Category Archives: Main Course

Tomato Cod with Crushed Potato and Saffron Vegetables

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151230 Tomato Cod with Crushed Potato-0971

This dish is easy to prepare in advance. The vegetable saffron mix and the sauce can be made beforehand and the vegetables just heated before serving. Only the fish should be prepared in the last minute. A beautiful, colourful and very tasty meal.

Serves 4

600 g Cod
Salt

Olive oil
2 onions, thinly sliced
1 leek, thinly sliced
1 red pepper
Salt and pepper
0.5 g saffron
200 ml vegetable stock

4 tomatoes, sliced
Parsley, chopped

6 medium sized potatoes, scrubbed, skin on
Salt and pepper
Optional, 3-4 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese

Sauce:
200 ml Greek yogurt
100 ml Quark
2 tbsp chopped dill
2 tbsp chopped parsley
2 tbsp chopped leek
2 tbsp lemon juice
Salt and pepper

Oven at 200C

  1. Place the fish fillets in an ovenproof dish, sprinkle with some salt and cover with aluminum foil. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
  2. Boil the scrubbed potatoes. When done, use a potato masher (or a fork) and slightly crush the potatoes. Don’t make mashed potatoes, just crush them slightly. Season. (Stir in the parmesan cheese.)
  3. Sauté the vegetables (excluding the tomatoes) in some oil, season with salt, pepper and saffron, add the stock, let simmer 5-10 minutes.
  4. Combine the ingredients for the sauce.
  5. Place the vegetable saffron mix on a plate. Add the fish. Put the tomato slices and parsley on top. Add the sauce and the potato.

Asian Lamb with Lime Quinoa and Salad

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151223 Asian Lamb-0916

Great lamb dish, full of flavour. Low fodmap recipe.

Serves 6

900g Lamb leg steaks, trimmed

Marinade:
4 tbsp tamari soya sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
½ tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp grated ginger
2 tbsp sunflower oil

Sesame seeds for adding towards end of frying.

Quinoa dressing:
1 tbsp grated ginger
½ tsp sesame oil
50 ml Tamari soy sauce
½ tbsp brown sugar
Zest from 1 lime (take care only using the green part of the peel)
1 tbsp limejuice
1 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves

400 ml Quinoa
1 orange, cut in segments, then smaller pieces
1 red chili, chopped (seeds removed)
100g water chestnuts, sliced
100 g baby leaf spinach

Salad:

1 cucumber, cut in thin slices lengthwise (a mandolin will give the best result)
3 carrots, cut in thin slices lengthwise
A small piece of white cabbage, cut in thin slices
3-4 tbsp lemon juice
Chili flakes
Salt, pepper

 

  1. Combine the marinade and pour over the lamb. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
  2. Prepare the quinoa dressing and set aside.
  3. Prepare the salad. Season and add the lemon juice. Set aside a minimum of 20 minutes.
  4. Rinse the quinoa and boil according to the instructions on the package.
  5. Prepare the orange by cutting off the peel (all the white membrane too), then, using a sharp knife, cut each segment just inside the thin white membrane, thus fully removing the membrane. Cut the remaining flesh into smaller pieces.
  6. Heat oil in a sauté pan. Fry the lamb steaks a few minutes on each side (depending on thickness of the cut). Remove from pan, roll in sesame seeds and then fry on a lower heat another minute. Leave the meat to rest 4-5 minutes.
  7. Drain the cooked quinoa, stir in the spinach, water chestnuts, the orange and chopped chili. Pour the dressing on top.

Coconut Baked Salmon with Wok Vegetables and Red Sauce

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151216 Coconut Baked Salmon w Wok Vegetables and Red Sauce-9550

A wonderful, asian inspired salmon recipe. To cut the vegetables into strands, please use a Spiral Slicer (Spiralizer).

Serves 6

6 salmon fillets, boneless, about 140 g each

Salmon marinade:
1 green chili, finely chopped
3 tbsp Greek yoghurt
2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
2 tbsp shredded coconut
1 pinch of ground paprika
1 tsp honey
Juice from 1 lemon
1 garlic clove
Salt, pepper

1 cucumber

Wok vegetables:
1 parsnip, cut into strands
2 carrots cut into strands
1 zucchini (courgette), cut into strands
I red onion, thinly sliced
Oil for frying
Salt and pepper

Red Sauce:
1 tbsp oil
2 tbsp grated fresh ginger
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 oranges, juice
200 ml fish stock
1 tbsp tomato puree
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp corn flour
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
A pinch of ground chili
Salt

