Trout with ginger,cilantro and lime

September 10, 2013February 8, 2016 Belinda

Well, after my last posting of the spaghetti with caviar, I thought I would post something very light and slightly less expensive! This is just delectable and very low calorie

Serves 2

2 whole rainbow trout, (about 11 oz each) cleaned and scaled
2 limes, thinly sliced
A 2 inch piece of fresh ginger, julienned
1/4 cup caster sugar
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
Rind of 1 lime, cut into thin strips
1/4 oz fresh cilantro leaves.

Preheat the oven to 350F
Wash the fish and pat dry inside and out with paper towels
Fill the fish cavities with the lime slices and some of the ginger, then place each fish on a large piece of lightly greased aluminum foil.
Wrap the fish firmly to enclose and bake on a baking tray for 20 to 30 minutes, until the flesh flakes easily when tested with a fork.
While the fish is cooking, prepare the syrup

For the syrup;
Combine the sugar and lime juice with 1 cup of water in a small pan and stir without boiling until the sugar dissolves.
Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until syrupy.
Stir in the remaining ginger and lime strips.
Put the fish onto the serving plates.
Top with the cilantro leaves and spoon the hot syrup over the top.

Baby salmon can also be used for this recipe.

Easy bacon and cheddar pull-apart bread

September 8, 2013January 10, 2016 Belinda

This is almost not a recipe, but I was reminded of this yesterday and forgot it was in my “bottom drawer”! Perfect for football season and SO tasty.

10 oz of your favorite mature cheddar cheese, grated
1 large round loaf of soft bread like a French or Italian loaf
10 oz diced, sliced bacon, cooked till crisp
1/2 cup melted butter
1 tbsp dry Ranch dressing mix from a packet

Cut the bread in 3/4 inch intervals, being careful not to cut all the way through.
Cut again in the same way, crosswise, still not cutting through. You are going to need a good sharp knife for this!
Place the shredded cheese in between all the cuts then sprinkle with the cooked bacon.
Blend the melted butter with the Ranch mix and drizzle evenly over the top of the bread.
Wrap in foil and bake at 350F for 15 minutes, uncover and bake for 10 more minutes.
Serve hot and pull apart the pieces to eat.

You can add fresh herbs, garlic and all sorts of other things to this bread and it just gets better!

Do-ahead · Fish · Sauces

Tonnato sauce

September 6, 2013September 9, 2022 Belinda

This is one of the loveliest cold sauces to put over thin slices of cold chicken, turkey, veal or roasted red peppers. The lovely tuna flavor with the capers is really special and it’s very silky.

2 large egg yolks, at room temperature
Sea salt
2 1/4 cups extra virgin olive oil
5 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 7oz can good quality tuna packed in oil
5 anchovy fillets
3 tbsp capers, drained

For garnish
extra capers, thin slices lemon, pitted black olives, parsley leaves or anchovy fillets.

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and 1/4 tsp salt until pale yellow and the consistency of cream.
Beginning a drop at a time, add 1 1/4 cups olive oil, whisking continually.
As the mixture thickens, you can add the oil a little quicker. When it gets quite thick, whisk in 1 tbsp lemon juice.
Continue adding the oil until the whole 1 1/4 cups has been absorbed and the mayonnaise is quite thick and shiny.
Whisk in another tbsp of lemon juice.

Drain the tuna and put it in a food processor with the anchovies, remaining cup of olive oil, remaining lemon juice and capers.
Process until you get a creamy uniformly blended sauce.
Scrape the sauce into a bowl with the mayonnaise and fold to combine.
Taste for seasoning. It should be tangy and highly seasoned.
Refrigerate until needed

Fish

Pan-fried sea bass on a bed of caramelized red cabbage

September 3, 2013January 10, 2016 Belinda

There is only one word for this. DIVINE!!
Push the boat out and make this for a special occasion.
You can use halibut or cod instead of sea bass if you like. The sauce is incredible and if you can get the frozen concentrated veal stock we get here in certain markets like Gelsons, it’s well worth it (“Perfect Additions” or “Stock Options” are my favorite brands)

Serves 4

4 x 6 – 7oz fillets of thick, meaty white fish, with skin left on
1 medium sized red cabbage, shredded
3 oz unsalted butter
1/2 pint creme de cassis
1/4 pint veal stock
salt and pepper

For the sauce
1/2 pint fish stock
1/4 pint Noilly Prat
1/4 pint dry white wine
1/4 pint veal stock
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tsp chopped shallots
1/2 pint heavy cream

Make three incisions on the skin of each fillet of fish with a sharp knife.
Place the red cabbage in a saucepan with 1 oz of the butter.
Add the wine, cassis and veal stock. Bring to the boil and simmer gently on a low heat for approximately 45 minutes until the liquid has reduced and the cabbage has caramelized. Stir occasionally. Check for seasoning.

