Category: Do-ahead

Accompaniments · Curry · Dairy-free · Do-ahead · Fruit · Gluten Free · Vegan

Kumquat, rhubarb and ginger chutney

Belinda

With the kumquats looking large, plump and juicy in our garden, it’s time to make the best chutney I’ve ever had.

Makes about 8 to 9 pints

5 cups thinly sliced (lengthways) kumquats, seeds removed. (Rinse the kumquats in hot water first)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
6 cups dark brown sugar, packed (there are 3 cups per box)
1 cup water
1 1/2 cups white vinegar
1 cup raisins
2 lbs rhubarb, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 cups celery, peeled and chopped (approx 1 head per cup)
2 large onions, chopped
2 large green bell peppers, chopped
8 large cloves garlic, crushed
2/3 cup slivered citron
2 large oranges, juice and grated peel only
2 cups peeled and finely chopped fresh ginger
1 tbsp Worcester sauce
2 tsp salt
2 heaped tsp curry powder
2 heaped tsp ground allspice
2 tsp heaped ground cinnamon
Optional
2 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

FIRSTLY
Before anything else, put everything you will need into the dishwasher on “heavy wash” or the hottest wash. (jars, lids, ladle etc)
If the cycle finishes before you’re ready to put the chutney in the jars, leave the dishwasher door closed to keep them sterilized.

THEN
Rinse the kumquats in hot water. Slice them lengthways and remove the seeds.
Place in a large, heavy saucepan with the sugars and water. Mix well and simmer slowly, uncovered for 30 minutes.

Measure out all the other ingredients except the black pepper, ground ginger and cayenne pepper, and add them all to the saucepan after the 30 minutes.
Mix well and simmer slowly, uncovered until the mixture is dark in color a, about 4-5 hours, stirring occasionally.

Taste and add the ground ginger, black pepper and cayenne pepper, if needed.

Pour into the sterilized jars and seal immediately.

Dairy-free · Do-ahead · Fish

Sicilian-style fish fillets

Belinda

Fish fillets are your friends. They’re über-healthy and cook fast, and if you use this recipe, they’ll taste like a fancy chef hijacked your kitchen. Lo-carb and light
Recipe by Barbara Chernetz

Serves 4

4 cod, flounder, or sole fillets
Olive oil cooking spray
1/2 cup Italian-style panko breadcrumbs
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp pine nuts
1 tbsp dark raisins
1 tbsp golden raisins
1 tsp grated lemon zest
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
Lemon wedges
2 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tsp Kosher salt
1/2 tsp. Freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp. olive oil

Heat oven to 400°F. Coat a baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray.

In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons olive oil, pine nuts, raisins, lemon zest and juice, and 1 tablespoon of the parsley.
Place fillets on the prepared baking sheet.
Sprinkle all but 2 tablespoons of the breadcrumb mixture over fillets, dividing evenly.
Sprinkle fillets with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper.
Roll up each fillet and sprinkle remaining breadcrumb mixture over the tops, then drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Bake 8 to 9 minutes or until fillets are barely opaque at the thickest part.
Sprinkle fish with remaining parsley. Serve with lemon wedges and a mixed green salad.

Asian flavors · Dairy-free · Do-ahead · Holiday Food · Soup · Vegan

Caramelized parsnip and coconut soup with parsnip bhajis

Belinda

Recipe c/o the Great British Chef’s website
Chantelle Nicholson’s comforting parsnip soup recipe is given a creamy lusciousness by coconut milk, all the while staying both vegan and gluten-free. Served with beautifully crispy parsnip bhajis, this dish is the perfect winter warmer.

2 tbsp of coconut oil
4 large parsnips, peeled and diced
1 onion, finely sliced
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1 bay leaf
1 2/3 pint (800ml) of vegetable stock
2/3 pint (300ml) of coconut milk
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper

PARSNIP BHAJIS
2 parsnips, peeled and grated
1 shallot, finely diced
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp of coriander, chopped
2 tbsp of gram flour
2 tbsp of chickpea water, (aquafaba)
2 tbsp of coconut oil, plus extra for greasing
salt
freshly ground black pepper

GARNISH
cumin seeds, toasted
coriander cress, (optional)
beetroot cress, (optional)
rapeseed oil

