A veritable 2for1 feast this as it's basically 2 desserts in one! But it's luscious summer treat, perfect for the glorious weather we have had recently :)
For 10-12 portions you need:
500g trimmed rhubarb, cut into 1 cm chunks
150g vanilla sugar
600ml double cream
6 egg whites
200g caster sugar
2 tsp cornflour
1 tsp white wine vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp vanilla paste
Begin by making the meringue base. Whisk the egg whites till they form soft peaks, then add the vanilla sugar, 1/4 cup at a time. Whisk well to mix. Once all the sugar has been added you should have a mound of shiny, soft, stiff eggs. Add the cornflour and vinegar and vanilla extract and combine well.
Scrape on to a lined baking sheet (top tip, use a little of the meringue to stick the baking paper on to the baking sheet) and form into a circle. Make a little well in the middle which will help to hold the filling once it's cooked. Place in a 150 degree oven and cook for 60-90 mins. You want a well risen, golden brown shell which is crispy on the outside and foamy, chewy and marshmallowey on the inside. Remove from the oven and leave to cool.
Meanwhile stew the rhubarb by placing the chopped rhubarb in a pan with the vanilla sugar. Add 1-2 tbsp of water and cook gently for about 15-30 mins till all the rhubarb is soft and sweet. Leave to cool.
Whip the cream to soft peaks, adding the vanilla paste. Gently fold 2/3 of the rhubarb into the cream to make it ripple. Pour the fool into the pavlova case and top with the remaining rhubarb. Serve, sitting outside in the late afternoon sunshine with a glass of something bubbly :)
Saturday 22 May 2010
Friday 21 May 2010
Haloumi and Vegetable Kebabs
I get so frustrated and fed up with the usual veggie fare on a BBQ. If you're lucky you might get a veggie sausage or burger. If you're unlucky you might get a tired, soggy selection of overcooked and bland vegetables. This recipe however shows how veggie kebabs *should* taste like.
For 4 portions you need
1 pack haloumi, cut into chunks
1 red and 1 orange pepper, cut into chunks
1-2 red onions, cut into chunks (what else...)
1/2 punnet button mushrooms
1-2 courgettes
olive oil
moroccan seasoning
Bamboo skewers, soaked in water or metal skewers
Begin by placing all the ingredients into a bowl and adding 1-2 tbsp of olive oil. Toss gently to coat. Then thread onto the skewers, using a good mix of everything. Lay the loaded skewers on the BBQ (towards the edge where it's a bit cooler) and BBQ till done. This should take between 5-10 mins depending on the heat. Turn carefully to ensure everything is evenly cooked.
Potato Salad
Ahhh it's BBQ time! So the theme for the next few recipes will be al fresco dining...! This potato salad recipe is a quick and easy one to throw together and goes well with BBQ'd food :)
For 4-6 portions you need
250g new potatoes
3-4 tbsp mayonaisse
1-2 tbsp salad cream
1/2 bunch spring onions, finely sliced
2 good handfuls chives, finely chopped along with some chive flowers if you have them
salt and pepper
Cook the potatoes, cutting them into bite sized chunks if you want to. Once cooked, drain and whilst still hot toss in the mayo, salad cream, onions and chives. Season to taste and garnish with chive flowers.
For 4-6 portions you need
250g new potatoes
3-4 tbsp mayonaisse
1-2 tbsp salad cream
1/2 bunch spring onions, finely sliced
2 good handfuls chives, finely chopped along with some chive flowers if you have them
salt and pepper
Cook the potatoes, cutting them into bite sized chunks if you want to. Once cooked, drain and whilst still hot toss in the mayo, salad cream, onions and chives. Season to taste and garnish with chive flowers.
Thursday 20 May 2010
Creamy Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry (v)
Yes I like curry. I like it a lot. Especially when it's creamy and unctuous and spicy. Which this one is...
For 4-6 portions you need:
1 butternut squash, cut into a 1.5cm dice
1 large onion, chopped
3 tbsp korma curry paste
1 tin coconut milk
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1 tin chickpeas, drained
1 chilli, sliced
1 tsp sugar
1 tbsp oil
large handful roughly chopped corriander
Fry the onion for a few mins and then add the squash and curry paste. Cook out for 2-3 mins. Add everything else aside from the corriander and cook for 15-30 mins till the squash is tender. Serve with paratha and topped with the corriander.
