Tag: Vegetables

Categories
SOUPS/SAUCES/CONDIMENTS

Roast butternut and figs with pine nuts and goat’s cheese


1 small butternut
75ml olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper
12 spring onions
1 teaspoon/5 ml chili powder (or more if you want it stronger)
8 fresh, ripe figs, halved
40 ml balsamic vinegar
20g caster sugar
2 tablespoons/30 ml pine nuts, toasted
½ cup/125 ml soft goat’s cheese, crumbled

Heat the oven to 220°C/425°F. Peel the butternut , cut in half lengthways, then cut into smaller wedges and pack loosely in a baking tray. Pour three tablespoons/45 ml of the olive oil over and season well with the salt and freshly ground black pepper. Roast for 25 minutes until soft, then remove from the oven and set aside. Heat the rest of the olive oil in a frying and add the spring onions. Fry until tender and sprinkle over the chili powder. Remove from the pan and set aside. Then add the figs cut side down to the same pan and fry until lightly caramelized.

Meanwhile, make the dressing. Put the balsamic vinegar and sugar in a small saucepan, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for two to four minutes, until it thickens but is still runny. Remove from the heat.

Arrange the butternut on a serving plate and add the figs and spring onions. Sprinkle over the pine nuts and scatter the cheese crumbs all round. This dish can be served hot or at room temperature.

Categories
MAIN COURSE METHODS

Stuffed beef fillet rolled in pastry and served with cauliflower cream and sweet peas


This dish is a variation of the Beef Wellington in a way.  It is, however, fabulous for dinner parties and is always enjoyed by all.

BEEF WELLINGTON

Serves 4

The beef roll:
450 g/1 lb mixed mushrooms
salt
8 green asparagus, trimmed and blanched in salted water
8-10 slices prosciutto
2 tablespoons/30 ml olive oil
700 g/1.6 lbs beef fillet, trimmed
2 tablespoons/30 ml wholegrain mustard
450 g/1 lb puff pastry
1 eggs, whisked, for glazing

The sauce:
1 cup/250 ml red wine
1½ cup/375 ml beef stock, heated
the reserved mushroom paste
½ cup/125 ml full cream

The cauliflower cream:
1 tablespoon/15 ml butter
1 medium size cauliflower, cut into small pieces
1 cup/250 ml full cream
1 tablespoon/15 ml crème fraîche
¼ teaspoon nutmeg, grated
2 teaspoons/10 ml lemon juice
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

The peas:
2 cups/500 ml peas (fresh or frozen and defrosted)
1 tablespoon/15 ml butter
1 tablespoon/15 ml sugar
salt
2 teaspoons/10 ml mint, finely chopped

