These lamb shanks are cooked using marmalade, whiskey, barley and the spices used in making haggis. Preheat your oven to 170°C (325°F). Season 2 lamb shanks with salt and freshly ground black pepper and sear them in a little oil until well browned on all sides. Remove to a plate. In an oven-proof casserole, cook…… Continue reading lamb shanks Scottish style
pancakes for 2
Who doesn’t love light and fluffy buttermilk pancakes? Here’s an easy small batch recipe from Leigh Anne Wilkes that’s perfect for two. In a bowl combine1 cup of plain flour, 1½ teaspoons of baking powder, 1½ teaspoons of sugar, ½ a teaspoon of bicarb soda and ½ a teaspoon of salt. Form a well in…… Continue reading pancakes for 2
buckwheat and mushrooms
Buckwheat is a popular grain in the Slavic countries of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Poland. Here it’s paired with dried porcini (cep) mushrooms in a deliciously nutty and flavourful casserole. Soak 55g (2 oz) of porcini mushrooms in 2 cups of warm water for 2 hours. Now preheat your oven to 190ºC…… Continue reading buckwheat and mushrooms
ajvar
Ajvar is a traditional Balkan relish made of sweet red peppers (Roga). Sometimes made just with peppers, this version also has some eggplant (aubergine) and garlic. Try it with cevapcici or any barbecued meat, with roasted vegetables or in sandwiches. Wash 3 large red peppers and 1 medium eggplant and barbecue or grill (broil) them…… Continue reading ajvar
chicken with orzo and lemon
A whole chicken in a simple one-pot meal that’s both comforting and delicious. From this recipe by the inimitable Nigella Lawson. Preheat you oven to 180ºC (350ºF). In a dutch oven heat some olive oil until hot and brown the chicken, breast side down, for a few minutes. Turn the chicken over and remove from…… Continue reading chicken with orzo and lemon
date salami
Deb made this delicious date salami. Good with coffee or tea, as part of a cheese platter, or as a bite-sized snack any time. You will need ¼ of a cup each of chopped almonds and cashews and 2 tablespoons each of chopped pistachios and walnuts. Dry roast the nuts in a large frypan over…… Continue reading date salami
roasted beetroot with preserved lemon and yoghurt
Another wonderful recipe from Yotam Ottolenghi’s SIMPLE, made by Lorraine. This is equally good as part of a meze appetizer or as a side dish. Preheat your oven to 220°C (430ºF). Scrub clean 1 kg (a little more than 2 lbs) of beetroots and wrap them individually in tin foil. Place them on a baking…… Continue reading roasted beetroot with preserved lemon and yoghurt
muhammara with butter bean mash
Lorraine made this tasty dip from a Yotam Ottolenghi recipe in his cookbook SIMPLE. Muhammara is a spicy Middle Eastern red pepper dip served here on a creamy butterbean mash. For the muhammara, preheat your oven to 220°C (430ºF). Cut 5 red peppers, stems and seeds removed, into quarters. Toss them in 1 tablespoon of…… Continue reading muhammara with butter bean mash
fish and potato tagine
Mary cooked this fish tagine from a recipe by Samantha and Samuel Clark. Tagine is not only the name of the Moroccan stew but also the earthenware dish in which it’s cooked. Any white fish is suitable for this recipe – this one was made with rockling, a firm white fish that holds it’s shape…… Continue reading fish and potato tagine
rice pudding (aroz doce)
This Portuguese rice pudding is made with whole milk, Infused with citrus and cinnamon and enriched with egg yolks. It’s creamy and delicious. In a medium saucepan bring 1¼ cups of water with a pinch of salt to a boil. Stir in ¾ of a cup of short grain rice – Portuguese Carolino, Italian arborio,…… Continue reading rice pudding (aroz doce)
michelle picker cooks 