PEA , CORIANDER & PEA SHOOT SOUP (V)

heat 2 tbs of butter and 2 tbs of oil  in a large pot over a low heat .
Add 1 tsp of cumin , 1 dsp of minced ginger and stir through until fragrant .
Add 1 onion finely chopped .
1 potato peeled and chopped .
1/2 bunch of coriander  ( using washed  roots and leaves ).
Now add 4 cups of vegetable stocks .
50gm of pea shoots.
500gm of frozen peas .
Slowly bring to the boil and then simmer till the potatoes and peas are tender .
While the soup is cooking ...swirl 2 tbs of sweet chilli sauce through 200ml of sour cream and then set aside in the refrigerator .
When the soup is ready remove from heat ,transfer to a processor and puree till smooth .
Return to the pot and heat gently over a low heat and stir in the juice of 1 lemon .
Top with the sweet chilli cream and extra pea shoots ..
Delicious !!

 

CHICKEN INVOLTINI WITH SCAMORZAL

Cooking Ingredients ...Tuesday 18th April .

CHICKEN INVOLTINI WITH SCAMORZAL

Yes this sounds a bit involved and fiddly , but it in fact it is very simple , quick and delicious .
Maybe you are wondering what is scamorzal ?
Scamorzal is smoked mozzarella , it is available from delis ( local delicatessen in Buckley St and the deli in Manny`s Market ...Morwell ).
You will need 250 gm of scamorzal or substitute with 250gm of bocconcini
While you are at the deli ask for 16 slices of pancetta , sliced from a flat piece
4 x 150gm chicken fillets ...( they are the cheapest at IGA Churchill $6.99 kg ) ask for the fillets to be weighed as close to 150gm. as possible .......
See you all on the 18th April
Noelene Marchwicki

WHITE BEAN AND COCONUT CURRY (V)

Heat a good glug of sunflower or coconut oilin a large pan over a medium heat .
Add 1 tsp of mustard seeds and cook till they start to pop .
 12 curry leaves and 1 onion thinly sliced .
Stir until the onion softens .
Add 1 tbs of minced ginger ,2 tbs of minced garlic , 1 dsp of curry powder , 4 cardamom pods ( lightly bruised ), 1 tsp of ground turmeric , 1/2 tsp of chilli powder , 1 tsp of ground coriander .
Continue to stir to combine until fragrant .
Now add 165ml of coconut milk along with 200ml of water and bring to a simmer , continue to cook until it thickens slightly .
Add 2 x 400gm cans of cannellini beans that have been rinsed and drained .
250 gm punnet of cherry tomatoes (halved ).
1 dsp of sugar
Juice of 1 lime .
Now simmer till the tomatoes soften slightly .
Stir through chopped coriander  ( optional )
Serve with rice and naan bread .

RED LENTIL SOUP (V)

This soup ticks all the boxes ......it is easy to make , filling  and a blend of spices creates a delicious flavour .

Melt 2 tbs of butter in a pan over a medium heat
Add 1 finely chopped onion , 2 dsp of minced garlic , 1 tbs of minced ginger , 1/2 tsp of chilli flakes , 1 tsp of turmeric ,1 tsp of ground cumin .
Stir to mix in all ingredients , then cook till the onion has softened .
Now using a large saucepan that has been lightly sprayed with cooking oil add the onion mixture
150 gm of shredded carrot
1 X 800 gm can of diced Italian style tomatoes
1 cup of dried  red lentils
3cups of vegetable stock
Stir to combine and slowly bring to the boil over a low heat .
Then cover and allow to simmer for 45 minutes or until the lentils are tender .
Season to taste with salt and cracked black pepper .
Spoon over a little pot set Greek yoghurt and dress with fresh mint leaves .
For a complete meal serve with crusty sourdough rolls .

SLOW COOKER METHOD
Peel and chop the onion add the spices to a pan and stir till the onion softens .
Then place the onion mix in a lightly sprayed bowl of your slow cooker , then add the carrot , tomatoes , lentils and stock .
Stir till combined .
Place the lid over the bowl and turn on High for 4 hours or for 6 hours on Low .

 

IT IS ALL ABOUT FOOD ...

Footy and Netball is back .....
The player's meals started 2 weeks ago.....I served Bodkaal for the first meal accompanied with chicken meatballs .
Last night I prepared lamb back strap in a mild Indian curry with a turmeric base ,chilli , cumin and sultanas ....dressed with sour cream .
The cooking classes will resume for term 2 on April the 18th ....we will continue our culinary travels with the use of herbs and spices , we will take what is old and worn and make it new again ...
After Tuesday`s class I will then head over to Federation University  ( Churchill campus )  and hold cooking classes for the ` On Res Students`, commencing May 2nd
The wheels are in motion , but a starting date is still to be set to hold cooking classes for the Kurnai Young Parents Program .
I have also been asked to do one on one instruction with a work for the dole student .
All these amazing opportunities , all because of food .

NEW CARETAKER OF CASTLE GARDEN

To Elina Bosis
As caretakers of Castle garden I watched  my youngest son and only daughter grow from children to adults , welcomed home my three older sons with partners and families , enjoyed Easter egg  hunts through Castle  Garden ,Christmas lights , Christmas lunch with all the family in the dining room , birthday`s , graduations , marriages , the arrival of grand children , private cooking classes , promotions and together we made  funeral arrangements .
The door to Castle Garden was always open to family and friends and many family pets ..
I wish the new caretakers of this beautiful home and property all the love, happiness and good fortune  that my family have been gifted .
May your tenure be long , healthy and happy .
Noelene Marchwicki .

PIZZA SANDWICH

It was my daughter Nicole`s 26 th birthday gathering where Laufa and I made pizza bases and toppings all night .....that got me thinking about pizza sandwiches .......
I have prepared them for Robyn and her family and my son Dale .
Last night was my turn to try a pizza sandwich ....it`s been a big week , moving the furniture from a 55 square home to a 25 square home and that`s all I`ve done , the unpacking hasn`t begun .
I was famished on Friday night and all I could think about was a pizza .......even in my state of disarray , I had to do it my way ...
I bought 2 pizza bases .....one with ham and pineapple , the other with spinach and mozzarella  ( frozen packaged pizzas are the biggest rip offs )
On one of the bases I layered it with sliced cold meat , fresh spinach leaves , fresh sliced tomato , bacon pieces , sliced red capsicum , drained pineapple pieces and healthy helping
of grated cheese .
Placing the other base over top and spraying liberally with cooking oil and  a sprinkle of grated cheese .

I bake these on a baking tray lined with baking paper in a preheated oven on 160 C, till the top was lightly coloured and crisp .

Then I covered the top with a sheet of baking paper and continued to bake for 35 minutes .

The slice pizza sandwich was an absolute treat and full of flavour .
The remainder of the pizza was placed in the refrigerator till I returned after a full day  to enjoy another meal of pizza sandwich .