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Winter Warmer
Red Wine Lamb Shanks
This dish will warm up your home, your belly and your heart! it is a real comfort dish that is sure to impress your loved ones.
Orange Braised Fennel
The perfect dish tp accompany stews, roasts or casseroles. Use large bulbs of fennel, as they are best suited to braising so the flavour mellows out and sweetens. The addition of fresh orange juice adds another layer of sweetness. This dish can be served hot. warm or at room tempreature.
Sweet Potato and Coconut Soup
Even though there are only a few ingredients there is lots of flavour in this soup! For this recipe i was trying to create a speedy recipe with a minimum of fuss, so there's no pre-baking of the potatoes required. If you've got time then feel free to bake them first as this intensifies their sweet flavour.
Fish Burger, chips 'n soda
Fresh Fish Burger
Not all burgers are created equal! it is possible to make a healthier version for yourself at homr and still enjoy that juicy burger experience. Find some super fresh fish fillets and nice crusty bread rolls and you will end up with a meal that will taste great and be good for you too. Enjoy.
Stir Fried Chilli Potato
Deep-frying at home is just too messy. That's why I've come up with this easier (and slightly healthier) version of 'chips'. It had quite a lot of chilli because I am a fan, but feel free to lessen the amount to suit your personal taste.
Fizzy Pink Grapefruit Juice
I love adding sliced or squeezed citrus to plain water to ‘jazz’ it up a bit. This recipe is especially nice when having people over or if you need a non-alcoholic drink to even things out at a festive gathering.
Indulgent Brunch
Mango and Basil Parfait
Basil might seem like a strange herb to eat at breakfast... with fruit, but just trust me on this one, it’s a great combination. Very refreshing. When mangoes aren’t available this also works well with strawberries, peaches or figs.
Serves 2 (can be doubled)
Peanut Butter and ‘Jelly’ Smoothie
This is a play on the American favourite sandwich combination of ‘peanut butter and jelly’ - in a liquid version. It’s super quick, super yummy and sure to super-charge you for the day!
Serves 2 (can be doubled)
Wholemeal Crepes with Sugar and Lemon
Definitely a brunch favourite with most people! The great thing about crepes is that you can make a big batch and keep them warm in a low oven for about an hour. This gives you plenty of time to prepare a pot of coffee and chat to your guests!
Makes 16 using a 20cm frypan
Quick Midweek Dinner
Pork Cutlets with Sweet Mustard Crust
The great thing about this super simple mustard topping is that it’s so versatile. Don’t feel like pork cutlets? Simply use the same method on large Portabello mushrooms, large wedges of pumpkin or any of your favourite vegetables.
Serves 4
Greens with Fresh Tomato Sauce
This is lovely just on its own with steamed rice but is also an easy side dish because it just bubbles away while you get on with other bits and pieces. Feel free to substitute seasonal green veggies such as asparagus, peas or broad beans.
Serves 4 - 6 as a side dish.
Stir Fried Chilli Potato
Potatoes are used in so many cooking methods; baking, mashing, steaming - but not often stir fried! Here, the humble spud is jazzed up with chilli and herbs and is also great served with steak or seafood too.
Serves 4 as a side dish
Stir Fried Chilli Potato
Potatoes are used in so many cooking methods; baking, mashing, steaming - but not often stir fried! Here, the humble spud is jazzed up with chilli and herbs and is also great served with steak or seafood too.
Serves 4 as a side dish
Italian Feast
The Starter
Name: Polenta crumbed cauliflower with parsley dressing
Many people dislike cauliflower as they think it tastes bland, but when it's cooked well and partnered with a delicious ingredient like polenta, it really comes to life. Polenta is made with ground cornmeal and is a fantastic gluten free alternative to bread crumbs.
This recipe is very handy to have in your repertoire as it works both as an entree-style starter as well as a canape (see the Variation below for more info). If you don't like cauliflower, then I'm pretty sure this recipe will change your mind.
Serves 4
Main Course
Name: Baked Pumpkin Cannelloni
This is a great dish for a dinner party as you can prepare it ahead of time and just re-heat it on the night. You should also consider doubling the recipe and freezing one for those nights when you don't feel like cooking, it is a great standby meal.
