Pumpkin & apple chutney
If you happen to be passing a farm store, pumpkins and apples are fully available. Make this delicious apple and pumpkin chutney to enjoy through the winter with curries, cold cuts and cheese.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons sunflower oil
2 onions, peeled and finely chopped
100g ginger, peeled and sliced into thin strips
1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
15 cardamom pods, smashed open
2 cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon black mustard seeds
2 teaspoons cumin seeds
5 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
1 kg pumpkin, peeled and cut into small cubes
500g Bramley apples, peeled and cut into small cubes
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
500g light brown sugar
300ml cider vinegar
Method
Heat the oil in a large pan, then gently fry the onions until soft. Add the garlic, ginger, chilli, cardamom, cinnamon, mustard and cumin seeds and turmeric and fry together for 5 minutes.
Add the pumpkin and apples to the pan. Cook for 10-15 minutes until the ingredients are softened.
Stir in the sugar and let it melt around the vegetables. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Pour in the vinegar, season with 2 teaspoons salt and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring regularly for about 30 minutes or until the apple has cooked down and the pumpkin pieces are tender. There should be a little syrupiness in the pan.
Spoon into sterilised jars and seal. They chutney can be eaten straight away or left to mature in a dark place. Store for up to six months.
Sauerkraut
It's easier than you think to make your own sauerkraut. Have your own supply right through the cold months.
Here's the recipe:
Ingredients
1,2 kg finely shredded white cabbage
1 teaspoon caraway seeds
5 teaspoons fine salt
Method
Place the finely shredded cabbage in a large bowl together with the caraway and salt. Using your hands, knead and squeeze the cabbage for about 10 minutes until the appearance and texture change and water begins seeping from the cabbage.
Place in a jar or container, weight it down and cover with a muslin cloth. Allow to ferment for at least 5 days. This will be a very young sauerkraut. Ferment up to 2 weeks until you have reached your desired strength of flavour.
Place into sterilised jars, cover with a lid and keep in the fridge for up to 6 months.
Click on the link below to see how to mix the cabbage:
Bulgur Salad with Roasted Carrot and Tenderstem Broccoli
Enjoy a relaxed Sunday and end it with a healthy and exciting salad, sipping a glass of wine and watching the sun slowly dip into the horizon.
English
serves 2
Ingredients
200g bulgur wheat
2 carrots
300g tenderstem broccoli
1 bunch mint
75g pecan nuts
1 lime
5 tablespoons pomegranate syrup
4 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper
Method
Preheat an oven to 200°C. Bring a pan of salted water to the boil. Peel the carrot and finely slice diagonally. Cut the hard stalk ends off the broccoli.
Place the carrot and broccoli, 3 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper in a roasting dish and roast in the oven for about 15 minutes.
Place the bulgur in the pan of boiling water and simmer until cooked, about 10-12 minutes. Drain off the water from the bulgur.
Heat a frying pan over medium heat with 1 tablespoon olive oil and roast the pecan nuts until golden. Pick the mint leaves and finely slice into thin strips.
Roughly chop the pecan nuts. Mix the roasted vegetables with half the mint and lime juice to taste. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon the salad on to a plate, sprinkle over the remaining mint and pecan nuts and drizzle the pomegranate syrup over.
Nederlands
voor 2 personen
Ingrediënten
200gr bulgur
2 wortelen
300gr bimi
1 bosje munt
75 gr pecannoten
1 limoen
5 eetlepels granaatappelsiroop
4 eetlepels o lijfolie
zouten peper
Bereiding
Warm de oven voor op 200 C. Breng een pannetje water met zout aan de kook. Schil de wortel en snijd in dunne schuine plakjes. Snijd de harde uiteinden van de bimi af.
Doe de wortel samen met de bimi, 3 eetlepels olijfolie, zout en peper in een ovenschaaltje, rooster in de oven voor 15 minuten.
Doe de bulgur in het pannetje met kokend water en kook gaar in ongeveer 10-12 minuten. Giet water af van de bulgur af.
Verwarm een koekenpan op medium vuur met 1 eetlepel olijfolie, rooster hierin de pecannoten goudbruin. Pluk de blaadjes van de munt en hak fijn in dunne reepjes.
Hak de pecannoten grof. Meng de geroosterde groenten door de bulgur met de helft van de munt en sap van limoen naar smaak, zout en peper. Schep de salade op het bord, bestrooi met de resterende munt en pecannoten, drizzel er granaatappelsiroop overheen.
green tomato chutney
A perfect way to preserve fresh green tomatoes. Serve with cheese or cold cuts.
