Broccolini Soup

Another post related to my recent trip to the markets. I wanted to buy broccolini to make a Moroccan broccolini, raisin and pine nut side dish. So I asked the lady if she had any broccolini because I couldn't see any to which she replied "Yes, I think its over the other side (of the stall, it was a big stall).". She comes back with a massive bunch the size of a small dog (ok, cat). What could I do but take it?

So I had 1kg of broccolini, how much can broccolini can two people eat?

It came to me in a flash. Broccolini = sister/brother/cousin of the Broccoli and if there's broccoli soup it means there will have to be broccolini soup! Its a low fat soup and you get all the green you want in one day (believe me, you would not want anymore green after this).

Broccolini Soup

Ingredients
Several bunches of Broccolini, diced the same size
1 onion, diced
1 cup Chicken/Veg stock
2 cups milk
Salt
Pepper
Chili (optional)
Blender/food processor

Method
1. Saute the onions in a little oil until transparent. Add in broccolini and cook until soft (approx. 15mins).
2. Add 1 cup of stock and 1 cup of water. Cook for another 10mins.
3. Blend until smooth (or as smooth as possible). Return to the pot and bring to the boil. Turn heat to low and add milk. Once boiling again, add chili if using and season to taste.

Salmon Caesar like Salad

I was totally loving my Baby Cos after the trip to the markets. It looked so crisp, green and fresh...and indeed it was. I wish I bought 2. The tomatoes, I wanted to eat them raw to preserve the flavour and colour. Funny though because this type of tomato has a milder taste to the average tomato so I think cooking it will make it lose more of its flavour and it will be less pretty to look it.

This is like a healthier take on the Caesar salad, with the cos, egg and parmesan. Instead of a heavy Caesar dressing, I used a Japanese vinegar dressing (available in Asian supermarkets) which is lighter.

The eggs were slightly over boiled, I wanted an orange with a tad runny yoke. The salmon, I baked with lemon and lemon pepper as its an oily fish I didn't use any oil. This is great for the time poor. Whack the salmon in oven for 10-15mins and wash the veg during that time. Yummo!

Ginger Cookies

Yes, it's mid-August and yes, it was 28c on the weekend. This is to make up for my contribution in eating and not baking at the recent Christmas in July party.

If you like me, don't have a rolling pin why not use a glass? If you like me, don't have cookie cutters why not use the same glass?


Voila!

Ingredients

125g butter
1/2 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup honey, warmed

3 cups self raising flour

1 egg

1 tbsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground all spice

Method
1. Cream the butter and sugar. Then mix in honey and egg until combined.

2. Mix in the flour and spices. Form in to a round dough and refrigerate for 30mins.
3. Pre-heat oven to 180c. Roll out dough to 4mm thick and cut out into shapes.
4. Bake for 8-10mins.

Northside Produce Market

Woke up early on a Saturday and headed down to the Northside Produce Market in North Sydney. Great markets, similar to the Pyrmont markets with the majority being the same stall holders.

There was a fantastic tomato stall selling a large variety of tomatoes: roma, heirloom, grape, cherry etc. We decided to try some yellow conchita tomato but its not cheap at $10 a box. I also love how they tell you on the label where the tomatoes are from.

There was another stall selling micro herbs, edible flowers and baby salad greens. I bought myself a baby cos which was fresh and crisp looking for $2. There are the usual veggie stalls, cake/biscuit stalls (I stayed well away from those!), flowers, meats, cheeses and bread. As usually I could have spent alot more but had to exercise some level of control.

Northside Produce Market is on evey 3rd Saturday of each month from 8am-12pm, held on the corner of Ridge and McLaren Streets, North Sydney.

Dinner with Friends

The morning after

There's nothing better than hosting a dinner party (or any sort of party). Its too cold to be outside at night and due to the lack of dining space in the apartment we can't really have more than 3 guests at a time unless its a buffet style. Which is a shame as I would like to throw more parties or some themed parties. Yes, as you can tell, I love entertaining.

Baking is the easiest way to go with these things (especially in a small kitchen). There's less cleaning and your dinner can cook in the oven while you chat to your guests. I saw a Spanish baked fish recipe the other week. They used whole snappers baked on a bed of potatoes, onion, capsicum, lemon and tomatoes. I used salmon fillets (skinned and boned) since its easier to cook and doesn't everyone prefer salmon when it comes to fish? Its a really easy recipe where you can use any fish and any vegetables. I like using potatoes because they suck up all the yummy juices. I par-cooked all the vegetables to reduce the baking time. You can prepare this dish in advance and keep it in the fridge until its time to cook.

Throw in some easy sides of cous cous and a salad - you're done! I particularly like this fetta and cranberry salad because they both go well with cous cous and salmon. Throw all the baby spinach, cranberry, fetta and almond together and drizzle some balsamic vingar on top. If pomegranate was in season, I would have used that instead of the cranberries.

The dessert was the chocolate, raspberry and hazelnut cake (below) without the hazelnuts and Lindt chocolates from our guests.

Baked Salmon with Potatoes, Leek, Capsicum and Tomatoes

For 4 people

Yes, it turned out sideways again

Ingredients
3 large salmon fillets, cut in half vertically

4 potatoes sliced

half a leek, sliced finely

1 yellow capsicum, sliced finely

2 tomatoes, sliced finely

1 lemon, sliced

salt

pepper

(would be nice if you have Masterfood's lemon pepper seasoning)

Method
1. Par-boil the potatoes for 5mins.
2. Cover the bottom of the baking dish with 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil. Layer potatoes on top.

3. Cook leeks and capsicum in a pan until soft. Layer this onto the potatoes and season.

4. When this has cooled down, place the salmon on top and sprinkle season.

5. Place tomatoes around the fish and lemon slices on the fish.

6. Bake in a 180c oven for approx 20mins (depending on the thickness and type of fish).