Goulash

Ingredients

3 tbsp beef tallow
2 brown onions, diced
25g sweet paprika
800g beef (I used flank), cut into 3cm pieces
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 red capsicums, diced
1 yellow capsicum, diced
2 tomatoes, diced
1 carrot, diced
2 medium potatoes, diced
1L beef stock
1 bay leaf
Salt and pepper to taste
Sour cream to serve
Bread for the side

Method

1. In a heavy-based pot you have the lid for, heat the tallow and sweat the onions for 4 minutes.
2. Add the beef and season with salt, brown this off for 6-7 minutes.
3. Add the rest of the veg apart from the potato.
4. Next add the paprika, bay leaf and stock and bring to a simmer.
5. Stir well and cook for 2 hours on low before adding the potato and cooking for a further hour or until the meat and potatoes are fork-tender.
6. Serve with sour cream and crusty bread.

Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 11 mins
Total Time 21 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients
225g Cold Butter cut into small cubes
213g Brown Sugar
100g Sugar
2 Eggs
1 1/2 cups Cake Flour*
1 1/2 cups Flour
1 tsp Cornstarch
3/4 tsp Baking Soda
3/4 tsp Salt
340g Chocolate Chips
240g Walnuts roughly chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 210 degrees Celsius.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together cold cubed butter, brown sugar, and sugar for 4 minutes or until creamy.
3. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each one.
4. Stir in flours, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Mix until just combined to avoid overmixing. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts.
5. Separate dough into large balls and place on lightly colored cookie sheet. They are bigger than you think! You will fit 4 cookies on one large cookie sheet. The dough makes 8 extra large cookies.
6. Bake for 9-12 minutes or until golden brown on the top. Let them rest for at least 10 minutes to set.

Notes
*can substitute all-purpose flour for cake flour
*Levain Bakery has stated they don't use vanilla extract in their cookies. If you would like to add vanilla extract, I would suggest adding 1 teaspoon when adding the eggs to the batter.

Author: Melissa Stadler, Modern Honey 

2-Day Chocolate Chip Cookies

PREP TIME: 45 MINUTES 

COOK TIME: 20 MINUTES 

TOTAL TIME: 2 DAYS 65 MINUTES 

INGREDIENTS 

Toffee 

85g unsalted butter 

150g light brown sugar, lightly packed 

1 tsp kosher salt 

Water, as needed 

Cookie Dough 

226g unsalted butter 

4 ice cubes 

150g granulated sugar 

300g light brown sugar, packed 

2 tsp espresso powder 

2 tsp kosher salt 

½ tsp baking soda 

2 large eggs 

2 tsp vanilla extract 

300g all-purpose flour 

168g 50-70% cacao chocolate, chopped 

Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling 

PREPARATION 

1. Make the toffee: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 
2. In a medium nonstick saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, brown sugar, and salt, stirring until evenly incorporated. If there are grainy lumps or if the fat starts to separate, add a couple splashes of water and stir vigorously to emulsify. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches 143°C, about 10-15 minutes. 
3. Pour the toffee onto the prepared baking sheet and spread out slightly with a spatula. Freeze until ready to use, about 30 minutes. 
4. Make the cookie dough: Add the butter to a medium nonstick saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter turns dark brown and smells nutty. Watch carefully so the butter does not burn. Remove the pot from the heat. 
5. Add an ice cube to the butter and slowly let it melt. It may froth and bubble. Add the remaining 3 ice cubes and gently stir until melted. 
6. In a large bowl, combine the granulated and brown sugar, espresso powder, salt, and baking soda. 
7. Pour the brown butter into the sugar mixture and mix until combined. Don’t worry if it looks separated. 
8. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and vanilla. Pour into the sugar and butter mixture and whisk until glossy and smooth. 
9. Add the flour and fold with a rubber spatula to incorporate until the dough has no visible flour streaks. 
10. Remove the toffee from the freezer (it should be a frozen disc) and break it into chunks that will fit inside a gallon zip-top bag. Double bag the toffee and seal both bags. With a rolling pin, break the toffee into small pieces. 
11. Fold the crushed toffee and chopped chocolate into the dough until evenly distributed. 
12. Using a large ice cream scoop or a ½ cup measure, scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Wrap the baking sheet in plastic wrap, but leave a small opening at the corner of the tray. 
13. Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for at least 48 hours. This will allow the flavor to develop and the dough to dry out a little as it rests, which will result in less spread when it bakes. 
14. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 163°C. Line 2 baking sheet with parchment paper. 
15. Arrange the cookies on the baking sheets, leaving at least 2 inches of space between the cookies and away from the edges of the pan. 
16. Bake until the cookies are golden brown with crispy edges, but are still slightly soft in the center, 18-20 minutes. Immediately sprinkle the cookies with flaky sea salt. then let cool completely. The cookies will be very soft at first but will set after they are fully cooled. 

