Category: Recipes

CLOTHILDE’S BEEF WITH WINE, BAY AND THYME

Serves 4

Salt and pepper
1kg. / 2lbs. 4ozs. silverside or topside of beef
1tbsp. oil
2 onions, halved and cut into crescent moons
3 garlic cloves, chopped
150mls. dry white or red wine
4 carrots halved lengthways
2 large tomatoes, quartered
3 thyme sprigs
3 bay leaves
300mls. / 10fl. ozs. chicken or beef stock 

1. Preheat the oven to 140C / gas mark 1.  Season the beef and heat the oil in a large casserole.  Brown the joint all over.  Remove and put the onions in the pan and cook until golden.  Add the garlic for another couple of minutes, then add the wine and bring to the boil.  Return the beef to the casserole along with all the other vegetables and the herbs.
2. Pour the hot stock over.  Season well, cover and cook in the oven for 2½ hours.

TIPS

I cook this meal an awful lot and add other vegetables.  Yesterday it was leeks and parsnips as well as the carrots.  I serve it with mashed potato.  I also allow the meat to rest once it is cooked for a good 15 minutes.  I thicken the cooking juices by adding cornflour (do mix with cold water first) and bring to the boil.

The cookery writer had this dish in France where they serve it with either bread or a gratin of macaroni.  The macaroni was either moistened with juices from the pot roast or with cream, then topped with Parmesan or Gruyere cheese and baked or grilled.  I haven’t tried that version yet.

CHILLED BRAMLEY APPLE AND RICE PUDDING

Serves 6

150g. / 5 ½ ozs. short grain rice
700mls. / 1¼ pints full fat milk
30g. / 1¼ ozs. caster sugar
75ml. / 2 ½fl. ozs. double cream
grated nutmeg or cinnamon

For the apple:

3 Bramley apples, peeled, cored and sliced
100mls. 3½fl. ozs. cider
caster sugar to taste

For the syrup:

150g. / 5½ ozs. caster sugar
To serve:

The remainder of your carton of cream

1. Cover the rice with water in a saucepan and bring to the boil.  Boil for 4 minutes, drain and rinse.  Return the rice to the pan and add the milk and sugar.  Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and cook for about 25 minutes, stirring from time to time.  You may need more milk.  You should end up with a sloppy mixture that still holds its shape.  Remember it will firm up as it cools.  Leave until cold.
2. Put the apples in a pan with the cider and set over a medium heat.  Cover and cook until completely soft, stirring to break them down every so often.  Once cooked add sugar to taste.
3. To make the syrup put the sugar into a pan with 100mls. / 3½ fl.ozs. water.  Heat slowly until the sugar has dissolved.  Then bring to the boil and watch until the syrup turns to caramel.  Swish the pan a bit.  Once it becomes caramel, you will know by the smell and colour, immediately add about 8 tbsps. water and wish around.  Stir so the caramel dissolves in the water.
4. Layer the components up in glasses.  Start with some apple, then caramel, then rice pudding, then caramel.  Repeat.  Spoon whipped cream on top and drizzle with caramel.  Refrigerate until serving.

TIPS

Do watch when adding the water to the caramel as it will spit and is very hot!!  You need to watch caramel very carefully as you do not want it to burn.  Stand by the saucepan and don’t answer the ‘phone.

If making caramel is a step too far for you you could just have a thin layer of chopped nuts or crushed ginger biscuits, which would add a contrast colour wise. I think ginger biscuits would be rather nice in fact. 

BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP WITH CHILLI AND CREME FRAICHE – Serves 4

1 butternut squash, about 1kg., peeled and deseeded
2 tbsps. olive oil
1 tbsp.butter
2 onions, diced
1 garlic clove, chopped
2 mild red chillies, deseeded and finely chopped
850mls. hot vegetable stock
4 tbsps. creme fraiche, plus extra to serve

Heat the oven to 200C / fan 180C / gas mark 6.  Cut the squash into large chunks, deseed, then toss in a roasting tin with 1 tbsp.of the oil.

Roast for 30 minutes, until golden and soft.

Melt the butter with the remaining 1 tbsp. oil, add the onion, garlic and 3/4’s of the diced chilli.  Cook until the onions are soft.  Tip the squash into the pan, add the stock and 4 tbsps. creme fraiche and whizz with a stick blender, or in a liquidiser, until smooth.  Return to the pan and gently reheat, then season to taste.

Serve in bowls with swirls of creme fraiche and a scattering of the remaining chilli.  

TIP

Squash is much easier to peel after it has been roasted.  You can easily scrape it off the skin.  Jamie Oliver is a great one for eating the skin as well as it softens when cooked.  Give it a good scrub if you are planning to do that.

