Fireworks of the Senses (January 2017)
It took me a while to decide what to call this edition. Looking over the range of dishes I've tackled this last year, the one thing I take away as I glance through this list is that I had a hell of a lot of fun really messing around with flavours, textures and the overall eating experience on these dishes and treats.
Ever keen on creating surprising delights for my victims, err, friends and colleagues that is, this edition is no exception.
I hope these recipe ideas give you a curious smile as you review them, and perhaps even want to make and taste them!
Sensation explosions...
Hot & Cold Chocolate Truffles - Best chocolate sensory experience ever! Straight from your first bite, you immediately get hit with a cool blast which soon gives way to the beautiful spicy warmth of chili.
Hot & Cold Eggs for Breakfast (V) - Here's another rollercoaster dish. What a great way to wake up in the morning, cool savoury cream over a hot soft-boiled egg yolk with a drizzle of maple syrup.
Super Smokey Frozen Marshmellows - Made with liquid nitrogen (Thanks Kiri!). Can't possibly be any cooler way to serve marshmellows!
Raspberry Frozen Druplets - Liquid nitrogen gives us the ability to separate all the individual segments, named "druplets", from a raspberry. Makes for delicious little bursts of flavour on ice cream and other cool treats.
Carbonated Fizz Fruit (made with dry ice) - You've never tasted fruit like this before. The appearance is innocent and unassuming until you take that first bite. Then... wow!
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Visual explosions...
Bloody Good Halloween Truffles - These truffles with stupendously tasty fake blood are a marvellous thing to bring to a halloween party. People won't be quite sure whether it's a trick or treat! And they'll be right to be suspicious too!
Rose Apple Pie - One of the most beautiful pies that I have ever seen in my life. Best done with two people and lots of time.
Green Marbled Coconut Pandan Cheesecake - For those looking for an asian twist to their dessert, may I recommend this little bright showstopper?!
American Shoofly Pie (Coffee Mousse Pie) - Very strange looking pie. You wouldn't think it is as delicious as it is. Very nice!
Savoury Pears Roasted in Garlic & Stock (V) - Many of you would have heard of braised pears for dessert... well how about as a savoury side. This lovely easy-to-make side will definitely shake up your standard dinner plate!
Savoury Mushroom Tarte Tatin Pie - Whoever said you shouldn't have too much of a good thing hasn't tried this mushroom pie. Load it up with mushrooms and you'll still be begging for more after the first serving.
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Kadaifi Aubergine Bundles (V) - Who knew eggplant could be so delicate. With Kadaifi (shredded philo pastry) available at your local greek deli, these little bundles look like mini art installations and are wonderful as an appetizer at any meal or event.
And well, not everything is an explosion, but I can't keep these absolutely delicious recipes all to myself either !
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Breakfast
Savoury American Grits with Prawns & Bacon Bits - Let's not limit breakfast to eggs. There are so many more possibilities, such as these grits. And in Australia, since grits are hard to find, polenta will do very well instead.
French Quiche Lorraine - A deliciously luxurious way to start any lazy weekend.
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Appetizers & Sides
Vietnamese Oxtail Soup - Full of vietnamese flavour, leaving a very happy warm belly once you're done.
Punjabi Samosas (V) - I never knew there was a special way to make and fry the dough. This is a great culinary experience if you're looking to try something new and go shopping for some unique ingredients.
French Fondant Potatoes (V) - The most luxurious tasting potatoes I've ever had. Braised in stock, butter and thyme, they fall away beautifully from your fork.
Indonesian Tofu Fritters (V) - The most exciting tofu dish I've ever tasted. Amazing tasting spice blend and really easy to make.
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Mains
Chinese Five Spice & Orange Duck Savoury Pies - As if orange duck pies were not decadent enough on their own already. Just had to take it up to the next level with Chinese five spice... and the result is phenomenal. There's even Chinese five spice in the shortcrust!
Ethiopean Beef Tibs - Flavour packs a great punch with the African hot spice mix, Berbere, in this dish. Berbere is used across Ethiopean meat and vegetarian dishes. This spice mix is well worth the effort to find it in specialty shops.
Italian Spaghetti alla Puttanesca (V) - One of my favourite pasta dishes, if only for the seductively salty flavour of olives and capers, mingled with tomatoes and parmesan.
Korean Sweet & Spicy Fried Chicken Wings - This recipe is hot stuff - packed full of ingredients and with such a mouth-watering smell and taste that is just out of this world. This is my absolute favourite hot wing recipe!
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Sweet Treats
Russian Honey Cake - This recipe sure is a piece of work - at least 4 or so hours. But the uniqueness in flavour both in the cake dough and the amazing icing, makes it definitely one not to miss!
Banana Walnut Tahini Bliss Balls - So delicious and flavourful, and yet this is one of the healthiest desserts I've ever made or tasted.
New Zealand Feijoa Cheesecake - Feijoa have such a unique and intense flavour. This cheesecake was the perfect way to delicately bring out the fruit's floral & tart taste.
Lebanese Znoud El Sit - Amazing little syrup-soaked pockets of rosewater infused thickened cream. They all went too fast.
Glossy Lemon Bars - Shiny and zingy! These little yellow square will brighten up any room and the faces around them.
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Happy kitchen adventures!
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