Monday, September 30, 2013

Cooking Lab - Garlic Prawn & Asparagus Heart Tart

These gorgeous sweet heart tarts will put a smile on everyone's face. Scrumptious prawns with asparagus are perfect as an entree dish or light lunch.

Got this secret recipe from a friend who got it from her mum. Very guarded recipe! 

Sensitive information (treat with caution) - now I can see why! They are so good, once the news is out, everyone will be asking you to make them for every dinner party!

Such sweethearts!~
Very pleased!


(c) GMV - Got My Vote!"*\(^o^)/*

Such an endearing dish. Pretty, colorful and delicious. ~ 
Ingredients:
- Garlic Prawns (See previous Cooking Lab recipe)
- Asparagus Tips
- Puff Pastry (6 sheets) $3.99
- Eggs x 3
- MAZZETTI Balsamic Vinegar Glaze $6.99
- Wild Rocket
- Parsley - roughly chopped
- Caramelized Brown Onion slices 
- Roasted CherryTomatoes 
- Chargrilled artichokes 
- McCain's Original Potato fries $2.50
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Italian Blue Cheese $7.00
1. Preheat oven to 220C or the grill option.
2. Grease the bake tin with some oil or butter (This will prevent stickiness and allow pie to slide out easily.)
3. Cut out the heart shapes from pastry, lay gently into the baking tin.
(Handy Tip: Use dental floss to measure the width and length around the heart tin. Line the dental floss on the pastry and let it be the guide to perfectly cut out the right sizes. Clean, easy and disposable. Who would have thought of such an use for dental floss but someone who hate to see the dentist !! ^o^)
Variation 1:
4. Lightly coat the top edges with some egg to ensure a golden-kissed look.
5. Whisk 3 eggs and add some chopped parsley, then salt & pepper. (The 1st variation is just plain egg mixture.)
6. Line asparagus stems & potatoes at the base (I forget to buy the potato, so I used potato fries as substitute - tasted fantastic!)
7. Add the chargrilled artichokes.
8. Pour in the egg mixture into the baking tin.
9. Add mozzarella cheese on top, and
10. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes.
11. Add caramelized onion slices, roasted tomatoes and garlic prawns on the tart in the final 3 minutes. 
12. Just out of the oven. Stunning crisp golden heart tart filled with loads of goodness.
13.  Add the roughly-chopped parsley and rocket on top.
14. Then add some blue cheese for that extra flavor 'Oomph' punch! (Optional).
15. Drizzle balsamic glaze across the pie. Add some lemon juice if you wish.
Appetizing garlic prawn tarts. Perfect as a starter or light snack!
Variation 2:
Pretty much the same method as Variation 1, except the chopped parsley are embedded into the egg mixture.

Perfect to fool the big & small kids into eating their greens! Ha~ :)

Add some asparagus tips to decorate.
Add some cracked pepper and top it off with shaved Parmesan slices.l
The finished presentation!


Double hearts and double delights!!

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Cooking Lab - Crisp Prosciutto wrapped Asparagus w Caesar Aioli

Lightly grilled asparagus wrapped in thin crispy Proscuitto with rich dressing.

Simple yet elegant entree or as a side dish. 

A stunning beautiful dish.


