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

Wild rice, tomato, mozzarella, pistachio and mint salad with tangy yoghurt dressing

January 7, 2014February 8, 2016 Belinda

A very healthy, interesting salad. A winner! Another great recipe from Aida Mollenkamp

1/2 cup uncooked wild rice
1/2 cup plain Greek yoghurt
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for the tomatoes
3 tbsp champagne vinegar
Kosher salt and grund black pepper
pinch of sugar
1lb grape or cherry tomatoes
5 oz mixed baby greens such as kale, chard and tatsoi
8 green onions (scallions) , white and pale green parts thinly sliced
1/2 cup finely chopped pistachios
1/2 oz fresh mint, leaves torn just before serving
8 oz (or one large piece) of buffalo mozzarella

For the wild rice – Place 2 cups water or broth in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Add a pinch of salt and stir in the wild rice. Bring everything back to a boil before reducing the heat to low to maintain a simmer.
Cook until the rice is chewy and tender but the grain is still intact, about 35 to 45 minutes.
Drain the rice in a sieve or fine-mesh colander, turn out onto a rimmed baking sheet and spread it out to cool.
Meanwhile, make the dressing.

For the dressing – Combine the yoghurt, olive oil, vinegar and a splash of water in a jar, close, and shake until well incorporated. To taste, dip a lettuce leaf in the dressing then add more sugar, salt or pepper , as desired.

For the salad – Halve the tomatoes and combine with a glug of oil and a pinch of salt, toss to coat and set aside briefly, at least 5 minutes. Meanwhile, tear the mozzarella into small chunks or if they’re ciliegine tear them in half.

When ready to serve, arrange the greens , tomatoes (without any juices) and scallions on a serving platter.
Toss the cooked wild rice with half of the dressing, then add to the salad.
Top with mozzarella, pistachios and mint and serve with additional dressing on the side

Appetizers · Gluten Free · Meat

Baked mozzarella balls wrapped in prosciutto with a herb tomato sauce

January 5, 2014February 8, 2016 Belinda

Crispy prosciutto balls encompassing melting mozzarella with a herb flavored tomato sauce.

Serves 4

4 balls (4oz each) buffalo mozzarella
ground pepper
8 thin slices Italian prosciutto
1 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil

Tomato Sauce
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 tbsp champagne vinegar
1/2 cup Passata (tomato puree)
6 plum (Roma) tomatoes, peeled and seeded
5 basil leaves
5 tarragon leaves
sea salt and ground pepper

To serve

a little chopped basil and tarragon
olive oil to drizzle

For the sauce heat 1 tbsp of the olive oil in a pan and sweat the shallot and garlic over low heat until soft.

Add the vinegar and cook for a further 3 – 4 minutes until reduced, then add the passata and tomatoes, and simmer for 3 minutes.

Add the herbs and remaining olive oil and cook over a very low heat for 10 – 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick and a deep red.
Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat, allow to cool, then push through a coarse sieve and set aside.

Preheat an oven to 300 F. Season the mozzarella with pepper and roll up in the prosciutto allowing 2 slices per ball of cheese.

Heat the oil in a large frying pan over high heat until just smoking.
Place the parcels in the pan, and sear, turning constantly, until the outsides are well colored, about 1 minute.
Transfer the parcels to a baking dish and cook in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes.

Spoon the tomato sauce in the center of individual plates and sprinkle with the chopped basil and tarragon.
Set a mozzarella parcel on top, drizzle with olive oil and serve!

Gluten Free · Meat

The Meatzza!

January 2, 2014February 8, 2016 Belinda

You will just love this, especially as it tastes so good and instead of a crust, it has a meatball-ingredient base with all the pizza qualities. You could even try it with an Italian sausagemeat base too. It doesn’t get much better than this. Thank you Nigella Lawson.

Serves 4 to 6

1 lb ground lamb
3 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
3 tbsp breadcrumbs or quick cooking oatmeal, but not the instant one
3 tbsp chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 eggs lightly beaten
1 clove garlic, peeled
Salt and pepper to taste
butter, for greasing
1 x 14oz can diced tomatoes, drained
1 tsp garlic flavored oil
1 tsp dried oregano
4 oz fresh mozzarella (not buffalo) halved then sliced
a few fresh basil leaves

Preheat the oven to 425 F

In a large bowl, using your hands, combine the lamb, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs or oatmeal, parsley and eggs. Grate in (or mince and add) the garlic and add some salt and pepper.
Do not over work it, just lightly mix together or the meat will become compacted and dense.

