Asian Flavored Short Ribs

This stew is remarkable in its ease for entertaining and its fullness of flavor. Serve with short grain brown rice and a green veg.

5 1/2 lbs. beef short ribs, cut into 2″ squares
1 cup hoisin sauce
2 cups water
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup Chinese rice wine
2 tbs. Chinese 5 spice powder
1 tbs. crushed red pepper flakes
1 tbs. Asian sesame oil
4 fat cloves of garlic, peeled and finely grated or minced
1 fresh red chili, deseeded and finely chopped, to serve
2-3 tbs. fresh coriander, chopped, to serve
3-4 lime wedges, to serve

Heat the oven to 300°F. Clatter the short ribs into a large pan that has a lid. Mix together the hoisin sauce, water, soy sauce, wine, 5 spice powder, red pepper flakes, sesame oil and garlic, then pour over the ribs. Cover everything with a layer of parchment paper, tucking it in around the ribs, then cover with the lid. Roast for 4 – 4 1/2 hours until the meat is tender and coming away from the bone. Allow to cool for a bit.

Transfer the ribs into a bowl and gently remove the bones. Cover and chill for at least 1 day or up to 3 days.

Before reheating the ribs, remove the hard layer of fat that will have formed on the top and discard. Transfer the meat to a oven-proof dish, cover with a lid or foil and reheat at 400°F for 1 hour or until piping hot.

Scatter the red chili, and coriander over the top and serve with lime wedges.

Serves 6 – 8

Steaks with Anchovy Cream Sauce

This is a twist on the classic Steak au Poivre, but instead of giving the cream sauce a punch with pepper, Nigella uses anchovies. They melt into the sauce and add an earthiness and deep flavor that is utterly irresistible.

2 steaks, rump, strip, rib-eye or fillet
1 tsp. sea salt flakes
2 tsp. regular olive oil
1 tsp. unsalted butter
4 anchovy fillets, finely chopped
1 fat clove garlic, minced
2 tbs. fresh chives, finely chopped
75ml heavy cream

Take the steaks out of the fridge and sprinkle them with the salt on both sides. Leave them to come to room temperature.

Pour the oil into a heavy-based skillet in which the steaks will fit without too much empty space around them. Turn the heat to high. When the oil is hot, add the steaks and cook 3 minutes a side for rare, or longer for more well done.

Take the pan off the heat and transfer the steaks to a plate, then tent with foil. Put the pan back on the heat and turn it to low. Add the butter to the pan juices. When melted, stir in the anchovies and garlic. Cook for a minute or so until the anchovies melt into the butter. Add most of the chives and pour in the cream. Let the sauce boil and thicken, then remove from the heat. Pour over the steaks and serve sprinkled with the remaining chives.

Serves 2

Tagliatelle with Chicken from the Venetian Ghetto

The title is classic Nigella (a little cheeky) and the taste is just as fabulous. Use a rotisserie chicken if time is an issue and we are instructed, “No cheese, please.”

3 lb. chicken
2 tbs. olive oil, plus more as needed
1 tbs. finely chopped rosemary leaves, 2-3 sprigs
50g sultanas (soaked in warm water for 30 minutes) (1/3 cup)
100g toasted pinenuts (3/4 cup)
1 lb. tagliatelle
2 tbs. freshly chopped parsley

Heat the oven to 350°F. Rub the chicken with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place in a roasting tin and cook for 1-1 1/2 hours until well browned and the juices run clear when the thigh is pierced. Take the chicken out of the oven and leave to stand for 15 minutes. Take the meat off the bone, keeping the skin, and cut or tear into pieces.

Put a large pot on to boil.

Pour all the juices from the roasting tin into a saucepan. Add the rosemary, sultanas and pine nuts, then simmer gently while you cook the pasta. Salt the boiling water well and cook the pasta for 1-2 minutes. Drain and toss with the chicken and sauce. Serve in a large bowl topped with chopped parsley.

