Although inspired by Vietnamese pancakes, this omelette is Japanese in style and the filling is more Thai. For each person allow one egg and ½ a teaspoon of cornflour (cornstarch). In a cup, mix the cornflour to a paste with cold water. In a bowl beat the eggs well and add the cornflour paste with some extra water.…… Continue reading asian style vegetable omelette
chocolate raspberry slice
Deliciously dense with a dark chocolate flavour. Preheat the oven to 180C (350F). Melt 150g (5oz) each of 70% dark chocolate and butter together in a bowl over a simmering saucepan of water. When melted allow to cool a little. Meanwhile, press 200g of raspberries through a sieve. In a bowl cream 4 egg yolks…… Continue reading chocolate raspberry slice
chicken and sweet potato massaman curry
A lovely sweet Thai style curry. For this curry I used a ready-made massaman paste. Fry 2-3 tablespoons of curry paste with 2 finely sliced kaffir lime leaves in a little oil until fragrant then add a large peeled and diced sweet potato and a little stock. Cover and cook on low heat until the…… Continue reading chicken and sweet potato massaman curry
ricotta gnocchi with home-made basil pesto
These gnocchi are quick and easy to make and are a satisfying meal. Place 2 cups of fresh ricotta cheese in a bowl and add 1 large egg and ¾ of a cup of plain flour. Mix thoroughly with a fork then, with wet hands, roll the mixture into walnut-sized balls and place them on a…… Continue reading ricotta gnocchi with home-made basil pesto
flourless pineapple ginger coconut cake
A truly tropical combination. To make this cake you will need 200g dried pineapple, ½ cup palm sugar, 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger, 2 cups almond meal, 2 cups dessicated coconut, 5 large eggs, ½ cup light sour cream, 2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1 teaspoon ground ginger. Boil the pineapple, grated fresh ginger and palm sugar in 1 cup of water…… Continue reading flourless pineapple ginger coconut cake
super fast risotto
If you have a pressure cooker this recipe makes wonderful creamy risotto and can be adapted for different ingredients. Here’s a bacon and vegetable risotto. In your pressure cooker add a little olive oil and fry a diced onion, 2 finely diced cloves of garlic and 6 short pieces of bacon (also finely sliced) until…… Continue reading super fast risotto
two bean chilli con carne
This is not only a meal in one pot but takes chilli con carne to a new level. Especially good made a day ahead. Begin by frying a large chopped onion in some oil until it wilts then add a few finely diced cloves of garlic and a finely diced hot red chilli. Next a…… Continue reading two bean chilli con carne
almonds iberica
The Spanish are one of the world’s largest producers of almonds and they definitely know how to bring out the very best of their flavour. Almonds like these are often served as tapas. If you have almonds with skins, pour boiling water over them and wait until the skin is wrinkled. You can now pinch…… Continue reading almonds iberica
corn fritters with smoked salmon
A lavish finger food that’s easy to make and sure to impress. Mix 2 cups of cooked corn kernels with 1 finely diced green chilli, ½ cup chopped coriander (cilantro), 2-3 finely diced brown shallots, ¾ cup self-raising flour, 2 eggs and salt and pepper to taste. Heat a little corn oil in a fry-pan and drop spoonfuls of the mix in,…… Continue reading corn fritters with smoked salmon
chargrilled chicken
Some more delicious Asian-inspired barbeque from Spirit House Restaurant’s cookbook HOT PLATE Asian-Inspired Barbeque. My husband David cooked this one. The marinade is made by pounding 100gm (3½ oz) of white sugar, 3 birdseye chillies, a teaspoon of white peppercorns and the bottom of 3 stalks of lemongrass in a mortar and pestle with 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce…… Continue reading chargrilled chicken
michelle picker cooks 