For 4-6 portions you need:
1 butternut squash, cut into a 1.5cm dice
1 large onion, chopped
3 tbsp korma curry paste
1 tin coconut milk
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1 tin chickpeas, drained
1 chilli, sliced
1 tsp sugar
1 tbsp oil
large handful roughly chopped corriander
Fry the onion for a few mins and then add the squash and curry paste. Cook out for 2-3 mins. Add everything else aside from the corriander and cook for 15-30 mins till the squash is tender. Serve with paratha and topped with the corriander.
Tuesday 18 May 2010
Quick Malaysian Laksa
This is a variation on a previous laksa recipe but sufficiently tweaked to warrant its own entry...
For 4 portions you need:
1 can coconut milk
1 pack marinated tofu pieces
2 bundles thin rice noodles
1 onion, chopped
2 tbsp curry paste
1 tomato, cut into 6 wedges
1 lime, quartered
4 spring onions, sliced
2 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped
1 cup fresh corriander, roughly chopped
1/5 cucumber, thinly sliced into sticks
2 carrots, sliced
1/2 pack baby sweetcorn and sugar snap peas, cut into bite sized chunks
1/2 pack bean sprouts
2 tbsp soya sauce, plus more for serving.
1/2 tbsp oil
500ml veg stock
Fry the onion in the oil for a few mins then add the curry paste. Cook for 2-3 mins and then add the coconut milk and stock. Add the carrots and cook for 1 min. Add the noodles, sweetcorn and peas and cook for 2 mins. Season with soya sauce and add more curry paste if you want it more strongly flavoured.
Serve in large bowls topped with the beansprouts, cucumber, tomato, spring onions, mint and corriander and seasoned with a little more soya sauce.
For 4 portions you need:
1 can coconut milk
1 pack marinated tofu pieces
2 bundles thin rice noodles
1 onion, chopped
2 tbsp curry paste
1 tomato, cut into 6 wedges
1 lime, quartered
4 spring onions, sliced
2 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped
1 cup fresh corriander, roughly chopped
1/5 cucumber, thinly sliced into sticks
2 carrots, sliced
1/2 pack baby sweetcorn and sugar snap peas, cut into bite sized chunks
1/2 pack bean sprouts
2 tbsp soya sauce, plus more for serving.
1/2 tbsp oil
500ml veg stock
Fry the onion in the oil for a few mins then add the curry paste. Cook for 2-3 mins and then add the coconut milk and stock. Add the carrots and cook for 1 min. Add the noodles, sweetcorn and peas and cook for 2 mins. Season with soya sauce and add more curry paste if you want it more strongly flavoured.
Serve in large bowls topped with the beansprouts, cucumber, tomato, spring onions, mint and corriander and seasoned with a little more soya sauce.
Monday 17 May 2010
Pasta Bake with Cauliflower
Apparently the cauliflower is in danger of dying out because we don't eat enough of it. Bonkers! I love cauli, and it works especially well with cheese. This recipe brings together the best of macaroni cheese and cauliflower cheese by combining cauli with pasta in a rich cheese sauce. Perfect comfort food. Love your cauli!
For 4-6 portions you need:
250g pasta
1 large cauli, cut into florets
1 pint milk
2 oz butter
2 oz plain flour
150ml single cream
1 cup grated strong cheddar
1/2 cup mixed grated gruyere and parmesan
1 tsp french mustard
1 tsp english mustard
Begin by making a mornay sauce: melt the butter in a pan and then stir in the flour to make a roux. Cook out for a few mins before adding the milk. Stir well to avoid lumps and then heat to boiling, reduce the heat and simmer till thickened. Add seasoning, the mustards and take off the heat. Add the cream and 3/4 of the cheddar and half of the gruyere and parmesan mixture. Stir well. Meanwhile cook the pasta and steam the cauli. Drain and tumble into an ovenproof dish. Pour over the sauce and top with more cheese. Bake in a hot oven for 30 mins till crispy, bubbling and perfect. Eat more cauli!
