Empanadas are the ubiquitous South American or Spanish pie – a pastry turnover with a filling of meat or cheese which is either baked or fried. Ours were baked with 2 different fillings: a corn and cheese filling and because we’re in Australia a lamb filling. Our Chilean friend Inês supplied Jane with the pastry…… Continue reading empanadas
Tag: corn
fish stew a la Mexicana
This colourful Mexican style fish stew is best made with firm white fish – I used rockling. Serve it with fresh corn tortillas, avocado and refried beans. And don’t forget the hot sauce! In a wide pan heat some vegetable oil over medium-high heat and fry a chopped onion and a sliced red pepper until…… Continue reading fish stew a la Mexicana
corn fritters + cucumber peanut salad
These Thai corn fritters are easy to make and absolutely delectable. Adapted from Marion’s Kitchen. For this recipe use 400g (14 oz) of fresh or frozen corn kernels – I used a mixture. Take 1 cup of the corn kernels and blitz them in a food processor to a fine consistency. Mix them back in…… Continue reading corn fritters + cucumber peanut salad
chicken and sweetcorn soup
Every culture has it’s chicken soup and this classic Chinese one is my kind of comfort food. First, make a good chicken stock from a boiling fowl or some chicken carcasses with a few slices of fresh ginger in it. When the stock is ready, strain it into a saucepan. If you have cooked a whole chicken then…… Continue reading chicken and sweetcorn soup
prawns in almond sauce + mexican rice
Nuts have been used to enrich sauces in Mexican cooking since Pre-Columbian times. Peanuts, or cacahuate, are thought to be indigenous to South America and were widely cultivated in Mexico. Almonds were introduced into the cuisine later, after the Spanish conquest in the 16th Century. This way of cooking prawns (shrimp) is quite simple and absolutely delicious. Soak 1 dried…… Continue reading prawns in almond sauce + mexican rice
grand final fiesta
There are many similarities between Super Bowl Sunday and the AFL Grand Final. Many families and friends gather to watch the game and celebrate or commiserate. The drink of choice is generally beer. At the game a meat pie is essential but at home barbecues reign. We decided instead to drink Margheritas and eat chicken fajitas, chorizo with potato and corn,…… Continue reading grand final fiesta
corn and sweet potato muffins
Try these as a savoury snack with cheese, in a lunchbox or as a side dish with chilli or spicy sticky pork ribs. Peel and steam a medium sweet potato and 2 corn on the cob (or an equivalent amount of frozen corn kernels). When cool, mash the sweet potato, cut the corn from the…… Continue reading corn and sweet potato muffins
smoky chipotle ham hock with red beans + barbecued corn
A Tex-Mex chilli of sorts using smoked ham hock, chipotle and red beans. Cook 1 large smoked ham hock with at least 2 cups of water until the meat is falling from the bone (in a pressure cooker this will take 30 minutes). Allow to cool and reserve the liquid. Cook 2 chopped onions and 3…… Continue reading smoky chipotle ham hock with red beans + barbecued corn
sweet corn bake
Golden and cheesy on the top, the centre of this bake is reminiscent of a soft corn tamale studded with juicy sweet corn. Preheat the oven to 180C (350F). Fry 1 large chopped leek, 1 diced green pepper and 2 finely diced green chillies in some vegetable oil until just starting to soften. Cut the…… Continue reading sweet corn bake
barbecued pork
This giant pork chop (or half leg) was marinated and cooked over a slow barbecue. Annatto seed (also known as achiote) is commonly used in Latin American and Caribbean cuisines for both colouring and flavouring and has a nutty, smoky and sweet flavour. It is available at any store that supplies South American ingredients (in Melbourne I…… Continue reading barbecued pork
michelle picker cooks 