Tomato & Zucchini Tian with Thyme & Pecorino

A classic French Provençal dish of baked seasonal vegetables, this Tomato and Zucchini Tian with fresh thyme from the garden, captures all of the colourful flavours of summer, even in the middle of winter. Simple and delicious, this dish is also low in calories. Traditionally, a summer vegetable tian can feature any variety of layered vegetables, herbs and cheeses from bright green and yellow zucchini and small potatoes to plump purple eggplant and plum tomatoes. Layered and baked, this recipe showcases summer's best — fresh zucchini and tomatoes from the St. Lawrence Market with some fresh thyme from our garden, still growing although under an inch of snow. Topped with a little grated Pecorino, it's as healthy and delicious as it looks.

Baked at 400°F for 40 minutes

Tomato and Zucchini Tian

Serves 4

3 tsp olive oil

1/2 tsp dried thyme

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper

3 medium zucchini, thinly sliced

4 Campari tomatoes, thinly sliced

1/4 cup fresh Parmesan, Asiago, Feta or Gruyere, grated

4 sprigs of fresh thyme

Heat the oven to 400°F. Brush a small baking dish with 1 teaspoon of the oil. Combine the dried thyme, salt and pepper together in a small bowl. Arrange half of the sliced zucchini in the baking dish and sprinkle with about 1/3 of the thyme mixture. Top with the tomatoes and sprinkle with half of the remaining thyme mixture, then top with the remaining zucchini and thyme mixture. Drizzle the composed tian with remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil, and sprinkle with the cheese. Scatter the fresh thyme over the tian and bake until the vegetable are tender and the cheese has melted, about 30-40 minutes. Serve warm.

First Class Beef Curry: George's Hill Station Classic

Born in Britain and spiced by India, Ivor Peters is known as 'The Urban Rajah'. Author, cook, traveller and lifestyle adventurer with roots deep in the Indian subcontinent, Peters has spent the past two decades working in the media industry, but also runs a highly acclaimed pop-up restaurant Cash’n’Curry in London, a social enterprise dedicated to raising funds for projects helping India’s street children. His first cookbook 'Curry Memoirs' is packed full of inspiring stories and generations-old recipes, opening the door into Peters culinary world of family cooking, such as his grandfather's First Class Beef Curry.

"My Grandfather, George was always immaculately turned out, perhaps it was an inheritance of his time as a Sergeant Major in the British Indian Army during WWII and latterly in a Pakistani regiment after the partition of both countries in 1947. He’d be posted around the Indian subcontinent and verdant hill stations such as Peshawar on the North West Frontier with their Alpine appearance and temperate climate and British legacy were a firm favourite. It was here in the long afternoons that he crafted one of his foodie passions, creating the most divine Indian beef curry characterised by its depth of warming spices, including black cardamom and tenderness which fell apart at a single glance.

It was this recipe which he wore as a medal of honour and rightly so, it was his signature dish and as a child my Sunday mornings would be spent in anticipation of whether he’d prepared his beef curry for Sunday lunch. The smell of freshly made chapattis and the feint scent of cinnamon was a giveaway. After giving thanks we’d tear our flatbread apart and pillage this hill station beef curry, he’d wobble his head in satisfaction his eyes widened with delight and he’d announce his verdict ... “First Class”, it always was!"

The Urban Rajah's Curry Memoirs by Ivor Peters

Ivor Peters

Beef Curry
Serves 2

Recipe courtesy of Ivor Peters, The Urban Rajah

2 tbsp sunflower oil
1 medium yellow or red onion, sliced
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
4 garlic cloves, crushed to a paste
1 cinnamon stick
2 green finger chillies, sliced
3 black cardamom pods 
1/2 tsp black peppercorns
1/2 tsp cloves
1 lb diced stewing beef
7 oz/200g tin chopped tomatoes
1/2 tbsp medium curry powder
1/2 tbsp ground coriander
1/2 tbsp garam masala

Handful of coriander leaves, for garnish

Using a large pot glug in the oil, warm over a medium heat and tip in the onions browning thoroughly until the edges start to caramelise. Spoon the ginger and garlic paste, followed in hot pursuit by the cinnamon stick, chillies, cardamom, peppercorns and cloves adding 1/2 cup of water and fry for a couple of minutes allowing the spices to coalesce and scent the pot. Now introduce the beef and brown thoroughly, coating the pieces with the spice base. Cover and cook for 30 minutes until the mix is looking meatylicious, jammy and slightly dry around the edges it should take on the colour of a scrummy deep dark chocolate. Add the tinned tomatoes, curry powder, ground coriander and garam masala plus another 1 cup of water and season with salt, stir methodically, cover and cook for another 30 minutes on a low heat.

