CRAB CAKES WITH SMOKED PAPRIKA AIOLI

Crab Cakes with Smoked Paprika Aioli

Serves 4 (2 cakes each) 

INGREDIENTS: 

800g/3½ cups crab meat, cooked 

4 slices of stale white bread, made into rough breadcrumbs

4 tbsps mayonnaise or the aioli  

2 drops of Worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped

1 lemon, juice and zest 

2 tbsps olive oil 

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

METHOD: 

1.   Place all the ingredients, except the olive oil, in a bowl and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well and form the crab mixture into eight round patties. Place in a fridge to set for at least an hour. 

2.   Once the crab cakes have set in the fridge then place a frying or skillet pan over a medium heat and add the olive oil, leave to heat for one minute. Then cook the crab cakes and cook for 3 minutes. Turn them over and cook for a further 2 minutes. They should be golden in colour.

SMOKED PAPRIKA AIOLI 

INGREDIENTS: 

3 eggs yolks

1 tsp Dijon mustard 

1 tsp smoked papika 

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

100ml extra virgin olive oil 

100ml vegetable oil 

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

 Method: 

1.    Crack three egg yolks into a bowl, followed by a tsp of dijon mustard, smoked paprika and a tbsp of white wine vinegar. 

2.    Measure out 100ml of vegetable oil and 100ml of extra virgin olive oil and whisk into the egg yolks slowly. The aioli will begin to form a thick liquid. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

GAZPACHO WITH CUCUMBER & DILL SALSA

GAZPACHO WITH CUCUMBER & DILL SALSA

Serves 6 

INGREDIENTS: 

100g/2 or 3 slices of slightly stale crusty white or sourdough bread 

1kg/2¼ very ripe tomatoes, diced


2 red peppers, deseeded and diced


1 cucumber, diced


2 scallions, chopped 

3 cloves of garlic, crushed


200ml/¾ cup extra virgin olive oil


2tbsp sherry vinegar


sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 

For the salsa

½ cucumber, diced 

2 tbsps fresh dill, chopped 

2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil 

METHOD: 

1.    Place the tomatoes, bread, peppers, cucumber, garlic, scallions, sherry vinegar and olive oil in a food processor and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Blend until smooth, then place in the fridge for an hour to chill. 

2.    To make the cucumber and dill salsa, mix the ingredients together in a bowl.

3.    Pour the gazpacho into bowls and spoon the salsa on top. 

PANNA COTTA AND ROASTED PEACHES INFUSED WITH ROSEMARY

PANNA COTTA AND ROASTED PEACHES INFUSED WITH ROSEMARY

Serves 4

4 moulds, 200 ml (7 fl oz) in size or Martini Glasses, or similar 

INGREDIENTS

For the panna cotta 

250ml double cream

1 vanilla pod/bean, split lengthways 

3 gelatine sheets/leaves

20g/2 tablespoons sugar

250ml/1 cup milk

For the peaches 

2 tablespoons butter, melted

2 tablespoons Marsala wine

1 tablespoons maple syrup

2 sprigs of  rosemary, leaves removed and finely chopped 

4 firm, ripe peaches, halved and pitted

METHOD:

1.    For the panna cotta: Pour the cream into a saucepan; add the vanilla pod and bring to the boil, then simmer until reduced by one-third. Remove the vanilla pod and scrape the softened insides into the cream.

2.    Soak the gelatine in the milk for about 15 minutes or until soft. Remove the gelatine, heat the milk until boiling, then return the gelatine to the milk and stir until dissolved. Pour the milk and gelatine mixture into the hot cream through a sieve, stir, then leave to cool.

3.    For the peaches, preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F. In a large shallow baking dish, combine the butter, Marsala wine, maple syrup and rosemary. Add the peaches and turn to coat with the butter mixture. Arrange cut side down in a single layer.

4.    Roast until the peaches are tender and cooking liquid is syrupy, 15-20 minutes, brushing with cooking liquid halfway through. 

5.    Turn out your panna cotta on to dessert plates and serve with the warm peaches on top. Drizzle the syrup over and garnish with a small rosemary sprig. 

