Simple Seafood Chowder

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 100g streaky bacon, chopped
• 1 tbsp plain flour
• 600ml fish stock, made from 1 fish stock cube
• 225g new potato, halved
• pinch mace
• pinch cayenne pepper
• 300ml milk
• 320g pack fish pie mix (salmon, haddock and smoked haddock)
• 4 tbsp single cream
• 250g pack cooked mixed shellfish
• small bunch parsley, chopped
• crusty bread, to serve

Method

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat, then add the onion and bacon. Cook for 8-10 mins until the onion is soft and the bacon is cooked. Stir in the flour, then cook for a further 2 mins.
2. Pour in the fish stock and bring it up to a gentle simmer. Add the potatoes, cover, then simmer for 10-12 mins until the potatoes are cooked through.
3. Add the mace, cayenne pepper and some seasoning, then stir in the milk.
4. Tip the fish pie mix into the pan, gently simmer for 4 mins. Add the cream and shellfish, then simmer for 1 min more. Check the seasoning. Sprinkle with the parsley and serve with some crusty bread.

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2121649/simple-seafood-chowder

Five Spice Crispy Duck Legs

INGREDIENTS

8 duck legs (at room temperature)

4 large sprigs rosemary

8 cloves garlic, peeled

3 teaspoons sea salt

3 teaspoons Chinese five spice powder

Jammy Sauce

2 tablespoons cherry jam (or redcurrant jelly)

300 ml red wine/port or (fresh orange juice)

4 tablespoons water

PREP

* Pre-heat oven to 200C/400F/gas 6. Mix salt and 5 spice powder.

* Place legs, flat side down, in a large roasting tin in a single layer.

* Prick all over with a fork/sharp knife to release fat during cooking and crisp the skin.

* Rub spice mix into each leg. Poke a piece of rosemary and garlic under each one.

COOK

* Roast for 50 minutes. Check twice to see they’re browning but not too dark. 

* Pour fat off each time.

* Meantime, melt jam, marmalade or jelly in a small pan on low heat. Add wine or juice and water. * Whisk to integrate. Simmer a few minutes. Taste and add more wine/jelly if needed for sharp/sweet contrast. 

* Set aside. Finish the duck.

* Reduce heat to 180C/gas 4. Tip sauce over legs into the tin. Roast 15 minutes until jammy and crispy. Check sauce doesn’t dry out. Make a quick bit extra if needed. Remove. Rest it for 5 minutes.

PLATE

Place a leg (or 2) on plates with a spoonful of sauce, a pile of fried roast-style potatoes and a heap of leaf and pear salad.

Courtesy from : http://www.samstern.co.uk/recipe/five-spice-crispy-duck-legs-with-sticky-sauce/

Sticky Date Pudding

Ingredients 

 Melted butter, to grease

 285g (1 3/4 cups) pitted dates, halved

 250ml (1 cup) boiling water

 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

 80g butter, at room temperature

 100g (1/2 cup) caster sugar

 2 eggs

 115g (3/4 cup) self-raising flour, sifted

 75g (1/2 cup) plain flour, sifted

 185ml (3/4 cup) pouring cream

 160g (1 cup, lightly packed) brown sugar

 60g unsalted butter, chopped

 Double cream, to serve

Method 

Step 1

Preheat oven to 180°C. Brush six 185ml (3/4-cup) non-stick muffin pans with melted butter to lightly grease. Line the bases with non-stick baking paper.

Step 2

Combine the dates, water and bicarbonate of soda in a bowl. Set aside for 10 minutes to soften. Use a fork to coarsely mash.

Step 3

Use an electric beater to beat the butter and caster sugar in a bowl until pale and creamy. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Fold in the date mixture and the combined flour. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pans and smooth the surfaces. Bake in oven for 25-30 minutes or until the surfaces spring back when lightly tapped. Set aside in the pans for 5 minutes to stand before turning onto a wire rack to cool slightly.

Step 4

Meanwhile, place the pouring cream, brown sugar and unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until smooth.

Step 5

Divide the puddings among serving plates. Top with double cream and drizzle over the sauce to serve.

Recipe  http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/21900/sticky+date+puddings+with+butterscotch+sauce