The Rainbow Plate -The More Colour in Your Food - The Better

Plus Such a Pleasure to Eat
Two very simple ideas to "colourize" your Table

For this Salad I used
Bag of mixed leaves plus 1/2 bag of Rocket
2 radishes sliced
Stick of celery chopped
2 San Manzano Tomatoes Chopped 
1 Avocado, peeled and sliced
Bunch of chives chopped  for that onion boost
3 tablespoons of French Dressing

Just layer your lettuce and rocket
Scatter all the chopped vege over
Drizzle the French dressing
Hands in and toss
Voila

Next... the Asparagus Season is nearly over and we can really never get enough of it but I thought I would pretty it up, for a change

Asparagus tailed and cooked to al dente
1 medium Red Onion Chopped
1 Corn Cob freshly shucked, kernels sliced off
Little chopped parsley

Good Olive oil
Sea salt and freshly Ground Black Pepper 
Juice and zest of a lemon

I find the best way to poach Asparagus, is to cook it in a shallow pan
Plenty of room to lay it out, in its full glory
Bring the pan of water to the boil
Add Salt and a slug of Olive Oil
Add Asparagus and cook till knife just goes through
Probably only 3-5 minutes at most

Drain and put into bowl of salted iced water  to stop it cooking and keep the lovely green colour
Drain

Meanwhile
Saute Onion in 3 tablespoons Olive oil till translucent,
Add Corn Kernels
Toss around for a couple of minutes, just to take the rawness out of the corn
Season with Salt and Pepper
Zest the Lemon over the top plus the Juice and Parsley
Toss to blend and pour over the Asparagus

How pretty is that?

Not Only Spinach But Also Mushroom - Little Pastries to Have with Drinks

Two of my favourite appetizers to have with drinks.
Mushroom Savouries and Spinach Puffs

Both have been particularly popular when I've served them

I had some mushroom filling leftover, so what better way to use it up try the Spinach Puff Method

So here ya go...yet another idea to feed those guests

Mushroom Filling.
¼ cup unsalted butter
4 green onions chopped
2 tablespoons minced parsley
2 tablespoons minced chives
250 gm mushrooms finely chopped
3 tablespoons flour
¾ cup cream
¼ teaspoon dried thyme or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme finely chopped
¼ teaspoon cayenne
1 ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Sea salt
1 tablespoons lemon juice
Frozen Puff Pastry Sheets
Grated Parmesan Cheese.
2 tablespoons butter at room temperature

1 large tomato deseeded and cut into cubes

Parsley chopped 

1 egg beaten with a little water

Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat
Add green onions parsley and chives

Cook until wilted about 3 minutes
Add mushrooms
Cook 10 minutes, or until liquid evaporates.
Sprinkle flour over mixture, stir till blended
Cook 2 minutes stirring it will be dry be careful it doesn’t stick to pan.
Stir in cream, thyme cayenne freshly ground black pepper, salt and lemon juice.
Reduce heat to low cook 5 minutes or until thickened.
Cool
Meanwhile defrost the pastry and cut into 9 squares

Lightly grease mini patty tins, Press each square into a hole
Fill with Mushrooms and put a little cube of tomato on  top

Finely grate Parmesan Cheese over the top

Fold the edges in and pop a piece of parsley on top

Brush with egg wash and bake at 190C
Turn the tray once after 15 mins, then continue to bake until Golden
About another 10 minutes

Here they are all packed up ready for me to deliver today

Can't wait to try them

Chicken Fricasse by Gordon - Thumbs Up from All the Family

I was perusing My Gordon Ramsay Cookbook, actually looking for Chicken Gravy for Christmas Day. In passing I saw this recipe for Chicken Fricasse
As luck would have it, we had a whole Chicken in the Freezer
So got my butchering skill (?) possibly not skill but I cut the chicken in edible pieces
This recipe was so popular with the family, it is on the list of favourites.
As you can see we served it with Cous Cous, Peas and Cabbage
Thank you Mr Ramsay

1 large free-range chicken, jointed into 8 pieces
(2 drumsticks, 2 thighs, 2 breasts cut in half)
150g smoked bacon lardons
4 garlic cloves, peeled and bashed
150g chestnut mushrooms, halved
1 bay leaf 2 rosemary sprigs
2 thyme sprigs, leaves only
75ml brandy
450ml chicken stock
100 mls cream
Small handful of parsley, chopped
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper


Place a large heavy-based sauté pan over a medium heat and add the olive oil.
Season the chicken, add to the hot pan and sauté for 3–4 minutes on one side, until golden.

