Another delightful vegetarian meal. First cut a block of firm tofu into slices and dry them with some paper towel. In a shallow saucepan which has a lid heat some oil to medium heat and fry the slices of tofu until browned on both sides. Set aside. Add some more oil to the pan and…… Continue reading tofu with shiitake and enoki mushrooms
soba noodles
Soba noodles are Japanese noodles made mostly from buckwheat. Brown in colour with a slightly grainy texture, in Japan they are served either chilled with a dipping sauce, or hot in a soup. This recipe from Heidi at foodiecrush has plenty of sesame and green onions and can be eaten hot or at room temperature.…… Continue reading soba noodles
white cut chicken
Classic Chinese comfort food. Velvety soft poached chicken served with a ginger and spring onion (scallion) sauce and chilli oil. Place the chicken in a saucepan with a little space around it and cover it with cold water. Add a few slices of ginger and slowly bring to a simmer. When the water simmers, turn…… Continue reading white cut chicken
hazelnut dacquoise cake
A dacquoise is a meringue which has ground nuts incorporated into it. I chose hazelnuts and added dark chocolate and sour cherries as well. Preheat your oven to 190ºC (375ºF) and line a springform cake tin. Bring 6 egg whites to room temperature. Meanwhile, toast 130g (4½ oz) of hazelnuts. Cool them and blitz them…… Continue reading hazelnut dacquoise cake
fig and burrata salad
Here’s an attractive and delicious salad of fresh figs with burrata cheese that’s suitable for any festive occasion. Adapted from this Gourmet Traveller recipe. Cut 12 fresh figs and 8 burrata into quarters lengthways and arrange them on a platter. For the sherry vinaigrette dressing combine 2½ tablespoons of Pedro Ximénez Sherry vinegar, 3 teaspoons…… Continue reading fig and burrata salad
truffle cheese scrolls
A jar of truffle and porcini paste inspired these luxurious savoury scrolls. To make the dough combine 200g (7g) of strong bread flour with 600g (1⅓ lb) of plain white flour. Add 3 teaspoons of bread improver, 2 teaspoons of salt, 4¼ teaspoons of dry active yeast and ⅓ of a cup of finely grated…… Continue reading truffle cheese scrolls
gravlax
Scandinavian gravlax is fresh salmon cured in salt and sugar with dill. Linda made this excellent version from another great recipetineats recipe. You will need 1kg (2 lbs) of very fresh deboned salmon. Roughly grind 1 tablespoon of white peppercorns in a mortar and pestle. Combine the pepper with 1 cup of finely chopped fresh…… Continue reading gravlax
roasted fig, ricotta and almond cake
It was fig season and I bought a tray of fresh figs. I decided to roast them using a David Lebovitz recipe as a guide. The idea for this flourless and gluten free cake followed. For the roasted figs: Preheat your oven to 200ºC (400ºF). Wash 900g (2 lbs) of figs, trim off the stems…… Continue reading roasted fig, ricotta and almond cake
spinach salad with dates and almonds
Another flavour bomb from the cookbook Jerusalem by the inimitable Yotam Ottolenghi. Simple but so tasty! In a bowl combine 100g of Medjoool dates pitted and quartered lengthwise, ½ a finely sliced red onion and 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar. Season with a little salt, mix well and leave to marinate for 20 minutes.…… Continue reading spinach salad with dates and almonds
roasted sweet potato spiral
Thanks again to recipetineats for this attractive and utterly delicious sweet potato side dish. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and spread olive oil on the bottom and sides of a round 26cm (11½”) oven proof dish. Wash and slice 1¼ kg (2½lbs) of evenly sized sweet potatoes very thinly, using a mandoline if you have…… Continue reading roasted sweet potato spiral
michelle picker cooks 