For 4-6 portions you need:
250g pasta
1 large cauli, cut into florets
1 pint milk
2 oz butter
2 oz plain flour
150ml single cream
1 cup grated strong cheddar
1/2 cup mixed grated gruyere and parmesan
1 tsp french mustard
1 tsp english mustard
Begin by making a mornay sauce: melt the butter in a pan and then stir in the flour to make a roux. Cook out for a few mins before adding the milk. Stir well to avoid lumps and then heat to boiling, reduce the heat and simmer till thickened. Add seasoning, the mustards and take off the heat. Add the cream and 3/4 of the cheddar and half of the gruyere and parmesan mixture. Stir well. Meanwhile cook the pasta and steam the cauli. Drain and tumble into an ovenproof dish. Pour over the sauce and top with more cheese. Bake in a hot oven for 30 mins till crispy, bubbling and perfect. Eat more cauli!
Lentil Savoury (v)
This is an old recipe but a favourite. Inspired by a follower making recipes with lentils in, this is for her! (omit the baking and cheese/cream for a vegan version)
For 4 people you need:
250g green lentils (or brown or a mixture of the two)
2 tins chopped toms
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, crushed
salt and pepper
1 tsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp sugar
2 tsp dried herbs
small pot soured cream (or use yogurt)
1 cup grated cheese
2 tbsp olive oil
Begin by cooking the lentils: put them in a pan, cover with water and bring to the boil. Boil rapidly for 10 mins then reduce the heat and cook till al dente. This will vary depending on how old the lentils are but should take between 15-45 mins. Drain.
Meanwhile make the tomato sauce. Saute the onion and garlic in the oil for about 5-10 mins till soft. Don't let them colour. Add the tomatoes, seasoning and herbs. Simmer over a medium heat to reduce a little. Taste. They might need a little stock powder or more sugar or vinegar depending on how sweet they are. Once the lentils are cooked, mix into the tomato mixture and then pour into a baking dish (or save on washing up by using an ovenproof pan to cook the toms in!). Dollop the soured cream/yogurt on top and then sprinkle over the cheese. Bake in a hot oven for 20 mins till the cheese is bubbling and browned. Scoff with a green salad and some crusty bread. Leave out the cream and cheese for a vegan version.
For 4 people you need:
250g green lentils (or brown or a mixture of the two)
2 tins chopped toms
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, crushed
salt and pepper
1 tsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp sugar
2 tsp dried herbs
small pot soured cream (or use yogurt)
1 cup grated cheese
2 tbsp olive oil
Begin by cooking the lentils: put them in a pan, cover with water and bring to the boil. Boil rapidly for 10 mins then reduce the heat and cook till al dente. This will vary depending on how old the lentils are but should take between 15-45 mins. Drain.
Meanwhile make the tomato sauce. Saute the onion and garlic in the oil for about 5-10 mins till soft. Don't let them colour. Add the tomatoes, seasoning and herbs. Simmer over a medium heat to reduce a little. Taste. They might need a little stock powder or more sugar or vinegar depending on how sweet they are. Once the lentils are cooked, mix into the tomato mixture and then pour into a baking dish (or save on washing up by using an ovenproof pan to cook the toms in!). Dollop the soured cream/yogurt on top and then sprinkle over the cheese. Bake in a hot oven for 20 mins till the cheese is bubbling and browned. Scoff with a green salad and some crusty bread. Leave out the cream and cheese for a vegan version.
Sunday 16 May 2010
Sautee Potatoes with Onions and Rosemary
This is a great way to serve potatoes, and makes a fab side dish to many different things. Any leftovers make a good base for bubble and squeak the next day.
For 8 portions you need
500g - 1kg potatoes, peeled and cut into a 1cm dice (depending on how much you want for leftovers)
3 tbsp sunflower oil
1 onion, diced
generous handful of fresh rosemary, finely chopped
salt and pepper
Soak the prepared potatoes in cold water for 30 mins to draw out the starch. Toss together with the onions, oil, seasoning and rosemary then tip out on to a large baking sheet and cook in a hot (200 degrees) oven for 30-45 mins.
For 8 portions you need
500g - 1kg potatoes, peeled and cut into a 1cm dice (depending on how much you want for leftovers)
3 tbsp sunflower oil
1 onion, diced
generous handful of fresh rosemary, finely chopped
salt and pepper
Soak the prepared potatoes in cold water for 30 mins to draw out the starch. Toss together with the onions, oil, seasoning and rosemary then tip out on to a large baking sheet and cook in a hot (200 degrees) oven for 30-45 mins.