The secret to this dish is slow cooking for that tear apart tender texture. Uncover pour in another cup of water and cook for a further 30 minutes, sensing déjà vu you’ll need to repeat this last step again adding another 200ml water and an additional 30 minutes on the hob. By now the beef will yield under a little chapatti pressure and will crumble on the palate. Sprinkle with coriander leaves and treat yourself to this authentic Indian beef curry, for it’s the only way for your taste-buds to travel. Great with Indian flatbread, fluffy basmati rice and a sour chutney.

Merry Christmas from our Little Bubble to Yours

Star light, star bright,

First star I see tonight,

I wish I may, I wish I might,

Have this wish I wish tonight.

Merry Christmas from our little bubble to yours.

Guy's Famous Fish Pie: The Ultimate Comfort Food

 

One of my husband's favourite dishes is Fish Pie. In fact, anything that features mashed potato is pretty high on the list, however his famous Fish Pie reigns supreme. Inspired by a recipe by Jamie Oliver, my husband has tweaked this recipe over the years, making it his own with the addition of smoked haddock and tiny salad shrimp. I like to spike the mash with a full handful of grated cheddar, a lump or two of butter and a little cream, but that's heresy in his mind — "You don't fiddle with perfection." How can I argue? Simple, satisfying and soulfully delicious, Guy's Fish Pie is comfort food at its finest.

Guy's Famous Fish Pie
Serves 6-8

5 large baking potatoes, peeled and diced into even-size chunks
2 large eggs
1 bunch fresh spinach, washed and trimmed
1 onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, halved and finely chopped
1 1/3 cups heavy 15% cream
1 cup good quality parmesan cheese, grated
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tbsp English or Dijon mustard
1 tsp fresh grated nutmeg
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish
1 lb fresh haddock, skinned, boned and sliced into strips
1 cup fresh salad shrimp
1/2 cup smoked mackerel, skinned, deboned and shredded

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Boil the potatoes until soft, then mash with a little olive oil, salt and pepper, then set aside. Boil the eggs in a saucepan, steaming the spinach in a colander above the eggs, removing the spinach once it's wilted and squeeze dry. Remove the eggs after 15 minutes, let cool slightly then peel and quarter; set aside. 

In a large saucepan, fry the onion and carrot in a little olive oil for about 5 minutes then add the cream and just bring to the boil. Remove it from the heat, and add the cheese, lemon juice, mustard, nutmeg and parsley. Toss the fish and the spinach together in a large baking dish, and stir to combine. Top with the quartered eggs, then pour the creamy vegetable sauce over top. 

Finish by spreading the mashed potato over the fish pie, scoring the top with the tines of a fork. Bake in the oven for 45-60 minutes until the potatoes are golden and the pie is bubbling hot. You may want to place the dish on a baking sheet to catch any spill-over. Serve with some hot sauce on the side, if you want to kick it up a notch. My husband uses ketsup. So does Jamie Oliver. Go figure. 

Linguine with White Clam Sauce

Sometimes the simplest things in life are the best. Full of fresh simple flavours of the sea, nothing beats a seductive bowl of Linguine alle Vongole Bianco. The classic combination of clams and pasta is traditionally a Neapolitan dish but is also popular in the surrounding region of Campania, Rome, and throughout Italy, where this fragrant dish can be prepared two ways: rosso, with tomatoes and basil, or bianco, without. In this recipe, fresh Canadian savoury clams from British Columbia are steamed in a broth of olive oil, garlic, anchovies and white wine until they just open and release their briny liquid into the sauce. The linguine is cooked until just al dente — in salty water, of course — then tossed with the clams, broth, and a touch of dried oregano until it absorbs the sauce. Add a splash of olive oil, and a flurry of chopped parsley at the very end to make your pasta verdant and shiny. This recipe from Boston even adds some fresh grated parmesan cheese and a dollop of sour cream, which is absolutely non-traditional, but utterly delicious.

Linguine with White Clam Sauce

Serves 4-6

Recipe courtesy of A Family Feast

1 lb dry linguine

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

4 large garlic cloves sliced thin

Pinch red pepper flakes

4 anchovy filets, roughly chopped

1 tsp dry oregano

3 lb cleaned shell-on BC savoury littleneck clams (about 2 1/2 dozen)

5 oz can whole baby clams with juice

3/4 cup white wine 

3 tbsp fresh Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped fine and divided

2 tbsp sour cream (not traditional but adds an extra richness)

4 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided 

Place a large pot of water on to boil and once boiling, lightly salt with kosher salt. Once boiling add the linguine. While the linguine is cooking, heat the olive oil in a 12-14 inch skillet over medium high heat, and once hot, add the garlic and pepper flakes. Cook for 1-2 minutes or just before the garlic starts to brown. Add the anchovies and cook one minute. The anchovies will disintegrate into the oil.