Coriander leaves to decorate

  1. Oven at 180C
  2. Place all the ingredients for the salmon marinade in a blender and mix until a smooth paste. Place the salmon in individually tin foil parcels, spoon over the marinade. Close the parcels and place in the oven for about 20-25 minutes.
  3. Cut the cucumber into 3-4 pieces (the fewer the better). Remove the seeds with the tool used to remove an apple’s core. With a sharp knife, start carving a long, thin, spiral. Arrange the spiral cucumber on the serving plate. The longer spiral the more beautiful. Set aside.
  4. Prepare the wok vegetables. Heat the oil in a wok pan (or large frying pan). Add all the wok vegetables and fry a few minutes over high heat, constantly (gently) stirring. Season.
  5. In a small saucepan, heat some oil and sauté the ginger. Add the remaining ingredients for the red sauce except the corn flour. Let simmer a few minutes. Dissolve the cornstarch in a little water and add to the sauce while stirring. Bring to a boil and keep stirring while simmering for a few minutes. Remove from heat.
  6. Place on plates, leave salmon in parcel or take out, as you desire. Add the wok vegetables, cucumber spirals and red sauce. Sprinkle some coriander on top.

151216 Coconut Baked Salmon in Foil-9564

Sweet and Spicy Cod with Kale Cake

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151209 Sweet and Spic Cod with Kale Cake-9424
Kale is a wonderful, nutritious and tasty vegetable. If you can’t find kale, spinach is a good substitute. The combination with this cod makes for a tasty, light and healthy dinner.

Serves 6

6 pieces cod loins, about 120-150 g each

Dressing:
1 red chili, finely chopped, seeds removed
½ lemon, juice and zest
1 lime, juice and zest
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp chili flakes
1 tsp rice vinegar
1-2 tbsp mango chutney
1 tbsp olive oil

Kale Cake:
500 g frozen Kale, chopped
4 eggs, beaten
150 g feta cheese, crumbled
100 ml crème fraiche
1 red onion, chopped
A few drops of Tabasco
Salt and pepper
Olive oil

Oven 200C

  1. Combine the ingredients for the dressing. Pour over the fish and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Thaw the kale and squeeze out excess liquid.
  3. Mix eggs, crème fraiche and feta cheese. Add the kale and onion. Season. Pour into a greased ovenproof casserole. Bake for 30 minutes.
  4. Place the fish in the oven for about 20 minutes.

Zander with Serrano Wrapping and Portobello Mushrooms with Spinach

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151202 Zander with Serrano Wrapping sida-9408
If you can’t find Zander, any white, firm fish fillet can be used. Sometimes I add a few drops of sherry to the mushrooms but it is not necessary, Portobello mushrooms are so full of flavour on their own.

Serves 4
500 g Zander fillets, skin and bones removed
4 slices Serrano ham
2-3 tbsp butter

2 tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
0.25 g saffron strands
150 g Cherry tomatoes, red and yellow, halved
Spring onions, green part only, finely sliced
100 ml white wine
½ cube chicken stock
Salt and pepper
1 tbsp butter

Basil, shredded, for decorations

100g fresh spinach leaves
300g Portobello mushrooms, sliced
Butter

Rice, cooked according to package instructions

  1. Cut the fish into 4 portions, wrap the ham around it. Fry in butter on medium heat for a few minutes per side.
  2. Melt the saffron in a frying pan and sauté with the garlic in some olive oil. Add the tomatoes and spring onions. Then add the wine, stock, salt and pepper. Simmer for a few minutes.
  3. Take off heat and stir in the butter.
  4. Fry the mushrooms and the spinach in separate pans
  5. Arrange the mushrooms and spinach on the plate. Fill a ring mold with rice. Add the fish on top and spoon the tomato sauce on top. Finish by decorating with basil.

Potato and Parsnip Bake with Ham

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151125 Potato and Parsnip Bake-0745

A straightforward, easy recipe, but oh so tasty! Guests tell me it is possibly the best potato casserole they’ve had!

6 potatoes, thinly sliced
1 parsnip, thinly sliced
250 ml single cream
100-200 ml Gruyere cheese, grated
Salt and pepper
A few tablespoons of butter

Sliced cooked ham
Cucumber
Mango
Herbs
151125 Ham for potato and parsnip bake-9392

  1. Oven at 180C
  2. Grease a casserole
  3. Layer potato, parsnip, salt and pepper and a bit of cheese.
  4. Continue layering with a last layer of potato.
  5. Finish by pouring the cream and placing a few knobs of butter on top.
  6. In oven 50-60 minutes.
  7. Serve with ham, decorated with cucumber, mango and herbs.

