Author: zebono2

  • Chakchouka

    Chakchouka

    Category: Miscellaneous

    Area: Tunisian

    Ingredients:

    • 4 Tomatoes
    • 2 tbs Olive Oil
    • 1 Diced Onion
    • 1 sliced Red Pepper
    • 1 sliced Green Pepper
    • 3 Cloves Crushed Garlic
    • 1 tsp Cumin
    • 1 tsp Paprika
    • 3/4 teaspoon Salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder
    • 4 Eggs

    Instructions:

    In a large cast iron skillet or sauté pan with a lid, heat oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until softened. Add the peppers and garlic, and sauté for an additional 3-5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, cumin, paprika, salt, and chili powder. Mix well and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium low and continue to simmer, uncovered, 10-15 minutes until the mixture has thickened to your desired consistency. (Taste the sauce at this point and adjust for salt and spice, as desired.) Using the back of a spoon, make four craters in the mixture, large enough to hold an egg. Crack one egg into each of the craters. Cover the skillet and simmer for 5-7 minutes, until the eggs have set. Serve immediately with crusty bread or pita.

  • Coq au vin

    Coq au vin

    Category: Chicken

    Area: French

    Ingredients:

    • 1½ tbsp Olive Oil
    • 3 rashers (100g) chopped dry-cured Bacon
    • 12 small Shallots
    • 2 (460g) Chicken Legs
    • 4 (650g) Chicken Thighs
    • 2 (280g) Chicken Breasts
    • 3 finely chopped Garlic
    • 3 tbsp Brandy
    • 600ml Red Wine
    • 150ml Chicken Stock
    • 2 tsp tomato puree
    • 3 sprigs thyme
    • 2 sprigs Rosemary
    • 2 bay leaves
    • garnish parsley
    • 250g chestnut mushroom
    • 2 tbsp plain flour
    • 1 tsp butter

    Instructions:

    Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan or flameproof dish. Tip in the bacon and fry until crisp. Remove and drain on kitchen paper. Add the shallots to the pan and fry, stirring or shaking the pan often, for 5-8 mins until well browned all over. Remove and set aside with the bacon.
    Pat the chicken pieces dry with kitchen paper. Pour the remaining oil into the pan, then fry half the chicken pieces, turning regularly, for 5-8 mins until well browned. Remove, then repeat with the remaining chicken. Remove and set aside.
    Scatter in the garlic and fry briefly, then, with the heat medium-high, pour in the brandy or Cognac, stirring the bottom of the pan to deglaze. The alcohol should sizzle and start to evaporate so there is not much left.
    Return the chicken legs and thighs to the pan along with any juices, then pour in a little of the wine, stirring the bottom of the pan again. Stir in the rest of the wine, the stock and tomato purée, drop in the bouquet garni, season with pepper and a pinch of salt, then return the bacon and shallots to the pan. Cover, lower the heat to a gentle simmer, add the chicken breasts and cook for 50 mins-1hr.
    Just before ready to serve, heat the oil for the mushrooms in a large non-stick frying pan. Add the mushrooms and fry over a high heat for a few mins until golden. Remove and keep warm.
    Lift the chicken, shallots and bacon from the pan and transfer to a warmed serving dish. Remove the bouquet garni. To make the thickener, mix the flour, olive oil and butter in a small bowl using the back of a teaspoon. Bring the wine mixture to a gentle boil, then gradually drop in small pieces of the thickener, whisking each piece in using a wire whisk. Simmer for 1-2 mins. Scatter the mushrooms over the chicken, then pour over the wine sauce. Garnish with chopped parsley.

  • Dundee cake

    Dundee cake

    Category: Dessert

    Area: British

    Ingredients:

    • 100g Almonds
    • 180g Butter
    • 180g Muscovado Sugar
    • Zest of 1 Orange
    • 3 tbs Apricot Jam
    • 225g Plain Flour
    • 1 tsp Baking Powder
    • 3 Large Eggs
    • 100g Ground Almonds
    • 2 tbs Milk
    • 500g Dried Fruit
    • 100g Glace Cherry
    • 1 tbs Milk
    • 2 tsp Caster Sugar

    Instructions:

    Put the almonds into a small bowl and pour over boiling water to just cover. Leave for 5 mins then drain in a sieve and leave to dry.
    Preheat the oven to 180C/160 C fan/Gas Mark 4. Line a deep loose-based 20cm cake tin with baking parchment.
    Put the butter in a large bowl and beat well until soft. Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Stir in the orange zest and apricot jam.
    Sieve together the flour and baking powder. Add the eggs to the creamed butter and sugar, a little at a time, beating well between each addition. If the mixture starts to curdle, stir in a little flour.
    Add the remaining flour and ground almonds and mix well. Mix in the milk and then add the dried fruit and cherries and mix gently together.
    Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and spread level using the back of a spoon. Arrange the whole almonds close together in neat circles on the top of the cake. Bake in the oven for 45 mins.
    Lower the oven temperature to 160C/140 C fan/Gas Mark 3 and cook for a further 60–80 minutes. Check the cake after 50 minutes by inserting a wooden or metal skewer into the cake. When it’s done it should have just a few crumbs attached. Check every 10 minutes – it’s important not to overcook this cake so the centre will be a little soft.
    When cooked, remove the cake briefly from the oven, put the milk and sugar into a small pan and heat gently until the sugar has dissolved. Brush over the top of the cake and return the cake to the oven for 2-3 mins. Remove and allow the cake to cool in the tin. When quite cold remove from the tin and wrap in foil and keep for at least 2 days before cutting.

  • English Breakfast

    English Breakfast

    Category: Breakfast

    Area: British

    Ingredients:

    • 2 Sausages
    • 3 Bacon
    • 2 Mushrooms
    • 2 Tomatoes
    • 1 Slice Black Pudding
    • 2 Eggs
    • 1 Slice Bread

    Instructions:

    Heat the flat grill plate over a low heat, on top of 2 rings/flames if it fits, and brush sparingly with light olive oil.
    Cook the sausages first. Add the sausages to the hot grill plate/the coolest part if there is one and allow to cook slowly for about 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden. After the first 10 minutes, increase the heat to medium before beginning to cook the other ingredients. If you are struggling for space, completely cook the sausages and keep hot on a plate in the oven.
    Snip a few small cuts into the fatty edge of the bacon. Place the bacon straight on to the grill plate and fry for 2-4 minutes each side or until your preferred crispiness is reached. Like the sausages, the cooked bacon can be kept hot on a plate in the oven.
    For the mushrooms, brush away any dirt using a pastry brush and trim the stalk level with the mushroom top. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle over a little olive oil. Place stalk-side up on the grill plate and cook for 1-2 minutes before turning and cooking for a further 3-4 minutes. Avoid moving the mushrooms too much while cooking, as this releases the natural juices, making them soggy.
    For the tomatoes, cut the tomatoes across the centre/or in half lengthways if using plum tomatoes , and with a small, sharp knife remove the green 'eye'. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with a little olive oil. Place cut-side down on the grill plate and cook without moving for 2 minutes. Gently turn over and season again. Cook for a further 2-3 minutes until tender but still holding their shape.
    For the black pudding, cut the black pudding into 3-4 slices and remove the skin. Place on the grill plate and cook for 1½-2 minutes each side until slightly crispy.
    For 'proper' fried bread it's best to cook it in a separate pan. Ideally, use bread that is a couple of days old. Heat a frying pan to a medium heat and cover the base with oil. Add the bread and cook for 2-3 minutes each side until crispy and golden. If the pan becomes too dry, add a little more oil. For a richer flavour, add a knob of butter after you turn the slice.
    For the fried eggs, break the egg straight into the pan with the fried bread and leave for 30 seconds. Add a good knob of butter and lightly splash/baste the egg with the butter when melted. Cook to your preferred stage, season and gently remove with a fish slice.
    Once all the ingredients are cooked, serve on warm plates and enjoy straight away with a good squeeze of tomato ketchup or brown sauce.

  • McSinghs Scotch pie

    McSinghs Scotch pie

    Category: Lamb

    Area: British

    Ingredients:

    • 2 tsp Cumin
    • 1 tbs Rapeseed Oil
    • 2 finely chopped Red Onions
    • 6 Garlic Clove
    • 3 finely chopped Green Chilli
    • 1 finely chopped Red Pepper
    • 1 tsp Nutmeg
    • 2 tsp Coriander
    • 1kg Lamb Mince
    • 1 tsp Pepper
    • 3 tbs Coriander
    • 340g Plain Flour
    • ½ tsp Salt
    • 90 ml Milk
    • 150g Lard
    • Beaten Egg Yolks

    Instructions:

