Thai pork and peanut curry

December 31, 2013September 13, 2018 Belinda

This is the last recipe for 2013! Happy New Year to you all and thank you so much for signing up to the blog.

This was the top BBC Good Food recipe for 2013 and is well worth doing.

Serves 4

Use a fragrant hot red curry base (available in Asian markets) as the base to this curry dish with baby sweet corn, cilantro and soy sauce.

1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 bunch scallions (spring onions) sliced
a small bunch fresh cilantro, stalks finely chopped, leaves picked
1 lb pork tenderloin, sliced
4 tbsp Thai red curry paste
4 tbsp peanut butter
1 tbsp soft brown sugar
1 tbsp soy sauce
a 14 fl oz can of coconut milk (you can use light coconut milk too)
1/2 a 14 oz tin of baby corn, drained
juice of 1 lime
steamed Jasmine rice, to serve

Heat the oil in a large saucepan or flameproof Dutch oven.
Add the scallions and cilantro stalks and cook for 1 minute. Add the pork slices and cook for 5 mins until starting to brown.
Stir in the curry paste and peanut butter.
After 30 seconds, add the sugar, soy sauce and coconut milk, plus 1/2 can water.
Mix well, put a lid on and leave to simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove the lid, add the baby corn and increase the heat.
Bubble for 3 minutes until the corn is heated through and the sauce has thickened a little.
Stir in the lime juice and check the seasoning.

* It can now be frozen for up to 2 months at this point

To cook from frozen, thoroughly defrost, then heat in a pan on the hob until the curry is hot all the way through.
Serve scattered with the cilantro leaves and steamy hot Jasmine rice

Accompaniments · Holiday Food · Meat · Nuts

Cornbread, bacon, pecan and leek stuffing

November 19, 2013January 10, 2016 Belinda

Another great stuffing to add to the repertoire

2 cups pecans
2 cornbread (rounds, squarers or loaves, 8 inches each) coarsely broken into 2 inch pieces (16 cups)
3 tbsp butter, cut into small pieces, plus more for the dish
8 slices smoked bacon, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
4 celery stalks, chopped nto 1/2 inch pieces
4 leeks (white and pale-green parts only), chopped into 1/2 inch pieces, rinsed well.
1 tbsp plus 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 1/2 cups turkey or chicken stock (preferably homemade)
4 large eggs, lightly beaten

Preheat the oven to 350 F
Spread the pecans on a rimmed baking sheet. Toast in the oven for 7 minutes. let cool slightly; coarsely chop. Mix together pecans and cornbread in a large bowl.

Butter a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Cook the bacon in a large high-sided skillet over medium-high heat until almost crisp, about 3 minutes.
Reduce the heat to medium; add the celery and leeks. Cook until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
Stir in thyme and 1 1/4 tsp salt; season with pepper.
Transfer to a large bowl.

Return the skillet to medium-high heat, and add the stock; bring to a simmer, scraping up the brown bits and stirring constantly with a wooden spoon.
Add to the bowl with the bacon-vegetable mixture.
Stir in the eggs.
Gently mix in the cornbread mixture. (Do not overmix)
Transfer to a baking dish, dot the top with butter.
bake until golden brown, about 35 to 45 minutes

Dairy-free · Meat · Poultry

Chicken, sausage and whatever you have in the fridge traybake.

November 16, 2013February 7, 2016 Belinda

This is the most simple, stunning dish you can have in your repertoire. You can throw it together in minutes and let it roast and caramelize for about 45 minutes and your whole meal is on one roasting dish.

All you need is a very large bowl, at least 16” diameter (great to have anyway) and a large shallow baking tray, minimum 16” x 12” x 1”

The other day I was working and we only had 1 hour before needing to be downtown for a concert.
I took out my large bowl and started to throw stuff into it, tossed it all in olive oil and fresh herbs, some salt and pepper and spices and threw it all onto the baking tray, tossed it in the oven and 45 minutes later, we had a really stunning meal.

