PAW's Recipe of the Month February - Greek Lemon Chicken

This time of year tends to be a bit of a void for culinary inspiration. Christmas festivities over – winter still looming, topsy turvy weather, still long nights and short daylight hours but hope is on the horizon – Spring is coming.

Note an early Easter in late March and so the Easter season will start with Shrove Tuesday on 9^th February – Pancake Day! So there’s one evening supper taken care of.

Fun with savoury – fruit or madly indulgent fillings – let your imagination run riot.

When people ask what my signature dish is, or my favourite food, I have to confess I use the finger method, like testing the direction of the wind. I wet my finger hold it up high and see what takes my fancy. Sometimes the inspiration comes from watching a TV programme – sometimes seeing an ingredient at the shops or even a country theme that has been invoked by an experience or person. We all do things Italian regularly – with Pizza and Pasta. Some Indian, Vegetarian, Thai or good heart warming British.

So with the promise of Spring I thought Greek – Sunshine – Lemons – simplicity and so to:

Greek Lemon Chicken  

8 Chicken Thighs or 4 Legs

1 Unwaxed Lemon cut into Wedges

1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil

4 Cloves of Garlic – peeled and sliced

About 4 Tablespoons White Wine or Sherry

Flour

Seasoning

Roll the Chicken Joints in the Flour and pack into an Oven proof dish skin side up.(Quite tightly)

Slot the Lemon Wedges and Garlic Slices in between the Joints.

Drizzle with the Olive Oil and Wine/Sherry. Season

Bake in a hot oven about 180C (Fan) for about 45 minutes until golden and cooked through

Serve with Roast Potatoes and Rosemary. You could add a Feta, Tomato and Cucumber Salad.

PAW's Recipe of the Month January 2016 - Boiled Fruit Cake

So I hope you survived? It is all over for another year and I am certainly hoping that 2016 will not pass at such a pace as did 2015.

I sometimes wonder if my thoughts and conviction to food is replicated in other people. Surely you must crave for something sometimes whether it is chocolate or a particular dish that has either been invoked by an incident or even a childhood memory. So it must be - there I was thinking about Christmas and I hadn’t made the customary cake. Well it always lingers on and on and in the end you can’t even give it away. Yes I know you can store it commit it to the freezer but in the end there it is. A bought one is never the same and really doesn’t have that lovely Christmas smell that wafts through the house.

Pondering and wanting to make a cake I dug out my trusted cookery recipe book that I have had for more than 50 years and there was a gem i hadn’t made for almost as long I am sure. Would it work and what would it be like – only one way to fine out and so I did.

A joy, a moist scrummy unfussy fruit cake not quite as rich as a classic Christmas cake but if I had plugged it with alcohol I am sure it would have come up to the mark. This recipe employs what is known in cooking terms the boiling method – do try it i am sure you will not be disappointed.

Boiled Fruit Cake

2ozs chopped Glace Cherries

½ pt Water

10ozs Margarine

8ozs Currants

8ozs Sultanas

4ozs chopped Peel

1 lge can Condensed Milk

10oz Plain Flour

¾ level tsp Bicarb

Pinch of Salt

1. Place Cherries, Water, Margarine, Fruit, Milk in a saucepan and bring to the boil
2. Simmer gently fro 3 mins then leave to cool
3. Add Flour, Bicarb, Salt and beat well
4. Pour into a lines greased 8” tin
5. Bake in oven 160C for about 3 hours – check with skewer after 2 ½ hours. Cool for at least 5 minutes before turning out.

N.B. You can put Almonds on the top before baking if you like.

PAW's Recipe of the Month December 2015 - Rillettes of Smoked and Poached Salmon with Pickled Cucumber

So I arrive once again at December for the Month’s Recipe, mindful that not all find this time of year one of Joy and Happiness. It can invoke so many memories of days past and they in turn trigger whatever you feel about Christmas and New Year.

Mine of cold winter mornings huddling round the fire in the kitchen (no central heating in those days) having run from the bedroom, the windows iced with the cold. Thoughts of chocolate treats from the Christmas tree and sacks full of presents from aunts and uncles and of course a huge Turkey and Lunch – that of course was a long time ago.

These days’ thoughts of friends near and far, memories of adventures past and thoughts of things to come. Gathering with some friends enjoying a snack or three and also maybe the odd glass of wine. Not all self indulgent however. A thought for neighbours and acquaintances who may be on their own and a pop in or call with a cheerful note. I am also inspired by a dear friend, a retired American pastor now living in Thailand who introduced me to RAK. (Random Acts of Kindness) there is a website too. Mind I do try all year round not just at Christmas time.

So say hello to strangers, give people a hug, give a pot of homemade jam, make some cookies or a casserole to a needy person, invite people to share your table for a meal. Make that little bit extra when making a meal and give to someone who would appreciate a home cooked meal. You may never know just what a difference something very simple can make to a person’s day or life.

