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MOA Recipe of the Month

From Noreen Pearson   

MOA Web Recipe July 2008.

 We are well into the sailing season and while we have had some good weather up here in Argyll, today it has reverted back to normal and is raining once again. Those of you in the South and West also seem to have had a mixed bag - let’s hope for better weather to come.

This month sees the end of our Round Britain Recipe Trip with some English recipes which I hope may be of some interest to you. The first one comes from Dorset very near to where David and I lived for some 26 years.

Lyme Bay Fish Pie.                                                      Serves 4 Serves 4

 225g (8oz) shortcrust pastry                                 50g (20z) butter
1 bunch spring onions                                           25g (1oz) flour
110g (4oz) mushrooms                                          275ml (1/2 pt) fish stock
225g (8oz) white fish                                            275ml (1/2 pt) white wine
225g (8oz) scallops                                               4 firm tomatoes
225g (8oz) prawns                                                1 tblspn chopped parsley
Salt and pepper 

Pre-heat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas Mk5 Wash and trim the spring onions and slice. Wipe the mushrooms and slice. Skin and de-seed the tomatoes and also thickly slice.  Wash the fish and dry on kitchen paper. Skin the white fish and cut into chunks and if the scallops are large half them. Peel the prawns and remove the black thread down the back. Also if they still have heads and tails remove them. In a deep skillet or frying pan melt the butter and gently sauté the onions and mushrooms for a couple of minutes then stir in the flour and cook for another couple of minutes. Remove from the heat and gradually add the stock stirring all the time to prevent lumps. Return to the heat, add the wine and bring to the boil, and then reduce the heat and simmer for about 3-4 minutes. Add the fish, scallops and prawns, the tomatoes and parsley and season well. Put into an oven-proof dish and top with a pastry lid. Cook for 25-30 minutes.  Serve with either a green salad or a selection of vegetables.

 T is for a biscuit an old Aunt of mine used to make when I was a child (i.e. when Noah was a lad!!)

 Empire Biscuits

 25g (80z) Self-raising flour                                 110g (4oz) caster sugar
110g (4 oz) butter                                                  1 egg beaten
Rind and juice of ½ a lemon                                    Icing to glaze
Raspberry jam.

 Pre-heat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas Mk 4. Mix the flour and butter together in a bowl until it resembles breadcrumbs, and then add the sugar. Add the grated lemon rind and the egg and lemon juice. Mix well into a stiff paste. Roll out to the thickness of a pound coil and cut into rounds. Place on a greased baking tray and bake for about 10-15 minutes. They should be a pale golden colour. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Once cold sandwich two together with jam and glaze with some icing. Add a halved glace cherry or a small jelly sweet if desired.

 You can add some currants to the original mixture to make Shrewsbury Biscuits, omitting the jam and icing.

The last one is for an old English dish which I came across in Jane Grigson’s English Food – a book I can recommend for all types of British classics.

Whim-Wham

 For each person take

1 sponge finger biscuit                                          2 large tblspns double cream
½ tsp chopped roasted hazelnuts                            1 tablspoon sweet sherry or dessert wine
Small pieces of angelica

Break the biscuit into pieces and put into a wine glass. Pour over the wine or sherry and leave to soak. Whip the cream and pile it on top. Decorate with the nuts and angelica. You could use chopped candied peel instead. Double the quantity for each person if you are feeling indulgent.

Hope you enjoy trying these recipes and until next month, good sailing and good company.

Noreen Pearson.

MOA Web Recipe June 2008.

For once we, in the west of Scotland, seem to be getting the best of the weather. Despite the dreaded Mozzies it is a welcome change and long may it continue!!!! As I suggested last month I have found some recipes from the Isle of Man this time. There were quite a number very similar to Irish, Scottish and Welsh ones, so I have tried to pick ones different to those used from the other regions.

Carrot and Parsnip Soup                                                      Serves 4

225g (8oz) carrots finely diced                                             Salt and black pepper
225g (8oz) parsnips finely diced                                           Single cream
1 onion finely chopped                                                         Pinch of nutmeg
50g (2 oz) any hard cheese i.e. Cheddar                               Knob of butter
570mls (1 pt) milk                                                               Plain flour
570mls (1 pt) vegetable or chicken stock                              Oil

Melt the butter and some oil together in a frying pan or a heavy pan. Lightly coat the vegetables with flour and gently fry until just beginning to soften. Drain the vegetables and if using a frying pan transfer to a saucepan. Add the stock, salt and pepper and bring to the boil. Lower the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes until quite soft. Remove from the heat and if you can, liquidise – if not press through a sieve and return to the pan. Now add the milk and gently re-heat. Before serving swirl a little cream on top, sprinkle with some grated cheese and a pinch of nutmeg.

