Rice

Baked mint rice with pomegranate and olive salsa

July 7, 2023July 7, 2023 Belinda

“Cooking rice perfectly is one of those things that shouldn’t be complicated but can be surprisingly difficult, for some, to get right. Baking it in the oven, on the other hand, as I do here, is a completely foolproof method.
This is such a great side to all sorts of dishes: roasted root vegetables, slow-cooked lamb or pork. To get ahead, the salsa can be made a few hours in advance and kept in the fridge.

Another beauty from Yotam Ottolenghi
Serves 6

400g basmati rice
50g unsalted butter, melted
800ml boiling water (I have used either chicken broth or vegetable broth for more flavor)
50g fresh mint (40g left on the sprigs; leaves shredded for the remaining 10g, to use in the salsa)
150g Greek feta, crumbled into 1–2cm pieces
salt and black pepper

Salsa:
40g pitted green olives, thinly sliced
seeds from 1 small pomegranate (90g)
50g walnut halves, lightly roasted and roughly broken
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp pomegranate molasses
1 small garlic clove, crushed

1. Preheat the oven to 450F/230°C fan, or as high as your oven will go.

2. Place the rice in a high-sided ovenproof dish, measuring 8″ x 11″/ 20 x 30cm. Season with ¾ teaspoon of salt and plenty of pepper, then pour over the butter and boiling water.
Top with the sprigs of mint and cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil so that the rice is well sealed. Bake for 25 minutes, until the rice is light and fluffy and all the liquid has been absorbed.

3. Meanwhile, place all the ingredients for the salsa, minus the 10g shredded mint, in a medium bowl with ¼ teaspoon of salt. Mix well and set aside.

4. Take the rice out of the oven, and remove and discard the foil. Pull the leaves off the mint sprigs – the stalks can be discarded – then place these back on the rice and sprinkle with the feta. Just before serving, stir the shredded mint into the salsa and spoon evenly over the rice. Serve hot.

Greek Potato salad

July 4, 2023July 4, 2023 Belinda

This Greek potato salad recipe by food blog “Foodiecrush” is a tangy spin on the traditional potato salad, with sun-dried tomatoes, olives, feta cheese and a zesty Greek dressing that brings big, bold flavor.

Serves 10

2lbs petite white or red potatoes
1 cup pitted Kalamata olives
7 oz oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
4 oz capers, drain and reserve brine
1 cup red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup fresh dill, roughly chopped
½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
Greek Salad Dressing
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp dry mustard
2 tsp dried thyme
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Add the potatoes to a medium pot and fill with enough water to cover the potatoes by 1 inch, then bring to a boil. Add 1-2 teaspoons of kosher salt, reduce to a rolling simmer, and cook until tender or when the potatoes can be pierced with a fork or skewer, about 15 minutes.

While the potatoes are cooking, make the dressing.
To a jar fitted with a lid, add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, dry mustard, oregano, thyme, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Top with lid, shake well, and set aside.

The potatoes are done cooking when they can be easily pierced with a sharp knife or skewer. Drain them. Then when the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them in half or into bite-sized chunks, depending on how big they are. While they’re still warm, drizzle with the reserved caper brine, toss, and set aside to cool.

Add the kalamata olives, red onion, capers, sun dried tomatoes, and dill. Gently toss with the dressing. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper to taste, then top with the feta cheese.
Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled. This salad is best served at least an hour after cooking so the potatoes absorb the dressing and flavor. Keeps in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Accompaniments · Baking · Do-ahead

Parmesan, rosemary shortbread

June 25, 2023June 25, 2023 Belinda

Recipe by Rachel Conners

Total time: 30 MINUTES
Yield: 30 ROUNDS 1X
These Parmesan Rosemary Shortbread Rounds are quick and simple slice-n-bake crackers. Tender, buttery, and flavored with Parmesan cheese and fresh rosemary.

1¾ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese (about 2½ ounces)
1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1 small garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, minced
2 tablespoons milk
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled (cut into ½-inch cubes)

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix flour, ¾ cup Parmesan cheese, salt, garlic, and rosemary in a food processor.
Add butter and pulse until dough begins to come together. Add milk and pulse until it forms a dough.
Remove from food processor and gather the dough into a ball. Divide dough in half. Roll each half into a 12-inch log, wrap with plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour.
Once chilled, slice each log into thin rounds and transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment or a Silpat. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese over the rounds.
Bake shortbread rounds until tops are dry and bottoms are golden brown, about 20 minutes. Transfer shortbread rounds to rack and cool completely.

Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Salad

Creamy cucumber salad

June 23, 2023June 23, 2023 Belinda

Not being American, I have no concept of the old fashioned version of this that was ultra sweet and thick with no fresh dill. I found this served with a piece of grilled sea bass very light and more-ish.
You need to make it about 2-3 hours before serving so the flavors have time to meld and they really do, it tastes completely different after several hours hanging out in the fridge. Check and tweak seasonings if necessary before serving.

