Category: Nigella Bites

Vietnamese Chicken and Mint Salad

A fresh and zingy take on a classic.

1 red chili, deseeded and finely chopped
1 fat clove garlic, peeled and minced
1 tbs. sugar
1 tbs. rice vinegar
1 1/2 tbs. lime juice
1 1/2 tbs. fish sauce
1 1/2 tbs. vegetable oil
half a medium onion, finely chopped
2 cups shredded white cabbage
1 medium carrot, peeled and shredded
1 cup cooked and shredded chicken
3 tbs. freshly chopped mint

In a large bowl, stir together the chili through the oil, then leave to sit for 1/2 hour. Tip in the remaining ingredients and toss well. Check seasoning and add black pepper and sea salt, if needed.

Serves 4

Salmon with Ginger, Soy and Rice Vinegar

The original recipe poured the marinade over sliver-thin slices of salmon and serve it raw as a starter. The variation below marinates regular-sized salmon fillets, then grills them.

1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1″ piece ginger, peeled and grated
1 tbs. toasted sesame oil
3 scallions, sliced
4 salmon fillets, skinned

Tip the soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, sesame oil and scallions in a flat dish that will hold the salmon in a single layer. Add the salmon and leave to marinate for 2 hours.

Remove the salmon from the dish, heat the grill and cook for 4-6 minutes per side, depending on how thick the fillets are and how you like your salmon.

Meanwhile, tip the marinade into a small saucepan and bubble gently to reduce. Pour over the salmon to serve.

Serves 4

Pasta with Garlic Oil and Bacon

 

Simple perfection!

2 tbs. garlic-infused olive oil
1/2 lb. bacon lardons or pancetta
1/2 lb. pasta
shaved Parmesan, to serve

Heat the oil in a skillet and cook the bacon until crisp. Turn off the heat and set aside.

Boil a large pot of water and salt it well. Cook the pasta according to the packet directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking water and drain. Tip the pasta into the skillet and toss well, adding enough pasta water to make a creamy sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan to serve.

Serves 2

Salmon Fish Cakes

If you fancy tartar sauce, by all means, serve it alongside these lovely fish cakes.

For the fish cakes:

1 1/2 cups cold mashed potatoes
1 lb. canned salmon
1 tbs. melted butter (if the potatoes don’t already have any butter in them)
fat pinch cayenne pepper
grated zest of 1/2 lemon
1 egg
salt and pepper

For the coating and cooking:

2 eggs
scant 1/2 cup matzo meal (or other bread crumb)
scant 4 tbs. butter
2 tbs. vegetable oil

In a large bowl, tip in all the ingredients for the fish cakes. Gently mix together with your hands, then form into 7 – 9 palm-sized patties. Place on a baking sheet and chill for at least 20 minutes.

When ready to cook, beat the eggs in a shallow, wide bowl and sprinkle the matzo meat into a large plate. One by one, dip the fish cakes into the beaten egg and then into the matzo meal. Return to the baking sheet.

Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet and fry the fish cakes until the outside is golden and the inside is warmed through.

Serves 4

The Union Square Cafe’s Bar Nuts

Keep these on hand for drinks parties and everyday nibbling.

2 1/4 cups mixed raw nuts
2 tbs. coarsely chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 tsp. dark brown sugar
2 tsp. Maldon or other sea salt
1 tbs. butter, melted

Heat the oven to 350°F and spread the nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown.

Transfer to a bowl and toss with the remaining ingredients. Serve warm or keep in an airtight container.

Salmon with Greens and Shitake Mushrooms

This is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. The salmon can be grilled on the barbecue is the weather is dry.

2 skinned, salmon fillets
1 clove garlic, finely minced
2 tbs. vegetable oil
generous 1/2 cup shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced or halved
1 3/4 cups roughly chopped bok choy, white stems and green leaves separted
3 tbs. soy sauce
1 tsp. sesame oil
pepper to taste

Cook the salmon fillets in a good, non-stick pan or griddle until done to your liking. Remove to warmed plates and set aside.

