Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Roast Brussel sprouts

300g brussel sprouts
Olive oil
2Tbsp fish sauce
1 Tbsp sherry or rice wine vinegar
pinch sugar
1/2 tsp chilli flakes
Small handful pinenuts

1. Preheat oven to 200C and get an oven-proof skillet or frying pan on a high heat.
2. Trim the bases of your sprouts and halve lengthwise.
3. Add a few tablespoons oil to the pan and add the sprouts. Cook for a few minutes or until they start to smell good.
4. Transfer to the oven and continue cooking for 10-15 minutes or until sprouts are tender and well caramelised on the side facing down.
5. Meanwhile, mix fish sauce, vinegar, chilli and 1 tablespoon water. Season to taste with a few pinches of sugar.
6. Toss hot brussels sprouts in the dressing and serve with pinenuts, if using.

(Also works with can of lentils stirred through.)

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Spinach, yoghurt & chickpea salad

For 4 serves:
3/4 cup Greek yoghurt
1/4 cup EVO oil
1/2 small red onion, finely sliced
1/2 clove garlic, grated
Zest & juice of a lemon
Pinch salt
2 tins chickpeas, washed & drained
Bag of baby spinach
2 handfuls flaked almonds, toasted

Mix yoghurt, oil, garlic, onion, lemon juice & zest, pinch of salt. Stir in chickpeas. Lay onto spinach bed, sprinkle with almonds & drizzle with extra EVO oil.

Jeff's BBQ spiced lamb leg

1 leg lamb
6 sprigs rosemary, leaves picked
3 cloves garlic, peeled & chopped
4 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp baharat
4 lemons, halved crosswise
Combine rosemary, garlic, spices and oil and season well. Rub marinade over the surface of the lamb and place in a ceramic bowl and cover. Marinate at room temp for 2 hours or as long as you’ve got (if longer than 2 hours best to refrigerate and remove a couple of hours before cooking).
Heat a BBQ until very hot. Cook lamb for 3mins each side and place lemon halves cut side down. Reduce heat to medium low and continue to cook for 10 to 15 mins or until cooked to your liking. Remove lemons when slightly charred and keep warm. When meat is cooked, wrap in foil and allow to rest for at least 15 mins before carving. Serve with bbq lemon halves alongside.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Broccoli & parmesan soup


2 heads broccoli, chopped including tender stalks
1 small piece of parmesan rind, optional, + shaved parmesan to serve
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1. Bring 2 cups water to boil in a medium saucepan.
2. Add broccoli, parmesan rind, if using and soy sauce.
3. Cover and simmer rapidly for about 8 minutes or until broccoli is tender.
4. Puree in the saucepan with a stick blender until smoothish.
5. Taste and season with salt, pepper and lemon juice. Serve with extra parmesan sprinkled over the top or stir through & pop a fried egg on top.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Cabbage & yoghurt salad

6 tablespoons natural yoghurt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 small clove garlic very finely chopped
1/4 small white cabbage
1. Whisk together yoghurt, garlic and lemon. Season generously.
2. Remove outer leaves from the cabbage and slice the remaining cabbage as finely as possible.
3. Toss cabbage in the dressing. Serve now or keep in the fridge until you’re ready.

Would go really well with a rich tomatoey curry.