Turn the chicken, then add the lardons, garlic and mushrooms and mix well. 
Stir in the bay, rosemary and thyme.  

Add the brandy and, very carefully, tilt the hot pan towards the lit gas to ignite the alcohol and flambé the chicken. 

This must be done cautiously because it will create a huge flame.
(Couldn't capture the flame unfortunately)
Allow it to die down, then lower the heat slightly and simmer gently for 2–3 minutes.
Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a gentle simmer.

Cook uncovered for 10 minutes, then cover and cook for a further 15–20 minutes, until all the chicken pieces are done.
Transfer them to a plate, then increase the heat under the pan for a few minutes to reduce and slightly thicken the sauce.
n.b. I didn’t want to reduce the sauce too much or it could have been a bit salty
so I added Cream to thicken slightly

Return the chicken to the pan and spoon the sauce over it.
Before serving, discard the garlic, rosemary and bay leaf,
and sprinkle with the chopped parsley. 


Can't get much better than that

Have You Tried This Dip It’s Amazing - Hot Black Bean Tex Mex Dip

That was the cry from a satisfied guest
We were holding a celebration drinks party for my Daughter’s Graduation
I was on food,
I made some of the usual Suspects
Chicken Sandwiches, Spinach Puffs, Mushroom Tarts, Guacamole, Blinis with Creme Fraiche and Smoked Salmon
We thought we should try something new... A Hot Bean Dip perhaps?
So I surfed the Net and found this recipe on the Allrecipes site
This is a keeper and we will make it again
It’s not the prettiest dish but look at the wonderful ingredients

So you will need
1 400 gm can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup fresh corn kernels
3/4 cup chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup mild picante sauce
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 cup shredded Tasty cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 


Place black beans in a medium size mixing bowl,
partially mash beans -- beans should remain a little chunky.
Add cumin

In a medium size frying pan, heat oil over a medium heat. 
Stir in onion and garlic and sauté for 4 minutes.
Mix beans, corn, tomato, picante sauce, and chili powder into the frying pan; 
Cook for 5 minutes or until thickened.

Remove the pan from the heat,
Mix in cheese, cilantro and lime juice; 
Stir until cheese is melted. 

Corn chips best on the side

Yummy Chicken Salad with a Creamy Miso Dressing

When you need another Chicken Salad recipe. This works a treat
In the weekends we usually buy a Rotisserie Chicken from the Deli
Strip the chicken off the bones. Dress it. Make stock with the bones  Waste not Want Not

In this part of the world it is heating up. The Pohutakawa trees are in Bloom
Summer is here. Not quite the Hazy, Lazy days yet but it's a start

 

The difference here is the dressing using White Miso and Tahini along with other basic Asian flavour, Citrus, Fish Sauce, Soy Sauce. What more could one ask for

So you need

    4 slices bacon

    1 1½-inch piece ginger, peeled, cut into very thin matchsticks

    1 tablespoon soy sauce

    1 tablespoon tahini

    1 tablespoon white miso

    2 teaspoons fish sauce

    ¾ teaspoon toasted sesame oil

    Pinch of sugar

    4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, divided

    1 large egg yolk

    ¾ cup vegetable oil, divided

    Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper 

    1 small rotisserie chicken, skin removed, meat shredded (about 4 cups)

    1 head of green leaf lettuce, cut crosswise into ½-inch-thick ribbons

    2 scallions, thinly sliced

    Toasted sesame seeds (for serving)
 

Cook bacon in a dry medium skillet over medium heat, turning slices occasionally, until brown and crisp, 5–8 minutes. 

Transfer to paper towels; let cool.


Cook ginger in a small saucepan of boiling water 1 minute. 

Drain ginger and rinse under cold water; set aside.


Whisk soy sauce, tahini, miso, fish sauce, sesame oil, sugar, 

and 2 Tbsp. lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth.


 

Whisk egg yolk and remaining 2 Tbsp. lemon juice in a medium bowl to combine. 

Very gradually stream in ½ cup vegetable oil (almost drop by drop), whisking constantly until mayonnaise is emulsified and thick. 

Still whisking constantly, gradually add soy sauce mixture, then remaining ¼ cup oil. 

Thin dressing with a tablespoon or two of water if needed; 

you want it to be the consistency of heavy cream. 

Season with salt and pepper.



Toss chicken and ½ cup dressing in a large bowl to coat. 

Below Mise en Place Ready to serve

Add lettuce and another ½ cup dressing and toss again; season with salt and pepper. 