 

PEAR AND FRANGIPANE TART – Serves 6

Pastry:

250g. plain flour
125g. cold, unsalted butter
50g. caster sugar
pinch of salt and cinnamon – optional

Pears:

4 barely ripe pears
2 tbsps. soft brown sugar
50g. unsalted butter
1 tbsp. demerara sugar
1 tbsp. flaked almonds

Frangipane:

75g. soft, unsalted butter
75g. caster sugar
1 large egg, beaten
20g. plain flour
75g. ground almonds
dash of vanilla extract

First make the pastry.  Rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips, until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.  This can be done easily in a food processor.  Then add the sugar, cinnamon and salt if using. Mix together with cold water (about 50mls.) until you have a dough.  Pat into a round, wrap in clingfilm and put in the fridge to rest for about 30 minutes.

Peel, quarter and core the pears and cut the quarters into 2.  Heat the butter and sugar and cook gently for a few minutes, until the pears soften,  Drain in a sieve, retaining all the sauce.  Cool the sauce in the fridge for later.

To make the frangipane cream the butter and sugar and add the egg, flour, almonds and vanilla.  Beat well until fluffy.

Roll out the pastry to a large circle, no bigger than 4 mm. and put on a greased baking sheet.  Set the oven at 200C / gas mark 6.  Spread the frangipane on the pastry leaving a 2cm. border.  Arrange the pears on top and sprinkle with the demerara sugar and almonds.  Bake for 20 minutes and allow to cool for 10 – 15 minutes.  Serve trickled with some of the sauce and with cream or ice cream.. 

 

TIP

You can buy your pastry if you do not wish to make it but make sure you get all butter shortcrust, it is so much better.  If you make your own pastry make sure the butter is really cold.  I would turn the edge of the pastry circle over slightly to form a rim and stop any juice making the bottom of the pastry soggy.  Drain the pears well.  You could always cook the pears the day before and make the pastry, but let it come to room temperature before cooking if you have done so.   

HASSELBACK AUBERGINE PARMIGIANA – Serves 4

1 large onion, chopped
5 tbsps. olive oil
3 crushed garlic cloves
2 tbsps. tomato puree
500mls. tomato passata
400g. tin chopped tomatoes
2 1/2 tsps. dried oregano
1 tsp. caster sugar
large pinch of chilli flakes (optional)
2 large aubergines
50g. grated Parmesan
1 mozzarella ball
30g. dried breadcrumbs
small handful fresh basil

1. Heat the oven to 200C fan / gas mark 7.  In a large frying pan heat 1 tbsp. of the oil and fry the onion for 5 minutes.  Add garlic fry for one more minute.  Then add the tomato puree and fry for a further minute.
2. Pour in the passata, chopped tomatoes, 2 tsps. dried oregano, the caster sugar and chilli if using.  Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes until slightly reduced.  Pour the sauce into your baking dish.
3. Take the aubergines and make widthways cuts at 1cm. intervals, three quarters of the way through, so the slices are still attached at the bottom.  Drizzle with 3 tbsps. olive oil, getting into the cuts.  Spoon a little tomato sauce into the cuts, along with 30g. grated Parmesan.  Arrange the aubergines in the baking dish on top of the sauce and bake for 30 minutes or until the aubergines are slightly charred.
4. Cut the mozzarella ball into 6 – 8 pieces then dot over the aubergines.  In a small bowl mix the dried breadcrumbs with 20g. grated Parmesan, 1 tbsp. olive oil and 1/2 tsp. dried oregano.  Sprinkle over the aubergines and bake for a further 20 – 30 minutes until the cheese is golden and the aubergines are tender.  Top with fresh basil and serve with crusty bread and a green salad.  

 

BEETROOT SALAD = Serves 4

2 medium beetroot
dash olive oil
20g. blanched almonds
1/2 tsp. cumin seeds
1 red eating apple cut into 2cm cubes
1 green eating apple cut into 2cm. cubes
1/2 small red onion sliced
handful fresh herbs
salt and pepper

Dressing:

150g. plain yogurt
1 lime, zest and juice
2 tsps. runny honey

1. Pre-heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas mark 6.
2. Line a baking tray with kitchen foil and place the beetroot in the middle.  Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with oil.  Wrap the foil around the beetroots, seal and bake for 1 hour.
3. Place a small frying pan over a low heat and toast the nuts and cumin seeds for 2 minutes.  Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
4. Peel and cut the beetroot into 2cm. cubes and place in a large, glass bow.  Stir in the apple, nuts, seeds and herbs.
5. To make the dressing mix the ingredients together in a bowl.  Just before serving dress the salad and mix well. 

TIPS

The best Mozzarella is buffalo mozzarella.  You could use Parmigiano Reggiano rather than Parmesan, or even a strong Cheddar if you wished.

