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Archive for October 30th, 2014

NATIONAL DISHES

  1. Hamburgers, U.S.

    Although the origins of the hamburger are disputed, there is no argument over the popularity of this classic dish. Toppings and accompaniments vary from region to region, but for an original version visit Louis’ Lunch in New Haven,Connecticut, which has been serving hamburgers since 1900 and claims to be the oldest hamburger restaurant in the U.S. 
    Planning: Louis’ Lunch is open most days for lunch and some days until the early hours of the morning.

  2. Ackee and Saltfish, Jamaica

    Despite ackee’s unhappy origins as slave food, Jamaicans have reclaimed it as part of their national dish. A nutritious fruit with a buttery-nutty flavor, ackee resembles scrambled egg when boiled. Jamaicans sauté the boiled ackee with saltfish (salt-cured cod), onions, and tomatoes. Sometimes the dish is served atop bammy (deep-fried cassava cakes) with fried plantains. 
    Planning: Jake’s, Treasure Beach, is renowned for ackee and saltfish and also offers cooking classes.

  3. Coo-Coo and Flying Fish, Barbados

    A polenta-like cornmeal and okra porridge, coo-coo pairs perfectly with flying fish, which is either steamed with lime juice, spices, and vegetables or fried and served with a spicy sauce. 
    Planning: The Flying Fish restaurant overlooking St. Lawrence Bay claims to be the Barbadian national dish’s home.

  4. Bulgogi, Korea

    Beef bulgogi (fire meat) is a dish of thinly sliced, prime cuts of meat marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, onions, ginger, sugar, and wine and then grilled. It is often eaten wrapped in lettuce or spinach leaves and accompanied by kimchi (fermented vegetable pickle). Many Korean restaurants have miniature barbecues embedded in tables where diners grill the meat themselves. 
    Planning: Seoul’s upmarket Byeokje Galbi chain is a bulgogi sensation.

  5. Kibbeh, Lebanon/Syria

    Dining well Levantine-style often means sticking to the delicious mezes(appetizers). Kibbeh, a versatile confection of ground lamb, bulgur, and seasonings, is a core component of mezes. It is often fried in torpedo or patty shapes, baked, boiled, or stuffed, but is tastiest raw. 


  6. Aspasia

  7.  

TOAD-IN-THE-HOLE

Method

  1. Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Put the sausages in a 20 x 30cm roasting tin with the oil, then bake for 15 mins until browned.
  2. Meanwhile, make up the batter mix. Tip the flour into a bowl with the salt, make a well in the middle and crack both eggs into it. Use an electric whisk to mix it together, then slowly add the milk, whisking all the time. Leave to stand until the sausages are nice and brown.
  3. Carefully remove the sausages from the oven – watch because the fat will be sizzling hot – but if it isn’t, put the tin on the hob for a few mins until it is. Pour in the batter mix, transfer to the top shelf of the oven, then cook for 25-30 mins, until risen and golden. Serve with gravy and broccoli.                                                                                                                              Aspasia

HOT CROSS BANS

INGREDIENTS
  • For the Buns
  • 500g 2oz strong, white bread flour
  • 55g Muscovado sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp mixed spice
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 55g / 2 oz cold butter cut into small pieces
  • 100g/ 3 ½ oz mixed dried fruits
  • 25g / 1 oz candied mixed peel
  • 7g ¼ oz dried yeast
  • 300 ml /½ pint/ warm (not hot) milk
  • For the Crosses
  • 75g / 2 ½ oz all purpose plain flour
  • 35g / 1 ½ oz cold butter, cut into small pieces
  • Glaze
  • 1 ½ tbsp apricot jam, warmed
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  •  
  • Cook Time: 210 minutes
  • Total Time: 225 minutes
  •  
  • YieldMakes 12 hot Cross Buns
PREPARATION
  • Mix together the flour, sugar, salt and spices. Add the butter pieces and rub the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse sand. Then, add the dried fruits and mixed peel and stir.
  • Sprinkle the yeast over the mixture and finally, pour in the warm milk. Mix with a spatula until a soft sticky dough is formed.
  • Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for no less than 10 minutes or until a silky smooth dough is formed. Place in a large, lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a clean tea towel and leave to rise in a warm (not hot)place until doubled in size, this should take about 2 hours.
  • Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface, knock all the air from the dough and knead again for 2 mins. Divide the dough into 12 and roll each into a bun shape. Place the buns on a lightly oiled baking sheet. With a sharp knife cut a shallow cross, the width of the into the top of the bun.Cover with a clean tea towel and leave to rise again for approx 45 mins or until well risen.
  • Preheat the oven to 220°C/425°F/Gas 7
  • Make the crosses by rubbing the butter into the flour, add a little cold water (1/2 tbsp) and stir to make a thick dough. If too dry add a little more water. Roll the dough into a ball, cut in half, then each half into 6. Place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. The balls will go hard and be easier to roll.
  • Roll each small dough ball into a long thin sausage, cut in half and firmly press each 'sausage' half into the cross of the buns without knocking the air out.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 15 – 20 minutes or until the buns are well risen and golden brown. Remove from the oven and brush the buns with the jam. Lift the buns onto a wire rack and leave to cool.