In a heavy-based pan, fry the garlic in the vegetable oil for a few seconds, then stir in the mushrooms and bok choy stems. Cover for 5 minutes or so, then add the bok choy leaves, the soy sauce and the sesame oil. Leave to bubble until the vegetables are tender.

Pile the mushrooms and boo choy next to the salmon and serve.

Serves 2

Gingery-Hot Duck Salad

This sublime salad is a perfect recipe for duck. The citrus and ginger dressing is just right.

1 duck breast or leg and thigh
2 tbs. fish sauce
juice of 1/2 orange
juice of 1/2 lemon
1 small red chili, deseeded and finely chopped or 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/2″ piece of ginger, peeled and grated
few drops of sesame oil
2 green onions, sliced
handful greens such as spinach, arugula, watercress, etc.

Stir together the fish sauce, orange juice, lemon juice, chili, ginger and sesame oil. Set aside.

Grill or saute the duck, fat side down, if not removed, for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through. Leave to rest on a cutting board for a few minutes, then slice into slices or pieces.

Pour any pan juices into the dressing. Arrange the greens on a plate, sprinkle with green onions, place duck on top and drizzle the dressing over.

Serves 2

Salmon with Greens and Shitake Mushrooms

This fast and fabulous supper will become a staple in your kitchen – I guarantee it!!

2 skinned salmon fillets
1 garlic clove, finely minced or chopped
2 tbs. vegetable or peanut oil
generous 1/2 cup stemmed and sliced shiitake mushrooms
2 bok choy, roughly chopped, with stems separated from leaves
3 tbs. soy sauce
1 tsp. sesame oil
pepper to taste

Heat a nonstick pan or wok over a medium-high heat and cook the salmon for several minutes a side or until cooked through. Remove to two warmed plates.

Add the oil to the pan and fry the garlic just until it softens. Stir in the mushrooms and chopped bok choy stems. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes, then remove the lid and add the chopped bok choy leaves, soy sauce and sesame oil. Cook 1-2 more minutes until the leaves have wilted.

Divide the veg between the two plates, season with pepper and serve.

Serves 2

Corn Pudding

This sensational side dish would be perfect with a holiday meal …… think Thanksgiving!!!

5 eggs
2 1/4 cups canned sweet corn, drained
1 3/4 cups creamed corn
1 1/3 cups whole milk
1 1/3 cups heavy cream
generous 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese (optional)

Heat the oven to 375°F and butter a 10 x 12″ baking dish.

Whisk the eggs and then stir in the remaining ingredients. Pour into the buttered dish, sprinkle with cheese (if using)  and bake for 1 hour, by which time it should be golden and puffed.

Serves 8

Lemon Risotto

This luscious risotto is delicately scented with lemon and a bit of rosemary adds just the right amount of earthiness.

2 shallots
1 rib of celery
1/4 cup butter
1 tbs. olive oil
1 1/3 cups risotto rice
4 cups vegetable stock
zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
2 small sprigs of rosemary, finely chopped
1 egg yolk
4 tbs. grated Parmesan cheese, plus more to sprinkle
4 tbs. heavy cream

Put the shallots and celery in a mini food processor and blitz to a fine mush. Heat half the butter and all the oil in a wide saucepan and add the shallots and celery. Cook gently to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the rice, letting it get a good coating of the oil and butter.

Meanwhile, heat the stock in another saucepan, then keep on low.

Pour a ladleful of the stock into the rice and stir until it is incorporated. Continue doing this until the rice is al dente. You may not need all the stock, or you might need more water from the kettle, depending on your rice.

Stir the lemon zest and rosemary into the risotto. In small bowl, combine the lemon juice, egg yolk, Parmesan and cream. When the risotto is ready, stir this in along with the remaining butter. Season well and serve with more Parmesan grated over the top.

Serves 2 as supper or 4 as a side