So for recipes. I often revert at this time of year to old favourites but there is always room for something new and adaptable. This month’s I found recently and have enjoyed serving it with crackers as a cocktail canapé as well as serving it with toast as a starter. I have frozen it in ramekins so I can pull it out as needed so I hope you enjoy it too.

Rillettes of Smoked and Poached Salmon with Pickled Cucumber.

1 Med. Cucumber

200 ml White Wine Vinegar

1 Med Onion – slice very thinly

1 tsp mustard seeds (I used peppercorns)

4 tsp Sugar

Small bunch of Fresh Dill – chopped

1. Half the Cucumber and remove the seeds – slice at and angle
2. Boil together the Onion, Mustard Seeds, Sugar and Vinegar for a few minutes and leave to cool slightly. Then pour over the Cucumber and chill – Then add the Dill.

325g of Cooked poached Salmon Fillet

75g Smoked Salmon finely chopped

125g Softened Butter

1 tbsp Thick Yoghurt

Small Bunch of Chives –chopped

Juice of ½  Lemon

1. Mix together the Butter, Yoghurt, Chives, Lemon Juice and Smoked Salmon.
2. Carefully fold in the Salmon Fillet.

 To serve, drain the cucumber – serve the Rillettes at room temperature in bowls, on a plate with hot toast or crackers and the Pickled Cucumber.

PAW's Recipe of the Month November 2015 - Butternut Squash & Chicken

I guess winter is just around the corner though this current mild spell doesn’t bode well for the spread of germs and bugs. Colds, Flu and Viral infections seem to be around us all. Be sure that you have adequate sleep and as stress free as possible keeping your system in tip top condition to fight off these infections that are all around you. Historically many have depended on Vitamin C but don’t forget that Minerals are also very important especially Zinc.

Fresh Fruit and vegetables are also very important. Keep in mind that the brighter the vegetables and fruits are, the better they are likely to be for you. Beetroot, sweet potato, broccoli, oranges, red capsicum and pumpkin are all chock-full of nutrition and can either be juiced, thrown into stir-fries, or baked and served with warming casseroles and soups. Finally, don't forget to keep your fluid intake up. Dehydration can not only make cough and flu symptoms much worse, but it is not good for your digestion in general. If you find that you are drinking much less water in winter, switch to green tea, which is packed with antioxidants and has also been shown to increase metabolic rate if three or more cups are consumed every day. Warm water served with a slice of lemon is also a great fluid choice.

Top 10 winter foods

Broccoli - exceptionally high in antioxidants.

Carrots - full of the antioxidant beta carotene.

Red capsicum - massive hit of vitamin C.

Kiwifruit - just one contains your entire daily requirement of vitamin C.

Oranges - just one contains your entire daily requirement of vitamin C.

Green tea - powerful antioxidant.

Mushrooms - rich source of antioxidants.

Lean beef - rich in zinc.

Oysters - exceptionally high in zinc and iodine.

Berries - packed with antioxidants but few kilojoules.

Chicken & Butternut Squash

Plain Flour

Oil

Chicken Thighs - Skinless, Boneless and cut into chunks (allow about 2 thighs per person)

Onion - , chopped (about 1 for each 1lb (500g) of meat

4 Garlic Cloves, chopped

2 Chillies, finely chopped

White Wine – 1 large glass

Butternut Squash, peeled, chopped pieces – about half a whole

Chicken Stock – ½ pint

Fresh Thyme – small bunch

Bay Leaves – about 4

Crème Fraiche – ½ tub

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Small handful chopped fresh parsley

1.     Dust the Chicken Meat in the Flour and pan fry in a little Oil till golden. Put into another pan or casserole dish

2.     Sweat the Onion with the Garlic and Chillies. Add the wine and simmer for a little while add to Chicken.

3.     Add the Squash, Chicken Stock, Herbs to the Chicken being sure that there is enough liquid to cover all and not drowning. Simmer gently on the stove or cover with a lid and braise in the oven till tender (about 1 hour)

4.     Add Crème Fraiche and continue to simmer till nicely warmed. Check seasoning. Sprinkle with Parsley and serve

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PAW's Recipe of the Month October 2015 - Gluten Free

Cooking for people you don’t necessarily know these days can be a nightmare especially when some don’t have the good manners to advise that they have what is known these days as a ‘food preference’ Some years ago I was just about to serve the main course, a succulent leg of best English Lamb to be told oh ! My husband doesn’t eat Lamb! Luckily I had a breast of chicken in the fridge which I quickly poached and served as an alternative. Courtesy says that if you are invited anywhere, where food is being served, then advising your host of your ‘food preferences’ saves any embarrassment for all parties concerned. Though I do find occasionally that the odd person does like to “make a fuss” and feels robbed if satisfaction is not achieved.

Some preferences can be challenging – the old title of being vegetarian which fitted into two categories of Vegan or Lacto doesn’t apply these days either. Some regard themselves as being vegetarian, but will eat fish and or white meat. Then one has to contend with the allergy brigade. Coeliac (gluton free) Lactose intolerant, Nut allergy and a further endless list of other things that people avoid.

