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  • Traditional Croatian Goulash

    Traditional Croatian Goulash

    Category: Beef

    Area: Croatian

    Ingredients:

    • 500g Beef
    • 2 chopped Onions
    • 2 chopped Carrots
    • 2 cloves Garlic
    • 2 Bay Leaf
    • 200ml Red Wine
    • 2 Litres Water
    • 3 tbs Mustard
    • 1tbsp Salt
    • 1/2 tsp Pepper
    • 1/2 tsp Paprika
    • 2 tbs Vegetable Oil

    Instructions:

    Clean the meat from the veins if there are some and cut it into smaller pieces, 3 × 3 cm. Marinate the meat in the mustard and spices and let it sit in the refrigerator for one hour
    Heat one tablespoon of pork fat or vegetable oil in a pot and fry the meat on all sides until it gets browned. Once the meat is cooked, transfer it to a plate and add another tablespoon of fat to the pot
    Cut the onions very fine, peel the carrots and shred it using a grater. Cook the onions and carrots over low heat for 15 minutes. You can salt the vegetables a little to make them soften faster
    Once the vegetables have browned and become slightly mushy, add the meat and bay leaves and garlic. Pour over with wine and simmer for 10-15 minutes to allow the alcohol to evaporate. Now is the right time to add 2/3 the amount of liquid
    Cover the pot and cook over low heat for an hour, stirring occasionally. After the first hour, pour over the rest of the water or stock and cook for another 30-45 minutes
    Allow the stew to cool slightly and serve it with a sprinkle of chopped parsley and few slices of fresh hot pepper if you like to spice it up a bit
    Slice ​​some fresh bread, season the salad and simply enjoying these wonderful flavors

  • Beef Asado

    Beef Asado

    Category: Beef

    Area: Filipino

    Ingredients:

    • 1.5kg Beef
    • 1 Beef Stock Concentrate
    • 8 ounces Tomato Puree
    • 3 cups Water
    • 6 tablespoons Soy Sauce
    • 1 tbs White Wine Vinegar
    • 2 tbs Pepper
    • 4 Bay Leaf
    • 1/2 Lemon
    • 2 tbs Tomato Sauce
    • 3 tbs Butter
    • 1/2 cup Olive Oil
    • 1 chopped Onion
    • 4 cloves Garlic

    Instructions:

    0. Combine beef, crushed peppercorn, soy sauce, vinegar, dried bay leaves, lemon, and tomato sauce. Mix well. Marinate beef for at least 30 minutes.
    1. Put the marinated beef in a cooking pot along with remaining marinade. Add water. Let boil.
    2. Add Knorr Beef Cube. Stir. Cover the pot and cook for 40 minutes in low heat.
    3. Turn the beef over. Add tomato paste. Continue cooking until beef tenderizes. Set aside.
    4. Heat oil in a pan. Fry the potato until it browns. Turn over and continue frying the opposite side. Remove from the pan and place on a clean plate. Do the same with the carrots.
    5. Save 3 tablespoons of cooking oil from the pan where the potato was fried. Saute onion and garlic until onion softens.
    6. Pour-in the sauce from the beef stew. Let boil. Add the beef. Cook for 2 minutes.
    7. Add butter and let it melt. Continue cooking until the sauce reduces to half.

  • Rogaliki (Polish Croissant Cookies)

    Rogaliki (Polish Croissant Cookies)

    Category: Dessert

    Area: Polish

    Ingredients:

    • 1 cup Butter
    • 3 Egg Yolks
    • 8 oz Cream Cheese
    • 1 tsp Baking Powder
    • 3 cups Flour
    • 1 Jar Jam

    Instructions:

    In a medium bowl mix egg yolks, philly cheese and baking powder using a hand held mixer. Carefully start adding the flour. When the mixture will not be mixing well, and will look like wood chips, put away the blending mixer and using your hands knead the dough.
    Create a roll and cover in foil and freeze for 15 minutes. At this time preheat the oven to 375.
    Take the dough out and separate into two. Roll and cut out 3 inch trangles.
    Make as many as you can and on centre of each put a small spoon of jam. Roll them into a croissant shape.
    Place the croissants onto a greased cookie sheet, and bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden.
    Repeat with the rest of the dough.
    When you take them out, put aside and sprinkle with powdered sugar on top.
    This makes about 3 batches of 20 cookies each.
    Total count about 60 cookies.

  • Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

    Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

    Category: Dessert

    Area: British

    Ingredients:

    • 350g Flour
    • 1 tsp Salt
    • 2 tbs Sugar
    • 1 cup Butter
    • 1/2 cup Water
    • 450g Rhubarb
    • 450g Strawberries
    • 3 tbs Cornstarch
    • 150g Sugar
    • 1/4 tsp Cinnamon
    • 1 tsp Lemon Juice
    • 2 tbs Unsalted Butter
    • 2 tbs Milk
    • Spinkling Sugar

    Instructions:

    Pie Crust: In a food processor, place the flour, salt, and sugar and process until combined. Add the butter and process until the mixture resembles coarse

    meal (about 15 seconds). Pour 1/4 cup (60 ml) water in a slow, steady stream, through the feed tube until the dough just holds together when pinched. If necessary, add more water. Do not process more than 30 seconds.
    Turn the dough onto your work surface and gather into a ball. Divide the dough in half, flattening each half into a disk, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for about one hour before using. This will chill the butter and relax the gluten in the flour.

    After the dough has chilled sufficiently, remove one portion of the dough from the fridge and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry into a 12 inch (30 cm) circle. (To prevent the pastry from sticking to the counter and to ensure uniform thickness, keep lifting up and turning the pastry a quarter turn as you roll (always roll from the center of the pastry outwards).) Fold the dough in half and gently transfer to a 9 inch (23 cm) pie pan. Brush off any excess flour and trim any overhanging pastry to an edge of 1/2 inch (1.5 cm). Refrigerate the pastry, covered with plastic wrap, while you make the filling.

    Remove the second round of pastry and roll it into a 13 inch (30 cm) circle. Using a pastry wheel or pizza cutter, cut the pastry into about 3/4 inch (2 cm) strips. Place the strips of pastry on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes.

    Make the Strawberry Rhubarb Filling: Place the cut strawberries and rhubarb in a large bowl. In a small bowl mix together the cornstarch, sugar, and ground cinnamon.

    Remove the chilled pie crust from the fridge. Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of the sugar mixture over the bottom of the pastry crust. Add the remaining sugar mixture to the strawberries and rhubarb and gently toss to combine. Pour the fruit mixture into the prepared pie shell. Sprinkle the fruit with about 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and dot with 2 tablespoons of butter.

    Remove the lattice pastry from the refrigerator and, starting at the center with the longest strips and working outwards, place half the strips, spacing about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart, on top of the filling. (Use the shortest pastry strips at the outer edges.) Then, gently fold back, about halfway, every other strip of pastry. Take another strip of pastry and place it perpendicular on top of the first strips of pastry. Unfold the bottom strips of pastry and then fold back the strips that weren't folded back the first time. Lay another strip of pastry perpendicular on top of the filling and then continue with the remaining strips. Trim the edges of the pastry strips, leaving a 1 inch (2.5 cm) overhang. Seal the edges of the pastry strips by folding them under the bottom pastry crust and flute the edges of the pastry. Brush the lattice pastry with milk and sprinkle with a little sugar. Cover and place in the refrigerator while you preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) and place the oven rack in the lower third of the oven. Put a baking sheet, lined with aluminum foil, on the oven rack (to catch any spills.)

    Place the pie plate on the hot baking sheet and bake the pie for about 35 minutes and then, if the edges of the pie are browning too much, cover with a foil ring. Continue to bake the pie for about another 10 minutes or until the crust is a golden brown color and the fruit juices begin to bubble.

    Remove the pie from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool for several hours. Serve at room temperature with softly whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for about 3 days. Reheat before serving. This pie can be frozen.

    Makes one 9 inch (23 cm) pie.

  • Peanut Butter Cookies

    Peanut Butter Cookies

    Category: Dessert

    Area: American

    Ingredients:

    • 1 cup Peanut Butter
    • 1/2 cup Sugar
    • 1 Egg

    Instructions:

    Preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC).
    In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, sugar, and egg.
    Scoop out a spoonful of dough and roll it into a ball. Place the cookie balls onto a nonstick baking sheet.
    For extra decoration and to make them cook more evenly, flatten the cookie balls by pressing a fork down on top of them, then press it down again at a 90º angle to make a criss-cross pattern.
    Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the bottom of the cookies are golden brown.
    Remove from baking sheet and cool.
    Enjoy!

  • Japanese gohan rice

    Japanese gohan rice

    Category: Side

    Area: Japanese

    Ingredients:

    • 300g Sushi Rice
    • 1 tbs Mirin
    • Garnish Pickle Juice
    • Garnish Spring Onions

    Instructions:

    STEP 1
    Rinsing and soaking your rice is key to achieving the perfect texture. Measure the rice into a bowl, cover with cold water, then use your fingers to massage the grains of rice – the water will become cloudy. Drain and rinse again with fresh water. Repeat five more times until the water stays clear.