Do not prepare the beetroot salad too much in advance as the apple will discolour.  If preparing it slightly in advance toss the apple in lemon juice which will stop them going brown.

When toasting the nuts and seeds do be careful as they burn very easily.  Do not have your heat too high.

SPRING PEA DIP

250g. frozen peas or petit pois
a large knob of butter
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 large garlic clove, finely chopped
1 x 100g. bag watercress, spinach and rocket
25g. hard cheese finely grated
1 tbsps. chopped mint leaves
2 tbsps. olive oil
Extra mint leaves and cheese shavings to decorate

This can be made up to 2 days ahead and chilled.  Remove from the fridge 2 hours before serving.  It can also be frozen but leave out the mint.  Defrost and allow to come to room temperature before adding the mint, finely chopped.

Put the peas in a large bowl and cover with just boiled water.  Leave to stand for 5 minutes, then drain in a sieve, and run under cold water.

Meanwhile, heat the butter in a frying pan, add the shallot and cook gently for 5minutes, stir in the garlic and cook for a further 2 minutes.  Add the salad leaves plus 1 tbsp. water and cover with a lid.  Cook gently for 2 – 3 minutes until wilted.  Stir in the peas and remove from the heat.

Transfer to a food processor with the grated cheese, mint and olive oil.  Whizz briefly to a chunky puree.  Season, transfer to a serving bowl and decorate with cheese shavings and mint leaves.  Serve with bread, toasted or otherwise. 

FRESH STRAWBERRY CAKE

250g. plain flour
1 1/2 tsps. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
85g. unsalted butter, softened, plus more for greasing the pan
225g. caster sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp.vanilla extract
120mls. milk
About 340g. strawberries (see below), hulled and halved (but quarter if large)

Preheat the oven to 180.  You will cook the cake for 10 minutes at this temperature and then reduce to 165 for about 35 minutes.

Butter a 9 inch deep dish or a 9 inch square cake tin.  In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.  Set aside.

In another bowl beat the butter and all the sugar apart from 2 tbsps. until pale and fluffy, about 3minutes.  Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat again until well combined.  Gradually add the flour mixture, alternating with the milk, and beat on low speed until smooth.  It will be like a thick batter.

Transfer the batter to the prepared dish / tin and smooth with a spatula.  Arrange the strawberries on top, cut side down, so that they completely cover the batter (use more or less if necessary).  Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tbsps. sugar.

Bake until the cake is lightly golden and a tester comes out clean.  It can take up to another 35 – 50 minutes.  Let the cake cool in the dish / tin and serve with whipped cream or ice cream.  The cake can be stored loosely covered for several days at room temperature.

NOTES

I thought the dip would be nice to serve with drinks in the garden, always providing the weather holds and felt a strawberry recipe was called for at this time of year.  The chef baked his cake in an earthenware dish.  I would serve it directly from the dish.  If you use a tin instead I would line it.  I am a great one for lining tins, even when the instructions do not tell you to.  It just makes life so much easier.

LEEK AND KALE PEARL BARLEY RISOTTO WITH CRISPY BACON – Serves 4

3 leeks, finely sliced
oil for frying
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
150g. bacon lardons or bacon chopped into small pieces
250g. pearl barley
1 litre chicken stock
200g. chopped curly kale
3 tbsps. creme fraiche
juice of 1 lemon
finely chopped parsley (optional)

1. Heat a glug of oil in a large, deep frying pan and add the leeks.  Fry for 3 – 4 minutes, then add the garlic, half the bacon and the pearl barley.  Gently fry for a further 2 – 3 minutes, then slowly start to add the chicken stock.

2. As the pearl barley absorbs the stock, keep slowly adding more.  When three quarters of the stock has been added (this will take 15 – 20 minutes) pour in the remaining stock, then gently simmer until the barley is cooked (another 10 – 15 minutes).

3. Meanwhile, in a small frying pan cook the remaining bacon and set aside.  Stir the kale into the barley in batches and simmer for a few minutes.

4. Season to taste, stir in the creme fraiche and lemon juice then serve up sprinkled with parsley if you wish.

NOTES;

You can, of course, make this dish vegetarian by omitting the bacon.

You get more juice from a lemon if you roll it first, don’t ask me why, I was taught that tip at Catering College.

If rice risottos frighten you there are quite a few oven baked risotto recipes to be found on the internet.  They are very successful, I have tried some.

RHUBARB AND WHISKEY FOOL – Serves 4. 

400g. rhubarb
500mls. water
100g. caster sugar
1 tbsp. runny honey
284mls. double cream
3 tbsps. whiskey

1. Chop the rhubarb into pieces and place in a saucepan with the water, sugar and honey.  Bring to the boil and simmer until thick with strands of broken-down rhubarb.  Leave to cool, preferably overnight.

