield 150 ml/5 fl oz beetroot juice
2 tablespoons castor sugar
2 tablespoons ruby port
½ star anise
1 tablespoon wine vinegar
a pinch mustard seeds
2 leaves gelatine, soaked

  • Make the beetroot jelly in advance. Place all the ingredients in a pan except the gelatine and bring to the boil.
  • Pass through a fine sieve then add the gelatine and stir until dissolved.
  • Pour into a container lined with cling film bout 2 cm deep and leave to set in the refrigerator.

The vegetables:
12 baby carrots, trimmed, leave some of the stalks on
4 baby fennel bulbs, thinly sliced
12 small asparagus, trimmed
½ cauliflower, cut into florets
micro salad leaves

The coriander vinaigrette:
3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
pinch salt
4 tablespoons olive oil
½ cup coriander, picked and finely chopped

 

  • Blanch the carrots and fennel until just tender for 3-5 minutes, then refresh in ice water and drain.
  • Blanch the asparagus and cauliflower 1-2 minutes, refresh in ice water and drain.
  • For the coriander vinaigrette, whisk together the vinegar sugar and salt until the sugar is dissolved, then add the oil and whisk until the mixture amalgamates.
  • Stir in the coriander and set aside to intensify the flavor of the coriander.
  • To serve, toss the vegetables in the coriander vinaigrette just before serving.
  • Serve immediately.

 

Categories
STARTERS/SIDES

Bloody Mary jellies


Served with savory puffs filled and goat’s cheese cream

This truly delectable and very sophisticated jelly makes a perfect starter. Those who prefer not to use alcohol, use more tomato juice. The savory puffs can be omitted and instead serve with some cheese crackers.

BLOODY MARY JELLYServes 4

The jelly:
1½/ cups/350 ml tomato juice
⅓ cup/80 ml vodka
1 tablespoon/15 ml Worcestershire sauce (for vegetarians use soy sauce)
1 tablespoon/15 ml lemon juice
a few drops Tabasco, or according to taste
½ tablespoon/3 ml horseradish, freshly grated
celery salt to taste
4 teaspoons/20 ml gelatine powder
½ cup/125 ml water

The savory puffs:
½ cup/125 ml milk
115 g/4 oz unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons
large pinch of salt
1 cup/250 ml flour, sifted
4 large eggs
1 cup/250 ml Gruyère cheese, finely grated
freshly ground pepper
freshly grated nutmeg

Use any leftover savory puffs to fill with cream cheese and chives, leftover fish mixed with some mayonnaise, etc..

The filling:
½ cup/125 ml goat’s cheese, crumbled
2 tablespoons/30 ml light cream cheese
2 teaspoons/10 ml olive oil
1 tablespoon/15 ml of water
1 tablespoon/15 ml fresh lemon juice
1 fresh garlic clove, crushed
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

The garnish:
a few celery leaves
a few sprigs of cress

For the jelly:

  • Mix all of the ingredients together, except the gelatine. Leave to infuse for about 30 minutes, then strain.
  • Heat about ½ cup/125 ml of the liquid and stir in the gelatin powder until dissolved.
  • Add to the rest of the liquid, pour into shot glasses, big enough for one serving each, and place in the refrigerator for at least three hours to set.

For the savory puffs:

  • Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. 
  • In a medium saucepan, bring the water, milk, butter and salt to a boil.
  • Add the flour and stir it with a wooden spoon until a smooth dough forms.
  • Lower the heat and stir until the dough pulls away from the sides, about 2 minutes.
  • Scrape the dough into a bowl and let it cool for 1 minute. Lightly beat the eggs and add to the dough, a little bit at a time, mixing well before adding more egg.
  • Add the cheese, the pepper and the nutmeg.
  • Transfer the dough to a pastry bag fitted with a 1.3 cm/0.5 in round tip and pipe tablespoon-size mounds onto the baking sheets, 5 cm/2 in apart.
  • Sprinkle with cheese and bake for 22 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown.
  • Poke a hole in the base of each puff to let out the steam. Leave to cool until ready to serve

