Cauliflower Curry with Pearl Couscous
Ingredients
Serves 2-3
1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp (15 ml) minced fresh ginger
1 medium carrot, chopped
2 medium celery stalks, chopped
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground ginger
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground turmeric
1 tsp (5 ml) ground cumin
2 tsp (10 ml) curry powder
1 x 13.5 oz (400 ml) can full-fat coconut milk
1 cup (250 ml) vegetable stock
2 tbsp (30 ml) soy sauce
1 head cauliflower, trimmed, broken into florets
salt and pepper, to taste
½ cup (125 ml) chopped cilantro leaves, divided
3 cups (750 ml) cooked pearl couscous
½ cup (125 ml) dried currants or raisins
1 cup (250 ml) chopped flat leaf parsley leaves
½ lemon, juice only
1 cup (250 ml) plain yogurt
¼ cup (60 ml) minced mint leaves
1 lime, juice and zest, plus lime wedges for garnish
¼ cup (60 ml) toasted slivered almonds, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and fresh ginger and sauté for 5 minutes, or until soft. Add carrot, celery, ground ginger, turmeric, cumin and curry powder. Stir to coat and sauté for another 5 minutes, until fragrant.
- Stir in coconut milk and reduce heat to medium-low. Let simmer to reduce slightly, about 10 minutes. Add vegetable stock, soy sauce and cauliflower and simmer for another 8 minutes, until cauliflower is tender but not mushy. Remove from heat, taste and season as needed with salt and pepper, then add ¼ cup (60 ml) cilantro. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine couscous, currants and parsley. Dress with lemon juice and stir to combine.
- To make yogurt sauce, in a small bowl, combine yogurt, mint and lime juice and zest. Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine.
- To serve, top couscous with cauliflower curry and a dollop of yogurt sauce. Garnish with remaining ¼ cup (60 ml) cilantro, almonds and lime wedges.
Drink Pairings
Croissant & Mushroom Stuffing
Ingredients
Serves 8-10
¼ cup (60 ml) butter, divided
2 cups (500 ml) sliced mushrooms
20 croissants, left uncovered for 3 days to become stale
1 cup (250 ml) half-and-half cream
1 cup (250 ml) chicken stock
4 eggs
1 tbsp (15 ml) grainy mustard
3 sprigs thyme, leaves picked and roughly chopped
salt and pepper, to taste
10 oz (283 g) Gruyère cheese, sliced
Instructions
- Butter a 9 x 11-in (23 x 28 cm) casserole dish with 2 tbsp (30 ml) butter.
- In a large frying pan, sauté mushrooms in remaining 2 tbsp (30 ml) butter over medium heat until cooked through and slightly browned, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Slice each croissant into 3 chunks.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together cream, chicken stock, eggs, mustard and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
- Place croissants in casserole dish. Tuck a slice of cheese and some mushrooms in between each croissant piece. Pour egg mixture over and let sit for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Transfer casserole to oven and bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until liquid has set and a knife comes out clean. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Drink Pairings
Jambalaya
Ingredients
Serves 6-8
2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil
1 lb (454 g) Andouille sausage, cut into ½-in (1.25 cm) slices
1 large yellow onion, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
1 green bell pepper, cored and diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 whole thyme sprig
1 bay leaf
1 tbsp (15 ml) tomato paste
2 tsp (10 ml) cayenne pepper
1 tbsp (15 ml) Cajun or Creole seasoning
2 cups (500 ml) long-grain white rice
1 x 28 oz (796 ml) can puréed tomatoes
3 cups (750 ml) chicken stock
salt and pepper, to taste
1 lb (454 g) peeled, deveined sustainable prawns
¼ cup (60 ml) thinly sliced green onion, for garnish
1 lemon, quartered, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C).
- Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add oil and sausage and cook until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Add onion, celery, pepper, garlic, thyme and bay leaf. Continue cooking until onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add tomato paste, cayenne pepper and Cajun seasoning. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, until tomato paste has darkened and caramelized.
- Add rice, tomatoes and chicken stock. Stir to combine, then taste broth and season to taste with salt and pepper, if needed. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Turn off heat, cover with a lid and transfer to oven.
- Bake until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 30 to 40 minutes. Place prawns in a single layer on top of rice. Cover and bake again for about 5 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes, or until prawns are opaque and cooked through. Garnish with green onion and lemon wedges and serve.