To make the parsnip soup, heat the coconut oil in a large saucepan over a moderate heat. When hot, add the parsnips, season well and cook until lightly caramelised, for approximately 25 minutes
After this time, add the onion, cumin seeds and bay leaf and cook for a further 5 minutes until the onion is soft
Add the vegetable stock to the pan and simmer for 20 minutes until the parsnip is cooked through
Meanwhile, make the parsnip bhajis

Preheat the oven to 350F/180°C/gas mark 4

Mix all of the bhaji ingredients together in a large bowl, apart from the coconut oil. Season the mix with salt and pepper then heat the coconut oil in a non-stick frying pan
Using two spoons, shape the bhaji mixture and fry off until golden. Place on a greased baking sheet and cook the bhajis for 8–10 minutes until golden cooked through

To finish the soup, remove the bay leaf, add the coconut milk and blitz in a blender until smooth and reheat on the hob if necessary. Divide the soup between bowls and sprinkle with cumin seeds and cress (if using). Drizzle with rapeseed oil and serve with the hot crispy bhajis on the side, or in the soup as croutons

Baking · Do-ahead · Holiday Food

Parsnip and sage scones with Stilton butter

Belinda

Recipe c/o the Great British Chef’s website
Parsnips have a natural, gentle sweetness which works well in baked goods like these scones. We’ve combined the parsnips with sage for a festive spin, but you could also use other herbs such as thyme, chives or parsley. They are delicious served warm, piled with Stilton butter, and will keep well for a few days in a tightly sealed container.

16 oz self-raising flour
1 tbsp Baking Powder
1 oz caster sugar
1/2 tsp salt
5 oz unsalted butter, softened
7.5 oz parsnips, peeled and coarsely grated
1 egg
1/2 pint whole milk

STILTON BUTTER
4 oz of Stilton, at room temperature
4 oz of butter, softened

Preheat the oven to 400F/gas mark 6
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Add the butter, rubbing it in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs
Add the grated parsnips and stir them into the flour and butter mixture
Add the egg and milk and stir again until just combined. Overworking the mixture will prevent the scones from rising as much, so stop mixing as soon as you have a shaggy dough. Add a little more flour if the dough is too wet to handle
Tip the dough onto a floured surface and gently roll or pat it out until it is around 1 in thick
Use a 2 in round cutter to cut out the scones, taking care not to twist the cutter as you push down. Instead, try to push the cutter straight down – this will help the scones rise better
Bake the scones for 12-15 minutes or until risen and golden. Remove them from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool

Make the Stilton butter by mashing together the Stilton and butter until well combined
Serve the scones with generous amounts of Stilton butter on top

Asian flavors · Breakfast · Dairy-free · Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Rice · Vegan · Vegetable-related

Sticky coconut rice cake with turmeric tomatoes

Belinda

In this dish from Ixta Belfrage’s ‘Mezcla’ cookbook, sticky coconut rice cakes are served with a delicious turmeric tomato sauce

Notes
I use Thai Taste brand sticky rice, which doesn’t need to be soaked. If you’re using another brand, check the instructions on the side of the packet, as the rice may need to be soaked overnight.
Make ahead
Both parts of the dish can be made the day before and reheated in a warm oven.

SERVES 4

FOR THE RICE CAKE
400g Thai sticky rice (aka glutinous rice or sweet rice), rinsed and drained (see notes above)
400g tin of full-fat coconut milk (at least 70% coconut extract)
250g water
2 small cloves of garlic, finely grated/crushed
2 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
2 spring onions(scallions), very finely chopped
1 1/2 tsp fine salt

FOR THE TURMERIC TOMATOES
400g sweet, ripe cherry tomatoes
15g fresh ginger, peeled and julienned
15g fresh coriander (cilantro), stalks and leaves
3 cloves of garlic, peeled
70g olive oil
2 tsp maple syrup or honey
1⁄2 tsp ground turmeric
1 1⁄4 tsp cumin seeds
1⁄2 tsp fine salt

TO SERVE
2 spring onions, finely sliced
5g fresh coriander
1 lime, cut into wedges

Preheat the oven to 230°C fan/250°C/475F. Line a 23 x 23cm baking tin (or a similar- sized ovenproof dish) with non-stick parchment paper.

Whisk all the ingredients for the rice cake together, making sure to get rid of any lumps of coconut milk. Pour into the prepared tin and flatten the top.