(c) GMV - Got My Vote!" ^_−☆

Tender grilled baby asparagus w crispy prosciutto. Topped with a slight anchovy flavored Caesar aioli dressing for the perfect finishing touch.
Asparagus are in season. Fresh and crisp. Couldn't help myself but bought 3 baby bunches home.
Ingredients:
- 2 bunches asparagus woody ends trimmed and discarded.
- 3 thinly sliced of good imported Prosciuttos.
- Herbed olive oil to grease
- Shaved Parmesan, to serve.
- Lemon wedges, to serve.
Method:
1. Preheat oven to Grill or to +200C
2. Wrapped 6-7 thin asparagus in each slice of Proscuitto. 
(Because Proscuitto is a cured meat and can become quite salty, I tend to wrap multiple asparagus together.)
3. Place all on a baking tray.
4. Prepare some herbed olive oil on stand-by. 
(Tip: Use the oil from the antipasto products - ie sundried tomato, chargrilled pepper etc - they will add depth to the flavoring.)
5. Lightly brush some herbed olive oil on the tips and ends of the asparagus. (The prosciutto has already got some fat, so they don't need any oil.)
6. Grill for 8-10 minutes.
7. When the asparagus became tender & the Proscuitto should be crisp. Remove from the oven.
8. In a small bowl, whisk together the Caesar Salad Dressing & PRAISE aioli.
Product Info: 
- CARDINI - The Original Caesar Dressing 350ml $4.99
(This is the tastiest one on the market, rich and creamy.. plus it has got a nice anchovy taste, just too perfect for this dish!)
- PRAISE Deli Style - Chipotle Aioli 250ml $2.99 (This turned out to be a very versatile mayonnaise sauce. Great with wedges and good for various dishes.)
9. Plate the asparagus and spoon the caesar aioli dressing over the asparagus and prosciutto. 
10. Top with shaved Parmesan cheese and season with pepper. Serve with lemon wedges.

The perfect side dishes for the warmer days. Refreshing with lemon juice.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Cooking Lab - Footy Final Gourmet Hot Dog

Today is the Footy's grandest day! 
The 2013 AFL grand final!
Hawthorn vs Fremantle.

The boy is excited and decided to embrace the grand final fever in the comfort of his castle by hosting a BBQ party with all his mates!!

We see kilos of steak, sausages and more meat. Cases of beers and chips & snacks. No salad or greens allowed the boys decided.

The girls want more something fancier than a plain cave-manlike carnivore feast.

Lunch: (while we still have the control of the kitchen) - Gourmet-Style hot dogs coming up!


(c) GMV - Got My Vote!' (^.^)

These gourmet hot dogs tasted fantastic than your normal mere-blanched Frankfurt with tomato & mustard sauces.
Who says Footy Final snack can't be fancy and elegant?
Ingredients:
- DON's Footy Franks (both skin-on & skinless)
- TIPTOP Hot Dog Rolls x 12 (2 packs)
- Onions x 6 sliced
- Rocket Salad
- Tomato
- Hommus Dip
- Sauerkraut 
- Parmesan Cheese
- German mustard 
- BBQ/Tomato sauces
Preparation:
1. Warm up the BBQ grills/pans with some oil.
2. Cook the onions until fragrant and golden.
3. Grill the Frankfurts. 
Variation 1:
I tried to fool the boys by passing-off this version as their 'normal' footy Frankfurt by burying all the green rocket underneath. :)

The charred onions are perfect match with grilled Frankfurt. With generous tomato sauce on top and a little sprinkle of Parmesan cheese -  I almost got away!! 

'These are quite nice, anymore?'
Variation 2:

Well, with that encouragement, I am more bold to add 'my' preferred toppings.

a) I toasted the bun in the oven slightly for a crunchy taste.
b) Halved the Hot Dog bun and generously spread with the Hommus dip.
c) Add ample (generous) rocket leave and topped with grilled onions.
d) Place the grilled Frankfurt into the bun.
e) Drizzle BBQ sauce on top and sprinkle Parmesan cheese to finish it off.

"Hmm... this looked very different...?"
"Hmmmm ~~ this is REALLY good!!"
Variation 3:

The boys' acceptance to greens are high at the moment - so, the perfect timing to add more salad.

a) Halved the hotdog buns.
b) Thinly spread the German Mustard at the base.
c) Add grilled onions, sauerkraut and fresh rocket salad. (This time I didn't bother to hide them at the bottom)
d) Insert tomato slices at the side.
e) Top it off with more German mustard.
f)  Add BBQ/ or Tomato sauce with sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

"There are salad in this Hot Dog......*hesitant*...that is not right, right?" A newcomer just joined.

"You will like it so much you will be converted." The rest of the boys pronounced with conviction.

"Hey, it's good!!" The newcomer nodded excitedly. "How did you do it? It is not messy to eat and nothing falls out!"
"Perhaps you girls would like to put some fancy touch to the BBQ?" The boys suggested.

"Sorry Boys, I've got an invitation to fine dining tonight. Enjoy the game and your man-style BBQ!"

