Side Dishes & Accompaniments

Beer Batter (for fish etc)

2012-02-02T12:22:00.000-08:00

A traditional element of the most famous British "fish and chips" is the beer batter. Strictly speaking its a variable as one person to the next in terms of preference and you can tweak it to your own requirements. This recipe uses elements that complement fish best, but is a good middle of the road medium for deep frying lots of other things.

The presence of custard powder here is threefold - not only will you get the added benefit of crisp from the cornflour content, but the powdered egg will also act as a colouring / raising agent. The vanilla flavour will also subtly complement the fish and bring out its sweetness.

Other additions include:

Using half lemonade / beer to bring out a lemon flavour of the fish

Usage of dried strong flavoured herbs such as thyme, tarragon, rosemary, basil or even marjoram will give a nice herby element to your batter.

You will need (makes enough for about 4 fishes)

225g/8oz self-raising flour
300ml fridge cold lager
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
1 tbsp custard powder.

The doing bit

Combine dry ingredients with wet gradually until a uniform mixture is reached.

Be sure to coat your fish first with a seasoned flour first before applying batter.

Parsnip & Chestnut Soup (Another winter warmer)

2012-01-31T13:46:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of mistress-of-spices.com

I made this some years back during the winter, thinking along the lines of something to complement parsnips and the mid range in flavour tones they have, which is not to dissimilar from vanilla. I had thought along the lines of honey or similar, but then it hit me - a can of chestnut puree eyed me suspiciously from the shelf and thus this hearty winter warmer was born.

It is a very filling, sweet and comforting soup. If you are a fan of parsnips and generally sweet vegetables this will be right up your alley. Posted at the request of Jaffacake - this recipe hits all the buttons for the budding soupmaker. It works on a number of levels and can be applicable to alot of vegetables such as carrot, sweet potato, butternut squash and even turnip or mooli radish.

Feel free to play around with the recipe a little - use of mellow spices such as turmeric and cumin can make this dish even more pleasurable.

You will need (makes a large batch of about 4-6 portions)

3 or 4 parsnips, cleaned and peeled into ribbons. Chopping them up works but will take alot longer.
Can of chestnut puree
500ml milk
250ml vegetable or chicken stock.
1 large onion diced finely.
Teaspoon of butter or margarine

Heat up a large pan, add the finely diced onion and the butter. Cover the pan and allow the onions to sweat and soften, then add the parsnips. Allow the parsnips to colour slightly then turn the heat down to low and cover the pan until the parsnips begin to break up. Add the milk and allow to come up to temperature, but not boil, When the parsnips have turned to a mash texture, add the chestnut puree then blend to a uniform texture.

Add the stock, bring to the boil then simmer for approx 20 minutes. Taste and season appropriately

Serve while piping hot, and add a spoonful of honey if feeling adventurous.

Classic Italian Tomato Sauce

2012-01-26T20:48:00.000-08:00

image courtesy of www.grow-tomato-sauce.com

Surprisingly enough i hadnt gotten around to adding a tomato sauce recipe until now. How i had overlooked such a rudimentary sauce for my online food arsenal is beyond me - but fear not. Here it is.

Tomato sauce is one of those base sauces that has a number of applications from everything to pasta to parmesan and everything in between. You can also use it as a combination ingredients for other things too.

You will need:

3 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
1 Onion, Diced to same proportions as the garlic
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cans chopped Tomatoes or passata (passata will perform better and cook in less time)
glass red wine
1/2 tsp sea salt.
Handful Fresh Basil, Finely Chopped, If dried 1 Tbsp,
Handful Fresh Oregano, Finely Chopped, If dried 1 Tbsp,
2 Tbsp Tomato Puree,

The doing bit

In a pan heat up the olive oil and add the onions and cover the pan until the onions soften. Add the garlic and red wine and allow to cook for about 2 minutes.

Add the salt and allow liquid to reduce to a syrup consistency.

Add the tomatoes and herbs, bring the mixture to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer for about 5 minutes, Once mixture has simmered add tomato puree and stir in. Simmer for a further 5 mins then remove from heat.

Serve as necessary or cool and store.

Sauce Au Poivre (Peppercorn sauce)

2012-01-26T09:14:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of bigoven.com

I love peppercorn sauce - it goes well with alot of things and its meaty flavour helps accentuate most meats from chicken to veal and everything inbetween. Its a popular steak sauce and simple and quick to make, so i've included it here for those of you wishing to make it for your own culinary curiosity,

You will need:

2 knobs of butter
Finely chopped shallot
Half a handful of parsley finely chopped
Roughly ground black pepper and a 8-10 of peppercorns
Shot of brandy
Ladle of beef , lamb, chicken, or veal stock
Salt
2 tbsp. double cream

In a pan melt the butter and add the shallot. Cover the pan and allow to sweat on a moderate heat (but dont let the butter burn). When the shallot has softened add the peppercorns, and ground pepper. Cook for 3-4 mins still covered, then add the brandy. Flame until alcohol has burned off, then add the stock. Reduce by a third and taste. If more punch is required reduce until half of liquid has gone, then add the cream and parsley. Cook for a further minute then serve.

Broccoli & Stilton Soup

2012-01-21T12:56:00.000-08:00

image courtesy of lovefoodhatewaste.com

A classic soup - this combines helathy broccoli with tasty Stilton in order to crate a hearty and welcome soup. Back in the day i used to make this virtually daily, and as such this recipe employs a few tips and tricks to bring out the flavour of this wonderful soup to new heights. You wont be disappointed.