Caesar Salad

Ingredients

1/3 cup olive or vegetable oil
3 Tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp anchovy paste
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground mustard
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 large bunch romaine, torn into bite-size pieces (10 cups)
1 cup garlic-flavored croutons
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground pepper

Method

1. Mix oil, lemon juice, anchovy paste, Worcestershire sauce, salt, mustard and garlic in salad bowl.
2. Add romaine; toss until coated. Sprinkle with croutons, cheese and pepper; toss.

Thai Fried Chicken & Som Tum

PREP TIME 25 minutes + marinating

COOK TIME 50 minutes
SERVES 4

Ingredients
4 boneless chicken thighs (preferably with the skin on)
2 cups plain flour or all-purpose flour
vegetable oil for deep frying
sea salt

Marinade:
4 garlic cloves
2 coriander roots, cleaned and roughly chopped
½ tsp black peppercorns
2 tbsp fish sauce

Som Tum Papaya Salad:
200g (7 oz) shredded green papaya*
2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
2 birds’ eye chillies (use more or less to taste)
2 snake beans, cut into 3cm-long batons (alternatively use green beans)
¼ cup dried shrimp, soaked in water for 5 minutes to soften
2 tbsp roasted peanuts
2 tbsp (about 20g) shaved palm sugar
1½ tbsp fish sauce
6 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp soy sauce

Steps

1. For the marinade, use a mortar and pestle to pound the garlic, coriander roots and peppercorns to form a rough paste. Mix through the fish sauce. Then add the chicken and toss until well combined. Transfer to a large bowl. Set aside to marinate for 10-20 minutes.
2. In a large som tum mortar, pound garlic and chillies until just smashed but still chunky. Drain the dried shrimp and add those. Pound lightly. Then add the green beans and peanuts and pound lightly. Add the palm sugar and pound to soften. Now add half the papaya and lightly bruise with the pestle, using a spoon to mix as you lightly pound. Add remaining papaya, fish sauce and tomatoes. Lightly pound with the pestle and mix with the spoon. Add the lime juice and mix until well combined. Taste and adjust with more fish sauce, sugar and/or lime juice to taste.
3. Alternatively, the salad can be made by placing ingredients in a large bowl or a ziplock bag and using a rolling pin to bruise the ingredients.
4. Coat the chicken pieces in the flour. To cook the chicken, fill a saucepan or wok to about 1/3 capacity with the vegetable oil. Heat over high heat. Once the oil is medium-hot (320°F or 160°C or when a wooden spoon dipped into the oil forms small little bubbles), add the chicken pieces and cook for about 10 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Turn the chicken pieces as they cook to ensure an even golden colour. Drain on kitchen paper and sprinkle with salt.
5. Serve sliced fried chicken with som tum papaya salad.

Recipe from Marion's Kitchen https://www.marionskitchen.com/thai-fried-chicken-and-som-tum/

Spaghetti alla Nerano, Zucchini Spaghetti

Serves 4

Ingredients
6 medium zucchini, sliced into quarter-inch rounds
Sunflower oil, for frying
14 oz. spaghetti
1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
2 to 4 oz. grated cheese (such as aged Parmigiano Reggiano, Provolone del Monaco, or Caciocavallo)
1 bunch fresh basil leaves
A pat of butter (optional)
Ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Take thinly sliced zucchini rounds and deep-fry in sunflower oil until golden (or even slightly burnt).
2. Put fried zucchini on a paper towel to absorb oil; let sit in a bowl for a few hours to rest (or put in the fridge overnight). Before using, dab them again with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
3. Boil spaghetti in lightly salted water until al dente. Save a cup of cooking water after draining spaghetti.
4. Reheat zucchini in a frying pan with optional minced garlic.
5. Place half of the zucchini into a clean pot or bowl, then add a few Tbsp. of cheese and a few Tbsp. of the pasta cooking water. Stir the mixture until cheese begins to melt. Add spaghetti, the rest of the zucchini, and cheese, and continue stirring until cheese and spaghetti water form a saucy emulsion. If the mixture seems too thick, add a bit more cooking broth. If it is too thin, add more cheese.
6. Add fresh basil, butter, and black pepper, to taste.
7. Serve with sprig of basil on top—with basil flower, if you have it—in a shallow bowl.