For the savory puff filling:

  • Blend together all the ingredients until creamy, adding an extra tablespoon/15 ml water if necessary.
  • When ready to serve, place a shot glass on each plate and top it with some of the savory puff filling.
  • Pipe the filling into each savory puff and place one on each serving plate with the Bloody Mary jelly.
  • Garnish with a few celery leaves and cress and serve immediately.
Categories
STARTERS/SIDES

Roast aubergine with an Asian spiced dressing


Aubergine tastes very good with Asian flavorings.  Try my Asian spice dressing for a delightful new slant on aubergine on it’s own.

ROAST AUBERGINE.jpg

4 medium size aubergine
salt
2 to 3 tablespoons/15 to 45 ml extra-virgin olive oil
8 fresh thyme sprigs
lemon wedges for serving

To reduce the aubergine’s ability to absorb oil, salt the cut flesh and letting it sit for 30 minutes or more. Then drain, rinse, pat dry, and proceed with cooking.

Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F.

  • Wipe the aubergine clean and slice them in half lengthwise.
  • With the tip of a knife, score the flesh deeply in a diamond cross-hatch pattern.
  • Press on the edges of the halves to open the cuts and sprinkle salt over the surface and into the cuts.
  • Set aside, cut side down on a draining rack, for 30 minutes.
  • Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  • Rinse the aubergine to get rid of as much salt as possible, then arrange on the baking sheet cut side up, pour the olive oil over and scatter some thyme leaves over every half.
  • Roast for 1 hour. The aubergine flesh will be a deep brown caramel color.
  • Let cool considerably before handling, at least 20 min.
  • If serving as part of an antipasto platter, serve with a lemon wedge for squeezing.

Asian spice dressing
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons peanut oil
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1 teaspoon mirin
black pepper to taste

In a small mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients well, cover and refrigerate for 1 – 2 hours to allow the flavors to blend. Shake well before using.

 

 

Categories
MAIN COURSE

Salmon and prawns poached in a seafood broth


The stock:
1/3 cup/80 ml olive oil
2 tablespoons/30 ml lightly smoked bacon, finely chopped
1 onion, roughly chopped
1 leek, roughly chopped
2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons/30 ml fresh fennel, finely sliced or 1 tablespoon/15 ml fennel seeds
6 cloves garlic, chopped
¼ cup/60 ml white wine
1 tablespoon/15 ml orange zest
8 ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 tablespoon/15 ml tomato paste
1 medium-hot red chili, seeded and chopped

If you want the broth spicier, add powdered chilli right at the end.

1 teaspoon/5 ml saffron strands, soaked in cold water
1 sprig of thyme
4 cups/1 liter fish stock, heated
15 g/½ oz butter

2 tablespoons/30 ml olive oil
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
reserved shells of prawns
1 teaspoon/5 ml Pernod
salt and freshly ground black pepper

The seafood:
4 tablespoons/60 ml olive oil
4 x 250 g/4 x 8.8 oz firm white fish fillets, on the bone, skin removed
8 large prawns, shelled and de-veined, reserve shells for stock
3 ripe tomatoes, skinned, seeded and diced
1 tablespoon/15 ml cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tablespoons/15 ml cold water (optional)

The aïoli (garlic mayonnaise):
4 egg yolks (See the Glossary on the use of excess egg whites.)
½ teaspoon/3 ml salt
3 cloves garlic (more if you wish)
2 teaspoons/10 ml lemon juice
2 cup/500 ml groundnut oil

The garnish:
2 tablespoons/30 ml fresh coriander, finely chopped
2 tablespoons/30 ml dill, finely chopped
crusty white bread, thinly sliced and lightly toasted

  • In a large saucepan, heat the oil and sauté the onions, bacon, leeks, celery, fresh fennel or fennel seeds and garlic until soft. Add the wine and boil until all the alcohol has evaporated, then add the orange zest, tomatoes, tomato paste, chili, saffron and soaking liquid, thyme and fish stock and bring to the boil. Boil for 15 minutes, then remove from the heat and set aside.
  • In a separate frying pan, heat the butter and olive oil and sauté the garlic, shells of the prawns until golden and aromatic. Deglaze the pan with the Pernod, then add the contents of the pan to the prepared stock and set aside until ready to poach the fish and prawns.
  • Strain the prepared stock thoroughly into a saucepan big enough for the fish, prawns and broth, and and discard the solids. Bring to a gentle simmer, then add the diced tomatoes and, if desired, thicken slightly with the cornstarch.

