Turkish Adana Lamb Kebabs
Ingredients
Serves 4
1 lb (500 g) ground lamb
1 lb (500 g) ground beef
¼ medium yellow onion, finely diced
4 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tsp (5 ml) ground coriander
2 tsp (10 ml) ground cumin
2 tsp (10 ml) salt
2 tsp (10 ml) sumac
1 tsp (5 ml) cayenne pepper
1 pinch black pepper
2 tbsp (30 ml) cold water
8 flat metal skewers
4 pieces pita bread, to serve
1 tbsp (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup (250 ml) thick Greek yogurt, to serve
1 tsp (5 ml) paprika, to serve
1 small red onion, sliced, to serve
1 tomato, sliced, to serve
4 baby cucumbers or 1 English cucumber, cut into chunks, to serve
8 pickled peppers (optional), to serve
2 handfuls Italian parsley leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together lamb, beef, yellow onion, garlic, coriander, cumin, salt, sumac, cayenne, black pepper and cold water until very well combined. Then continue mixing for 1 to 2 minutes more. Mixing for slightly longer helps the mixture achieve a very smooth texture and ensures the skewers stay together.
- Preheat grill to medium
- Divide meat mixture into 8 portions. To shape, take a portion in your hand and roll it roughly into a ball. Slide metal skewer into ball, then using one hand, work meat evenly down along entire skewer. Use fingers to create grooves. Repeat with remaining portions.
- Grill skewers over medium heat, turning once, until cooked through, golden brown on the outside and reaches an internal temperature of 160 F (71 C), about 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer skewers to a serving platter, then warm pita on grill.
- To serve, drizzle olive oil over yogurt and sprinkle with half the paprika. Sprinkle remaining paprika over red onion. Serve skewers with warm pita, yogurt and vegetables. Garnish with parsley.
Drink Pairings
Sage and Walnut-Crusted French Toast with Orange-Scented Labneh and Honey
Ingredients
Serves 4
1 cup (250 ml) full-fat plain yogurt
1 large orange, zest only
1 tsp (5 ml) + 1 tbsp (15 ml) finely minced fresh sage (about 6 or 7 large leaves), divided
1 tsp (5 ml) + ⅓ cup (75 ml) pure liquid honey, divided, plus extra for garnish
4 large eggs
¼ cup (60 ml) milk
1 tbsp (15 ml) granulated sugar
1 tsp (5 ml) ground cinnamon
¾ cup (175 ml) panko bread crumbs
½ cup (125 ml) ground walnuts
4 tbsp (60 ml) unsalted butter, divided
8 thick slices whole-grain sourdough, challah, or brioche
oven-crisped prosciutto, for serving (optional)
orange wedges and fresh sage leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- To make labneh, line a small sieve with 2 layers of cheesecloth, muslin or linen and place over a small, deep bowl. Spoon in yogurt and pull edges of cheesecloth over top. Cover and refrigerate overnight to strain yogurt. The longer it strains, the firmer yogurt will become. Transfer to a glass container with a tight-fitting lid and stir in half the orange zest and 1 tsp (5 ml) sage. Drizzle with 1 tsp (5 ml) honey and refrigerate. Use within 1 week.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, sugar and cinnamon. In another large shallow bowl, combine panko, walnuts, 1 tbsp (15 ml) sage and remaining orange zest. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C) and place oven rack in centre of oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. If not large enough to accommodate bread in a single layer, use 2 baking sheets. Whisk egg mixture again then transfer to a large shallow bowl.
- To make French toast, melt 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter in a large skillet and swirl to coat bottom of pan. Dip 2 slices bread thoroughly in egg mixture, then dip into panko mixture to evenly coat. Fry over medium heat until golden on both sides, about 5 minutes. Don’t worry if they’re not cooked through as they will finish in oven. Transfer to baking sheet. Melt another 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter in skillet and repeat with remaining bread.
