Oven roasted aubergine/eggplant with saffron yogurt dressing

Tags

Aubergine, eggplant, middle eastern, saffron, salad

I have always loved middle eastern cuisine and ever since I went to an Ottolenghi restaurant in London, with my daughter, many years ago, I am a huge fan of his recipes. Recently, I invited our new neighbours over for dinner and decided on a middle eastern theme for the meal. I made assorted meze to start with pita then followed with a 5 hour lamb and several sides. One of the most popular, by far, was the aubergine with saffron yoghurt. It is such an easy recipe yet never fails to impress, in part, due to the amazing flavours but also, because it is visually a superb feast for the eyes with its jewel toned colours. Below is my adaptation of the recipe. The saffron sauce is great with just about anything, from fish to meat to veggies so do not hesitate to double the quantity. It will keep 3 days in the fridge – if you can resist eating it all at once.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 3 medium aubergines
• 1 Tsp olive oil
• 2 Tsp grilled pine nuts
• 4 Tsp fresh pomegranate seeds
• Fresh basil leaves, torn
• Salt & freshly ground black pepper
• Saffron yoghurt
• Pinch of saffron
• 1 Tsp hot water
• 200g / 3/4 cup Greek yoghurt
• 1 clove of garlic, crushed
• 3 Tsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 Tsp olive oil (optional)

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 220C / 430F
• Cut the aubergine into slices about 1 1/2 cm thick then cut each slice into 3 or 4 strips
• Place the aubergine in a large bowl, add the oil, salt and pepper and toss gently to ensure evenly coated
• Lay the pieces onto a baking sheet and roast for about 25 minutes until they are a nice golden colour
• Remove from the oven and leave to cool
• While the aubergine is cooking, make the sauce/dressing
• Allow the saffron to infuse in the hot water for a few minutes
• In a bowl, combine the saffron infusion with the yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil (if using) and add salt to taste (I did not add oil nor salt)
• Whisk the sauce by hand or ideally use a hand blender until it is smooth
• Keep the sauce in the fridge until ready to use
• Place the cooled aubergine strips in a serving dish, drizzle over the saffron sauce, sprinkle with the pine nuts and pomegranate seeds
• Add the fresh basil and serve immediately

Bon Appetit!

Thai vegetable salad

Tags

Appetizers, bean sprouts, chinese cabbage, limes, lunch, napa cabbage, peanut butter, salad, starters, Thai, thai dressing, thai salad, vegetables, vegetarian

Crunchy, zingy, tasty and good for you too.  Now, how good is that?  Before lock-down, I had invited six friends over for a Thai style lunch.  I love Asian cooking but it is not something I often do.  A good friend of mine, Sally Sprinkle, had recently returned from a vacation in Thailand and had brought me back some spices and pastes and I was chomping at the bit to start experimenting with some new ideas. The main course was decided – that was the easy part- we would make a classic Shrimp Pad Thai and a Green Thai chicken curry with coconut rice.  But, what to serve as a starter?  I wanted something light and fresh and full of flavour and preferably vegetarian.  I tried out a few ideas and settled on a very simple vegetable salad which I tossed in a Thai dressing.  It hit the spot perfectly and was thoroughly enjoyed by all, so much so that there was not one peanut or bean sprout left on the serving platter.

If you wanted to serve this by itself you could simply add some cooked shrimp or chicken or even some chilled egg noodles.  If you do not want to add peanut butter to the dressing, simply leave it out and the tasty will still be as delicious, more citrusy but just as good.

Serves 6

Ingredients:

For the Salad

• 3 cups finely sliced Chinese or Savoy or Napa cabbage
• 1 cup sprouts
• 1 finely sliced green and/or red pepper
• 1 cup baby spinach leaves or arugula or both
• 1 finely sliced, seeded red chilli
• 1 small English cucumber, halved lengthwise, gutted and thinly sliced
• 1 cup shredded or finely sliced carrots (optional)
• 1 cup whole sugar snap peas or edamame beans (optional)
• 2 medium scallions, thinly sliced
• 1 cup loosely packed chopped fresh basil, mint and cilantro

• For the Thai Peanut Dressing

  • ¼ cup creamy peanut butter (use unsweetened)
    
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 3 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seed oil
  • 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
    
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
    
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
  • 1 fresh red chilli, seeded and finely sliced or ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • Handful of fresh cilantro and basil, chopped

Handful of toasted cashew nuts and/or peanuts

Method:

Place all the fresh vegetables and herbs in a large bowl and toss to combine
In a small glass bowl, mix all the dressing ingredients and whisk well, this can be done using a sticker or immersion blender
Dress the salad with the dressing just before serving
Sprinkle on some toasted cashew nuts and/or peanuts
Bon Appetit!

Smoked salmon and capers fishcakes

Tags

capers, Dill, fish, Fishcake, leftovers, lunch, salmon, smoked salmon

This is a great way to use any smoked salmon left over after a party.  Quick and easy and a delicious lunch.  Using semolina is a great alternative to breadcrumbs as it produces a very crisp coating.  These can be prepared in advance and kept in the refrigerator until you are ready to fry them.

Serves 4

Ingredients:
300g / 10½oz potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
170g / 6oz smoked salmon
115g / 4oz fine French green beans, cooked al denté
1 tablespoon butter
1 egg plus 1 yolk
1 tablespoon flour plus a little extra for dusting
1 tablespoon capers
1/2 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
1/2 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon lemon juice
6 tablespoons semolina or dried breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:
Bring water to the boil in a saucepan, add the potato chunks and cook until tender, about 10 to 12 minutes
Drain the potatoes thoroughly, transfer to a large bowl, add the butter and salt and pepper and mash together until smooth (use a potato ricer if you wish)
Chop the green beans into 1cm / ½ inch pieces
Add the green beans, egg yolk, flour, capers, herbs, spring onion, cayenne pepper and lemon juice to the potatoes and stir to combine
Cut the smoked salmon into small bits and add to the bowl and mix gently
Season to taste and place in the fridge for at least one hour
Sprinkle some flour onto a plate
Beat the whole egg in a shallow plate
Sprinkle the semolina or breadcrumbs into a third shallow plate
Form the salmon mixture into about 6 fishcakes
Coat them in flour, egg then semolina then place onto a plate
Heat the oil in a sauté pan and gently fry the cakes until golden on both sides, about 3 to 4 minutes per side
Serve with a tartare sauce or homemade mayonnaise and a green salad

Bon appétit !