Add the oregano and the shell on little neck clams along with the white wine.

Cover and cook over medium to medium high until the shells start to open, about five minutes. 

Have two bowls standing by. As soon as one shell opens, remove the lid, lift it out with tongs and over one bowl, remove the clam, again with tongs. Any liquid from the shell goes into this bowl as well. Place the shell in second bowl. Repeat as each shell opens. At some point, several will open at once so remove cover and just remove as many as you can handle at once. Save a handful of clams in their shells for garnish on each serving, discarding the empty shells.

Once the pasta has reached a point where it is almost done but still a little chewy, using tongs, remove the pasta from the water and place into the pan in which the clams were cooked. As the pasta cooks, add half the chopped parsley, the canned clams and juice, half the cheese and a dollop of sour cream.  Finally finish by pouring in the bowl with the clams and juice. Give it one last stir and pour everything into a serving bowl. Drizzle some extra olive oil over the top if you wish, and sprinkle with the remaining parsley and cheese.

Spaghettini with Homemade Tomato Sauce & Basil

What better way to celebrate the full flavours of an Italian spring than with pasta bathed in homemade tomato sauce spiked with an aromatic punch of fresh basil. I love to find ways of using the homemade tomato sauce that we make and freeze in huge quantities each autumn, and this recipe is one of the more delicious ways to enjoy the fruits of our labour. Topped with a sprig of fresh basil and a flutter of grated pecorino, there is no better way to ward off the chilly days of winter, and open our culinary arms to memories of warmer weather.

Spaghettini with Homemade Tomato Sauce & Fresh Basil
Serves 4

1 package dried Spaghettini pasta
4 cups quality Tomato Sauce, preferably homemade like 'Mamma Styles'
1/4 cup red wine
1 bunch fresh basil, washed and dried
1 cup grated Pecorino

Start to boil water in a large pot. Place the tomato sauce and wine in a small saucepan over medium heat, and gently simmer until warmed through. Cover and keep warm. 

Add the dried pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente, according to the manufacturer's instructions. While the pasta is cooking, julienne about 10 basil leaves and select 4 attractive sprigs for garnish. Drain the spaghettini into a colander, reserving 1 cup of pasta water, return the pasta to the pot and toss with the tomato sauce and chopped basil. Spoon a tablespoon or two of pasta water to the sauce and gently mix to combine. 

Serve the pasta as large nests in pre-warmed dinner bowls: using a large fork, twirl a portion of spaghettini and cradle in a large spoon or small bowl until it forms a nest-like shape, then place in each serving bowl. Garnish each 'nidi' with a sprig of basil and serve immediately with a bowl of grate pecorino on the side. 

Cocoa Brownies with Brown Butter & Walnuts

 

These are incredible little brownies. Moist, dense and fudgy in the middle, and chewy on the outside with a wafer thin candy-like crust. Bon Appétit featured these decadent little wonders on their February 2011 cover, proclaiming them "The Best-Ever Brownies," with an entire portion of the magazine devoted to chocolate desserts by author, baker, and chocolatier Alice Medrich, affectionately called 'The First Lady of Chocolate.' An easy and delectably delicious dessert, this recipe is quite simple and requires very few ingredients: butter, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, 2 eggs, flour and walnuts. The result after 35 minutes in the oven is gooey, fudgy and finger licking good. 

Cocoa Brownies with Brown Butter & Walnuts

Makes 16

Adapted from a recipe in Bon Appetit, by Alice Medrich

10 tbsp butter

1 1/4 cups sugar

3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp salt

2 large eggs

1/3 cup all purpose flour

1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 325°F and line the inside of an 8" x 8" square baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving 2-inch overhangs and pressing the foil tightly to the sides of the pan. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Continue cooking until the butter stops foaming, about 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat, and immediately add sugar, cocoa, 2 teaspoons of water, vanilla and salt. Stir to blend, then let cool 5 minutes. Add eggs t the mixture, one at a time, beating vigorously to blend after each addition. When mixture looks thick and shiny, add flour and stir until well blended. Mix in the chopped nuts, and transfer to the prepared pan, smoothing the top before baking. 

Bake for about 30 minutes or more, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean. If there is still a tiny bit of moist batter at the very bottom that's okay. Remove the brownies from the oven and cool completely on a cooling rack. Once cool, remove the brownies from the pan using the aluminum foil overhangs; then pull the aluminum foil away from the brownies and cut them into 16 square pieces. Serve immediately with a glass of champagne to toast Valentines Day, or store they can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days — if they last that long!