Posted here at the request of Josh Brown, may he long enjoy this recipe :)

You will need (makes about 4-6 portions)

1 pint bechamel sauce
250ml vegetable or chicken stock
100ml white wine or dry cider
1 head of brocolli (chopped into roughly 1cm pieces - stalk included)
100g stilton
tbsp butter

The doing bit

In a large saucepan, add the butter and heat until bubbling. add the chopped broccoli and cover the pan and allow the broccoli to sweat until it begins to soften. Add the stock, bring to the boil then simmer.When the broccoli is completely soft, blend.

In a separate pan add the wine and stilton and heat gently until the cheese melts into the wine and forms a uniform paste.Heat the bechamel separately and add the cheese mix to the bechamel.

Combine cheese / bechamel mix with the broccoli blend. Cook at a simmer for a further five minutes and season if necessary.

Serve piping hot.

Beetroot Soup (A winter warmer)

2012-01-17T03:55:00.000-08:00

Ordinarily I wouldn't go out of my way to buy beetroot. Don't get me wrong its a wonderfully useful vegetable, full of nutrients etc - it just often slips my mind. That said its quite low in calorie and generally good for you.

The shopping trip last night yielded some beetroot from the reduced section at a price that couldn't be refused, and as a result i decided to reunite with an old love - beetroot soup. Its extremely colourful, quite filling and very warming. And for the most part its healthy too!

You will need:

4 fresh beetroot (smallish) peeled and chopped into 1cm pieces
Pinch nutmeg
Tbsp butter
1 white onion (large) chopped to the same proportions
250ml whole milk
2 cloves
1 litre vegetable or chicken stock.
(optional) handful of fresh coriander chopped

The doing bit:

In a pan add the milk, cloves and a pinch of nutmeg. Warm the milk through and allow to infuse but do not let it boil.

Put the butter into a pan and heat until melted and bubbling. Add the onion and beetroot - put the lid on the pan and allow to "sweat" until the onions become soft. Add the milk infusion and the stock. Bring to the boil then simmer until the beetroot pieces become soft. Add any optional herbs & blend, then season if necessary with salt and pepper.

Serve piping hot, with an optional dollop of cinnamon creme fraiche.

Yasai Yakitori (grilled japanese skewers with yakitori sauce)

2012-01-15T14:48:00.000-08:00

In true tradition of most yakitori dishes, these yasai (vegetables) are in keeping with the tradition. They form a colourful and flavoursome side dise, and can fit in almost any setting, being as a starter, accompaniment to a main course, or a delightful finger food on buffets. They're also extremely easy to make. Did i happen to mention they're healthy also?

You will need:

1 courgette, cut into 1 inch pieces
3 thick spring onions, bulb only, cut in 1 inch chunks (sliced diagonally for aestheics)
1 orange or yellow pepper, trimmed, deseeded, and cut into 1 in chunks
6 button mushrooms
6 cherry tomatoes
Vegetable oil
salt and white pepper
2 tbsp yakitori sauce
6 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for about 2 hours

Thread 1 of each piece of vegetable on each skewer, the order doesn't matter so much, but for aesthetics and uniformity, remember your original configuration. Brush with vegetable oil and season with salt and white pepper.

Heat a heavy bottomed frying pan or griddle until smoking, then add the skewers turning frequently for 4-5 until golden brown.

Drain on kitchen paper to remove excess oil. Brush with yakitori sauce and serve.

Devour.

Yakitori sauce

2012-01-08T12:03:00.001-08:00

Yakitori is a slightly sweet, soy based sauce that is used for dipping or glazing meat, vegetables and fish. It's also very moreish :)

You will need

6 tablespoons of sake
180ml light soy sauce
6 tablespoons mirin
1 tablespoon caster sugar

The doing bit

Combine all the ingredients in a small pan and gently heat to dissolve sugar . Set aside to cool.

Ebi kuzu kiri sauce

2012-01-08T11:45:00.001-08:00

This sauce is sharp and intense, and will serve well as a dipping sauce or as a finish aid. It uses clean citrus flavours balanced with rich oyster sauce. Ideal for use with seafood, fish, red meats and poultry.

You will need

2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
Juice of 3 lines
2 tablespoons Thai fish sauce

The doing bit

Gently heat the sugar and fish sauce until the sugar dissolves. Allow to cool and combine with the oyster sauce and lime juice.

Cured Marinated Salmon Salad

2012-01-06T12:24:00.000-08:00

image courtesy of marel.com

What I love about salads is they can be, in the right setting wonderfully satisfying and fulfilling. Although light and more often than not guilt free, they can be incredibly wholesome. This recipe is no exception to the rule, it provides clean and earthy flavours to create a wholesome balance, whilst at the same time giving a nice healthy balance to nutrition also. Using traditional oriental flavours, as well as fish that is rich in protein, vitamins and omega 3 oils, it provides a joy for all audiences. It can also be adapted for larger proportions should the need arise, without the guilt factor.

You will need (for the marinade)

1 teaspoon sugar
Zest and juice of one whole lime
1 garlic clove, crushed with a little salt
1 teaspoon sesame oil
3 tbsp light soy sauce

For the salad

2 pieces (roughly 75g) fresh salmon cut into thin slices (use trimmings for thrift)
150g beansprouts
75g cucumber, grated
1 red chilli, trimmed and very thinly sliced
3 sprigs flat leaf parsley, finely chopped.

