Author: Andy

Broccoli & Cauliflower & Carbonara

Broccoli & Cauliflower & Carbonara

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Servings: 4
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian, Modern Australian
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • sea salt flakes
  • 500 g Macaroni
  • 2 cups small broccoli florets
  • 2 cups small cauliflower florets
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 2 egg yolks at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup thickened cream at room temperature
  • 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1.5 cups freshly grated Parmesan plus more for garnish
  • 1 large garlic glove crushed
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cups chopped fresh parsley plus more for garnish

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and generously season with salt.
  2. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. During the last minute of cooking time, add broccoli and cauliflower. Reserve 1 cup pasta water.
  3. Meanwhile, in a separate bowl combine eggs and yolks, cream, olive oil, parmesan and garlic. Mix well with a fork and season with salt and pepper.
  4. Drain pasta and vegetables; add back to pot. Stir in cheese mixture and parsley, then quickly toss together to evenly coat the pasta and prevent the eggs from scrambling.
  5. Add additional pasta water to make a creamy sauce.
  6. Garnish with parsley and pepper. Serve immediately.
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Best Ever Cream Of Mushroom Soup

Best Ever Cream Of Mushroom Soup

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Servings: 6
Course: Entree, Main Dish
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 950 g sliced fresh mushrooms
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 brown onion diced
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 6 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup thickened cream
  • 1 pinch salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves for garnish or to taste
  • Chopped parsley to serve

Method
 

  1. Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium-high heat; cook mushrooms in butter with 1 pinch salt until the mushrooms give off their juices; reduce heat to low.
  2. Continue to cook, stirring often, until juices evaporate and the mushrooms are golden brown, about 15 minutes. Set aside a few mushroom slices for garnish later.
  3. Mix onion into mushrooms and cook until onion is soft and translucent, about 5 more minutes.
  4. Stir flour into mushroom mixture and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes to remove raw flour taste. Tie thyme sprigs into a small bundle with kitchen twine and add to mushroom mixture; add garlic cloves. Pour chicken stock and water into mushroom mixture. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1 hour. Remove thyme bundle.
  5. Transfer soup to a blender in small batches and puree on high speed until smooth and thick.
  6. Return soup to pot and stir in cream. Season with salt and black pepper and serve in bowls, garnished with reserved mushroom slices and a few thyme leaves or chopped parsley.
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STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE DOUGHNUTS

STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE DOUGHNUTS

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Servings: 14 small doughnuts
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 x 7g sachet dried yeast
  • 85 g caster sugar plus extra 11/2 cups (330g)
  • 80 ml lukewarm milk
  • 400 g plain flour
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 60 g unsalted butter chopped, softened
  • 160 g cream cheese softened
  • 100 g sour cream at room temperature
  • 11/2 tbs icing sugar sifted
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
  • 250 g strawberries hulled, coarsely grated
  • Sunflower oil to deep-fry
  • Freeze-dried strawberries to serve, optional

Method
 

  1. Combine yeast, 2 tsp caster sugar, milk and 1/3 cup (80ml) lukewarm water in a jug. Stand in a warm place for 10 minutes or until frothy.
  2. Meanwhile, place flour and remaining 1/3 cup (75g) caster sugar in a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Add yeast mixture and egg yolks, and knead until combined. With the motor running, add butter, 1 piece at a time, kneading well after each addition. Knead for 10 minutes or until butter is completely incorporated and dough is smooth and elastic (or knead by hand). Transfer to a greased bowl. Cover and set aside in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size. Divide dough into 14 even pieces, roll into tight balls and place on a greased tray. Cover and set aside for 20 minutes or until risen slightly.
  3. Meanwhile, to make the cheesecake filling, in the cleaned stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk cream cheese, sour cream, 1 tbs icing sugar and vanilla until smooth. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a 1.5cm plain nozzle.
  4. To make the strawberry filling, combine strawberries and remaining 2 tsp icing sugar in a bowl and transfer to another piping bag fitted with a 5mm plain nozzle. Half-fill a large saucepan or wok with oil and heat to 160°C (a cube of bread will turn golden in 3 minutes when oil is hot enough). Place extra caster sugar on a plate. In batches, fry doughnuts, turning halfway, for 8 minutes to cook through. Toss hot doughnuts in extra caster sugar, then drain on paper towel. Insert a knife into each doughnut to create a hole.
  5. Pipe in cheesecake filling, then strawberry filling. Scatter with ground dried strawberries, if using, to serve.
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Corn Chowder With Bacon & Chives

Corn Chowder With Bacon & Chives

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Servings: 6
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 90 g unsalted butter
  • 2 large onions finely chopped
  • 1 garlic clove crushed
  • 2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 litre vegetable stock 4 cups
  • 2 potatoes peeled and chopped
  • 250 g tinned creamed corn 1 cup
  • 400 g corn kernels 2 cups, about 4 cobs
  • 3 tbsp chopped parsley
  • 125 g grated cheddar cheese 1 cup
  • 3 tbsp cream
  • 4 sort cut rashers of baco
  • 2 tbsp snipped chives