Thankfully the retailers have responded – be it slowly but there are choices to be had. I noted only the other day Fresh - Ready to Roll Gluten Free Pastry. Don’t know what it tastes like or how it handles yet, but hey it’s on the shelves so somebody must be buying it.

With this in mind how about making a nice Gluten free White Sauce.

50g Butter

50g Gluten Free flour or Rice Flour

600ml Milk

Put all in a Saucepan and stir over a gentle heat until thickened and bring to the boil.

Now we can begin:

1. Add cooked fish, chopped hard boiled Eggs, chopped Parsely and top with
   
   Pastry or Mashed Potato for Fish Pie

2. Add diced chopped cooked Chicken Breast, Sweetcorn & Peas
   
   top with pastry or a Savoury crumble

3. Use Stock instead of Milk and finish with Cream for a Richer Sauce – add cooked meats ( Chicken, Turkey, Rabbit) and or vegetables and serve with steamed Rice.

4. Make Pancakes with Gluten free Flour. Fill with cooked Minced Beef and Spinach roll – place into an ovenproof dish, coat with the sauce and bake (Canelloni)

HAVE FUN AND ENJOY 

PAW's Recipe of the Month September 2015 - Fruit Crumbles

It is interesting and maybe inspiring, answering quandaries and questions or just adventuring ideas about food and its creation. Though there is very little that is new and that has not been done before. As we progress and hear that over stretched expression ‘Think Outside the Box’ now has a very apt response ‘There is NO Box’ only the one that you chose to sit in – so it is self inflicted as are our food prejudices, likes and dislikes.

An elderly friend loves good perceived ‘old fashioned’ puddings like Rhubarb Crumble. Cooking for one is no real joy and the ready made crumbles at the supermarkets lack quantities of fruit and provide little satisfaction. My result – a tin of Stewed Rhubarb put into an oven proof dish and topped with a packet of ready made crumble. No more effort than heating a ready bought one but far more satisfying.

As autumn approaches, we see tress filled with fruits and hedge rows brimming with berries. The thrifty of course will prepare and freeze quantities but if you have a couple of pounds then a crumble of some sort is always a joy.

The packets of crumble ready mix can be very useful for the store cupboard and can always be spiced up with a little cinnamon or mixed spice.

Other adventures could be some crushed Hob Nob Biscuits mixed with some Roasted nuts of your choice and sprinkled onto your chosen fruit and quickly toasted under a grill until golden and then served. You could of course use a combination of Digestive and Hob Nobs.

Alternatively lay whole Hob Nobs overlapping them on top of the fruit – sprinkle with Demerara Sugar and toast under the grill until the sugar has melted and caramelised. (Do make sure that the Sugar is fresh and moist and not dried out) 

Cornflake Crumble

Rub together 2oz of Flour and 2oz of Cold Butter (cubed) to breadcrumbs.

Add 8ozs of Cornflakes (you could use Frosties) and a little sugar to taste.

Sprinkle over your chosen prepared fruit and bake in a hot oven until golden brown and the fruit is bubbling underneath.

PAW's Recipe of the Month August 2015 - Tomato, Basil and Goats Cheese Loaf

I don’t know about you but I am sure we have all been through a bread making phase at some point in time. Whether having been given or bought a Bread Maker or beaten up a portion of dough by hand. A great thing to do in the holidays with the young but I guess time consuming and as many say – fresh baked bread doesn’t last very long and gets eaten far too quickly especially by the ‘maker’

Of course another factor is the ingredients and the mystery of yeast – the dilemma of fresh or dried – normal of fast acting. Like most things practice makes perfect and you can find your own preferences. However if you don’t do it you won’t get that opportunity.

If you do bake, then of course Soda Bread is a good way of not having to deal with yeast. Soda Bread is really best on the day of baking and does not do well if not eaten till the next day.

When it comes to Al Fresco and BBQ’s depending on your ingredients when torpedo rolls or buns are required a good bread to accompany meats and fish can always be appreciated. I recently found the range of Frozen to Oven Bake at Iceland – reasonably priced good quality artisan breads ready to bake and serve.

On the other hand explore a range of breads that can be made quite easily and quickly with no fuss and are scrumptious.

Tomato Basil and Goats Cheese Loaf

4ozs butter

11ozs Self Raising Flour

 ½ tsp Salt

6ozs Goats Cheese or feta – flaked or grated

6ozs Firm Cherry Tomatoes – (halved)

15g Basil

3 1/2 ozs Milk

3 Eggs

Mix Fat and Flour (Rub together) and add 2/3 of the Cheese and Tomatoes. Tear in the Basil

Mix Egg and Milk add and mix.

Place into a lined loaf tin and top with remaining Cheese

Bake in Oven at 180C Gas 4 for 45 – 50 minutes

Check that the centre is cooked with a skewer.

Cool and slice