Marvellous Midday Muffins

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151118 lunch EggMuffins0623

 
This recipe was part of a great brunch my daughter served me a while back.
 
Serves 4 – makes 12 small muffins

8 mild sweet piquante peppers
6 mushrooms
3 shallots
Fresh spinach, a handful
8 eggs
20 pecan nuts, chopped
 
4 slices prosciutto ham
 

  1. Oven at 200C
  2. Chop peppers, mushrooms, shallots and spinach and place in greased muffin tins.
  3. Pour whisked eggs on top (fill up to max 2/3 of the tins)
  4. Top with the pecans.
  5. Bake in oven 12-15 minutes or until slightly browned.
  6. Place one muffin on the serving plate, the ham on top and then the other two muffins on top.

Cod Curry with Cashews

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151111 fish curry-9191

 

This is a great dish to serve on a Friday night when you don’t have a lot of time to cook. The curry can be prepared in advance (a day ahead) and only the fish added at the finishing stage.

 

Serves 4

 

500 g Cod Loins, cut into chunks (I would do 12 pieces, allowing for 3 per person)
2 tbsp cooking oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 small fennel, thinly sliced
1 red pepper, thinly sliced
400g chopped tomatoes
100 ml single cream
100 ml coconut milk
2 tsp red curry paste
1 tbsp honey
1 broccoli, cut into small florets
Salt and pepper
Fresh coriander leaves for decoration
200 ml cashews
1/2 tbsp ground cumin
Salt from a salt mill
200 ml Greek yoghurt

  1. Sauté the onion, when soft add the fennel and the pepper and gently sauté another few minutes.
  2. Add the tomatoes, the cream+milk, the curry paste and honey and let simmer a few minutes.
  3. Add the broccoli. Simmer another 5 minutes.
  4. Season with salt and pepper
  5. Add the fish, simmer until done (6-7 minutes depending on the size of your chunks)
  6. Dry roast the cashews in a pan. Add the cumin and salt towards the end.
  7. Serve with the coriander and cashews sprinkled on top and the Greek yoghurt spooned over.

Lime Chicken with Tomato Salad and Mustard Dressing

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151105 Marinated Chicken with Tomato Salad and Mustard Dressing-9252

 

A light and spicy dish that goes very well with a heavier dessert. Can also be combined with cooked quinoa or rice. Serve some extra mustard salad dressing on the side and make sure to drizzle the chicken with lots of the flavoursome marinade when you serve your guests.

 

Serves 4

 

600 g chicken fillets

Marinade:
3 tbsp freshly grated ginger
100 ml olive oil
Fresh coriander, chopped
1 tsp red curry paste
1 lime, juice and zest
2 limes, wedges
Salt and pepper
Red chilli flakes
Coriander for decorations
Mustard Dressing:
50 ml white wine vinegar
2 tbsp dijon mustard
75 ml olive oil
Salt and pepper
1 spring onion, thinly sliced
Flat leaf parsley, shredded

Tomato Salad:
750 mixed colour cherry tomatoes, halved
Gem salad
1 onion, thinly sliced
Black pitted olives
Salt and pepper

  1. Oven at 200C
  2. Combine all ingredients for marinade and pour over chicken. Refrigerate for at least 60 minutes.
  3. For the mustard dressing, whisk the oil, mustard and vinegar together until well blended. Add remaining ingredients and refrigerate.
  4. Place the chicken in an oven proof dish, pour the marinade on top and place in the heated oven for about 20 minutes.
  5. Serve the chicken with lime wedges and chilliflakes on top.
  6. Combine the ingredients for the tomato salad. Drizzle with the dressing.

 

Marinated Monkfish, Caramelized Leek, Crushed Cauliflower, Roasted Parsnips Crisps, Mushrooms with a hint of garlic and Creamy Fennel Puree

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151028 -0935

 

Inspired by the beautiful autumn colours, I created this meal which will take a bit of time in the kitchen but is not so complicated to make. The amazing flavours of the ingredients are brought out by the sweetness of the orange and the saltiness of both the chorizo and the cheese.