  • In a food processor, chop the mushrooms until a rough paste forms. Transform to a non-stick frying pan and dry fry the mushrooms until all its natural moisture has evaporated. Season and put aside to cool.
  • Cut the beef horizontally but not right through. Stop about 3 cm/1¼ in away from the edge.
  • Fold the fillet open like a book and place between two sheets of plastic film.
  • With a mallet, lightly bash the meat all over to get an even thickness.
  • Sprinkle with salt on the cut side then spread the cooked mushrooms evenly all over (reserving 2 tablespoons/30 ml for the sauce) , leaving a small space on the edges all round.
  • Cut the asparagus tips off and set aside.
  • Place the stems in the center horizontally, then roll up the beef. Secure with a skewer or toothpicks.
  • Heat the olive oil in a frying pan until very hot and quickly sear the steak all round.
  • Set aside to cool.
  • When the meat has cooled almost completely, roll out a large piece of plastic film and place the prosciutto alongside each other to more or less the size you will need to cover the fillet all round.
  • Remove the skewers or toothpicks from the meat, then spread mustard all over the outside.
  • Place the meat in the center of the prosciutto and with the help of the plastic film, roll the fillet with the prosciutto into a neat roll.
  • Twist the ends of the plastic film to prevent it from splitting open and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 200°C/390°F and grease a baking tray.
  • When ready to cook, roll out the pastry into a rectangle, unwrap the beef carefully and place in the center of the puff pastry.
  • Brush the pastry edges all round with the egg wash then fold it over the beef and seal.
  • Trim the ends of the pastry and with the help of the egg wash, seal the ends neatly.
  • Paint the pastry all over with the egg wash and lift the roll onto the baking tray.
  • Refrigerate for about 15 minutes.
  • Remove the roll from the refrigerator and brush again with the egg wash.
  • Lightly score the top of the pastry and place in the oven to bake for 15 minutes.
  • Turn the baking pan around and lower the heat to 180°C/356°F. Bake for 10 minutes more.
  • Remove from the oven and let it rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing.
  • Heat the pan in which you seared the beef and deglaze it with the red wine.
  • When all the alcohol has evaporated and the pan is nearly dry, add the stock and reduce to half.
  • Add the mushroom paste and cook until the sauce has reduced to a half.
  • Stir in the cream and let it cook until it thickens.
  • Strain, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and pour back into the pan to keep warm.
  • After the beef roll has rested and you are ready to cut it, pour the juices that leaked out of the roll into the sauce and mix.
  • Meanwhile, for the cauliflower, bring water in a saucepan to the boil and add the butter and cauliflower. (The water should only come halfway up the cauliflower).
  • Cook until the cauliflower is tender. (The water should have reduced down to about half).
  • Pour all the content of the saucepan (and the water) into a food processor and blend until smooth. (It should be the consistency of thick whipped cream).
  • Add the cream, crème fraîche, nutmeg, salt and pepper and blend until smooth.
  • Add 1 teaspoon/5 ml of lemon juice and taste, then add more if required.
  • Pour back into the saucepan and keep warm until ready to serve.
  • Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the peas, a pinch of salt and 1 teaspoon/5 ml of sugar.
  • Let it heat through over low heat until the sugar has melted.
  • Add the chopped mint and set aside in a warm place until ready to serve.
Categories
SOUPS/SAUCES/CONDIMENTS

Prawn and vegetable cocktail with a creamy saffron and dill dressing


This is a very light and fresh starter.  It is very important not to overcook any of the ingredients; the whole dish should maintain its crispiness.

Serves 4

PRAWN AND VEGETABLE COCKTAIL

The prawns:
400 g (14 oz) raw prawns, de-veined and shelled
(reserve shells)
2 cups/500 ml fish stock, heated
1 teaspoon/5 ml salt

The vegetables:
1 cup/250 ml carrots, cut into cubes
1 cup/250 ml cauliflower, cut into small pieces
1 small courgette, cut into 1 cm pieces
salt
1 tablespoon/15 ml butter
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
½ teaspoon saffron thread

The mayonnaise:
2 tablespoons/30 ml mayonnaise
3 drops of Tobasco sauce
1 small shallot, finely chopped

The dressing:
½ cup/125 ml fresh cream
1 pinch saffron thread
salt and freshly ground white pepper
1 tablespoon/15 ml dill sprigs

The garnish:
1 large tomato, peeled, seeded and diced
½ red pepper, peeled, seeded and diced
1 tablespoon/15 ml parsley, finely chopped
1 tablespoon/15 ml French tarragon, finely chopped
1 tablespoon/15 ml basil, finely chopped
salt and freshly ground white pepper
mixed baby salad leaves

Bring the stock with the salt to a boil and poach the prawns with the reserved shells for 3-5 minutes in it. Remove the prawns from the stock and set aside to cool. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Strain the stock and discard the shells. Refrigerate the stock for another use.

In a saucepan, put the carrots and cover with just enough water, add salt, butter, garlic and the saffron and bring to a boil. Cook for 1 minute, then add the cauliflower and cook for another minute, then finally add the courgette and cook for 1 minute. Remove and drain on paper towel until ready to use. (The vegetables should still have a slight bite to them.)