Ingredients
1,5 kg green tomatoes, roughly chopped
600g light brown sugar
1 thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger, finely chopped
7 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
700ml malt or cider vinegar
salt, to taste
Method
Place all the ingredients into a large, heavy based can over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil and cook for about 50 minutes until the chutney has thickened.
Pour the hot chutney into sterilised jars and seal.
White Gazpacho
An unusual version of the traditional Gazpacho made using bread, garlic, almonds and grapes. It has an amazing creaminess and sweet and sour flavour. Serve as a small shot before lunch or dinner.
Serves 8 in shot glasses
Ingredients
2 cups cubed stale white bread from a baguette or sliced bread (crusts removed)
375ml cold water, divided
1/3 cup whole, blanched almonds
1 clove garlic
2 tablespoons chopped shallot
2 cups diced, peeled English cucumber (about 1 large cucumber)
3/4 cups green grapes
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 1/2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
Chives for garnish (optional)
Method
Place the bread cubes in a bowl and pour 1/2 cup water on top to soften them.
Place the almonds and garlic in a blender and purée until finely ground. Add the shallot, cucumber, grapes, oil, vinegar, salt, and softened bread to the blender along with the remaining 1 cup water. Purée until smooth. Taste and adjust salt as needed. Add more water to the soup as needed to achieve desired consistency. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Serve in bowls or glasses and garnish with sliced grapes, almonds, and chives, if desired.
Spinach and Feta Strudel
A strudel is often associated with the famous apple strudel. Here is a savoury version made with the classic Greek flavours of spinach and feta. Ideal for lunch on a warm day.
English
Serves 2
Ingredients
1 roll filo pastry
50g butter
500g spinach
250g ricotta
2 eggs
25g grated Parmesan
1 small bunch mint
75g feta
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper
Method
Preheat the oven to 180° C. Heat a frying pan over medium heat with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the spinach and cook until wilted. Season with salt and pepper and drain well in a colander, pressing as much of the moisture out as you can.
Finely chop the spinach and the mint, add to a bowl with the ricotta, eggs, Parmesan, salt and pepper. Mix the ingredients well and crumble ¾ of the feta through the mixture.
Melt the butter in a small pan (this can also be done in a microwave). Brush 6 sheets of filo pastry with the melted butter, laying each sheet on top of the other.
Spoon the filling in the centre of the filo pastry. Fold the ends towards the centre to form a closed package.
Lay the strudel on a baking tray and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes.
Remove the strudel from the oven, cut on the diagonal and serve sprinkled with the remaining feta.
Nederlands
voor 2 personen
Ingrediënten
1 rol filodeeg
50g boter
500g spinazie
250g ricotta
2 eieren
25g geraspte Parmezaan
1 bosje munt
75g feta
2 eetlepels olijfolie
zout en peper
Bereiding
Verwarm de oven voor op 180° C. Verwarm een koekenpan op medium vuur met 2 eetlepels olijfolie. Voeg de spinazie toe en bak totdat het geslonken is. Breng op smaak met zout en peper. Doe de spinazie in een vergiet en druk er zoveel mogelijk water uit.
Hak de spinazie en munt fijn, doe het in een kom met de ricotta, eieren, Parmezaan, zout en peper. Meng alle ingrediënten goed door elkaar. Kruimel ¾ van de feta er doorheen.
Smelt de boter in een pannetje (dit kan ook in de magnetron gedaan worden). Bestrijk 6 filodeeg vellen met de boter en leg ze op elkaar.
Leg de vulling in het midden van de deeg. Vouw de zijkanten naar binnen, zodat het een dicht pakketje wordt.
Leg de rol op een bakplaat en bak 25-30 minuten.
Haal de strudel uit de oven, snijd schuin in stukken, kruimel het resterend stukje feta er overheen.
Leek and Potato Soup
A classic French soup everyone should have in their repertoire made with simple, humble ingredients. It can be eaten cold too. It's then known as Vichysoisse.
English
Serves 2
Ingredients
40g butter
4 leeks
2 floury potatoes
1 organic vegetable stock cube
1 bay leaf
1 small bunch chives
1 mini baguette
100g grated cheddar
4 tablespoons olive oil
150 ml milk
1,5 tablespoons wholegrain mustard
salt and pepper
Method
Wash the leeks well under cold running water to remove any sand and then thinly slice them. Peel the potatoes and cut into 2 cm cubes. Dissolve the stock cube in 1 liter hot water and preheat the oven to 180° C.
Heat a pot over medium heat with the butter and 4 tablespoons olive oil. Add the sliced leek and potato to the pot and sweat for 2-3 minutes. Add the stock and bay leaf, bring to the boil and cook gently for 10-15 minutes.
