Author: the expat traveller
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Leeks in White Wine and Cream
This recipe transforms the humble leek from a supporting side dish into the undisputed star of the table. By standing the leeks upright, they bathe in a luxurious, savoury cream reduction while the tips catch just enough heat to become tender and flavourful. The secret here is the umami punch from the anchovies, which melt…
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Baked Mushrooms
These baked mushrooms are an incredibly simple yet elegant side dish, perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to any meal. Button mushrooms are gently baked with a splash of white wine, a drizzle of olive oil, fragrant minced garlic, and aromatic fresh thyme. The result is a tender, savory, and wonderfully fragrant dish that’s…
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Sour Cream vs Crème Fraîche
Sour cream and crème fraîche are both cultured dairy products that offer a tangy kick and creamy texture, but they have some key differences that make them suitable for different culinary applications. Fat Content and Texture Flavor Uses Feature Sour Cream Crème Fraîche Fat Content 20% 30% Texture Thin Thick Flavour Tangy Mild, sweet Uses…
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Oven Temperature Conversion Chart
Very Slow Slow Moderate Moderate Hot Hot Very Hot F 225 250 275 300 325 350 375 400 425 450 475 C 110 120 140 150 165 180 190 200 220 230 245 C Fan 90 100 120 130 150 160 170 180 200 210 220
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Garlic Ginger Paste
A homemade garlic and ginger paste suitable for south Asian recipes. Ingredients Directions Tip: peel the ginger with a teaspoon. Just drag the spoon across the ginger and the peel will come off easily.
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Basic Tomato Sauce
For pasta, soups, stews, pizza or anywhere you need a flavoursome tomato sauce. Ingredients Directions Serve with pasta as it is or add kalamata olives, capers, chilli, basil leaves or anchovies as desired. Quantities have been omitted so you can experiment with flavours.I sometimes add a small amount of vegetable stock for extra flavour.
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Saudi Cocktail
When I lived in Saudi Arabia, every restaurant served this refreshing, cooling drink. Alcohol is banned in Saudi so the Saudi Cocktail aka Saudi Champagne was a nice alternative. Ingredients Directions You can use soda instead of sparkling water or lemonade if you have a sweet tooth.
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Ambrosia Salad
OK, so I haven’t eaten this “salad” in about 20 years but I’m including it here so old recipes like this don’t disappear and be lost forever. Maybe I’ll have to try it again. Ingredients Combine everything together and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
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Sourdough Starter
Use this simple recipe to create your own sourdough starter. I use bread flour but you can use any type. Rye and spelt flour usually ferment quicker than white bread flour. Experiment to see what works best for you. The easiest way to get a sourdough starter is to ask a sourdough bread baker for…
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Alaskan Sourdough Pancakes
I first had these beautiful light and fluffy pancakes onboard a boat in Valdez, Alaska, in 1996. I wrote down the ingredients but never quite got the method right. After many, many years of failure and experimenting I settled on the following method and I have to say, they are close to perfect. This recipe…
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Bread and Butter Pudding
This easy Bread and Butter Pudding has always been a family favourite. Great comfort food on a cold winter night. Ingredients Directions Try using Panettone instead of white bread, omitting the sultanas.The custard can be flavoured with cinnamon, finely grated orange peel or vanilla bean seeds.
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ANZAC Biscuits
These iconic biscuits are even better if you can get your hands on freshly grated coconut. Ingredients Directions Soft and Chewy Omit the brown sugar and increase the caster sugar to 155g.Dark and Crunchy Omit the caster sugar. Increase the brown sugar to 155g. Bake for 18 minutes.Thin and Crispy Omit the caster sugar. Increase the brown sugar…
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Vanilla Chia Pudding
Enjoy this vanilla and maple syrup flavoured chia pudding for breakfast with your choice of toppings. Ingredients Directions Suggested toppings: blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, banana, sliced nectarine, almond flakes, walnuts.