Scallops with a Cheese and Onion Sauce                             Serves 4

12 scallops                                                                          1 small onion diced
300ml (1/2 pt) fish stock                                                     Salt and Pepper
110g (4 oz) Cheddar cheese                                                 Knob of butter
1 scant tblspn plain flour                                                      A little white wine (opt) 

In a frying pan or skillet heat the stock over a medium heat and poach the scallops until just cooked – two or three minutes. Remove from the pan and keep warm. Melt the butter in a pan and gently sauté the onion until golden and soft. Remove from the heat and add the flour and the milk at intervals to make a roué sauce. Return to a low heat to cook for a couple of minutes and then stir in the cheese. If using wine add this after the milk. To serve pour a little on each plate or dish and place the scallops on top

N.B. Frankly on board, I would use a packet of cheese sauce and add a little wine and cream.

Manx Buttermilk Scones

775g (1 lb 8 oz) flour                                                            13g (1/2 oz) bicarbonate of soda
50g (2 oz) butter slightly melted                                             7g (1/2 oz) cream of tartar
Pinch of salt and pepper                                                        Buttermilk

Sieve the flour, bicarbonate of soda, cream of tartar and the salt and pepper into a bowl and pour in the beaten eggs. Add the buttermilk little by little until you have soft scone-like dough. Lightly flatten out on a floured board and cut into rounds. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake in a pre-heated oven for 15-20 minutes at 240C/475F/Gas 9.

Serve whilst warm with some good cheese.  

Noreen Pearson. 

MOA Web Recipe May 2008.

I hope you enjoyed the recipes from Wales last month. This time I thought some from Ireland would continue the British Isles theme, and as potatoes always seem to be associated with the Irish here are some other than Colcannon and Champ.

O’Brien Potatoes                                                    Serves 4

50g (2 oz) butter                                                1 large onion finely chopped
1 green pepper seeded and finely chopped           2 large cooked apples cooled and cubed
1 red pepper seeded and finely chopped              ½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper                                            1 tblspn chopped fresh parsley.


Melt the butter in a large frying pan or skillet over a moderate heat. Add the onion and the peppers and fry, stirring occasionally until the onion is soft and golden but not brown. Then add the potatoes and cook for about 5-7 minutes turning them over until they are hot and crisp. Sprinkle over the salt, pepper and parsley and remove from the heat. Serve immediately.

This is a good way to use up left-over boiled potatoes.

Boxty Pancakes                                                      Serves 4

 250g (8 oz) potatoes                                          2 eggs
250g (8 oz) cooked mashed potatoes                   2 tblspns plain flour
1 small onion finely grated                                  1 tsp salt
2 fl oz milk                                                         ½ tsp black pepper
50g (2 oz) butter

Peel the raw potatoes and coarsely grate them. In a clean cloth wring them to extract as much moisture as possible and then put them into a large bowl. Add the mashed potatoes and then beat the eggs. Stir these together with the remaining ingredients except the butter until well combined. Melt the butter in a large frying pan over a moderate heat and drop 2 or 3 spoonfuls of the mixture into the pan and cook for about 3 – 4 minutes on each side or until, the pancakes are golden and crisp around the edges. As each batch is cooked remove from the pan and keep warm. You may have to add more butter if needed.

These are excellent served as a brunch with bacon or sausages and black pudding.

Fruit Bannock

 350g (12oz) plain flour plus some extra for sprinkling.    1 tsp salt
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda                                              1 tsp cream of tartar
100g (4 oz) sultanas or raisins                                       50g (2 oz) sugar
3300ml (1/2 pt) milk

Pre-heat the oven to 180C/350F/ Gas 4. Sift together the flour, cream of tartar and bicarbonate of soda into a bowl and stir in the salt, sugar and dried fruit. Make a well in the centre and add the milk. Stir with a broad bladed knife until the mixture forms slightly soft sticky dough. You may need a little more milk if the dough is dry but don’t overwork the mixture as it will become tough. Place the dough in a lightly greased deep 20cm/8 in. cake tin and level out. Lightly sprinkle with a little flour and mark a cross on the top with the back of a knife. Bake in the middle of the oven for about 30 minutes until well risen and crisp and brown on the top. The bannock should sound hollow when tapped and a skewer inserted in the middle should come out clean. Serve with butter once cool

Well folks, that’s all for this month. Next month we might take a trip to the Isle of Man. Until then, Plain Sailing.

Noreen Pearson

MOA Web Recipe April 2008.

Hasn’t the weather been awful? After a few days of spring-like sunshine the rain is now descending in a deluge. We also had quite a bit of snow on the hills during Easter and Arran is still wearing a white cap. As a result there will be no mention of salads etc., rather some comforting recipes from Wales this month, which hopefully will please my Welsh friends.

The first is for an alternative recipe for Welsh Rabbit which serves 2 people and would make an excellent starter, just double the quantities for 4.

125g (4oz) Cheddar type cheese                                1 egg beaten
125g (4oz) butter                                                     1 tblspn cream
Seasoning to taste

Cut the cheese into slivers and put into a small heavy pan together with the butter and the cream. Melt over a gentle heat, stirring all the time until you have a creamy constituency. Remove from the heat and whisk in the beaten egg. Season to taste and if you like you could add a dash of sweet sherry or brandy. Pour the mixture into ramekins and brown under the grill. Serve with fingers of toast. Alternatively you could pour the mixture over some slices of toast and then grill until it bubbles.

