Blog

  • Fish fofos

    Fish fofos

    Category: Seafood

    Area: Portuguese

    Ingredients:

    • 600g Haddock
    • 300g Potatoes
    • 1 chopped Green Chilli
    • 3 tbs Coriander
    • 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
    • 1/2 tsp Pepper
    • 3 cloves Garlic
    • 2 pieces Ginger
    • 2 tbs Flour
    • 3 Eggs
    • 75g Breadcrumbs
    • For frying Vegetable Oil

    Instructions:

    STEP 1

    Put the fish into a lidded pan and pour over enough water to cover. Bring to a simmer and gently poach for 10 minutes over a low heat with the lid on. Drain and flake the fish.

    STEP 2

    Put the fish, potato, green chilli, coriander, cumin, black pepper, garlic and ginger in a large bowl. Season, add the rice flour, mix well and break in 1 egg. Stir the mixture and divide into 15, then form into small logs. Break the remaining eggs into a bowl and whisk lightly. Put the breadcrumbs into another bowl. Dip each fofo in the beaten egg followed by the breadcrumb mixture. Chill for 20 minutes.

    STEP 3

    Heat 1cm of oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the fofos in batches for 2 minutes on each side, turning gently to get an even golden brown colour all over. Drain on kitchen paper and repeat with the remaining fofos.

    STEP 4

    For the onion salad, mix together the onion, coriander and lemon juice with a pinch of salt. Serve with the fofos and mango chutney.

  • Minced Beef Pie

    Minced Beef Pie

    Category: Beef

    Area: British

    Ingredients:

    • 2 tbs Vegetable Oil
    • 500g Minced Beef
    • 1 chopped Onion
    • 1 tbls Tomato Puree
    • 1 ½ tbsp Plain Flour
    • 75g Mushrooms
    • 250ml Beef Stock
    • Dash Worcestershire Sauce
    • 400g Shortcrust Pastry
    • 1 Egg Yolks

    Instructions:

    Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
    Heat the oil in a deep frying pan and fry the beef mince for 4-5 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it browns.
    Add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, then stir in the tomato purée and cook for 2-3 more minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for a further minute, then add the chopped mushrooms, the stout or beef stock and a couple of dashes of Worcestershire sauce. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover the pan with a lid and leave to simmer for 20 minutes. Set aside and leave to cool, then turn the meat mixture into a one litre pie dish.
    Roll out the pastry on a floured work surface until it is slightly larger than the pie dish. Gently drape the pastry over the dish, pressing firmly onto the edges. Trim, then shape the edges into a fluted shape.
    Cut some leaf shapes out of the pastry trimmings and decorate the top of the pie, sticking them to the pastry with the beaten egg yolk.
    Make three or four slits in the pastry to allow the steam to escape, then brush the pie with the rest of the beaten egg yolk and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden-brown.
    To serve, slice into wedges.

  • Szechuan Beef

    Szechuan Beef

    Category: Beef

    Area: Chinese

    Ingredients:

    • 1/2 lb Beef
    • 1/2 tsp Salt
    • 1 tsp Sesame Seed Oil
    • 1 pinch Pepper
    • 1 Egg White
    • 3 tbs Starch
    • 4 tbs Oil
    • 1 tsp Ginger
    • 1 tsp Garlic
    • 3/4 cup Onion
    • 1/2 cup Carrots
    • 3/4 cup Green Pepper
    • 1 cup Celery
    • 1 cup Mushrooms
    • 1 tbs Cooking wine
    • 1 cup Water
    • 1 tbs Oyster Sauce
    • 1/2 tsp Hotsauce
    • 1 tsp Sugar
    • 1 tbs Soy Sauce

    Instructions:

    STEP 1 – MARINATING THE BEEF
    In a bowl, add the beef, salt, sesame seed oil, white pepper, egg white, 2 Tablespoon of corn starch and 1 Tablespoon of oil.
    STEP 2 – STIR FRY
    First Cook the beef by adding 2 Tablespoon of oil until the beef is golden brown.
    Set the beef aside
    In a wok add 1 Tablespoon of oil, minced ginger, minced garlic and stir-fry for few seconds.
    Next add all of the vegetables and then add sherry cooking wine and 1 cup of water.
    To make the sauce add oyster sauce, hot pepper sauce, and sugar.
    add the cooked beef and 1 spoon of soy sauce
    To thicken the sauce, whisk together 1 Tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 Tablespoon of water in a bowl and slowly add to your stir-fry until it's the right thickness.

  • Chicken Fajita Mac and Cheese

    Chicken Fajita Mac and Cheese

    Category: Chicken

    Area: American

    Ingredients:

    • 500g macaroni
    • 2 cups chicken stock
    • 1/2 cup heavy cream
    • 1 packet fajita seasoning
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 3 diced chicken breast
    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 small finely diced onion
    • 2 finely diced red pepper
    • 2 cloves minced garlic
    • 1 cup cheddar cheese
    • garnish chopped parsley

    Instructions:

    Fry your onion, peppers and garlic in olive oil until nicely translucent. Make a well in your veg and add your chicken. Add your seasoning and salt. Allow to colour slightly.
    Add your cream, stock and macaroni.
    Cook on low for 20 minutes. Add your cheeses, stir to combine.
    Top with roasted peppers and parsley.