Remove the bay leaf from the pot and blend the soup with a stick blender. Add the milk and season the soup with salt and pepper. Keep the soup warm over a low heat. Thinly slice the mini baguette in to diagonal slices. Spread the slices with the mustard, place on an oven tray and sprinkle with the cheddar. Place in the oven for 5 minutes.
Finely chop the chives. Spoon the soup into bowls, sprinkle with the chopped chives and serve with the cheddar toasts.
Nederlands
voor 2 personen
Ingrediënten
40g boter
4 preien
2 kruimige aardappels
1 biologisch groente bouillonblokje
1 laurierblad
1 bosje bieslook
1 pistoletje
100g geraspte cheddar
4 eetlepels olijfolie
150ml melk
1,5 eetlepels grove mosterd
zout en peper
Bereiding
Was de preien goed onder stromend koud water en snijd in dunne plakjes. Schil de aardappels en snijd in blokjes van 2 cm. Los het bouillonblokje op in 1 liter warm water en verwarm de oven voor op 180°C.
Verwarm een pan op medium-vuur met de boter en 4 eetlepels olijfolie. Voeg de gesneden prei en aardappel toe aan de pan en smoor 2 tot 3 minuten. Voeg de bouillon en laurier toe en kook zachtjes voor 10 tot 15 minuten.
Verwijder het laurierblad uit de pan en pureer de soep met een staafmixer. Voeg de melk toe en breng op smaak met zout en peper. Houd de soep warm op een laag vuurtje. Snijd het pistoletje in schuine dunne plakjes, bestrijk met de mosterd, zet ze op een bakplaat bestrooid met de cheddar. Zet in de oven voor 5 minuten.
Snijd de bieslook fijn, lepel de soep in een kom, bestrooi met de bieslook en serveer de toastjes.
Warm Quinoa Salad with ‘Smokey’ Halloumi
Quinoa is full of protein and contains all 22 amino acids that we require. It's incredibly healthy and so tasty when prepared this way.
English
Serves 2
Ingredients
1 red onion
200g roasted red peppers
200g quinoa
1 organic vegetable stock cube
1 small bunch flat leaf parsley
1 lemon
250g pack halloumi
1 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
7 tablespoons olive oil
pinch of sugar
salt and pepper
Method
Finley slice the red onion into thin half rings. Slice the red pepper into thick strips. Dissolve the stock cube in 500 ml hot water. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the onion and red pepper to the pan and sweat for 3 minutes. Add the quinoa and the stock to the pot, bring to the boil, cover with a lid and simmer gently for about 15 minutes.
Grate the zest from the lemon into a bowl. Mix together the grated zest, salt, pepper, a pinch of sugar and 4 tablespoons olive oil. Add lemon juice to taste. Finely chop the parsley and add half of it to the dressing. Stir the remaining parsley through the cooked quinoa.
Heat a grill pan over medium heat. Cut the halloumi into 6 slices and sprinkle with the smoked paprika. Grease the grill pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil and grill the halloumi on both sides until golden brown.
Divide the quinoa between 2 plates. Lay on the grilled halloumi and spoon over the dressing.
Nederlands
voor 2 personen
Ingrediënten
1 rode ui
200g geroosterde paprika
200g quinoa
1 biologisch groenten bouillonblokje
1 bosje bladpeterselie
1 citroen
250g halloumi
1 theelepel zoet gerookte paprikapoeder
7 eetlepels olijfolie
snufje suiker
zout en peper
Bereiding
Snijd de rode ui in dunne ringen. Snijd de geroosterde paprika in dikke repen. Los het bouillonblokje op in 500 ml warm water. Verwarm 2 eetlepels olijfolie in een pan op medium vuur. Voeg de ui en paprika toe aan de pan, smoor voor 3 minuten. Voeg de quinoa en de bouillon toe aan de pan, breng aan de kook, dek af en kook zachtjes voor ongeveer 15 minuten.
Rasp de schil van de citroen in een kom. Meng de rasp met zout, peper, een snufje suiker en 4 eetlepels olijfolie. Voeg citroensap naar smaak toe. Hak de peterselie fijn en voeg de helft toe aan de dressing. Meng de resterende peterselie door de gekookte quinoa.
Verwarm een grillpan op medium vuur. Snijd de halloumi in 6 plakjes en bestrooi met de gerookte paprikapoeder. Bestrijk de grillpan met 1 eetlepel olijfolie en grill de halloumi aan beide kanten goudbruin.
Verdeel de quinoa over 2 borden. Leg de gegrilde halloumi er bovenop en lepel de dressing er omheen.
Ravioli with Sauce Vierge
We all have our favourite ravioli, whether it's filled with pumpkin or spinach and ricotta. This recipe works whatever your favourite ravioli is.
