There are many schools of thought on the origin of the Scotch egg. Of the two most notable, the first claims it was invented by the London department store Fortnum & Mason in 1738 and the other claim is that it traveled from Persia to India with the Moghuls, where it is now known as nargisi kofta. In fact, a version of a kafta-encased egg appears in several volumes of Middle Eastern cookery books, including my upcoming cookbook. Anyone have...
Cider Can Turkey with Nutty Couscous Author: Bethany Prep time: 20 mins Cook time: 2 hours 30 mins Total time: 2 hours 50 mins Serves: 6 It’s always best to bring a turkey to room temperature for at least an hour before cooking it, as this allows it to cook evenly. In addition, follow Harold McGee’s advice and apply an icepack to the breast during the last 30 minutes of this defrosting period, as this will slow down the...
Well folks, the #FBC12 "insane" giveaway has seen an incredible (1640 entries) turn out of participants. Thanks to all who participated and I'm thrilled to see so many of you keen to attend #FBC12, especially as returnees. Now, the news you've all been waiting to hear (maybe) .... A very big congratulations to a Rafflecopter giveaway Sally Prosser, please get in touch via email and we will arrange for your ticket and sessions to be booked....
I'm back home, in Brighton, after spending two lovely months in Lebanon. I am always so torn between where home lies for me. I feel I belong here and there and I love each place for entirely different reasons. When I'm here I want to be there and when I'm there I want to be here. Now, if I could just get it right... One of the very wonderful aspects of Lebanon that I cherish so much is the natural bounty that abounds. Lebanon is a very blessed...
I'm back from a lovely, relaxing holiday in Antigua where I sunned my self brown and drank rum punch galore. I've got some gorgeous pictures I can't wait to share with all of you in my next post. Antigua is so picturesque and I can't wait to return. Holidays are great for rejuvenating the mind and inspiring all kinds of creativity and ideas. I love it when I find inspiration on Holiday. I think it's a good sign that I relaxed the mind and soul....
Once more, I will express my undying love for chickpeas: I Am M.A.D About Chickpeas! After all, how can one not succumb to such a delectable and pulsing love affair! The chickpea, belonging to the protein food group, is such a versatile and wholesome leguminous pulse. You can make anything out of it; falafel, all kinds of hummus dips, veggie burgers, bread, and it's also a perfect addition to stews, curries, salads... I could go on and on. And,...
I want to begin by apologizing for the silence... I'm back! It has taken me a while to catch up with all my blogging duties after all the FBC happenings and another side project I've been working on. I'm still not fully up to speed but nevertheless getting there. Christmas is nearing and if you're anything like me in the gifting department, then you'll love the next couple of posts. I'll be featuring several homemade, edible holiday gift ideas...
Anyone that knows me, knows I'm mad about chickpeas. I soak chickpeas, weekly. I always have home made hummus in my fridge and I love to donate it to friends and family with Dirty Kitchen Secrets and Lick Your Plate Clean written all over the tubs. I've always got a spoon in a tub of hummus. It's my go-to snack. When it comes to chickpeas I don't like the canned option. I'm like my Italian friend who gets the quivers when Arabic bread is...
Although, this entire month is dedicated to Lebanon and all its glory, I must interrupt the regularly scheduled programming with a jamming post that doesn't have a lot to do with any particular country, as far as we are aware, that is. My dad's wife is Moldovan and has an impressive recipe box. She's inspired me many-a-times. This specific recipe comes from her; she got it from her mother; who got it from her mother; But, it's not Moldovan....
Hollandaise sauce is one of the 5 mother sauces in French cuisine and is made of warmed eggs, a hint of lemon, then melted butter is added slowly, to form a thick, creamy, smooth sauce. Because of the use of eggs and the application of heat, it deters many from attempting it, as the eggs yolks can quickly curdle, if not enough care is given. I assure you, it's easy to make but first you need to know the facts. Here are the facts to getting a...
" I'm giving away a $50 Sur La Table gift card. READ ON TO ENTER!" I recently made this salad for my niece Vanessa who loved it so much; she now proclaims it one of her favourite salads. After watching me do a few cooking videos for the blog, she decided that she, too, wanted to be part of the "web show", as she likes to call it. Given that this is her favorite salad now, I showed her how to make it on her own. In the video below, Vanessa...
I’m at Bristol airport having a drink before I board my flight to Rome, Italy. My belly is growling in anticipation of all the pastas, risottos, cold cuts, gelato awaiting us. In the next day or so, I am going to post about Penne ala Vodka which I make using a tomato concasse. However, I thought I'd share the steps for a concasse seperately. What is tomato Concasse? It's when a tomato has been peeled, seeded, and chopped to certain...
For a while... I could never betray my soul mate! But, Muhammara; a red-hot Syrian concoction which in Arabic means 'reddened' is a necessary addition to any worthy mezze spread. If you like Mutable or Baba Ghanouj (Lebanese Eggplant Dip) and Hummus (Lebanese Chickpea Dip) then you will absolutely love this red-dusk temptation. A combination of charred red bell peppers, walnuts and oh...oh...oh pomegranate molasses, makes Muhammara a...
I've rejoiced in the pleasures of Ceviche for quite some time. I think my first introduction was back in Miami. Chris and I, would often escape to the Florida Keys for some fishing and down time. We would rent a boat, and spend the day scouring the reefs for some edibles. Chris would hang his fishing rod over the side of the boat, while I would lounge on the back of the boat, till a huge rogue wave would come up behind me and give me a good...
This sumptuous meal part of the 7-course christmas tasting menu scored a 9/10 on the Mmm meter! The duck legs were marinated for over 24 hours and then slowly braised for 4 hours. The duck came served atop creamed parsnip with an onion confit. What a delectable combination this was... I can't wait to make it again, very soon! Slow-Braised Orange Glazed Duck with Creamed Parsnip Ingredients 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon...
I hope you like jammin' too! For all you jam lovers, here's one delicious post. Read on through till the end, because there is a little competition for you. I'm in Nice, France at the moment, visiting my aunt and cousin and having a fantastically delicious time. My Aunt and I headed over to Ventimiglia Market in Italy the other day and bought cases of fruits and vegetables. Every year, my aunt makes her jam for the year while in France and then...
Tarator Author: Bethany Prep time: 10 mins Total time: 10 mins Serves: 4 One of my ultimate dressings or dips, this wonderfully versatile mixture is traditionally paired with falafel, baked fish, meatballs and many other dishes. If you have leftovers from this recipe, it will keep refrigerated, in a sealed container, for about 5-7 days. Ingredients 200ml/7fl oz/heaped 3/4 cup tahini 2 garlic cloves, crushed juice of 2 lemons 1 tbsp finely...
This feisty dip is prepared in several ways in Lebanon, where it’s known as toum. It's an icon of the Lebanese culinary repertoire and I can remember my love for toum beginning early on, when as a child I would make secret midnight trips to the fridge and snack on it by dipping in with some Arabic bread. Usually, at home, pounded garlic is emulsified with olive oil and finished with a squeeze of lemon. In the north of the country, mint may...