Use the cornstarch slush only if you find the stock too watery. But only add a little at a time to make sure that the stock does not end up too thick.

  • Let it simmer for a few minutes longer until slightly thickened, then add the fish to the simmering broth.
  • Poach for about 4 minutes, then carefully turn the fish over, add the prawns and poach 2 minutes more or until you are satisfied that the prawns are cooked. The fish should be opaque and cooked through but flake easily. Check the seasoning, then turn off the heat and prepare to serve.
  • For the aïoli, blend together the egg yolks, salt, garlic and lemon juice in a food processor. Add the oil in a thin steady stream while the machine keeps running. Continue until all the oil is incorporated. Check the seasoning.

This recipe contains raw eggs and is not suitable for pregnant women, the elderly or very young children. If you feel uneasy using raw egg yolks, see the recipe for Mayonnaise made with cooked egg.

To serve:
Lift the fish from the broth and place into deep pre-heated bowls. Carefully pour the broth around the fish, add two prawns to each dish, and sprinkle the fresh coriander and dill over. Serve the crusty bread and small bowls filled with the aïoli on the side.

Categories
STARTERS/SIDES

ANTIPASTO PLATTERS


ANTIPASTA1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In English, it is called the appetizer course, the French call it the hors d’oeuvre and in Italy, it’s called the antipasto — an exciting way to announce the start of a glorious feast. In true Italian tradition, antipasti are selected for color, flavor, texture and how well the different components work together.  When you start preparing the dish, it truly is a blank canvas and with the help of a few marinated and pickled vegetables, fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, cured meats, olives, cheese, nuts, and bread of your choice, all beautifully arranged … how can you not create a masterpiece?

Omit the meat, add a few more nuts, and you have a perfect vegetarian starter.

SEARED VENISON ANTIPASTO PLATTER 2

Here are the choices:
breadsticks or focaccia cut into bite size pieces
basil pesto
black olive tapenade 
stuffed green olives
Kalamata olives
Provolone cheese
Camembert cheese
Fontina
Parmesan crisps
Feta
fresh figs
melon
bunches of grapes
cherry tomatoes
spring onions
marinated mushrooms
pickled pearl onions
marinated artichoke hearts (from your supermarket or deli)
sun-dried tomatoes
roasted red peppers
roasted aubergine
Spanakopita
quail eggs

How to boil a quail egg to medium soft: Have ready a bowl of iced water. In a small saucepan, bring some water to a boil, enough to cover the quail’s eggs. (If one of the eggs just happens to be cracked, rub the cracked area with lemon juice or vinegar and lower the egg very gently into the water.) Boil the eggs for 1 minute, remove the pan from the heat and leave in the hot water for 30 seconds. Transfer the eggs to the reserved iced water and leave for 1 minute, then remove and peel.

thinly sliced salami
Prosciutto
anchovy fillets (drained)
nuts (try the Rosemary spiced mixed nuts)

Some basic rules:

  • With any antipasto platter, the quantity of each food item on the platter is a personal choice and is dependent on the number of guests.
  • Use your best judgment to create a balanced and interesting platter.
  • One large tray makes a nice visual impact, but one or more smaller plates will also work.
  • Prepare all the different elements of your platter and refrigerate separate in sealed containers. Assemble the plate just before serving.  Everything will look fresh and crispy.
  • Roll or fold sliced meats for a nice presentation.
  • Cut or shave pieces of cheese.
  • Keep sea salt and a pepper grinder handy for seasoning.
  • Have extra-virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar, or a special vinaigrette ready for drizzling.
  • Consider using small bowls placed on the tray for marinated condiments, nuts or olives.
  • Place bread away from moist veggies and pickles.