Savoury Mince
I know it's passe to admit this, but I actually really miss not eating meat. I don't eat it cos I don't agree we need to kill animals in order to survive. But that doesn't mean that I don't have pangs for some of my childhood favourites sometimes. This recipe is an attempt to recreate the delicious savoury mince my mum would make when I was little. She would serve it with home made chips, triple cooked to crispy and golden perfection, and peas. And I would sigh in contentment as I tucked in. Of course this can't taste the same, but it comes pretty close. I guess it could also be called unami mince as it contains so many different things with unami...!
For 4-6 people you need:
1 packet quorn mince
1 onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tbsp plain flour
350ml boiling water
1 tsp dark veg stock paste (e.g. vecon)
1 tsp veg stock powder
2 tbsp soya sauce
1 tbsp each hendersons relish and mushroom ketchup
1/2 tsp marmite
2 tbsp tomato puree
1 tbsp brandy
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp dried oregano
pepper (NO salt!)
Begin by sauteeing the onion in the oil for about 10 mins until golden. Add the flour and garlic and cook out the flour for a few mins. Add the quorn mince and the water and stir thoroughly. Add the remaining ingredients, checking carefully for taste and adjusting as necessary. Cook for about 20 mins till thickened and tasty. Serve with sautee potatoes and some vegetables. Feel nostalgic...
For 4-6 people you need:
1 packet quorn mince
1 onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tbsp plain flour
350ml boiling water
1 tsp dark veg stock paste (e.g. vecon)
1 tsp veg stock powder
2 tbsp soya sauce
1 tbsp each hendersons relish and mushroom ketchup
1/2 tsp marmite
2 tbsp tomato puree
1 tbsp brandy
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp dried oregano
pepper (NO salt!)
Begin by sauteeing the onion in the oil for about 10 mins until golden. Add the flour and garlic and cook out the flour for a few mins. Add the quorn mince and the water and stir thoroughly. Add the remaining ingredients, checking carefully for taste and adjusting as necessary. Cook for about 20 mins till thickened and tasty. Serve with sautee potatoes and some vegetables. Feel nostalgic...
Raspberry Chocolate Torte
Yes, highly original this recipe, but I think it's actually better than it's plain and purer sister. The addition of raspberries gives you something to contrast the rich chocolate with and the creme de cassis adds a different dimension to the rum.
As before, to serve 10 or more people you need:
5 tbsp creme de cassis
2 tbsp brandy
450g plain chocolate
75g liquid glucose
75g crushed amoretti biscuits
600ml double cream
200g raspberries
1 tbsp cocoa powder
Melt the chocolate, glucose and booze together in a double boiler. Meanwhile sprinkle the ammoreti crumbs over the base of a springform tin lined with clingfilm. Lay about 15 raspberries on to the base of the tin, on top of the crumbs. Whip the cream till flopped and then fold into the chocolate mixture. Add the rest of the raspberries, saving 12 for decoration, and fold gently to mix. Pour in to the tin, smooth the top, dust with cocoa and decorate with the reserved raspberries. Leave to chill for at least a couple of hours, if not overnight. Serve in modest slices and let out a deep sigh of contentment. Someone tasting this yesterday said "do you always eat like this" to my husband and looked very jealous at the positive reply!!
As before, to serve 10 or more people you need:
5 tbsp creme de cassis
2 tbsp brandy
450g plain chocolate
75g liquid glucose
75g crushed amoretti biscuits
600ml double cream
200g raspberries
1 tbsp cocoa powder
Melt the chocolate, glucose and booze together in a double boiler. Meanwhile sprinkle the ammoreti crumbs over the base of a springform tin lined with clingfilm. Lay about 15 raspberries on to the base of the tin, on top of the crumbs. Whip the cream till flopped and then fold into the chocolate mixture. Add the rest of the raspberries, saving 12 for decoration, and fold gently to mix. Pour in to the tin, smooth the top, dust with cocoa and decorate with the reserved raspberries. Leave to chill for at least a couple of hours, if not overnight. Serve in modest slices and let out a deep sigh of contentment. Someone tasting this yesterday said "do you always eat like this" to my husband and looked very jealous at the positive reply!!
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