ELLI LUCA

FOR THE DOUGH: I used the Karen Martini recipe on recommendation of a coworker. I will never look back it is amazing! INGREDIENTS: DOUGH   800 grams flour 250 grams semolina 20 grams salt 2 sachets dry yeast (14 grams) 600 ml mineral water 50 ml oil  a little olive oil (brushed onto base to stop sticking on BBQ)  INGREDIENTS: FILLING 800g low-fat fresh ricotta 250g frozen spinach, thawed, excess liquid removed Pinch of nutmeg 1 teaspoon dehydrated onion 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/2 cup grated Parmesan METHOD: DOUGH Using a stand mixer with a dough hook, add the flour, semolina and salt. Whisk the yeast, mineral water and oil in a separate bowl. Turn the mixer to slow, add the liquid all at once, and bring together to a soft dough. Once combined, turn the speed to high and mix for a further 6 minutes until you have a smooth, silky, springy do...

Excuse the mobile phone snap! But it was the only picture I took. Preparation time: 5 minutes / Cooking time   25-30 minutes INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs 1/4 cup fresh Parmesan cheese, grated tiny dehydrated garlic 2+1/2 cups sliced zucchini (2 small) 1 egg  1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional) 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano olive oil about a teaspoon / or cooking spray METHOD Preheat oven to 180°C. Combine dry ingredients together in a medium-size bowl. In a shallow bowl, whisk the egg. Dip zucchini slices in egg, and toss in breadcrumb mixture.  Place coated slices on an ovenproof wire rack coated with cooking spray; (I prefer to just use olive oil which I rubbed on the rack with paper towel) place rack on a baking sheet.  Bake at 180°C for 30 minutes or until browned and crisp. Serve immediately, as a side or a snack. Serves 4

The husband hijacked the kitchen for my birthday and made a beautiful meal for me. So proud of him, he had never cooked such an array of items at one time. It was super delicious & I think he needs to cook more! Tomato Consommé - Jamie Oliver INGREDIENTS 2 kilos lbs tomato 0.50 cup vodka 2 tablespoons horseradish 1 to taste salt 1 to taste black pepper 1 tablespoon vinegar 0.50 cup fresh basil 2 garlic clove 1 slice beetroot NOTES: *** You also need cheesecloth for filtering METHOD Put everything except the beetroot into a food processor and run until slushy. (You will probably want to split the tomatoes into 2 batches to avoid spillage.) Place 4 layers of clean muslin cheesecloth in a deep bowl. Pour the tomato mixture into the cloth. Tie up the corners of the fabric. Add the slice of beetroot to the bowl to color the liquid. Hang the bag from a shelf in the refrigerator with the bowl under. Let slowly filter out overnight (or at least a few hours) Serve in a pret...

INGREDIENTS 500g minced chicken 500g minced pork 1 shallot ¼ savoy cabbage finely shredded 1 finely chopped carrot 1 red chilli finely chopped 1 green chilli finely chopped 2 tbsp freshly chopped garlic 2 tbsp ground ginger 1 pack dim sim skins Thai Basil to Taste (I generally add a lot of basil, mint & coriander, that is why I wrote to taste) Vietnamese Mint to taste Coriander to taste Salt Pepper METHOD Combine all ingredients (except dim sim skin) in a large bowl and massage together. Take a heaped tablespoon of mixture and wrap with the dim sim skin, sealing with a little water. Either deep fry at 180 degrees for 5 minutes, or steam for 5 minutes serve with sweet chilli and soy sauce for dipping. Pictured here I cooked them in some broth and served with noodles and my favourite vegetables. TIP: Wrapping dim sims requires a bit of practice, there are many videos on YouTube demonstrating this.  Find a technique that works ...

INGREDIENTS * Spring roll Pastry * Bean sprouts 6oz/170g * Cabbage1/4 shredded or grated * Carrots 3oz/170g, thin strips * Spring onions 1 1/2oz/45q. chopped * Garlic 2 cloves * Root ginger 1 tsp. chopped * Fresh mint 1 tsp  * Coriander 1 tsp * Thai Basil * Chicken 8oz/225g, skin removed/ (sometimes I also use chicken or pork mince) * oil 3 tsp/15ml * Sesame oil 2 drops/1ml * black pepper pinch/2g, freshly mill * Corn flour 4 tsps * light soy sauce 1 floz/30ml * Olive oil for brushing 1 tbsp/15ml/ or enough for deep frying (whatever your preference) METHOD Cut chicken into fine strips and fry in hot wok with a little oil flavored with sesame oil. Add the chopped ginger, garlic and stir.  Toss in carrots, cabbage and beansprouts and cook for a few minutes.  Season with pepper. Take off heat and stir in mint, basil and coriander and allow to cool. Spread out sheets of pastry. Place some of the filling at one end, leaving 1/2 inch, either side of the filling. Fo...

Insalata Caprese (salad in the style of Capri) is a simple salad from the Italian region of Campania, made of sliced fresh buffalo mozzarella, plum tomatoes and basil. It is seasoned with salt, black pepper, and olive oil (and some balsamic reduction)

Smoked Chicken, Denhay Cheddar & Fresh Thyme. ※ Smoked Chicken, Denhay Cheddar & Fresh Thyme.   These were a big hit, even a little toddler at 4. (So very adult & kid friendly.) I shredded a whole smoked chicken breast into tiny strips, grated some cheddar and filled each vol au vent pastry cup, baked for 10 mins at 180 degrees Celsius and served with a sprinkling of fresh thyme. (So very easy.)