- Bake in oven for about 12 minutes, flipping once, or until fully cooked in the centre and lightly crisped. If necessary, reduce oven temperature to 200 F (95 C) and cover with tinfoil for up to 20 minutes until ready to serve. Serve with generous dollops of orange-scented labneh, drizzles of honey and crisped prosciutto, if using. Garnish with orange wedges and fresh sage.
Drink Pairings
Passion Fruit Crème Tart
Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
½ cup (125 ml) + 2 tbsp (30 ml) flour
3 tbsp (45 ml) icing sugar
¼ cup (60 ml) + 2 tbsp (30 ml) cold salted butter, cubed
½ cup (125 ml) + 3 tbsp (45 ml) unsweetened passion fruit purée (Available at specialty grocery stores. Can also substitute equal amount fresh lemon juice.)
¾ cup (175 ml) sugar
3 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
¼ tsp (1 ml) pure vanilla extract
1 large pinch sea salt
1 cup (250 ml) unsalted butter, cut into 2-in (5 cm) pieces
white chocolate shavings, raspberries, edible flowers and ground pistachios, for garnish (optional)
whipped cream, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- To make the pastry, combine flour and icing sugar in a food processor. Add salted butter and pulse until a soft dough forms, about 2 minutes. Remove dough, form into a disk and cover in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Remove pastry from fridge and allow to soften to room temperature. Using your fingers, evenly press dough into bottom and up sides of a 14 x 4-in (36 x 10 cm) fluted tart pan with a removable base. Freeze for 20 minutes. Place on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes or just until golden. Allow to cool.
- To make filling, half-fill a large saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-high. In a double boiler or large stainless steel bowl that fits snugly over pan of water, combine passion fruit purée, sugar, eggs, egg yolk, vanilla and salt. Place bowl over saucepan, making sure bottom of bowl is not touching water, and whisk thoroughly. Continue whisking intermittently, scraping down sides of bowl, until mixture thickens and registers 180 F (82 C) on a thermometer, about 12 to 14 minutes. Remove bowl from heat and cool to 140 F (60 C).
- Using an immersion blender or high-speed blender, begin adding unsalted butter to passion fruit mixture 1 piece at a time, blending after each addition, until butter is incorporated. Pour into tart base, smoothing top, and chill in freezer for 2 hours or refrigerate for 4 hours. Save any extra filling for another use.
- Remove tart from pan, leaving it on metal base, and place on a serving platter. Garnish with white chocolate shavings, raspberries, edible flowers and pistachios, if using, and serve with softly whipped cream, if desired.
Drink Pairings
Jackfruit Tacos served with Cashew Crema
Ingredients
Serves 8 to 10
1 x 20 oz (600 ml) can jackfruit
1 tbsp (15 ml) sunflower oil
½ yellow onion, sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp (5 ml) ground cumin
1 tsp (5 ml) paprika
1 tsp (5 ml) chili powder
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground coriander
½ tsp (2.5 ml) dried oregano
1 tbsp (15 ml) brown sugar
1 tbsp (15 ml) chipotle purée
salt, to taste
8 to 10 small corn tortillas, 4.5-in (11.25 cm) each
thinly sliced pickled red onion, radish, and/or jalapeño, as desired, for garnish
lime wedges, for garnish
chopped cilantro, for garnish
FOR CASHEW CREMA:
1 cup (250 ml) raw cashews, soaked overnight and drained
2 garlic cloves
½ jalapeño, seeded and chopped
1 lime, juice only
½ cup (125 ml) cilantro leaves and stems
¼ cup (60 ml) water, plus extra as needed
salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Drain jackfruit and rinse thoroughly in warm water. Gently break apart with fingers or slice along the grain into ⅛-in (0.25 cm) strips.
- Heat oil in a medium cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté until soft, then add garlic. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes then add spices, sugar, chipotle and jackfruit, sautéing for a few minutes more. Add ½ cup (125 ml) water, then simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, breaking apart with a spatula, until water has mostly evaporated and jackfruit resembles pulled pork. You may need to add more water if jackfruit hasn’t broken down. Season with salt and set aside until ready to assemble.