2. Whip the cream until it is really stiff and doesn’t move.  Mix the whiskey into the rhubarb and finally fold this into the whipped cream.  I would whip the cream and fold in the fruit at the last minute when ready to serve the dessert and not do it in advance.

Jane’s Borscht

Serves 6

500g. / 1lb. 2ozs. raw beetroot, peeled and grated (or finely chopped into small cubes)
500g. / 1lb. 2ozs. red cabbage, finely shredded
3 tbsps. tomato puree
2 tbsps. red wine vinegar
125g. / 4 1/2 ozs. butter
1.2 litres beef stock (use vegetable if preferred)
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, grated
salt and pepper
1 tbsp. brown sugar

To garnish

275mls. / 1/2pt. soured cream

Put the beetroot and red cabbage into a large saucepan.  Stir in the tomato puree, vinegar, half the butter and the stock.  Cover, bring to the boil and simmer for 1 hour.

Melt the remaining butter and saute the onion and carrot until soft.  Add to the beetroot and red cabbage mixture, cover and simmer gently for a further 15 minutes.  Taste for seasoning and add the brown sugar.  Serve garnished with sour cream.

Carrot Puree

This works well as a sauce for lamb meatballs, but is also delicious as a dip with pitta bread or spread over barbecued kebabs.

4 large carrots
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
juice of 1/2 lemon
a few sprigs of fresh mint
4 tbsps. natural yoghurt
freshly ground black pepper, sea salt
2 garlic cloves

Peel and chop the carrots.  Place in a pan with water and bring to the boil.  Simmer until they are very tender.  Drain away the water and return to a low heat.

Add the olive oil and the caraway seeds and sweat for a moment.  Cool before blending with half the lemon juice and then add the mint leaves.  Add more oil if needed.  Turn into a bowl.

Beat the yogurt with some salt and pepper, remaining lemon juice and the crushed garlic.  Make a well in the centre of the carrot puree and put the yogurt mixture into this. 

NOTES

I tried this puree without the mint leaves with beetroot and it was lovely but took longer to soften the beetroot than the carrots.

Caraway seeds can be found at Handley Organics, they have a very distinctive flavour which I really like.

Serves 6

Ingredients

2 tbsps. olive oil
2 medium lamb shanks, about 425g. each
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 leek, trimmed, halved lengthways and chopped
2 medium parsnips, about 250g., chopped into 1cm. cubes
250g. peeled celeriac, chopped into 1cm. cubes
350g. carrots, chopped into 1cm. cubes
2 bay leaves
3 tbsps. thyme leaves
100g. pearl barley, rinsed
2 tbsps. tomato puree
1 x 500ml. bottle of ale
1.5ltr. vegetable, chicken or lamb stock
150g. shredded kale

For the cheddar puffs:

1 x 320g. sheet ready rolled puff pastry
100g. mature cheddar, grated
3 tbsps. milk

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 150C / fan 130C / gas mark 2. Heat 1 tbsp. of the oil in a large, heavy based casserole.  Season the lamb shanks, brown them all over on a high heat and remove to a plate.
2. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan with the onion and leek and cook for 4 – 5 minutes until starting to soften. Tip in the parsnips, celeriac, carrots, bay leaves and thyme with some seasoning and cook for 2 – 3 minutes.
3. Add the pearl barley and tomato puree and cook for 1 minute, stirring. Pour in the ale and the stock and return the lamb to the pan,  The pearl barley will absorb a lot of the liquid.  Bring to the boil, then cover and cook in the oven for 2 hours.  The vegetables, barley and lamb should all be tender, with the meat coming off the bone easily.  Cook for another 15 – 30 minutes if necessary.  Remove the bay leaves, check the seasoning and add the kale and stir through.  Return to the oven for another 5 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, unroll the pastry sheet and give it another roll with a rolling pin until it is quite thin. Cut the pastry in half, scatter most of the cheese over one piece, and put the other piece on top.  Roll together to seal in the cheese and using a 6cm. cutter stamp out 18 or so rounds and place on a lined baking tray.  Brush with the milk and sprinkle the tops with the rest of the cheese.
5. Remove the casserole from the oven and increase the temperature to 200C / fan 180C / gas mark 6. Bake the puffs for 12 – 15 minutes until crisp and golden.
6. Lift the lamb shanks out on to a board and use 2 forks to pull the meat apart into large shreds. Stir back through the casserole.  Ladle into bowls and serve topped with the cheddar puffs.

Tips

You can vary the vegetables used e.g. use swede instead of celeriac if preferred.  Portions can be adjusted if cooking for less than 6.  I would just use one lamb shank if I was feeding 4 but probably stick to the same number of vegetables, stock etc . as it could always be eaten the following day as a hearty soup.