Crumble bacon over.


Transfer salad to a serving bowl or platter and drizzle another tablespoon or so of dressing over salad (you may have some left over). 

Top with scallions, sesame seeds, and reserved ginger.



Do Ahead: Dressing can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.



Perfect for a Summers Day

Chicken and Cheese - Perfect Pairing- I call it Chicken Deluxe

Once again devising a menu from the fridge and pantry
I had read about Chicken coated in a Mayo and cheese mix.
It really worked ...so tender and juicy and plenty of flavour
You couldn’t get anything easier
I thought I would call this Chicken Deluxe
It was pretty delicious, well deserving of the flash name

On the side, Roast Potato Cubes and Greens a la Gilli Style, always popular with the kids
This amount will feed 6 people out in our case 5 with leftovers

You will need
A mix of boneless, skinless chicken breasts and thighs
For this amount of sauce, I had 3 breasts and 4 thighs
1 cup mayonnaise (for a healthier option, use plain Greek yogurt in place of the mayo)
1/2 cup Parmesan  or Pecorino cheese
Zest of 1 Lemon
2 cloves of garlic finely chopped
1 tsp seasoning salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup Breadcrumbs toasted in a little butter

A potato per person peeled and and cut into cubes
Olive oil and salt and pepper

Handful of Green beans, a head Broccoli and 1 courgette turned into noodles
Olive oil,
Zest of lemon
2 cloves garlic chopped with sea salt
freshly ground black pepper

Directions:
For the Chicken
In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise (or yogurt if substituting), cheese, garlic, lemon zest and the seasonings.
Oil a baking dish, sprinkle with salt and pepper
Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel, lay it out in the baking dish
Spread the mixture on top of each of the chicken breasts.
Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the chicken

Place chicken into a baking dish and bake in a preheated oven,
200C for about 30 minutes, or until cooked through.
Rest for about 12 minutes
Serve warm or room temperature

The Potatoes
Bring the cubes to the boil from cold salted water
simmer about 5 minutes
Drain well
Toss in some olive oil
Roast at 200C for about 4 minutes
then add the chicken to oven and complete the cooking for another 30 minutes

Turn potatoes out in a colander lined with paper towels season with sea salt

For the Greens
Blanch the green beans in boiling water about 2 minutes. drain and set aside
In the same water add the broccoli, blanch for about 4 minutes
Drain and set aside

In a large skillet add 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauté the garlic lightly…don’t brown
Grate in the zest of the lemon

Add the Zucchini Noodles toss well
Season with a little salt and pepper
Add Green beans and Broccoli
Toss around and sauté for about 3-4 minutes
To serve
Slice the Chicken, spoon over juice from the pan
and decorate with potatoes and green vege
Food fit for a King

Coconut Chicken Curry

When I first made this curry, I used Curry Powder, but this week I used a Curry Paste
I think it was a more exciting flavour
Also I rubbed the chicken thighs with the paste and roasted them
Then pulled the meat apart. Great flavour on the chicken
But if you follow the recipe below It becomes a very quick curry
A Curry in a Hurry in fact.
Very popular with the kids and the Adults
I found this recipe on the Epicurious Site
This feeds six

1 medium onion roughly chopped
1 tablespoon oil
1 kilo chicken boneless, skinless  thighs chopped
2 Sachets of Asian Gourmet Curry Paste… the Vietnamese Flavour
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons virgin coconut or vegetable oil (plus 2 teaspoons; optional)

2 x 400 ml cans coconut milk (preferably full-fat)
1 (2 1/2") piece ginger, peeled and rough chopped
4 garlic cloves, peeled
1/4 cup raw cashews, chopped (optional)
1 1/2 teaspoons yellow and/or black mustard seeds (optional)
1 packet baby spinach
Cilantro leaves with tender stems and cooked rice or naan (Indian flatbread; for serving)



Toss chicken with curry paste, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.

Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet (at least 12" in diameter) over medium-high.
Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes.
add 1 sachet of curry paste, stir

and cook for another couple of minutes remove and set aside
Add more oil and saute chicken till brown
You may need to do it in batches

Meanwhile Purée coconut milk, ginger, and garlic in a blender until very smooth.

Add coconut milk mixture and cooked onion to the chicken in the pan

and cook, tossing occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened, 7-10 minutes.
Add spinach to pan sprinkle with salt and pepper

and blend in till spinach is wilted. about a minute or two

Meanwhile, if using, heat 2 tsp. oil in a small skillet over medium.
Add cashews and mustard seeds and cook, stirring, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2–3 minutes.