English
Serves 2
Ingredients
16 pieces of your favourite ravioli
2 tomatoes
1 shallot
1 garlic clove
2 tablespoons capers
small bunches each of basil, flat leaf parsley and chervil
75g rocket
60ml olive oil
salt and pepper
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Method
Bring a pot of salted water to the boil. Finely chop the tomatoes, shallot and garlic.
Place the olive oil in a small pot and stir through 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar. Add the tomatoes, 2 tablespoons capers, shallot and garlic and heat gently (do not let the ingredients fry!).
Cook the ravioli gently for 3 to 4 minutes or until al dente. Finely chop the herbs. Drain the pasta.
Divide the pasta between 2 plates. Stir the herbs through the sauce and season with salt and pepper. Spoon the sauce over the ravioli. Dress the rocket with a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper. Place on top of the ravioli and serve at once.
Nederlands
voor 2 personen
Ingrediënten
16 stukjes van je favorite ravioli
2 tomaten
1 sjalotje
1 teen knoflook
2 eetlepels kappertjes
klein bosje elk basilicum, platte peterselie en kervel
75g rucola
60 ml olijfolie
zout en peper
1 eetlepel rode wijn azijn
Bereiding
Breng een pan water met zout aan de kook. Snijd de tomaten, sjalot en knoflook fijn.
Doe de olijfolie in een pannetje en meng de azijn er doorheen. Voeg de tomaten, kappertjes, sjalot en knoflook toe en warm lichtjes op (niet laten koken!).
Kook de ravioli in 3 tot 4 minuten gaar. Hak de kruiden fijn. Giet de pasta af.
Verdeel de pasta over 2 borden. Meng de kruiden door de saus, maak op smaak met zout en peper en lepel over de ravioli. Maak de rucola aan met olijfolie, zout en peper. Leg bovenop de ravioli en serveer.
Tabbouleh Filled Aubergine
A hearty and delicious Middle Eastern inspired vegetarian dish packed with spices, herbs and dried fruit.
English
Serves 2
Ingredients
50g couscous
1-2 teaspoons harissa (depending on how spicy you like it)
1/2 teaspoon round coriander
8 dried apricots
2 spring onion
1 small bunch mint
1 small bunch coriander
1 lemon
2 aubergines
100g feta
100g mixed salad laves
6 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper
Method
Preheat the oven at 200 °C. Place the aubergines in a roasting dish and roast in the oven until soft ± 20-30 minutes.
Place the couscous in a bowl and mix the harissa through using your fingers. Roughly chop the apricots and add to the couscous with the ground coriander. Pour boiling water over until just covering the couscous and stand for 5 minutes.
Loosen the couscous grains with a fork. Finely chop the spring onions and the herbs. Stir through the couscous with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste.
Cut the aubergines lengthways in half. Carefully scoop out the flesh with a spoon, roughly chop it and add to the couscous. Season once again with salt and pepper.
Place the couscous mixture into the hollowed out aubergines. Scatter with the crumbled feta and 2 tablespoon olive oil and place back in the oven for 10-15 minutes.
Dress the salad with 2 tablespoon olive oil, salt, pepper and a few drops of lemon juice. Serve with the filled aubergines.
Nederlands
voor 2 personen
Ingrediënten
50g couscous
1-2 theelepels harissa (afhankelijk van hoe pittig je het lekker vindt)
1/2 theelepel korianderpoeder
8 stuks gedroogde abrikozen
2 lente uien
1 bosje munt
1 bosje koriander
1 citroen
2 aubergines
100g feta
100g gemengde sla
6 eetlepels olijfolie
zout en peper
Bereiding
Verwarm een oven voor op 200° C. Leg de aubergines op een bakplaat en rooster in de oven tot de aubergine zacht is, ± 20-30 minuten.
Doe de couscous in een kom en meng de harissa er met je vingers doorheen. Hak de abrikozen grof en doe ze ook in de kom samen met de korianderpoeder. Schenk genoeg kokend water over de couscous tot die eronder staat en laat 5 minuten staan.
Maak couscous los met een vork. Snijd de lente uien en kruiden fijn. Meng het door de couscous met 2 eetlepels olijfolie, zout, peper en citroensap naar smaak.
Snijd de aubergines door de helft. Haal het vlees met een lepel eruit. Hak grof en meng door de couscous. Breng op smaak met zout en peper.
Doe het couscous mengsel terug in de lege aubergines. Bestrooi met gekruimelde feta en 2 eetlepels olijfolie en zet terug in de oven voor 10-15 minuten.
Maak de salade aan met 2 eetlepels olijfolie, zout, peper en een paar druppels citroensap. Serveer naast de aubergines.