vegetarian japchae

Japchae (ìžĄì±„) is a Korean dish of stir-fried sweet potato glass noodles. Savoury and slightly sweet, it always has vegetables and usually meat. In this version from Seonkyoung Longest, the meat is replaced by marinated shiitake mushrooms. Just delicious! Soak 10 to 12 dried shiitake mushrooms in hot water for 20 minutes or until softened. Squeeze all the water out…… Continue reading vegetarian japchae

kimchi salmon + Korean cucumber salad

With only one pot and a few ingredients this tasty dish (from NYT Cooking recipe by Sarah DiGrigorio) is definitely a winner. Heat your oven to 205ÂșC (450ÂșF). In a pan or skillet that’s oven safe melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter with 1 tabelspoon of sesame oil over high heat. Wait until the butter…… Continue reading kimchi salmon + Korean cucumber salad

smoky eggplant ragu

You won’t miss the meat in this deliciously smoky and rich Italian sauce with walnuts added for texture. I served mine with ricotta gnocchi but any pasta or gnocchi will work. Use one large eggplant (aubergine). To get that smoky flavour, prick the skin a few times and blacken all over, either on a barbecue…… Continue reading smoky eggplant ragu

sausage and ricotta pasta bake

This is what I call comfort food! Eve made this from a very popular NYT recipe by Melissa Clark. Heat your oven to 220ÂșC (425F). Heat some olive oil in an ovenproof pan or skillet over medium-high. Crumble 350g (Ÿ of a lb) of Italian sausage (we used pork and fennel sausage) into a skillet…… Continue reading sausage and ricotta pasta bake

spiced rum Christmas cake

Now is the perfect time to make a fruit cake for Christmas – plenty of time to feed it rum! Adapted from this recipe by Laura from A beautiful PLATE. First chop 300g (2 cups) of dried apricots, 160g (1 cup) of unsweetened black figs, 160g (1 cup) of unsweetened sour cherries and 120g (Ÿ of a cup) of dried unsweetened…… Continue reading spiced rum Christmas cake

montadito

Montadito is Spanish for bread or toast with toppings, basically tapas on toast. These are excellent as pre-dinner nibbles or as a delectable lunch. Using fresh produce from the garden and served on lightly toasted sourdough rye bread, these four are from or inspired by the cookbook MORO easy by Sam and Sam Clarke. Pepper,…… Continue reading montadito

roast vegetables with orzo and olives

This makes a great meal on it’s own or serve it as part of a larger menu. From the wonderful cookbook MORO easy by Sam and Sam Clarke. Preheat your oven to 220ÂșC (435)F). In a roasting tray or dish with some depth combine 2 sliced zucchinis (courgettes), 1 quartered and sliced eggplant (aubergine), 1…… Continue reading roast vegetables with orzo and olives

roast garlic and coriander chicken

Moroccan flavours of sweet poached garlic, coriander (cilantro), saffron and cumin are stuffed under the skin of this wonderfully moist roast chicken. From the fabulous cookbook MORO by Sam and Sam Clarke. For the stuffing break up 3 garlic bulbs, discarding any woody bits and place them in a small saucepan with skins on. Cover…… Continue reading roast garlic and coriander chicken