The doing bit

Marinade:

Combine sugar and two tablespoons on the lime juice in a small bowl and stir until sugar has dissolved. Add garlic, sesame oil and soy sauce and stir until uniform. Take the salmon and marinade in 4 tablespoons of the marinade mixture, cover and allow to marinade for about 3 hours. Store the rest of the marinade for later use.

The rest:

Blanche the beansprouts in lightly salted boiling water for 10 second and refresh under cold water. Combine with the cucumber and chilli. Sprinkle with the remaining juice and flat leaf parsley. Serve the salmon slices on top or around the salad (its all down to preference). Garnish with a teaspoon of the remaining marinade and serve.

Chicken Gyoza

2012-01-04T09:59:00.000-08:00

image courtesy of closetcooking.com

Another wonderful application for the glorious gyoza, chicken gyoza provides a wonderful snack for those who prefer white meats to seafood. As before they sit well in every setting, and are hearty enough to provide fulfillment in this filling snack.

You will need: (makes about 15)

50g chinese leaf
75g white cabbage
50g canned water chestnuts, drained
125g boneless, skinless chicken thigh meat, minced (can be food processed thigh meat)
15 g chives, finely chopped
25 g cornflour
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon light soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon caster sugar
pinch of salt & white pepper
15 gyoza wrappers
gyoza sauce (to serve)

put the chinese leaf, white cabbage and water chestnuts in a food processor and pulse until chopped. Using a tea towel, squeeze the mixture to remove excess moisture then combine in a bowl with the chicken, chives, cornflour, sesame oil, oyster sauce, soy sauce, sugar, salt and pepper.

Place a teaspoon of the mixture in each gyoza wrapper, moisten the edge with a little water and seal the edge by folding over the gyoza skin. Repeat as necessary.

Put a teaspoon of the mixture into the centre of each gyoza wrapper. Moisten the edge of each wrapper then fold over and press the edges. You can crimp the edges if you wish, but this is optional.

Sear the gyoza in a pan in a small amount of vegetable oil until starting to brown, then sear the other side, but be sure not to crowd the pan. no more than 4 or 5 at a time. Take the pan off the heat, add a few tablespoons of water to the pan and cover immediately. Return to the heat for one more minute then allow to rest for about 2 minutes.

Serve with gyoza sauce, sweet chilli, or another sauce of your choice.

Gyoza Sauce

2012-01-04T09:37:00.000-08:00

Gyoza sauce provides a very useful and verstaile flavour base, that can be used not just for gyoza but in a variety of dishes. Although best served with gyoza or as a glaze or dipping sauce for meat, it goes phenomenally well with earthy vegetables also such as radishes etc - so we can see that the application for this sauce becomes diverse. With attitude and punch, its bound to go down a storm.

You will need (makes about 350ml)

1 large garlic clove, peeled and chopped finely
1 large red chilli (chopped to same proportions as the garlic)
Salt
25g sugar
100ml malt vinegar
250ml light soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil

Crush the garlic and chilli together with the flat of a chefs knife, to form a paste. Heat up the vinegar and dissolve the sugar within over a low heat. Combine and store.

Will keep for several weeks chilled.

Ebi Gyoza (Prawn, sesame and soy sauce dumplings)

2012-01-03T08:06:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of closetcooking.com

Ebi gyoza are a fantastic party treat, and as with all gyoza they sit well with almost every setting. This recipe combines the use of earthy flavours such as soy and spinach, and overtones them with prawns to create a rather unique but loveable combination.

You will need: (makes about 15)

75g cooked and peeled prawns
70g canned water chestnuts, drained
1 spring onion trimmed
60g baby spinach leaves
5g cornflour
pinch of salt, sugar and white pepper
1/2 teaspoon oyster sauce
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
15 gyoza wrappers

The doing bit

Combine prawns, water chestnuts and spring onions in a food processor and blitz to a uniform paste.
Wilt the spinach in boiling water, and be sure to drain well and squeeze out any excess moisture. Finely chop the spinach and mix into the prawn mixture along with all the dry ingredients, the sesame oil and oyster sauce. Mix well until a uniform paste is reached.

Put a teaspoon of the mixture into the centre of each gyoza wrapper. Moisten the edge of each wrapper then fold over and press the edges. You can crimp the edges if you wish, but this is optional.

Sear the gyoza in a pan in a small amount of vegetable oil until starting to brown, then sear the other side, but be sure not to crowd the pan. no more than 4 or 5 at a time. Take the pan off the heat, add a few tablespoons of water to the pan and cover immediately. Return to the heat for one more minute then allow to rest for about 2 minutes.

Serve with gyoza sauce, sweet chilli, or another sauce of your choice.

Gyoza (Cases)

2012-01-02T23:30:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of closetcooking.com

Gyoza are a wonderful side dish and are technically a type of dumpling. They can be pan fried or steamed and can have almost any filling. Usually served as a type of Japanese fast food, I first came across gyoza in the wagamama cookbook(which i'm currently working my way through, and continues to fascinate me). Although a favourite in Japan, gyoza are much like alot of Japanese fast food - which they have inherited from the Chinese styles of cooking. Regardless of their origin, they are a wonderful dish that are acceptable in many settings, including parties, functions and as an informal food for social occasions.

The focus in those recipes is to use prebought gyoza cases - this can be a major time saving factor, however if my research is anything to go by, gyoza are much better when home made. the comparison is made very much to manufactured vs. home made pasta - having a smooth and less papery texture.

