Irish Stew & Herb Dumplings Recipe

Irish Stew & Herb Dumplings Recipe
  • Olive oil
  • 100g smoked streaky bacon
  • 400g diced lamb shoulder
  • 2 white onions
  • 2 carrots
  • 3 bay leaves
  • Thyme
  • Rosemary
  • 50g pearl barley
  • 600ml beef stock
  • 2 rooster potatoes
  • 250g self raising flour
  • 125g beef suet
  • Salt and pepper
  • 200 ml water
  • Chives

Method

1. Pre heat oven to 160c. Heat some olive oil in a heavy based frying pan. Cut the bacon into small strips and brown in pan before sealing of the diced lamb in batches in the pork fat that it has released. Lift out and sit sealed meat to the side

2. While it is sealing chop the onions and peel then chop the carrots into nice uniformed chunks. Add them in to the pan and brown along with the herbs.

3.  Now return the meat to the pan, stir in the pearl barley and pour over the stock then slowly bring to a simmer.

4. Peel and chop potatoes and place them carefully in the stew. Cover with greaseproof paper and tin foil, put a lid on it and put it in the oven for about 1 hour then remove carefully.

5. Mix the self raising flour, suet, salt and pepper together with the water until a dough is formed. Finely chop some thyme leaves, rosemary leaves and chives then mix that in to the dough also. Divide up into 12 even sized balls then drop in the stew and put back in the oven for 30 minutes or until potatoes and lamb are tender and the herb dumplings are crispy on top and soft underneath, season with salt and pepper then serve.

Lessons learned in virtual cookery class, by Cate Devine

COOK SCHOOL ONLINE ZOOM CLASS IN ACTION

What strikes me most about taking part in a virtual cookery class is the number of things you learn without expecting to. For example, the amount of advance prep that’s required from the chef and staff. Receiving one’s box full of each carefully-measured, weighed, portioned, chilled, sometimes partially-cooked, and packaged component of the multiple-course menu, plus printed instructions, is the first thrill. Some are sent to hundreds of participants all over town and beyond. Not only does it makes you realise the sheer hard graft that goes into running a professional kitchen; the added complication of logistics – getting the ingredients safely delivered intact and in compliance with health and safety regs – is pretty impressive.

I took part in one of the first @Home classes hosted by Stuart Leslie, head chef at The Cook School, the sister company of Braehead Foods in Kilmarnock. The £50-for-two menu was Italian and we made aubergine cannelloni (ten ingredients), mushroom risotto (11 ingredients), chicken breast wrapped in Parma ham (four ingredients), and chef kindly threw in a pre-made vanilla Panna Cotta for dessert. The equipment list packed into my box required some 19 items to be found around my kitchen and laid out in advance (a useful time-saver during the 90-minute class).  

My mis-en-place sorted according to chef Stuart Leslie’s instructions

The second thing I learned that night was how great it was to be able to ogle other participants’ kitchens. Forget politicians’ bookcases being featured on news channels as TV interviews have been conducted at home, following social distancing guidelines: this was far more interesting, if a little envy-inducing.

The third thing was how to chop an onion. Finally. Chef Stuart cheerfully – and tearlessly – demonstrated how you’re meant to cut the top of the onion off and keep the root on so that vertical slices stay together until you cut the root off. Bravo. As the atmosphere between us and the dozen or so others was relaxed and full of banter, helped along by the fact that most of us had a glass of wine to hand, I didn’t feel embarrassed at my ignorance.

“There’s no such thing as a silly question, as we’re here to be comfortable as we go,” chef Stuart assured me. I’ve since been told that someone in another class on vegetarian cookery enquired about the best way to cook a steak.

So I wasn’t abashed to discover that risotto should be served slightly sloppy, otherwise it’s more of a paella, and that it should be eaten on a cold plate to stop it continuing to cook and congeal.