Mix the mayonnaise with the Tobasco sauce and chopped shallot and set aside.

Bring the cream to the boil, then add the saffron, salt and pepper, and dill. Boil down to about half the amount, then strain, season and set aside to cool.

To serve:
Mix the tomato, pepper, herbs and salt and pepper.  Set aside.
Add the mayonnaise to the cooked vegetables and mix gently.  Set aside.
Chop the prawns roughly and mix with half the creamy dressing.
Place a pastry cutter of 7 cm diameter in the center of each serving plate. Divide the vegetables and spoon into each cutter, then repeat with the prawns on top. Scatter the tomato, pepper and herb mixture around and drizzle the cream over. Gently remove the pastry cutter. Top the cocktail with the mixed baby salad leaves and serve immediately.

Categories
MAIN COURSE

Beef brisket poached in spicy beef stock


Serve with Puy lentils, candied sweet potatoes and tomato and basil terrine.

BLOCK HORIZONTAL LINE

Serves 4

Brisket is an inexpensive cut of beef that requires long, slow cooking to break down the collagen in the connective muscle tissues which results in succulence and  tenderness.  The Tomato and basil terrine is a refreshing addition to the rich brisket dish.

BEEF BRISKET

The brisket:
2 tablespoons/30 ml olive oil
1 kg/2 lbs brisket with the bone on
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 red onion, roughly chopped
1 cup/250 ml dry red wine
2 cups spicy beef stock, heated
1 teaspoon/5 ml fresh ginger, grated
juice of ½ lemon
2 teaspoons/10 ml palm sugar
1 star anise
salt and freshly ground pepper
1 red chili, rib and seeds removed, finely chopped (optional)

The Puy lentils:
200 g/7 oz Puy lentils
1½ cup chicken stock
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 medium red onion, finely sliced
1 tablespoon/15 ml lemon juice
1 tablespoon/15 ml olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper

The sweet potatoes:
4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut across into 1 cm (0.4 in) thick slices
¼ cup/60 ml butter
¼ cup/60 ml sugar
juice of one orange

The tomato and basil terrine:  (Optional)
1 cup/250 ml olive oil
½ cup/125 ml balsamic vinegar
4 shallots, peeled and finely sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) very ripe tomatoes, peeled, sliced into petals and seeded
1 bunch basil
baby rocket leaves

Start with the terrine:  (If making)
For the marinade, combine the olive oil, vinegar, shallots, garlic and seasoning. Add the tomatoes to the marinade and refrigerate for 24 hours.
For the terrine, line four individual molds with plastic film, then push in each mold a layer of the tomato petals, then a basil leave, then salt and pepper and a drizzle of the marinade. Repeat until all the ingredients are used and pour the rest of the marinade over. Press down firmly and fit a piece of board cut to the size of the mold on top. Put small weights on top and leave for at least 8 hours to set before serving.
When ready to serve, invert the terrines on each of the serving plates with the brisket, Puy lentils and sweet potatoes.

For the brisket, heat the oil in a large saucepan and brown the brisket all over. Add the garlic and onion and stir until heated through, then add the red wine and allow to boil until almost evaporated. Add the beef stock and bring to a boil, then add the rest of the ingredients and cook, covered, for about ½ hour. Remove the star anise and continue cooking for another hour or until the meat is very tender. Check periodically to see that there is enough liquid to cover the meat. If necessary add a little bit of boiling water from time to time.

When the brisket is tender, remove from the saucepan and keep in a warm place. Add the chili (optional) to the saucepan and reduce the liquid in the pan until it is thick and syrupy.
Shred the brisket into smaller pieces, discard the bones (if any) and return the meat to the saucepan. Gently mix with the sauce in the pan and check the seasoning. Keep warm.

Cook the lentils in simmering unsalted chicken stock for 20 minutes or until tender. Drain and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Meanwhile, soak the red onion in the lemon juice for 5 minutes. Once the lentils are cooked, add the drained onion, olive oil and stir through.