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Chocolate Ripple Cake
When researching this recipe, I discovered it’s an Australian classic! It’s simply chocolate biscuits arranged in a log shape with whipped cream between each biscuit then smothered again with cream. You need to prepare this cake ahead of time to allow the cream to soften the biscuits. Chocolate Ripple Cake was a Christmas treat in…
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Garden Party Scones
Buckingham Palace chefs have shared the Queen’s recipe for fruit scones, which are traditionally served at Buckingham Palace every summer during the garden party season. Ingredients Directions Jam or cream first? The Royal Family Instagram page for Garden Party Scones
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Pineapple Soufflé
My mother had a collection of strange recipes that she would prepare and we were forced (yes, forced) to eat as kids. She lived in an era when dishes like K.C. Ming, tongue in aspic and Ambrosia salad were popular. Her Pineapple Soufflé was probably the best of this lot and I’ve included it here in memory of…
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Australian Style Iced Coffee
Australian iced coffee is like a super sized cold affogato with extra milk. Homemade or Italian café style iced coffee is the best and very refreshing on a hot summer day. Ingredients Directions If you can get hold of Bickford’s Iced Coffee syrup containing chicory, even better.
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Clafoutis
This easy to prepare French baked dessert is custardy in the middle and cake-like around the edges. Clafoutis is best made with tart fruits for a contrast in flavour. Ingredients Directions Serve warm with whipped cream and dusted with icing sugar.Apple and cinnamon is a nice combination.The clafoutis will deflate when cooling.
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Baked Pears with Orange and Maple Syrup
An easy to prepare dessert of hot baked pears with a tangy, sweet citrusy sauce. Ingredients Directions Serve with whipped cream, clotted cream or ice cream.
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Aunty Ivy’s Sponge
This recipe for a featherlight sponge was first published in the Australian Women’s Weekly magazine but in my family it’s known as Aunty Ivy’s Sponge and has been passed down through the generations. Ingredients Directions Decorate with whipped cream, strawberry jam, fresh strawberries and a sprinkling of icing sugar.
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Tikka Paste
I bought this tikka paste at my local farmers’ market and was impressed by its freshness and punchy flavours. It soon became my favourite. Thank you Cath for this recipe. Find other great recipes from Cath on her Ocean Pilgrim blog. Ingredients Directions
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Seb’s Salsa
This easy-to-make salsa is the perfect companion to chips, tacos, or any dish that needs a zesty kick. Ingredients Directions Thanks Seb!
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Cheese Sauce
The ultimate comfort food: homemade cheese sauce. For macaroni or cauliflower cheese. Ingredients Directions To create a lighter, fluffier sauce e.g. to top lasagne or moussaka:-
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Creamy Salad Dressing
This creamy, tangy salad dressing is great for chicken salad or coleslaw. Ingredients Directions Herbs: parsley, mint, dill, coriander.Spices: paprika, cayenne pepper
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Soy Dipping Sauce
An easy to make all-purpose soy dipping sauce for gyoza, dumplings, spring rolls, lettuce wraps and cooked meats such as chicken wings. Ingredients Directions
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Pesto alla Genovese
Once you make basil pesto at home you will never buy it from the store again. The aroma of the basil, pine nuts, olive oil, garlic and parmesan is heavenly. Ingredients Directions Store in an airtight jar in the fridge for 2 weeks. Make sure there is a layer of olive oil on the surface…
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Yoghurt and Tahini Tarator
Is this a dressing, a dip or a sauce? It’s all of these, it’s so versatile. Ingredients Directions This dip is great with lamb or baked salmon and Levantine Salad.
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Vinaigrette
Before reaching for the store bought bottle of salad dressing, try making your own. Your taste buds will thank you for it. Instructions The ideal ratio for a good vinaigrette is 1 part vinegar or other acidic juice plus 3 parts flavoursome oil plus aromatics and seasonings. Experiment with different oils, vinegars and juices to…
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Blue Cheese Sauce
Any type of blue cheese is suitable for this steak sauce. Experiment with different types to find your favourite. Ingredients Directions If the sauce is too runny, thicken it with a little cornflour and water.This Onion Blue Cheese Sauce from the Pioneer Woman is worthy of merit.
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Black Olive Tapendae
Black olives, capers and anchovies are the base for this richly flavoured paste. Serve with crusty bread or toasts as an appetizer. Perfectly paired with a crisp sauvignon blanc. Ingredients Directions For a finer paste, blitz in a food processor, drizzling in the olive oil at the end.Store in sealed container with a layer of…
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Hummus
Great with wraps, crudités, rice cakes, flat bread and, my favourite, arugula with sumac. Recipe from Marc’s Mum, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Bless her whoever she is. Ingredients Directions To serve top with olive oil and sumac. Variations: Use lime instead of lemon juice. Add cumin or chilli powder. Use Lozano chickpeas if you can find…
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Yoghurt Marinade for Meat
Ingredients Directions Marinade for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight.Grill on a hot bbq or griddle pan.
