Recipes

Delicious easy to prepare recipes to inspire the chef in you! "Cooking is love made visible"

Entertaining, FAR Photography, Food, Recipes, Taste

Rogan Josh Curry Paste Recipe

We love curry and Lamb Rogan Josh is one of my favourites, so I thought I would share this Rogan Josh Curry Paste Recipe with you. It is super easy to make and you can store it in the fridge for use anytime you need it. [Read more…]

Entertaining, Food, My Family Table, Recipes

How to cook perfect rice

A question that I am often asked when hosting a dinner party is “how do you cook your rice so perfectly?” Hence this how to make perfect rice post. What I can tell you, is that it is not as simple as it looks and I remember during my early cooking days having at least one or two bin-able rice disasters! We eat rice fairly often and my product of choice is Basmati Rice.

How to cook perfect rice

Ingredients:

{Serves 4-6 people}

2 Cups Basmati Rice
1litre Cold Water
1 tsp Maldon salt

Method

Begin by heating the cold water, with a dash of salt, in a pot over high heat and bring it to the boil. Meanwhile, soak the basmati rice in cold water, fill the bowl so that the water just covers the rice. Soak the rice for 8 minutes. Drain your rice in a sieve or colander and rinse under cold water.

Place the drained rice into the boiling water and partially cover, immediately lower the temperature to medium heat or simmering temperature. The key here is to not allow your rice to boil rapidly. Cook the rice over this medium-low heat for 8 minutes or until just al dente.

Remove pot from the heat and drain the rice into a rice colander. Place 500ml water into your pot and rest the colander above the water, cover and place your pot back on the stove over high heat to allow the rice to steam. Steam the rice for a further 5-6 minutes until perfectly fluffy. Serve as an accompaniment to your favourite stew or a spicy curry.

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Images

Desserts, Entertaining, Food, My Family Table, Recipes

Creme Brulee Recipe

Crème Brulee is a family favourite as far as dessert goes when eating out, but has always been a nemesis as far as making them at home. But I never let a challenge get the better of me, so after much research, I decided to give them another try. Last week, with the help of my Commis Chef’s, we made them for a dinner party I was hosting. This is what you will need for my crème Brulee recipe [Read more…]

Food, My Family Table, Recipes

Spaghetti and Meatballs

I have not done a recipe post for a while, so I thought it was about time to share one! It’s difficult to find the time most evenings to take the photographs; these were taken a few weeks ago. As I said to the hubby the other day I love cooking and I have come to the conclusion that it is how I show love – one of my love languages if you like! [Read more…]

Entertaining, Food, Recipes

Entertaining – Simple Starter Recipe

I love entertaining and I am always thinking up simple recipes to add to my dinner party repertoire. I try to ensure that my simple starter recipes are easy to prepare and plate, leaving me more time to spend with my guests. Plus with this particular dish, there is no cooking involved, especially good for those of you that are prone to burning things!

Ingredients:

200-400g Smoked Salmon or Trout (Amount dependant on how many people you are serving)
1 Packet Rocket Salad Leaves
1 Packet Baby Salad Leaves
2 Large Lemons
1 Tub Crème fraîche
Chives
Dill
Cucumber for garnish (Sliced into thin ribbons)

Method

Simply wash and arrange the salad leaves on your side or starter plate and put to one side. Cut your salmon into long ribbons and roll into pretty parcels and set aside. Next mix your Crème fraîche and the juice of one lemon, in a bowl until smooth, add salt and pepper to taste. Chop your chives and dill, add that to your Crème fraîche and mix well, don’t forget to taste it, add more lemon or salt and pepper if needed.

You can store everything, covered, in the fridge until you are ready to assemble it, I recommend doing so just before you are ready to serve the dish. Arrange the salmon on top of your salad leaves, grind a good measure of black pepper over the salmon and then drizzle a bit of lemon juice over it. Add a generous dollop of your Crème fraîche mixture on the plate and garnish with your cucumber ribbons. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side and a bit of crusty ciabatta bread, this dish is well paired with a glass of chilled sparkling Brut Rose!

This recipe is always a hit and it could not be easier to prepare. I would love you to share any of your favourite simple starter recipes with me in the comment section below.

For ideas and inspiration on table decorating see my post on African Inspired Table Decor.