* Adapted from Lo Scoglio da Tommaso and other Nerano restaurants.

Lentil Curry

Ingredients

50g (3 tbsp) butter , unsalted (sub 2 tbsp neutral oil)
4 garlic cloves , finely minced (Note 1)
1.5 tbsp ginger , finely minced (Note 1)
1 onion , finely chopped (white, yellow, brown)
2 tbsp curry powder , mild or spicy (your choice!) (Note 2)
1/2 tsp tumeric powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper , optional
1 1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup dried lentils , green or brown (or any other dried lentils or split peas, Note 3)
400 ml / 14 oz coconut milk , full fat
400g/ 14 oz canned tomato , crushed or diced
3 cups (750 ml) water

Serving:
1/2 cup coriander/cilantro , finely chopped
Yogurt , optional
Basmati rice (or other rice)

Instructions

1. Saute onion: Melt butter in a pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and ginger. Slowly cook, stirring every now and then, for 10 minutes until tinged with gold and the onion is sweet.
2. Cook off spices: Turn heat up to high, add curry powder and turmeric, stir for 1 1/2 minutes.
3. Add everything else: Add remaining ingredients and stir. Bring to simmer, then place lid on and adjust heat to low / medium low so it's simmering gently.
4. Simmer: Simmer for 30 minutes, then remove lid and simmer for a further 10 minutes to reduce the sauce. {Note 2 for cook times of other lentils} 
5. Lentils should be soft, sauce should be thickened and creamy. Too thick, add water. Too thin, simmer with lid off - thickens quickly.
6. Coriander: Stir through half the coriander, then taste and add more salt if needed.
7. Serve over basmati rice, sprinkled with more coriander and a dollop of yogurt. (Low carb option - cauliflower rice).

Notes
1. Garlic and ginger - while fresh is ideal (followed by jarred), powder is a sufficient substitute - use 1 tsp of each and add with curry powder.
2. Curry powder - I use Clives of India, Keens, and a generic brand and all tasted the same. The beauty of this recipe is that you don't need any fancy curry powder, just your run-of-the-mill jar from the grocery store.
3. Lentils - use any dried lentils or canned here, or split peas (will result in an an interesting colour in your pot, but it will still be phenomenally delicious!).
NOTE: Age of lentils will affect cook times. Very old dried lentils can take double the cook time. Just keep adding water until it is cooked. Cook times provided are packets purchased within the past few months from a grocery store (ie not super fresh but not extremely old).

COOK TIMES:
Green and brown lentils - most common & cheapest, cook per recipe
Canned lentils (2 cans drained) - 25 min, uncovered the whole time
Red split lentils - 25 min, uncovered the whole time
Yellow or green split peas - 25 min, uncovered the whole time
Any dal (Indian lentils) such as channa dal, toor dal or moong dal - per recipe
French lentils (Puy lentils / black lentils) - not recommended as they don't soften as well as other lentils so you won't get the same creamy, thick texture.

4. Storage - will keep in fridge for up to 5 days, and in freezer for 3 months (thaw, heat, give it a good stir and it will be as good as new. Use water to thin slightly if needed.)

5. Nutrition per serving, excluding rice.
Nutrition
Calories: 414cal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 782mg | Potassium: 865mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 544IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 91mg | Iron: 7mg

Sourdough discard waffles

Ingredients

142 g AP flour
6 g baking powder
30 g granulated sugar 
4 g salt 
2 large eggs
170 g whole milk
226 g sourdough starter, unfed/discard 
40 g unsalted butter

Method

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt until well combined.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, starter, and melted butter until well combined.
3. Add dry mixture to wet mixture and whisk until just combined. (Depending on the thickness of the starter, you may need to adjust the batter's consistency. It should be the consistency of pancake batter. Add milk to thin it, if necessary.)
4. Cook in waffle iron according to the manufacturer's directions. Serve right away with butter and maple syrup.

