A wonderful combination of dark mint chocolate, crumbly biscuit and crunchy pistachios takes this hedgehog-style cake to the next level. And fresh mint ice cream is the perfect addition. Thanks to Yotam Ottolenghi for the cake recipe and to Deborah for making it! The ice cream recipe is from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home by Jeni…… Continue reading mint chocolate and pistachio cake + fresh mint ice cream
noodle salad with cucumber and poppy seeds
Another delightful salad from the cookbook Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi. Tart apple, cooling cucumber, pickled onions and fresh herbs. What a great combination. In a small saucepan combine 60ml (2 fl oz) of cider vinegar, 30g (1 oz) of caster sugar and 60ml (2 fl oz) of water. Bring to a boil over high heat until the sugar has dissolved and…… Continue reading noodle salad with cucumber and poppy seeds
turmeric chilli squid + belacan asparagus
Fifi cooked up a storm when she stayed recently. This Malaysian squid dish includes ingredients popular throughout South-East Asia such as turmeric and kaffir lime leaves. Place 700g (1½ lbs) of fresh squid rings in a non-reactive bowl and add 1½ teaspoons of ground turmeric, 1 tablespoon of chilli flakes, 1 finely minced clove of garlic, 3 finely…… Continue reading turmeric chilli squid + belacan asparagus
lemon and mixed berry cake
This cake, baked with my sister Eve, made an impressive and festive Christmas dessert. From SWEET by Yotam Ottolenghi and Helen Goh, the light and fluffy lemon sponge and berry buttercream are assembled into a sort of swiss roll on it’s side. Preheat your oven to 205ºC (400ºF) and line a shallow 30 x 40cm (12…… Continue reading lemon and mixed berry cake
christmas 2017
This year our Christmas lunch was a lovely eclectic mixture of food. Our guests brought the entree of antipasti. For the main course we roasted butterflied chickens over charcoal with a garlic, sage and rosemary butter under the skin. We added oak chips from Chardonnay barrels to the fire for a smoky flavour. Our gravy…… Continue reading christmas 2017
chicken in a chorizo and red wine sauce
This wonderful recipe, from The Foods and Wines of Spain by Penelope Casas, is a family favourite. Serve it with crusty bread, a fresh green salad and a robust red wine. This recipe is for a whole jointed chicken but any bone-in chicken will work. Season your chicken pieces with salt and freshly ground black pepper and…… Continue reading chicken in a chorizo and red wine sauce
almond and strawberry trifle
On the first Tuesday of November, everything in Australia (and particularly Melbourne) stops for the Melbourne Cup, a prestigious annual thoroughbred horse race. Everyone dresses up for the occasion and hats or fascinators are almost compulsory. For those who don’t go to the races it’s a great excuse for a party, usually involving sweeps on the races…… Continue reading almond and strawberry trifle
lobster tail
Here’s a simple and delicious treat for a luxurious lunch. Christmas, perhaps? Trim the lobster tails and cut down the middle of the inside with a pair of chicken shears. Now, with a heavy knife, cut through the middle of the tail just enough to allow it to open and still stay connected. Season with…… Continue reading lobster tail
ribeye roast with mustard and horseradish sauce
Succulent beef, roast vegetables and a delicious sauce. Who could ask for more? To improve the crust on your ribeye roast, allow it to air-dry, uncovered, on a rack in the fridge overnight. Season it generously with salt and pepper on all sides – seasoning with salt up to a day in advance helps the seasoning…… Continue reading ribeye roast with mustard and horseradish sauce
chocolates
I was researching sous vide cooking when I came upon some information on Serious Eats about tempering chocolate by that method. I had to try it. It was certainly easy but not absolutely necessary, as you can see in Three Ways to Temper Chocolate. My first attempt was nice and crunchy, melted nicely in the…… Continue reading chocolates
michelle picker cooks 