I saved this recipe so long ago that I’ve forgotten where I found it. I’m glad I finally made it. The hazelnut cake was a little chewy and meringue-like and the combination of flavours was wonderful. It looked good too! I made the four layers of this cake in two 15.25cm (6″) cake tins. To make…… Continue reading hazelnut, apricot and mascarpone layer cake
huevos rancheros
Here’s a great wake-up breakfast – fried eggs served the Mexican way. If you want to make your own fresh tortillas (and there’s nothing better!) see how to do it here. These ones were made with blue corn masa which is a little coarser than white corn masa and therefore results in thicker tortillas. To…… Continue reading huevos rancheros
slow-cooked calamari
Cooked long and slow in the Provençal style, calamari becomes amazingly tender with a rich and deep flavour. Enjoy it with a crusty baguette, a fresh green salad and a crisp white wine. This recipe, from PROVENCE Gastronomique by Erica Brown, also works with squid, cuttlefish or octopus. If you intend to clean your own calamari,…… Continue reading slow-cooked calamari
honey walnut cheesecake with figs cooked in ouzo
Here’s a deconstructed cheesecake which celebrates Greek flavours. A simple and elegant way to serve cheesecake as a dessert for a dinner party. At least a few hours before or even the night before, strain 500g of Greek-style yoghurt. Place in a piece of cheesecloth or fine linen, tie together and hang over a bowl…… Continue reading honey walnut cheesecake with figs cooked in ouzo
Greek tomato soup
This Domatósoupa is a creamy, slightly sour tomato soup with an amazing depth of flavour. The recipe can be found in Susie Jacobs’ Recipes from a Greek Island. To make this soup you must first make a herb stock. Measure 1.2 litres (40fl oz) of water into a saucepan and add 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped thyme, 2…… Continue reading Greek tomato soup
ribeye with mushroom sauce
For you meat-lovers out there. We brined this steak with leftover dill pickle brine. This can be from store-bought pickles or home-made. The pickle brine not only salts the meat but imparts some delicious flavour. Marinate for at least a few hours. Brush the steak with oil and cook it on the barbecue, not directly…… Continue reading ribeye with mushroom sauce
chocolate and brandied prune terrine + walnut tuiles
Rich with dark chocolate and with a good hit of brandy, this was the perfect dessert for a French menu. The addition of a walnut tuile added some buttery crunch. I always keep a jar of brandied prunes – a jar filled with pitted prunes and topped up with brandy. The prunes taste better and…… Continue reading chocolate and brandied prune terrine + walnut tuiles
chèvre omelette
A simple dish of eggs and cheese might only take 10-15 minutes to prepare but it can still impress. This omelette highlights light and fluffy just-melted goats cheese. Break up 1 cup of fresh chèvre, mix through 1 tablespoon of finely chopped chives and set aside. In a small frypan heat some butter with a…… Continue reading chèvre omelette
chicken and peanut stew
This African classic Huku ne Dovi comes from Zimbabwe where chicken is considered a delicacy. It’s always served with either rice or millet dumplings. An amazingly tasty dish despite the simplicity of its ingredients. This might be better with bone-in chicken but I only had 4 chicken thighs to hand which I cut into large…… Continue reading chicken and peanut stew
oat cakes
Quintessentially Scottish, these savoury oat cakes are equally good served with a cheese platter or with butter and jam. A coating of dark chocolate works too. Read more about the art of oat cakes here. Preheat your oven to 190ºC (375ºF). Mix 225g of instant oats, 60g of flour, ½ a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda, ½ a teaspoon of sugar and 1…… Continue reading oat cakes
michelle picker cooks 