Chicken Pot Pie

 

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time1 hr

Total Time1 hr 15 mins

Ingredients

Chicken & broth:

• 600 g/1.2lb chicken breast (or boneless thighs)
• 2 cups / 500 ml milk , any fat % (Note 1)
• 1 cup / 250 ml chicken broth (stock)
• 2 tsp chicken or vegetable stock powder (Note 2)
• 2 sprigs thyme , optional

Chicken Pot Pie:

• 1 large onion , chopped
• 2 large carrots (3 small). chopped
• 3 celery ribs , chopped
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• 50 g / 3 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/3 cup / 85 ml white wine
• 1/3 cup / 50 g flour
• 1/2 cup / 50 g grated parmesan
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup frozen peas , no need to thaw
• 2 sheets puff pastry (enough to cover pots, with drape)
• 1 egg , lightly whisked

Instructions

Chicken:

• Place milk, broth and stock powder in a large saucepan. Bring to a very gentle simmer over medium heat, add chicken and thyme.
• Place lid on, simmer gently on medium low for 15 minutes (do not boil, can make milk split).
• Remove chicken, shred or dice (don't worry if inside a bit uncooked). Cover pot and set poaching liquid aside.
• Chicken Pot Pie:
• Melt butter in a large pot over medium high heat. Add garlic and onion, cook for 2 minutes. Add thyme, carrot and celery, cook for 3 minutes or until carrot is softened.
• Add wine. Stir, scraping the bottom of the pot, and cook for 1 1/2 minutes or until wine is mostly evaporated.
• Add flour and stir for 1 minute.
• Add about half the reserved poaching liquid and stir until all flour is incorporated - it will be a thick sludge.
• Add remaining milk broth, parmesan, pepper. Stir.
• Add chicken and peas, stir.
• Once mixture is heated (you'll see steam), cook for 3 minutes to thicken the sauce, stirring regularly. (Note 3)
• Remove from heat. Spoon into oven proof pots - 4 large or 6 small (Note 4). Cool in fridge at least 30 minutes. (Note 5)

Assembly & Baking:

• Meanwhile, remove puff pastry from freezer to partially thaw. Then use a bowl as a guide to cut rounds from the pastry about 2.5cm / 1" wider (all the way around) than the pots - be generous!
• Preheat oven to 180C/350F.
• Brush edge of pots with egg. Top with puff pastry, folding down the edges.
• Brush pastry with egg. Cut a 2cm / 2/3" slide in the middle with a small knife.
• Bake 35 - 40 minutes until deep golden.
• Serve immediately!

Notes

1. Cream option - if you'd like to make it even richer, reduce milk by up to 3/4 cup and swap for cream. But DO NOT ADD when poaching chicken, stir it in when the poaching liquid is added into the pot after adding flour.

2. Stock powder - I like Vegeta which is a vegetable stock powder. Or use 2 x chicken bouillon cubes, crumbled.

3. Sauce thickness - whatever the sauce thickness at this stage is what it will be when the pies comes out of the oven.

4. Pot Sizes - Use 4 large about 2 cups / 500 ml / 16 oz capacity (about 11 - 12 cm wide) OR 5 to 6 smaller ones about 375ml / 1.5 cups / 12 - 13 oz (~10cm wide). Or one large pie dish / skillet - 8 cups / 2 L / 2 quarts.

5. Cool Filling  - hot filling will melt the butter in the puff pastry dough, resulting in less puffing. As long as the surface of the pie filling is cool(-ish), that's good enough.

6. Pie Base - A number of readers have asked how to make this using puff pastry as a pie base. Here's how: Spray pots with oil or grease with butter. Line pots with puff pastry with excess to drape over the edge, then place in oven at 180C/350F. After 10 minutes or whenever the partially cooked base starts to puff up, just push it back down. Repeat once more or as required to stop the puffing (it doesn't take much). Then once the pastry is golden, remove from oven and let cool. Fill with COOLED filling. Brush egg across the pastry rim then top with puff pastry lid. Bake per recipe, turn out of pots. 

