Lamb and Kumara Stew

Brown 2 lamb chops per person remove

remove

Fry two sliced Spanish onions
4 sliced garlic cloves
1 sliced chilli
2cm of fresh garlic sliced

Then add

5 diced tomatoes (or 400ml can)
1 large kumara peeled and cut into pieces
1 tbs soy sauce
1 tbs honey
1 cinnamon stick
1 tbs ras el hanout

Cover all with water and oven bake at 180 c for 2 hours

Serve on cous cous or rice

Lamb and Fetta casserole

This is quick to get ready and cook slowly in the oven.

Brown 1 kilo diced lamb

Soften
1 diced onion
1 sliced red chilli
3 garlic cloves

Add all the above to a casserole dish
With
400mls white wine
700mls passata
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup kalamata olives

Cook for 2 hours on 180c

Serve with crumbled feta on top and crusty bread

Kitchen Confidential

There is at least one book that defines many. This is that one. Anthony wrote this many years ago and he really captures the idea that working in a kitchen is real work. its tough, its hard and if you want your boss to give you a kiss at the end of your shift it ain't happening. In fact he painted a workplace like any other, depressing, hard and in the end soul crushing.

But it didn't crush him he emerged stronger and better and a TV star. Don't get me wrong this is a great guy who is fun and inspirational but he does not do the business any favours.

The book is fun it looks at all of the ins and outs of the business of serving people food. In these times of celebrity chefs a book like this brings us all back to earth.

If you have ever liked watching the celebrity chefs mouth off then this is the book for you, it tells all from a point of knowing.

Most of all though the attitude of the writer is what sells the book, he does not care what people say or think he just acts as he sees fit.

Love the book love what he has done since.

Do yourself a favour and read this one.

Gnocchi Bake

This is a simple tasty meal that takes only minutes.

Take a pack of preprepared Gnocchi, from any supermarket.

Preheat oven to 180c

Cook some bacon pieces

Boil the gnocchi and place in a baking dish

Cover with the bacon

Grate a generous quantity of Parmesan over the top

Crumble your favourite Blue cheese over the top

Bake until golden and serve


If this is not enough meat for you, it can always be coupled with some sausages or other meat.

Its quick and easy and anyone can cook it.

Pork Stew

This is a simple recipe for a quick and easy stew that is great for an easy midweek meal. If you don't like chilli don't add it.


Brown 400gms diced pork and set aside



Saute

2 sliced Spanish onions
2 sliced cloves of garlic
1 sliced chilli (more if you want it hot)
1 roughly diced red pepper
400 gms baby potatoes

Then return the meat to the pot
and add

400 gms diced tinned toms
500mls chicken stock and 200mls of water

Simmer for 35 minutes and add a generous amount of frozen baby beans

Serve with crusty bread

Coq au Van

Chicken cooked in wine is not really anywhere near as fancy sounding but i had a small leftover half chicken and it was a cooler night so i thought I would give it a try.

Break the chicken into smaller pieces, making sure to leave the skin on.

Brown the chicken in olive oil and butter until golden, set aside

Cook three rashes of diced bacon, three roughly chopped onions

Combine all ingredients into a casserole dish

Add:
150mls Chicken stock
300mls white wine
4 crushed garlic cloves
2 bay leaves
300 gms diced mushroom

Cook for 3 hours at 180c

Serve with crusty bread or rice if you want it to go further

Smoked Salmon Tarts

This is a simple summer dish that will do as a main or as entree depending, takes little time and is very nice.

Start with some frozen puff pastry and shape some rounds larger for a main smaller for an entree.

Bake in the oven until they rise.

Then top with:

A sprinkle of dukkah
Ricotta cheese
Smoked salmon
Slices of spanish onion
Capers
Black pepper
A squeeze of lemon
A spoon of no fat Greek yogurt