Brithyll a Chig Moch  (Trout with Bacon)

1 good sized trout per person (remove the heads if you wish)
2/3 rashers of smoked streaky bacon for each trout
Butter for greasing
Salt and pepper
Mixed fresh herbs (opt)

Pre-heat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Grease an oven-proof dish. Stuff the fish with the herbs if you are using them. With the back of a knife slightly stretch the rashers of bacon and then wind them around the trout spiral fashion. Season well and place close together in the greased dish. Dot with some butter and bake for 15-20 minutes. The edges of the bacon should be turning brown but be careful not to overcook.

Cacen-gri                                                  Makes about 8

500g (1 lb) flour                                       175g (6 oz) butter
1 level tsp baking powder                           ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda
28g (1oz) sugar                                         1 large egg
3 tblspns milk                                           56g (2 oz) currants

Mix the flour and raising powders and rub in the butter. Add the sugar and currants. Beat the egg and milk together and mix into the flour to make a dough. Should the dough be very stiff add a little more milk. Turn out onto a floured board and knead lightly. Divide the mixture into 16 pieces and roll out each one to the size of a tea plate. The dough should be quite thin. Heat a greased griddle or heavy frying pan and when fairly hot cook the rounds on both sides – they will rise slightly. Once cooked cut into halves. Best eaten warm with lots of Welsh butter.

Next month the recipes will come from Ireland. I hope you will enjoy the ones I have chosen for you this time. Bob Appetite.

Noreen Pearson   
       

MOA Web Recipe March 2008.

Once again it is cold, windy and ‘chucking it down’! David and I however, got a very warm welcome from the Scottish Branch when we went down to the A.G.M. I was taken to task by Branch Captain Graham Crawford for omitting to put recipes for Stovies and Cranachan either on the web or in the Compass magazine. So, just for you Graham (and for some others south of the border) here they are.alic        

  Once again it is cold, windy and ‘chucking it down’! David and I however, got a very warm welcome from the Scottish Branch when we went down to the A.G.M. I was taken to task by Branch Captain Graham Crawford for omitting to put recipes for Stovies and Cranachan either on the web or in the Compass magazine. So, just for you Graham (and for some others south of the border) here they are. south of the border) here they are.

Stovies                                                                    Serves about 4

Stovies are very similar to a dish from my neck of the woods called Panhaggerty. It originated as ‘use up’ dish for a Monday.

750g/1 lb 10 oz, peeled and thinly sliced               1 or 2 onions peeled and sliced
2 tblspns dripping, lard, or butter                         Stock, gravy or water
Salt and pepper                                                   Sliced cold meat (opt)

Melt the fat in a large saucepan and remove from the heat. Build up layers of potato, onion and d meat of you are using it, taking care not to break up the potato. Once they are all used up cover with the gravy, stock or water and season well. Return to the heat and cook gently for about 30 -40 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the liquid is absorbed. You can add a splash or water if they seem to be getting dry. During the cooking shake the pan occasionally to prevent sticking.

Clapshot                                                              Serves 4

500g/1 lb 2oz potatoes                                    50g/2oz butter
500g 1lb 2oz swede                                          1-2 tblspns chopped chives
Salt and pepper

Cook the potatoes and swede until soft, then drain, add the butter and mash until smooth. Stir in the chives and season well. Serve piping hot.

NOTE: Sometimes swede can be very watery so dry it out before mashing.

Cranachan                                                         Serves 4

Sometimes known as Cream Crowdie this originally was a very basic recipe which many chefs have prettied up over the years. I’ll give you the basic recipe first and additions later on.

50g/2oz pinhead oatmeal                                   300ml/1 ½ pts double cream
25g/1 oz sugar

Over a low heat toast the oatmeal and sugar in a frying pan taking care not to let it burn. Keep stirring it and when it is slightly brown remove from the heat and allow to cool. Whip the cream until it forms soft peaks. Layer the toasted oatmeal alternately with the cream in four glasses and top with a sprinkling of sugar.

Additions can be a liqueur such as Glava or Drambui added to the cream or soft fruit, traditionally raspberries added to the layers. Some chefs use brown sugar or part mascarpone cheese instead of all the cream and I have even come across one slimming recipe using low fat yoghurt or quark instead of cream. The variations are endless.

Well, that’s  all for this month – I hope you are pleased with me Graham, three for the price of two!

Noreen Pearson.

 

MOA Web Recipe February 2008.

Hello Folks! The North Wind doth blow and we shall have snow – and in Argyll we have had a few flurries this morning. It has, however, mainly turned to sleet and rain, but it is quite cold. In this weather I love soup, (mind you I can have soup at any hour and at any time of the year). This month’s recipes then are for soup.
 
The first one is a Breton recipe which is quick and beautifully creamy.
 