Drink Pairings
Lamb Biryani
Ingredients
Serves 4-5
2 lbs (907 g) boneless lamb shoulder, cut into 2-in (5 cm) cubes
1 cup (250 ml) full-fat plain yogurt
3 tbsp (45 ml) finely grated garlic
3 tbsp (45 ml) finely grated ginger
1 tbsp (15 ml) kosher salt, plus extra for boiling
2 tsp (10 ml) finely ground black pepper
3 tbsp (45 ml) ghee
3 large yellow onions, finely sliced
3 fresh green chilies: 2 halved; 1 thinly sliced, for garnish; divided (or to taste)
4 green cardamom pods
1 cinnamon stick
2 bay leaves
1 tsp (5 ml) ground cumin
1 tsp (5 ml) ground coriander
1 tsp (5 ml) chili powder, or to taste
1 tsp (5 ml) garam masala
1 tsp (5 ml) tomato paste
1 cup (250 ml) chicken stock
4 cups (1 L) water
2 cups (500 ml) basmati rice
½ cup (125 ml) roughly chopped cilantro leaves and stems, divided
2 tbsp (30 ml) crushed roasted cashews
Instructions
- The night before cooking, in a large zip-top bag or covered bowl, mix together lamb, yogurt, garlic, ginger, salt and pepper, and marinate in refrigerator overnight.
- In a large Dutch oven, heat ghee over low heat and add onions. Cook, stirring often, until they are caramelized and dark brown, about 20 to 25 minutes.
- Remove half the onions and set aside. Add halved fresh chilies, cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaves, cumin, coriander, chili powder and garam masala. Mix and continue cooking until spices are fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- To the Dutch oven, add lamb and all its marinade, tomato paste and chicken stock. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, until lamb is tender. Once tender, remove lid, increase heat to medium-high and simmer until liquid has reduced to sauce consistency, about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 F (180 C).
- In a medium saucepan, heavily salt 4 cups (1 L) water and bring to a boil. Add rice, boil for 2 minutes, then drain in a fine mesh sieve.
- Add ¼ cup (60 ml) cilantro to lamb and mix until combined. Pour rice over lamb and spread rice in an even layer. Cover with foil then place Dutch oven lid on top. Transfer to oven and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes.
- To serve, fluff rice with a fork or transfer to a platter. Garnish with remaining ¼ cup (60 ml) cilantro, remaining caramelized onions, sliced chili and cashews.
Drink Pairings
Jollof Rice
Ingredients
Serves 6
2 yellow onions (1 medium, diced; 1 large, sliced; divided)
2 medium tomatoes, quartered
3 red bell peppers, cored and quartered
2 Scotch bonnet peppers, stemmed (or Scotch bonnet hot sauce), to taste
¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp (15 ml) finely grated ginger
¼ cup (60 ml) tomato paste
1 tsp (5 ml) curry powder
1 tbsp (15 ml) smoked paprika
2 whole sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
2 cups (500 ml) vegetable stock
3 cups (750 ml) long-grain converted or parboiled rice
salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup (250 ml) cooked green peas
¼ cup (60 ml) sliced green onions, for garnish
roasted chicken, to serve (optional)
Instructions
- In a blender, blend diced onion, tomatoes, bell peppers and whole Scotch bonnet peppers until smooth. Set aside.
- In a Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat and sweat sliced onion until soft and slightly caramelized, about 5 to 8 minutes. Add garlic, ginger and tomato paste and cook until tomato paste has darkened, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add curry powder, paprika, thyme and bay leaves and stir to combine. Add blended pepper mixture and simmer over medium heat for about 20 to 25 minutes, stirring frequently. Once liquid has reduced and you can see oil pooling at top, add vegetable stock and rice. Check seasoning and season to taste with salt and pepper, if needed.
- Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to low and cover with foil then place Dutch oven lid on top. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until liquid has been absorbed and rice is cooked through. Mix in peas and fluff rice before serving. Garnish with green onion. Serve alongside roasted chicken, if desired.
Drink Pairings
Black & White Bourbon Madeleines
Ingredients
Serves 32
4 oz (125 g) chopped semi-sweet chocolate
½ cup + 1 tbsp (140 ml) unsalted butter, room temperature, divided, plus extra for greasing
¾ cup (175 ml) granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
¼ tsp (1 ml) kosher salt
1 cup (250 ml) all-purpose flour
2 tbsp (30 ml) Dutch processed black cocoa powder
½ tsp (2.5 ml) baking powder
10 oz (300 g) white chocolate, finely chopped
½ cup (125 ml) whipping cream
1 to 2 tbsp (15 to 30 ml) bourbon (depending on flavour preference)
2 tbsp (30 ml) black sesame seeds
Instructions
- Set up a double boiler or a heatproof bowl that fits snugly over a saucepan of boiling water and melt semi-sweet chocolate. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Meanwhile, in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat together ½ cup (125 ml) butter and sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, incorporating each fully before adding the next. Stir in vanilla and salt until just incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder and baking powder. With a rubber spatula, fold flour mixture into butter mixture until just incorporated. Add reserved melted chocolate and fold into batter until just incorporated, with no white streaks remaining. Let batter rest at room temperature for 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Prepare 2 madeleine pans by liberally brushing wells with extra softened butter or cooking spray and placing in freezer for at least 15 minutes.
