I’ve been looking forward to using my new cake tin and this recipe adapted from Dorie Greenspan in Bon Appétit seemed perfect. Maybe a lower temperature next time… In a bowl combine and whisk all the dry ingredients: 2 cups of all-purpose flour, ¾ of a cup of almond meal, 2½ teaspoons of Chinese five-spice powder, 1 teaspoon of baking…… Continue reading spiced bundt cake
blue corn tamales
Tamales originated as early as 8000 to 5000 BC. The Aztec and Mayan civilisations, as well as the Olmec and Toltec before them, used tamales as portable food, often to support their armies, but also for hunters and travellers. Tamales are generally wrapped in corn husks or plantain leaves before being steamed. In Mexico they are a favourite…… Continue reading blue corn tamales
duck red curry with lychees
This classic Thai curry, often made with Chinese style roast duck, is a popular restaurant dish. I used fresh pan-roasted duck breasts in this version, although I cheated with a bought curry paste. To make the curry, fry 2 tablespoons of red curry paste in some coconut oil until it’s fragrant. Add 1 – 2 cans of coconut…… Continue reading duck red curry with lychees
multi-grain no-knead bread
This very grainy cob loaf doesn’t require much hands-on work, just some time. Mix 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 cups of wholemeal flour, 2 teaspoons of salt, 2 teaspoons of sugar, 2½ teaspoons of dry active yeast and 1 teaspoon of bread improver. To this add 1 cup of mixed seeds and grains. I added pepita seeds,…… Continue reading multi-grain no-knead bread
enoki mushroom and bean thread soup
This quick Asian style soup makes a deliciously satisfying meal. Nothing in this soup takes very long to cook. Prepare a light chicken or vegetable stock and add some finely shredded cabbage, enoki mushrooms and julienned carrots. After a couple of minutes add some bean thread noodles (mung bean vermicelli) broken into 10cm (4″ ) lengths, some sliced…… Continue reading enoki mushroom and bean thread soup
8 hour smoked lamb shoulder
Cooked by Thomas, following a recipe from AmazingRibs.com, this lamb shoulder was truly amazing. With all the fat rendered, what was left was beautifully moist and smoky meat falling off the bone. You will need a charcoal barbecue or smoker, a thermometer and a free day to cook this. The day before cooking your lamb shoulder, prepare it…… Continue reading 8 hour smoked lamb shoulder
cooking class in Provence part 2
In my last post I detailed 2 amuse–bouches, a first course and main course I learnt at Jean-Marc Villard’s hands-on French Cooking School. Now for the dessert, a strawberry frangipane tart. The pastry was a very short shortcrust, easy to cut, firm enough not to break and wonderfully crumbly. This was made from 200g (7 oz) of plain flour,…… Continue reading cooking class in Provence part 2
cooking class in Provence
While in Provence, I took the opportunity to participate in a hands-on cooking class with chef Jean-Marc Villard at his French Cooking School. After shopping for local and organic ingredients, we returned to the specially designed teaching kitchen, where Jean-Marc guided us in preparing and cooking a traditional French meal which we later enjoyed on the terrace with the chef and his…… Continue reading cooking class in Provence
fine dining and tomatoes
Provence has the most sunshine in France which is probably why the tomatoes here are so abundant and fragrant. When I dined at Christian Etienne, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Avignon, I was excited to see a 7-course tomato menu. Unfortunately, in my excitement, I failed to photograph the first course, a ceviche of smoked mackerel with a Black Russian…… Continue reading fine dining and tomatoes
salade niçoise
I’m enjoying a sojourn in Provence, in the south of France, where the local produce and hot weather make this salad a perfect choice for a meal. Of course, fresh tuna would be fantastic but this version is the kind you can make with ingredients you have to hand. First prepare some potatoes and place them in a saucepan…… Continue reading salade niçoise
michelle picker cooks 