Speed, precision, keeping the work station clean and tidy, sticking to the plan and paying attention to detail were also important lessons I learned as a home cook. Thanks to chef, I was really pleased with the end result of my dishes.

I also discovered that the presentation skills of the host chef are key to the whole thing. Chef Stuart has been running The Cook School for some years now, so is used to performing in front of an audience. Others may have to learn this – it’s no longer the case that a chef’s life is destined to be led in obscurity, stuck behind the stove. If the Coronavirus pandemic continues and lockdowns are imposed around the country, online classes are set to stay.

“Doing live classes were Stuart’s idea, and the reaction and feedback so far have been absolutely brilliant,” says Craig Stevenson, managing director of Braehead Foods. “They were designed for lockdown to cater for those working from home, learning to cook, who need a break or a date night, but can’t go out to eat,” he says. “We will be continuing this into the future even if lockdown stops. It’s a good way to educate and entertain customers, while helping local producers and suppliers and even delivery drivers stay in work.”

My version of the aubergine cannelloni …

About Cate Devine

As a journalist, Cate has been covering developments in food and drink for over 25 years, variously as a deputy monthly magazine editor; weekly magazine editor; daily newspaper commissioning features editor, women’s editor, senior writer and food specialist; and latterly freelance contributor, broadcaster and interviewer.

To view more of Cate’s writing, please visit her blog: https://www.catedevinewriter.com/

Chicken Bhoona + Pilaf Rice Recipe

  • 2 chicken breasts, diced into suitable chunks
    • 1 tsp of vegetable oil
    • 4 curry leaves
    • 2 white onion, finely diced
    • 2 green cardamom pods
    • 1 tsp black mustard seeds
    • 3 whole cloves
    • Half a cinnamon stick
    • 1 tsp cumin seeds
    • 50g tomato puree
    • 1 tsp sugar
    • 1 tsp garam masala
    • 1 tsp turmeric
    • 1 tsp chili powder
    • 150ml chicken stock
    • Small bunch of coriander
    • Salt and pepper

Method

1. Put a large pan on a medium low heat and add ghee/oil, curry leaves, chopped onions, cardamom, mustard seeds, cloves, and cinnamon and cumin seeds. Cook on a low heat, stirring occasionally until the onions have turned a golden colour and have reduced. The onions must not fry but cook down very slowly as this method ensures the flavour and correct consistency of the final sauce. It can take up to 20-30 mins for the onions to cook correctly.

2. Add the tomato puree, sugar, garam marsala, turmeric and chili powder to the pan and stirring occasionally until the spices are cooked out.

3. Add the chicken stock and reduce down slowly, put chicken in and cook for around 10 minutes

4. Once chicken is cooked season accordingly and add loads of chopped coriander.

Pilaf Rice

  • 200g long grain rice
  • 350ml of warm chicken or vegetable stock
  • 1 white onion, peeled and finely sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled and finely sliced
  • 2 green cardamom pods, crushed
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • ½ cinnamon stick
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Pinch of saffron
  • Salt and pepper
  • Small bunch of coriander
  • 25g butter

Method

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180c, Heat a large oven proof dish on a medium heat, add the butter and melt

2. When it starts to foam, add the onion and cook for 10 minutes to a light golden colour. Add the garlic and cumin seeds, cook for 1 minute, then add the remaining spices and bay leaf, followed by the rice, salt and pepper

3. Stir until the rice is well coated, add in the stock and bring to the boil. Then cover with a sheet of baking parchment cut to size, place a tight fitting lid on top and bake in the oven until all the stock is absorbed and allow to rest with the lid on.

4. After 5 minutes remove the parchment, fork gently, add some chopped fresh coriander leaf and serve.

Garlic + Coriander Flat Breads

  • 350g plain flour
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 15g fresh yeast or 3.5g dried yeast
  • 140ml milk
  • 140g natural yoghurt
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped and pureed
  • Small bunch of coriander, finely chopped
  • 150g melted butter

Method

1. Sieve all the dry ingredients together and put in the chopped coriander. Add the garlic puree into the melted butter and sit at the side of the stove to keep warm.

