Corn/Wheat Tortilla
These are extremely simple to make – I am including recipes like this because the difference in taste between these and shop bought varieties is enormous. Use these in any of the mexican recipes that call for corn tortillas.
Corn Flour (masa harina)
Warm water
Mix the flour with enough water to form a soft dough that no longer sticks to the side of the mixing bowl.
Form small balls out of the dough and roll into thin tortillas of desired size. Use a small amount of corn flour to prevent sticking.
Stack rolled tortillas on a slightly damp cloth and keep covered.
Cook tortillas in a hot, dry pan – cast iron works best but use what is available.
Cook both sides turning once – usually it will take about 30 seconds each and will puff slightly when done – try not to burn them 😀
Serve warm.
– if you spice these and fry in a little oil you can make a very tasty corn chip.
Pavlova
1 tablespoon cornflour
6 egg whites
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 1/3 cups caster sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon white vinegar
200ml cream, whipped with 1 tsp sugar
250g strawberries, halved
Preheat oven to 200°C. Draw a 24cm circle on a sheet of baking paper. Place, pencil-side down, on a baking tray. Dust lightly with cornflour.
Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites and cream of tartar in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating constantly until thick and glossy. Add remaining 3 teaspoons cornflour with the last tablespoon of sugar. Fold through vanilla and vinegar very carefully.
Spoon meringue onto baking paper. Shape into a circle, using the pencil mark as a guide, with a slightly higher edge and a low center. Reduce oven to 100°C. Bake for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours or until dry and crisp. Turn off oven and open oven door. Cool completely in oven (pavlova may sink during cooling).
Slide pavlova onto a serving plate. Top with cream and strawberries.
Noncompliant Chicken Wontons
500g Chicken mince
100g cashews – ground
2 eggs
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
1 small red capsicum, roasted, peeled and de-seeded
1 small onion, grated
2 handfuls of baby spinach – blanched in boiling water
3 cloves garlic, crushed
The idea of wonton wrappers (any quantity will do)
Breadcrumbs (enough to form a firm rollable doughy mix)
Salt to taste
Brown onion, garlic and chicken in a tiny bit of oil. Make sure to stir well so the mix doesn’t stick together. Take off the heat and mix in all ingredients except the idea of wonton wrappers which should be discarded.
Form balls out of the mix and roll them in more breadcrumbs – deepfry.
I served these with soy sauce but they would have gone just as well with sweet chillie or sweet and sour sauce. Presenting them on a bed of salad is also a good idea.
Groovy Tom Yum Paste
12 birdseye chillies
3 Tablespoons of chopped shallot
4 Tablespoons of chopped garlic
1 Tablespoon of chopped galangal
2 Tablespoons of chopped lemon grass
1 tablespoon of chopped kafir lime leaves
1 Tablespoon of chopped coriander root
20 Peppercorns
1 tablespoon tamarind
1 Teaspoon shrimp paste (roasted)
1 Tablespoon coriander seeds
1 Teaspoon cumin seeds
Mulch.
Chorizo
5kg pork mince
800g ancho chiles
3 cups vinegar
1 cup water from soaking chiles
30 cloves garlic
5 bay leaves
2tsp marjoram
2tsp thyme
5tsp oregano
40 peppercorns
20 whole cloves
2 heaped tsp ground allspice
6 tbsp salt
Remove stems and seeds from chiles and place in a pot, cover with water and bring to boil. Turn off heat and allow to soak for 5 minutes. Drain and cover with reserved water and vinegar – soak 1 hour. Blend chiles and all other herbs and spices then mix in mince. Marinade at least 3 days.
Warm Chicken Salad
4 cups white vinegar
6 garlic cloves, lightly crushed
2 cinnamon sticks
10 whole cloves
10 whole black peppercorns
4 fresh chillies, split from stem to tip
1 onion, roughly chopped
Chicken thigh fillet, cubed
Marinade overnight.
Herb and Garlic Butter
500g butter
250g margarine
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
2 spring onions, finely diced
Salt and pepper
Blend all.
Chillie Cheese Butter
2kg butter
500g cream cheese
500g shredded cheese
1/2 cup parmesan
10 fresh chillies
2 tbsp cayenne
5 spring onions
Blend all.
Pollo Frito
Chicken marylands
10 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
4 tsp oregano leaves
chicken stock to 3/4 cover
Mix herbs and stock, add chicken legs and turn to coat. Place in oven at 180c and braise till tender, turning or basting often. Allow to cool in stock.
Brush chicken legs with oil and grill.
Serve on lettuce with rice, black bean puree guacamole and garnish.
New Years Eve BBQ Pig
1 whole pig or roasting pork with skin on
2 tsp salt
2 tbsp orange juice
1 heaped tbsp achiote
1/4 tsp cumin seed
1/4 tsp oregano
12 peppercorns
1/8 tsp dried chiles
4 cloves garlic
3 whole allspice
Blend ingredients to form a thick paste. Rub over the pork and allow to marinate as long as possible. Wrap meat in banana leaves before cooking.