Roscoff Cream Soup                                                 Serves 4
 
1 medium cauliflower divided into small florets.         2 sticks celery chopped finely
570 ml (1 pt) vegetable stock                                    1 onion chopped finely
570 ml (1 pt) milk                                                     1 bay leaf
2 egg yolks                                                                Salt and white pepper
Knob of butter or oil for frying                                    Paprika (opt) 
 
 In a large pan cook the cauliflower in the stock until just tender. How long will depend on the size of the florets. In the meantime melt the butter or oil in a frying pan and sauté the onion and celery for about 5 minutes or until just tender. Once the cauliflower is cooked add the sautéed onions and celery to the pan along with the bay leaf and some salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, take off the heat and cool. Liquidize and return to a clean pan. Add the milk and bring to just UNDER boiling point. Remove from the heat and whisk in the beaten egg yolks. Re-heat gently. Do NOT boil as the soup will curdle. The soup should be creamy. Sprinkle with paprika if desire
 
The second recipe is good for using up any left over cheese.
 
Stilton Soup                                                                Serves 4
 
1 onion finely chopped                                          100 g (4 oz) Stilton cheese crumbled
2 celery sticks finely chopped                                50g (2 oz) Cheddar cheese grated
1 heaped tblspn plain flour                                    Salt and pepper
3 tblspns dry white wine                                        4 tblspns double cream
850 ml ( 1 ½ pts) chicken stock                             250 ml (1/2 pt) milk
50g (2 0z) butter
 
In a large pan sauté the vegetables until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook gently for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the wine and the stock. Return to the heat and bring to the boil, then simmer gently for 30 minutes. Add the milk and both cheeses. Season and blend. Return to a clean pan and add the cream. Re-heat gently and garnish with chopped parsley or chives if desired.
 
Third recipe is for a fruit soup which can be served either as a starter or as a dessert and either chilled or hot whichever suits.  As a dessert it is good served with ice-cream or decorated with a swirl of cream or crème fraiche. The recipe originally called for blackberries but it is equally good made with any other soft fruit and especially fruits of the forest.
 
Red Berry Soup                                             Serves 4-6
 
700g (1 ½ lbs) soft berry fruits                                 5 tblspns sugar
450 ml (3/4 pt) full bodied red wine                          1 cinnamon stick
2 strips of orange zest
 
Clean and pick over the berries. Put all the ingredients into a large pan and bring to the boil. Lower the heat and simmer gently for 8 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and taste for sweetness, adding a little caster or icing sugar if still tart. Serve either hot or chilled.
 
Hopefully next month will see a change in the weather but until then Bon Appetite.

Noreen Pearson.

Jan 2008

Happy New Year! My wish for 2008 is for a better sailing season then we had in 2007. However long before that I’ve got some Festive Food to accommodate. I don’t suppose I’m alone, and it’s always the same every year, however much I try.
 
The first recipe is what I call:

Use-up Soup.

2 large carrots                                 1 Swede
1 large potato                                  1 cauliflower
2 tblspns butter                               1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper                          1 tsp crushed caraway seeds (opt)
230 ml (8 fl oz) milk                       1 tblspn creamed horseradish
230 ml (8 fl oz) crème fraich
 
Peel and dice the root vegetables and break the cauliflower into small florets.
Heat the butter in a large pan and fry the caraway seeds, if using, for a few minutes. Then add all the vegetables and the salt and pepper. Stir over a low heat and allow everything to sweat for about 10 minutes or so. Then add just enough water, stock, even the remainder of the gravy to just cover the vegetables. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes or until the vegetables are very tender. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the milk. Check the seasoning and puree the soup if desired. If it is too thick add more liquid. and re-heat. To serve add a swirl of crème fraiche and a small
dollop of horseradish sauce.

This is not so much of a recipe as a Put together !

I tried this one year using a box of shop bought meringues, a jar of sticky toffee sauce and a jar of brandied peaches I’d been given. Melt the toffee sauce over a very low  heat and drain the peaches. Assemble the meringues on plate and place some fruit by the side. Spoon over the warm toffee sauce and serve. It tastes just as good using chocolate sauce and bottled clementines.
 
Any recipes for left-over sprouts please keep!!!!     Until next time - Noreen Pearson.

Dec 2007

Once again the Festive Season is almost upon us. I do admire those organised souls who have everything ready by the first of December – I’m still getting around to writing cards and buying presents, perhaps 48 hours in a day might just help!
 
To help things along here are three recipes for nibbles or ‘Hand Arounds’ as I once heard them termed.

Chicken, Bacon and Pineapple Kebabs                 Makes about 20

2 large chicken breasts                                          2 tblspns olive oil
1 dessert spoon chopped sage                                1 dessert spoon chopped rosemary
6-8 rashers streaky bacon                                       some wholegrain mustard
1 small tin pineapple rings                                      Cocktail sticks or bamboo skewers
 
Dipping Sauce
 
1 cup crème fraiche                                                1 tsp tomato puree
Mustard to taste                                                     2 spring onions finely chopped
 
Remove any membranes or fat from the chicken breasts and cut each into at least 10 finger width lengths. Place the oil and herbs in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Add the chicken strips and leave to marinate for as long as possible. De-rind the bacon and stretch each slice out with the back of a knife and spread with a little mustard. Cut each slice into 4 lengths and roll up with the mustard inside. Soak the cocktail sticks or skewers in hot water for about half an hour. Cut the pineapple rings into bite sized pieces. To assemble thread a piece of chicken, then a piece of pineapple and then bacon roll onto a stick and chill until ready to cook.
 