You can vary the meat and vegetables according to what you have in your imagination/fridge

Serves 4

Preheat the oven to 350 F

1 lb organic boneless, skinless chicken thigh, each cut into 3 chunks (Don’t use breast, as it gets too dry)
1lb of sausage you like, chorizo, Sweet Italian, Spicy Italian, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 large onions, red or white, cut into 1 inch chunks
As many cloves of garlic as you want, peeled, and half of them crushed and half of them left whole
A yellow, red and/or orange pepper, cut into 1 inch chunks
1 lb cherry tomatoes, some halved, the others left whole
3 zucchini, cut into 1 inch chunks
1 eggplant, cut into 1 inch chunks
8 oz baby crimini mushrooms,
8 oz Brussel sprouts, halved
1/2 butternut squash, or 2 cups in 1” cubes
Very small potatoes, or cut up ones, as they need to cook till tender

Throw all this into the large bowl and toss together with;

1 tsp paprika, sweet, hot or smoked, depending on your preference
2 good handfuls fresh basil, torn
A good amount of Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tsp dried oregano, or any other herb you fancy
Some dried chile, if you like a kick
Liberally glug in some really good olive oil, at least 1/4 cup

Mix it all together well so everything is well coated and then tip everything out onto the large roasting tray. Shake till it’s evenly distributed, then put into the oven until it’s starting to get browned and beginning to singe at the edges.
Remove from the oven, taste and re-season.

* Some crumbled feta or blue cheese can also go over everything in the last 15 minutes of cooking

You will start playing around with the flavors and ingredients, trying different combinations, vegetarian, more meat, less vegetables…. The worlds your oyster on this dish!

Do-ahead · Holiday Food · Meat

Pumpkin seed stuffing with chorizo

November 16, 2013September 9, 2022 Belinda

This is a terrific stuffing as it uses the “pepitas” pumpkin seeds. This recipe was voted best recipe of the year for Bon Appetite magazine in 2008. Toasted pepitas, fragrant Spanish chorizo, chiles and cornbread. Would could be nicer?
You can make this the day before but only if you’re not putting it in the turkey. I like to cook this separately.

Serves 6 to 8

* Pumpkin seed oil can be found online or in well stocked supermarkets and is worth having. For a little extra heat, roast 2 to 4 jalapeno chiles with the poblanos, then clean, stem, seed and chop them before adding them to the stuffing.

10 cups cubed corn bread, cut into 1 inch pieces
1/4 cup pumpkinseed oil, divided
1 1/2 tsp minced fresh thyme
1 tbsp chopped fresh oregano
1 1/4 tsp salt, divided
freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups shelled pumpkin seeds
4 poblano chiles
6 tbsp (3/4 stick) butter, divided
2 tbsp olive oil
3/4 lb Spanish chorizo, cut crosswise into 1/8 inch slices
1 1/2 cups fresh corn, from about 2 medium corn cobs
2 onions, cut into 1/2 inch dice
2 tsp minced garlic
1/3 cup dry white wine
3/4 tsp cumin (I roast my own)
1/2 tsp Spanish smoked paprika
2 to 3 cups chicken or turkey broth

Preheat the oven to 375 F
In a large bowl, gently toss the corn bread with 3 tbsp pumpkinseed oil, the thyme, oregano,1/2 tsp salt and several grinds of black pepper.

Spread the cubes in a single layer on a large, foil lined baking sheet and toast for 20 to 25 minutes until lightly golden, shaking the pan every 5 minutes for even coloring. Remove from the heat and allow to cool, then place in a large bowl.

In a medium bowl, toss the pumpkin seeds with the remaining tbsp pumpkinseed oil, 1/4 tsp salt and several grinds of black pepper. Place the seeds on a foil lined baking sheet and toast until fragrant, puffed and lightly golden, about 10 minutes. Remove and cool, then add to the cornbread.

Meanwhile, roast the chiles on the stove top directly over a hot burner until charred on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove to a sealed bag to rest until cool enough to peel.
Peel the charred skin (do NOT rinse under water as this will remove the flavor)
Halve the chiles lengthwise, stem and seed. Cut the halves crosswise into 1/8 inch sttrips. Add to the cornbread.

Heat a large, heavy-bottom skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 tbsp butter and the olive oil, then the chorizo and cook until lightly browned, about 4 to 5 minutes.
Remove the chorizo with a slotted spoon, leaving the fat in the pan, and add the chorizo to the stuffing mixture.

Stir the corn and onions into the pan and season with 1/4 tsp salt and several grinds of black pepper.
Cook, stirring occasionally, until the corn is crisp-tender and the onions have softened and are translucent, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the garlic and cook until it is aromatic, about 30 seconds.
Stir in the white wine and cook, scraping any bits of flavoring from the pan, until the white wine has almost evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes. Cool, slightly, then add to the stuffing mixture.