2. Heat the Milk for 1 minute on full power in the microwave and stir in the yoghurt, dissolve in the yeast. Add this mixture to the flour to form dough.

3. Knead until smooth then cover and prove until doubled in size. Divide mix into golf ball sized pieces and roll into the classic teardrop shapes. Heat a non stick frying pan put in the flat bread and cook for 3 minutes until you have a golden crust, flip over and cook for another 2 minutes. Brush with the melted garlic butter on both sides and serve straight away while still warm.

National Pie Week – Steak Pie Recipe

Individual Steak Pie, Creamed Potatoes & Carrots

Individual Steak Pie Ingredients

  • 100g braising steak, cut into cubes
  • Plain flour, seasoned with salt and freshly ground black pepper, for dusting
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely diced
  • 2 pork links
  • Salt and pepper
  • 70ml hot beef stock
  • 200g ready-rolled puff pastry
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • Small bunch thyme leaves only

Method

  1. Dust the cubed steak with the seasoned flour
  2. Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed pan and fry the meat, stirring frequently, until browned on all sides.
  3. Add the diced onions, herbs, salt and freshly ground black pepper and the stock and bring to the boil.
  4. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for an hour and a half. 
  5. Preheat the oven to 180c. Cook sausages, then slice up and add to steak mixture.
  6. Transfer the mixture to a dish to cool down this will make it easier to line the pie dishes.
  7. Brush tins with oil and push puff pastry into them being careful not to cause any tears.
  8. Fill generously with steak and sausage mix and brush rim of pie with a little beaten egg carefully before cutting an appropriately sized lid and sealing it on top.
  9. Eggs wash thoroughly and bake in the oven for around 30 minutes. Serve immediately. 

Creamed Potato Ingredients

  • 1kg red rooster potatoes cut into even chunks
  • 125ml double cream
  • 25g butter
  • 25g crème fraiche
  • Salt and pepper
  • Whole nutmeg

Method

  1. Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil. Add the potatoes and boil for about 15 mins or until tender. Transfer to a colander and drain well, then return to the pan and set over a very low heat for 2 mins to dry completely.
  2. Heat the cream and butter in a small pan, then pour over the potatoes. Remove pan from the heat, then mash potatoes using an electric hand whisk or potato masher. Tip in the crème fraiche and beat with a wooden spoon until smooth and creamy.
  3. Season with salt, pepper and some freshly grated nutmeg. Serve immediately

Carrot Ingredients

  • 250g carrots, chopped to desired shape
  • 50g unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • Small bunch thyme leaves only
  • Salt and pepper

Method

  1. Peel and cut your carrots then boil in slightly salted water for 8-10 mins depending on the size you have cut them.
  2. Strain then place on a suitable tray with the butter, cumin, thyme and salt and pepper then roast for 5 mins at 200 degrees to give them a nice glaze.

Strawberry Tarts Recipe

Sweet Pastry

  • 450g Plain Flour
  • 150g Icing Sugar
  • 225g Unsalted Butter
  • 1 Egg
  • 1 Tablespoon Milk

Method

  1. Rub the butter and sugar together
  2. Add the egg, flour and milk, bring all the ingredients together to a smooth paste and roll out into a 15cm round cling film and chill for ½ hour.

To Make the Tart

  • Roll out the pastry and line a 24cm 3.5 cm deep ring
  • Bake blind at 200 c /400 f/ gas 7 until golden and dry.
  • Remove the beans, allow he base to cool slightly brush the inside of the base with the egg yolks.