Use your imagination and flair to create a beautiful platter of delicious nibbles.

Categories
MAIN COURSE

Veal rolls stuffed with chicken liver and prosciuto in a Marsala and white wine sauce


Serve it with polenta cakes and pickled beetroot.

LINE

Serves 4

The rolls can be prepared the previous day and cooked just before serving.VEAL ROLLS

The filling for the veal rolls:
15 ml/1 tablespoon oil
15 ml/1 tablespoon onion, finely chopped
2 rashers of bacon, finely diced
2 free-range chicken livers
5 ml/1 teaspoon rosemary, finely chopped
30 ml/2 tablespoons fresh white breadcrumbs
30 ml/2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
5 ml/1 teaspoon parsley, finely chopped
1 free-range egg, beaten
pinch nutmeg, freshly grated
5ml/1 teaspoon lemon juice
salt and freshly ground black pepper

The veal:
12 thin slices of veal
12 slices of prosciuto
50 g/1.7 oz butter

The sauce:
30 ml/1 tablespoons olive oil 125ml/½ cup shallots, thinly sliced
5 ml/1 teaspoon garlic, minced
80ml/⅓ cup beef stock
80ml/⅓ cup Marsala wine
salt
10 ml/2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
10 ml/2 teaspoons parsley, finely chopped

If Marsala wine is not available, use port or sherry.

The polenta:
2 liters/4.3 pts milk
300 g/10.5 oz polenta
50 g/1.7 oz Parmesan cheese, grated
50 g/1.7 oz butter
1125 ml/½ cup chopped fresh chives
salt
150 g/5.2 oz butter for frying the mushrooms
500 g/1 lb mixed mushrooms
freshly ground black pepper
60 ml/¼ cup vegetable oil

Heat the oil and fry the onion and bacon until crisp, remove from the pan and drain on paper towel. Add the chicken liver to the same pan and fry for 1 minute, remove and drain, then chop the liver fine and mix well with the bacon and the rest of the filling ingredients. Divide up into twelve portions.

Between two sheets of cling-film, beat the slices of veal flat with a mallet. Put a portion of filling on top of each of the veal slices and carefully roll up the veal with the filling, taking care no to let the filling push out on the sides. Put each roll on top of a slice of prosciuto and roll up again. Secure with toothpicks. Cover and place in the refrigerator for one hour.
In a heavy based saucepan and over medium heat, melt the butter and fry the veal rolls until they are evenly cooked and golden brown – about 3 minutes on each side. Remove from the pan and keep aside in a warm place for 10 minutes.

Add the olive oil to the saucepan in which the veal rolls were cooked, add the shallots and over low heat saute for about 2 minutes, then add the garlic. Turn the heat up and deglaze the pan with the Marsala wine, then add the chicken stock, parsley and rosemary and cook until the liquid is reduced by half. Season to taste and return the veal rolls and any accumulated juices to the pan. Spoon the sauce over the veal rolls and simmer for about 1 minute.

Meanwhile, bring 2 liters/4.3 pts milk to the boil in a large saucepan, add the polenta gradually in a thin, steady stream, stirring all the time. Add salt and cook over low heat for about 45 minutes, stirring frequently.

Remove the polenta from the heat and gently stir in the Parmesan cheese and chives. In a frying pan, heat the butter then fry the mushrooms until cooked and mix in with to the polenta which should be quite soft.  Pour the hot polenta into a square dish about 2 cm/0.7 in thick. Leave to set then slice into squares of about 8 x 8 cm/3 x 3 in.
Heat a frying pan with the oil until quite hot. Gently lower the polenta squares one by one into the hot pan and fry until golden on both sides. Drain on kitchen towel.

Serve the veal rolls sliced at a slant across with the polenta and Pickled beetroot salad. Drizzle the sauce around and serve immediately.