Crostini

Crostini are one of the easiest canapés or small bites to make and are the perfect carrier for any topping.

This is how you make them:
If you have time to plan ahead, buy a French baguette the day before you need it. Day old bread is easier to slice thinly. So, once you've sliced it thinly, lay the slices on an oven tray and brush generously on both sides with olive oil. We generally use an extra virgin, but don't use an expensive one.

Preheat the oven to 180° C. Once the oven has reached temperature, bake the crostini for about 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Depending on your oven, you may have to turn the crostini over during the baking so that they're an even colour. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow them to cool. When cool, store them in an airtight container; they'll keep for weeks. Be sure to make a large batch each time as they are a great stand-by to have when time is short or you have unexpected guests.

Now the world is your oyster when it comes to toppings. Use whatever you like and let your creative juices flow. Assemble them at the last minute so that you don't run the risk of them going soggy.  Think wild mushrooms cooked down with a little garlic and cream, topped with Taleggio cheese and flashed under the grill; Parmaham, rocket, homemade chutney and a curl of foie gras or fresh pea and mint puree topped with pecorino and pea cress. Now all you need is a glass if bubbly and the party can get started!

 

We, the Amsterdam Flavours chefs, hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. If you have any questions on how to prepare it or just want to send us your feedback, you can reach us here Contact Amsterdam Flavours

 

 

 

 


Pheasant with Brussel Sprouts, Chestnuts and Bacon

Serves 2

Ingredients
3 pheasant breasts (120g per piece)
200 g vacuum packed chestnuts
125 g smoked bacon lardons
300 g Brussel sprouts
125 ml cream
20 g butter
4 Tablespoons olive oil
75 ml red wine
75 ml Port
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method
Bring a pot of salted water to the boil. Add the Brussel sprouts to the pot and cook for 2 minutes. Transfer the sprouts to a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking.

Heat a frying pan over medium heat with 2 tablespoon olive oil and fry the lardons until golden brown. Add the chestnuts and Brussel sprouts and fry for 1 minute. Add the cream, salt and pepper and simmer gently until the cream coats the ingredients.

Check the pheasant breasts for any shot (little pieces of bullet). Season with salt and pepper. Heat a frying pan over medium heat with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Lay the pheasant, skin-side down in the pan and fry for 2 minutes. Turn over and fry for a further 1 minute (the pheasant breasts should still be pink inside).

Remove the pheasant from the pan and set aside. Deglaze the pan with 75 ml red wine and 75 ml port and reduce until the sauce becomes thicker. Stir 20 g butter through. Slice the pheasant breasts diagonally. Spoon the creamy Brussel sprouts and chestnuts in the middle of 2 plates. Lay the pheasant on top and spoon over the sauce.

We, the Amsterdam Flavours chefs, hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. If you have any questions on how to prepare it or just want to send us your feedback, you can reach us here Contact Amsterdam Flavours

Klik hier voor het recept in Nederlands.


Sinterklaas Cupcakes

Sinterklaas is a holiday celebrated in The Netherlands on 5th December where children are given presents to celebrate the arrival of Sint Nicolaas. Candy and spiced cookies are traditionally eaten. We've taken the idea of the spiced cookies, called Pepernoten and created a cupcake with the same flavours. A great idea for young and old and something the kids can help with.

Ingredients
220 g unsalted butter, at room temperature
220 g caster sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 eggs, whisked
220 g flour
8 g baking powder
pinch of salt
1 heaped teaspoon Speculaas or mixed spice

Frosting
250 g unsalted butter, at room temperature
500g icing sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
handful pepernoten or spiced cookies, crushed

Method
Preheat the oven to 180 C.

Cream the butter and the sugar together in a until light and fluffy. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Graudually add the whisked egg to the mixture. Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and spiced together and fold in to the butter mixture. Spoon the mixture into a cupcake tin lined with paper cupcacke cases until two-thirds full.

Bake for about 20 -25 minutes until risen and bouncy to touch. Allow to cool.

For the frosting, beat the butter and icing sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract to flavour. If the mixture is a bit tight, add a splash of milk to thin it down.

Spoon the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle and pipe the frosting on top of the cupcakes. Sprinkle with the crushed pepernoten or spiced cookies and serve.

We, the Amsterdam Flavours chefs, hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. If you have any questions on how to prepare it or just want to send us your feedback, you can reach us here Contact Amsterdam Flavours