Hummus is such a universally recognised Middle Eastern dip and is widely available ready-made. It’s not so difficult to make from scratch, though, and well worth the effort. It makes an excellent quick lunch when topped with salad and served with flat bread. To make the hummus, first soak 250g (8¾ oz) of dried chick…… Continue reading home-made hummus salad
seafood stew
This hearty seafood stew (Cioppino) is Mexican in heritage and was lovingly recreated by Mary from this Rick Stein recipe. Instead of monkfish, Mary substituted Rock Ling. Remove the heads and shells from 12 large prawns (shrimp), leaving the last tail segment in place. Set the prawns aside and simmer the heads and shells in…… Continue reading seafood stew
meringue cake with strawberries
Cindy made this Mostachon (big moustache), a speciality of Monterey in Mexico. The cake has a deliciously chewy walnut meringue base and a rich cream cheese topping which droops around the edges – hence the name? It’s always served with fruit, in this case it was strawberries. Preheat oven to 170°C (340ºF). Grease and line…… Continue reading meringue cake with strawberries
leek, butternut and pea risotto with tarragon
One of France’s fines herbs, tarragon is traditionally used with fish, chicken or eggs. Fragrant, bittersweet and with a mild anise flavour it shines in this vegetable risotto. I like to make my risotto in a pressure cooker. To cook the rice, first toast it lightly in a good olive oil before adding double the…… Continue reading leek, butternut and pea risotto with tarragon
roast duck
Roasting a duck is not really as daunting as it seems. This Chinese-style roast duck is best cooked on a charcoal barbecue. Clean the duck, remove the wing tips and any lumps of fat from inside the cavity and pat it dry with paper towels. Rub salt over the entire duck (about 2 teaspoons) and…… Continue reading roast duck
flourless brownie
This is rich, delicious and my favourite brownie. Easy to make too. Melt together 200g (7 oz) of 70% dark chocolate, 650g (23 oz) of butter and 50g of cocoa powder until smooth and glossy. In another bowl whip 2 large or 3 small eggs with 150g (5½ oz) of caster sugar. Add this to…… Continue reading flourless brownie
stuffed poblanos
Poblanos are mild chillies which originated in Puebla, Mexico. When dried they are known as ancho chillies and the fresh chillies are popular stuffed and roasted. Here’s my version. Roast or barbecue 4-6 whole poblano chillies and 1 red pepper until they are softening and slightly charred. Meanwhile in a little oil fry 1 finely…… Continue reading stuffed poblanos
tomahawk steak
Fifi turned up with this enormous steak for a barbecue dinner. We rose to the challenge and produced a melt-in-the mouth medium/rare steak with just enough char and smoke. The steak was marinated in soya sauce, mirin and garlic for about an hour, or the time it took to get the fire going and the…… Continue reading tomahawk steak
pistachio and lemon bundt cake
This lovely moist cake is full of of flavour and good-looking to boot! Preheat your oven to 180ºC (350ºF) and generously grease a bundt pan. In a bowl combine 3 cups of flour with ½ a teaspoon of kosher salt. In a food processor pulse 2 cups of shelled and roasted pistachios until they are…… Continue reading pistachio and lemon bundt cake
warm vegetable and quinoa salad
Here’s a quick, delicious and satisfying meal. Rinse some quinoa allowing approximately ½ a cup per person. In a medium saucepan bring some water to boil. Add the quinoa and cook until it still has some texture but is no longer crunchy. Meanwhile prepare the vegetables of your choice – I cooked leeks, pumpkin, parsnip,…… Continue reading warm vegetable and quinoa salad
michelle picker cooks 