02 January 2013 ,03:21 Recipes I've cooked recently
On holidays and out of my normal routines, my meal preparation also changes. Some days I don't feel like cooking at all, while other days I'm happy to potter in the kitchen, trying out something new or making an old favourite that I've long forgotten about.
 
So far I've made this T ofu and Mushroom Pot Pie. I downscaled the recipe from its twelve portions to six, used a combination of reconstituted shiitakes and button mushrooms, and added some white miso to the filling - the flavour just needed a little more oomph. I also ignored what I can only believe is a typo, where it says the pastry crust will be "one inch thick". Mine was about 75mm and quite biscuity enough. It was absolutely delicious, did us for several meals and I will definitely be making this again.
 
For our New Year's Eve picnic I cooked a Tomato and Pesto Tart based on Martha Rose Shulman's recipe. I made the yeasted olive oil pastry - which turned out really well. Rather than using mustard and goat cheese I spread the base of the tart with home made pesto, topped that with fresh tomatoes and then put a few more dollops of pesto on top. It was a big success.
 
For the same picnic I also made this Giant Couscous and Chickpea Salad, again by Martha Rose Shulman. I wanted this to have a bit more vegetable content and variety, so I doubled the red capsicum and also added three big handfuls of mixed rocket and baby English spinach leaves. I also wanted it to be dairy free, so I left out the yoghurt and feta. I completely forgot to add the pine nuts and ended up doubling the lemon juice, as to my taste buds it needed a little more sour. Again, this was delicious and the leftovers the next day were even better.
 

What have you been cooking recently?

03 November 2011 ,02:42 5 summer foods for the perfect picnic
I had my first picnic of the year last weekend.
 
It was an impromptu decision, making plans to catch up with friends we decided to take advantage of the warm weather.
 
While the picnic was hastily put together, sitting and talking to good friends at the end of the weekend, while watching the sun set over the harbour was quite magical.

I am to be honest a sucker for a picnic. Which means I'm always on the look out for good picnic fare. Here are some suggestions:
 
  • I'm intrigued by this vegan version of the traditional Greek Spinach Pie from Vegan Latina. It uses a mixture of tofu and cashews instead of the cheese and sounds quite delicious.
     
  • Falafels are perfect picnic food, but they are usually deep fried. Which means I have my eye on these baked Herb and Pistachio Falafels from Green Kitchen Stories. I also love their serving suggestion, wrapped in lettuce leaves and topped with mint yoghurt and chilli salsa.
     
  • This salad from Nigel Slater looks like perfect picnic fodder to me. Leftover cooked which is tossed with couscous, oranges and fresh herbs. I'd also add some baby spinach or rocket leaves, to boost the vegetable quota.
     
  • If you have access to a barbecue why not take some Glazed Pork Kebabs. Marinate the ingredients and then thread them onto skewers and cook at your picnic location.  Do make sure you keep them cold during transport though.
     
  • I made these oven baked peppers with fetta and pesto on A Life (Time) of Cooking several times last year (the picture on the right) and they are perfect for picnics. I make them in advance, leave to cool and then transport in a plastic container and serve with flatbreads. Utterly delicious food.



What's your favourite picnic food?

 
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