7. STORAGE: To freeze or refrigerate uncooked, cool filling completely. Then top with pastry, egg wash, cut slit. Freeze 3 months or refrigerate up to 2 days. Thaw overnight (if frozen) then bake per recipe. Note: Thawed then refrozen puff pastry as well as thawed then refrigerated puff pastry does not puff up quite as much but the difference isn't significant.

Cooked Chicken Pot Pies will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Best reheated in the oven covered in foil so the pastry can crisp up slightly, 20 minutes at 180C/350F.

8. Nutrition per serving 

Nutrition Facts

Chicken Pot Pie

Amount Per Serving

Calories 588Calories from Fat 234

% Daily Value*

Fat 26g40%

Saturated Fat 11g69%

Cholesterol 144mg48%

Sodium 1191mg52%

Potassium 1152mg33%

Carbohydrates 36g12%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 12g13%

Protein 47g94%

Vitamin A 6245IU125%

Vitamin C 22.4mg27%

Calcium 344mg34%

Iron 2.9mg16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Roast Pumpkin, Spinach and Feta Salad

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 35 mins

Servings: 4 - 5 people
Calories: 264cal

Ingredients
Pumpkin:
600 g / 1.2 lb pumpkin (after peeling), cut into 3cm / 1.25" cubes (Note 1)
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper

Dressing:
2.5 tbsp / 50 ml extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp honey
Salt and pepper

Salad:
1/4 cup / 35g pine nuts (Note 2)
150 g / 5 oz baby spinach leaves (4 handfuls)
60 g / 2 oz feta , crumbled (or more!!)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 220C/430F (standard) or 200C/390F (fan/convection).
2. Toss pumpkin with olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread on baking tray, bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, flip, then bake for a further 7 - 10 minutes until golden but not mushy. (Note 3) Loosen pumpkin with egg flip (it can adhere as it cools), then if serving salad at room temperature, leave to cool.
3. Shake Dressing in a jar. Taste and adjust to taste. I like it a bit sharp because it balances out the flavours in this salad.
4. Toast pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat until light golden and it smells nutty. Remove pine nuts from skillet as soon as it's ready.
5. Place Spinach in a bowl. Drizzle with a bit of dressing then toss.
6. Add pumpkin, just a bit of feta and pine nuts, then GENTLY BRIEFLY toss just to disperse the feta. (If you toss vigorously, the feta can make it look messy).
7. Transfer to serving plate. Sprinkle over remaining feta and pine nuts. Just before serving, drizzle with remaining dressing (dressing doesn't stay on baby spinach well, so worth drizzling at end). Serve!

Video

Notes

1. You can use any pumpkin or squash for this recipe. 
2. Pine nuts are expensive but worth using in this recipe, it's the perfect finishing touch However, you can sub with any other nuts of choice. Chopped almonds and macadamias are great.
3. Pumpkin turns to mush if baked for too long. You don't want mush in your salad. So keep an eye on it - it should be tender with a nice golden surface on at least 2 sides (i.e. the sides that were in contact with the tray during baking). And also, loosen pumpkin from tray using an egg flip / spatula when you take it out of the oven - if you don't do this while hot, it might stick to the tray.
4. Nutrition per serving, assuming 4 servings and that all the dressing is consumed. Reality is that most of the Dressing ends up at the bottom of the bowl because dressing doesn't stick that well to baby spinach. So actual calories will be less than this.

Mango Swiss Roll

Difficulty: easy

Preparation time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Serving size: 8 slices

Ingredients
Sponge

3 large eggs
120 g caster sugar, plus 1 Tbsp
70 g self-raising flour

Filling
200 g double cream
80 g Greek yoghurt
50 g icing sugar, plus extra for dusting
100 g ripe mango, sliced (5 mm)

Preparation

Sponge

1. Preheat oven to 180°C and line a swiss roll tin (30 cm x 20 cm x 1 cm) with baking paper.
2. Insert butterfly whisk. Place eggs and sugar in mixing bowl then whisk 6 min/speed 3.
3. Place a small bowl on mixing bowl lid and weigh in flour. Remove then sieve flour into mixing bowl and mix 15 sec/speed 2.5. Remove butterfly whisk. 
4. Transfer mixture to prepared tin, gently smoothing out into corners. Bake for 14-16 minutes (180°C) until well risen and just firm to the touch. 
5. Meanwhile, clean mixing bowl and butterfly whisk then scatter 1 Tbsp sugar over a piece of baking paper larger than the swiss roll tin.
6. Once sponge is cooked, immediately tip out onto sugar coated baking paper. Carefully remove baking paper lining, then make an incision about 1 cm in from the short edge, being careful not to cut through the sponge - this makes it easier to roll up. Gently roll up sponge, with sugar coated paper inside. Cover with a damp tea towel then set aside to cool.