  • Poutine

    Poutine

    Category: Miscellaneous

    Area: Canadian

    Ingredients:

    • Dash Vegetable Oil
    • 1 Can Beef Gravy
    • 5 thin cut Potatoes
    • 2 cups Cheese Curds

    Instructions:

    Heat oil in a deep fryer or deep heavy skillet to 365°F (185°C).
    Warm gravy in saucepan or microwave.
    Place the fries into the hot oil, and cook until light brown, about 5 minutes.
    Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain.
    Place the fries on a serving platter, and sprinkle the cheese over them.
    Ladle gravy over the fries and cheese, and serve immediately.

  • Honey Yogurt Cheesecake

    Honey Yogurt Cheesecake

    Category: Dessert

    Area: Greek

    Ingredients:

    • 100g Digestive Biscuits
    • 85g Almonds
    • 85g Butter
    • 250ml Greek Yogurt
    • 750g Mascarpone
    • 2 Eggs
    • Zest of 1 Lemon
    • Zest of 1 Orange
    • 250ml Honey
    • To serve Fruit Mix

    Instructions:

    Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Crush the biscuits and most of the almonds inside a plastic food bag using a rolling pin. Mix with the butter, then press into the bottom of a deep, oval, 23cm dish (or something similar in size – a roasting tin, baking dish or cake tin will work). Bake for 10 mins until crisp.

    Stir or mash together the yogurt and mascarpone, then whisk in the eggs, one at a time. Stir in the lemon and orange zests, then stir in most of the honey, reserving about 3 tbsp. Spread over the biscuit base, cover loosely with foil and cook for 1 hr. Remove the foil and cook for 15 mins more until lightly golden and the top is firm with just the slightest wobble in the middle. Leave to cool. Can be kept in the fridge for up to 2 days.

    To serve, scatter with almonds, drizzle over the remaining honey, and hand around fresh fruit to go with it.

  • Choc Chip Pecan Pie

    Choc Chip Pecan Pie

    Category: Dessert

    Area: American

    Ingredients:

    • 300g Plain Flour
    • 75g Butter
    • 100g Cream Cheese
    • 1 tbls Icing Sugar
    • 150g Butter
    • 200ml Maple Syrup
    • 250g Light Brown Soft Sugar
    • 100g Dark Brown Soft Sugar
    • 4 Eggs
    • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
    • 400g Pecan Nuts
    • 200g Dark Chocolate Chips

    Instructions:

    First, make the pastry. Tip the ingredients into a food processor with 1 /4 tsp salt. Blend until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Drizzle 2-3 tsp cold water into the funnel while the blade is running – the mixture should start to clump together. Tip onto a work surface and bring together, kneading briefly into a ball. Pat into a disc, wrap in cling film, and chill for at least 20 mins. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.

    Remove the pastry from the fridge and leave at room temperature for 5 mins to soften. Flour the work surface, then unwrap the pastry and roll to a circle the thickness of a £1 coin. Use the pastry to line a deep, 23cm round fluted tin – mine was about 3cm deep. Press the pastry into the corners and up the sides, making sure there are no gaps. Leave 1cm pastry overhanging (save some of the pastry scraps for later). Line with baking parchment (scrunch it up first to make it more pliable) and fill with baking beans. Blind-bake for 15-20 mins until the sides are set, then remove the parchment and beans and return to the oven for 5 mins until golden brown. Trim the pastry so it’s flush with the top of the tin – a small serrated knife is best for this. If there are any cracks, patch them up with the pastry scraps.

    Meanwhile, weigh the butter, syrup and sugars into a pan, and add 1 /4 tsp salt. Heat until the butter has melted and the sugar dissolved, stirring until smooth. Remove from the heat and cool for 10 mins. Reduce oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3.

    Beat the eggs in a bowl. Add the syrup mixture, vanilla and pecans, and mix until well combined. Pour half the mixture into the tart case, scatter over half the chocolate chips, then cover with the remaining filling and chocolate chips. Bake on the middle shelf for 50-55 mins until set. Remove from the oven and leave to cool, then chill for at least 2 hrs before serving.

  • Irish stew

    Irish stew

    Category: Beef

    Area: Irish

    Ingredients:

    • 300g soaked overnight in water whole wheat
    • 2kg cut into 3cm cubes lamb loin chops
    • 120ml olive oil
    • 24 Skinned shallots
    • 4 large carrots
    • 2 turnips
    • 1 celeriac
    • 350g charlotte potatoes
    • 150ml white wine
    • 1 tsp caster sugar
    • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
    • 4 sprigs oregano
    • 450ml chicken stock

    Instructions:

    Heat the oven to 180C/350F/gas mark 4. Drain and rinse the soaked wheat, put it in a medium pan with lots of water, bring to a boil and simmer for an hour, until cooked. Drain and set aside.

