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Monday, October 31, 2011

Chicken and Mushroom Risotto

Risotto is the name given to a dish that uses rice as the main component, which is cooked in broth to a creamy consistency and  served as first dish in a traditional Italian lunch or dinner. It can be eaten as is, although risotto is generally enjoyed with other ingredients added.  Rice’s distribution across the country gave origin to hundreds of recipes which contain components of different local cultures. Generally the rice is slowly cooked in stock, vegetable, fish or meat based, but other liquids can be used. Grated or ground parmesan cheese is almost always sprinkled on top.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Cauliflower Soup

Cauliflower is a vegetable, an annual plant that reproduces by seed and only the white head of aborted floral meristems is eaten, while the stalk and surrounding thick green leaves are used in vegetable broth or discarded. Cauliflower can be eaten baked, boiled, deep-fried, pureed, raw, sautéed, or steamed. I like all different kinds of soup, so here is an excellent addition with wonderful flavor and texture.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Turkey Lasagna with Rustic Italian Salad

Lasagna is both a type of noodle and a dish made with that noodle; when pluralized, lasagna noodles are known as “lasagne”. Lasagne are long, flat, broad noodles which are ideally suited to layering in a baking dish to make a sort of noodle pie with an assortment of ingredients which may include meats, cheeses, and tomato sauce. Most markets carry lasagna noodles, often in an assortment of flavours including spinach, whole wheat, and plain. “Lasagna” is derived from the Greek lasanon, which means “chamber pot.” The Romans borrowed the word to refer to cooking pots of a similar shape and eventually the word came to be used to refer to the noodles which were traditionally layered in a lasanum, a Roman lasagna dish.


Sunday, October 2, 2011

Featuring Peter Coulson’s “Ocean Trout Pie with Lemon & Chive Sauce”

Born in Richmond, Melbourne, I served my apprenticeship as a plumber and later moved to Emerald Beach with Pandora whom I have known since our childhood days. We established our own plumbing business and later became the proud parents of two wonderful girls. To cook food is a big part of my life and I am inspired by my wife “Pandora” who always encourages me to use the freshest quality ingredients available. As a keen surfer I enjoy weekends away camping by the beach with friends and family and cooking outdoors.

I enjoy cooking all types of food especially Pasta, Stir Fry, Chicken & Mushroom Pie. My most regular comfort meal is “Fish Pie” which is considered to be the nicest dish I make and one that has been altered over the years from the original recipe. My favourite classic dish is “Roast Lamb”. I have recently discovered Shiitake Mushrooms which I like to use in food preparation. 

The most essential item in our kitchen is the “DeLonghi” coffee machine which is used daily. My favourite kitchen tools are the Garlic & Lemon crushers which have proven so useful in preparing many dishes. I believe every home kitchen should have ingredients such as salt and pepper, garlic, fresh herbs from the garden, tomatoes and vegetables sourced from the local market. A cooking tip I give to my girls is always clean as you go, it is so nice to enjoy a home cooked meal knowing you don’t have to face a sink of pots and pans afterwards.

One of the cook books I constantly refer to is “The Great Prawn” however I do have a collection of various Seafood cook books. My favourite chef is “Paul Mercurio”, he utilizes the freshest produce sourced from local Australian regions and he also makes food preparation fun. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the expressions on people’s faces while they enjoy my food. Cooking is leisure time for me. It is our family tradition that I make our daughter’s birthday cakes and each year I like to create a different theme and design.

I reminisce on a kitchen incident when I was making pancakes. I was working my magic thinking I was great at flipping the pancakes. One of the pancakes I flipped had too much power behind it, looking up it landed on my face, that's what I call "Fast Food".

Peter’s Ocean Trout Pie with Lemon & Chive Sauce