Filling

1. Once sponge is cool, prepare filling. Insert butterfly whisk. Place cream, yoghurt and icing sugar in mixing bowl then whip until soft peaks form/speed 3, watching carefully to avoid over-whipping.
2. Remove butterfly whisk then fold in sliced mango with spatula.
3. Unroll cooled sponge, then spread filling evenly over surface, leaving a 1 cm border around the edge. Roll up, leaving behind the baking paper, then transfer to a serving plate. Dust with icing sugar and serve.

Simple Egg Salad for Sandwiches

Ingredients

8 eggs
½ cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
¼ cup chopped green onion
salt and pepper to taste
¼ teaspoon paprika

Method

1. Place egg in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Cover and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop.
2. Place the chopped eggs in a bowl, and stir in the mayonnaise, mustard and green onion. Season with salt, pepper and paprika. Stir and serve on your favorite bread or crackers.

Garlic Steak & Cheesy Potato Hash Foil Packs

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins

Servings: 4 serves

Ingredients

0.33 cup garlic butter divided

For The Potatoes:
17.33 ounces baby Yukon potatoes (or 750 grams), washed (peeled or unpeeled), cut into 1-inch pieces
0.17 cup onion diced
1.33 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped
Salt to taste
Cracked black pepper to taste
0.22 cup diced bacon cooked
0.22 cup scallions (or green onions/shallots), sliced

For The Steak:
1.33 pounds whole eye fillet (or ribeye) steak (or 1 kg)*, AT ROOM TEMPERATURE. Pat dry with paper towel for best results.
Salt to taste
Cracked black pepper to taste
0.17 cup cheddar cheese shredded
0.17 cup mozzarella cheese shredded**

Instructions

1. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
2. Make a batch of this Garlic Butter. Divide in half and melt in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Combine the potatoes and the onions in a bowl. Pour the melted garlic butter over the top; set aside.
3. Spread the remaining non-melted butter over the steak to evenly coat.

FOR WELL DONE STEAKS:
Slice your fillet into 2-inch thick slices (if the pieces are too small they will dry out). If you like your steak dry, cut them smaller.

FOR MEDIUM RARE STEAKS:
Cut your fillet into 4-inch long pieces (see above pictures or video for reference). The bigger you cut them, the more juicy the steak will be once its done. For rarer steaks, but them bigger (5 or 6 inch pieces).

TO COOK:

1. Tear four or six 15-inch (40cm) pieces of heavy duty foil and arrange on your kitchen counter or bench top. Divide steaks and potatoes among the top half of the foil sheets. Sprinkle with parsley, and season with salt and pepper
2. Fold up the sides of the foil first over the steak and potatoes, then fold up the entire bottom half of the foil over the ingredients to join the ends. Fold down to seal, pressing the seal tightly to prevent any juices from spilling out.
3. Place foil packets on the HOT grill, cover and cook for 7 minutes on one side. Flip and cook on the other side for a further 5 minutes, until potatoes are cooked through, (about 12 minutes all together). CAREFULLY open the foil packets (being careful of the escaping steam). Sprinkle the cheese over the potatoes, and loosely tent with the foil again to allow the cheese to melt through for a further 3 minutes while still on the grill.
4. Top the potatoes with the cooked bacon, garnish with the scallions (or green onions), and season with a little extra salt and pepper, if needed.

Notes
*It's very important you use a cut of steak that will stay tender during the cooking process. Eye fillet, ribeye, porterhouse, top sirloin, etc.
**Substitute cheddar/mozzarella with Monterey Jack cheese if you prefer.
For Stove Top:
If you can, use a cast iron skillet or a heavy based pan. Preheat skillet over medium heat. When foil packs are ready, place them in the hot, preheated skillet to cook for 7 minutes, covered (you may need to do them in batches of two). Flip and cook for a further 7 minutes (covering again), until done.
For Oven:
Preheat oven to 220°C | 430°F. Prepare foil packs; place packs on a baking sheet/tray, and bake for 20-30 minutes in the HOT oven. Flip packs and cook for a further 10-15 minutes, or until cooked to your liking. OPTIONAL: open foil packs being careful of trapped steam, and broil for 3-4 minutes, until charred. REMEMBER the result of meat depends on how large or small you cut your pieces!

