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FISH CAKES WITH ANCHOVY DRESSING

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SUQUET DE RAP I GAMBES - MONKFISH AND PRAWN STEW

This is the first time I cook this recipe. It is a very traditional way to eat seafood in many parts of Catalonia. Monkfish is highly regarded in the culinary world, often referred to as the "poor man's lobster". It's hard to find in the area we live in, and I was very lucky to buy some a few days ago, and at a very good price, in fact it was almost half the price of the other fish fillets. I bought the whole lot, almost 2 kg and put it in the freezer for us to enjoy. To make this recipe, I used a cookbook from Nandu Jubany, a Catalan chef with a Michelin star that lives near my hometown in Catalonia, and from a Blog called 'Els fogons de Can Sibina'. I got some ideas from both and then created my own. I must say that it turned out absolutely delicious 😋  ! Ingredients Fish stock fish head and bones  (I used the top part of a snapper fillet, near the head) 1 onion, cut in half 1 carrot, cut in half a few peppercorns 3 fish stock cubes (or 1/2 l fish stock) 1l...

PORK CARNITAS WITH PINEAPPLE ADOBO SAUCE

  There are so many steps involved that you really need to start the day before..... It's a recipe from a cookbook called Cantina from Paul Wilson. I am discovering the more 'real' Mexican recipes, and so far both Rod and I have been very surprised about the complexity of flavours we have encountered. To make today's recipe, I had to start yesterday by making a Chipotle stock and then use it to cook the pork belly, let it cool in the stock and then keep overnight on the fridge, with some weights. The colour of the stock is just amazingly red from the achiote paste. I have now kept the chicken wings to use them later, maybe on a soup. Today I had to make the Mexican pickling brine to put on the pineapple, which was delicious, with a mixture of spices, apple cider vinegar, sugar and orange rind and juice as well as fresh herbs. Then, I had to make the caramel pineapple adobo sauce (luckily I already had the adobo sauce in the freezer) to cook the pork. And last, but not l...

AVOCADO CREMA

  This is basically a guacamole with sour cream. You can use leftover guacamole to make this recipe. Ingredients  3 overripe avocados juice of 3 limes 90g sour cream 1 garlic clove, grated 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp smoked paprika 1/4 tsp allspice pinch of onion powder pinch of ground coriander sea salt to taste Method Halve the avocadoes lengthways, remove the stones and scoop out the flesh using a large spoon. Combine the avocado, lime juice, sour cream, garlic and spices in a food processor and blend to make a smooth thick sauce. Season with salt. Avocado crema is best used on the day it is made. Here it was served to accompany the Pork carnitas with pineapple adobo sauce .

ADOBO SAUCE

  This is a very interesting sauce used in many Mexican recipes. I used 2 x 250ml jars and froze one of them to be used in other recipes. However, when I make it again, I might even use smaller jars. The first time I made it was to go with these fish tacos, from the same book. They were unbelievably delicious!! See recipe link below. Ingredients Adobo sauce 2 dried guajillo chillies 75g dried chipotle chillies 100ml olive oil 1l chicken stock 3 large red capsicums, halved lengthways 1 red onion, quartered 1 garlic bulb, peeled 3 long green chillies large handful oregano leaves 75g smoked paprika 1 Tbsp Mexican spice blend (see below) 115g caster sugar 125ml sherry vinegar sea salt to taste Mexican spice blend 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon 1 Tbsp ground cumin 1 Tbsp smoked paprika 2 tsp ground allspice 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper 2 tsp ground star anise 1 tsp ground cloves Method To make the spice blend, combine all spices and store in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Preheat...

LOLO DE TERNERA SANDWICH

This recipe was easy and very tasty! I had some capsicums in the fridge that had to be eaten and found this easy recipe from a new cookbook. I actually roasted the capsicums in the air-fryer and it really worked well. I used porterhouse steak instead of babette - cannot find it here. Also, I couldn't be bothered to make allioli so used store-bought mayo instead. I added some homemade BBQ sauce on the last half of the sandwich and it was also delicious! Ingredients 2 green capsicums (I used red & yellow ones) 3 Tbsp olive oil 2 garlic cloves, finely sliced finely grated zest of 1 lemon good pinch of chilli flakes 300g bavette steak (or porterhouse and even rump steak will work) 2 small ciabatta or small baguettes 75g Mahon or other melty cheese, sliced 2-3 Tbsp allioli or mayonnaise flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Method Heat the grill on high (or airfryer if using) and blacken the capsicums all over, then pop them in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Leave unti...