I had a hankering to cook something with red wine, so I decided to try this pork sirloin. The result was wonderfully moist and juicy. I first preheated the oven to 180C (360F) and then seasoned the pork with salt, pepper and ground fennel. In a deep, oven-proof pot I heated some olive oil and quickly browned the…… Continue reading roast pork sirloin with red wine
apple cake
This apple cake, from a Stephanie Alexander recipe, is moist and full of apple chunks. Serve it with fresh cream or a good vanilla ice cream and watch it disappear! Peel and chop 2 cups of eating apples and soak them for 30 minutes in 2 tablespoons of a spirit of your choice (I used…… Continue reading apple cake
giant pasta shells
Easier to fill than cannelloni, these giant pasta shells look impressive. Cook the pasta first, for about half the prescribed cooking time, and then fill with a mixture of freshly cooked spinach (well drained and squeezed dry), ½ a bunch of fresh basil, 1-2 cups of fresh ricotta and ½ a cup of feta cheese. For…… Continue reading giant pasta shells
steamed fish + vegetable stir-fry
Fish steamed in this way retains all it’s flavour and moisture. Place the fish in a shallow dish and sprinkle with a little fish sauce. Top with sliced spring onion tops, coriander, fresh chilli and kaffir lime leaf. Place the dish over boiling water and cover, steaming for approximately 10 minutes until the fish is…… Continue reading steamed fish + vegetable stir-fry
chocolate and almond biscotti
These biscotti are only slightly sweet and have a lovely dark chocolate flavour. To make them you will need 1¾ cups of plain flour, 1½ teaspoons baking powder, ½ a cup of cocoa powder, 250 grams marzipan, 150 grams cold salted butter, 3 eggs, 1½ cups blanched and toasted whole almonds and 1 tablespoon of almond-flavoured liqueur (or similar).…… Continue reading chocolate and almond biscotti
grilled chicken mexican style + black beans + guacamole
Delicious with tortillas and all the usual mexican accompaniments this chicken is equally good as part of any barbecue. Rub skinless chicken pieces with a mixture of smoky paprika, chipotle powder, salt, lime juice and vegetable oil and allow to marinate for at least an hour or overnight in the fridge. Cook over hot coals…… Continue reading grilled chicken mexican style + black beans + guacamole
rice noodle salad
I love Thai green papaya salad so, even though I had no green papayas, I decided to use the traditional dressing for this rice noodle salad. First, I soaked a packet of fine rice vermicelli according to the instructions and rinsed them in cold water, cutting them into shorter pieces before combining them with some…… Continue reading rice noodle salad
cheese and almond cake
This cake has a lighter texture than traditional baked cheesecake and may even have a few less calories. To make the crust, crumble a 200g package of sweet biscuits and combine with 120g of butter (this can be done in a food processor). Press into a spring-form cake tin and bake for 10-15 minutes in a preheated…… Continue reading cheese and almond cake
curry
Here are a few simple curries which, when served with rice or fresh roti or paratha bread, make a feast! Given to me by a friend, this recipe for oven-baked chicken curry has many ingredients but is not as complicated as it seems. First, place 8-12 skinless chicken pieces of your choice into a baking…… Continue reading curry
roast lamb with puy lentils
This is a French family recipe passed on to me by a friend. Prepare lamb in the normal way seasoned with garlic, thyme, rosemary and rock salt and roast in the oven. While the lamb is cooking, gently fry 1 chopped onion, 1 diced carrot and 2 cloves of minced garlic in olive oil until the onions are translucent…… Continue reading roast lamb with puy lentils
michelle picker cooks 