    STEP 2
    Tip the rinsed rice into a saucepan with 400ml water, or 200ml dashi and 200ml water, bring to the boil, then turn down the heat to a low simmer, cover with a tight-fitting lid with a steam hole and cook for 15 mins. Remove from the heat and leave to sit for another 15 mins, then stir through the mirin. Remove the lid and give it a good stir. Serve with any or all of the optional toppings.

  • Portuguese fish stew (Caldeirada de peixe)

    Portuguese fish stew (Caldeirada de peixe)

    Category: Seafood

    Area: Portuguese

    Ingredients:

    • 2 finely chopped Onions
    • 1 Diced Red Pepper
    • Small bunch Coriander
    • 1 small Red Chilli
    • 3 cloves Garlic
    • 400ml Dry White Wine
    • Pinch Saffron
    • 1 Bay Leaf
    • 300g Potatoes
    • 400g Plum Tomatoes
    • 600g Cod
    • 300g Squid
    • 8 Tiger Prawns
    • 500g Clams
    • 500g Mussels
    • 1 sliced Baguette

    Instructions:

    STEP 1

    Heat a drizzle of oil in a large, deep-sided frying pan, and fry the onion and pepper on a medium heat until softened but not browned. Finely chop the coriander stalks (keep the leaves for later), and add to the pan with the chilli and chopped garlic. Fry for another few minutes. Add the wine, saffron and bay leaf and let it simmer until reduced by half.

    STEP 2

    Add the potatoes, tomatoes, and 300ml water and bring to a gentle boil. Break up the tomatoes with a spoon on the side of the pan and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the potatoes are just tender, and the tomatoes have broken down.

    STEP 3

    Season well, then gently push the fish into the sauce, and arrange the squid, prawns, clams and mussels on the surface. Put the lid on and cook for 6-8 minutes until the mussel and clam shells have opened, the prawns are cooked and the fish is flaky. Toast the bread, rub lightly with the halved garlic clove and drizzle with olive oil. Serve the stew scatted with chopped coriander leaves, and the toasts for dunking.

  • Ham hock colcannon

    Ham hock colcannon

    Category: Pork

    Area: Irish

    Ingredients:

    • 800g Floury Potatoes
    • 50g Butter
    • 3 chopped Garlic Clove
    • 1 chopped Cabbage
    • 8 Spring Onions
    • 100ml Double Cream
    • 2 tbs Mustard
    • 180g Ham
    • 4 Eggs

    Instructions:

    STEP 1
    Peel and cut the potatoes into even, medium-sized chunks. Put in a large pan filled with cold salted water, bring to the boil and cook for 10-15 mins until a knife can be inserted into the potatoes easily.

    STEP 2
    Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large sauté pan over a medium heat. Add the garlic, cabbage, spring onions and some seasoning. Stir occasionally until the cabbage is wilted but still retains a little bite, then set aside.

    STEP 3
    Drain the potatoes, leave to steam-dry for a couple of mins, then mash with the cream, mustard and seasoning in the same saucepan. Stir in the cabbage and ham hock. Keep warm over a low heat.

    STEP 4
    Reheat the pan you used to cook the cabbage (no need to wash first), add a splash of oil, crack in the eggs and fry to your liking. To serve, divide the colcannon between bowls and top each with a fried egg.

  • Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich

    Grilled Mac and Cheese Sandwich

    Category: Pasta

    Area: American

    Ingredients:

    • 8 ounces (230 grams) Macaroni
    • 1/3 cup Plain Flour
    • 3/4 teaspoon Mustard Powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon Garlic powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
    • 1/8 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
    • 6 tablespoons (85 grams) Butter
    • 1 1/2 cups (360 milliliters) Whole Milk
    • 1 cup (240 milliliters) Heavy Cream
    • 1 pound (455 grams) Monterey Jack Cheese
    • 4 tablespoons (55 grams) Butter
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 16 slices square Bread
    • 8 slices mild Cheddar Cheese
    • 8 slices Colby Jack Cheese
    • 4 tablespoons (55 grams) Butter

    Instructions:

