Fig tree to fork Israeli Spicy Fig Chutney | What is the national dish of Israel?

Wayne @NationalDish — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 21:54:01 +0000

Fresh figs straight from the tree and into a spicy chutney for cheese.
Photograph: Wayne Morgan – nationaldish.co.uk © 2017

In sunless England we don’t generally manage to grow exotic ingredients and whilst figs grow well (I grew these myself), they tend not to be as sweet as sunnier climates. So what to do with them. Quartered and covered in honey is stunning, but, make a savoury fig chutney out of them you’d better keep an eye on them, because they are about to elope with all your cheese and get married.

Israeli Fig Chutney | איור צ'אטני

If you want to keep this, you'll need to sterilise some jam jars and their lids or it can be eaten straight away (once it's cooled, obvs) and will last a couple of days in the fridge. This also best made the day before you need it.

CourseDips and bits, Side Dish
CuisineIsraeli, Middle Eastern

Servings3 Normal sized jam jars

Prep Time15 Minutes

Cook Time45 Minutes

Passive Time30 Minutes

Ingredients

250ml red wine
10whole figsstalks removed and roughly chopped
1medium red onionsliced
2 tangerinespeeled, seeds removed and roughly chopped
250ml water
1 star anise
1good sprig rosemary
2tbls honeythe runny stuff
1tsp garlic powder
2tsp cayenne pepperwant less of a kick use less cayenne
1tsp ground ginger
2 bay leaves

Instructions

First of all, pick the figs (or take them out of the packaging. If you are picking your timeframe is short - if it looks almost ready you can expect the insects to get to it by morning. Ready is when a drop of juice is appearing at the bottom.
Start by reducing the red wine in a saucepan, bring it to the boil and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
Whilst that's doing, chop up with the figs and tangerines and have your other ingredients on standby.
When the wine is ready lob everything in to the pot with the water and stir whilst bring back to the boil.
Let it simmer for about half an hour, until the liquid has reduced and thickened and then turn off the heat and let it cool. When cooled remove the rosemary, star anise and bay leaves.
If preserving, using ultra clean hands and a spoon, fill the jars, put lids on and refrigerate. If you're gonna eat it that day or tomorrow - put in a bowl, cover with clingfilm and refrigerate. It's best served chilled.
Thank you Israel

תודה לישראל

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Serrano Ham, Goats Cheese and Peach Salad | ensalada de Serrano, queso de cabra y melocotón | What is the national dish of Spain?

Wayne @NationalDish — Tue, 25 Jul 2017 13:41:38 +0000

A real crowd pleaser and simple to boot – goats cheese salad with Serrano ham and peaches
Photograph: Wayne Morgan – nationaldish.co.uk © 2017

It’s sunny and you want something fast and healthy. This is only labelled Spanish because I used Serrano ham – but you can use any dry cured med ham, such as Parma – so it’s basically a Mediterranean thing. So much more than a goats cheese salad.

The critical thing and the reason to make this, is the peach, goats cheese and the dressing – it’s sunshine on a plate and rather impressive.

Cold drinks are a must and English ‘Dry’ Cider, especially Stowford Press, cuts nicely through the honey lemon dressing and enhances the flavour of the goats cheese. Sounds total nonsense doesn’t it? Try it first…it’s skill!

Serano Ham, Goats Cheese and Peach Salad | ensalada de serrano, queso de cabra y melocotón | What is the national dish of Spain?

Of all the cured hams in the world, Serrano ham is up there with the best. You can use Parma ham, but there is actually a difference.

CourseSalad, Side Dish, Starter
CuisineSpanish
KeywordSalad, Spanish Food

Servings2 people

Prep Time15 minutes

Cook Time0 minutes

Ingredients

1bag mixed salad leavesI'd go for a rocket mix, lamb lettuce is great too - even watercress or spinach
2fresh peachescut in to 8 segments each
5slices Serrano hamuse Parma Ham and this becomes Italian, use English honey roast ham and it becomes gross - so don't
125grams goats cheesego for full fat, English and French are good
1tbls honeyclear
1handful pine nutsroast these gently in a dry frying pan
1/2fresh lemonthe juice
1pinch sea salt flakes
1pinch ground black pepper
1tbls olive oilextra virgin

Instructions

The picture alone should show you how to make this. Put a pan on medium high heat and add the pine nuts - let them dry roast in the pan, don't let them catch too much - shake the pan frequently.
Whilst the Pine Nuts are doing their thing get a serving platter out and a chopping board. Slice the peaches in half, remove the stone and slice in to eight wedges. At the same time cut you goats cheese in to bite sized chunks or just rip it apart for a more Jamie Oliver style finish - it's doesn't matter.
If you need to, wash your salad leaves and give them a whizz in a salad spinner. Get the Serrano ham and remove it from those little plastic sheets - unless you've sliced it off the leg yourself, you sexy bitch.
Your nuts should be done by now. Get a jar and add the oil, honey, salt, pepper and lemon juice and shake it up and taste - adjust accordingly, usually more honey or salt.
On the platter add all the prepped ingredients, sprinkle over the dressing and give them a gentle toss - you want the goodies throughout. For aesthetics arrange it so you can see some of each of the ingredients - just look at the pic.
Thank you Spain

The post Serrano Ham, Goats Cheese and Peach Salad | ensalada de Serrano, queso de cabra y melocotón | What is the national dish of Spain? appeared first on National Dish.

honey Archives | National Dish

Fig tree to fork Israeli Spicy Fig Chutney | What is the national dish of Israel?

Serrano Ham, Goats Cheese and Peach Salad | ensalada de Serrano, queso de cabra y melocotón | What is the national dish of Spain?