In a saucepan, put the sweet potatoes and cover with water, salt and half the butter. Bring to the boil and cook until nearly all the water has evaporated. Pour in the orange juice, the rest of the butter and the sugar. Turn the heat down low and let the juices slowly caramelize.

Assemble the dish:
Serve the brisket on top of the Puy lentils with the Sweet potatoes and the Tomato and basil terrine (if using) around it.

 

Categories
MAIN COURSE STARTERS/SIDES

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.

OXTAIL WRAPPED IN A HERB DUMPLING, SERVED WITH FRIED GLAZED GINGER AND LEMON CONFIT AND A WARM RUSSIAN SALAD

Serves 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
MAIN COURSE

Barbeque marinated quail


Serve it with broccoli risotto and oyster sauce and a sweet and tangy coleslaw

BLOCK HORIZONTAL LINE

Serves 4

Quail should be serve pink in the inside therefore the cooking time is crucial.

BARBEQUE QUAIL

The marinade:
2 teaspoons/10 ml coarse salt
1 tablespoon/15 ml Sechuan peppercorns
1 medium shallot, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons/10 ml chili powder
1 tablespoon/15 ml olive oil
2 tablespoons/30 ml Shaoxing rice wine
4 quail, butterflied
¼ cup runny honey

The sauce:
1½ cup duck stock, heated
1½ cup chicken stock, heated
marinade with the solids
2 teaspoons/10 ml oyster sauce

The risotto:
2 tablespoons/30 ml olive oil
1 small shallot, finely chopped
1 cup/250 ml Arborio rice
1 cup/250 ml white wine
2 cups chicken stock
1 cup/250 ml broccoli, cooked but still crunchy
1 teaspoon/5 ml oyster sauce
½ cup/125 ml Parmesan cheese, finely grated
salt and freshly ground black pepper

The coleslaw:
2 medium carrots, peeled and finely chopped
½ small cabbage, shredded
½ red onion, finely chopped
2 spring onions, finely sliced
1 tablespoon/15 ml fresh ginger, finely chopped
1 tablespoon/15 ml Japanese mayonnaise
1 tablespoon/15 ml lemon juice
½ cup/125 ml fresh coriander

In a pestle and mortar, crush the peppercorns and salt, then add the shallot, garlic and chili powder and pound to a paste. Mix in the olive oil and rice wine and pour the mixture all over the quail. Put in a sealed container and marinade for at least eight hours.
When ready to grill, remove the quail from the marinade and wipe them clean. Sprinkle over a few pinches of salt and rub some olive oil in (to prevent it from sticking to the grill). Mix 2 tablespoons/30 ml of the marinade with the honey and use as basting when the quail is almost cooked.  The rest of the marinade will be used for the sauce.

Place the quail on a preheated barbeque grill. Cook for 3 minute on each side, then baste on the one side, cook for half a minute, then turn over and baste on the other side and cook for another half a minute. Remove the quails from the heat and keep warm for 15 minutes while preparing the sauce.

Bring the duck and chicken stock to a boil, add the reserved marinade and the oyster sauce and reduce to a light syrupy consistency. Strain and keep in a warm place.

In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil then lightly fry the shallots. Add the rice and stir to coat until it is lightly toasted but not colored. Add the wine and cook until all the alcohol has evaporated. Add half a cup of the chicken stock, cook and stir the rice until almost all the liquid has been absorbed, then add another half a cup of the stock and repeat until all the stock has been used up. When ready to serve, mix the cooked broccoli with the oyster sauce and add to the rice with the cheese and salt and pepper. Carefully stir everything through, being careful not to break up the broccoli. The rice should be creamy and not dry. Add a little hot water to loosen the mixture if it is too stiff.

Mix all the vegetables together, then stir in the mayonnaise, lemon juice and coriander. Serve immediately.

Categories
MAIN COURSE

BOLOGNESE


The difference between this and the traditional Bolognese recipe is that I do not let it cook for very long because I do not use canned tomatoes. I prefer the freshness and lightness the fresh tomatoes give the dish.