- Warm corn tortillas over a grill or hot pan until pliable; otherwise they will crumble when filled. Transfer warmed tortillas to a plate and cover with a clean tea towel after each addition to keep warm.
- To assemble, reheat filling, if needed. Add a heaping spoonful to middle of corn tortillas, drizzle with Cashew Crema and garnish as desired.
- To make Cashew Crema, In a small blender, combine all ingredients on high until creamy. If needed, add water, 1 tbsp (15 ml) at a time, until desired consistency is achieved. Refrigerate for 1 hour so sauce can thicken, and keep chilled until ready to use. Will keep for up to 1 week in refrigerator.
Drink Pairings
Mini Churros with Dulce de Leche and Spicy Dark Chocolate Sauce
Ingredients
Serves 8
⅓ cup (75 ml) + 2 tbsp (30 ml) unsalted butter
½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
2 tbsp (30 ml) + ½ cup (125 ml) granulated sugar, divided
1 cup (250 ml) all-purpose flour
2 eggs, room temperature
2 tsp (10 ml) vanilla
2 tbsp (30 ml) ground cinnamon
2 cups (500 ml) vegetable oil
FOR DULCE DE LECHE:
1 x 14 oz (398 ml) can sweetened condensed milk, label removed
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla
¼ tsp (1 ml) salt
FOR SPICY DARK CHOCOLATE SAUCE:
¾ cup (175 ml) dark chocolate chips
¾ cup (175 ml) whipping cream
1 pinch cayenne pepper
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter, then add 1 cup (250 ml) water, salt and 2 tbsp (30 ml) sugar. Bring to a boil. Stir in flour with a wooden spoon until a thick dough ball forms, about 10 to 30 seconds. Remove from heat and place dough in a large mixing bowl. Allow to cool.
- Once cooled, using an electric mixer, beat in eggs one at a time until combined, then add vanilla. Transfer mixture to a piping bag fitted with a medium-sized star tip and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. (Star tip is key – churros will not fully cook inside or crisp up without it. Ateco brand #826 or equivalent is ideal, but a slightly smaller star tip will work too.)
- In a large mixing bowl, mix ½ cup (125 ml) sugar with cinnamon.
- In a medium saucepan or deep cast iron pan over medium heat, heat oil to 375 F (190 C), or until small ripples form. Holding piping bag a few inches over the oil, carefully pipe four to five 2-in (5 cm) to 3-in (8 cm) dough ropes directly into oil, using kitchen scissors to cut off each rope. Fry for 5 to 8 minutes, or until golden brown. Repeat with remaining dough.
- Remove churros from oil and place directly into cinnamon-sugar mixture, tossing to coat. Allow to rest on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Serve warm, with Dulce de Leche and Spicy Dark Chocolate Sauce for dipping.
- To make Dulce de Leche, place unopened can of condensed milk in a medium saucepan with plenty of water to cover. Bring water to a boil and reduce to a slight simmer. Cook for 2½ to 3 hours, monitoring it closely, making sure can is always submerged. It is very important to keep a close eye on it to ensure water level stays above the can, topping up if necessary. The longer the cooking time, the richer the caramel flavour, but if cooked for over 3 hours it will become too thick. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely before opening, at least 1 hour. Safety alert: Do not open can while still hot, or you risk a bubbling-hot sauce.
- Once cooled completely, carefully open can and pour condensed milk into a bowl and add vanilla and salt. Serve warm, reheating if necessary. Will keep for up to 1 week in refrigerator.
- To make Spicy Dark Chocolate Sauce, place chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream to a simmer, then pour over chocolate chips and allow to sit for about 3 minutes. Add cayenne and whisk continuously until chocolate has melted and sauce has come together. Serve warm.