3 cups thinly sliced peeled cucumbers
1 cup thinly sliced red onion
1/2 cup sour cream
1.5 tbsp white vinegar
1.5 tbsp minced fresh dill
1/2 tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt or more to taste
1/4 tsp garlic powder or more to taste

In a medium mixing bowl stir together sour cream, vinegar, dill, sugar, salt, and garlic powder.
Add cucumbers and red onion; toss to coat.
Cover and refrigerate 2 or more hours.

Appetizers · Asian flavors · Dairy-free · Fish · Gluten Free · Rice

Killer crack salmon muffins

June 20, 2023June 20, 2023 Belinda

Makes 12

3 sheets nori paper
1½ cups cooked sushi rice, fully cooled

Killer crack salmon:
1 lb salmon, skin removed + cubed small
2 tbs olive oil
1 tbs sesame oil
1 tbs low sodium soy sauce
1 tbs unseasoned rice vinegar
1 tbs honey
1 tbs ginger
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbs sesame seeds
2 scallions, diced
Glaze:
1 tbs toasted sesame oil
2 tbs honey
2 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp Sriracha sauce
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp sesame seeds
Optional toppings:
sliced scallions, shredded carrots

Preheat your oven 400℉. Grab scissors and cut your nori sheets into 4 equal squares.
In a large bowl, whisk the olive, oil, sesame oil, soy sauce, vinegar, honey, ginger, garlic, sesame seeds and scallions. Add in the cubed salmon and marinate for an hour or up to overnight.
To each nori square, add about 1 heaping tablespoon of rice and spread out slightly. Transfer the square to your muffin slot, pushing down gently to center the rice in the middle with the edges coming up along the sides of the slot. Grab out 4-5 salmon cubes and fill each muffin slot. Transfer the pan to your oven and bake for 15 minutes. Broil, if needed, at the end, to get a little tan on the salmon .. 1-2 minutes.
Whisk together all the ingredients for the glaze. Taste and adjust if needed.

Special Note: I find my Silicone Muffin Tray to keep them from getting soggy the best (as compared to my metal muffin tray).
Make sure your rice is fully cooled prior to adding to the recipe.
And don’t over fill with salmon.

Asian flavors · Curry · Dairy-free · Soup

Slow-cooker chicken laksa noodle soup

June 20, 2023June 20, 2023 Belinda

Chicken noodle soup gets a laksa glow-up with this warming, spicy slow cooker recipe. With its tender shredded chicken, slurpy noodles and creamy curry broth, it’s a rich-tasting treat.

Serves 4
Cooking time 6 hours

2 tbsp vegetable oil
3 tbsp Thai red curry paste
2 tbsp curry powder
8 cups chicken stock
2 tbsp fish sauce
1 tsp sugar
1 whole chicken
1 x 400ml can (13.5 fl oz) coconut cream
400g (14 oz) egg noodles (or your choice of noodle)
6 hard-boiled eggs, to serve
roughly chopped coriander (cilantro), to serve
bean shoots, to serve
red chili, finely sliced, to serve

Heat the vegetable oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Add the curry paste and curry powder and cook, stirring, for a minute or until fragrant. Pour in 1 cup of the chicken stock and use your spoon to scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Transfer to the bowl of a slow cooker

Stir in the remaining stock, fish sauce and sugar. Add the chicken and cook for 6 hours on low.

Transfer the cooked chicken to a tray and use forks to shred the meat. Set aside for later.

Pour the broth out of the slow cooker bowl and into a saucepan. Add the coconut cream and gently simmer for 10 minutes.

In the meantime, cook the noodles in boiling water and use tongs to transfer the noodles to serving bowls. Divide those among the serving bowls.

Add the shredded chicken to the bowls. Ladle over the soup. Top with eggs, coriander, bean shoots and fresh chili.

Asian flavors · Do-ahead · Icecream

Fresh ginger ice cream

June 20, 2023 Belinda

Fresh ginger gives a subtle kiss of flavor to this smooth, creamy ginger ice cream.

Servings 8

1 cup milk
3/4 cups granulated sugar
1/3 cup sliced fresh ginger (sliced into thin rounds like coins)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch cinnamon
2 cups heavy whipping cream

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk and sugar until the sugar is dissolved.
Add the sliced ginger, vanilla, and cinnamon. Stir together until combined.
Add the heavy whipping cream and stir gently to combine.
Cover the bowl and let sit in the refrigerator for a few hours, or overnight for a stronger ginger flavor.
Strain the mixture and process in an ice cream maker. Serve while soft, or freeze until firm.

