Coq au Vin – Chicken in Wine

This recipe came to me via Teresa’s son Bernard . It is best to serve with steamed or boiled potatoes.  Coq au Vin - Chicken in Wine Bernard Laevens Print Recipe Ingredients  100 g Pork rindsButter 40gRooster or old hen 1.5-2kg1 Small carrot2 Onions3 cloves Garlic2 Shallots750 ml Strong red wine250 ml water1 tablespoon Tomato pasteCognac 1 small glassFlour 40gParsleySalt/pepper1 Bouquet garni (a bay leaf a few parsley sprigs and a ...

Fish with Avocado Salsa

I like the idea of fish with a salsa. Swashbucklers, my favourite Friday night haunt in Auckland, did a great Tuna steak with an Avocado Salsa. Delicious and even tastier because we then followed up with a night of Salsa dancing. The recipe below is similar to what Swashbucklers served up. I flatted with a ...

Courgette Salad

Simple courgette (i.e. zucchini) salad. Courgette Salad Print Recipe Ingredients  2 tablespoons oil3 small courgettes in 1/2 inch slices1 shallot chopped1 tablespoon white wine vinegar1 teaspoon paprikaSalt and Pepper Instructions Sauté courgettes and shallots in oilAdd vinegar, paprika, salt and pepperCook until tenderChill to serve

Marian’s Marvellous Mexican Meat – well Chicken actually

Yum. This actually isn’t Mexican – it is just something that Marian whipped up one evening – but it seemed to have a Mexican flavour and the name stuck. Serve with rice.  Marian’s Marvellous Mexican Meat - well Chicken actually Marian McKenzie Print Recipe Ingredients  OnionGarlicChicken bitsRosemaryOreganoCuminPepperSalt optionalChicken stockCan tomatoes -chopped Instructions Fry onion and garlicAdd chicken and ...

Chicken with Spicy Rice and Yoghurt

Kath knocked this up one evening. Yum. Nice blend of flavours. And simple. Chicken with Spicy Rice and Yoghurt Kath Large Nice blend of flavours. And simple. Print Recipe Ingredients  Ingredients for chicken2 tablespoons oil3 teaspoons garlic1 teaspoon ginger1/2 teaspoon cinnamon1/2 teaspoon chilli1/3 teaspoon each cumin coriander, cardamomBlack pepperChicken piecesIngredients for rice1 tablespoon oil1/2-1 tablespoon black mustard seedssalt1/4 teaspoon turmeric1/2 teaspoon cuminRiceMint leavesWater 2 x amount of riceIngredients for yoghurt sauce1 cup yoghurt1 tablespoon mayo1 teaspoon mustard Instructions Instructions for chickenmix oil, garlic, ginger, and ...

Middle Eastern Baked Fish

I think a whole fish looks grand when served up to guests. This is one I’ve made a couple of times.  Middle Eastern Baked Fish A tasty whole fish. You can either season the fish or marinade it. You can also choose accompany the fish with Tarator sauce, Hot Spicy sauce or with Tahina sauce. ...

Karen’s Muffins

I was doing some courses for a while where the caterer (Karen) made fab muffins. Muffins are really simple to make. Mix the dry ingredients. Mix the wet. Mix the two together (briefly). Cook. With only 1/2 cup of sugar these are not very sweet, so you might want to use more. Makes 12. Karen's ...

Chocolate Macaroons (Macarons Creoles)

We’re rather fond of Macaroons in our family.  Chocolate Macaroons (Macarons Creoles) Print Recipe Ingredients  150 grams bittersweet chocolate1 teaspoon vanilla2 large egg whites1 cup 140 g almonds, toasted and ground3/4 cup 150 g sugar50 grams bittersweet chocolate.2 tablespoons crème fraiche or heavy cream Instructions Preheat oven to 135º CMelt 100 grams chocolate with vanilla over very low heatIn the bowl of an electric mixer on slow speed, mix egg whites, ...

Creamy Mushroom Sauce

This is a variation on a pasta sauce recipe that Wendy Evans gave me. Creamy Mushroom Sauce Steven Thomas Print Recipe Ingredients  Olive oil1/2 teaspoon sage1/2 teaspoon rosemary500 g mushroomsblack pepper1/2 ThymeTin tomatoes1 Onion chopped300 ml cream Instructions Cook sage and rosemary until fragrantAdd mushrooms, black pepper, thymeCook 10 minutesAdd tomatoes and onionCook 20 minutes. Add cream to mixture. NotesAdding the onion later gives a milder/sweeter flavour. Adapted ...

Tortillas – Mexican Pancakes

These are great. Soft and resilient. The only tortilla recipe I’ve ever used where the tortillas hung together once stuffed full of goodies. Tortillas - Mexican Pancakes Marie Bray The only tortilla recipe I’ve ever used where the tortillas hung together once stuffed full of goodies. Print Recipe Ingredients  1/4 cup cornmeal fine1/2 cup cold water1/2 cup hot water1/2 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon olive oil1 cup plain flour Instructions Make porridge ...