- Remove pans from freezer and spoon 1 tbsp (15 ml) batter into each mould. Return pans to freezer and let batter chill for 15 minutes. Transfer to oven and bake until madeleines have risen and set, about 10 to 13 minutes. While warm, turn baked madeleines out onto a wire rack and let cool to room temperature. Wipe out pans with a clean dry cloth and repeat steps 4 and 5 until all batter has been used up.
- Meanwhile, make ganache coating. In a medium heatproof bowl, place white chocolate. Warm cream in a small saucepan until just boiling. Pour cream over chocolate and let sit for 30 seconds. Using a whisk or spatula, gently stir chocolate and cream together. Once smooth, add remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter and bourbon, stirring until fully incorporated. Set aside at room temperature, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened but still flows, about 30 minutes.
- Drizzle half of each shell side of madeleine with ganache and set back on wire rack, shell-side up. Sprinkle ganache with sesame seeds and allow to set, about 1 hour at room temperature, or place in refrigerator for 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy. Once coated with ganache, madeleines are best eaten day they are made. Uncoated madeleines may be stored in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 4 days, or frozen for 1 month. Allow to come to room temperature before decorating.
Drink Pairings
Beer Bread Muffaletta
Ingredients
Serves 8
BEER BREAD
425 g (15 oz) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
1½ tsp (7 ml) fine sea salt
½ tsp (2.5 ml) active dry yeast
1½ cups (375 ml) warmed Steamworks Pale Ale (about 110 F/43 C)
OLIVE RELISH
1 cup (250 ml) pitted green olives, finely chopped
½ cup (125 ml) pitted kalamata olives, finely chopped
½ cup (125 ml) chopped roasted red peppers
½ cup (125 ml) chopped marinated artichoke hearts
2 pepperoncini, stemmed and finely chopped
2 tbsp (30 ml) capers, roughly chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
⅓ cup (75 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
3 tbsp (45 ml) red wine vinegar
1 tsp (5 ml) dried oregano leaves
TO ASSEMBLE
2 oz (60 g) sliced provolone
2 oz (60 g) sliced mozzarella
4 oz (120 g) sliced mortadella
2 oz (60 g) sliced capicola
2 oz (60 g) sliced salami
2½ oz (90 g) sliced hot soppressata
arugula, to serve
Instructions
- To make Beer Bread, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt and yeast. Add in beer and stir with a wooden spoon until ingredients are well incorporated and a loose, shaggy dough forms. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rest at room temperature for 12 to 18 hours. Dough should be about doubled in volume.
- Transfer dough to a well-floured surface. Imagine dough ball as a clock and, starting at the 12:00 mark, lightly pull outer edge of dough out and fold it back into the centre. Repeat this stretch and fold motion at roughly every “hour” point around the “clock.” Fold and stretch dough all the way around 2 to 3 times, until dough feels a bit tighter and holds its shape. Form into a ball by gently cupping your hands around dough and moving your hands in unison in a counterclockwise motion until dough holds its shape. Lightly flour top of dough ball, then carefully flip it upside down onto a sheet of parchment paper, so smooth side is facing up. Lightly flour top again, then loosely cover with plastic wrap or a clean tea towel. Let rest for 1 hour. Dough should be slightly puffed up and just under doubled in size.
- Thirty minutes before end of dough’s second rest, place a lidded Dutch oven inside oven and preheat to 450 F (230 C).
- When dough has finished its second rest, carefully remove Dutch oven from oven and remove lid. Lift edges of parchment paper and transfer dough ball, along with parchment paper, into Dutch oven. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Remove lid and continue to bake until crust reaches desired level of doneness, about another 10 to 20 minutes. Carefully transfer bread to a wire rack to cool to room temperature. If not using right away, bread may be stored at room temperature, loosely wrapped in a clean tea towel for up to 2 days.
- Meanwhile, make Olive Relish. In a medium bowl, stir together both kinds of olives, red peppers, artichokes, pepperoncini, capers and garlic. Add olive oil, vinegar and oregano and stir to blend. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- When ready to assemble, cut bread loaf in half crosswise. Using clean kitchen scissors or your fingers, hollow out each half of the loaf about ½-in (1.25 cm) deep, leaving ½-in (1.25 cm) on sides. (Reserve scooped-out bread for another use, such as to make fresh bread crumbs or croutons.)