Butter a shallow, round baking pan of about 11 inches in diameter and turn the meat into it, pressing the mixture lightly with your fingers to cover the bottom as if the seasoned ground meat were your pizza crust.

Make sure you’ve drained as much runny liquid as possible from the can of diced tomatoes, then mix the tomato with the garlic flavored oil, oregano and some salt and pepper and spread, using a rubber spatula, lightly on top of the meat base.
Arrange the mozzarella slices on top then put in the oven for about 25 minutes, by which time the meat should be cooked through and lightly set and the mozzarella melted.

Remove from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes, then adorn with some of the fresh basil leaves and bring it to the table before cutting into wedges, like a pizza.

Gluten Free · Soup

Warming, sweet and spicy chestnut and chorizo soup

December 6, 2013 Belinda

So delicious and soul satisfying with the flavors from the mountains of Spain.
Serve 4

4 tbsp olive oil
1 large Spanish onion, diced
1 medium carrot , diced,
1 stick of celery, peeled and sliced thinly
5 oz mild Spanish chorizo, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 tsp ground cumin (I roast my own)
1 1/2 tsp finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
2 small dried red chiles, crushed
2 tomatoes, fresh or tinned, roughly chopped
1lb cooked, peeled chestnuts, vacuum packed, roughly chopped
20 saffron threads infused into 4 tbsp boiling water
2.2 pints water or chicken broth
sea salt and black pepper

In a large saucepan heat the olive oil and fry the onion, celery, carrot, chorizo and a pinch of salt.
Fry for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until everything caramelizes and you get a good brown color.
This will give the soup a wonderfully rich color and flavor.
Now add the garlic, cumin, thyme and chile and cook for 1 more minute, followed by the tomato and after about 2 more minutes, the chestnuts.
Give everything a good stir then add the saffron infused liquid and the water or stock and cook for another 10 minutes.
Remove from the heat and mash by hand with a potato masher until almost smooth but still leaving some texture.
Season with salt and pepper and serve.

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!

Accompaniments · Do-ahead · Pasta · Vegan

Maple syrup roasted tomatoes

November 14, 2013September 9, 2022 Belinda

These are spectacular in any pasta dish or salad and are like candy to eat in on their own.

Serves 4 – 6 but can easily be increased

16 cherry or small tomatoes, halved
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp olive oil
3 sprigs fresh thyme, stemmed
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste

Preheat your oven to 250 F
Arrange the tomato halves cut side up on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet.
Whisk together the syrup, oil, thyme and salt and pepper in a bowl and then drizzle over the tomatoes.
Bake until the tomatoes are half dried and concentrated, about 3 to 4 hours, depending on how concentrated you like them.

Do-ahead · Fish

Easy roasted tomatoes and shrimp with feta, oregano and fennel

November 5, 2013September 9, 2022 Belinda

This makes about 4 servings depending on what you’re serving it with.

Lovely, easy and light.

5 – 6 medium sized fresh red tomatoes, cut into pieces
3 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp minced garlic
1 heaped tbsp fried oregano (preferably dried Greek oregano)
1 tsp ground fennel seed
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 lb medium sized raw shrimp, peeled and deveined. (31 to 40 count)
2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
3/4 cup crumbed Greek feta cheese (or more)
2 – 3 tbsp fresh Italian parsley, for garnish

Thaw the shrimp overnight in the fridge, if frozen.
Preheat the oven to 350 F

Dice the tomatoes into pieces about an inch square and put them in the bottom of a heavy baking dish, large enough to fit the tomatoes in one layer.
Drizzle olive oil over the tomatoes, then sprinkle with the minced garlic, dried oregano, ground fennel seeds and freshly ground black pepper.
Put the tomatoes into the oven on the top rack to roast for 30 minutes.