This recipe is in volumed proportions (cups) so you can make as much or as little gyoza as you like. Bear in mind that using a standard "cup" measurement though this recipe will make about 40 gyoza cases. They can be chilled or frozen if stored correctly for later use, so consider it an investment to your larder.

Ingredients:

2 Cups of all purpose flour (strong bread flour will give a more doughy gyoza)
1/2 cup of boiling water
1/4 teaspoon salt

The doing bit:

Sift the flour into a mixing bowl with the salt and stir with chopsticks until well mixed. Add the water and stir together the dough until all the flour is mixed and forms a dough. When a uniform dough cover the mix with a damp cloth and leave to rest for about 45 mins to an hour.

Pull out dough and knead until a smooth consistency, then roll into a sausage / cylinder shape in cling film. At this point I usually use a greased sterile plastic pipe to form it and then pull out the dough.

using a sharp knife cut into 40 slices, then roll out each slice to a desired thickness, and use a 3 in pastry cutter to form the gyoza shape. Repeat as necessary.

Wrap the gyoza cases in cling film and store or freeze.

Use as necessary.

Caramelised Sweet Potato Wedges

2011-12-17T17:59:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of closetcooking.com

I like these because theyre incredibly simple, and their flavour is moresihly sweet even though its a savoury dish. Serves well as a side dish or as an accompaniment to a variety of oriental dishes. Theyre also good as finger food on small buffets or as an accompaniment for a main course. Be careful though or youll be coming back for more before you know it (he chuckles).

250g sweet potato cut into thin wedges
vegetable oil for deep frying
1 easpoon golden sryup
juice of half a lemon
1 tsp black sesame seeds

Perheat oil to 180C and add potato wedges for 30 seconds or until they begin to colour. remove and allow to rest for 10 mins or so, then return to the oil for 3-4 mins until cooked

Remove from the oil then garnish with lemon juice, sesame seeds and golden syrup.

Devour

Chicken Kara-Age

2011-12-17T01:05:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of bonappetit.com

Kara-age (Pronounced ka-ra-ar-gay) is a wonderful side dish often served in Japanese fast food settings, small hot buffets and other suitable occasions. Its wonderful also as a snack for when guests stop by as it can be cooked fairly quickly. Its perfect for this reason for the festive season, and works well also as a starter served with a noodle salad or some caremelised sweet potato wedges. (and a wedge of lime).

Traditionally deep fried, but this recipe uses a small amount of oil and finishes in the oven to keep the amount of oil used to a minimum. Youll also notice a difference in flavour too, as its cooked a bit longer.

You will need (per large serving)

275g boneless thigh meat
4 tablespoons of kara-age sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons cornflour
1 beaten egg
vegetable oil

Marinate the chicken in a small bowl in the kara-age sauce for at least an hour, although overnight is better.

In a seperate bowl mix the herbs, egg and cornflour into a uniform paste. Coat the marinated chicken in the mix and then sear in a frying pan with a small amount of vetegable oil.

When the chicken is seared both sides, place on a greased baking tray in the oven at 200C until cooked (about 15 mins).
Serve with necessary accompaniments. If on its own a wedge of lime and a bowl of the kara-age sauce or even hoi sin will go well.

Devour.

Kara-Age Sauce

2011-12-17T01:04:00.000-08:00

This sauce is useful for a number of things - you can use it as a marinade for white meats or even as a glaze for noodles. You can also use in place of teriyake for a variation. The prime use for this sauce however is for marinading chicken for the use of the dish "kara-age" - a side dish which is a wonderful snack and can be eaten with various accompaniments such as noodles, steamed vegetables etc. It's also very good for small hot buffets.

(Makes a large batch so adjust accordingly)

1 in ginger root, peeled and grated
750ml (1.25 pints) light soy sauce
50ml Sake
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 tbsp oyster sauce

Combine all ingredients in a pan and heat gently to dissolve the sugar. Set aside to cool and store.

Cream of asparagus & watercress soup

2011-12-16T05:51:00.000-08:00

Alright, ill openly admit its more of a late springtime dish., but im sure that by now, were aware of my love for asparagus, and also fond of the fact that it can be obtained year round from most supermarkets. I will maintian however, that its best in the late spring.

This recipe combines the use of standard larder ingredients and a means to make your asparagus go a bit further. if like me you buy about 4 bunches of asparagus per week, then youll notice that the woody end bits are also useful. I tend to store these bits in a tupperware in the freezer - they dont go off that way and any essential nutrients are still preserved quite well until you need them.

This is a wonderful soup for lunchtimes - and has a nice uplifting feel. Its also quite healthy too.

You will need:

Woody ends from about 4 bunches of asparagus
1/2 pint / 250 ml vegetable stock
Handful of fresh watercress
1/2 pint bechamel / white sauce

In one pan heat the bechamel gently, stirring occasionally. In a seperate pan combine your asparagus bits and the vegetable stock and bring to the boil. Simmer for about 10 mins, then strain the stock into the bechamel.

Throw in your handful of watercress, then blend to a uniform consistency.

Garnish with parmesan shavings and / or lemon zest.

Bechamel

2011-12-16T05:42:00.001-08:00

Bechamel is to the savoury world what creme patisserie is to the dessert world - a useful "mortar" that has oodles of applications in a multitude of dishes. It's a master sauce for the more lighter sauces we know such as onion sauce, parsley sauce, and other white sauce derivatives. It gives a wonderful medium for many soups also.

