Bored of simply steamed broccoli? Here is a delicious solution.
1 head of broccoli, cut into florets
6 tbs. butter
2 tbs. capers
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
juice of 1/2 lemon
Steam the broccoli until tender, then transfer to a serving bowl. Melt the butter in a small saucepan and stir in the capers, mustard and lemon juice. Drizzle over the broccoli to serve.
Serves 4
This deeply flavored dish is known as Pasta Puttanesca in Italy but as “Whore’s Spaghetti” in England. Too funny!
3 tbs. olive oil
8 anchovy fillets, drained and finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 tsp. red chili flakes or 1 red or jalapeño chili, deseeded and minced
1 lb. spaghetti
1 x 14 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 1/4 cups drained black olives
2 tbs. drained capers, rinsed
2-3 tbs. chopped fresh parsley
Tip the oil into a wide, shallow skillet over a medium heat. Add the anchovies and cook for 3 minutes, pressing and pushing with a wooden spoon until they have melted into the oil. Add the garlic and chili flakes or chili and cook for another minute.
Add the tomatoes, olives and capers and simmer for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package directions in boiling, well salted water. Remove a cup of water from the pasta, then drain it and add it to the skillet. Toss well and add more pasta water if necessary. Sprinkle with parsley to serve.
Serves
4 – 6
Reminiscent of the classic Chicken Marbella, but using pork, this wonderful recipe requires and overnight marinade, so plan ahead and enjoy.
1 pork shoulder, diced for a stew
1 1/2 cups dry white wine or vermouth
3/4 cup pitted prunes
scant 1/2 cup pitted olives
1 tbs. capers
4 tbs. dried oregano
2 1/2 tsp. sea salt flakes
good grinding of black pepper
1 cup chicken stock
Put the pork in a large freezer bag and add the wine, prunes, olives, capers and their juice, oregano, salt and pepper. Seal the bag and squish everything together well. Chill overnight, then take out of the fridge 1 1/2 hours before cooking.
Heat the oven to 325°F. Tip the pork and marinade into a heavy-based casserole that comes with a lid. Add the stock, cover and cook for 2 hours. Check half way through and if there seems to be too much liquid, remove the cover and continue cooking.
This recipe was written to be a medley of salmon, tuna and swordfish. Here is it deliciously adapted for just swordfish.
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
zest of 1/2 lemon and 1 tbs. juice
2 tbs. fresh parsley, chopped
2 tbs. capers, drained but not rinsed
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. dried mint
4 smallish swordfish steaks
Make the herb sauce by whisking together the olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, capers, oregano and mint. Season and set aside for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors develop.
Fry the swordfish in a little oil or cook on the grill to your liking. Remove to a plate and spoon over some of the sauce. Serve with the remaining sauce on the side.
Serves 4
Cooking with Nigella 