*(You are building layers of flavor with all these steps)

Gently toss in the cumin and smoked Spanish paprika, and season the stuffing with 1/4 tsp salt or to taste.
Melt the remaining butter and drizzle over the stuffing. Drizzle 2 cups of chicken or turkey broth over the stuffing and gently toss. Add additional broth as desired.

Place the stuffing in a buttered 13 by 9 inch baking dish, cover and place in the oven. Bake for 20 minutes, then remove the cover and continue to bake for another 20 to 30 minutes until the top is lightly toasted.
Remove and serve.

Do-ahead · Holiday Food · Meat · Poultry

Thanksgiving/Christmas meat loaf

November 9, 2013September 9, 2022 Belinda

The whole array of Thanksgiving flavors in one dish! It’s a lot of fun to eat.

2 lbs ground dark turkey (preferably organic)
2 boxes of your favorite stuffing mix
1 can jellied cranberry sauce
1 tbsp poultry seasoning
2 large cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
2 large eggs
1 tbsp grain mustard
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp red chile flakes
2 cups hot chicken broth

Preheat the oven to 400 F

In a heatproof bowl, add the two boxes of stuffing mix, poultry seasoning, mustard, garlic and chile flakes.
Pour the two cups of hot broth over the stuffing and mix well to soften.
Then mix together the 2 lbs ground turkey, salt and pepper and 2 eggs. Mix both the stuffing and meat mixture together.

Take more than half the meat loaf mixture and start to construct your meatloaf in the middle of a lined shallow baking dish. Flatten it out a bit then lay slices of the cranberry sauce down the middle of the meat mixture. Top with the remaining meat mixture making sure the cranberry sauce in completely surrounded all round with the meatloaf mixture.

Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until fully cooked.

Slice and serve with gravy.

Meat · Pasta

Orecchiette carbonara with charred Brussel sprouts

November 3, 2013February 8, 2016 Belinda

Lovely and soothing with the nutty flavor of the charred Brussel sprouts.

1/2 lb Brussel sprouts, trimmed, leaves separated
12 oz fresh or dried orecchiette, or other fresh or dried small pasta
Kosher salt
2 oz pancetta (Italian bacon) finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, cut into pieces
1/2 cup grated pecorino plus more
2 large egg yolks, beaten to blend
2 tbsp olive oil, divided

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet over high heat. Working in batches, add the brussel sprouts and cook, tossing occasionally, until charred in spots and crisp tender, about 5 minutes or so ; transfer to a plate and set aside. Wipe out the skillet.
* You can also toss the Brussel sprouts in a little olive oil, season and roast them on a shallow baking tray at 400 F for 15 minutes or so until they are tender and charred.

Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente (about 5 mins for fresh pasta). Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking liquid.

Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 tbsp oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring often, until slightly crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the pepper and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Immediately add 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking liquid to keep the pepper from burning; reduce the heat to low and gradually add the butter, swirling the skillet and adding more pasta liquid as needed, until a thick glossy sauce forms.
(Taste as you go and switch to hot water once the sauce is adequately seasoned)

Add the pasta to the skillet and toss to coat.
Add the pecorino, toss to combine.
Remove from the heat, mix in the egg yolks. Add the reserved Brussel sprouts leaves, toss, adding pasta cooking liquid or hot water as needed to thin the sauce.

Serve the pasta topped with more Pecorino

Egg based · Meat

Herby toad in the hole!

November 2, 2013February 8, 2016 Belinda

Okay, I’m throwing some revamped British recipes in here, that are SO comforting and tasty, you will want to rush straight to the kitchen and try them!

5 oz plain flour
3 large eggs
10 fl oz whole milk
2 medium onions, (red or white) cut into large chunks, (about eighths)
2 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp vegetable oil
8 really good sausages (I use sweet Italian sausage, but you can choose your favorite)
8 sage leaves
4 rosemary sprigs, leaves removed and stalks discarded

Preheat the oven to 475 F

Cut the sage and rosemary a bit and in a food processor, combine the flour, eggs, milk, mustard, sage and rosemary, and some salt and pepper. Blitz until smooth, then leave to rest for 30 minutes.

Pour the oil into a metal or enamel roasting tin, about 9” by 12” deep, or a little bigger.
Brush the oil all over the sides and bottom, then place in the oven.
When the tin is very hot and smoking, place the onion bits and sausages inside, evenly spread out, and cook for 10 minutes or until they are taking on some color and the onions are getting tender.