Ingredients (makes 1 pint of thick bechamel. Adjust butter flour / liquid levels for lighter versions)

1 pint whole milk
1/2 scored onion, studded with 3 cloves
2 bay leaves
4 black peppercorns
pinch nutmeg
pinch mace
2tbsp plain flour
1 tbsp butter

In one pan combine milk, studded onion, bay leaves, peppercorns, mace and nutmeg. Heat gently but do not allow to boil. Continue to stir occasionally untl onion softens. At this point keep warm on a low heat

In a seperate pan melt the butter until bubbling, then fold in the flour, mixing to a uniform paste with a wooden spoon. Add the infused milk bit by bit, whisking together until in a uniform sauce.

Simmer and stir occasionally for about 20 minutes until flour has cooked out.

Use as a master sauce for veloutes, and other white sauce derivatives.

Fish Cakes

2011-12-09T12:19:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of redsnapperseafoods.co.uk

The fish cake I suppose is a bit of a misnomer - no two are ever the same. Everyone has their own tweaks here and there as to their preferences of the fish cake, and everyone makes them differently. This recipe makes a large batch for an appetiser sized fishcake, or enough for a few larger ones for meals and main courses. (they're lovely with parsley sauce)

I've included this recipe with that in mind - you can shape and coat these fish cakes as big and small as you like - i like to do bitesize ones for warm nibbles for guests, or even as a starter - a pyramid of tiny fishcakes with a chilli jam dipping sauce always goes down well.

As a fish cake these can be done with any white fish meat such as crab, whiting, cod, etc. Whichever is cheapest will suffice. If you can get fish trimmings from the fishmonger even better. They'll be very cheap and perfect for these.

You will need....

250g plain unseasoned mash potato
250g of Flaked Poached Salmon
75g of Smoked Salmon
30g of chopped dill
1 Lemons juiced
Pinch of Nutmeg
50g of crushed anchovy’s
Seasoning

The doing bit

Once all the ingredients are cold blend together, shape and coat them in crushed Jacobs cream crackers, crushed cornflakes, or seasoned breadcrumbs (sieved)

Fish related joke: "A man walked into a fish and chip shop with a salmon under his arm. He asks 'have you any fishcakes?' - the man behind the counter says 'sadly not, all gone today'. The man gestures towards the salmon and says 'awww! Its his birthday!'"

To cook, sear in a pan and leave to rest in a warm oven until warm throughout. Alternatively they can be deep fried.

Cumberland Sauce

2011-12-09T11:59:00.000-08:00

image courtesy of taste.com

If theres one sauce i love, its cumberland sauce. It gives a wonderful sweet flavour which is ideal during the winter periods for alot of foods that require the sweetness that this sauce provides. You can have it as a sauce with meats and cheeses, or even with pates or terrines. Its also brilliant for accompanying all poultry and game, and even pork.

Its very easy to make and this batch should be sufficient for a family sized batch - give it a try with your xmas dinner, or other meal you're going to enjoy over the festive season. You will fall in love with it forever.

4 Oranges Zest and juiced
1 k of Redcurrant jelly
250ml of Medium sherry
½ a teaspoon of Nutmeg
½ teaspoon of Cinnamon
80g of Root ginger finely chopped

Melt the redcurrant jelly into the orange juice

Add remaining ingredients and reduce to a jam like consistence

Plum Relish

2011-12-09T11:52:00.000-08:00

Given my recent love for plums i decided it would only be fair to provide a recipe for a plum relish - its especiallly nice with cheese and meats on a cold platter, or even as a dipping medium for finger food. You can even use it as a spicy start for a plum sauce if you're stuck for time. With this in mind it goes well with all kinds of poultry and most game. In fact it goes with pretty much anything, it plums are your thing. If like me you can get plums very cheaply (hello reduced shelf) then by all means make some of this, it keeps for quite a while when sealed and kept cool.

Ingredients
Makes a very big batch so adjust accordingly..

5 red onions thinly sliced
4 Garlics crushed
5 Red Chillies deseeded and finely sliced
500g of Soft brown sugar
250ml of Apple juice
8 Eating apples, peeled and cored then thinly sliced
30 plums stoned and quartered
Small thumb of ginger peeled and finely diced
Small punch of Allspice

Add all the ingredients into a thick bottom pan and bring to the boil

Simmer for about an hour and stir frequently or until the liquid has reduced to a syrup

Keep in sterilized kilner jar.

Chilli Jam

2011-12-09T11:41:00.000-08:00

Chili jam is probably of my favourite larder items to make alongside red onion marmalade etc - its so useful. You can use it on sandwiches, as a dipping medium for breads and other finger food, can use it as a quick stir in for noodle dishes, and even as a shortcut for chilli dishes to name but a few applications.

This recipe if for a simple chilli jam recipe - there are some elaborate ones out there, and they can be a bit overzealous with a plethora of ingredients. Give this one a try and see what you think - you may be pleasantly surprised.

2 Cloves of garlic, skinned and finely chopped

5cm Piece of root ginger, peeled and grated

3 to 4 chillies chopped roughly

225g of tomatoes, peeled deseeded and dice the flesh

50ml of cider vinegar

150g of soft brown sugar

Place the garlic, ginger, tomatoes and chillies into a blender. Reduce to a pulp

Place in pan add vinegar and brown sugar

Bring to the boil and simmer, stir occasionally for thirty minutes till thick

Allow to cool and put in a kilner jar. Should keep for up to two months in a fridge (if it lasts that long).