 Immediately transfer nut mixture including the oil to a small bowl.

Serve the Curry over rice
Garnish with Cashews, Coriander and Red Pepper

 Delicious, Pretty and So so simple

Easy Butter Chicken

I have never made Butter Chicken. 

Last week my Granddaughter requested it for dinner

so I Surfed the Net and found quite a few recipes, naturally

I decided to use the BBC Good Food idea, 

with a couple of changes, to suit what I had in the cupboard

It was very popular, with the kids…Second and third helpings in fact

I didn’t add chilli as I was cooking for kids, but if you feel the need…

Finely chop and saute a red chilli with the garlic and ginger

If you want greens I suggest some wilted spinach on the side

Cooks hint

Don’t forget when you wilt the spinach, sauté  in a little butter with garlic, seasoned 

with S & P

Spinach really needs that extra touch

So back to the Butter Chicken 

You will need

25 gms Butter

1 red onion chopped

Sea Salt and Freshly ground Black Pepper

3 tablespoons Butter Chicken Curry Paste

3 large chicken Breasts cut into pieces

1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon Rice Bran oil

3 cloves garlic peeled and crushed

1 Tablespoon grated ginger

2 whole tomatoes chopped

Sea salt and freshly Grated Black pepper

500g Passata or 1 400 gms can chopped tomatoes blitzed

100 mls double cream

Handful coriander chopped, stems and leaves 

Cooked Rice to serve

Marinate the chicken piece in the curry paste, for at least an hour

Then when ready 

Heat butter in a large pan, 

Over medium heat, add onion, season with salt and pepper and sauté till softened

Meanwhile in another pan over high heat

Add More butter and a tablespoon of Rice Bran oil

Brown chicken pieces

Don’t crowd the pan so you will need to cook in batches

You will also need to add more cooking fat as you go

Add to onion mix

Add another tablespoon of butter

Add garlic, ginger and chopped fresh tomatoes

Season with S & P

Saute till soft

Add to chicken and onion

 Add the Passata/Canned Tomatoes

Stir and bring to a simmer

Simmer gently, uncovered for about 20 minutes, till chicken is tender

Taste and adjust season if needed 

Just before serving add cream and chopped coriander

Serve over cooked rice 

With a leaf or two of coriander for presentation

It was suggested that you add 2 tablespoons Cashew Butter with the cream

I didn't have any but it sounds like a tasty idea

And as usual the youngest Members of the Family don't give a damn

Beef and Noodle Salad - Vietnamese Style

We have a new BBQ and already it has been well used
A beautiful piece of Scotch Filet was cooked up in the weekend and of course
there were leftovers
Also we have the garden
In fact to prove how fresh our cabbage is
It still has little slugs living in it

In amongst that Wilderness, there are loads of Cabbages and Kale

To be honest, I’m not that wrapped in Kale but it amazing what butter and garlic will do
I digress
So back to the Beef. 
We had mint, coriander  and chilies in the Fridge
A Vietnamese Beef Salad came to mind
What I love about this style of salads is the flavour, the freshness the crispness
All the food groups almost

If you wish to start from Fresh
This will feed 4-5

600 gms scotch Filet
A little oil
Sea salt and ground black pepper

Dressing
3 spring onions chopped
1 red chilli deseeded and chopped
2 cloves garlic chopped finely
6 tablespoons lime juice
6 tablespoons fish sauce
4 tablespoons soft brown sugar. I used coconut sugar
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons grated ginger

Rice or wheat noodle 50 gms per person

Cook  noodles according to manufacturers instruction
Drain, run under cold water and set aside
At this stage with kitchen scissors, cut the noodle into pieces easy to pick up

Salad
2 carrots grated
1/2 small cabbage
1/2 telegraph cucumber de-seeded and finely sliced
1/2 yellow pepper sliced
1/2 red pepper sliced
Handful of coriander leaves roughly chopped
Handful mint Leaves roughly chopped

Rub beef with a little oil and season well with salt and pepper
Cook to desired doneness
Preferably rare (not blue )
Slice across the grain and set aside
To make dressing
Place all ingredients in a jar with a screw top lid
Shake well


To Assemble
Place all vege into a large bowl
Place cooked and drained noodles on top
Then the beef
Drizzle the dressing over

Then get your hands in and toss it all well
That's the fun bit

Done
Serve
Just what the Doctor ordered...Fresh, Crisp, Delicious