Bubbling cheese, crab, spinach and artichoke dip

November 8, 2014February 7, 2016 Belinda

All my favorite things rolled into a hot, gooey dip, great for dunking bread, crackers or tortilla chips

1 tablespoon butter
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 cup baby spinach,packed
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
chili sauce to taste
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano,freshly grated
1/2 cup mozzarella, grated
1/2 cup good quality mature cheddar, freshly grated
1 cup artichoke hearts, chopped
1 cup crabmeat, chopped
3 green onions, chopped

Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat, add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add the white wine and spinach and heat until the spinach wilts, about 1-2 minutes.
Process the spinach, cream cheese, sour cream, chili sauce, salt and pepper in a food processor until nice and mixed.
Mix everything, place the mixture into a baking dish bake in a preheated 350F oven until bubbling and golden brown on top, about 20-30 minutes.

Dessert · Gluten Free

Easy caramelized, coconut bananas

November 5, 2014February 8, 2016 Belinda

Anything to do with coconut, I adore and this is such a simple, exotic dessert to throw together.

Serves 2

2 tbsp palm sugar or soft light brown sugar
2 bananas, peeled and halved lengthways, then each chunk halved again
5 fl oz coconut milk
coconut ice cream
toasted, shredded coconut, for garnish

Heat the sugar in a small frying pan. When melted, add the bananas and caramelize on each side for 3 to 4 minutes. Lift them out and set aside.
Tip the coconut milk into the pan with a pinch of salt, stir into the sugar and bubble until syrupy.
Divide between two bowls, top with the caramelized bananas, then add a scoop of coconut ice cream and scatter with the toasted coconut

Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Grains · Meat · Nuts · Vegetable sides · Vegetable-related

Baked butternut squash, cheese and bacon polenta cake

November 2, 2014September 7, 2022 Belinda

Oh my gosh, this combination is pretty heady. If you want to keep it vegetarian, leave out the bacon and use vegetable broth, but I like to incorporate the meaty components.

Serves 8 to 10

One 2lb butternut squash, peeled, seeded and sliced 1 inch thick
2 tbsp olive oil, plus more for the pan
1/3 cup pine nuts
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 tsp dried sage, crumbled or 1 tsp fresh sage, chopped
salt and freshly ground black pepper
6 cups vegetable or chicken broth (or half and half with 3 cups of water and 3 cups of stock)
2 cups coarse polenta
unsalted butter
5 oz smoked Gouda cheese, shredded or sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/3 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Preheat the oven to 375F
Arrange the squash on a large oiled baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes, until tender. Transfer the squash to a bowl and mash coarsely. (You should have about 1 1/2 cups)
While the squash is roasting, spread the pine nuts on a pie plate and toast in the oven for 4 minutes, until golden. Coarsely chop the nuts.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil. Add the onion and sage and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until golden, about 25 minutes.Add a few tbsp of water if the onions start getting dry.

In a saucepan bring the 6 cups stock/water to a boil. Whisk in the polenta and 1 tsp salt. Cook over very low heat, stirring frequently, until tender, about 35 minutes.The polenta will get very thick and that is fine. Stir in 1 tbsp butter along with the mashed squash, pine nuts, bacon, onion, Gouda or cheddar cheese and half the Parmesan cheese.Pour the hot polenta into a large springform pan or a 2 quart braising dish sprayed with non stick spray.
Flatten the top of the polenta slightly without spreading it to the edges; refrigerate until firm for up to an hour.

Cut 1 tbsp of the remaining butter over the polenta and sprinkle with the remaining 2 tbsp parmesan cheese.
Bake in a 375F oven for 1 hour, until the top and sides are lightly browned and crisp.
Let stand for 20 minutes before cutting it into wedges
Serve with sauteed mushrooms, braised greens or tomato sauce.

Asian flavors · Dessert · Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Grains

Coconut – carrot rice pudding

November 2, 2014September 7, 2022 Belinda

Now we’ve put the clocks back and the weather has a freshness to it, I start to think about my favorite way of cooking. Comfort food, whether its braises. slow cooking, soups or warming desserts like this one.

Serves 4 to 6

2 1/2 – 3 1/2 cups whole milk
1 3/4 cups (1 x 13.5 oz can) coconut milk
1 cup uncooked long grain white rice, like jasmine
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup peeled, finely grated carrots (about 2 medium carrots)
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tsp good quality vanilla extract
1/4 tsp cinnamon, plus more for garnish
1/4 tsp ground cardamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/3 cup raisins

In a 4 quart heavy-bottomed pot set over high heat, bring 2 1/2 cups milk, coconut milk, rice and salt to a boil, stirring often. Reduce the heat to low, add the grated carrot and simmer, stirring often and slowly adding up to 1 cup of the remaining milk, until the rice is tender, 20 – 25 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine the brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, cardamon and ginger in a small bowl.
Once the rice is cooked, remove from the heat and stir in the brown sugar mixture and raisins.
Transfer the pudding to a serving bowl and allow to cool slightly.
The pudding will continue to thicken as it comes to room temperature, topped with additional cinnamon to taste.

