Archive for February, 2010

Watercress & Apple Soup

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Fresh Watercress
This is one of Orla Broderick’s 100 Great Soups.

1 tbsp olive oil
1 leek (or onion)
bunch fresh watercress, carefully washed
2 apples
1/2 lemon (juiced)
2 potatoes
1 pint chicken or veg stock
1 tbsp greek yoghurt (optional).

Finely chop leek and watercress stalks (I just cut off the top 1/3 and put aside).  Peel and cube the potatoes.  Cube the apples.  Fry the leek, potatoes and stalks in the oil for a few minutes, then add the apples, stock and lemon juice.  Simmer for 15 mins.

Chop the watercress leaves finely and add to the pan.  You can save a handful for garnishing if you wish.  Simmer for a further 10 mins.  Blend and season.  Stir in the yoghurt and check for seasoning again.  Serve with some crusty bread.

The sweetness of the apple works very well against the peppery watercress and the lemon.  A lovely starter or light lunch.

Organic Box 25 February 2010

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

fruit: bananas, pear, kiwi, Gala apples, clementines
veg: watercress, mushrooms, broccoli, garlic, parsnips, celeriac, red onions, Orla potatoes, carrots

Lots of lovely stuff this week.  It is ages since I’ve had watercress and apple soup so will be posting that one.  The recipe Richenda supplied in the box for celeriac and parsnip cake from Nigel Slater’s latest book ‘Tender’ sounds amazing, so I will be definitely trying that out.

I think I’ll probably do a carrot and coriander soup too, as I’m still into my winter soups and the children love it.  The mushrooms, broccoli and some garlic will feature in a satay stir fry, possibly with a bit of chicken, and some of the mushrooms will be reserved for a Hungarian Goulash with Spaetzle (german homemade pasta).  Think that will do nicely!

Quick tea: Bara Brith & Coconut Bread

Sunday, February 21st, 2010

Dried mixed fruitDried coconut

Two very quick breads with the same method.  Both lovely toasted or fresh, spread with some salty butter.

Bara Brith
10 oz mixed fruit
2/3 pint black tea
2 eggs
6 oz wholemeal SR flour
6 oz white SR flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp mixed spice

Coconut Bread
8 oz dessicated coconut
2/3 pint milk
2 eggs
2 oz caster sugar
6 oz wholemeal SR flour
6 oz white SR flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon

Method for either
Before you go to bed, soak the fruit in the tea (or the coconut in the milk).  Line a 2lb tin with baking paper.

Next morning, heat the oven to 170 c.  Check the soaked mixture, you should have at least a little liquid on top of the fruit.  If it has all completely absorbed, add a little more liquid. 

Mix the eggs into the fruit (or coconut) then add the rest of the dry ingredients, mixing well.  The mixture should have a dropping consistency (plop off the spoon) and not be too thick, nor too runny (you’ll end up with either a dry or a soggy loaf).  Adjust accordingly with liquid/flour.

Spoon into the loaf tin and smooth the top.  Bake for 50mins then turn the oven off and leave for a further 10 mins.  Remove from the oven and leave to cool for at least 10 mins before cutting.

These are fantastic for tea, elevenses, breakfast, late night snacks and lunch boxes!  Both are delicious toasted and spread with salty butter.  The brith goes very well with slices of cheddar.

Pancake stack with Bacon, Banana & Maple Syrup

Saturday, February 20th, 2010

Banana
Some are fussy about the bacon, some are weird about the banana and some just want that syrup!  I love it all together, a little bit of each in every mouthful.  Either way, it’s all served on the side, so everyone call fill their boots; even the picky eaters.  These oaty little pancakes make a wonderful weekend brunch.  Takes about forty minutes from start to eat, less if you are nifty with the pancakes.

Pancakes
1 1/2 cups white SR flour
1/2 cup oatmeal (I blend whole, rolled oats into a fine flour for this)
2 eggs
2 tbsp greek yoghurt
250ml milk
pinch salt
butter for greasing pan

To Serve
1 pack dry-cure smoked streaky bacon
3 bananas, sliced
Maple syrup for pouring (make sure it’s the real deal and not maple ‘flavoured’

Put the flour, salt and oatmeal in a large bowl.  Whisk together the milk, eggs and yoghurt.  Mix the two together into a thick, smooth batter.

Heat a large frying pan to sizzling, then turn it down a touch, you want about 3/4 of the full ring heat.  Put the bacon under the grill to crisp.  Switch the oven on low and put a plate to warm in there (you are going to keep the pancakes warm as you make them).

Using a piece of kitchen towel, wipe some butter all over the surface of the frying pan.  Ladle a large serving spoon or small ladle full of batter into the pan to make a small pancake.  When the top looks set, flip it over for a minute or two, then check to see if it is done (look for patches of browned spots).  If the bottom is too dark when you flip it over, you need to turn the heat down a bit.  The first pancake is often a dud.  Eat it and make another.  Depending on size, you should be able to fit three palm-sized pancakes into a large pan at the same time, which will speed up production. 

Scoop the finished pancakes onto the plate in the oven and go again, until all the batter has been used.  Butter the pan each time before adding more batter.  You should end up with a pile of dinky little pancakes.

Serve the plate of warm pancakes with a seperate plate piled with crispy bacon, a bowl of sliced bananas and maple syrup to drizzle over.  Sublime.

Any left-over pancakes can be refried briefly with some grated cheese for a quick toddler supper.