Method
 

  1. Melt the butter in a large heavy-based saucepan.
  2. Add the onion and sauté over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, or until golden.
  3. Add the garlic and cumin seeds and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, then pour in the stock and bring to the boil.
  4. Add the potato, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
  5. Add the creamed corn, corn kernels and parsley. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
  6. While the soup is simmering fry the bacon in a dry non stick fry pan until crispy - remove from heat and dice or chop - set aside.
  7. Stir the cheese in to the soup and season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir in the cream, and heat gently until the cheese melts.
  8. Serve immediately, sprinkled with bacon, snipped chives and crusty bread.
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Author Posted on Categories Corn

BEST EVER BEEF, GUINESS AND MUSHROOM PIE

BEST EVER BEEF, GUINESS AND MUSHROOM PIE

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Servings: 6
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: UK
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Beef
  • 1 kg gravy or chuck steak cut into 5cm cubes
  • 70 g plain flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 3 Tablespoons olive oil for browning the beef
Vegetables
  • 1 large yellow onion peeled thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled and minced
  • 400 g button mushrooms thinly sliced
  • 5 inch large carrots peeled and cut into 2cmchunks
  • 2 cm stalks celery cut into 1/2pieces
Guinness Broth
  • 460 g Guinness Stout
  • 240 g low salt beef stock
  • 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
  • 0.5 teaspoon mustard powder
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon corn flour
Bouquet Garni
  • 4 sprigs fresh parsley
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary
  • kitchen twine
Puff Pastry Topping
  • 1 packet Puff Pastry
  • 1 medium egg whisked well

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Lightly dredge each piece of beef in the flour mixture. Shake off excess flour. Set aside pieces until all are dredged.
  2. Preheat oven to 160C. In a Dutch oven, or ovenproof saucepan over medium heat add 1 Tablespoon olive oil. Brown the beef on all sides. Do in batches so the pan is not overcrowded. Add another 1-2 Tablespoons of oil as needed to brown the beef.
  3. Put last Tablespoon of olive oil into the pan. Add in the onions and garlic. Saute for about 2-3 minutes to soften onions.
  4. Add in the Guinness Stout and use a wooden spoon to pick up all the brown bits in the bottom of pot. Add in the mushrooms, carrots, celery, beef stock, and bouquet garni. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Place cover on pot and place in the oven. Center rack is best.
  5. Let braise for about 2 1/2 hours. Take about 1/4 cup of the Guinness/broth liquid and place in a cup. Stir in 1 teaspoon corn flour, combine well. Add back into the beef mixture.
  6. Check the beef, should be tender. Add another half hour of cooking, if needed. Remove Bouquet Garni and discard. Check seasoning, adjust if needed.
  7. If using a 25 - 30cm pie dish. Put the beef mixture into the pie pan. Lay puff pastry sheet on top of the pie. Make a few slits in the pastry to release stem. Brush with the egg wash. Bake on middle rack for about 15-20 minutes. Check at 15 minutes. Pastry should be golden. Serve immediately.
  8. Serve with minted peas or mash.
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Bacon Wrapped Roast Cauliflower W. Spinach & Cheese Stuffing

Bacon Wrapped Roast Cauliflower W. Spinach & Cheese Stuffing

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Servings: 4 serves
Course: Entree, Main Dish
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • Sea salt flakes
  • 1 head cauliflower leaves removed and stem trimmed so cauliflower lays flat, but still intact
  • 1 250 g pack frozen spinach thawed, water squeezed out and chopped
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 4 spring onions (white part) thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic crushed
  • 3/4 cup grated cheddar
  • 115 g cream cheese softened and cubed
  • 1/2 cup panko crumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  • 500 g thinly sliced bacon rindless bacon rashers

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 220c. Bring 8 cups water, oil, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil in a large pot.
  2. Add cauliflower and bring back to a boil. Reduce to a gentle simmer and place a plate on top of the cauliflower to keep it submerged. Simmer until a knife easily inserts into the centre, about 12 minutes.
  3. Using 2 slotted spoons or a mesh spider, transfer cauliflower to a small rimmed baking tray. Let cool.
  4. Meanwhile, combine spinach, eggs, green onions, garlic, cheddar, cream cheese, panko, and Parmesan and place in a piping bag with a 2cm tip.
  5. Position cooled cauliflower stem side up on baking tray. Pipe filling between stalks of florets. Flip cauliflower stem side down, then lay strips of bacon, just slightly overlapping strips, over cauliflower, tucking ends of strips into bottom of cauliflower.
  6. Roast, rotating sheet halfway through, until golden all over, about 30 minutes.
  7. Enjoy!
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Mandarin Avocado chicken noodle salad