Lemony Chickpea Hummus in a Turban Squash

 

Light, healthy and delicious, this smooth and creamy Middle Eastern–style hummus made from chickpeas, tahini, garlic, cumin, olive oil and just the right amount of lemon juice to make it refreshingly tangy, is puréed all together and served in a regal hollowed out turban squash, for a luscious lemony Levantine dip. Rich in protein, fibre and healthy fats, this heart smart appetizer served with sliced or whole fresh raw vegetables, makes a nutritious and naturally delicious addition to any socially distanced holiday get together.

Lemon Hummus
Makes about 4 cups

2  19 oz cans of cooked chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
4 tbsp tahini
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt 
1/2 tsp ground white pepper
1 turban squash

Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and blend until either chunky or silky smooth, depending on your preference. If you wish to use less oil but still want a smooth texture, replace some of the oil with the cooking liquid from the chickpeas. Using a small sharp knife, slice off the top crown of the turban squash and discard. Continue to carve away the top until you have a generous opening, then using a spoon, scoop out the soft pulp and seeds, creating a hollowed out squash. To serve, spoon the hummus into the turban squash and garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds, fresh parsley or swirl of olive oil and sprinkle of paprika, and accompany with grissini breadsticks, crackers or sliced raw vegetable sticks.

Raspberry, Plum & Blueberry Tart with Streusel

 

This gorgeous Raspberry, Plum & Blueberry Streusel Tart is a cross between a tart and a clafoutis, and is absolutely delicious. The sweet butter crust is made with ground almonds, flour, white and brown sugar, cinnamon, a little salt and butter, which are all blended together in a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. The resulting crumble is pressed into the base and up the sides of a greased springform pan, then baked for about 20-25 minutes. Once the crust has cooled, chopped pitted plums, raspberries and blueberries are scattered along the bottom, although any combination of stone fruit and berries would be great. A simple custard of eggs, cream, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg is then whisked together and poured over the fruit. The remaining streusel is sprinkled over the fruit and the whole tart is baked at 350°F for 45-50 minutes, until the custard is set and the crust is golden brown. The crisp buttery almond crust is extraordinary — a crunchy cookie-like sweet shortbread — which compliments the tart fruit and creamy clafoutis-style custard beautifully. A fabulous dessert, this Raspberry, Plum & Blueberry Streusel Tart is a real winner.

   

Raspberry, Plum & Blueberry Tart with Streusel Topping
Serves 6-8

3/4 cup unsalted butter - 1 1/2 sticks - chilled and cut into small pieces
1/3 cup blanched almonds 
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided plus 1 tbsp
3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp granulated sugar 
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar 
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon 
3/4 tsp salt 
4 medium ripe but firm plums
1 cup raspberries
1 cup blueberries 
2 large eggs, lightly beaten 
1 large egg yolk 
2/3 cup light cream 
1 tsp grated nutmeg

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch springform pan with room temperature butter or olivina and set aside. Place the ground almonds in a food processor and pulse until medium fine. 

Transfer the nuts to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup light brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; mix until just combined. Add butter, and mix on low speed until the crumble begins to stick together, about 2 to 3 minutes. Press 3 to 3 1/2 cups of the crumble into the bottom of the prepared pan and to about 1 1/2 inches up the sides of the pan to form the crust. Set the remaining crumb mixture aside.

Transfer the crust to the oven and bake until it appears to be set, about 20 to 25 minutes, then set aside. Watch to ensure the crust doesn't burn.

Slice the plums in half, remove pits and slice into eighths. Scatter the raspberries, blueberries and sliced plums onto the cooled crust and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup flour + 1 tablespoon flour, plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar. Whisk in the 2 eggs, egg yolk, cream, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt and nutmeg, and mix until blended. Pour the custard over the fruit and sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture. Transfer the tart to the oven and bake until the custard has set and is slightly golden, 45 to 50 minutes. Let rest at least 25 minutes before cutting. Serve warm or at room temperature with a bowl of whipped cream, Greek yogurt or vanilla ice cream to be completely decadent.

Classic Indian Eggplant Bharta with Fresh Cilantro

 

A popular dish in the Punjab and Rajasthan region of northern-western India, is Eggplant Bharta, also known as Baingan Bharta, which was traditionally made by gently roasting eggplants in the ashes of a fire. An unlikely cooking method for modern day cooks, many choose to roast them in the oven instead, until they become wonderfully soft and tender. Sautéed with chopped onion, ginger, garlic, turmeric, cumin and green chilis, many recipes call for fresh chopped tomatoes, but I prefer using tomato paste instead, as it adds a more robust flavour to the final dish. Some cooks also discard the skin from the eggplant, but I think that the taste and presentation is greatly enhanced by coarsely chopping the whole eggplant, rather than mashing it, as with a traditional Bharta. A nutritional powerhouse, eggplant is also low in fat and sodium, and high in dietary fibre and vitamins. Add to that the tomato, green chillies, onion and aromatic blend of spices, you also have a classic and delicious Indian dish — and vegetarian too.

