Mushroom Polenta with Gremolata

Mushroom Polenta with Gremolata

Gremolata:
62ml pine nuts (you may replace with sunflower seeds)
a big bunch of parsley
2 cloves garlic, peeled
the zest of 1 lemon
a pinch of salt
the juice of 1 lemon
45ml olive oil

Polenta:
750ml vegetable/chicken stock
5ml salt
250ml quick cooking polenta
62ml butter

Mushrooms:
45ml butter
30ml sunflower oil
500g mixed mushrooms, roughly chopped
15ml thyme leaves
salt and pepper

For the Gremolata:
Place a large frying pan on medium heat and add the pine nuts to it.
Shake the pan over the heat or stir the seeds around with a spoon, until it starts to toast and change colour.
Remove the seeds from the pan and set aside.
Place the garlic, parsley and half the pine nuts on a chopping board and mince together until finely chopped.
Add the lemon zest and a pinch of salt and chop the ingredients together.
Scrape the chopped ingredients into a small bowl and add the rest of the pine nuts to it.
Now add the lemon juice and olive oil and stir together. Set aside.

For the Polenta:
Add the stock and salt to a saucepan set over high heat and bring the stock to a boil.
Add the polenta and whisk the mixture together until it has thickened.
Take the saucepan from the heat, add the butter and whisk well. Set aside.

For the Mushrooms:
Add the butter and oil to a frying pan set over high heat.
Add the mushrooms, thyme, salt and pepper and cook for about 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat.

Spoon the polenta into bowls and top with mushrooms and a spoonful of gremolata.

Vegetable Cacciatore

Vegetable Cacciatore

The traditional Italian cacciatore is made with poultry and celebrates generosity and variety. This is my vegetarian interpretation and will feed six people when served with mashed potato or polenta.

90ml olive oil
250g button mushrooms
2 medium aubergines, diced
2 onions, diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
3 carrots, peeled and cut into small chunks
2 medium red sweet peppers, sliced in strips
250ml dry red wine
2 x 400g tins of chopped tomato
2 x 400g tins of butter beans
250ml whole black olives
500ml vegetable stock
125ml parsley, chopped
5ml salt
black pepper

Heat the oil in a large saucepan on a high heat.
Add the mushrooms and aubergine and fry for a few minutes until browned.
Remove from the saucepan with a slotted spoon and keep aside.
Lower the heat to medium and add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is soft.
Add the carrot and sweet peppers and fry for a minute or so.
Pour in the wine and simmer until the wine is reduced completely.
Add the tomato, beans, olives, stock and salt and simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the cooked mushrooms and aubergine and stir through. Simmer for a further 5 minutes.
Take the saucepan from the heat and add the parsley.
Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning.
Serve on mashed potato or polenta and a generous drizzle of olive oil.

Panzanella (Italian Bread Salad)

Panzanella (Italian Bread Salad)

This is without doubt my favourite salad! If you are a fan of tomato, this is a must-try.

4 x 2cm thick slices of sourdough bread
6-8 fresh, ripe tomatoes at room temperature
half a cucumber
1 small red onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
125ml olive oil
60ml balsamic vinegar
juice of 1 lemon
a bunch of fresh basil leaves

Preheat your oven to 190℃ and line a baking sheet with baking paper.
Cut the sourdough slices into cubes of 1,5 – 2cm.
Spread the bread cubes on the prepared baking sheet and liberally drizzle with olive oil and season with salt.
Place in the oven for 20-30 minutes, until the bread is golden and crisp.
Remove from the baking sheet and set aside to cool.

Dressing:
Chop 3-4 tomatoes into very small pieces. The chopping is best done in a shallow bowl so that you preserve all of the tomato’s juice.
Add the tomato and the juice to a small mixing bowl.
Chop the onion as finely as you can, mince the garlic and add to the tomato.
Now add the olive oil, balsamic vinegar and lemon juice.
Mix these ingredients together and seasonal with salt and pepper. Make adjustments according to your liking.

Slice the remaining 3-4 tomatoes into chunks and place in a large mixing bowl.
Cut the cucumber into chunks and add that as well.
Pour the dressing over the tomato and cucumber and mix through.
Scatter the croutons and basil on top of the salad and mix through.
Transfer to a serving platter.

Gazpacho

Gazpacho

This is a delicious cold soup for warm summer days. Spice it up by adding a chilli or two or add a handful of freshly chopped basil leaves. Feeds 4-6 adults.

1 large English cucumber, diced
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
8 fresh tomatoes, diced
30ml olive oil
60ml grape vinegar
salt and pepper
fresh chilli or basil leaves, to serve

Dice the vegetables and add it to a large mixing bowl.
Add the garlic, olive oil and vinegar and season with salt and pepper.
Scoop half the mixture into a liquidiser and blitz.
Pour the liquid back into the mixing bowl and mix through with the diced vegetables.
Refrigerate the soup for at least 2 hours so that the flavours can develop.
Serve the soup with a few ice cubes and chopped chilli or basil leaves.

Quinoa Peach Salad

Quinoa Peach Salad

This salad is literally a complete protein meal, can be made in advance (only get better) and is fabulous for picnics or lunch boxes!

250ml uncooked quinoa
250ml pickled sweet peppers (store bought or homemade)
125ml feta cheese, crumbed
5 peaches, cubed
2 handful of basil leaves, chopped

Cook the quinoa according to the packet instructions and allow to cool completely.
Dice the sweet peppers, feta and peaches and chop the basil leaves.
Mix everything together.
Drizzle the pickling liquid from the sweet pepper over the salad or make the Lemon Dressing (search on this blog)

Serve as a side or a complete meal.

Pearl Barley Salad

Pearl Barley Salad

375ml uncooked pearl barley
45ml sherry vinegar
2,5ml dijon mustard
2,5ml salt
30ml olive oil
50g blue cheese, crumbled
50 – 100g baby spinach
half a red onion, sliced
80ml pecan nuts

Cook the pearl barley according to the packet instructions – usually it is 1:3 (pearl barley : water). Allow to cool completely.
Add the vinegar, mustard, salt and olive oil to a cup and whisk everything together. Set aside.
Add the cooked and cooled pearl barley, baby spinach, blue cheese and red onion to a large bowl and mix together.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and give it another quick mix.
Spoon the salad into a serving bowl and sprinkle with the pecan nuts before serving.