Filo wrapped salmon with watercress sauce

2011-12-01T23:33:00.000-08:00

image courtesy of delicious magazine

This recipe is a wonderful starter, or can be used as a main course in larger proportions. It has a wonderful non-offenisve flavour and is perfect for the festive season. The mild flavour of the watercress sauce with the vermouth provides a sweet enough edge to complement the salmon perfectly, and sits alongside the lemon edge of the salmon for a pleasing and clean overall flavour.

Ideal as an elegant edge to your Christmas dinner, or new years (if that's your thing). If you can get trout cheaply enough you can use this also in the place of salmon. It may work out cheaper depending on what's available.

For a vegetarian version replace the fish with feta cheese & spinach, or field mushrooms.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

500g Salmon filet skinned and pinned
2 tablespoon of olive oil
1 lemon juiced and zested
Seasoning
100g of butter
1 shallot finely diced
200g filo pastry

Watercress sauce

170g of watercress
2 finley diced shallots
4 tablespoons of dry vermouth
300ml of crème fraiche

Cut the salmon into 5mm (1/2 cm) strips

Melt a little of the butter and sauté off the shallots until soft

Mix the lemon, lemon zest and olive oil and mix with the shallots then mix with the salmon

Melt the butter and brush a layer of filo pastry, repeat this three time layering the pastry upon each other

Place a little of the mix upon one edge then roll up with buttered edges

Brush with butter and bake for 15 minutes

The sauce
Strip the cress leaves from the stems
Saute the shallots until soft
Add the vermouth and reduce by half, add crème fraiche, reduce by 1/3
Add the watercress and once wilted, puree
Check the seasoning

Serve and devour. For a main meal version this mix should serve two, just be sure to make larger parcels. Serve with tenderstem or purple broccoli, crushed new potatoes, asparagus or even mange tout or sugar snap peas. Make it work for you.

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Butternut Squash & Red Pepper Soup

2011-11-30T00:57:00.001-08:00

Image courtesy of fxcuisine.com

With having half a butternut squash left over it seemed foolish to waste it, so I decided that i was going to make this wonderful soup that provides aromatic tones and sweetness - as well as a hearty small meal ideal for winter lunches or evening starters.

You will need

1 red pepper (cut into 1cm pieces)
1/2 butternut squash (cut into same size as peppers)
250 ml milk
vegetable or chicken stock cube
pinch cinnamon
2 cloves
1 small red onion (top and root cut off and scored)
pinch nutmeg or mace
dash white wine
salt and pepper for seasoning.

Preparation

In a heavy bottomed pan on low heat, put in the pepper and the squash and the cinnamon. Add a little olive oil if youre worried about it sticking but i like to leave it out. Its up to you. Put the lid on the pan and keep it stirred every few minutes. we're aiming to get the most sweetness out of the squash and pepper so longer is better.

In a seperate pan add the milk, scored onion, nutmeg and cloves and bring to temperature on a low heat while the peppers and squash are fettling nicely.

When the squash has begun to soften (and turning to mush), keep stirring then add the white wine. Cook out for a few minutes, then add the milk infusion (strained) keep the onion though, and add it to the mix. Turn the heat up a little and allow our soup to come to a tempered simmer. add the stock cube (crumbled) and stir in, if the mix is a bit too tight feel free to add water - if it gets too thin it can always reduce and enhance flavour.

Bring to the boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Stir occasionally, tasting each time. Season with salt and pepper where neccesary and blend.

Serve, and devour.

Grilled Asparagus with Poached Egg & Caesar Dressing

2011-11-29T11:25:00.000-08:00

image courtesy of closetcooking.com

I absoloutely adore asparagus. Its one vegetable that from a flavour perspective isnt too invasive, and because of its mild nature it goes very well with lots of things successfully. Due to the immense buying power of supermarkets asparagus is available year round nowadays, and although i abhore the idea of using things out of season i cant complain too much about it being available as i'm immensely fond of it.

As a starter or even a breakfast (which is where i normally devour asparagus) it is very good, and nutritionally its almost a superfood. It is very rich in vitamins, fibre and a certain amount of protein. Its also good for your liver and kidneys too. Its the favoured vegetable of many dieters for this reason, and is one of the few things that can be enjoyed on a low carb diet also.

The use of caesar dressing in place of hollondaise traditionally gives a nice edge and a variation for this dish. If you want to make your own caesar dressing you can find one here.

Ingredients

6 Asparagus spears
White wine vinegar
1 egg (you can use a ducks egg if you want an extra treat)
35ml caesar dressing.
Parmesan shavings
Black Pepper
Chopped parsley
Olive oil

Preparation

In a saucepan bring water, agood helping of black pepper and about 4tbsp white wine vinegar to the boil. Turn down to a simmer once boiling. Well add the egg when were almost ready

Trim the bottom section of the asparagus spears as these aren't easy to eat. You can keep them to one side and freeze them like i do in saving them for some asparagus soup. Its up to you.

Heat up a griddle pan or heavy bottomed frying pan. Add the olive oil and then the asparagus. When coloured on one side, turn them over and allow to colour in a similar fashion. When you've turned them over once turn up the heat on your poaching pan and add the egg. Turn the heat down on the poaching pan to a moderate heat. When your asparagus is coloured the other side, your egg should be ready.If not to preferred level of cooking turn the heat off the asparagus pan and allow to rest and keep warm whilst your egg finishes.

Remove asparagus and plate it. add the egg atop the asparagus and finish with parsley black pepper and chopped parlsey. Bon Apetit!

