This simple recipe uses only one pan and is a quick and easy way to impress. First dry the duck breasts with a paper towel and season them with salt and pepper. Place them skin-side down in a cold pan then turn the heat to medium and cook for 6-8 minutes until golden brown, pouring off any excess…… Continue reading duck breast with sour cherry sauce
date and tamarind cake with lemon cardamom icing
A surfeit of dates and a search for ideas led me to this amazing Dan Lepard recipe. I just couldn’t resist and it didn’t disappoint. Preheat your oven to 180ºC (350ºF) and grease and line a cake tin with baking paper. Put 200g (7 0z) of dates, 50g (1¾ oz) of tamarind paste and 300ml (10 fl oz) of water in…… Continue reading date and tamarind cake with lemon cardamom icing
dumplings
A cooking club is my latest venture. And what better way to start than with dumpling making? With our home-made dough and freshly minced meat the results were delicious, although a little tricky to keep from sticking together (I now realise they should be either cooked or frozen immediately). Many dumpling dough methods were researched before deciding to use plain unbleached…… Continue reading dumplings
lamb meatballs with lemon and herbs
Having bought a mincer attachment for my stand mixer, I decided on this meatball tagine to try it out. The meatballs were wonderfully soft and delicious. In a food processor combine ½ a brown onion and 2 tablespoons of flat-leaf parsley and process until finely chopped. Add 2 torn slices of stale white bread without crusts and…… Continue reading lamb meatballs with lemon and herbs
super soft sandwich bread + cultured butter
Many years ago I attended classes run by Carol Bates in Simply No-Knead Breadmaking. I discovered that good quality untreated flour makes for less work. This recipe makes a deliciously soft white bread. For 2 loaves, mix together 8 cups of unbleached white bread flour, ⅓ of a cup of ground or instant oats (1 sachet), 6 teaspoons of…… Continue reading super soft sandwich bread + cultured butter
butternut and basil lasagna
The arrival of autumn here and the garden still bursting with basil made this the perfect combination. Cut butternut pumpkin (squash) into pieces and toss them in a bowl with some olive oil, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Fry over low heat until they have some colour and are just soft then set them aside. In the same…… Continue reading butternut and basil lasagna
buffalo chicken wings
Named for the city where they were invented, these chicken wings are normally deep-fried. Inspired by a trip to the US, Thomas made this amazing version, grilled over hot coals with a little hickory smoke and served with a blue cheese sauce. Choose plump free-range chicken wings and season them with salt and generous amounts of freshly ground…… Continue reading buffalo chicken wings
berry friands
These little friands make a delightful afternoon tea or finger food dessert. Preheat your oven to 180ºC (350ºF). Brush 30 mini muffin pans with melted butter then dust with flour. Melt 170g (6 oz) of butter and allow it to cool a little. In a mixing bowl combine 155g (5½ oz) of sifted icing sugar, 155g (5½ oz) of almond meal and 70g (2½…… Continue reading berry friands
marinated tomatoes teruel
The remote and mountainous Spanish town of Teruel is not only known for it’s Moorish architecture but is also renowned for it’s jamón serrano (cured ham). This salad would make a fitting accompaniment. Slice 3 very large ripe tomatoes and arrange them in a single layer in a shallow serving dish. In a bowl combine ⅓ of a cup of olive…… Continue reading marinated tomatoes teruel
baked whole snapper
Australian snapper is a soft, delicately flavoured fish but it stands up well to these robust Thai flavours and lends itself well to baking. Preheat your oven to 190ºC (375ºF). Take the cleaned and gutted whole fish, season with salt and pepper and stuff the cavity with ½ a cup of fresh holy basil (Thai basil) leaves.…… Continue reading baked whole snapper
michelle picker cooks 