Gluten Free · Poultry · Whole30 compliant

Moroccan-style chicken braise

October 27, 2014January 5, 2017 Belinda

I adore anything with lemons and olives, and this recipe is simple as it uses fresh lemons rather than the preserved lemons. It is wonderful to freeze and easy to double. Make sure you start this recipe the night before as it needs to marinade and allow the flavors to “hang out”.

Serves 2 to 3

For the spice paste
3 large, juicy garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
A pinch of sea salt
3 good pinches smoked paprika
3 good pinches ground turmeric
1 tsp cumin seeds (I use roasted seeds)
a good glug of olive oil

For the braise
6 large chicken thighs, bone in and skin on
a good glug of fruity olive oil
2 large onions, peeled and roughly chopped
Chicken broth or water (about 32 fl oz)
1 lemon, cut in half, thinly sliced
A pinch saffron threads
A good handful green olives, pits removed
A small handful fresh cilantro (coriander), roughly chopped

For the spice paste, crush the garlic cloves and sea salt with a pestle in a mortar. Add the smoked paprika, turmeric and cumin seeds and grind to a paste. Add just enough olive oil to make the paste runny enough to pour, but thick enough to coat the chicken.

For the braise, place the chicken thighs into a bowl, pour the spice paste over them and toss well to coat all of the meat. Cover with cling film and leave to marinade in the fridge overnight preferably or as long as time allows. It will only improve in flavor the longer you allow it to marinade.

Heat the olive oil in a large shallow pan, then cook the onions until softened. Add the chicken thighs and cook until colored lightly on both sides. Add the lemon slices and olives and pour in enough water or chicken broth (or a combination) to come halfway up the chicken pieces. Stir in the saffron, then season well, cover with a lid and simmer for about 25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Add the fresh cilantro and serve with rice or couscous.

Gluten Free · Holiday Food · Salad · Vegan · Vegetable sides

Tomato and pomegranate salad

October 23, 2014 Belinda

My friend Rose put a huge bag of pomegranates on my car seat the other day when we were recording a score at Warner Brothers. She grows a lot of fruit and vegetables and we often chat about recipes and what’s in season. I give her our Seville oranges when they’re in season as she too loves to make marmalade. It’s fun to have musician friends who grow and cook their own food as we can exchange recipes and jars of homemade goodies on the sessions! Since receiving this lovely gift of pomegranates, I have been researching recipes that include them. This one is a jewel in every sense of the word. To look at and to eat. Highly healthy, tasty and beautiful.

1 1/3 cups red cherry tomatoes, cut into 1/4 ” dice
1 1/3 cups yellow cherry tomatoes, cut into 1/4″ dice
1 1/3 cups plum or tiger tomatoes, cut into 1/4″ dice
1lb medium vine tomatoes, cut into 1/4″ dice
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/4″ dice
1 small red onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 tsp ground allspice
2 tsp white wine vinegar
1 1/2 tbsp pomegranate molasses
1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra to finish
1 large pomegranate, seeds removed (about 1 cup seeds)
1 tbsp small oregano leaves
salt

Mix together all the tomatoes, the red pepper and the onion in a large bowl and set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, allspice, vinegar, pomegranate molasses, olive oil and a scant 1/2 tsp salt until well combined. Pour this over the tomato mixture and gently mix.

Arrange the tomato mixture and it’s juices on a large, flat platter. Sprinkle the pomegranate seeds and oregano over the top.
Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and serve.

Appetizers · Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Vegetable sides · Vegetable-related

Stuffed roasted peppers with caramelized rutabaga (swede), capers and goat cheese

October 23, 2014September 7, 2022 Belinda1 Comment

Well, this knocked our socks off! Yotam Ottolenghi’s new book, “Plenty More” stuffed full of more spectacular vegetarian recipes is a winner.
What a combination of flavors this recipe has, with the caramelized rutabaga, capers, parmesan cheese and goat cheese.

These are just as good at room temp (or as leftovers the next day) as they are hot. Rutabaga gets a whole new “wardrobe’ with this dish!

Serves 6
2/3 cup unsalted butter
1 large rutabaga, peeled and cut into 3/8″ dice (about 7 cups)
1/3 cup thyme leaves, stripped from the stalk
1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
2 large cloves garlic,crushed
5 tbsp capers, drained and coarsely chopped
3 small yellow bell peppers
3 small red bell peppers
1 tbsp olive oil, approx
6 oz chevre log, (goat cheese) broken into 3/8″ pieces
1/3 cup Italian parsley, coarsely chopped
salt and pepper

Melt the butter in a large saute pan over medium heat.Add the rutabaga, thyme leaves, 1 1/2 tsp salt and a good grind of black pepper. Turn down the heat to low and cook, uncovered, for about 50 minutes, spooning the butter over the rutabaga from time to time, until the rutabaga is completely soft and caramelized. Use a slotted spoon to remove the rutabaga from the butter and add it to a large bowl along with the parmesan cheese, garlic and capers and mix well. Set aside until needed. (The leftover butter can be used for cooking carrots or zucchini)

Preheat the oven to 500 F

Cut the peppers in half lengthways, keeping the stalks intact. Remove the seeds and white flesh and place, cut side up, on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Drizzle the oil over the top, sprinkle with a little salt and place in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until the peppers are slightly charred and the flesh is completely soft.

