This rice pudding is so simple and delicious as well as being a great way to use up any left-over rice. Cooking time may vary depending on the type of rice you use. Start with cooked rice and for every cup of rice add 2 cups of milk and one cup of water. Bring to…… Continue reading coconut rice pudding
spinach pie + vegetables in filo
When I’m not cooking, I’m lucky enough to have other excellent cooks around me. This spinach pie is a recent example. Thaw a packet of filo pastry and preheat the oven to 190C (375F). Remove the roots from a large bunch of English spinach, wash well (making sure no grit remains) then drain. In a large pot,…… Continue reading spinach pie + vegetables in filo
bi bim bap
This Korean rice dish is traditionally served in heated stone bowls, making the rice crispy around the edges. For my version the ingredients you will need from a Korean or Japanese store are rice (short grain sushi quality), dried sliced Shitake mushrooms, toasted nori strips, black sesame seeds, chilli paste and white miso. Measure the rice into…… Continue reading bi bim bap
florentine XL
This giant Florentine is probably easier to make than many smaller ones and looks great as a dessert. In a bowl combine 2 cups of blanched toasted nuts with 2 cups of sweet cereal flakes and ⅓ cup of plain flour. Heat ½ cup each of sugar and honey in a saucepan until the sugar has dissolved…… Continue reading florentine XL
pork roast mexicana
This dish requires 3 dried ancho chillies which are not spicy but impart a wonderful smoky flavour. Boil these in 1¾ cups of water until softened then remove the seeds. In a blender, puree the chillies and their cooking liquid with ¾ of a cup of malt vinegar, 1 onion, 2-3 cloves of garlic, 2…… Continue reading pork roast mexicana
tortillas
Since travelling to Mexico we’re hooked on fresh tortillas. Our first tortilla press was a bought one, made of cast aluminium, which just didn’t seem to work very well. So we decided to make our own press based on a model we saw being used by a street vendor in Melaque. Should you become enthusiastic enough…… Continue reading tortillas
biryani
This meal is great for crowds and can be prepared in advance. You will need cooked Basmati rice, cooked brown lentils (these taste good with the addition of fresh ginger and turmeric during cooking), hard-boiled eggs and one or two curries of your choice. In my latest version I used a Madras-style minced beef curry and…… Continue reading biryani
poppy seed and almond cake
This deliciously moist flourless cake is equally good for dessert or afternoon tea. To make it you will need 100g butter, ¾ cup sugar, 3 large eggs, 1½ cups poppy seeds, 2½ cups almond meal, 1 teaspoon bi-carb soda, 2 cups buttermilk and 1 teaspoon almond essence. Preheat the oven to 180C (350F). Combine the butter and sugar then add the eggs…… Continue reading poppy seed and almond cake
baked breakfast
Here’s a breakfast (or brunch) with a Middle-Eastern influence. First prepare a baking dish with some olive oil. Cut tomatoes in half and sprinkle with sumac (a spice made from berries which adds a tangy lemony flavour) then place them cut-side up in the baking dish. Cut mushrooms into quarters or thick slices and add…… Continue reading baked breakfast
ratatouille
Ratatouille used to be such a fashionable dish, but somehow I had memories of a mushy mix of overcooked vegetables that just wasn’t inspiring. This time I tried the real French method – what a difference! Heat some olive oil in a large wide frypan and add 2 onions sliced into 1cm (½ inch) rings. Cook…… Continue reading ratatouille
michelle picker cooks 