To make the sauce, combine all the ingredients, season to taste and pour into a small bowl. Heats the grill until it is very hot and place the kebabs on a baking sheet. Wrap the visible parts of the sticks in foil and grill for 2-3 minutes each side or until cooked. Do check that the juices from the chicken run clear. Arrange on a warmed dish with the dipping sauce.

Chilli Lime Prawns                                              Will serve about 15

½ kg ( just over 1 lb) cooked and peeled tiger prawns        Grated zest of 2 small limes
75ml (1/8 pt) sweet chilli sauce (Econa is good)                 1 tblspn lime juice
1 tblspn chopped fresh coriander                                       Lime wedges
Fresh coriander and cocktail sticks to serve
 
Dry the prawns and place in a bowl adding the lime zest and plenty of black pepper. Leave to marinate in the fridge for as long as possible.  Mix the chilli sauce, lime juice and chopped coriander together in a bowl and season to taste with salt. Just before serving, toss the prawns in the dressing and serve on a large dish garnished with lime wedges and sprigs of coriander. Serve the sticks separately.

Mini  Xmas Melting Moments                                                Makes about 25

110g (4 oz) block margarine or butter                               30g (1 oz) cornfour
45g 1 ½ oz) icing sugar                                                    1 tsp ground ginger
155g (5 ½ oz) plus 1 tblspn plain flour                               Pinch of salt
110g (4 oz) butter                                                            Juice & zest of ½ lemon
2 tblspns icing sugar, plus some extra to dust.
 
Heat the oven to 150C/300F/Gas 2. Cream the 4 oz of block margarine or butter together with the icing sugar until soft. Sift in the cornflour, flour, ginger and salt and stir until it forms a soft dough. Shape the dough into small balls about the size of a walnut and arrange on a greased baking sheet.  Don’t put them too close together as they can spread out during baking. Gently press down on the tops with the back or a fork and chill for 10 minutes. Bake for 15 minutes or until firm but not brown. Leave on a rack to cool. Cream together the remaing butter, lemon juice, zest and icing sugar. When the biscuits are cool, sandwich two together and dust with icing sugar
 
My Mother used to make these substituting the cornflour with custard powder and deleting the ginger. She then called them Custard Creams. You could also press some small pieces of preserved ginger into the tops before baking or into the filling.
 
I hope you all have a really wonderful Christmas with not too much hassle. Noreen Pearson. 
 

Nov 2007

Winter seems to be fast approaching and we’ve now got some windy and showery weather up here in Argyll. Added to that, it wasn’t the best of sailing seasons either so probably some comfort food is in order. These recipes are easy and quick to produce and suitable for informal entertaining.
 
The first recipe is a sort of South American fish braise.

Caldeirada                                                                 Serves 4

800g (1 lb 12oz) waxy potatoes thickly sliced            60ml (1/4 cup) olive oil
4 large garlic cloves chopped                                   1 tblspn paprika
1 large onion thinly sliced                                        1 tblspn red wine vinegar
4 large firm white fish steaks                                  1 red pepper sliced
100ml (3 ½ fl oz) dry white wine                              400g 14 oz) mussels cleaned
12 large prawns peeled and de-veined                      Seasoning
 
Cook the potatoes until tender then drain and arrange in a serving dish and keep hot in a low oven. Heat the oil in a large pan with a lid and cook the onions for 5 minutes over a medium heat. Add the garlic and pepper and cook for 1 minute stirring. Then add the paprika, vinegar, wine and 2 ½ tablespoons of water and bring to the boil. Add the mussels and cover. Cook for 4 minutes to open the mussels then remove discarding any not open. Reduce the heat to low and put the fish steaks and prawns on top of the onion mixture, cover and cook for 7 minutes, turning them over half way through. Return the mussels to the pan for the last minute to heat through. Season and spoon on top of the potatoes.

Baked Chicken and Rice in White Wine                    Serves 4

2 onions peeled and thinly sliced                            1 red pepper thinly sliced
1 handful basil leaves torn                                     1 yellow pepper thinly sliced
2 tblspns olive oil                                                  2 garlic cloves crushed
4 chicken breasts or 8 thighs                                  25og (9oz) long grain rice
16 pitted olives                                                     500ml (18fl oz) white wine
1 large can chopped tomatoes                                2 tblspns tomato puree
salt and pepper                                                     paprika
 
Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas4. Heat the oil in a flameproof casserole or a frying pan and fry the chicken for 2-3 minutes until lightly browned. Remove and drain. Saute the onions and pepper until softened and then add the garlic and rice. Give the rice a good stir to coat and then add the tomatoes, olives, tomato puree . Season and stir the mixture. Bring to the boil and if using a frying pan transfer the contents to a lidded casserole. Lay the chicken on top and gently press down. Tuck in the basil leaves, cover and cook for 30 minutes if using breasts or 35-f40 minutes if using thighs. Add a little more water or wine if the chicken is not cooked and return to the oven for a few more minutes. Serve with warm crusty bread.
 
