Cheesy Orzo

Cheesy Orzo

300g orzo pasta
45ml olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
30ml thyme leaves, chopped
250ml cream
1 lemon, grated zest and juice
250ml grated parmesan cheese
40g pine kernels, toasted

Place a large saucepan over high heat, pour in a good quantity of water and add a teaspoon of salt.
Bring to a boil, add the orzo pasta and cook until al dente.
Place a large pan on medium-high heat and add the olive oil and onion to it.
Cook until the onion is translucent.
Add the garlic and thyme and stir-fry for one minute.
Pour in the cream, turn down the heat to medium and simmer until slightly reduced – 3 minutes or so.
Add the lemon zest, lemon juice and parmesan and stir through.
Now add the drained orzo to the sauce and simmer for another 2 minutes while stirring to coat the pasta with the sauce.
Spoon the orzo on to a serving dish and scatter the pine kernels over to serve.

Green Bean Fritters

Green Bean Fritters

350g green beans, sliced into 1cm lengths
200g flour
10ml baking powder
5ml curry powder
2,5ml ground turmeric
5ml salt
2,5ml white pepper
2 eggs
half an onion, very finely chopped
90ml water
vegetable oil for frying

Place the prepared green beans in a saucepan oven medium-high heat, add about 500ml water and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain well and set aside to cool.
Add the flour, baking powder, curry powder, turmeric, salt and pepper to a mixing bowl and stir together.
Add the cooled beans and mix again.
Add the eggs, onion and water to a bowl and whisk together.
Pour into the bean mixture and stir to form a batter.
Place a pan on medium-high heat, add enough oil to generously cover the bottom and wait for it to heat up.
Fry spoonfuls of the mixture for 3-4 minutes per side.
Serve the fritters warm.

Smashed Potatoes

Smashed Potatoes

1 kg small potatoes
salt
vegetable oil

Place the potatoes in a large pot and fill it with water to cover the potatoes with 3 cm water. Bring to a boil and cook until they are easily pierced with a toothpick, about 25 minutes.
Drain in a colander and shake of as much water as possible. Pat dry with a tea towel.
Spread the potatoes on a dry tea towel and leave to air-dry and cool enough so that they are easy to handle.
Crush the potatoes by pressing down on them with a spice bottle (or anything with a flat bottom like a glass).
Pour 4cm of vegetable oil into a saucepan set over medium-high heat and wait for the oil to heat up.
Fry the potatoes in batches to avoid over crowding in the saucepan.
They are ready after 2-3 minutes and when they are crispy and beautifully golden.
Drain on paper towel before placing on a serving platter.
Sprinkle with salt and serve immediately.