It's very important to use fresh lasagna sheets from the chilled section of the supermarket as they are pliable enough to roll up. The dried sheets would need to be boiled and dried and make the dish far too fiddly. Serve this rich dish with a crisp green salad or steamed greens for a nice, balanced meal.
Serves 4
Dessert
Name: Coconut panna cotta with mango salad
The coconut cream and mango add a tropical twist to this traditional Italian dessert which suits our Australian weather perfectly. These can also be prepared ahead of time so you can relax towards the end of the evening.
I served this at Christmas time when mangoes are at their best. If ripe mangoes aren’t available they can be substituted with other fruit such as strawberries, blueberries or peaches. This sweet, gluten free treat is sure to be a hit among your friends and family and the perfect way to end an Italian Feast!
Serves 6
Asian Delight
The Starter
Name: Tofu Summer Rolls
This is a great dish to make with children or as an interactive start to a casual dinner party because you can place all the ingredients out on the table and get your guests to serve themselves. These rolls are best made fresh on the day you intend to eat them otherwise the rice paper dries out and the texture is not very appetising so plan your time accordingly if you are serving them to guests. They are also a fantastic option for lunch boxes or a light dinner.
makes 8 rolls
Main Course
Name: Salt and Pepper Tofu with Mushrooms
This is one of those dishes where a few simple ingredients combine to make a delicious and surprisingly complex dish. Autumn months are the perfect time to enjoy it, as there are an abundance of different types of mushrooms.
Make it for lunch with a good thick slice of sourdough and green salad or serve it for dinner with steamed rice and Asian greens. Either way, you'll have a meal on the table in four easy steps!
Dessert
Name: Miso-soy caramel with fresh pineapple
This unusual combination really works! The sweet/salty caramel is delectable drizzled over fresh ripe pineapple and is a super easy dessert to serve after a complex or spicy meal. You can even substitute other fruits like strawberries and add a scoop of ice cream if you are feeling really indulgent.
serves 4
Mediterranean Healthy
The Starter
Name: Herbed potato croquettes
These are such versatile little snacks to have in your cooking repertoire as you can serve them with cold beers on a Friday night or plate them up prettily for an elegant dinner party starter. You can also make them a few hours ahead and keep warm in a low oven which is very handy if you have a crowd coming over.
makes 10-15 (depending how large you shape them)
Main Course
Name: Harissa Baked Eggplant
Very little fuss is required for this dish but the results are extremely luscious. Harissa is a fiery spice paste from North Africa and can be too hot for some palates so add it slowly and taste after each addition to get the heat just right for you. Meat lovers will hardly miss the meat in this dish - perfect if you're participating in Meatless Mondays!
Serves 2
Dessert
Name: Pomegranate granita with Lychee
A juicy, refreshing dessert is the perfect way to end a meal, in my humble opinion! As the gin is served on the side, this is a great sweet treat for the whole family where the adults get that extra special splash of gin after dinner. You can substitute any of your favourite juice flavours, but cranberry works especially well if you can't get your hands on pomegranate.
Autumn Warmer
The Starter
Name: Roasted beetroot with coriander pesto
This is a lovely colourful dish that lets the fresh produce really speak for itself. The coriander pesto makes more than you need but it's great stirred through hot pasta or over a baked potato so you'll be glad to have leftovers. You can also jazz this dish up even further with smoked salmon, see variation below.
Serves 4
Main Course
Name: Mushroom Strudel
This is so easy to make, yet so impressive when served to guests sliced steaming hot at the table. Go on; add a bit of theatre to your next dinner party with this mushroom strudel.
I've suggested swiss brown and cup mushrooms but it works well with all types of mushrooms including shiitake, enoki and oyster so use whatever you can get your hands on that's freshest.
Serves 4 generously
Dessert
Name: Pear Crumble Cake
It's not easy to make vegan cakes taste really good and I have had a go a quite a few; some were great and others were horrible! This one is delicious because of the contrast between moist fruit and crunchy topping. Even if you aren't vegan, you'll almost certainly enjoy a slice or two of this with a hot cup of tea.
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