Sausage Buns

Ingredients

Items A:
250g fresh milk
1 egg
45g sugar
7g yeast

Items B:

450g bread flour

5g salt

60g butter (softened)

16 sausages (boiled beforehand)

Egg wash - 1 egg + 2 Tbsp fresh milk

Sesame seeds (for spinkling)

Method:

1. Add items A into MB, mix 2 min/37C/speed 2.
2. Add items B & knead 3 min.
3. Add butter, knead another 3 min. Scrape down sides.
4. Remove dough & shape into a ball & rest for 10 min.
5. Divide dough into 16 portions, roll into long rolls and wrap around sausage. Let rest for 20-30 min.
6. Preheat oven to 180C.
7. Sweep egg wash over the rolls & sprinkle sesame seeds before baking for 18-20 min.
8. Remove from over & spread melted butter over each roll.

Video

Cantonese Beef Hor Fun

Ingredients (for 2)

200 g beef (striploin)

2 tsp (10g) light soya sauce

1 tsp (5g) sesame oil

2 tsp (10g) shao xing wine

1 tsp (5g) corn starch

225g kuey teow (1/2 packet)

2 tsp (10g) dark soya sauce

1 tsp (5g) light soya sauce

2 cloves garlic

1 shallot

2 tsp (10g) oil

1/4 carrot, slices

bunch of baby kai lan

fish cake (optional)

300-400ml hot water

2 tsp (10g) shao xing wine

1 tsp (5g) light soya sauce

1 tsp (5g) chicken stock granules

7-15g corn starch mixed with same amount of water

2 eggs

Method

1. Brush mixing bowl with 10g oil, insert butterfly & heat 6 min/Varoma/Reverse Spoon.
2. Whilst bowl is heating, separately marinade beef and kuey teow with the grouped ingredients.
3. Add kuey teow into MB, cook 4 min/Varoma/Reverse Spoon. When done, remove butterfly & pour into plate.
4. Add beef slices, cook 4 min/Varoma/Reverse Spoon. If beef is thick, may need extra 2 mins to cook. Pour on top of kuey teow.
5. Chop garlic & shallot 5 sec/speed 4. Add oil & saute 3 min/120C/Speed 1.
6. Add in chopped vegetables, fish case if using, water & seasoning. Cook 4 min/Varoma/Reverse Spoon.
7. Remove MC, extend cooking time to 1:30 min/Varoma/Reverse Spoon, add in corn starch slurry, then add in eggs.
8. Pour broth over beef and kuey teow.

Tips

1. Cut beef as thin as possible so it remains tender & pink.
2. If beef slices are thick, cooking time will be extended.
3. More starch = thicker sauce.

Tau Foo Fah (Thermomix)

Ingredients

150g soy bean (soaked for at least 4 hours beforehand)
700g water

2 pandan leaves (knotted)

2 Tbsp corn flour

1/4 tsp GDL

Method:

1. Add soya beans & 150g water into bowl & blend 30s/speed 8.
2. Pour the mixture into a filter cloth & clean the bowl.
3. Remove the bubbles from the soya milk & pour into the TM bowl.
4. Add 500g water & knotted pandan leaves and cook for 20min/98C/Speed 2.
5. Meanwhile, add 50g water, corn flour and GDL & mix well.
6. Pour the cooked soya bean milk from a good height into the corn flour mixture & remove the bubbles.
7. Cover it & let it solidify for 1 or 2 hours & it'll be ready to serve with your preferred syrup.