Serves 4

Monkfish:
600g monkfish fillets
Juice from 1 orange
Salt and pepper
1 tbsp Olive oil

Caramelized Leek:
2 leeks, finely chopped
2 large shallots, finely chopped
100 g chorizo, cut into small pieces
Juice from 1 orange
½ tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper

Crushed Cauliflower:
2 medium size heads, stalks discarded, flowers separated
Salt
3 tbsp olive oil
150g Parmesan cheese, grated

Roasted Parsnip Crisps:
3 parsnips
Salt and pepper
Olive oil

Mushrooms:
500g closed cup mushrooms, thinly sliced

Olive oil to fry in
1 small garlic clove, crushed
2 tbsp olive oil

Fennel Puree:
5 fennel bulbs, cut into small pieces
Salt and pepper
Juice from 1 lemon
3-4 tbsp Greek youghurt

Monkfish:

  1. Cut the monkfish into serving portions
  2. Marinate the fish in the orange juice, oil and salt/pepper in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Oven at 200C
  4. Place the monkfish and the marinade in an ovenproof dish.
  5. Bake for about 20 minutes, baste often with the liquid.
  6. When done, cover and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Caramelized leeks:

  1. Sauté the shallots and leeks in olive oil until soft. Add the chorizo and sauté another few minutes.
  2. Add the orange juice and let simmer for 15-20 minutes.
  3. Season with salt and pepper.

Crushed Cauliflower:

  1. Oven at 200C
  2. Place the cauliflower pieces on oven tray and sprinkle with a bit of salt and some olive oil.
  3. Roast in the oven until soft and slightly coloured. About 30 minutes.
  4. Leave on oven tray and crush with potato masher. This can be prepared in advance.
  5. Before serving, roast in 200C another 10 minutes. Mix with the Parmesan cheese, stir until melted and serve.

Parsnips:

  1. Slice very thinly on a mandolin, sprinkle with salt and a little bit of olive oil.
  2. Roast in oven in a thin layer for 15 min (200C)

Mushrooms:

  1. Sauté the mushroom until done and all liquid has evaporated.
  2. Add the crushed garlic to 2 tbsp olive oil and add to the pan. Fry for a few more minutes.

Fennel Puree:

  1. Oven at 200C
  2. Roast small pieces of fennel in oven until soft.
  3. Puree with handheld mixer.
  4. Add the lemon juice
  5. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Lastly, for a creamier texture, add the yoghurt.

Saffron Chicken with Quinoa Patties

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151021 Saffron Chicken w Quinoa Patties DSC_8911A light, dairy free (if you take out the Parmesan cheese in the patties), festive meal. Since a lot of it may be prepared in advance, it makes for a good Friday dinner when you don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen.

Serves 6

Quinoa patties:
400 ml quinoa (preferably a mix of different colours)
800 ml vegetable bouillon
A few drops of Tabasco
2 whole eggs
2 tbsp of Parmesan Cheese (or more)
2 tbsp of Chia seeds
Olive oil for frying

Saffron Chicken:
800 g chicken fillets, pieces
Salt and pepper

1 leek, sliced
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 red pepper, chopped
1 small bulb fennel, chopped

600-700g chopped tomatoes
0.4 g saffron
1 tsp of red curry paste (or more if needed)
1 tsp dried rosemary
1-2 cubes chicken stock

Black olives, pitted

Decorations:
Parsley, chopped
1 Carrot, make swirls with a peeler

Quinoa Patties:

  1. Boil the quinoa according to directions on package. Usually about 20 minutes. Do not undercook. Better to add 5-8 minutes on the cooking time.
  2. When done let cool.
  3. Add whisked eggs, Tabasco, cheese and Chia seeds. Let stand at least 30 minutes to allow the Chia seeds to swell.
  4. Over moderate heat, fry the quinoa in small round shapes. Not too thick nor too large, otherwise too difficult to flip. They are rather brittle. If using more cheese they will be sturdier. Fry for 8 minutes per side, until coloured.
  5. Can be made in advance and then reheated in a frying pan.

Saffron Chicken:

  1. Oven at 200C
  2. Place the chicken pieces in greased, ovenproof dish. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. In a deep pan, over medium heat, fry the vegetables until soft. Then add remaining ingredients (except the olives) and simmer for 15 minutes.
  4. Stir in the olives. Pour over chicken and place in oven for 40 minutes.

Serving:

  1. Place 2 patties per plate, slightly on top of each other.
  2. Using a ring mold, spoon the casserole into a circle and drizzle some sauce around it.
  3. Add the chopped parsley and the carrot swirls.

Seafood Saffron Casserole

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151014 Seafood Saffron Casserole-9008

Light and delicious, quick to make and can partly be prepared in advance. The perfect Friday dinner party menu when you don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen.

Serves 4

500 g sea bass fillets or other white, firm fish (such as cod)

150 g large, peeled shrimp
200 g mussels, no shell (optional)

1 leek, thinly sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
2 carrots, sliced
2-4 tbsp olive oil
 
400g chopped tomatoes
150 ml white wine
1 cube fish stock
0,4 g saffron (to release the full flavour, add the strands to the wine 30 minutes before cooking)
Salt and pepper

Parsley, chopped
 

  1. Sauté the vegetables in a large, deep pan.
  2. Add the tomatoes, wine, fish stock and saffron.
  3. Simmer for 15 minutes.
  4. Add the fish
  5. Simmer another 10 minutes (until the fish is done)
  6. Add the shrimp and mussels, re-heat but do not boil.
  7. Serve with parsley on top.

