I’m a fish lover, I’d go as far as to say that I’m a pescatarian…..almost. I can’t think of a fish that I don’t like, but sea trout is my current favourite oily fish. With its sweet, delicate flesh, I think it pairs beautifully with peas and asian flavours. Fresh peas in season are the…
Dinner
Thai Coconut Congee
Thai Coconut Congee, so what is it? Essentially it is a rice porridge made by boiling rice in a great deal of water or stock until it breaks down into a pudding-like consistency. It’s a classic Chinese breakfast dish. It’s also a staple in many other countries, including Burma, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, and even parts…
Charred Vegetables with Tonnato Sauce
Ever heard of Vittelo Tonnato? It’s a dish from Northern Italy, very popular in ’80’s. Consisting of a creamy mayonnaise-like sauce flavoured with tuna and anchovies, served with cold sliced veal. It may sound odd to you but this combination works tremendously well. The dish was born thanks to a particularly creative chef who wanted…
Speedy Laxpudding (Swedish Salmon Pudding)
This has to be one of the finest examples of Swedish home cooking (husmanskost). This, for me, is nostalgia on a plate; Laxpudding or Salmon Pudding is a meal that is a wonderful way of using up leftovers, however that doesn’t mean it needs to be relegated to the status of a mere mid-week supper. …
Swedish Venison Casserole with Wild Mushrooms and Lingonberries
Swedish Venison Casserole with Wild Mushrooms and Lingonberries or Rengryta has a beautifully earthy sweetness with a rich velvety sauce and good deal of umami flavour. This delicious and comforting dish is often served in the festive period in Scandinavia. Endless forests and a varied landscape are home to numerous game such as elk and deer…
Spiced Monkfish, Barley & Beetroot Risotto
Monkfish has to be one of the ugliest fish in the sea, but it totally makes up for it in taste. The fillets or tails are often slimy and have a thin membrane, which must be removed but don’t let that put you off. The flesh is meaty and has a lobster-like texture and flavour,…
Kroppkakor (Swedish Potato Dumplings)
Ask two people from different parts of Sweden, how to make kroppkakor (potato dumplings), more than likely they won’t agree, however what they will agree on is that you must make them. Originating on the Baltic island of Öland, inland to rustic Smaland, kroppkakor always consist of mashed potato, with the addition of flour and…
Laminated Wild Mushroom Ravioli with Parmesan Sauce
There are few things more satisfying in life than eating a delicious bowl of fresh pasta – even more so if you’ve made, rolled and filled it yourself. You need little equipment; a worktop, a rolling pin, a sharp knife and lots of elbow grease. A pasta machine will make life easier, particularly if you’re…
Mushroom & Spinach Stuffed Gem Squash
There are so many beautiful and unusual squashes available in farmers markets now. So appealing to look at with their colourful, speckled skins and knobbly shapes. Any squash works well stuffed, however Gem and Acorn happen to be my absolute favourites. With delicate, creamy flesh, they’re delicious just baked with a knob of butter, salt…
Catalan-Style Sardines
I first devoured a dish similar to this some years ago in the Costa Brava; I’ve endeavoured to emulate it since. Tried and tested, I think I’ve now mastered the recipe. Fresh sardines, coated in flour and shallow fried until they’re just cooked through to preserve them. Then marinated in a tasty, piquant tomato sauce. …