Chicken Porridge with Salted Egg

Difficulty: easy

Preparation time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Serving size: 6 portion

Ingredients
200 g chicken breast fillets, skinless, cut into pieces (4-5 cm)
10 g light soy sauce
1 - 2 tsp sesame oil, toasted, adjust to taste
200 g rice, rinsed and drained
1600 g water
2 century eggs, washed

2 salted duck eggs, cooked, shell removed and cut into cubes
2 tsp chicken stock paste 
or 2 tsp chicken stock powder
2 tsp salt
1 pinch ground white pepper
10 g fresh ginger root, finely shredded
2 sprigs fresh coriander, leaves only, finely chopped, to garnish
2 spring onions, finely chopped, to garnish

Preparation

1. Place chicken, light soy sauce and sesame oil into mixing bowl, chop 5 sec/speed 5. Transfer into a bowl and set aside.
2. Place rice and water into mixing bowl, set Varoma dish into position, add eggs to it. Close Varoma lid and cook 16 min/100°C/speed 3. Remove Varoma and place eggs in cold water before removing egg shell, cut eggs into cubes (5 mm). Alternatively, see note.
3. Add reserved minced chicken, reserved century eggs, salted eggs, chicken stock paste, salt, white pepper powder and ginger, cook 5 min/100°C/Reverse/speed 1. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and spring onions before serve.

Note:

• Instead of steaming the eggs in the Varoma dish, the eggs could just be cooked separately by submerging in water & cooking over medium heat for 10-12 minutes.

Sizzling Yee Mee (Thermomix)

Ingredients

3 garlic cloves 

20 g fresh ginger
30 g cooking oil
1500 g water
20 dried shiitake mushrooms rinsed & soaked
400 g chicken pieces
100 g dark soy sauce
20 g sesame oil
100 g oyster sauce
5 dried chilli, cut roughly
2 chicken stock cubes
100 g cornflour
120 g sawi
230 g yee mee
2 eggs

Method

1. Place garlic cloves and ginger in mixing bowl. Chop. 5 sec/speed 6.
2. Add cooking oil. Sauté. 3 min/120°C/speed 1.
3. Add water and mushrooms. Sauté. 10 min/120°C/reverse/speed 1.
4. Add chicken, soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce, dried chillies and chicken stock. Cook. 20 min/120°C/reverse/speed spoon. Meanwhile, mix cornflour and water in a small bowl.
5. Add reserved cornflour mixture. Mix. 3 min/Varoma/reverse/speed spoon.
6. Heat up sizzling pan over stove. Pour over yee mee & sawi. Add egg. Cook 3 minutes. Serve hot.

Mexican Coffee Buns (Thermomix)

Ingredients 

For dough bread
200g full cream milk
40g caster sugar
1 ½ tsp dried yeast powder
300g bread flour, sieved
10g milk powder
¼ tsp salt
30g salted butter, soften at room temperature
40g salted butter, cut in cubes (2 cm x 2 cm), cold temperature

For coffee topping
80g salted butter, soften at room temperature
80g brown sugar
1 tbsp instant coffee granules
2 tsp water
1 egg, room temperature
80g cake flour

Preparation
Bread dough

1. Place milk, sugar, and yeast in mixing bowl, mix 3 min/37°C / speed 2.
2. Add bread flour, milk powder and salt, Knead Dough mode / 1 min.
3. Add 30g soften butter, Knead Dough mode / 3 min. 
4. Prepare pastry mat, shape the dough into a ball. Cover loosely with cling film and let dough rise for 60 min. 
5. Divide dough into 8 equal portions (approx. 70 g each) and roll into ball. 
6. Gently flatten a dough with rolling pin, put a cube of butter in the center of the dough. Wrap the dough, roll into ball and arrange doughs at least 5 cm apart from each other. Repeat this step until finished. 
7. Cover loosely with cling film and let dough rise for 60 min.

Coffee topping

1. Insert butterfly whisk. Place butter and sugar in mixing bowl, mix 2min / speed 3. Meanwhile, mix instant coffee granules with water.
2. Add egg and instant coffee mixture, mix 10 sec / speed 3.
3. Add flour, mix 20 sec / speed 3. Remove butterfly whisk.
4. Transfer mixture into piping bag and refrigerate until ready to use. 
5. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a parchment paper on baking tray and transfer doughs on a baking tray. 
6. Pipe out the coffee topping in circular motion on the buns. Bake for 15 - 20 min (180°C) until golden brown. Serve warm.

Tips:

• To wrap the butter filling into the dough, freeze the butter filling after cutting them into cubes.
• Mexican coffee bun is best eaten freshly baked while still warm. You may re-bake the buns for 5 min (180°C) to get the crispy crust texture again.

Salad Dressing 101