Spicy Beef Casserole with Nutty Fruity Quinoa

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151007 Spicy Beef Casserole with Nutty Fruity Quinoa-9063

This fantastic casserole I’ve found in a magazine and now love to cook with very few adjustments. The nutty fruity quinoa goes well with the many spicy flavours of the casserole. Take care with the chili and the red curry paste as to not make it too spicy. I usually remove the seeds of the chili, taste a small piece of the flesh and then decide if I can use all or just part of it. Tasting and adjusting the seasoning is key when making a casserole.

Serves 4
500g lamb or beef, cut into pieces
Salt and pepper
Olive oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
4 spring onions, sliced
1 cinnamon stick
3 tbsp ginger, freshly grated
1 chili, seeds removed, finely chopped
1 tsp red curry paste
1 dl water
2 tsp gluten free soy sauce
100 g spinach

Nutty Fruity Quinoa:
300 ml multicolored quinoa (mix of red, black and white), washed
600 ml of chicken or vegetable broth
Dried mango, chopped into small pieces
100g of pecans, dry pan roasted and chopped

  1. In a hot pan brown the meat, season with salt and pepper
  2. Add garlic and spring onion , sauté until soft
  3. Add cinnamon, ginger, chili, curry paste, water and soy sauce
  4. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stalk.
  5. Add the spinach, heat until wilted.
  6. Cook the quinoa in the broth according to directions of the package. Add the mango and pecan pices.

Spicy Cod in a Vegetable Garden

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Spicy Cod in a Vegetable Garden-8873

Marinated, Spiced Cod with Cauliflower Quenelle, Steamed vegetables with Basil Sauce and Broccoli Puree. A delicious, easy and light dish that is very fun to arrange on the plate and serve.

Serves 4
Marinated Spiced Cod:
450g cod fillets, skinned and boned and sliced into serving portions

Marinade:
25 ml fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp olive oil
Finely chopped parsley and coriander, about 100 ml
A pinch of salt
A pinch of ground paprika
A pinch of chili powder

Flaked almonds
Thinly sliced lime

Basil Sauce:
5 g parsley
20 g basil
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp rice vinegar
50 g walnuts
1 garlic clove

150 ml olive oil

Cauliflower Quenelle:
One large head of cauliflower, stems and leaves removed, cut into smaller pieces
60g Parmesan cheese, grated
Salt and pepper

Broccoli Puree:
1 medium size heads of broccoli (about 200g) cut into florets
Salt
50 ml single cream
Salt and pepper
2 tbsp lemon juice
Pinch of nutmeg
1tbsp butter

Vegetables in Napkin Ring:
1 carrot, cut into long strips
1 parsnip, cut into long strips
4 thin, miniature asparagus
1 courgette, cut into long strips
1 small cucumber

  1. Combine all ingredients for the marinade and pour over the fish, refrigerate for a few hours. In order for the marinade to better penetrate, make a few cuts into the fish.
  2. Heat oven to 200C. Place the fish in an ovenproof dish. Season with salt and place the lime slices on top. Sprinkle with flaked almonds. Baked in oven for about 20 minutes.
  3. Place all ingredients for the basil sauce, except the oil, in a blender and process until smooth. While processing, slowly add the oil. Set aside.
  4. Boil the cauliflower in salted water until soft. Drain well (if too much water remains you will have to add more cheese to be able to form the shapes of quenelles). Using a hand held blender, puree the cauliflower in the pan. Add some Parmesan cheese, mix well and season with salt and pepper.
  5. Boil the broccoli florets in salted water. When soft, process into puree with blender. Add some cream, salt, pepper, lemon juice and nut meg and process futher. Lastly add the butter.
  6. Make sure the carrot, parsnip, asparagus and courgette are about the same length. Steam (or microwave) the vegetables until soft but still crunchy (the carrot and parsnip a bit longer than the other). Cut thick slices from the cucumber and remove some of the inside as to create a vegetable napkin holder.

Assembly:

  1. Place a spoonful of sauce on a plate.
  2. Prepare the vegetable napkins by placing the cooked vegetable strips inside the cucumber ring and add to the plate.
  3. Spoon the broccoli puree into a piping bottle/bag. Garnish the plate with some long piped lines and place a slice of fish on top.
  4. Using two spoons, create quenelle shapes from the cauliflower mix.