For the tomatoes, put all the ingredients into an ovenproof dish that’s just big enough for them all to fit snugly in a single layer.

Put both dishes in the oven – the tomatoes on the top shelf and the rice on the bottom shelf (or preferably both on the top shelf, if they’ll fit). Bake for 30 minutes. The tomatoes should be soft and slightly charred and the rice should be cooked through and golden-brown on top.

Remove both dishes from the oven. Cover the tomatoes to keep them warm. Leave the rice to rest for 20 minutes. Turn the oven grill to its highest setting.

After 20 minutes, lift the rice cake on to a flat baking tray lined with the paper. Tear away any overhanging parchment that could burn under the grill. Grill for 5–8 minutes near the top of the oven, or until the rice is crisp and golden- brown on top.
All grills are different so this could take more or less time. If you have a blowtorch, use it to crisp up and lightly char the surface a little more.

Leave to cool for 5 minutes before slicing into squares. Serve with the warm tomatoes and garnish with the spring onions (scallions), coriander (cilantro) and lime wedges.

Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Holiday Food · Vegetable sides

Ina’s parsnip puree

Belinda

Recipe from Ina Garten.
Would be wonderful for the Holidays and can be done ahead of time. Love that!

“This is about as easy as a side dish gets. Parsnips are really delicious and so under-appreciated. It’s the essence of parsnip-ness with just a little butter. So good with any fish, meat, or poultry. —Ina Garten

4 servings

1½ lb. parsnips, scrubbed, sliced ¾” thick
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, diced

Place 1½ lb. parsnips, scrubbed, sliced ¾” thick, in a medium pot, add 1 Tbsp. kosher salt, and add enough water to cover the parsnips.
Cover the pot, bring to a boil, then uncover, lower the heat, and simmer for 15–20 minutes, until the parsnips are very soft when tested with a small knife.
Don’t drain the pot!

With a slotted spoon or small strainer, transfer the parsnips to the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and pulse to chop the parsnips.
Pour the cooking liquid into a glass measuring cup and pour ½ cup down the feed tube. Purée the parsnips, adding more cooking liquid (about 1 cup total) through the feed tube until the parsnips are creamy and almost smooth but still have some texture.
Add 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, diced, and ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper and purée until combined.
Taste for seasonings and serve hot.

Chocolate · Dessert · Do-ahead

Blender chocolate mousse

Belinda

Recipe from the New York Times

“Straightforward, adaptable and extremely satisfying, this is one of those recipes that you want to pass along to as many people as you can. Instead of separating the egg yolks and whites, this technique simply involves pouring hot sugar syrup into a blender with chocolate and whole eggs, then folding that mixture into softly whipped cream. The resulting texture is so creamy and rich, it doesn’t need anything at all, though you can top it with extra whipped cream, if you like.”

Serves 8 (7 cups)

1½ cups heavy cream
½ cup granulated sugar
12 oz dark chocolate, roughly chopped
4 large eggs, at room temperature
¼ cup strong (brewed) espresso (or very strongly brewed coffee)
¼ cup light or dark rum (or Marsala or brandy)
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp kosher salt

Step 1
In a large bowl, or in a stand mixer on medium speed, whip the heavy cream to glossy, medium peaks, about 5 minutes. Set aside in the fridge. In a small saucepan over gentle heat, melt the sugar with ¼ cup water until dissolved. As soon as the syrup begins to boil, turn off the heat.

Step 2
Add chocolate and eggs to a blender. Blend on medium-high speed while slowly pouring in the hot sugar syrup, which will melt the chocolate and cook the eggs. Keep the machine running until the mixture is extremely smooth, then stream in the espresso, rum, vanilla and salt. Keep blending until the mixture has cooled to room temperature, about 1 minute, pausing to scrape the sides as needed.

Step 3
Fold 1 cup of the chocolate mixture into the chilled whipped cream until smooth, then add the rest of the chocolate mixture to the cream mixture and fold until there are no streaks. Pour into individual bowls, ramekins or glasses, and set in the fridge until firm, at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours. Serve chilled.

Appetizer Vegetarian · Do-ahead

Labneh with olives, pistachios and oregano

Belinda

Serves 4

1lbs labneh
20 black olives, pitted
1 tbsp roughly chopped fresh oregano
1 tbsp chopped parsley
Grated zest of 2 lemons
2 garlic cloves, crushed
100ml olive oil
30g pistachios, lightly toasted
30g pine nuts, lightly toasted
½ tsp flaked chilli
Coarse sea salt

Use the back of a spoon to spread the labneh over a platter creating a loose wavy pattern, about 2cm thick.