Indian Eggplant Bharta

Serves 6-8

2 large eggplant

1 medium onion, peeled and coarsely chopped

2 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped

4 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely chopped

4 tbsp vegetable oil

1/2 tsp ground turmeric

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1 fresh hot green chili, seeded and finely chopped

3 tbsp cilantro, coarsely chopped

1 small can tomato paste

1 tsp salt

2 tsp lemon juice

1 tbsp ghee 

2 tsp garam masala

Preheat oven to 375°F. Trim the ends off the eggplant and cut lengthwise into eighths. Place skin side down on a baking sheet and roast for 1 hour, until the flesh is browned. Remove the cooked eggplant from the oven and place on a sheet of tin foil, overlapping the slices into a mound. Seal the packet tightly, and set aside. Using a small food processor, blend the onion, ginger and garlic into a smooth paste. Add 3 tablespoons of water and continue to blend for one minute. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Pour in the paste from the blender and add the turmeric. Sauté this mixture stirring frequently for about 20-30 minutes. The paste will not brown but will reduce slightly. Add the green chili and cilantro and stir for 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste and continue to cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

Indian Lamb & Spinach Curry: Saag Gosht

Saag Gosht is a tender and delicious Lamb and Spinach Curry that originates from the northwest region of India. A well-loved dish from the greater Punjab area of India and Pakistan, Punjabi cuisine is known for its diversity, and varies regionally by the agriculture and farming lifestyle that's been prevalent throughout the area for centuries, with many of the ingredients obtained fresh from the fields. 'Saag' typically refers to mustard greens and 'Gosht' tends to mean goat meat, however beef works equally well, although many in India do not eat beef, so this recipe is an adaptation of the classic Saag Gosht recipe. Browned with onions, an aromatic mixture of whole and ground spices, chopped ginger, garlic, tomato and masses of healthy spinach, the beef is slowly simmered for up to 2 hours then combined with cream and finished with a spoonful of ghee. A lovely, earthy dish with a mild and subtle flavour, it's no wonder that this luscious Saagwala Curry is considered one of the great curries of India.

Beef and Spinach Curry

Serves 4

2 1/2 lb beef, trimmed of fat, cut into one to two-inch cubes

1/3 cup vegetable oil 

4 tbsp ghee, divided

4 dried red chilis

3 cloves

1 stick of cinnamon

4 green cardamom pods

1 tbsp coriander seeds

2 tsp cumin seeds

1 large onion, diced

1 tsp ginger-garlic paste

1/2 tsp turmeric

13 oz can diced tomatoes

6 cups fresh spinach or 2 lb frozen spinach 

3 cups vegetable broth

2 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp cumin powder

2 tbsp crushed kasoori methi

1/2 tsp garam masala powder

1 cup cream

salt and pepper to taste

If using frozen spinach, microwave until defrosted, then drain and squeeze out most of the water and set aside. In a heavy-bottomed sauté pan, heat the oil on medium and brown the beef in batches then set aside. In the same pan that was used to brown the meat, add the red chilis, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, and sauté the mixture becomes aromatic. Then add the coriander seeds and cumin seeds and once they start to pop, add the onions. Sauté the onions until they are almost golden brown, about 15 minutes. 

Add the ginger-garlic paste and turmeric, and sauté until the raw smell disappears. Add the tomatoes, then cover and simmer until the tomatoes are soft, about 5 minutes. Carefully mix in the spinach, and let simmer for 5 minutes. Transfer to a blender and purée until smooth, adding water as necessary to allow for a smooth consistency. Transfer the mixture to large bowl.

Heat the ghee to the pan, and add the blended spinach mixture plus the coriander, cumin, and kasoori methi, then cover and simmer for ten minutes, adjusting the salt as necessary. Add the beef with the vegetable stock and cover and simmer for another 80-90 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes, until the meat is tender,  adding more stock if needed. Stir in the cream and garam masala and serve hot with rice and buttered naan.

Atul Kochhar's South Indian Malabar Seafood Curry

 

Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar first tried this dish in Kerala served with crayfish, but converted it to lobster for his Malabar Lobster Curry which is served at Benares, one of the top Indian restaurants in London. The recipe, featured in his cookbook 'Atul's Curries of the World,' is just as delicious with a medley of mixed seafood such as tiger prawns, mussels and squid. A mild coconut milk-based curry, delicate enough not to overwhelm the seafood, was soft and sophisticated in flavour, perfect served with a steaming bowl of Jasmin rice.