Remove the peppers from the oven and turn down the oven to 425 F

Spoon the rutabaga mixture into each pepper half and dot with the goat cheese on top.
Return to the oven for a further 10 to 15 minutes so that the cheese gets some color.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 5 minutes before serving warm, or serve at room temperature
Top each stuffed pepper with a sprinkle of parsley

Gluten Free · Poultry · Whole30 compliant

Simple roast chicken traybake with spiced potatoes and olives

September 29, 2014January 5, 2017 Belinda

I love roasted tray bakes, they are easy to make and are so versatile. Here is another version, and the flavors are beautifully intense.

Serves 4
1 bay leaf, crushed
1 tsp fennel seeds, crushed
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1 1/2 lb fingerling potatoes, halved
1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives
4 tbsp olive oil, divided
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 whole chicken legs (leg and thigh attached) about 3lbs
1/2 cup fresh flat leaf parsley leaves with stems
1 tsp finely grated lemon zest

* You will need a small spice mill, like a coffee grinder. It’s worth buying a second one and devoting it to grinding spices.

Preheat the oven to 450 F
Pulse the bay leaf, fennel seeds and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes in a spice mill until finely ground.
Toss the halved potatoes, olives, 2 tbsp oil and half of the spice mixture in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper.
Place the chicken mixture on a rimmed baking sheet and rub with remaining 2 tbsp oil; season with salt and pepper and rub with the remaining spice mixture.
Arrange potato mixture around the chicken. Roast until the potatoes are fork-tender, chicken is cooked through, and the skin is crisp, 35 – 45 minutes.
Serve chicken and potato mixture topped with parsley, lemon zest and more red pepper flakes, if desired.
Spoon the pan juices around and serve.

Gluten Free · Grains · Salad · Vegetable sides · Vegetable-related

Mediterranean quinoa salad

September 29, 2014February 8, 2016 Belinda

Don’t be put off by the long ingredient list. It’s a very easy salad to prepare and will be one of the best things you’ve ever eaten.
I absolutely adore quinoa and if you also like it, not only is this recipe great, these two other quinoa salad recipes below, also on this blog, are terrific.

Crunchy Thai quinoa salad

Quinoa, beet, feta and caper salad

I sometimes make these quinoa salads in double quantities and have them in the fridge for a week, adding chicken or salmon to them if we fancy, or just having a small bowl of it with some home made soup. The beauty of this salad is that you can change up the amounts of the vegetables and can replace or add with other things you like. Basically, play with it! I have also given you a few ingredients that are optional.
It’s very healthy, very filling without piling on the calories and soaks up the flavors.

Easily serves 4 and can be augmented.
1 cup quinoa
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1x 15oz can of garbanzo or borlotti beans, drained and rinsed
2 Roma tomatoes,chopped or 4 oz sliced sun-dried tomatoes
3/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives, sliced in half lengthways
2 tbsp capers, drained
1 medium English cucumber, seeded and chopped
5 scallions, chopped or 1 medium red onion, chopped
4 oz roasted red bell pepper, cut into chunks
2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped,
1/4 fresh mint leaves, chopped
1/2 cup Greek feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 green chili, chopped (optional)
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts or walnuts, optional
1/2 cup raisins, optional

Dressing ingredients (you may not need it all)
4 tbsp good olive oil
1 1/2 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 anchovy fillets, optional
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp red chili flakes, optional
salt and pepper to taste

Place the quinoa in a saucepan with the stock and bring to the boil. When boiling, turn down low to a simmer and put a lid on. Let it simmer on low for about 12 – 15 minutes until it becomes fluffy and all the liquid is absorbed. You will begin to see the “germ” of the grain appear on each piece of quinoa.
Remove from the heat,fluff with a fork and allow to cool with the lid off. (I sometimes tip it out onto a baking tray and spread it out to dry and cool a bit, it works faster this way)

In a very large bowl, combine the salad ingredients. Add the cooled quinoa to the salad.
Combine all the dressing ingredients in a blender and add about 3/4 of the dressing to the salad. Mix together really well, season with salt and pepper and add more of anything you like to get the exact flavor you want. Chill the salad in the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving. This gives the ingredients time to “hang out”
This is a very forgiving salad and I sometimes add toasted pine nuts, or raisins/currants to it for a change.
Enjoy!