Keep warm and eat well. Noreen Pearson.

 

Oct 2007

October is here and with it comes the laying-up of the boats and all the relevant chores that go with it. However, all is not lost, more entertaining is done and it’s a time to catch up with friends. With this in mind here are some recipes I like to make. They’re fairly easy and cater for keen appetites.

Mixed Fish Chowder                                            Serves 4

1 large potato diced small                                                       1 bay leaf
220g (8 oz) finely sliced mixture of leeks, onions                     2 sprigs fresh thyme
celery, fennel etc, or frozen mixed vegetables                         pinch cayenne pepper
240g (1 lb) firm white fish, either one sort or a mixture           pinch saffron strands (opt)
175g (6 oz) smoked salmon (trimmings do fine)                       2 garlic cloves chopped
175g (6 oz) large prawns                                                         salt and pepper
1 tsp curry powder or 1 tsp chilli sauce                                    150ml (5 fl oz) white wine
25g (1 oz) butter or 1 tblspn oil                                               150ml (5 fl oz) milk
120ml (4 fl oz) cream                                                             Chopped fresh parsley (opt)
 
First of all skin the fish and cut into bite sized pieces and put into a pan with enough water to cover, adding some salt and pepper together with the skin and any bones. Cover and bring to the boil then lower the heat to poach the fish gently until the flesh is opaque. Don’t overcook, it should be still fairly firm. Grain the fish and reserve the liquid straining out any skin and bones. In another pan melt the butter or oil and sauté the vegetables and garlic until just soft. Add the win, milk and some of the reserved stock plus the herbs and spices. Cover and simmer gently for about 10 minutes. Add the poached fish, smoked salmon and prawns and continue to simmer for another minute or so, until everything is heated through. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Stir in the cream and sprinkle chopped parsley on the top. Serve with warm crusty bread.
 
If you’re using frozen vegetables add these along with the fish.

Tuna Carpaccio with a Mango and Avocado Salsa                   Serves 4

1 loin of Tuna about 6 cms (4 ins) in length                       1 mango
1 avocado                                                                       1 chilli
1 lime                                                                             ½ lemon
½ red onion                                                                     Salt and pepper
Crushed black and pink peppercorns                                   Green leaves
 
To make the salsa skin and dice all the vegetables, taking care not to get any chilli or the seeds near your eyes. Place in a bowl and add the juice of the lemon and time. Season to taste and set aside. Roll the tuna loin in the peppercorns and seer in a dry non-stick pan until the tuna turns from a dark red to a creamy pink on all sides. If the fish starts to stick drizzle a very little oil into the pan and swirl around. Just enough oil to stock it catching but not enough to make it greasy. Remove from the pan and put on a covered plate in the fridge until it is fairly firm. Remove from the fridge and slice it very thinly. Divide between four plates and add some salsa and some green leaves. Serve with added citrus juice if desired.
 
Let’s hope we get some good days this month. Best of luck with the boats.

Noreen Pearson.

September 2007

Hi folks! Sorry I’m late this month; everything seems to have happened at once. A significant party in the family and a grandson with a ruptured spleen who had to be airlifted by the navy to a Glasgow hospital! Great news is he’s out and doing well, so I am now trying to catch up with myself.
 
Three easy recipes either for lunch, or as a starter or even a light supper.

Mushroom Ramekins.                                                Serves 4

15g (1/2 oz) butter                                             100g (4 oz) blue cheese crumbled
225g (8 oz) button mushrooms, sliced              1 egg beaten
6 tblspns single cream or crème fraiche            1 small onion finely chopped
½ tsp dried thyme                                              25g (1 oz) toasted breadcrumbs
Sprigs of parsley and slices of mushrooms to decorate.
 
Melt the butter in a saucepan and lightly sauté the onions and mushrooms. Beat together the egg, cream and thyme. Divide the mushrooms, onions and the crumbled cheese between 4 ramekins and pour over the egg mixture. Put the ramekins into a baking tin containing enough hot water to come half way up the sides of the dishes. Bake at 180C/350F/Gas 4 for 20 minutes or until set. Sprinkle over the toasted breadcrumbs and garnish with the parsley and mushroom slices. Serve hot with toast.

Crab with Apple and Celery                                  Serves 4

2 cooked dressed crabs or 2 170g tins of crab drained
2 shallots or spring onions finely chopped            1 dessert apple diced
1 sticks of celery or 1 small bulb of fennel finely chopped
2 tblspns parsley                                                     1 red chilli finely diced
Crème fraiche                                                          Juice of 1 lime
Juice of ½ lemon
 
Turn the dice apple in the lemon juice and leave for a few minutes. De-seed the chilli before dicing if you want a milder mixture. In a bowl mix together the onions, celery or fennel, chilli and crab. Add the lime juice and the diced apple plus the juice. Roughly chop the parsley and add that to the mixture. Mix gently and add just enough cream or crème fraiche to bind. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.  Place some salad leaves on 4 plates and either pile the crab onto the leaves or, if you are feeling really chef-like, put into round scone cutters, packing the mixture down well. Leave for a little while and then push gently through onto the leaves. Serve with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil.