Or the vast Footy Snacks!
It is such a beautiful day to enjoy the game!
Last Gourmet Hot Dog! Served with a bottle of beer with side Sauerkraut and mustard.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Cooking Lab - Garlic Prawns

Glamorous Entree or a great Quick Meal in 15 minutes. 

Tender juicy Prawns in garlicky sauce with a hint of chilli. Serve with crusty sourdough from CBD!

Bursting with flavors. Very pleased.


(c) GMV - Got My Vote!" (^O^)/ 

Ingredients

-Wild Caught Banana Fresh Prawns 300g
-4 cloves of Garlic finely minced
-Butter - 1t/s
-Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 1/4 cup
-Dried Chilli Flakes 
-Parsley - Finely chopped
-Lemon wedges to serve

Method:

1. De-shell and De-vined the prawns leave the tails intact.

2. Marinate the prawns in white wine for over night.

3. Preheat oven to 180C.

4. Add butter and Spanish olive oil to pan until butter has melted.

5. Once the oil is sizzling hot, add the minced garlic, the prawn and lastly the chilli flakes.
6. Coat the prawns throughly for 1 minute.

7. Transfer them into a Heavy Terracotta earthware Dish and into the oven and cooked for 5 minutes.

8. Scatter the chopped parsley on top. Add some salt and pepper & lemon juice if desired.

9. Serve with crusty bread to soak up the garlic sauces.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Cooking Lab - Miso Infused Lamb Cutlets w Oden Soup

Hmmmm..... I feel like some lamb cutlets!

いらっしゃい!

ここでは美味しくで簡單なレシピを紹介してます。どれも本當に簡單です。

ぜひ、挑戰して感想コメください!!


(c) GMV - Got My Vote!" (^_^)

Juicy succulent lamb cutlet marinated in red wine and rubbed with miso paste.

Served on a golden crispy hash brown. YUM!!!

A healthy dose of side salad.

(Baby Spinach with cucumber, tomato and roasted capsicum. Topped with creamy Brie cheese and Japanese natto in roasted sesame dressing.)

Very refreshing and balance out the meaty lamb.
The finished presentation!

Double-decker for friend with minimal salad! ^^
With a bowl of hearty Seafood Oden Soup and assorted fishcakes.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Cooking Lab - Teppan Yaki Soba (鉄板焼そば)

Being away for a week certainly leave the fridge pretty bare.

Before replenish the stock, I just need to make do with what is left and come up with something pretty spectacular otherwise we are going to eat out!

Simple and delicious Teppan Yaki Soba that is ready in 15 minutes


(c) GMV - Got My Vote!" (^_^)

Teppan means Hot Iron Plate in Japanese. Teppan YakiSoba simply means stir-fry Yaki Soba noodles on a hot iron plate.

Tonight, its just the good o French TAFAL non-stick frying pan to create the same effect :) 

Ingredients:
- Yaki Soba noodles x 3 packs.
- Pork loin slices 100g
- Broccoli 
- Mushrooms 2 cups 
- Shaved Bonito flakes
- Japanese mayonnaise.

(Like pizza, yakisoba is pretty much a japanese dish for the leftovers. You can add carrots or other greeneries, prawns or beef for more gourmet taste.)
Cooking Direction (美味しい召し上がり方):

1. Heat a small amount of oil. Stir fry meat & vegetables as desired. (フライパンに少量の油引き,肉,野菜等お好みの具お炒めて下さい。)

2.Add Yaki soba noodles 1/4 cup of water, yakisoba sauce and mix well. 

3. Serve on a dish. Garnish with pickled ginger and dried bonito flakes.
Product Information:

a) MIYAKOICHI(都一)Yaki Soba Noodles 3 packs. Product of Japan.

b) Sliced Pork Loin 豚シャフ  薄切リ(Ideal for Stir-fry or Hot Pot シャブシャブ用スライス) 500g $9.50

c) Marutomo マルトモ - Dried & Shaved Bonito 花かつお. 25g Product of Japan.

A pretty tasty dish with limited ingredients. Just in time to catch the 8:30pm movie session :)