Wild mushroom fricasse on blini with tarragon & parmesan shavings

2011-11-29T10:55:00.000-08:00

This recipe is quite earthy but very hearty and enjoyable. Its just enough for a starter - any more and i think it may be too much. The use of blini provides a hearty base, the mushrooms hearty flavour and the presence of tarragon amidst the parmesan give added punch.

In the absence of blinis you are welcome to use english muffins, potato cakes or even crumpets.

Ingredients

Serves 4

4 Blinis (recipe can be found here)
250g Large Onion, finely chopped
250g of Wild Mushrooms, trimmed
250g of Button Mushrooms
100ml of White Wine
125ml of Double Cream
125ml of Dry Sherry Reduced by 2/3
10g of Chopped Tarragon
Parmesan shavings to taste

Preparation

Sauté off the onion with the mushrooms till tender, add the wine and cream and reduce till thick add the sherry and reduce till a thick coating consistence

Serve on top of warmed blini, and finish with chopped tarragon and parmesan shavings. further season with black pepper if required.

Devour.

Dauphine Potatoes (Pommes Dauphine)

2011-11-29T08:19:00.000-08:00

image courtesy of acta1.typad.com

Dauphine are the higher ranking of potato dishes in my view, simply because they taste so delicious. They are easy to make and devilishly indulgent. They can also be cooked in a variety of ways. I favour baking them, but the traditional means is to deep fry them. I guess its all down to preference.

Ingredients (serves 3-4)

Chicken stock / vegetable stock to cook potatoes (enough to cover them)

1 1/2 pounds of baking potatoes. Maris piper, russet etc will do fine. the general rule is 1 potato per serving (ish).
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into bits
1 teaspoon salt
a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
vegetable oil for deep-frying the potatoes (or for glazing an oven tray)
coarse salt for sprinkling the croquettes if desired

Peel and chop the potatoes into 3/4 in cubes and bring to boil then simmer int he chicken stock until they begin to fall. Strain, keeping the stock, then using a heavy whisk pound them into mash.

In a seperate pan with the left over stock, divide by half, then bring to the boil. Add the butter, then when melted add flour at once whisking vigourously, then add the eggs one by one (as if to make shoux pastry). When the eggs are added turn off the heat but keep whisking. Add the mash and seasoning and using heavy whisk make into uniform paste.

At this point you can add any additions that you thinkw ill complement your dish such as parmesan, almonds, herbs, or even red onion marmalade..

Allow to cool then divide into dumpling sizes. coat in flour / egg then bread crumbs. I prefer to pipe the mix while still warm and bake in this fashion (minus the breadcrumbs). Its entirely up to you.

Deep fry, or sear in a pan then cook in the oven. You'll find them incredibly delightful.

Red Onion Marmalade

2011-11-28T02:47:00.000-08:00

image courtesy of 1.bp.blogspot.com

This recipe gives a wonderful accompaniment to so many dishes, and is a wonderful ingredient for so many more. It can be used as a shorctut to red wine sauce and similar, used as a glazing ingredient for roast meats, or just on its own with meats, pates, and cheeses or even on sandwiches.

Ive made a batch of this recently and am going to give it away to lucky people as xmas gifts, which im sure will be well received. Once tried, never forgotten

It does however take some time to make. But don't be put off by that - the wait is very much well worth it. The only downside to this dish is the potential crying session in preparation due to the onions.

You will need:

1.5k of red onions thinly sliced
4 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced.
Heavy pinch of rock salt
5 bay leaf
Half a handful of rubbed thyme & rosemary
Black pepper
120g of soft brown sugar
80ml of wine vinegar
2 table spoons of dry sherry
400ml of red wine
100ml of port
120g of pitted chopped prunes

Add onions to the pan e to begin with on a low heat, stirring occasionally. They should soften nicely and when they begin to stick slightly, it shows the sugar is releasing from the onions. At this point add the vinegar, sherry salt, and sugar. When the liquid has turned to a syrup, add the herbs, garlic, bay leaves and prunes and the wine. Simmer stirring occasionally for 2-3 hours.

Allow to cool & store in a kilner jar. Keeps for up to 2 months dry, or longer refrigerated.

Rosemary & Apricot Stuffing

2011-11-25T20:40:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of 4.bp.blogspot.com

I'm a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to stuffing, in that if its not inside meat or fish or vegetables then its not really a stuffing. For me its meant to be inside whatever its stuffing so that it can add to and absorb the flavours of the carrier. That said I am amenable enough to appreciate that people serve it on the side as less of a fuss and bother in preparation. I suppose ultimately its all down to preference.

Composed at the request of "jaffacake" this rosemary and apricot stuffing recipe works well for pork and lamb alike, with all sections of the pig / lamb applicable such as leg, shoulder, loin or fillet.

It can also serve as a good filling / padding for meatloaf if you come across some cheap lamb or pork mince, which is good especially during the winter months as its hearty, filling and full of flavour and uses robust winter herbs.

Ingredients

1/2 pint sweet cider or apple juice
2 eggs (beaten)
150 g butter
1 onion, finely chopped
1 celery stalk finely chopped
1 clove crushed garlic
200 g smoked bacon (streaky is best for flavour and cheapest) chopped to roughly the size of your onions and celery)
150 g dried ready-to-eat apricots, roughly chopped
Good handful of fresh rosemary & thyme. Add some sage if youre feeling fruity.
Coarse Grain Sea Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
zest 1 small orange
pinch nutmeg
about 5 slices of brown or wholemeal bread toasted, and food processed into breadcrumbs

Saute bacon,onions, garlic and celery in a pan until soft and a little colour added

Combine all ingredients with breadcrumbs in a bowl, melt the butter and add until unifom mixture is reached.