Mandarin Avocado chicken noodle salad

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Servings: 4
Course: Entree, Main Dish
Cuisine: Asian, Modern Australian
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Asian dressing
  • 1/3 cup rice wine vinegar 80ml
  • 2 tablespoon fresh mandarin juice
  • 1 tablespoon salt-reduced soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Avocado and mandarin chicken noodle salad
  • 200 gram soba noodles
  • 3 cup shredded cooked skinless chicken breast 480g
  • 10 iceberg lettuce leaves torn
  • 2 lebanese cucumbers sliced thinly, 260g
  • 1 small red onion sliced thinly, 100g
  • 2 large mandarins segmented, 500g
  • 1 medium avocado chopped coarsely, 250g
  • 2 teaspoon sesame seeds toasted

Method
 

  1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well, set aside
  2. Cook noodles in a large saucepan of boiling water until tender; drain. Rinse under cold water and drain again.
  3. Place noodles in a large bowl with chicken, lettuce, cucumber, onion, mandarin and avocado; sprinkle with sesame seeds. Drizzle with dressing.
  4. Enjoy!
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One Pan Mexican Beef Mince

One Pan Mexican Beef Mince

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Servings: 4
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 in red onion remove ends and papery skin, cuthalf and slice
  • 1 red capsicum remove seeds and stem, and chop flesh
  • 1 green capsicum remove seeds and stem, and chop flesh
  • 500 g beef mince
  • 2 tablespoons no added salt tomato paste
  • 1 cup salt reduced beef stock
  • 250 g packet 2-minute brown and wild rice blend
  • 1 avocado remove stone and skin, dice flesh

Method
 

  1. Heat oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat, add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until starting to brown.
  2. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  3. Add mince and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon for 6- 8 minutes or until brown.
  4. Add tomato paste, stock and ½ a cup of water and bring to a simmer.
  5. Add rice, reduce heat to medium-low and cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed.
  6. Place in a bowl and top with avocado.

Notes

For extra spice and flavour add smoked paprika, dried oregano and ground cumin to the onions when they are brown. You could also try topping with some fresh coriander, lime and red chill and a dollop of sour cream when serving.
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Author Posted on Categories beef

Drumstick Cacciatore

Drumstick Cacciatore

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Servings: 4
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 8 chicken drumsticks
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried sage oregano, or thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper or to taste
  • 1 pound small whole button mushrooms
  • 1 tablespoon chopped garlic

Method
 

  1. In a large pan heat oil over medium. Add chicken. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Adjust heat so chicken sizzles but doesn't burn. Cook 5 to 8 minutes, undisturbed, until browned and releases easily from pan.
  2. Meanwhile, for sauce, in a medium bowl combine tomato paste and vinegar. Add 1 1/2 cups water, the sage, and crushed red pepper. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Whisk until sauce is smooth.
  3. Turn chicken. Cook 5 minutes more or until browned and releases easily from pan. Scatter mushrooms and garlic into pan. Pour sauce over mixture. Shake pan once or twice to combine. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer 20 minutes, uncovered, or until chicken just separates from the bone, carefully shaking pan a couple of times. Season to taste.
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Author Posted on Categories Chicken

Butternut Pumpkin w. Persian Pistachio Pesto, Feta & Pomegranate

Butternut Pumpkin w. Persian Pistachio Pesto, Feta & Pomegranate

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Servings: 4
Course: Entree, Main Dish
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For the Butternut Pumpkin
  • 1 large Butternut Pumpkin quartered lengthways (skin-on) and seeds removed
  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 150 g feta
  • 100 g pomegranate seeds
For the pesto
  • 100 g shelled pistachio nuts
  • 70 g parmesan chopped into rough chunks
  • 100 ml olive oil
  • 1 small bunch fresh coriander
  • 1 small bunch fresh parsley
  • 1 small bunch fresh dill
  • 1 red chilli
  • 1 lemon juice only
  • 2 tsp sea salt

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 200C and line a baking tray with baking parchment.
  2. For the Butternut Pumpkin, rub each wedge of butternut Pumpkin with oil and season generously with sea salt and black pepper. Place on the lined baking tray.
  3. Roast the Pumpkin for about 45-50 minutes, just until the edges have begun to brown slightly (you want to blacken the edges a little to give them a nice chewy texture). Check the Pumpkin is cooked by inserting a knife - if it slides in easily the Pumpkin is cooked.
  4. For the pesto, add the pistachios and cheese to a food processor. Pulse to break them into small pieces and add enough olive oil to slacken the mixture to your desired consistency (you may not need all the oil). Add all the herbs, the chilli (if using) and lemon juice. Pulse again to combine the herbs and add a little more olive oil. Season generously with sea salt and give the mixture one last pulse. Taste the pesto, to make sure it has enough salt and acidity, and allow it to rest in the fridge until you need it.
  5. To serve, serve the butternut Pumpkin on plates, drizzled generously with the pesto. Crumble your feta over the top and scatter some pomegranate seeds over to finish.
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