Crème Patissiere

  • 6 egg yolks
  • 125g sugar
  • 40g flour
  • 500ml milk
  • 1 vanilla pod, split

Method

  1. Place the egg yolks and about one – third of the sugar in a bowl and whisk until they are pale and form a light ribbon. Sift in the flour and mix well.
  2. Combine the milk, the remaining sugar and the split vanilla pod in a saucepan and bring to the boil. As soon as the mixture bubbles, pour about one – third onto the egg mixture, stirring all the time. Pour the mixture back into the pan and cook over gentle heat, stirring continuously. Boil for 2 minutes, then tip the custard into a bowl. Flake a little butter over the surface or dust lightly with icing sugar to prevent a skin from forming as the custard cools.
  3. Add a little cocoa or coffee powder to the custard instead of the vanilla to give you a chocolate or coffee – flavoured cream. If you use cocoa, use a little less flour and add a touch more sugar.

Napage to Glaze

  • 200ml double cream
  • Vanilla pods
  • Icing sugar to sweeten

Add your creme pattissiere to your pastry tart, top with sliced strawberries and finish with your glaze.

BBQ Recipes

Ultimate Cook School Burger

Ingredients

  • 250g minced beef, quality scotch 10% fat approx.
  • 1 large egg
  • 4 sprigs flat leaf parsley, chopped
  • Sea salt and black pepper
  • 1 small onion, finely diced

Toppings

  • Cheese slices
  • Grilled bacon
  • Tomato sliced or roasted
  • Gherkins

Method

  1. Season the mix with salt and pepper make a little test burger taste and adjust if required.
  2. Cook the burgers for 3-4 minutes on each side.
  3. Allow to rest then serve with your choice of toppings, lettuce and tomato…and enjoy.

Brioche Buns

  • 30g fresh yeast or 7g dried
  • 500g strong white flour
  • 50ml warm milk @25°C
  • 200g unsalted butter soft
  • 50g caster sugar
  • 15g Maldon sea salt, ground
  • 5 eggs

Method

  1. Mix the warm milk with the yeast and 25g plain flour allow standing for 15 minutes to activate.
  2. Put the remaining flour into your mixing bowl along with the salt and sugar. Beat the eggs in a bowl then add the yeast sponge. Turn on the mixer with a dough hook and gradually add the eggs and yeast on a slow speed. Mix for 7 minutes then add the butter a blob at a time on a medium speed, continue until all the butter is added beat for 15 minutes.
  3. Cool in the fridge overnight or for a minimum of 1 hour. If overnight take from fridge and place in a warm spot for 1½ hours. Divide into 10-12 equal sized pieces and roll into tight balls. Butter and flour a baking sheet, brush with milk and egg, sprinkle with sesame seeds. Prove for 30 minutes. Pre-heat the oven to 200°C.
  4. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes reduce the heat to 175°C. and bake for a further 10 minutes. Cool on a rack

Homemade Tomato Chutney

  • 500g red onion, finely sliced
  • 1kg tomato, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, sliced
  • 1 red chilli, chopped (optional)
  • 4 cm piece ginger, peeled and chopped
  • 250g brown sugar
  • 150ml red wine vinegar
  • 5 cardamom seeds
  • ½ tsp paprika

Method

  1. Tip all the ingredients into a large heavy-based pan and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently.
  2. Simmer for 1 hr, then bring to a gentle boil so that the mixture turns dark, jammy and shiny.
  3. Place into sterilised jars and allow to cool before covering. Will keep for 6 weeks.
Mackeral

Chilli and Ginger Glazed Mackerel

  • 2 whole mackerel, filleted, pin boned and scaled
  • 20ml light soy sauce
  • 1 red chilli, de seeded and finely diced
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • Ginger, finely chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • 30g honey

Method

  1. Make the marinade by mixing all the ingredients together and pour over the mackerel. Cover and chill for 30 mins.
  2. Heat BBQ and put the mackerel, skin-side up, on a baking sheet lined with foil. Grill for 5 mins, then turn and baste with remaining marinade. Grill for 5 mins more.
  3. Serve immediately.