Atul Kuchar's 'Atul's Curries of the World'

South Indian Malabar Seafood Curry
Serves 4
Adapted from Atul Kochhar’s ‘Atul’s Curries of the World’ 

3 tbsp vegetable oil
1/2 tsp black mustard seeds
12 curry leaves
1 onion, chopped
1 tsp fresh rated ginger
1 tsp finely chopped garlic
1 green chillies, slit open and seeded
1 dried red chilli
1/2 tsp ground paprika
1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp water for the ground spices
2 ripe Roma tomatoes, chopped
1 tbsp tamarind paste 
1/2 cup water
2 cups coconut milk 
2 lb mussels - these were from Newfoundland
2 whole squid 
16 tiger prawns - these were sweet Argentinian prawns
1/2 cup cilantro, for garnish

Dissolve the tamarind paste in 2 tablespoons of hot water, and set aside. Wash the prawns thoroughly then shell and devein, reserving the shells. Place the mussels in a large bowl of water to allow them to disgorge any sand; debeard if necessary.

Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large saucepan over medium heat. Sauté the prawn shells and heads until lightly browned and fragrant, about 7-8 minutes. Remove fried shells and heads and discard. Then, sauté the mustard seeds and curry leaves until fragrant and then add the chopped onions for about 4-5 minutes until lightly browned. Add the chopped ginger, garlic, green chillies and dried red chilli sauté for a minute.

Add the ground spices with about 2 tablespoons of water and cook over medium heat for about 1 minute until the spices are cooked, adding a little more water if the spices start to brown. Add the chopped tomatoes, tamarind water and 1/2 cup of water, and simmer until tomatoes soften and become pulpy, about 5 minutes.

Add the coconut milk and mussels then cover and cook for about 6-8 minutes until the shells start to open, then add the prawns and cuttlefish and cook until  the prawns are opaque and the mussels have all opened. Serve garnished with fresh cilantro and a steaming bowl of Jasmin or Basmati rice.

Chive Popovers: Easy & Delicious with Roast Beef

Whenever we serve a Prime Rib of Beef, I always make my version of a Yorkshire pudding, because what is a roast without all the trimmings? A classic Yorkshire pudding is a sight to behold, puffing up like a chef's hat, only to collapse in the middle after you remove it from the oven. The problem is, I've never been able to master the traditional 'pud'. I find it rather bland anyway. My challenge was to find a recipe that would be as spectacular, would taste better, and wouldn't collapse. Hence, my Chive Popover. The name 'popover' comes from the fact that the batter swells or 'pops' over the top of the muffin tin while baking. The recipe isn't so terribly difficult, simply eggs, milk, salt and flour, which forms an eggy batter similar to that of a Yorkshire pudding — but it tastes better. I've made these popovers on countless occasions, and they have worked every time. Fresh from the oven, they're a wonderful golden brown with a crisp exterior and soft middle, and I love they way they rise from the muffin tin in a topsy turvy manner. I normally bake the popovers while the roast is resting, so they're ready to serve lovely and hot straight from the oven. I add chives to my batter, which I feel enhances the flavour and makes them look festive and inviting. 

Delicious served with Roast Prime Rib of Beef

Chive Popovers

Makes 12

1 1/2 tbsp butter, softened for pans

1 1/2 cups flour

3/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups whole or 2% milk

3 large eggs

Fresh chives, chopped

Preheat oven to 425°F. Mix the flour, salt, milk, eggs and chopped chives and whisk until it forms a pancake-like batter. This can be done ahead of time, covering and refrigerating the batter until ready. Grease the muffin tin generously with softened butter (note: the larger the muffin tin; the larger the popover). Place the tin in oven for 2 minutes to melt the butter and heat the pan. Remove the hot muffin tin from the oven, and fill each muffin cup 3/4 full. Bake 30 minutes but don't peak! Serve immediately.

Cinnamon Apple Cake with Sweet Sugar Glaze

The perfect dessert for Autumn, this deliciously moist Cinnamon Apple Cake is packed with fresh apples and features a crunchy cinnamon topping and drizzled with a sweet milk and sugar glaze. Made using yogurt and vegetable oil rather than milk and butter, makes the cake wonderfully fluffy. 