Drink Pairings
Avocado Toast Salad
Ingredients
Serves 2 to 4
1 small loaf focaccia bread, cut into 2-in (5 cm) cubes
2 tbsp (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
salt and pepper, to taste
4 cups (1 L) Little Gem lettuce
1 large avocado, cut into large chunks
4 semi-dried sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
2 tbsp (30 ml) pickled red onion, make ahead, recipe follows
4 radishes, cut into wedges
1 tbsp (15 ml) sweet pickled baby peppers
4 chives, cut into 1-in (2.5 cm) pieces
½ lemon, cut into wedges
1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice
1 tbsp (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
FOR PICKLED RED ONION:
¾ cup (175 ml) white wine vinegar
3 tbsp (45 ml) sugar
1 tbsp (15 ml) salt
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C).
- Toss focaccia cubes with 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes. They should still be soft in middle. Allow to cool.
- Arrange focaccia cubes, lettuce, avocado, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, radish, peppers, chives and lemon wedges on a platter.
- Whisk together lemon juice and remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil with salt and pepper, to taste. Dress salad with vinaigrette right before serving.
- To make Picked Red Onion, in a small saucepan, bring vinegar, 3 tbsp (45 ml) water, sugar and salt to a boil and simmer until sugar and salt have dissolved. Allow to cool to room temperature.
- Put onions in a glass container. Pour vinegar mixture over onions and cover with a lid. Allow to sit in refrigerator overnight. Makes 2 cups (500 ml).
Drink Pairings
Coconut Orange Bundt Cake
Ingredients
Serves 12
1 cup (250 ml) unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing
2½ cups (625 ml) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
¾ cup (175 ml) unsweetened shredded coconut
1¼ cup (310 ml) granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 navel oranges, organic if possible (Oranges are blended whole, so use organic or wash well)
¼ tsp (1 ml) salt
¼ tsp (1 ml) baking soda
2 tsp (10 ml) baking powder
1½ cups (375 ml) icing sugar
2 tbsp (30 ml) + 2 tsp (10 ml) coconut milk
½ tsp (2.5 ml) finely grated orange zest
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk butter constantly until it smells nutty and brown specks start to form on bottom of saucepan. Remove from heat and carefully pour browned butter into a small bowl, scraping bottom of saucepan to collect any browned solids. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Meanwhile, preheat oven to 325 F(170 C). Grease a 10-cup (2.4 L) Bundt pan and dust with flour. Set aside.
- Place coconut on a baking tray and toast in oven until golden brown and fragrant, about 6 to 8 minutes. Set aside.
- In bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream together browned butter and granulated sugar until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in eggs 1 at a time.
- Trim ends of oranges and discard. Cut oranges into chunks and remove seeds before placing in a food processor, peel and all, fitted with steel blade attachment. Pulse until mostly smooth but not completely puréed. Measure out 1½ cups (375 ml) orange purée and add to batter along with ½ cup (125 ml) toasted coconut. Combine until well blended, then sift in 2½ cups (625 ml) flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Beat until just combined, with no flour pockets. Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth top with offset spatula or spoon.
- Bake until risen and a wooden skewer inserted into centre comes out with just a few crumbs clinging to it, about 55 to 60 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then invert cake onto rack and allow to cool to room temperature.
- Once cooled, make glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together icing sugar, coconut milk and orange zest. Adjust consistency to taste, adding more icing sugar for a thicker glaze or more coconut milk for a thinner glaze. Spoon on top of cake and sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup (60 ml) toasted coconut. Allow to set at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Drink Pairings
Roasted Red Pepper Phyllo Parcels
Ingredients
Serves 10 to 20
1 tbsp (15 ml) sunflower oil
½ yellow onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 x 16 oz (500 ml) jar roasted red peppers (or about 3½ large roasted red peppers)
½ cup (125 ml) sun-dried tomatoes
¾ cup (175 ml) crumbled feta
salt and pepper, to taste
1 box (10 sheets) phyllo pastry
½ cup (125 ml) unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until translucent. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Drain roasted peppers and use a cheesecloth or press against a fine-mesh sieve to squeeze out any remaining liquid.