To make the sauce, place all the ingredients except the cream in a pan and reduce by 2/3 by fast boiling.
Add the cream and reduce again until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon generously.
Remove from the heat and pass through a fine sieve.

Heat the remaining butter in a pan until hot and seal the fish on the flesh side, then turn over onto the skin. Cook over a medium heat until crisp, about 10 minutes.

To serve, divide the cabbage on to four shallow soup bowls or plates. Lay the fish skin side up on top and pour the sauce around the fish.
Enjoy!

Do-ahead · Nuts · Vegetable sides · Vegetable-related

Cauliflower gratin with manchego and almond sauce

September 3, 2013September 9, 2022 Belinda

This recipe is wonderfully rich and substantial and you won’t miss the carbs one little bit.
Manchego cheese is a Spanish sheep’s cheese and of course, almonds are really good for you!

Serves 6

3/4 cup half and half
1/2 cup whole roasted almonds with skins on, plus 2 tbsp coarsely chopped almonds (3 oz)
4 tbsp butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
1 cup plus 2 tbsp finely shredded aged Manchego (or aged Gouda)
A large pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
salt and freshly ground black pepper
One 2lb head of cauliflower, cut into 1 1/2 inch florets
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/4 tsp smoked Spanish paprika

Preheat the oven to 400F
In a small saucepan, heat the half and half until steaming, then transfer it to a food processor or blender.
Add the 1/2 cup of whole almonds and process until finely ground. let stand for about 10 minutes.
Strain the half and half through a fine sieve set over a bowl, pressing on the almonds to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the ground almonds

In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tbsp of butter. Add the flour and whisk over moderately high heat for 1 minute. Add the milk and the half and half and cook, whisking, until thickened, 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat. Add 1 cup of the Manchego cheese and whisk until melted. Whisk in the nutmeg, season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.

In a large skillet, bring 1/2 inch of salted water to a boil. Add the cauliflower, cover and cook over high heat until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes.
Drain the cauliflower in a colander and wipe out the skillet.

Melt the remaining 2 tbsp of butter in the skillet. Add the onion and cook over moderately high heat, stirring until lightly browned, for about 5 minutes.
Add the cauliflower and cook, stirring until lightly golden, about 2 minutes.
Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Transfer the cauliflower to a 7 by 10 inch glass or ceramic baking dish and spread the Manchego sauce on top.
Sprinkle the gratin with the remaining cheese, the 2 tbsp of chopped almonds and the paprika and bake in the center of the oven for about 20 minutes, or until bubbling and browned on top.
Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Asian flavors · Fish · Gluten Free

Baked lemongrass and coriander fish

September 3, 2013January 10, 2016 Belinda2 Comments

Another mouthful of flavor explosions. This is also a very quick and light dish.

Serves 4

4 x 7oz fish fillets, like Chilean sea bass, halibut or cod
Plain (all purpose ) flour, seasoned with salt and pepper. (GF people can use coconut flour)
2 to 3 tbsp peanut oil
2 onions, sliced
2 lemongrass stems, white part only, finely chopped
4 kaffir lime leaves, finely shredded
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
3/4 tsp finely chopped red chili
6 fl oz or 3/4 cup chicken stock
13 fl oz or 1 1/2 cups coconut milk
1 very large handful fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tsp fish sauce

Preheat the oven to 350F
Toss the fish fillets lightly in the seasoned flour.
Heat half the oil in a large heavy-based frying pan and cook the fish over medium heat until lightly browned on both sides. Transfer to a shallow ovenproof dish

Heat the remaining oil in the pan. Add the onion and lemongrass and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until the onion softens. Add the kaffir lime leaves, ground spices and chili and stir for about 2 minutes or until fragrant.

Add the stock and coconut milk and bring to the boil. Pour over the fish, then cover and bake for 20 mins or until tender.
Transfer to a plate.

Stir in the cilantro and fish sauce into the remaining sauce and season to taste.
Pour over the fish to serve

* Kaffir lime leaves are dark green and glossy with a double leaf. They must be shredded very finely as they can be tough.