    Heat a large frying pan and toast the cumin seeds for a few minutes, then set aside. Heat the oil in the same pan and fry the onion, garlic, chilli, pepper and a good pinch of salt for around eight minutes, until there is no moisture left. Remove from the heat, stir in the toasted cumin seeds, ground mace (or nutmeg) and ground coriander. Leave to cool.
    In a large bowl mix together the minced lamb, white pepper, fresh coriander, and the cooled spiced onion mixture until combined. Set aside, covered, in the fridge.
    Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6 and generously grease a 20cm/8in diameter loose-bottomed or springform round cake tin with lard.
    To make the pastry, sift the flour and salt in a large bowl and make a well in the centre.
    Put the milk, lard and 90ml/3fl oz of water in a saucepan and heat gently. When the lard has melted, increase the heat and bring to the boil.
    Pour the boiling liquid into the flour, and use a wooden spoon to combine until cool enough to handle. Bring together into a ball.
    Dust a work surface with flour and, working quickly, knead the dough briefly – it will be soft and moist. Set aside a third of the pastry and roll the rest out on a well-floured surface. Line the pie dish with the pastry, pressing it right up the sides until it pokes just over the top of the tin.
    Add the filling into the pastry-lined tin bit by bit. As you reach the top, form a slight peak. Roll out the reserved pastry and top the pie with it. Pinch the edges to seal and trim the excess. Poke a hole in the top of the pie and insert a small tube made from aluminium foil to allow steam to escape.
    Brush the top of the pie with a little beaten egg yolk, and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes (put a tray on the shelf below to catch any drips). Then reduce the temperature to 160C/325F/Gas 3 and cook for a further 1¼ hours until golden-brown. Leave to cool completely before refrigerating for two hours, or overnight.
    Run a knife around the edge of the pie, remove from the tin and serve with chutneys, salads or pickles.

  • Seri muka kuih

    Seri muka kuih

    Category: Dessert

    Area: Malaysian

    Ingredients:

    • 400g Rice
    • 150ml Coconut Milk
    • 100ml Water
    • 1 tsp Salt
    • 5 tbs Corn Flour
    • 3 tbs Flour
    • 3 Eggs
    • 200ml Coconut Cream
    • 140g Sugar

    Instructions:

    Soak glutinous rice with water for at least 1 ½ hours prior to using. Drain.
    Prepare a 9-inch round or square cake pan and spray with cooking spray or line with plastic wrap.
    Mix coconut milk, water, salt and the rice. Pour it into cake pan, topped with the pandan knots.
    Steam for 30 minutes.
    After 30 minutes, fluff up the rice and remove pandan knots. Then, using a greased spatula, flatten the steamed rice. Make sure there are no holes/air bubbles and gaps in the rice, especially the sides.
    Steam for another 10 minutes.

    Combine pandan juice, coconut milk, all purpose flour, cornflour, and sugar. Mix well.
    Add eggs and whisk well then strain into a medium sized metal bowl or pot.
    Place pandan mixture over simmering water (double boiler or bain-marie)
    Stir continuously and cook till custard starts to thicken. (15 minutes)
    Pour pandan custard into glutinous rice layer, give it a little tap (for air bubbles) and continue to steam for 30 minutes.
    Remove kuih seri muka from the steamer and allow to cool completely before cutting into rectangles or diamond shapes.

  • BeaverTails

    BeaverTails

    Category: Dessert

    Area: Canadian

    Ingredients:

    • 1/2 cup Water
    • 2 parts Yeast
    • 1/2 cup Sugar
    • 1/2 cup Milk
    • 6 tblsp Butter
    • 2 Eggs
    • 1 ½ tsp Salt
    • 2-1/2 cups Flour
    • for frying Oil
    • garnish Lemon
    • garnish Sugar
    • garnish Cinnamon

    Instructions:

    In the bowl of a stand mixer, add warm water, a big pinch of sugar and yeast. Allow to sit until frothy.
    Into the same bowl, add 1/2 cup sugar, warm milk, melted butter, eggs and salt, and whisk until combined.
    Place a dough hook on the mixer, add the flour with the machine on, until a smooth but slightly sticky dough forms.
    Place dough in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and allow to proof for 1 1/2 hours.
    Cut dough into 12 pieces, and roll out into long oval-like shapes about 1/4 inch thick that resemble a beaver’s tail.
    In a large, deep pot, heat oil to 350 degrees. Gently place beavertail dough into hot oil and cook for 30 to 45 seconds on each side until golden brown.
    Drain on paper towels, and garnish as desired. Toss in cinnamon sugar, in white sugar with a squeeze of lemon, or with a generous slathering of Nutella and a handful of toasted almonds. Enjoy!

