Recipe Critics

Serrano Ham & Scallops Risotto

Ivan — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 20:26:03 +0000

Risottos are so versatile that you can add a myriad of different ingredients; meats, vegetables, sea food, or a combination of these. It really boils down to preference and creativity. This particular dish has the seafood element yet also has an added dimension given by the richness of the Serrano ham. If you prefer using Parma ham or any other cured ham then by all means do so. Also, if you can find this in a pack already cut into little cubes then it is better as it will have more of a bite. You can also use slices, but these will just add flavour, and not texture.

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Warm Butter Bean Salad

Ivan — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 18:59:27 +0000

This dish is very simple and takes about 15 minutes from start to finish, perfect if you’re in a hurry or if you want good food the fast way! The base of this dish is very Spanish inspired and it is tasty, yet quite light. You can also make this dish with other types of beans, but butter beans are very large, substantial, and have a great soft texture to them which makes them perfect as a standalone main ingredient.

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Instant Raspberry Sorbet

Ivan — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 22:05:04 +0000

This sorbet recipe can come to the rescue when you need an instant sweet fix when counting calories (or not!), or also to easily get kids to east their daily fruit requirements. Most of the time the sorbets that you buy in supermarkets are laden with sugar and are probably made from concentrates anyway. This one preserves all the goodness, vitamins, and minerals in one tasty treat. The only requirement is that you own an ice crushing blender or food processor.

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Lamb Dhansak

Ivan — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 21:30:53 +0000

Lamb Dhansak is my absolute favourite Indian dish. Not only is it tasty, creamy, and satisfying, but it is also quite light in comparison to other curries. The combination of earthy lentils and the rich spicy sauce is simply fantastic, so if you want to impress with a curry, then this is it! This particular recipe is mild-medium hot. There are 2 parts to this dish; the cury base, and the Dhansak itself.

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Spiced Quince Compote

Ivan — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:18:04 +0000

Quince is one of those fruits that may be hard to find and not many people know what to do with it outside of where they are grown (Mediterranean and the Middle East). However they don’t know what they are missing! Quinces come in a variety of sizes and usually have a roughish golden yellow skin and is usually available in autumn. Slowly cooked it makes an utterly delicious desert which I find to be the perfect comfort food!

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Wild Mushroom Risotto

Ivan — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:35:41 +0000

Risotto is one of my favourite meals and is not as difficult to make as some people seem to think. Since I am watching the calories (at the moment!) I cook it using less oil and cheese and only vegetables, and definitely with no butter or cream. The rice has enough starch to make it creamy without compromising on taste. Also, wild mushrooms give the dish an added depth (I like using oyster mushrooms since they have a beautiful texture and flavour).

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Aubergine Pisto

Ivan — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 14:09:56 +0000

Pisto is a Spanish type of Ratatouille which is ubiquitous in Mediterranean cuisine. It is not a glamorous dish and there is nothing complex about it, so there is very little that can go wrong. It is surprisingly low calorie though, which is great if you’re on a calorie controlled diet. The traditional Pisto recipe has courgettes (zucchini), but I usually make it with just aubergines (egg plant) because I’m not that fond of courgettes. However they do give a nice colour to the dish, so by all means add them if you wish.

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Almejas al Ajillo

Ivan — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 22:13:17 +0000

Clams are very easy and simple to cook, not to mention the fact that they take next to no time to form part of a delicious meal! Fresh clams are very low in calories and can be easy to find depending on where you live. Just ask your local fishmonger or supermarket regarding their freshness.

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Moorish Kebabs (Pinchitos Morunos)

Ivan — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 18:20:02 +0000

Pinchitos Morunos are marinated kebabs of Moroccan origin and they are perfect for any summer barbeque. The blend of spices might not be easy to obtain, and even when it is available it can vary greatly from one place to another, but in this recipe the spices are perfectly balanced. You can use any type of meat for these kebabs. In Morocco they are prepared with lamb, and in Spain it is traditionally prepared with pork. For a leaner alternative you can use chicken breast, although I recommend using turkey thigh as it is very tasty and moist, and doesn’t dry out like breast meat does.

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Vanilla Cupcakes

Nicole — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 12:10:10 +0000

These are without a doubt, the yummiest, most addictive cupcake you will ever try! For those of you who are fans of Sex and the City, these are the cupcakes that Carrie and Miranda munch away on, whilst sitting outside The Magnolia Bakery, discussing Carrie’s newfoundman Aidan! These are the quintessential make-me-feel-good-sugar-high treat…make them…you won’t be disappointed.

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