Cheesy Muffins.                                                         Serves 4

4 large Portobello Mushrooms                 4 muffins
2 tblspns balsamic vinegar                         4 tblspns olive oil
225g (8 oz) ham or bacon                          1 tblspn chopped fresh thyme
225g (8 oz) soft cheese, Brie, Mozzarella or goat’s cheese
 
Line a baking sheet with foil and place the mushrooms on top. Drizzle over the balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Season with the thyme and leave to marinate for about 10 minutes. Grill or fry the bacon or ham until fairly crisp but not burnt. Grill or gently fry the mushroom until just cooked. Top either mushroom with some bacon or ham and top with thickly sliced cheese. Grill for about two or three minutes until the cheese has melted. Meanwhile toast the muffins and place on four plates. Place the mushrooms, topped with the cheese and ham or bacon on the muffins and serve hot either on their own or with a salad or sautéed potatoes.
 
I hope you enjoy these. Noreen Pearson

 

Hello folks!

MOA Web Recipes for August 2007-07-04

This time of year usually presents us with the best of fresh fruit, and most are easy and quick to prepare in a wide range of dishes. The three I have chosen this month take a minimum of preparation and only one requires cooking.
 
Roasted Fig, Goats Cheese and Parma Ham                       per Person.
 
3 fresh figs                                          ½ slice of Parma Ham per fig
1 tsp firm goats cheese per fig            Sprigs of thyme
Truffle oil                                            Lemon quarter
 
Cut 2 deep slits crosswise on the top of each fig. Stuff the cavity with the cheese and wrap the half slice of ham around it. Push in a sprig of thyme and drizzle with the oil. Bake at 200C/400F/Gas7 for 5 minutes or until the cheese is browned and slightly melted. Put the figs on a plate, drizzle with a little more oil and garnish with flat leaf parsley and grilled lemon.
 
Balsamic Strawberries with Mascarpone Cream                    Serves 4
 
1 large punnet of strawberries cleaned and hulled     1 cup balsamic vinegar
Small tub of Mascarpone cheese                                 1 cup icing sugar
1 vanilla pod                                                               Fresh basil (opt)
 
Whisk the vinegar with the icing sugar until the mixture begins to thicken slightly. Taste and add more vinegar or sugar as necessary. Chill in a fridge for up to 12 hours. Scrape the vanilla seeds into the mascarpone cheese and whisk until smooth. Divide the strawberries between 4 glasses and drizzle some of the dressing over. Spoon on the mascarpone cream and garnish with fresh basil and a piece of the vanilla pod.
 
Fruity Bean Salad                                                                  Serves 4
 
415g (14oz) can Chickpeas, rinsed and drained            100g (4oz) bean spouts
220g (7oz) can Kidney beans rinsed and drained         100g (4 oz) radishes sliced
2 oranges peeled, segmented and chopped                  2 carrots chopped
100g (4oz) green grapes halved and seeded                 1 green pepper chopped
1 eating apple cored, chopped and dipped in lemon juice    ¼ tsp ground ginger
275g (10oz) natural yoghurt                                          ½ tsp sugar
2 tblspns fresh mint                                                        Lemon juice.
 
Mix together the chickpeas, beans, vegetables and fruit. Chill. Mix the yoghurt with the ginger, mint and sugar. Chill. Serve the salad with the sauce drizzled over with pitta or naan bread.
 
That’s all for this month – until next time Good Eating . Noreen Pearson.

MOA Web Recipes July 2007

This month I thought some summer puds might be in order. These all have the advantage of being light, easy to prepare and just the thing for warm summer days.
 
Chocolate and Strawberry Mousse Cups                        Serves 6
 
90g (3 ½ oz) plain chocolate                           6 ready made chocolate cups
50ml (2 fl oz) milk                                          200ml (7 fl oz) whipping cream
100g 4 oz) strawberries cleaned, hulled and sliced
 
Melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of hot water. Heat the milk to boiling point, then whisk in the chocolate. Leave to cool. Whip 150ml (¼ pt) of the cream until you get soft peaks and then fold in the cooled chocolate mixture. Reserve 6 strawberry slices for decoration and divide the remainder between the chocolate cups. Spoon over the chocolate cream and smooth the tops. Whip the rest of the cream and use to decorate the tops together with the reserved strawberry slices
 
You could use small bought sweet pastry flan cases instead of the chocolate cups and as a variation use white chocolate with raspberries or blueberries.
 
Summer Flan                                                                  Serves 4
 
1 18cm (7 inch) bought sponge flan case             2 tblspns sweet sherry or fruit liqueur
150g (5oz) carton fruit flavoured yoghurt            75g (3 oz) fromage frais
75ml (3 fl oz) whipping cream                             Fruit to decorate
 
Place the flan on a plate and sprinkle over the sherry or liqueur. Beat together the fromage frais and the yoghurt. Whip the cream until stiff and fold into the yoghurt mixture. Spoon into the flan case, smooth over and chill. Decorate with your chosen
fruit.
 
