Rough Cooking

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Butter beans with bacon

May 16th 2012 10:55

For every soild main dish I have in my repertoire, I have a need for two or three good side dishes. Yes, there are times when all that is required are a couple of steamed carrots and some broccoli, but just as often I like to have something a little bit fancy.

This is one of those fancy side dishes, and comes to me from Jamie Oliver's 30 minute meals. It is great with a nice piece of steak and a little mustard... and possibly some steamed carrots and broccoli.

Butter beans with bacon - adapted from Jamie Oliver

4 rashers bacon, finely sliced
2 tomatoes
1 x 400g tin of butter beans
red wine vinegar
2-3 sprigs basil

Heat a little olive oil in a frying pan over low heat. Add bacon to the pan and cook stirring until golden. Increase heat to high. Roughly chop tomatoes and add to pan. Tip in the butter beans and their juices, and simmer gently to cook the liquid down. Once most of the liquid has evaporated add a little extra virgin olive oil and a good splash of vinegar, then season. Sprinkle over basil leaves and serve.

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Posted By: Helen Randell - Category: No Category

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Spice solution

May 8th 2012 11:08

Two teaspoons cumin, half a teaspoon turmeric, one teaspoon chilli powder – there is so much spice that I use in recipes, and for a long time now I have been struggling with my old spice jars.

Overall they function pretty well, but critically, I can’t fit my measuring spoon inside the opening! This means that I often end up shaking the spice onto the spoon, which inevitably results in a cloud of spice and then an excess of something which I have to try and pick out of the dish. But, no more! These little spice jars have a good sized open mouth and they stack quite nicely, so they are actually saving me a bit of space in the cupboard.

I like the colour lid, and the clear glass so I can see what I am looking for. My only concern is that they don’t have a strong seal to keep everything fresh for longer. But, I figure I go through enough spice that I shouldn’t be too worried. What’s your spice solution?

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Posted By: Helen Randell - Category: No Category

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Five-spice tofu - my favourite spice

April 30th 2012 07:21

Even though it is technically a spice blend, I am happy to say that Chinese five-spice is my all time favourite spice. Generally a blend of star anise, cinnamon, cloves, Szechuan peppercorns and fennel seeds, it is possible, and pretty simple, to make your own spice mix using these ingredients (feel free to do a little search, and then come back here for a recipe to use it!)**

I picked up some nice tofu from the local organic shop the other day, and when I did I knew in the back of my mind that I had a recipe somewhere for five-spice tofu. I had a search through my recipe box, and eventually found it in the miscellaneous section (who would have thought).

This is a very simple recipe to make, and tastes great, especially served with a little soy sauce and some steamed Asian greens.

**If you find a good five-spice blend recipe then let me know

Five-spice tofu

500g firm tofu
50g plain flour
25g corn flour
1 tablespoon sea salt
2 teaspoons five-spice powder
oil for shallow frying

Cut the tofu into 1cm slices. Combine flours with salt and five-spice powder. Heat oil in a frying pan to around 180 degrees. Dust tofu with flour mix, add to the oil and fry on each side for approximately 1-2 minutes, until golden. Drain on paper towel and repeat with all tofu.

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Posted By: Helen Randell - Category: No Category

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Apricot macadamia muffins

April 27th 2012 07:03

These muffins are healthy - and they're pretty tasty too. If I'm being picky, I'd call them a bit dry, but I suspect that when I made these my eggs were a bit on the small side. Anyway, it was nothing a spoonful of yoghurt and a nice cup of tea couldn't fix

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Frittata goodness with a new pan

April 25th 2012 11:01

Back in 2009 (doesn't time fly) I was very happy to come home one day and find that Mr Rough Cooking had unearthed a Le Creuset casserole dish at the local second hand store for the bargain price of $15

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Meals from the cupboard - Puttanesca

April 14th 2012 07:06

Stand-by meals, made from ingredients you have in the cupboard, are essential in the weekly scheme of things. I need them for when I don’t feel like heading to the shops for fresh ingredients, for when I get home too late for lengthy preparations or when the weather turns out to be too warm to turn on the oven. This is one such stand-by, and I have to admit I’ve made it twice in the past couple of weeks

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Posted By: Helen Randell - Category: No Category

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Breakfast dilemas

April 12th 2012 08:39

I don't know about you guys, but I sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed by the prospect of interesting breakfasts. I think it has to do with the lack of time before work, a need to eat enough to keep me going until lunch and wanting something to warm me up - especially with the colder mornings at the moment

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Posted By: Helen Randell - Category: No Category

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