Notes about Recipes in this book

• Salmon & prawn timbales with chilli cucumber

  • debkellie on March 02, 2014

    Really easy. Would have benefitted from overnight chilling to firm further: 4 hours left it like a spreadable pate. The pickled cucumber offered a nice contrast. Maybe Melba toast as a side next time.

  • treay on November 14, 2024

    I changed the recipe a little bit because I didn't have enough sour cream, so instead I used more cream cheese and a bit of homemade Greek yoghurt to compensate. The actual recipe has chilli cucumbers on the side, but because I didn't have any fresh cucumbers at home, I used the homemade bread and butter cucumbers I made a while ago. It was truly delicious.

• Thai-style braised beef cheeks

  • debkellie on March 02, 2014

    Did this for a "no work" dinner party last night. Substituted chuck steak for beef cheeks, and used slow cooker for 7 hours. Consequently, did not need the 1 litre water. The reduced cooking stock made for a tasty sauce; and the fresh herb salad was a lovely contrast (basil, mint, coriander). Nicely balanced flavourings.

  • Kirstin_the_Kiwi on August 27, 2017

    Cooked 2 cheeks and thirded the rest of the ingredients. Next time will try only thirding the liquids.

• Quick Italian-style roast pork

  • treay on November 25, 2024

    This awesome recipe has got all the ingredients we like. It's tasty, easy and quick to prepare and healthy. We loved the combination of flavours and the meat was tender and juicy. Something easy to prepare when you are in a hurry.

• Sticky honey, soy & ginger pork ribs

  • Melyinoz on February 27, 2023

    This was nice but the recipe made way too much marinade. Even though the marinade becomes the glaze, most went to waste. Consider halving if I make again.

• Spanish pork with orange & poppyseed salad

  • e_ballad on March 01, 2017

    Very quick & tasty. Would suggest halving the dressing quantity or you'll drown the salad!

• Sausages with home-style baked beans

  • debkellie on September 04, 2020

    Subbed dried cannellini beans for tinned using the ratio from Serious Eats chart. Have enough beans for 8 serves not 4! Not sure why she started with such large quantities for the sauce .. recipe requires reduction from 1 litre down to 500 ml....which takes way longer than 7 minutes suggested (maybe I should have used a wider surface area - ie: frypan not saucepan.) Sauce a little sweet for my taste. I'd omit the brown sugar or the molasses next time .. guess it depends on the sweetness of the "good quality BBQ sauce" you use!

• Tomato soup with spaghetti and chicken meatballs

  • e_ballad on July 18, 2021

    This was more of a’wet’ pasta dish than a soup. Needed a touch of sugar to balance the acid of the canned tomatoes. The success of this dish will depend on the quality of your sausages.

• Green curry with smoked salmon

  • debkellie on January 05, 2022

    Cleaning up the fridge: had everything in stock. This was quick, easy & absolutely delicious. The balance of flavours was just excellent.

• Salmon poached in olive oil and vanilla

  • Kirstin_the_Kiwi on April 18, 2015

    Needs to infuse for four hours before baking

  • e_ballad on August 02, 2019

    With the poaching oil requiring standing for at least 4 hours or overnight for the flavours to infuse, I was expecting the same flavours to be imparted to the salmon, however, they were barely perceptible. With 1 litre of oil left to discard, I’ll be sticking with my pan-grilled salmon in future.

• Spicy garlic prawns cooked in beer

  • treay on November 25, 2024

    These prawns are just so delicious that you just want more. I made this recipe as part of our Pure protein diet, and therefore we weren't supposed to eat any bread or vegetables, but I really missed some nice crunchy bread to mop up the juices!! Soo delicious! Also, it could become a great dish if you add a nice green salad. In the actual recipe, they were served with shoestring chips. Yum!!

• Prawn cocktails

  • treay on November 25, 2024

    This is a very quick and excellent recipe to celebrate a special occasion. It's sooo delicious!

• Mulled-wine pear & goat's cheese salad

  • treay on November 25, 2024

    This is an easy yet delicious salad that can be prepared well ahead and put all ingredients together just before a meal. We had it on Christmas Day, but we had an unexpected visitor two days later, and I was able to put it on the table in no time. The second time I didn't have any watercress and used rocket and parmesan instead. It was also excellent. When making the dressing, add more poaching liquid if you prefer it. I added 2 tablespoons extra, but try it first.