Japchae (잡채) 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
Tag: vegetarian
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 220ºC (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
paneer makhani
This wonderful paneer recipe comes from chef Aktar Islam of Michelin starred restaurant Opheem. To a saucepan add 1 sliced onion, 1 teaspoon each of grated ginger and garlic, 5 large sliced tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of toasted cashews, 25g (.9 oz) of unsalted butter, 3 green cardamom pods, 1 black cardamom pod, 3 whole cloves,…… Continue reading paneer makhani
ricotta with fennel, peas and mint
This lovely fresh starter or salad comes from Where the Heart Is by Karen Martini. Blanch ⅔ of a cup of frozen peas in lightly salted boiling water for 15-20 seconds. Drain, then drizzle with a little good quality olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Cut I large fennel…… Continue reading ricotta with fennel, peas and mint
chawanmushi
Chawanmushi (茶わん蒸し) means ‘steamed in a tea cup or bowl’ and is the name for a Japanese savoury egg custard. Ingredients often include chicken or prawns (shrimp) but I chose to make one with just vegetables. Serve this delicate dish as part of a Japanese main course with rice and pickles. In a saucepan heat 2½…… Continue reading chawanmushi
pea and dill pilaf
A simple but delicious pilaf. Serve it as a side dish or on it’s own with some yoghurt. Heat some vegetable oil and butter in a heavy pot and add 1½ cups of basmati rice, 1 heaped teaspoon of dried mint and salt to taste. Stir the rice until it’s coated with the oil and…… Continue reading pea and dill pilaf
red lentil and cauliflower gratin
Comfort food. A cheesy bake of red lentils and cauliflower. Preheat your oven to 180ºC (350ºF). Heat some olive oil in a pan and gently fry a chopped onion, a chopped carrot and the same amount of chopped celery until softened. Add 1-2 cloves of minced garlic and cook briefly before adding 1 cup of…… Continue reading red lentil and cauliflower gratin
tofu salad
This Sichuan style salad is a delicious way to eat on a hot day. The dressing is fairly authentic although the carrots I added perhaps not as much. First soak some black fungus in boiling water to soften. Meanwhile make the dressing. Mince 6-8 cloves of garlic, a similar amount of fresh ginger and finely…… Continue reading tofu salad
beet greens, sweet potato, lentils and coconut
Here’s a fabulous way to eat those beet greens and stems that often go to waste. Truly delicious! In a large, heavy pot heat 1 tablespoon of coconut oil over medium heat. Add 1 finely diced brown onion and sauté until translucent and soft. Add 1 teaspoon of chilli flakes and ¾ of a teaspoon…… Continue reading beet greens, sweet potato, lentils and coconut
sticky sesame cauliflower
Sticky and spicy, these cauliflower bites make a perfect vegetarian starter or side. Preheat your oven to 220ºC (425ºF). In a large bowl combine ½ a cup of all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons of cornflour (cornstarch), ½ a teaspoon of cayenne pepper, ½ a teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder. Whisk well while…… Continue reading sticky sesame cauliflower
michelle picker cooks 