- In a food processor, pulse onion, garlic, peppers and sun-dried tomatoes until pea-sized. Transfer to a large bowl and mix in crumbled feta. Season with salt and pepper (feta can be very salty, so be careful not to over-salt).
- Lay a sheet of phyllo on a large flat surface. Using a pastry brush, brush entire sheet with melted butter. Lay a second sheet on top and repeat. Cut into five 3½-in (9.25 cm) vertical strips. Place a heaping tablespoonful of filling on bottom right end of 1 of the strips. Fold the bottom right corner of the phyllo up and over to the left edge of the strip to form a triangle. Now take the bottom point of the triangle you have made and fold the triangle up and over the left edge of the strip. Then take the bottom left corner and fold it up and over to the right edge of the strip. Repeat folding steps until the whole strip is used up, trimming excess pastry and sealing with melted butter if necessary. Repeat with remaining strips; you should get 5 parcels for every 2 sheets of phyllo. Refrigerate on a lined baking sheet until ready to serve, or freeze, covered, for up to 3 months.
- To serve, brush tops with more melted butter and bake until golden brown, about 10 to 15 minutes. Cool for about 10 minutes before serving, or serve at room temperature if desired.
Drink Pairings
Salmon Rillettes
Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
1 tbsp (15 ml) sunflower oil
1 shallot, minced
1 to 2 cups (250 to 500 ml) dry white wine, for poaching
8 oz (250 g) salmon fillet, cut into 1-in (2.5 cm) cubes, about 1½ cups (375 ml)
3 oz (90 g) smoked salmon, diced, about ¼ cup (60 ml)
2 tsp (10 ml) butter, melted
1 tbsp (15 ml) mayonnaise
1 tbsp (15 ml) minced chives
1 pinch white pepper
salt, to taste
2 cups (500 ml) watercress
1 tsp (5 ml) lemon juice
1 tsp (5 ml) olive oil
1 baguette, sliced and toasted
½ cup (125 ml) cornichons (small pickles)
¼ cup (60 ml) sliced almonds, toasted
Instructions
- Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Sauté shallot until translucent. Add enough wine to cover salmon and bring to a gentle simmer. Add cubed salmon and cook for a few minutes, until opaque and just cooked through. Strain salmon and shallot, discarding wine, and transfer to a medium bowl. Refrigerate until cooled.
- Once cooled, gently flake salmon with a fork and mix in smoked salmon, butter, mayonnaise and chives. Season with white pepper and a pinch of salt, or to taste. Refrigerate rillettes until ready to serve.
- To serve, dress watercress with lemon juice and olive oil. Top toasted baguette slices with salmon rillettes and serve watercress and cornichons alongside or on top, garnishing with almonds, as desired.
Drink Pairings
Rhubarb and Custard Cake
Ingredients
Serves 8
1 cup (250 ml) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
1 tsp (5 ml) baking powder
½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
3 large eggs
1 cup (250 ml) sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
¼ cup (60 ml) melted butter, cooled
¼ cup (60 ml) sour cream
2 tbsp (30 ml) dark rum
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
1 tbsp (15 ml) finely grated lemon zest
1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice
1 lb (500 g) rhubarb, halved lengthwise if thick, cut into 3-in (8 cm) pieces
whipped cream, to serve
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C).
- Grease an 8-in (1.2 L) round springform pan and dust with flour. In a bowl, mix together flour, baking powder and salt. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs and sugar until very pale and thick, about 2 minutes. In a small bowl, whisk melted butter, sour cream, rum, vanilla, lemon zest and juice.
- Whisk butter mixture into egg mixture until just combined. Slowly fold into flour mixture until batter is smooth, then transfer to prepared pan. Chill 10 to 15 minutes to allow batter to set.
- Gently place pieces of rhubarb on top of batter, trimming as needed. Sprinkle a bit of sugar over top. Bake 45 to 55 minutes, or until top is golden and browned around edges. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes. Then slide a knife around sides to loosen and unmould and slide onto rack to allow to cool completely.
- Serve with a dollop of whipped cream.