mini breakfast frittatas

Here’s a great breakfast for a crowd that’s easy to prepare ahead. These were simple ham and cheese but there are endless ingredient choices for mini frittatas and they’re excellent party food too. Try mushrooms, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, chillies, olives and truffle to name just a few. Let your imagination run wild. Generously butter some…… Continue reading mini breakfast frittatas

spicy prawns + vegetables in coconut

These two dishes use Belacan, a shrimp paste pressed into a block and sun-dried. It’s an essential ingredient in Malaysian cooking which adds a unique depth of flavour. Pre-roasting, a necessary step, reduces it’s very strong smell and flavour. Wrap a piece in foil and roast it over an open flame or in the oven until…… Continue reading spicy prawns + vegetables in coconut

rack of lamb + peas with feta and mint + roasted red peppers

Rack of lamb coated with mustard, garlic and rosemary and blushing inside – classic but still fabulous. Season each rack generously with salt and allow it to permeate for at least an hour. Meanwhile, crush some garlic with a mortar and pestle or a mini food processor and add plenty of fresh rosemary, some mustard…… Continue reading rack of lamb + peas with feta and mint + roasted red peppers

two desserts in one

Lovingly prepared by Cindy after a Moroccan meal, this dessert combines Baclava-style nuts with a simple strawberry yoghurt. Morocco has it’s version of Baclava and strawberries and yoghurt are a no-brainer as Morocco is the 5th-largest exporter of strawberries in the world. For the nuts, combine 2 cups of roughly chopped almonds, walnuts, pistachios and macadamia…… Continue reading two desserts in one

shiitake mushrooms

Shiitake mushrooms are used widely in Asian cuisines and considered to have many health benefits. They are widely available in their dried form but are a little harder to find fresh, although Asian stores are a good place to try. We decided to attempt to grow them. This a lengthy procedure with some inherent difficulties for…… Continue reading shiitake mushrooms

miso chicken with grapes and walnuts

Another unexpected and delicious combination of flavours in this recipe from (of course) Yotam Ottolenghi. In a large bowl combine 80g (2¾oz) of white miso paste, 40g (1½oz) of finely grated ginger, 4 tablespoons of mirin (sweet cooking sake) and 4 tablespoons of cider vinegar. To this add 8 bone-in pieces of chicken and mix well. Cover and allow to…… Continue reading miso chicken with grapes and walnuts

flourless mini chocolate cakes

Another recipe from SWEET  by Yotam Ottolenghi and Helen Goh. We ate these delightful little cakes while they were still slightly warm. With a thin crispy crust, they were moist and light on the inside and had a wonderful deep chocolate flavour. The amazingly glossy chocolate ganache was not so easy to make but tasted great…… Continue reading flourless mini chocolate cakes