Dessert · Do-ahead · Fruit

A giant panna cotta

June 20, 2023 Belinda

What really is the purpose of portioning panna cotta into precious individual servings, as it so often is? Instead, pour your panna cotta into a big bowl and bring it to the table in its full-size glory, quietly luxurious and begging to be dug into by the whole group at once. And while we’re at it, who said panna cotta has to be inverted before serving?
Free from the pressures of having to somersault onto a serving plate, panna cotta can be less firm and rigid, more jiggly and wibbly-wobbly, trembling on the spoon like an unshed tear stuck on an eyelash.

Gelatin is remarkably easy to use once you know a few ground rules. Always start by mixing it with a cold liquid. Let it hydrate and swell (or bloom, as it’s technically called) for at least 15 minutes before heating to dissolve. Underhydrated gelatin will be stubbornly gritty, never dissolving, and negatively impact the final set. As with all gelatin desserts, this will become firmer the longer it sits, so eat your panna cotta within 24 hours for the most delicate, elegant texture.

Serves 6-8
2 envelopes unflavored powdered gelatin (about 1 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp.)
1 cup (200 g) sugar
1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt
2½ cups chilled whole milk
4 cups chilled heavy cream
2 tsp. vanilla bean paste
BERRIES AND ASSEMBLY
12 oz. fresh raspberries
¼ cup (50 g) sugar
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt, plus more
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
½ cup sliced almonds

Whisk 2 envelopes unflavored powdered gelatin (about 1 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp.), 1 cup (200 g) sugar, and 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt in medium saucepan to combine. Pour in 2½ cups chilled whole milk and stir, scraping down sides of bowl to incorporate any dry bits of gelatin or sugar, until combined. Let sit until gelatin swells and is softened, 15–20 minutes.

Set saucepan over medium heat and cook, stirring often with a heatproof rubber spatula, until mixture is hot but not simmering and sugar and gelatin are completely dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add 4 cups chilled heavy cream and 2 tsp. vanilla bean paste; stir until well combined.

Strain panna cotta base through a fine-mesh sieve into a 2-qt. dish. Chill, uncovered, until set, at least 12 hours (cover with plastic wrap after 8 hours).

Do Ahead: Panna cotta can be made 1 day ahead. Keep chilled.

BERRIES AND ASSEMBLY
Toss 12 oz. fresh raspberries, ¼ cup (50 g) sugar, 2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar, and 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt in a medium bowl to combine. It’s okay if some berries are crushed. Cover with a plate or lid and let sit at least 20 minutes and up to 2 hours.

Meanwhile, melt 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook ½ cup sliced almonds, stirring constantly, until golden brown, 4–8 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl, season with a pinch of kosher salt, and toss to combine. Let cool.

To serve, spoon raspberry mixture and juices over panna cotta; top with almonds.

Dairy-free · Gluten Free · Vegan · Vegetable sides · Vegetable-related

Roast potatoes with green sauce and tahini

June 19, 2023June 19, 2023 Belinda

Recipe by Yotam Ottolenghi

Serves 4-6
1.5kg Yukon Gold potatoes (or other floury, golden potato), peeled and cut into 5 cm (1.5″) chunks
20g parsley, leaves picked
10g basil, leaves picked
10g mint, leaves picked
1 garlic clove, peeled and finely grated
180ml olive oil
1 tbsp capers
1 tsp dijon mustard
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
55g tahini
1 tsp cumin seeds, toasted, lightly crushed in a pestle and mortar
Fine sea salt

Preheat the oven to 220C (425F)
Bring a medium pot of well salted water to a boil. Add the potatoes and cook for 6 minutes, just until the outsides have softened but are not cooked through the centre.
Meanwhile, place 80 ml of oil in a large 40 x 30cm (11″ by 15″) shallow roasting tray and put in the oven to heat up.
Once the potatoes are ready, strain them through a colander in the sink. Transfer the potatoes into the saucepan and wait 30 seconds for the moisture to evaporate, then shake the saucepan to fluff up the potatoes.

Using a kitchen cloth carefully remove the roasting tray from the oven and place on a flat heat proof surface, then transfer the potatoes onto the tray with the hot oil. Spread the potatoes evenly on the tray, making sure they do not touch, then roast for 30-40 minutes. Using tongs, turn the potatoes every 10 minutes until they turn golden and crispy all over.
Meanwhile, place the herbs and garlic in a food processor and blend until finely chopped, then slowly pour in the remaining 100 ml of oil. Once combined, add the capers, mustard, vinegar and ¼ teaspoon salt and pulse to combine.
Next make the tahini sauce by whisking the tahini, 3 tablespoons of water and ¼ teaspoon of salt. The sauce will seize up at first, keep whisking until it relaxes and becomes light and fluffy. Add more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, if necessary; you want it smooth and pourable. You can add cumin or garlic to this if you want more flavor.

Once the potatoes are roasted, transfer them to a medium mixing bowl, leaving behind any roasting oil in the tray, and toss with 3 tablespoons of the green sauce.
To serve, transfer the potatoes onto a lipped serving platter. Drizzle the remaining green sauce over the top, and the tahini sauce, then sprinkle the cumin over the top.