Serves 6

 

Fresh Tagliatelle

Dust off that old pasta maker from the 90’s and try this easy, fun and delicious tagliatelle.

400g OO flour (2 2/3 cup)
1 fat pinch of salt
4 large eggs

Either put the flour and salt in a bowl or on a clean work surface. Form it into a mound and crack in the eggs into the mound. Work with your hands or a spoon until the mixture comes together in a claggy mess. Knead for a few minutes until smooth and satiny. Form it into a ball, cover with a tea towel and leave for 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.

Have more OO flour at the ready and begin to roll out the pasta.  Cut the ball into strips and feed through the pasta maker as directed. Nigella recommends repeating the no. 1 setting several times, folding the dough in half each time. Pass it through up to no. 5, then put through the tagliatelle cutter. Toss immediately with OO flour and leave to dry a bit.

Cook in plenty of boiling, salted water for just 1-2 minutes, or until tender. Toss with your favorite sauce.

 

Courgette Fritters

These are special due to the addition of feta cheese and the use of both fresh and dried mint. The perfect side dish or veggie main course.

4 medium courgettes
6 scallions, chopped
8 oz. crumbled feta cheese
small bunch fresh mint, chopped
small bunch fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp. dried mint
1 tsp. paprika
1 cup flour
3 eggs, beaten
olive oil, to fry

Coarsely grate the courgettes and wrap the gratings in a tea towel for 20 minutes to reduce the moisture. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the remaining ingredients except the olive oil. Season well.

Heat a griddle pan over a medium heat, then brush on some olive oil. Drop small mounds of the courgette mixture onto the pan and cook until browned on the bottom. Flip over and brown on the other side. Serve warm.

Serves 4

Catalan Toasts

Something akin to Italian tomato bruschetta where the tomatoes are roughly chopped, this Spanish version finely chops the tomatoes into a fuzzy mush. They are spread on toasted bread and make a fabulous side dish or easy lunch.

1 large, very ripe tomato (not beefsteak), chopped very finely
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
3 chunky slices sourdough or other rustic bread, halved

Having chopped the tomato, keep  it on the board and add the garlic, mashing them together with a fork. Transfer to a small bowl and add the olive oil. You should have about 1/2 cup. Ideally, leave the mixture to sit for a while.

Toast the bread, spread with the tomato mixture and sprinkle with sea salt flakes.

Serves 2-3

Mussels with Pasta and Tomatoes

These marvelous moules are a jot to make and a delight to eat. By the time it takes to cook pasta, supper is sorted. Place the pan in the middle of the table and serve this family style in large bowls.

Mussels with Pasta and Tomatoes

2 lbs. mussels
8 oz. short, stubby pasta such as macaroni or ditalini
2 tbs. olive oil
1 1/2 cups cherry tomatos, cut across the equator
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. chili flakes
80ml red vermouth
4 tbs. chopped fresh parsely

Clean the beards from the mussels and rub off any debris from their shells. Soak in cold water for 20 minutes, then discard any that are still open.

Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain.

While the pasta is cooking, heat the oil in a large, wide pan that has a lid. Tumble in the tomatoes and cook until softened over a medium heat, 2-3 minutes. Tip in the garlic, chili flakes and salt. Stir often until the tomatoes start to melt down and make a juice, 3-4 minutes. Pour in the vermouth and let it bubble up.

Add the mussels to the pan and cover. Cook, shaking the pan a few times, for 3-4 minutes, or until the mussels have opened. Discard any mussels that have stayed closed. Add the pasta, cover and leave for a minute or two off the heat. Uncover, stir in most of the parsley and serve with the remaining parsley sprinkled on top.

Serves 4

Tequila and Lime Chicken

This lovely little chicken dish is packed with citrus flavor and can be roasted in the oven or cooked out on the grill. As with anything marinated, the longer the marinating time, the better!