Cinnamon Apple Cake

Serves 8

Recipe courtesy of Jennifer Holmes

Apple cake:

210 g / 1 1/2 cups plain flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

150 g / 3/4 cup caster sugar

1 cup red apple, peeled and roughly chopped

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

120 ml / 1/2 cup vegetable oil

120 ml / 1/2 cup Greek yogurt

Cinnamon topping:

50 g / 1/4 cup caster sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tbsp butter, melted

Sugar glaze:

30 g / 1/4 cup icing sugar

1 tbsp milk

Preheat oven to 350°F, with convection bake if available. Grease and line an 8 or 9 inch round cake tin with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, add flour, baking powder, baking soda and sugar. Add chopped apple and stir briefly to combine. In a separate bowl, add eggs, vanilla, oil and yoghurt. Whisk briefly just to break up the egg yolks.

Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and gently mix with a wooden spoon until combined, being careful not to over mix. Spoon the batter into prepared tin.

To make cinnamon topping, combine cinnamon, sugar and butter. Mix together until lumpy and wet, thens sprinkle over the cake batter.

Bake cake for approximately 30-35 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Transfer cake to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the glaze, mix together the icing sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk, and stir until smooth. Drizzle glaze all over the cake and serve with a dollop of whipped cream or spoonful of iced cream.

Lemon Poppy Seed Shortbread Cookies

 

For the true lemon lover, these crisp Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies are a delicious tangy treat. A cross between a buttery shortbread and crunchy cookie, this easy recipe is a lovely fresh alternative to traditional Christmas shortbread. Flecked with fragrant lemon zest, tart lemon juice and crunchy poppy seeds, they make the perfect holiday cookie or afternoon treat with a simple cup of tea.

Lemon Poppy Seed Shortbread Cookies
Makes 36
Recipe adapted from Dinner Then Dessert

1 cup unsalted butter softened
3/4 cup confectioner's sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp lemon zest
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 1/2 tbsp poppy seeds
2 cups flour
1/8 tsp salt


Add the butter and sugar in a stand mixer and beat on high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, then add in the egg and egg yolk until they are fully combined. Add in the vanilla, lemon juice, lemon zest and poppy seeds then lower the speed and add in the flour and salt until just combined. Place the dough into plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours before rolling out onto a clean floured surface 1/8" thick. 

Press out with a 3-inch fluted cookie cutter and bake at 350°F for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown. Allow to cool on a wire rack before storing in an airtight cookie tin.

Creamy Scalloped Potatoes with Cheddar & Thyme

 

One of the ultimate comfort foods, Scalloped Potatoes must be one of our favourite side dishes, especially when we're expecting a large group of ravenous friends for dinner. Rich, creamy and full of flavour, there are many versions of this classic gratin. My Mom used to make it using a can of Campbell's mushroom soup. Although we often add sliced onions, grated cheese, nutmeg or fresh thyme, our core recipe starts with sliced russet potatoes layered in a garlic rubbed baking dish, smothered in a combination of whole milk and cream then dotted with a butter. If I use onions and cheese, I add them with each layer of potato then cover with the cream mixture and top with a final flurry of grated cheese and sprigs of fresh thyme. Baked in the oven for about 1 1/2 hours until the potatoes are bubbling and golden brown, the wonderful aroma will entice guests into the kitchen well before the dinner bell rings.

Scalloped Potatoes
Serves 6

3 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 lb yellow potatoes, peeled and sliced very thin
1 yellow onion, peeled and finely sliced
1/2 cup grated cheddar
1 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup whole milk
1 garlic cloves, smashed
1 tsp Maldon sea salt
1/4 tsp ground white and black pepper

Preheat oven to 325°F with a rack set in the lower third of oven. Rinse the sliced potatoes in cold water and pat dry in a towel. Rub a shallow earthenware dish with the garlic cloves and butter well. Arrange the sliced potatoes and onions in layers in the baking dish, starting with a layer of onions on the bottom, and season with salt and pepper. Dot with the remaining butter, pour the cream overtop and finish with grated cheddar over the assembled gratin. Transfer the baking dish to oven and bake for 1 1/2 hours. During the last 10 minutes, turn the heat up to 400°F to brown the top of the potatoes so that they become golden brown on top. Remove from oven and let the dish stand for 5 minutes, before serving the scalloped potatoes directly from the baking dish, with a sprinkling of fresh thyme.

Pan-Fried Colcannon Cakes with Poached Eggs

Fried potato cakes made from leftover colcannon, a traditional Irish dish made with mashed potatoes, leeks and cabbage made with a generous dollop of butter and cream, makes a luscious Sunday breakfast served under perfectly runny poached eggs. Simply pan fry the leftover colcannon in butter until golden brown and crispy on the outside, and serve with silky Hollandaise and chopped chives with champagne and orange juice for an even more decadent weekend treat.

