2006 ← Balagan Recipes

Ciabatta

Dec

16

2006

Having mastered the French style Pain de Campagne I thought I’d move on to another sour dough – the Italian Ciabatta. I picked this style of bread because it is meant to be very light and airy, and ultimately I’m aiming for Maltese Bread which is also light and airy. Because you’re aiming for light ...

The Marquee’s Casserole

Oct

29

2006

Every time Mark Doherty comes through we tend to get him to make a casserole – after all, he’s good at it. Eventually I asked for his recipe. His first explanation was “Generally I make it up as I go along – you know, take sufficient meat, combine with suitable vegetables and cook until done”, ...

Bread with Antipasti

Oct

16

2006

A friend of mine, Gitit Wainer, did a cooking course and sent through a few recipes. This one is kind of like a pizza pie with antipasti. Bread with Antipasti Gitit Wainer I learnt a real easy bread recipe and upgraded it. Some of it I baked as is but the rest I filled with ...

Chicken or Turkey Meat Balls

Oct

13

2006

Galit’s mum, Marie, serves these meat balls with Couscous for the Saturday lunch. The Haviv’s are Tunisian so expect a good hearty meal. I’ve also seen, but not tried, a similar recipe which has an extra egg in the meat balls, but doesn’t coat them in egg and flour. Chicken or Turkey Meat Balls Marie ...

Cream of Tomato Soup

Oct

1

2006

I used to make a really thick mixture of tomatoes, onion, and chilli – so chunky it was almost a salsa – called it a soup and ate it with Bread. Galit wasn’t so keen on this, preferring a creamy texture, and the recipe got adapted to cater for her taste. It is a great ...

Pain de Campagne (French Country Bread) 7

Oct

1

2006

This is my favourite bread recipe at the moment – a French country style loaf using a sourdough starter. I’ve been making a loaf every Saturday morning for months now. The original version of this recipe is from Treuille and Ferrigno (1998), which is a book I’d thoroughly recommend for those just starting to make ...

Aviva’s Salad Dressing

Sep

29

2006

Aviva used to organise big dinner parties in London. 20 South Africans, Galit and me. She did all the catering herself. Everything was fantastic but I only ever managed to steal her recipe for salad dressing before she moved back to South Africa. Aviva's Salad Dressing Aviva Soliman Print Recipe Ingredients 1/2 cup mild olive oil1/2 cup white vinegar4 teaspoons mayonnaise4 teaspoons brown sugar1 tablespoon poppy ...

Rosh HaShanah Dinner Party

Sep

17

2006

We always have friends over for Rosh HaShanah. Here are three of the menu’s I’ve tried …

Chicken with Rice and Pomegranate

Sep

17

2006

This is a dish from central Asia which Galit translated from Hebrew and I served up to friends. Rather good I think and has become a staple dish for Rosh Hashanah. The rice and chicken provide the substance and the pomegranate provides the zing. Serves 4-6. Chicken with Rice and Pomegranate Steven Thomas A hearty ...

Cossack Chicken and Mushroom Pancakes

Sep

6

2006

Very strangely I had this Cossack Chicken and Mushroom at the BBC canteen served with a parcel of mashed potato inside a crepe. The combination was entitled “Cossack Pancakes”. I liked it so much I rushed home to make it for Galit. Serves four Cossack Chicken and Mushroom Pancakes Steven Thomas Print Recipe Ingredients Ingredients for ...