    Make the mac and cheese

    1. Bring a medium saucepan of generously salted water (you want it to taste like seawater) to a boil. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes, or according to the package directions. The pasta should be tender but still chewy.
    2. While the pasta is cooking, in a small bowl, whisk together the flour, mustard powder, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
    3. Drain the pasta in a colander. Place the empty pasta pan (no need to wash it) over low heat and add the butter. When the butter has melted, whisk in the flour mixture and continue to cook, whisking frequently, until the mixture is beginning to brown and has a pleasant, nutty aroma, about 1 minute. Watch carefully so it does not scorch on the bottom of the pan.
    4. Slowly whisk the milk and cream into the flour mixture until everything is really well combined. Cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce is heated through and just begins to thicken, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Gradually add the cheese while stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or silicone spatula and keep stirring until the cheese has melted into the sauce. Then stir in the drained cooked pasta.
    5. Line a 9-by-13-inch (23-by-33-centimeter) rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Coat the paper or foil with nonstick cooking spray or slick it with butter. Pour the warm mac and cheese onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it evenly with a spatula. Coat another piece of parchment paper with cooking spray or butter and place it, oiled or buttered side down, directly on the surface of the mac and cheese. Refrigerate until cool and firm, about 1 hour.

    Make the grilled cheese
    6. Heat a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium-low heat.
    7. In a small bowl, stir together the 4 tablespoons (55 grams) butter and garlic powder until well blended.
    8. Remove the mac and cheese from the refrigerator and peel off the top layer of parchment paper. Carefully cut into 8 equal pieces. Each piece will make 1 grilled mac and cheese sandwich. (You can stash each individual portion in a double layer of resealable plastic bags and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 1 month.)
    9. Spread 3/4 teaspoon garlic butter on one side of each bread slice. Place half of the slices, buttered-side down, on a clean cutting board. Top each with one slice of Cheddar, then 1 piece of the mac and cheese. (Transfer from the baking sheet by scooting your hand or a spatula under each piece of mac and cheese and then flipping it over onto a sandwich.) Place 1 slice of Jack on top of each. Finish with the remaining bread slices, buttered-side up.
    10. Using a wide spatula, place as many sandwiches in the pan as will fit without crowding it. Cover and cook until the bottoms are nicely browned, about 4 minutes. Turn and cook until the second sides are browned, the cheese is melted, and the mac and cheese is heated through, about 4 minutes more.
    11. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Cut the sandwiches in half, if desired, and serve.

  • Spaghetti alla Carbonara

    Spaghetti alla Carbonara

    Category: Pasta

    Area: Italian

    Ingredients:

    • 320g Spaghetti
    • 6 Egg Yolks
    • As required Salt
    • 150g Bacon
    • 50g Pecorino
    • As required Black Pepper

    Instructions:

    STEP 1
    Put a large saucepan of water on to boil.

    STEP 2
    Finely chop the 100g pancetta, having first removed any rind. Finely grate 50g pecorino cheese and 50g parmesan and mix them together.

    STEP 3
    Beat the 3 large eggs in a medium bowl and season with a little freshly grated black pepper. Set everything aside.

    STEP 4
    Add 1 tsp salt to the boiling water, add 350g spaghetti and when the water comes back to the boil, cook at a constant simmer, covered, for 10 minutes or until al dente (just cooked).

    STEP 5
    Squash 2 peeled plump garlic cloves with the blade of a knife, just to bruise it.

    STEP 6
    While the spaghetti is cooking, fry the pancetta with the garlic. Drop 50g unsalted butter into a large frying pan or wok and, as soon as the butter has melted, tip in the pancetta and garlic.

    STEP 7
    Leave to cook on a medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the pancetta is golden and crisp. The garlic has now imparted its flavour, so take it out with a slotted spoon and discard.

    STEP 8
    Keep the heat under the pancetta on low. When the pasta is ready, lift it from the water with a pasta fork or tongs and put it in the frying pan with the pancetta. Don’t worry if a little water drops in the pan as well (you want this to happen) and don’t throw the pasta water away yet.

    STEP 9
    Mix most of the cheese in with the eggs, keeping a small handful back for sprinkling over later.

    STEP 10
    Take the pan of spaghetti and pancetta off the heat. Now quickly pour in the eggs and cheese. Using the tongs or a long fork, lift up the spaghetti so it mixes easily with the egg mixture, which thickens but doesn’t scramble, and everything is coated.

    STEP 11
    Add extra pasta cooking water to keep it saucy (several tablespoons should do it). You don’t want it wet, just moist. Season with a little salt, if needed.

    STEP 12
    Use a long-pronged fork to twist the pasta on to the serving plate or bowl. Serve immediately with a little sprinkling of the remaining cheese and a grating of black pepper. If the dish does get a little dry before serving, splash in some more hot pasta water and the glossy sauciness will be revived.