hazelnut dacquoise cake

A dacquoise is a meringue which has ground nuts incorporated into it. I chose hazelnuts and added dark chocolate and sour cherries as well. Preheat your oven to 190ºC (375ºF) and line a springform cake tin. Bring 6 egg whites to room temperature. Meanwhile, toast 130g (4½ oz) of hazelnuts. Cool them and blitz them…… Continue reading hazelnut dacquoise cake

fig and burrata salad

Here’s an attractive and delicious salad of fresh figs with burrata cheese that’s suitable for any festive occasion. Adapted from this Gourmet Traveller recipe. Cut 12 fresh figs and 8 burrata into quarters lengthways and arrange them on a platter. For the sherry vinaigrette dressing combine 2½ tablespoons of Pedro Ximénez Sherry vinegar, 3 teaspoons…… Continue reading fig and burrata salad

roasted fig, ricotta and almond cake

It was fig season and I bought a tray of fresh figs. I decided to roast them using a David Lebovitz recipe as a guide. The idea for this flourless and gluten free cake followed. For the roasted figs: Preheat your oven to 200ºC (400ºF). Wash 900g (2 lbs) of figs, trim off the stems…… Continue reading roasted fig, ricotta and almond cake

spinach salad with dates and almonds

Another flavour bomb from the cookbook Jerusalem by the inimitable Yotam Ottolenghi. Simple but so tasty! In a bowl combine 100g of Medjoool dates pitted and quartered lengthwise, ½ a finely sliced red onion and 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar. Season with a little salt, mix well and leave to marinate for 20 minutes.…… Continue reading spinach salad with dates and almonds

roasted sweet potato spiral

Thanks again to recipetineats for this attractive and utterly delicious sweet potato side dish. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and spread olive oil on the bottom and sides of a round 26cm (11½”) oven proof dish. Wash and slice 1¼ kg (2½lbs) of evenly sized sweet potatoes very thinly, using a mandoline if you have…… Continue reading roasted sweet potato spiral

pressure cooker roast turkey thigh

Here’s a quick and easy way to satisfy any Thanksgiving cravings. Sprinkle your turkey thigh with some salt and freshly ground black pepper. Melt a mixture of butter and oil in your pressure cooker or instant pot over medium heat and place the turkey thigh in, skin side down. Cook until golden brown then remove…… Continue reading pressure cooker roast turkey thigh