  • Budino Di Ricotta

    Budino Di Ricotta

    Category: Dessert

    Area: Italian

    Ingredients:

    • 500g Ricotta
    • 4 large Eggs
    • 3 tbs Flour
    • 250g Sugar
    • 1 tsp Cinnamon
    • Grated Zest of 2 Lemons
    • 5 tbs Dark Rum
    • sprinking Icing Sugar

    Instructions:

    Mash the ricotta and beat well with the egg yolks, stir in the flour, sugar, cinnamon, grated lemon rind and the rum and mix well. You can do this in a food processor. Beat the egg whites until stiff, fold in and pour into a buttered and floured 25cm cake tin. Bake in the oven at 180ºC/160ºC fan/gas 4 for about 40 minutes, or until it is firm.

    Serve hot or cold dusted with icing sugar.

  • Tamiya

    Tamiya

    Category: Vegetarian

    Area: Egyptian

    Ingredients:

    • 3 cups Broad Beans
    • 6 Spring Onions
    • 4 Garlic Clove
    • 1/4 cup Parsley
    • 2 tsp Cumin
    • 1 tsp Baking Powder
    • 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
    • Spinkling Flour
    • As required Vegetable Oil

    Instructions:

    oak the beans in water to cover overnight.Drain. If skinless beans are unavailable, rub to loosen the skins, then discard the skins. Pat the beans dry with a towel.
    Grind the beans in a food mill or meat grinder.If neither appliance is available, process them in a food processor but only until the beans form a paste. (If blended too smoothly, the batter tends to fall apart during cooking.) Add the scallions, garlic, cilantro, cumin, baking powder, cayenne, salt, pepper, and coriander, if using. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
    Shape the bean mixture into 1-inch balls.Flatten slightly and coat with flour.
    Heat at least 1½-inches of oil over medium heat to 365 degrees.
    Fry the patties in batches, turning once, until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes.Remove with a wire mesh skimmer or slotted spoon. Serve as part of a meze or in pita bread with tomato-cucumber salad and tahina sauce.

  • 15-minute chicken & halloumi burgers

    15-minute chicken & halloumi burgers

    Category: Chicken

    Area: American

    Ingredients:

    • 2 Chicken Breasts
    • 1 tbsp Oil
    • 4 tbsp Hotsauce
    • ½ Lemon Juice
    • 2 Buns
    • 250g Cheese
    • ¼ Cabbage
    • 2 tbsp Mayonnaise
    • 4 tbsp Sour Cream
    • 4 leaves Lettuce
    • 2 Red Pepper

    Instructions:

    STEP 1

    Put the chicken breasts between two pieces of baking parchment and use a rolling pin to gently bash them until they are approximately 1cm thick. Cut each chicken breast into two even pieces.

    STEP 2

    If you're using a frying pan, heat two frying pans over medium-high heat, with one of them containing oil. Fry the chicken in the oiled pan for 3-4 mins on each side until they are cooked through. Season the chicken, reduce the heat, drizzle in the chilli sauce and half of the lemon juice, and cook for an additional 1-2 mins until the sauce is reduced. Remove the chicken from the heat.

    STEP 3

    If you're using an air-fryer, preheat it to 180C for 4 mins. Add the chicken to the air-fryer and cook for 12 mins. Drizzle over the chilli sauce and half the lemon juice and cook for an additional 1-2 mins until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is reduced. Remove the chicken and keep it warm.
    STEP 4

    While the chicken is cooking, toast the buns in the dry frying pan for 30 seconds. Transfer them to a plate. If you're using an air fryer, put the buns in the air fryer for 1-2 mins until they are warm. Increase the air fryer temperature to 200C. Add the halloumi to the air fryer basket and cook for 10 mins, turning halfway through, until it's golden. Toss the cabbage with the mayo and the remaining lemon juice.

    STEP 5

    Spoon the hummus (or dip of your choice) into the toasted buns, then top with the rocket, chilli chicken, halloumi, and peppers. Drizzle with a little more chilli sauce, spoon over the cabbage, season with black pepper, and top with the bun lids. Serve with any extra cabbage on the side or a green salad.