BOLOGNESE

To start:
25 g/8 oz butter
25 g/8 oz olive oil
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
2 large mushrooms, finely chopped

The meat:
25 g/8 oz butter
25 g/8 oz olive oil
70 g/2½ oz pancetta, finely sliced
1 onion, finely chopped
300 g/10.6 oz beef, minced
100 g/3.5 oz pork, minced
2 large, fresh tomatoes, peeled, deseeded and finely diced
¾ cup/175 ml white wine
1 cup/250 ml beef stock
¾ cup/175 ml whole milk

The pasta:
spaghetti (for 4 servings)
2 tablespoons/30 ml olive oil
2 tablespoons/30 ml parsley, finely chopped
grated Parmesan cheese, to serve

To start:
Melt the butter and oil in a heavy-based pan over medium heat, then add the garlic, carrot and celery and fry for 2 minutes. Add the mushroom and cook until the mushroom are cooked. Remove the vegetables from the pan with a slotted spoon and add some more butter and oil.

Turn up the heat then add the onion and pancetta and let it cook for a minute or so. Add the minced beef and pork, breaking it up with wooden spoon and leave to brown without stirring. Then stir and let brown some more. Stir in the reserved mushrooms and vegetables and the milk and stir through until the milk is well absorbed. Add the white wine and let it cook down, then add the tomatoes and half the stock. Cook until nearly dry then add the rest of the stock and cook some 15 minutes longer. Season to taste and remove from the heat. Keep it warm.

While the Bolognese is “resting”, cook the pasta until al dente in a deep saucepan with lots of salted water. Drain and pour back into the saucepan and drizzle some olive oil over. Stir through the parsley.

With a pasta serving fork, roll up the pasta and gently slide it onto a warm serving plate. Neatly spoon the meat sauce over the pasta, top it with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and more parsley if preferred.

Make double the meat sauce and use leftovers for making:
Stuffed roast peppers
Stuffed mushrooms
Sausage rolls with puff pastry.

For leftover spaghetti:
Mix with breadcrumbs, herbs and cheese and put it under the grill for a few minutes for a delightful snack or with a salad for lunch.

Categories
MAIN COURSE

Lamb and aubergine lasagne


Serves 4

To save time, the white sauce may be made up to two days ahead, the surface covered with plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use. Dried lasagne sheets, blanched, can be used in stead of fresh pasta. LASAGNE

Please note that this is not strictly the traditional Lasagne, which I believe comes without aubergine, mushrooms and spinach — contrary to this recipe. So, apologies to all the purists out there.

The vegetables:
2 large aubergines, thinly sliced horizontally
2 tablespoons/30 ml olive oil
1 tablespoon/15 ml butter
16 large field mushrooms, roughly chopped
1 cup/25 ml cooked spinach
salt and freshly ground black pepper

The meat sauce:
2 tablespoons/20 ml olive oil
2 large onions, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons/45 ml bacon, finely chopped
450 g/15.8 oz pork, minced
450 g/15.8 oz lamb, minced
750 g/1½ lb tomatoes, skinned, seeded and chopped
½ teaspoon/3 ml fennel seeds, crushed
2 tablespoons/30 ml tomato paste
½ teaspoon/3 ml cinnamon
pinch allspice, ground
salt and freshly ground pepper

The white sauce:
1 cup prepared Bechamel sauce

The topping:
1 cup/250 ml fresh breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons/30 ml fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tablespoon/15 ml garlic
250 g/9 oz Parmesan cheese, finely grated

Additional ingredients:
125 g/4.4 oz cheddar cheese, grated
125 g/4.4 oz Buffalo mozzarella cheese, sliced
12 fresh pasta sheets (cut to 14 x 7 cm/5.5 in x 2.7 in)

Preheat the oven to 180°C/356°F.

Sprinkle the aubergines with salt and set aside for 30 minutes, then rinse the aubergines and pat dry.