    Season the lamb with a teaspoon of salt and some black pepper. Put one tablespoon of oil in a large, deep sauté pan for which you have a lid; place on a medium-high heat. Add some of the lamb – don't overcrowd the pan – and sear for four minutes on all sides. Transfer to a bowl, and repeat with the remaining lamb, adding oil as needed.

    Lower the heat to medium and add a tablespoon of oil to the pan. Add the shallots and fry for four minutes, until caramelised. Tip these into the lamb bowl, and repeat with the remaining vegetables until they are all nice and brown, adding more oil as you need it.

    Once all the vegetables are seared and removed from the pan, add the wine along with the sugar, herbs, a teaspoon of salt and a good grind of black pepper. Boil on a high heat for about three minutes.

    Tip the lamb, vegetables and whole wheat back into the pot, and add the stock. Cover and boil for five minutes, then transfer to the oven for an hour and a half.

    Remove the stew from the oven and check the liquid; if there is a lot, remove the lid and boil for a few minutes.

  • Paszteciki (Polish Pasties)

    Paszteciki (Polish Pasties)

    Category: Beef

    Area: Polish

    Ingredients:

    • 1 cup Flour
    • 1/4 tsp Salt
    • 1 Yolk Egg
    • 1 Egg
    • 5 tbs Butter
    • 6 tblsp Butter
    • 1/3 cup Onion
    • 1/2 cup Swede
    • 1/2 lb Beef Brisket
    • 2 Beaten Eggs
    • 1 tsp Salt
    • 1/4 tsp Pepper

    Instructions:

    Sift flour and salt into a large mixing bowl.
    Use a spoon to push the egg yolk through a fine sieve into the flour.
    Add the raw egg and mix well.
    Beat in butter 1 tablespoon at a time.
    Place dough on a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, then wrap in waxed paper and refrigerate until firm (at least 30 minutes).
    In a heavy skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat; saute the onion and rutabaga until the onion is soft and transparent (5 minutes).
    Put the onions, rutabaga, and beef through a meat grinder twice if you have one, if not just chop them up as fine as possible.
    Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat, and add the meat mixture.
    Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until all of the liquid has evaporated and the mixture is thick enough to hold its shape.
    Remove from heat and let cool, then stir in 1 egg, and season with salt and pepper.
    Preheat oven to 350°F.
    On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out into a 13×8" rectangle (1/8" thick).
    Spoon the filling down the center of the rectangle lengthwise, leaving about an inch of space on each end.
    Lightly brush the long sides with cold water, then fold one of the long sides over the filling and the other side over the top of that.
    Brush the short ends with cold water and fold them over the top, enclosing the filling.
    Place pastry seam side down on a baking sheet and brush the top evenly with the remaining scrambled egg.
    Bake in preheated oven until rich golden brown (30 minutes).
    Slice pastry diagonally into 1.5" long pieces and serve as an appetizer or with soup.

  • Callaloo Jamaican Style

    Callaloo Jamaican Style

    Category: Miscellaneous

    Area: Jamaican

    Ingredients:

    • 1 bunch Kale
    • 2 strips Bacon
    • 3 cloves Chopped Garlic
    • 1 medium Onion
    • 1/2 tsp Paprika
    • 1 Sprig Thyme
    • 1 Tomato
    • 1 Red Pepper
    • 4 Banana
    • Splash Vegetable Oil

    Instructions:

    Cut leaves and soft stems from the kale branches, them soak in a bowl of cold water for about 5-10 minutes or until finish with prep.
    Proceed to slicing the onions, mincing the garlic and dicing the tomatoes. Set aside
    Remove kale from water cut in chunks.
    Place bacon on saucepan and cook until crispy. Then add onions, garlic, thyme, stir for about a minute or more
    Add tomatoes; scotch bonnet pepper, smoked paprika. Sauté for about 2-3 more minutes.
    Finally add vegetable, salt, mix well, and steamed for about 6-8 minutes or until leaves are tender. Add a tiny bit of water as needed. Adjust seasonings and turn off the heat.
    Using a sharp knife cut both ends off the plantain. This will make it easy to grab the skin of the plantains. Slit a shallow line down the long seam of the plantain; peel only as deep as the peel. Remove plantain peel by pulling it back.
    Slice the plantain into medium size lengthwise slices and set aside.
    Coat a large frying pan with cooking oil spray. Spray the tops of the plantains with a generous layer of oil spray and sprinkle with salt, freshly ground pepper.
    Let the plantains "fry" on medium heat, shaking the frying pan to redistribute them every few minutes.
    As the plantains brown, continue to add more cooking oil spray, salt and pepper (if needed) until they have reached the desired color and texture.
    Remove and serve with kale