Orange Cups                                                                    Serves 4
 
4 large sweet oranges                                           300ml (1 ½ pts) double cream
75g (3oz) chopped nuts (opt)                               50g (2oz) glace cherries (opt)
50g (2oz) plain chocolate grated                          Drambuie or orange liqueur.
 
Cut a slice from the top of each orange and using a sharp knife cut out most of the flesh leaving a cavity. Chop the orange flesh discarding any pith. Whip the cream with any orange juices and a small amount of liqueur. How much you use depends on your taste. Stir in the chopped orange flesh together with the nuts and cherries if using, and spoon into the orange shells. Chill until needed. Just before serving sprinkle with the grated chocolate. Serve cold.
 
Until next month – enjoy!    Noreen Pearson.

 

MOA Web Recipe May 2007

Summer seems to have arrived up here in Argyll at long last. It is definitely T-shirt weather. We have managed a day sail down Loch Sween in near perfect conditions with beautiful scenery.  I’ve found a couple of stir-fries which are so easy and quick to produce onboard and I hope you will like them too.

Stir-fried Scallops with Sugar Snap Peas                                 Serves 4

Allow 4 to 5 scallops per person                            2 ½  tblspns oyster sauce

2 tspn soy sauce                                                  1 ½ tspns sesame oil

2 tspns sugar                                                       2 tblspns vegetable oil

2 large garlic cloves crushed                                 3 tspns finely chopped ginger

300g (10 oz) sugar snap peas                                2 spring onions cut into lengths

In a bowl combine the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil and sugar. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. Heat a wok or skillet over a medium heat and add the vegetable oil swirling it around to coat the pan. Stir fry the garlic and ginger for 30 seconds or so and then add the peas and continue cooking for another minute. Add the scallops and the spring onions and cook for 1 minute stirring all the time.  Stir in the sauce from the bowl and heat through for another minute or so. Serve with rice or noodles.

Sweet Chilli Chicken Stir fry.                                 Serves 4 generously

375g (12 oz) ready to cook noodles                       4 chicken breasts cut into pieces

1-2 tblspns sweet chilli sauce                                 2 tspns fish sauce

1 tblspns vegetable oil                                            100g (3 ½ oz) baby sweetcorn

150g (5 oz) sugar snap peas                                    1 tblspn lime juice.

Put the noodles into a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Gently separate them and rinse and drain. Combine the chicken pieces with the chilli sauce and the fish sauce. Halve the baby sweetcorn lengthways. Heat a wok or skillet over a high heat and swirl the vegetable oil around to coat. Stir fry the chicken pieces for about 3-5 minutes until cooked then add the corn and peas. Stir fry for another 2 minutes then stir in the noodles and lime juice. Heat through and serve.

Have a good month sailing. Noreen Pearson.

April Web Recipe

It’s nearly April and no doubt some of you are already in the water and others ready to launch. We’re not quite there yet in Argyll but for the past few days we have had the best of the weather in the U.K. (Say this in a whisper in case Someone Upstairs hears). Looking back over the past recipes I seem to have neglected those of you who
are not meat or fish eaters, so I will try to rectify this now. You can, of course, add meat or fish to any of the following recipes should you wish, but they do stand up for themselves without.

Vegetable Tikka Masala                                  Serves 4

350g (12 oz) potatoes cut into wedges                2 tblspns oil
225g (8 oz) cauliflower in florets                        4 tblspns tikka masala paste
2 small onions sliced                                          4 tblspns crème fraiche
2 small carrots sliced                                         1 large can chopped tomatoes
110g (4 oz) peas                                                Salt and pepper to taste
5 fl oz (1/4 pt) water
 
Heat the oil in a fairly large pan and sauté the onions until golden. Add the rest of the vegetables except the peas. Stir in the chopped tomatoes, the tikka masala paste and the water. Cover and simmer gently for 20 minutes. Stir in the peas and crème fraiche and return to the heat. Simmer uncovered for a further 10 minutes or until the vegetables are cooked. Serve with rice and chopped fresh coriander.

Vegetable Tagine with Apricots.                                  Serves 4

1 green pepper thinly sliced                                     225g (8 oz) shallots
1 medium sweet potato skinned and chunked           225g (8 oz) baby carrots
450g (1 lb) tomatoes chopped and de-seeded           pinch of cinnamon
110g (4 oz) yellow split peas washed                        pinch of ground ginger
12 fl oz vegetable stock                                          ½ tsp cayenne pepper
1 garlic clove crushed                                             juice of 1 lemon
4 dried apricots finely sliced                                   1 tsp honey
½ tsp cumin seeds toasted
 
Put the split peas in a pan with the stock, garlic and onions. Bring to the boil and simmer for about 20 minutes to soften. Stir in the remaining ingredients and bring back to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for another 15 –20 minutes. or until the vegetables are cooked. Serve with warm couscous and sprinkle the cumin seed on top.
 
That’s all for this month and hopefully you will enjoy these.

Noreen Pearson

P.S. Celia Bater phoned me the other day to say that John Goode had reviewed the MOA Cookbook favourably in the April issue of Sailing Today. I’ve read it and am very pleased with his comments, so if you haven’t already got one send for one today!