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Fresh Pasta Dough
This recipe for homemade pasta dough makes enough for 4 people or about 250 grams. Ingredients Directions Cook the pasta the same day or dry it thoroughly and store in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.Fresh pasta will only take a few minutes to cook, depending on thickness.
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Sourdough Bread
Just the basics here. Every time I switch it up and try something new it works out just fine. Research and experiment with different methods. Ingredients Small Loaf Medium Loaf If you prefer a softer crust, fluffier crumb and milder flavour, substitute 50 ml of the water with milk. The addition of milk produces a…
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Max’s Lemon & Prawn Pasta
This dish is the yummiest! No quantities, just work it out. Ingredients Directions Bronze die cut dried pasta is best. This recipe doesn’t work with quick cooking pasta as you need the starchy water.
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Ragù alla Bolognese
A slow cooked meat and tomato sauce served with pasta. Best cooked using an earthenware or enamelled cast iron pot that retains heat. Ingredients Directions Serve with freshly made tagliatelle and top with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
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Naked Pigs in Blankets
This twist to Pigs In Blankets has become our family favourite at Christmas. This recipe can be made totally gluten free, just make sure the sausages and bread do not contain gluten. Ingredients Directions Serve as an accompaniment to roast chicken or turkey.If pork sausage with caramelised onion is unavailable just cook some finely diced…
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Lamb Casserole
A filling meal for cold winter evenings. Perfect with crusty sourdough and lashings of butter. Ingredients Directions Serve with crusty sourdough bread and steamed greens.Red wine reduction can be used instead of white wine.
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Marinated Prawns
Slightly spicy marinated prawns, perfect for picnics. Ingredients Directions Serve on a salad or on their own.Add to a salad jar with tender spinach leaves, rocket, beetroot, avocado, feta, bocconcini, edamame beans, rice, couscous or any other salad combination. Arrange ingredients in layers with the fragile leaves on top. *More marinade recipes can be found…
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Bone Broth
Bone broth has many nutritional benefits and it also tastes really good. This recipe is for beef broth but you can use any type of bones. Ingredients Directions Use as a stock or enjoy as a nutritious clear soup. Any animal bones can be used. Bone broth can be frozen for 1-2 months.
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Roast Vegetable Bake
This dish is a vibrant and flavorful medley of roasted vegetables, sprinkled with toasted seeds, crumbled feta cheese, and drizzled with a tangy balsamic vinegar. The vegetables are roasted to perfection, caramelized and tender, while the seeds add a delightful crunch and the feta provides a creamy, salty contrast. The balsamic vinegar ties everything together…
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Lemon Butternut Chicken
Lemon, butternut and chicken sound like an odd combination but this dish is very tasty indeed and super easy to prepare. Ingredients Directions Serve with steamed mangetout/snow peas/sugar snap peas.
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Beef Stroganoff
This recipe doesn’t use Brandy or flour. It’s heavy and rich, best served with steamed vegetables and rice. Use gluten free Worcestershire sauce to make this a gluten free dish. Ingredients Directions Serve with steamed vegetables and rice. I’ve made this with chicken stock and it’s just as nice. Gluten free Worcestershire Sauce Sorry there…
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Clear Chicken Soup
Nourishing and delicious, this clear chicken soup is packed with nutrients. It’s a great way to boost your immune system and stay healthy. Ingredients Directions Serve as soup with a few pieces of chopped chives or use as a basic chicken stock for other recipes.
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Beetroot Brownies
Decadent chocolate brownies with a surprising twist of beetroot for a rich, moist, fudgy texture. It might sound like an unusual combination, but the earthy sweetness of beetroot complements the rich, indulgent flavor of chocolate beautifully. Ingredients Directions Gluten free (GF)
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Parsnip and Stilton Soufflé
This light and airy soufflé combines the earthy sweetness of parsnips with the rich, tangy flavour of Stilton cheese. Ingredients Directions
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Levantine Salad
A fresh accompaniment for fish, meat, curry, yiros or enjoy just on its own. Ingredients Directions Quantities have been been omitted so you can experiment with your own flavours. Great with falafel, shawarma, meat, fish and yoghurt and tahini tarator. Add other fresh herbs or good quality feta (Odysea).
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Pear and Rocket Salad
A light, peppery salad ideal served with grilled meat. Ingredients Directions For variation, add baby beetroot, goat cheese or walnuts.
the expat traveller food 