Asian flavors · Gluten Free · Vegan · Vegetable sides · Vegetable-related · Whole30 compliant

Roasty,spicy,crackling cauliflower!

September 3, 2013January 7, 2017 Belinda

This is heady with spices and roasty flavor. We love cauliflower and I could almost devote a recipe book to this wonderful vegetable!

Serves 4

1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets, about 6 cups
1 cup diced red onions
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 tbsp curry powder
1/2 tbsp garam masala
1/2 tbsp fennel seeds
1/4 tsp crushed red chile flakes
2 tsp salt
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
1/2 tbsp grated lemon zest
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Preheat the oven to 400F

Place the cauliflower, onions, canola oil, curry powder, Garam masala, fennel seeds, red chile flakes, salt, garlic, ginger, lemon zest and pepper in a large bowl.
Toss the ingredients together and blend until each piece of cauliflower is coated with the oil and spices.
Place the mixture in a large shallow baking pan and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, until the cauliflower is crisp tender, turning the cauliflower every 10 minutes to cook evenly.
When done the cauliflower should be golden brown.
Place the cauliflower in a large serving bowl and mix in the peas and cilantro.

Asian flavors · Dessert · Do-ahead · Fruit · Nuts

Mango and ginger cheesecake with kiwi fruit sauce

August 26, 2013September 9, 2022 Belinda

I must thank the wonderful New Zealand cookery book writer, Annabel Langbein, for this wonderful recipe.
It is utterly sumptuous and darn right sexy! The kiwi fruit sauce is so easy and adds such a wonderfully exotic and refreshing addition too.
You can cut individual cheesecakes like the one pictured above with a round cutter which look great or you can serve it in slices.

Serves 8

1 1/2 cups plain sweet cookie crumbs
1 1/2 cups finely chopped macadamia nuts or toasted almonds
4 oz butter, melted
3 tsp powdered gelatine
1/4 cup water
9 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup cream
2 x 15 oz cans mangos in juice, drained
1/4 cup chopped crystallized or uncrystallized ginger

Method

Mix the cookie crumbs and nuts together.
Stir in the melted butter and combine evenly. Press into a 9-10inch spring form pan. Chill

Heat the gelatine and water in a small pan and stir well to dissolve.
Place in a food processor bowl with the cream, cream cheese, sugar, cream and half the mangos.
Puree until smooth.
Finely chop the remaining mangos and stir into the cream cheese mixture with the ginger.
Pour into the prepared base.
Chill for 4 to 5 hours.

This will store covered for 2 to 3 days.

For the kiwi fruit sauce

3 peeled kiwi fruit

2-3 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp fresh lime juice

Place 2 of the peeled kiwi fruit and the other ingredients in a food processor. Puree in short bursts to prevent seeds pulverizing. (or the sauce will be bitter)

Chill. it will keep 2-3 days.

Use the 3rd kiwi to slice and fan across the cheesecake.

Makes about 1 cup

Appetizers · Asian flavors · Do-ahead · Poultry

Pate with Asian influence

August 24, 2013September 9, 2022 Belinda

This pate is a little different due to the Asian flavors added. Thank you to the wonderful Hugh Carpenter who has some superb Asian-ized recipes which I adore!

It takes minutes to make this in a food processor and continues to improve in flavor if made a day or two in advance

Serves 8 to 10 as an appetizer

1/2 lb chicken or turkey livers
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
1 tbsp finely minced fresh ginger
2 shallots, chopped
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp oyster sauce
2 tsp dry mustard powder
1 heaped tsp grated or finely minced orange peel
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1/3 tsp 5-spice powder
1/4 tsp Chinese chile sauce (optional)
3 oz cream cheese
2 tbsp Cognac
Sprigs of fresh herbs for garnish

In advance

Trim the fat and sinew from the livers and discard. Cut the livers in half.

In a 10 inch saute pan set over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp butter saute the shallots, ginger and garlic for about 30 seconds.
Add the livers, cover the pan and cook until the livers are no longer pink in the center, about 5 minutes.

Transfer the livers to a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Scrape all the pan juices into the processor as well then add oyster sauce, mustard powder, orange peel, salt, sugar, 5-spice and chile sauce.
Process until completely smooth.
Add the cream cheese to the food processor and blend briefly.
Add the remaining butter and blend until very smooth.
Add the Cognac and blend again briefly.

Transfer the puree to a 2- cups mold. Smooth the surface and cover with plastic wrap to the top doesn’t discolor.
Refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Garnish with fresh herbs and serve with either crackers or toasty bread