Chicken Schnitzel with Bacon and White Wine

This speedy supper will satisfy everyone!!
1 tsp. garlic-infused olive oil
4 strips bacon
4 x 4 oz. chicken escalopes or boned and skinner breast tenders or thighs
1/3 cup white wine

Put the oil in a skillet and add the bacon. Fry until the bacon is cooked and the pan is full of bacon juices. Remove the bacon to a piece of foil and wrap to keep warm. Fry the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side, depending on the thickness, or until cooked through. Make sure the pan is hot so that the chicken catches a little, turning is bronze.

Remove the chicken to a serving plate, then crumble in the bacon and pour in the wine. Bubble until slightly thickened, then pour over the chicken to serve.

Serves 4

Parmesan French Toast

While obviously a contender for Sunday brunch, this savory take on French toast is wonderful any time. Serve it with soups, stews or a simple roast chicken.

Parmesan French Toast

1 egg
3 tbs. finely grated Parmesan cheese
3 tbs. whole milk
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp. paprika
2 slices sourdough bread, not too thickly cut
1 tbs. butter
1/2 tbs. olive oil

Whisk together the egg, Parmesan, milk, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and paprika in a shallow dish that will fit the bread snugly.

Add the bread and let it sit for 2 minutes per side to soak up the liquid and soften slightly.

Warm the butter and oil in a skillet over a medium heat. Once the butter is beginning to bubble, add the bread. Cook until golden, then flip and cook on the other side. Transfer to a plate and serve.

 

Shrimp Pasta Rosa

This subtle and simple pasta is a pleasure both to make and to eat.

1 tbs. tomato paste
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup mascarpone
1 tbs. garlic-flavored olive oil
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
6 oz. raw, peeled shrimp
5 tbs. red vermouth
8 oz. taglierini

Boil a large pot of water, then add a good bit of salt.

Stir together the tomato paste, milk and mascarpone and set aside.

In a wok or large pan, warm the olive oil and add the red pepper flakes, giving a stir in the heat before adding the shrimp. Stir-fry for a minute or two by which time they should be almost cooked through.

Pour in the vermouth and let it bubble excitedly. When it has reduced a little, add the sauce and stir until everything is hot.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta per package instructions, drain and toss with the shrimp and sauce. Divide between two bowls and serve immediately.

Served 2

Butterflied Leg of Lamb with Bay Leaves and Balsamic Vinegar

Succulent and scented with fresh bay leaves, this is perfect and effortless for a Sunday lunch.

3 lb. boned and butterflied leg of lamb
6 fresh bay leaves, snipped, plus whole leaves to serve (optional)
2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbs. balsamic vinegar
3 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced thinly

Heat the oven to 425°F. Place the lamb in a shallow, sturdy roasting tin, skin-side down.

Scatter with the snipped bay leaves and half the salt, then pour over the oil and vinegar. Push the garlic slices into the crevices where you can and lay the rest on top. Leave to marinade for 30 minuets.

Turn the lamb over, so that now the skin side is up and sprinkle with the remaining salt. Roast for 30 minutes.

Remove and tent with foil for 15 minutes. Slice and place on a serving plate. Tuck extra whole bay leaves around the edges, if using.

Slow-Roasted Garlic and Lemon Chicken

This lovely chicken recipe is a doddle to make and gorgeous to eat!

8 – 10 chicken pieces
1 head garlic, separated but unpeeled
2 lemons, cut into eighths
small handful fresh thyme, most leaves removed, but a few left intact to serve
3 tbs. olive oil
10 tbs. white wine or vermouth
black pepper

Heat the oven to 300°F. Put the chicken in a roasting pan along with the garlic, lemons and the thyme leaves. Pour in the olive oil, then mix everything together with your hands. Sprinkle over the wine and grind in the pepper.

Cover tightly with foil and roast for 2 hours. Turn the heat up to  400°F, remove the foil and roast for 30-45 more minutes or until the skin is browned and the lemons are caramelized. Toss over the remaining thyme sprigs and serve.

Serves 4 – 6

Turkish Eggs

Poached eggs atop garlicy yogurt and drizzled with a peppery butter sauce……YUM!

200g plain Greek yogurt
1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
1 tsp. sea salt flakes
2 tbs. unsalted butter
1 tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp. Aleppo pepper flakes or alternative
2 eggs, fridge-cold
2 tsp. lemon juice
chopped fresh dill
bread, to toast and serve

Fill a wide-ish saucepan with water and heat to a low simmer.

Stir together the yogurt, garlic and salt in a heat-proof bowl. Place over a small saucepan of simmering water (making sure the bowl does not touch the water) and stir until the yogurt is a room temperature and has the consistency of lightly whipped cream. Turn off the heat and leave as is.

Gently melt the butter in a small saucepan until it just becomes a hazelnut brown color. Turn off the heat, stir in the pepper flakes and set aside.

Now to poach the eggs. Crack one into a small fine-mesh strainer and let the watery part of the white drain off. Gently tip into a small cup or ramekin, then add 1 tsp. off lemon juice. Repeat with the second egg, then carefully lay them into the simmering water and turn the heat down so there is no movement. Leave for 3-4 minutes then remove with a slotted spoon and place on a plate lined with kitchen towel to absorb any water.

Divide the creamy yogurt between two bowl, place a egg on top and drizzle with the butter. Sprinkle with dill and serve with toasted bread.

 

Easy Almond Cake

This cake is a jot to make and simply divine to eat. Soften the marzipan in the microwave for a few seconds to make it easier to incorporate into the batter.

1 cup plus 2 tbs. softened,, unsalted butter
1 cup plus 2 tbs. softened marzipan
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. almond extract
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
6 large eggs
1 cup self-rising cake flour (or 1 cup self-rising flour….remove 2 tbs. and add 2 tbs. cornstarch)

Heat the oven to 350°F and butter, then flour a 10″ springform tube pan.

Chop the butter and marzipan, then put them along with the sugar in the food processor. Whizz until combined and fairly smooth. Add the almond and vanilla extracts, then beat in the eggs one at a time. Mix in the flour and pour into the prepared tin.

Bake for 50 minutes, but check after 40. The cake should be golden and a cake tester should come out clean. Leave to cool completely in the tin.

Serves 10-12

Lamb and Date Tagine

This is a lovely and luscious stew – sweet and rich – just right for a cozy supper.

3-4 tbs. goose fat or olive oil
2 onions, peeled and chopped
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground turmeric
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. ground allspice
2 lbs. cubed lamb shoulder
1 cup soft, dried, pitted dates
1 cup pomegranate juice
1 cup water
2 tsp. sea salt flakes

Warm the goose fat or oil in a large, shallow pan that has a lid. Add the onion and cook gently over a low heat until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir in the cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, cumin and allspice.

Turn up the heat and add the meat, turning it patiently in the pan so that it sears evenly. Drop in the dates, pour in the pomegranate juice and water, then add the salt and bring to a bubble.

Lower the heat, cover the pan and simmer for 2 hours. Alternatively, you can cook it for 2 hours in the oven at 300°F.

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