Wrap mixture tightly in clingfilm into a sausage shape, tying both ends then steam for about an hour until fully cooked (firm to the touch).

slice into pieces and reheat as neccessary. Devour.

Dry confit seasoning

2010-03-16T14:59:00.000-07:00

500g of rock salt

4 Star anise

100g of Juniper berries

50g of cinnamon

50g of Cracked black pepper

4 Lemon zest

60g of Ginger

2 Sticks of Lemon grass

Blend the star anise, berries, rock salt, cinnamon and black pepper in a food processor.

Peel and chop the ginger into strips, & add to the mix, along with the lemon zest. Chop the lemongrass as finely as possible & add.

Colcannon Parcel

2010-03-15T04:29:00.001-07:00

This cute little appetiser works well from autumn to late spring - utilising flavours and ingredients which originate and compliment the original colcannon. I like to use colcannon around Hallowe'en, yet it holds great merit in winter and spring too with its earthy flavours. Currently in use as a starter on our table d'hote menu at the Foxlowe hotel in Leek, Staffordshire, it sets the palate in readiness for a myriad of other springtime flavours which emerge as a wondrous variation from the stodginess of winter.

Ingredients (Per serving):

1 rasher of streaky bacon

1 large leaf of savoy cabbage

1 large cooked salad new potato

1 tsp creamed horseradish

salt & pepper

tsp butter

For the sauce:

50ml double cream

tsp dijon mustard

Dash dry white wine

Method

In a small mixing bowl, crush the new potato and stir in salt & pepper and the creamed horseradish. Lay out the bacon on a chopping board with the cabbage leaf on top. Spoon into the centre of the leaf the potato mix, tuck in the edges of the cabbage and roll into a parcel shape. Wrap with the bacon until it overlaps itself.

In a small roasting tin place the parcel(s) with a little water & cover with foil. Cook in the oven until bacon is cooked & cabbage is bright green. Remove from oven and in a small pan add the butter and sear the parcel until bacon gains more colour (like a golden brown).

For the sauce: In a saucepan add the wine and heat until boiling. Stir in the mustard then add the cream. Reduce volume by half.

Cut the parcel in half then stack centre plate. Drizzle sauce over or around parcel & serve.

Anchovy & Roast Red Pepper Compote

2010-03-07T01:50:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:

150ml of olive oil

6 Large red peppers roasted and skinned then seeded, sliced into a 5mm dice

50g of thyme

15 Anchovy fillets

Hand full of torn basil leaves

50g of capers diced

50ml of balsamic dressing

4 Cloves of garlic, crushed

Heat the oil, add peppers, garlic and thyme sauté for about five minutes

Add anchovy and cook till anchovies are melted into the peppers

Season carefully as the anchovies can be salty

Finish with capers, gurkins, balsamic vinegar and basil

Caesar Salad Dressing

2010-03-07T01:39:00.000-08:00

Image courtesy of caesar-salad.com

I have always loved caesar dressing, as its an a=excellent accompaniment - and not just to caesar salad either. It serves well as a dressing for a number of applications, and can be used effectively with fish and meat. It also goes remarkably well with asparagus, and can be a good substitute for hollondaise in the classic "grilled asparagus with poached egg"

Here is the recipe we always used in the trade - im quietly confident there are others out there although ive never found a problem with this one.

Ingredients:

2 Egg yolks

50ml of red wine vinegar

Juice of one lemon

5 Anchovy fillets

3 cloves of garlic, crushed

15ml of Dijon mustard

15ml of English mustard

Healthy pinch of black pepper

Healthy glug of Worcestershire sauce

300ml of good virgin olive oil

Add all the ingredients into a food processor, with the exception of the oil, blend

Add the oil as you would mayonnaise in a (very) steady stream.

Red pepper mousse

2010-03-07T01:37:00.000-08:00

This recipe comprises all the things i love about peppers, their sweetness their texture and their wondrous flavours that complement such a wide spectrum of accompanying ingredients. When experimenting with this recipe and mousses in general i was trying to move away from the standard "salmon" and similar mousses that everyone uses for starter and side dishes. Instead the use of a red pepper gave opportunity to the vegetarian frontier - which are often as an audience can be found to be neglected or offered "token" gestures.

This recipe makes a large batch (about 14 portions so feel free to divide by two or three for a more family size.

*** (Makes about 14 timbales)

Ingredients.

5 Red bell peppers

4 egg whites

300g cream cheese

1 Tbsp honey

1 Tbsp chopped parsley

1 Tsp paprika

1 clove peeled garlic

Pinch Salt

Pinch Pepper

Preparation:

Grease and line with cling film about 8 timbale moulds (metal!).

Cut cheeks from peppers and place in small roasting tin. Add water to tray (just enough to cover the peppers half way up) and cover tray with tinfoil. Cook peppers in oven until the flesh begins to soften. Allow peppers to cool then peel cut away the flesh from the skin. We are going to use the skin for a decoration so do not discard. Instead, put the skin (shiny side down) into the bottom of each mould. Any skin left over add to the food processor.

Whip up egg whites until foamy.

Combine in food processor pepper flesh, and all other ingredients. Add the egg whites last.

Pour mixture into moulds, leaving about ½ centimetre from the top

Cover moulds with foil tightly. Poach timbales in bain marie until mixture is firm to touch. Allow to cool and refrigerate.