1 medium chicken, cut into 8 pieces
5 tbs. tequila blanco
zest and juice of 2 limes
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
2 tsp. sea salt
2 tbs. regular olive oil
extra lime wedges and cilantro, to serve

Put the chicken pieces in a resealable bag or large bowl. Mix together the tequila, lime zest and juice, red pepper flakes, salt and oil. Add to the bag or bowl and squelch everything together. Chill for at least 6 hours or up to 2 days. (If you are really short on time, marinate at room temperature for 40 minutes.)

When you are ready to cook, take the chicken out of the fridge and leave for 30 minutes. Heat the oven to 425°F and arrange the chicken in a single layer in a roasting tin. Pour over half the marinade and cook for 25 minutes. Pour over the remaining marinade and cook a further 25 minutes.

Transfer the chicken to a serving platter. Add a little boiling water to the roasting tin to deglaze the pan. Pour this over the chicken and serve with extra lime wedges and cilantro.

Alternatively, cook the chicken for 20 minutes on a medium-hot grill. Basting with the marinade and turning often.

Serves 4, generously

Baby Eggplant with Oregano and Red Onion

This is a lovely side dish for any grilled or roasted entree.

1 1/4 lb. baby eggplant
3 tbs. regular olive oil
2 tsp. dried oregano
1 small red onion, cut in thin half moons
3 tbs. red wine vinegar
1 tsp. kosher salt
4 tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1 garlic cloves, peeled and grated
1 1/2 tbs. cold water
few fresh oregano sprigs

Heat the oven to 425°F. Slice the eggplants lengthwise, keeping the stalks on. Pour the 3 tbs. olive oil in a very shallow roasting tin. Sprinkle in the dried oregano, add the eggplant, cut side down and swirl them gently around. Turn them cut side cup and roast in the oven for 15 minutes, by which time they should be tender and turning golden.

As soon as the eggplant is in the oven, put the onions in a small bowl and cover with the vinegar and salt.

Remove the eggplant to a platter. Whisk the onions with the 4 tbs. extra-virgin olive oil, the garlic and water. Spoon them over the warm eggplants, then leave for about half an hour to cool to room temperature. Scatter with fresh oregano leaves to serve.

Serves 6 as a side dish

Mexican Lasagna with Avocado Salsa

Add chicken to the filling for a heartier meal.

For the sauce:

1 tbs. garlic flavored olive oil
1 onion, peeled and chopped
1 red pepper, seeded and chopped
2 green chilis, chopped with seeds
1 tsp. kosher salt
2 tbs. finely chopped cilantro stalks
2 x 14oz. cans diced tomatoes
1 tbs. ketchup

For the filling:

2 x 15 oz. cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 x 15 oz. can corn, drained
2 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
8 10″ soft, flour tortillas

For the avocado salsa:

2 avocados, halved and cut into 1/4″ cubes
1 scallion, thinly sliced
3 tbs. chopped green jalapenos
salt, to taste
1 tbs. lime juice
1/4 cup roughly chopped cilantro leaves

Heat the oven to 400°F. slipping in a baking sheets at the same time.

To make the sauce, heat the oil in a saucepan and add the onions, peppers, chilis and salt. Cook gently for 15 minutes and, once soft, add the cilantro stalks. Stir in the tomatoes, then rinse out one can with water and add this too. Add the ketchup and let everything simmer while you make the filling.

Mix the beans, corn and most of the cheese together in a bowl.

Start to assemble by spooning about one third of the sauce in an round, ovenproof dish and smearing it about, then layer on 2 tortillas so that they cover the sauce overlapping slightly, like a Venn diagram. Add a third of the bean mixture, then about a quarter of the remaining sauce and 2 more tortillas. Repeat.

Finally, add the last layer of beans, nearly all the remaining sauce and the last 2 tortillas. Spread the last bit of sauce on top and sprinkle with the reserved cheese.

Place on the baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing it like a pizza. Serve with the avocado salsa.

For the salsa, stir together all the ingredients and check the seasoning.

Serves 8