Crazy water, or acqua pazza, is an Italian herbed broth usually used to poach fish. And barramundi is the perfect fish for poaching. First make sure your fish is cleaned well and score each side. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and place some parsley, mint and fennel tops in the cavity. Set…… Continue reading barramundi in crazy water
blood plum cake
This lovely moist blood plum cake from the inimitable Helen Goh via GoodFood has a sugary cardamom crust. Preheat the oven to 190ºC (375ºF). and line the base and sides of a 20cm (8″) round cake tin with baking paper. In a small bowl combine 8 teaspoons of caster sugar, ½ a teaspoon of ground…… Continue reading blood plum cake
Turkish style mixed vegetables
This is a great way to cook vegetables. It can be made ahead of time and served either at room temperature or chilled. I used carrots, eggplant (aubergine), white zucchini (courgettes) and fioretto cauliflower but this method works for any firm vegetables you might have on hand. Serve as a starter with Turkish bread or…… Continue reading Turkish style mixed vegetables
sweet corn and beetroot salad
This simple salad is Turkish in origin. It’s a lovely refreshing salad and looks stunning too! Boil 2 medium beetroot unti soft and allow to cool before rubbing the skin off. Chop into smallish chunks and combine with 1 cup of cooked corn kernels. Add a handful of chopped fresh parsley. Simply dress with lemon…… Continue reading sweet corn and beetroot salad
chicken adobo
Chicken adobo is considered by many to be the national dish of the Phillipines. The cooking method probably developed from pre-colonial times when vinegar was used to preserve food for the tropical climate – it consists of marinating and browning the meat before simmering in a mix of vinegar, garlic, salt/soy sauce, and other spices.…… Continue reading chicken adobo
orange tiramisu
This delightful citrus twist on the classic Italian dessert comes from sugar salt magic. Grate the zest of one orange and then juice the orange and perhaps another one – you will need a little more than ¾ of a cup. Set aside. In a medium bowl, beat 1½ cups of thickened or whipping cream to…… Continue reading orange tiramisu
white zucchini, spring onion and garlic risotto
Inspired by fresh produce from the garden, this risotto takes about 10 minutes to prepare if you have a pressure cooker! Heat some olive oil in a large frypan, add 400g (14 oz) of white zucchini chunks and season with salt. Cook gently while you prepare the rice. Preheat 4 cups of chicken or vegetable…… Continue reading white zucchini, spring onion and garlic risotto
bresaola salad
Here’s a classy Italian starter to serve with crusty bread. I may make my own bresaola soon but this one was purchased. The slices need to be very thin. Lay these slices overlapping around the edge of a serving platter. In the centre place a handful of roquette (aragula) leaves. Sprinkle a little salt just…… Continue reading bresaola salad
prawn and white zucchini pasta
This might just be my favourite combination for a pasta sauce. Slice 400g (14 oz) of white zucchini (courgettes) and 400g (14 oz) of prawns (shrimp) into similar sizes. Have ready a little white wine, 4 minced cloves of garlic, chilli flakes, salt, freshly ground black pepper, lemon juice and the finely grated zest of…… Continue reading prawn and white zucchini pasta
chocolate, liquorice and Pernod ice cream
Here’s a boozy ice cream for all you lovers of chocolate and liquorice. Measure 2 cups of full fat milk and remove 2 tablespoons of the milk to make a slurry with 4 – 5 teaspoons of cornflour (cornstarch). Heat the remainder in a saucepan with 1¼ cups of heavy cream, ⅔ of a cup…… Continue reading chocolate, liquorice and Pernod ice cream
michelle picker cooks 