While the tomatoes are cooking, crumble the feta cheese, squeeze the lemon juice, and clean the shrimp as needed. Take the tails off.
Chop the parsley if you’re using it.

When the tomatoes have cooked 30 minutes, arrange the shrimp over the tomatoes, sprinkle over the lemon juice and feta cheese and put the dish back into the oven on the top rack to cook the shrimp for 8 to 10 minutes
Watch them carefully so the shrimp don’t overcook. They’re done as soon as the shrimp turn pink and are barely firm.

Sprinkle the dish with the chopped parsley if using.

This is lovely served over rice or angel hair pasta or even just with some good quality focaccia or ciabatta bread to mop up all the gorgeous juices

Egg based · Meat · Whole30 compliant

Braised eggs with ground lamb, tahini and sumac

October 27, 2013January 7, 2017 Belinda

A gem from Yotam Ottolenghi…

Serves 2 as a substantial meal on it’s own

3 x oven roasted tomatoes or 1 cup fresh cherry tomatoes
olive oil
1 large leek, halved lengthwise, then thinly sliced crosswise
4 x cloves garlic, thinly sliced
3/4 lb ground lamb
2 tsp sumac
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp za’atar
salt and black pepper
2 x generous handfuls roasted pistachios, roughly chopped
1 tbsp harissa paste (store bought is fine)
1/2 preserved lemon, flesh discarded & skin finely diced
1 cup chicken stock
4 x extra large free range eggs

Yoghurt sauce

1/2 cup Greek yoghurt
1 tbsp tahini
juice of half lemon
1 tbsp water
pinch sea salt

To finish
Sumac
1 tbsp green harissa or a handful fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped

If using cherry tomatoes, heat a small , cast iron grill pan over high heat until very hot. Add the tomatoes and cook over high heat for about 4 to 5 minutes until starting to blacken on the outside. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Heat a generous slosh of olive oil in a heavy based frying pan over medium heat.
Add the sliced leeks and garlic to the pan and saute, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften and turn slightly golden.
Add the lamb to the pan, increase the heat slightly, and cook for a further 5 minutes or so until the lamb is browned.
Add the sumac, cumin, za’atar, pinch of flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Stir to make sure everything is well coated with all the seasonings and cook for a further minutes.
Remove from the heat and stir in the chopped pistachios, harissa paste and preserved lemon.
This dish could be prepared ahead up to this point.

Return the pan to the heat, adding the tomatoes and chicken stock.
Bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low, make 4 small wells in the mixture and break an egg into each well.
Cover the pan, and continue to cook over low heat until the egg whites are set but the yolk is still runny – about 5 minutes.

While the eggs are cooking, make the yoghurt sauce by mixing all the ingredients together and whisking until smooth.
The mixture should be quite thick, but thin with a little more water if it’s too thick.

Once the eggs are cooked, remove the pan from the heat, dot dollops of the yoghurt sauce over the top, sprinkle over a little sumac and finish with a drizzle of green harissa or a sprinkling of fresh cilantro sprigs

Serve immediately

Breakfast · Egg based

Pakistani scrambled eggs

October 27, 2013February 8, 2016 Belinda

So lovely to kick your breakfast/brunch up a notch or three!

Serves 4 to 6

8 eggs
2 tbsp ghee (if you don’t have ghee, use butter, but it’s not as good)
4 tbsp whole milk
8 scallions, finely chopped
3/4 tsp salt
2 fresh green or red chiles, seeded and finely chopped
1/3 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
1/4 tsp ground turmeric
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1 ripe tomato, diced
1/2 tsp ground cumin (I use roasted)
sprigs of cilantro leaves for garnish
wedges of tomato for garnish

Beat the eggs until well mixed, add the milk, salt and pepper.
Heat the ghee in a large, heavy frying pan and cook the scallions, chiles and ginger until soft.
Add the turmeric, cilantro leaves and tomato and fry for a minute or two longer then stir in the egg mixture and ground cumin.
Cook over low heat, stirring and lifting the eggs as they begin to set on the base of the pan.
Mix and cook until the eggs are of a creamy consistency – they should not be cooked until dry.
Turn on to a serving platter and garnish with tomato wedges and cilantro sprigs