Heat the olive oil and butter in a large heavy non-stick pan and fry the mushrooms until cooked through. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon, season and set aside.

Heat some more oil and fry the aubergine slices until golden brown on both sides, then drain on kitchen towel and set aside.

In the same pan, heat the oil and fry the onions, garlic and bacon over moderate heat, until softened. Add the pork and lamb and cook, stirring to break up, until it is crisp and starting to caramelize. Stir in the remaining meat sauce ingredients and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for about 5 minutes more, uncovered.

Mix all the ingredients for the topping and set aside.

Assemble the dish:
Grease an ovenproof dish with a lid, approximately 34 x 24 cm/13 in x 9.5 in. Arrange enough pasta sheets to cover the bottom of the dish. Place the aubergine slices in a single layer over the pasta, then spread half of the meat sauce over the whole surface. Mix the mushroom mixture with the spinach and spread half of this over the meat sauce. Scatter half the mozzarella cheese over and pour half the white sauce over the cheese. Repeat the above steps once more ending with the white sauce. Sprinkle the topping over, drizzle some olive oil over, then cover the dish with the lid and bake in the middle of the oven for 30 minutes.

Remove the lid and bake the Lasagne for 10 minutes longer until the top is bubbling. For extra crispy and golden topping, grill under a preheated grill for about 2 minutes. Let the Lasagne stand for 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve with a simple fresh salad.2

Categories
MAIN COURSE

An Indian chicken dish delicately flavored with a selection of spices


Serve with Basmati rice, Poppadoms and a variety of sambals

BLOCK HORIZONTAL LINE

Serves 4

This is a wonderful dish to make a day ahead as the flavor becomes more intense overnight, therefore making it ideal for entertaining. 

INDIAN CHICKEN DISH

The chicken:
6 free-range chicken thighs
6 free-range drumsticks
3 tablespoons/45 ml oil
1 ℓ/4 cups chicken stock
4 tablespoons/60 ml plain yogurt
¼ cup/60 ml lemon juice
4 fresh green chilies, ribs and seeds removed, finely sliced
1 tablespoon/15 ml garam masala

 The spicy onion and tomato and mixture:
2.5 cm/1 in cinnamon stick
seeds of 2 large cardamom pods
8 black peppercorns
1 teaspoon/5 ml black cumin seeds, ground
1 teaspoon/5 ml chili powder
2 tablespoons/30 ml oil
3 medium onions, finely chopped
1 tablespoon/15 ml fresh ginger, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
6 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
salt to taste
250 ml/1 cup chicken stock

The rice:
(Adding the spices are optional.  Use plain Basmati rice if you wish otherwise make the Fruit, spice and nut rice)
450 g/16 oz Basmati rice
75 g/2.6 oz unsalted butter
1 tablespoon/15 ml corn oil
1 bay leaf
3 black peppercorns, crushed
4 green cardamom pods, crushed and husks removed
1 teaspoon/5 ml salt
75 g/2.6 oz sultanas
50 g almonds, flaked (slivered)
4 cups/1 liter water

The garnish:
2 tablespoons/30 ml fresh coriander, chopped
2 fresh green chilies, chopped (optional)

In a heavy-based saucepan, heat the oil and fry the chicken pieces until golden brown. Add the chicken stock and salt to taste, bring to the boil then  turn the heat down, cover and let it simmer gently for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile prepare the onion and tomato mixture.
In a coffee grinder or pestle and mortar, grind the cinnamon, cardamom seeds, peppercorns, cumin seeds and chili powder.
In a saucepan heat the oil and over low heat fry the onions, ginger and garlic gently until golden brown.  Add the ground spices and fry a little longer,  then add the tomatoes and cook slowly until the tomatoes break up and a thick sauce is formed.  Keep on cooking whilst stirring regularly. When all is thoroughly coated (take care that it does not stick to the bottom of the pan), season to taste.  If it becomes too thick before the tomatoes are cooked, add the chicken stock.  