- Drain prepared Olive Relish in a fine mesh sieve set over a small bowl. (Save olive oil mixture that drains off, as it makes a great salad dressing.) Divide relish between hollowed-out bread halves and press it firmly into bread. Top bottom half evenly with cheeses and meats, folding them as necessary to fit. Cover with arugula. Carefully invert top half onto bottom half, pressing gently. Wrap sandwich tightly in plastic wrap and weigh down with a heavy cast iron pan placed right on top of sandwich and refrigerate overnight. The next day, when ready to serve, cut into wedges and enjoy.
Drink Pairings
Black Tahini, Miso & Kimchi Hummus
Ingredients
Serves 4-6
2 cups (500 ml) cooked chickpeas, plus extra for garnish
1 garlic clove, chopped
¼ cup (60 ml) black tahini
1 tbsp (15 ml) white miso
3 tbsp (45 ml) lemon juice, plus extra as needed
3 tbsp (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for garnish
½ tsp (2.5 ml) fine sea salt
⅛ tsp (0.5 ml) freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp (30 ml) roughly chopped kimchi, for garnish
1 tsp (5 ml) white sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- In bowl of a food processor or blender, combine chickpeas and garlic. Blend until roughly chopped, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
- Add tahini, miso, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Blend until smooth, about 2 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, as needed. If too thick, adjust consistency of hummus as needed with additional lemon juice, or water. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with a generous drizzle of olive oil, kimchi, chickpeas and white sesame seeds. Serve with desired accompaniments.
Drink Pairings
Brown Butter Crepes with Caviar
Ingredients
Serves 8
¼ cup (60 ml) unsalted butter
2 large eggs
½ cup (125 ml) all-purpose flour
½ cup (125 ml) rye flour
¼ tsp (1 ml) fine sea salt
1 cup (250 ml) whole milk, plus extra as needed
½ cup (125 ml) crème fraîche, for garnish
1 to 2 oz (30 to 60 g) caviar, for garnish
Instructions
- In a small frying pan, melt butter over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until butter starts to turn golden brown, about 4 to 8 minutes. Transfer browned butter to a heatproof bowl and set aside so it cools but still remains liquid, about 20 minutes.
- In a blender, combine eggs, flours, salt, whole milk and 2 tbsp (30 ml) browned butter and blend until thoroughly combined. Reserve extra browned butter for another use. Transfer crêpe batter to a bowl, cover and let rest in refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight. Batter should be the consistency of heavy cream; if not, stir in more milk, 1 to 2 tbsp (15 to 30 ml) at a time until correct consistency is achieved.
- Heat a 7-in (18 cm) non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. When hot, ladle in enough batter to coat pan, tilt until even, then cook for about 1 minute. Crêpe is ready to flip when bubbles appear on surface and edges look dry. Flip with a spatula and cook for 1 more minute. Transfer to a plate and cover with a tea towel. Repeat with remaining batter. You should end up with about 16 crêpes. At this point, crêpes may be wrapped in parchment paper and then plastic wrap, and refrigerated for up to 4 days, or frozen for up to 1 month. Let crêpes come to room temperature before serving.
- When ready to serve, fold crêpes as desired and top with a dollop of crème fraîche and caviar. Transfer to a platter and serve.
Drink Pairings
Nasi Goreng
Ingredients
Serves 2
3 medium shallots, roughly chopped
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 bird’s eye chili, stemmed
1 tbsp (15 ml) fish sauce
2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil
1 tsp (5 ml) soy sauce
1 tsp (5 ml) sugar
1 tbsp (15 ml) kecap manis
2 cups (500 ml) day-old cooked jasmine rice
1 cup (250 ml) shredded roasted chicken
2 fried eggs, to serve
1 green onion, thinly sliced, for garnish
2 small tomatoes, quartered, to serve
2 baby cucumbers, thickly sliced, to serve
1 small handful cilantro leaves, for garnish
1 small bag prawn or shrimp chips, to serve
Instructions
- In a blender or small food processor, blend shallot, garlic, chili and fish sauce until it forms a smooth paste.
- Heat oil in a large frying pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add prepared garlic paste and fry until fragrant. Add soy sauce, sugar and kecap manis and stir to combine.
- Add rice and stir-fry until rice is completely coated with sauce. Add chicken and continue cooking until chicken is heated through.
- Divide rice between 2 bowls. Serve each bowl with a fried egg, green onion, tomatoes, cucumbers, cilantro and prawn chips.