Next, dice the olives or chop roughly. Place them in a bowl and add the oregano, parsley, lemon zest, garlic and olive oil.
Use a pestle and mortar to crush the nuts unevenly, leaving some just broken and others finely crushed; add to the olive mix and stir. Add some coarse sea salt to taste, or you can sprinkle some on at the end. You can alter the amount of ingredients depending on your preference.

Spoon the olive mix over the labneh clearing about 2cm away from the edge (you don’t need to use the whole quantity if you want your labneh a bit milder). Sprinkle with chili and serves with wither torn bread chunks or crackers.

Appetizer Vegetarian · Dairy-free · Do-ahead · Soup

Tomato & watermelon gazpacho

Belinda


Recipe by Ottolenghi

Seves 6-8

2kg ripe tomatoes (about 20), peeled and roughly chopped (1.9kg net)
5 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
6 celery stalks, pale parts and leaves, all roughly chopped (450g net)
1 small onion, roughly chopped (140g net)
400g watermelon flesh, seeds removed
100g crustless white bread, broken into small chunks
150ml tomato passata (or tomato juice)
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
200ml olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
15g basil leaves
Coarse salt and black pepper

Croutons
150g crustless white bread, broken into 2-3cm chunks
3 tbsp olive oil
1½ tbsp red wine vinegar

First make the croutons. Preheat the oven to 180C. Place the bread in a medium bowl along with the oil, vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt. Place a griddle pan on a high heat, add the croutons and cook for 2 minutes, turning until all sides are slightly charred and starting to crisp. Transfer from the pan onto a baking tray and place in the oven for about 12 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. Set aside to cool.

Place the tomatoes, garlic, celery, onion, watermelon, bread, passata and 10 grams of basil in a blender or large bowl along with 1½ teaspoon of salt and a good grind of black pepper. Blend until smooth and then, with the blender still going, add the vinegar and olive oil. Refrigerate until needed.

To serve, pour the soup into individual bowls and top with the croutons. Tear the remaining basil and sprinkle it on top of each portion, along with a final drizzle of oil. Finish with a little sea salt and serve at once.

Accompaniments · Appetizer Vegetarian · Dairy-free · Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Vegan · Whole30 compliant

Cherry tomato confit

Belinda

Recipe from food blog, “Olive & Mango”

What to eat tomato confit with:
Swirled through pasta, risotto or polenta
Load them up on toasted bread/crostini spread with creamy ricotta, creamy whipped feta or cream cheese
Dress herby yoghurt with them or creamy hummus
As a side or topping to grilled meat, chicken or fish.
Perfect on your mezze platters
The flavorful oil from the confit can be used to drizzle over meat or even cook or sauté veggies in or even eggs and shrimp. As you can see the options are endless.

Servings: 2-3 cups

2½ lbs cherry tomatoes
1 head of garlic, sliced in half horizontally
1&1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest (optional but adds a really nice flavor to the confit)
1 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more if needed
Salt and pepper to taste
Handful of Fresh herbs of choice.

Preheat oven to 250°F.
Place cherry tomatoes in a single layer in baking dish. Nestle the garlic between the tomatoes.
Pour olive oil into the dish, so it comes about halfway up the sides of the tomatoes. Season generously with salt and pepper, and the lemon zest and add the fresh herbs to the baking dish.
Bake, uncovered, for 1-½ to 2 hours (cooking time will depend on the size of the cherry tomatoes). Don’t cook the tomatoes until they’ve fully bursted; they should be soft, but not falling apart.
Cool tomatoes in the pan until they are room temperature, then place in airtight containers or jars. Pour enough of the cooking oil over the tomatoes to submerge them. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes
Storage
Tomato confit can be stored in a sealed container refrigerated for up to 1-2 weeks weeks. Store the tomatoes in a jar covered with the olive oil. If you have leftover olive oil you can also store it in the refrigerator and use it in cooking or salad dressings.
Freezing
It can be frozen in freezer proof containers for up to 3 months. The olive oil with harden and solidify in the refrigerator or freezer so be sure to bring tomatoes to room temperature before serving