Give the rested batter a stir and pour into the really hot tin – take care as it may spit! It’s important you do this while the tin is REALLY hot, otherwise the final dish won’t be the same.
Do not open the oven door for 25 minutes, then check. – If needed, cook for a further 5 – 10 mins.
Cook until puffed up and brown and the batter is completely cooked through.
Serve straight from the dish

Do-ahead · Egg based · Meat

New Zealand bacon and egg pie

November 2, 2013September 9, 2022 Belinda

This is the ultimate NZ recipe and a dish I would “kill” for! Nothing brings back those memories of picnics more than this. It’s also the best bacon and egg pie you could ever eat, as the eggs are left whole and when you hit one of those rich canary-yellow yolks, it’s like winning the lottery, aside from the big chunks of bacon.

Serves 12, (or in my case, 1)

1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 9” by 11” sheets of frozen puff pastry, thawed and chilled
20 eggs
1 tbsp heavy cream
8 oz grated mature cheddar cheese
1lb sliced bacon, roughly chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat the oven to 400 F
Whisk together the ketchup and Worcestershire sauce in a small bowl; set aside.
Using a rolling pin, roll one sheet of puff pastry on a floured work surface to form an 11” x 14” rectangle; transfer to a 9” x 12 1/2” baking pan and let the excess hang over the sides.

Separate 1 of the eggs and place the egg yolk in a small bowl; stir in the cream, and set egg wash aside.
Place the remaining egg white evenly on top of the pastry, crack the eggs and drop them on top of the pastry, spacing them evenly apart, and sprinkle evenly with bacon, drizzle the ketchup mixture evenly over the eggs and bacon and sprinkle over the cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

Fold the dough hanging over the edge of the pan, back over the ingredients and brush with some of the egg wash; roll the second pastry sheet into a 10” x 13” rectangle and place on top of the eggs and bacon, tucking the edges into the sides of the pan.
Cut 4 slits in the top of the pastry with a paring knife then brush completely with egg wash.

Bake until golden brown and the eggs and bacon are cooked through, about 1 hour; cut into squares and serve

Appetizers · Do-ahead · Holiday Food · Meat · Pasta · Vegetable-related

Pumpkin stuffed with Fontina, Italian sausage and macaroni cheese

November 2, 2013September 9, 2022 Belinda

This is a recipe from a book I purchased recently called ‘Melt” based around different macaroni and cheese recipes. It’s terrific and this is a real winner.

Serves 4

1 sugar pumpkin or other sweet variety (not a carving pumpkin), about 5 lbs
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 lb mild Italian pork sausage, skins removed
4 oz elbow macaroni
5 oz fontina cheese, cut into 1/4 inch cubes
2 oz gruyere cheese, cut into 1/4 inch cubes
4 scallions, diced
1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
1 tsp fresh sage, chopped
1 cup heavy cream

Preheat the oven to 350F

Cut out a circle from the top of the pumpkin – the way you would to make a jack-o’-lantern and set aside.

Scoop out the seeds and strings as best as you can. Generously salt and pepper the inside of the pumpkin, pop the top back on it, place it on a rimmed baking dish (since the pumpkin may leak or weep) and bake for 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, warm the olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat.

Crumble the sausage into small chunks and cook until lightly browned.

Remove the sausage from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside to cool.

Discard the drippings or save for the gravy.

Also while the pumpkin bakes, cook the pasta in a large pot of salted, boiling water until al dente.

Drain through a colander and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process.

In a bowl, toss together the fontina, gruyere, sausage, pasta, scallions and herbs.

When the pumpkin is done baking, take it out of the oven and fill it with the macaroni and cheese mixture.

Pour the cream over the filling.

Place the top back on the pumpkin and bake for 1 hour, taking the top off for the last 15 minutes of cooking so the cheese on top of the filling can get properly brown.

If the top cream still seems a bit too wobbly, give it another 10 mins in the oven.

The cream may bubble over a bit, which is fine. If the pumpkin splits while baking, as occasionally happens, be thankful you set it in a rimmed baking dish and continue to bake!

Allow the pumpkin to rest for 10 minutes before serving. Be careful moving the dish, as the pumpkin may be fragile.

You can serve this dish two ways;

Cut it into individual servings or just scoop out the insides, including some of the

pumpkin flesh for each serving.

Season to taste and enjoy!