Pan-Fried Colcannon Cakes with Poached Eggs

Serves 2

2 large Yukon Gold potatoes

Kosher salt

3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided

1 leek, white & light green only, sliced in half lengthwise & thinly sliced crosswise

1 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1 cup packed shredded savoy cabbage, from 1/8 large head, divided

3/4 cups milk

1/4 cup heavy cream

Freshly ground black pepper

1 scallion or bunch of chives, thinly sliced

Cover potatoes with water in a small pot; season with salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat and simmer until a paring knife slides easily through the flesh, about 30 minutes. Drain, let cool slightly, and peel.

Meanwhile, melt half of the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add leeks and cook, stirring frequently, until very soft, 8–10 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until garlic is fragrant and leeks are just beginning to brown around the edges, about 3 minutes longer. Add 1/2 cup cabbage and cook, stirring constantly, until wilted. Add milk and cream and bring to a simmer.

Add potatoes and remaining 1/2 cup cabbage, then coarsely mash with a potato masher. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer colcannon to a large serving bowl. Top with remaining butter and sprinkle with scallion or chopped chives. Shape the mixture into four balls, dust with flour and press into neat patties. 

Heat a thin film of olive oil in a heavy-based frying pan and add the patties, then cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. To make the poached eggs, bring a large pan of water to the boil. Add the vinegar and season with salt and keep at a very gentle simmer. Break the eggs into the water and simmer for 3-4 minutes until just cooked but still soft on the inside. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain well on kitchen paper. 

To serve, place a colcannon cake on each warmed plate and place a poached egg on top of each one. 

Dorie Greenspan's Luscious French Apple Cake

 

This gorgeous recipe by award-winning cookbook writer Dorie Greenspan, is a deceptively simple and delicious Apple Cake from her cookbook, "Around My French Table". Full of entertaining stories, memories, and insider tips on French culinary customs, Greenspan shares dishes she gathered over years of living in France. Inspired by a recipe by her friend Marie-Hélène Brunet-Lhotse, Greenspan watched her in her kitchen, in the hopes of nabbing a recipe by observation, but found it impossible. "Like so many really good cooks, Marie-Hélène starts off with a set of ingredients, but, once she starts mixing, stirring, boiling, baking, or sautéing, she makes so many mid-cooking adjustments that you just have to throw up your hands and content yourself with being the lucky recipient". 

"And so it was with this apple cake, which is more apple than cake, rather plain but very appealing in its simplicity: the chunks of apple make a bumpy, golden top, and so satisfying that we all went back for seconds. Despite knowing that it was futile, I asked for the recipe, and, of course, Marie-Hélène didn't really know" — "It's got two eggs, sugar, flour, and melted butter - oh, and rum," she said. "I mix the eggs and sugar together and then I add some flour, some butter, some flour, and some butter." When asked how much flour and butter, Greenspan got a genuinely apologetic shrug, and when asked what kind of apples she used, the answer was, divers, or different kinds. Thank goodness Greenspan was so tenacious, for she succeeded in transcribing Marie-Hélène's sensational recipe for us all to share for evermore.

Dorie Greenspan peeling apples for her French Apple Cake

French Apple Cake

Serves 8

Recipe adapted from Around My French Table by Dorie Greenspan

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

4 cups mixed apples, such as Fuji, Golden Delicious, or Gala

2 large eggs, at room temperature

3/4 cup sugar

3 tbsp dark rum

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/4 tsp ground cardamom

3/4 tsp finely grated lemon zest

1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature

Preheat the oven to 350°F and adjust the oven rack to the centre of the oven. Using some of the melted butter, brush the inside of a 6 or 8-inch springform pan and place it on a baking sheet.

Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together in small bowl and set aside. Peel and core the apples, then dice them into 1-inch pieces.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs with a whisk or electric mixer until they are foamy. Add the sugar, rum, vanilla, cardamom, and lemon zest and whisk to blend. Add in half the flour and when it is incorporated, add half the melted butter, followed by the rest of the flour and the remaining butter, mixing gently after each addition so that you have a smooth batter. Switch to a rubber spatula and fold in the apples, turning the fruit so that it's coated with batter. Scrape the mix into the pan and smooth out the top with the spatula.

Place the cake on a baking sheet and bake for 60-70 minutes for an 8-inch cake or about 2 hours for a 6-inch cake, until the top of the cake is golden brown and a knife inserted deep into the center comes out clean. Transfer to a cooling rack and let rest for 5 minutes, then run a knife around the edge to loosen the cake from the pan and carefully remove the sides of the cake pan, making sure no apples are stuck to it. Carefully remove the bottom of the pan and turn the cake onto a serving dish and dust with icing sugar.