Add the cooked onion and tomato spice mixture (recipe above) to the chicken, mix through and let it simmer, covered, over low heat for another 15 minutes.  Check constantly that it does not cook dry.  Add a little boiling hot water if necessary.   When cooked,  check the seasoning and remove the pan from the heat.  Add the yogurt, lemon, fresh chilies and garam masala to the chicken and gently mix to heat through.  Do not cook again.

Meanwhile, wash the rice twice, drain in a colander and set aside.  If making the spicy rice, heat the butter and oil in a medium saucepan, over low heat, and add the bay leaf, peppercorns and cardamoms, and fry for about 30 seconds. Add the rice, salt, sultanas and flaked almonds, and stir-fry for about 1 minute, then pour in the water. Bring to the boil, lower the heat, then cover with a tightly-fitting lid. Cook for 15-20 minutes then turn off the heat and leave the rice to stand, still covered, for about 5 minutes before serving.  When ready to serve, remove the bay leaf and fluff up the rice with a fork.

To serve:
Place a 10 cm (2 in) diameter pastry ring on the plate and fill it with the Fruit, spice and nut rice.  Arrange the chicken pieces around it with a generous helping of the sauce.  Lift the pastry rings off the rice and place some coriander and whole chili on top of the rice.  Serve the Sambals in small individual bowls for each guest and Naan bread and /or Poppadoms (available at upmarket super markets) on the side.

Categories
SOUPS/SAUCES/CONDIMENTS

Baked aubergine and mushroom stacks with tomato and balsamic vinegar


Serves 4

BAKED AUBERGINE AND MUSHROOM STACKS

The aubergine stacks:
2 tablespoons/30 ml olive oil
2-3 large aubergines, sliced across in 2 cm/0.8 in wide slices (you
should have 16 slices)
8 large black mushrooms, wiped clean
salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons/60 ml soft goat’s cheese
4 slices of brie, medium flavored
8 basil leaves

The tomato sauce
1 tablespoon/15 ml olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
3 large very ripe tomatoes, skinned and deseeded, roughly chopped
3 sprigs fresh rosemary, finely chopped
few sprigs of fresh thyme, leaves picked
salt and freshly ground black pepper
vegetable stock (optional), if needed

The dressing:
3 tablespoons/45 ml balsamic vinegar (not an expensive grade)
2 tablespoons/30 ml caster sugar
2 tablespoons/30 l water
zest of one lemon, finely chopped
2 tablespoons/30 ml chives, finely sliced

Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan and fry the aubergine slices until golden brown on both sides. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. In the same pan, fry the mushrooms, until they have released all their moisture. Remove from the heat and set aside.

For the tomatoes, heat the olive oil and over medium heat, fry the onion and garlic for about 1 minute. Turn up the heat, add the tomato and cook for about 10 minutes – nothing more. It must still retain the freshness. Add the herbs and season well. Reserve about 1 cup/250 ml for drizzling at the end.

For the dressing, bring the balsamic vinegar and sugar to the boil and remove from the heat immediately. (By the time you need to use the balsamic vinegar it might have turned too sticky to use. Just add a little water and reheat, stirring well.) Add the lemon zest and set aside.

Preheat the oven to 220°C/422°F.

To assemble:
In a heatproof dish make four “towers” starting at the bottom with one layer of aubergine, followed by a mushroom, a spoon full of tomato sauce and a layer of the soft goat’s cheese crumbled. Repeat this procedure until all the vegetables have been used, finishing with tomato. Put a slice of brie on top, scatter the crumb mixture over and drizzle a little bit of olive oil over. Put in the oven for about 10 minutes or until the brie starts bubbling. Remove from the oven and put a ”tower” on each plate. Drizzle the reserved tomato sauce around and a swirl of the balsamic vinegar glaze. Sprinkle the chopped chives and spring onions around, and serve immediately. If you have sufficient size ovenproof dishes, each “tower” can be baked and served individually.