SEAFOOD PAELLA

Seafood Paella

Serves 4-6

INGREDIENTS: 

olive oil


10cm/4 inch piece of chorizo, diced

2 onions, diced


4 garlic cloves, crushed


500g/4 cups paella rice


sea salt and freshly ground black pepper


1 tsp saffron threads 

1½ litre/4¼ cups fish stock, hot


400g/1¼ lbs monkfish fillets, cut into ¾-1¼ inch pieces

500g/2¼ lbs mussels, cleaned and de-bearded


10 prawns/shrimp, left whole, raw and unshelled


1 red pepper
, sliced 

2 lemons, cut into wedges to serve



METHOD: 

1.   Heat a large paella pan over a medium heat. Add a drop of olive oil followed by the chorizo. Leave to crisp for about five minutes, then add the onions, red peppers and garlic and cook for a further ten minutes.



2.   Stir in the rice and season with salt and pepper. Add the saffron threads, hot fish stock and leave to simmer for about 15 minutes.


3.   Scatter the pieces of monkfish over the rice and push under the surface with the back of a spoon. Lay the mussels and prawns over the top and simmer for another ten minutes, until the mussels have opened and the prawns are pink. 
 

4.   Serve with lemon wedges around the pan.



DUBLIN BAY PRAWNS PIL PIL

DUBLIN BAY PRAWNS PIL PIL

Serves 6

 INGREDIENTS:

100ml/½ cup olive oil

6 cloves garlic, sliced

1 tsp chilli flakes

30 fresh dublin bay prawns, raw, peeled with tails on 

2 tsps smoked paprika 

15ml/1 tbsp dry sherry 

Juice 1 lemon

1 tbsp flat leaf parsley, chopped 

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

METHOD: 

1.        Place a frying pan over a medium heat and add the olive oil, followed by the garlic and chilli – cook for two minutes. 

2.      Then toss in the fresh prawns, followed by the smoked paprika, dry sherry and lemon. Cook for a further five minutes. Just before you take off the heat, toss in the flat leaf parley. 

Lemon, Harissa & Olive Spatchcock Chicken with Bulgar Wheat, Cucumber & Dill

Lemon, Harissa & Olive Spatchcock Chicken with Bulgar Wheat, Cucumber & Dill

Serves 6 

INGREDIENTS:
1 whole chicken, about 1.4kg
2 preserved lemons, chopped
6 cloves garlic, smashed
50g/½ cup black olives, chopped
1 tbsp harissa
100ml/½ cup olive oil
For the Bulgar Wheat Salad
100g/¾ cup bulgar wheat
100ml/½ cup boiling water
1 cucumber, diced
4 spring onions/scallions, thinly sliced
2 tbsps flat leaf parsley, chopped
2 tbsps fresh dill, chopped
1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
100ml/½ cup extra virgin olive oil
juice of one lemon
3 garlic cloves, crushed
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 

METHOD:

1.    Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4. 

2.    To spatchcock the chicken, place it breast-side down, with the legs towards you. Using sturdy scissors cut along either side of the backbone to remove it, cutting through the rib bones as you go. Open the chicken out and turn over. Flatten the breastbone with the heel of your hand so that the meat is all one thickness. You can ask your butcher to do this for you if you prefer. Add the preserved lemons, garlic, olives, harissa and olive oil in a bowl and mix well.

3.    Place the spatchcocked chicken in a roasting tray and rub the preserved lemon and harissa mix all over the chicken. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Roast for 45 minutes or until cooked through. 

4.    While the chicken is roasting, prepare the bulgar wheat salad. Place the bulgar in a heatproof bowl and pour over the boiling water to cover. Cover the bowl with clingfilm and leave to soak for 20 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed. Fluff up with a fork, then stir in the cucumber, spring onions, and herbs. Whisk the oil, lemon juice and garlic together in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper. Add the dressing to the bulgar wheat salad and toss to coat. 

5.    Transfer the roast spatchcocked chicken to the centre of a large, warmed platter and spoon the bulgar wheat salad around the chicken to serve.

ALL AMERICAN BERRY TRIFLE

All American Berry Trifle

Serves 8 

Ingredients: 

450g/3 cups of fresh blueberries 

375g/3 cups of fresh raspberries 

75g/2 ½oz  caster/superfine sugar

3 tablespoons crème de cassis (optional)

300g/7oz madeira/pound cake, sliced

400ml/1 cup mascarpone cheese

500ml/2 cups tub custard

1 tbsp vanilla extract

300ml/1 cup heavy cream, softly whipped

Method: 

1.        Place 2/3 of each of the berries and sugar in a saucepan over a low heat and simmer for 2 minutes, then pour in the crème cassis and set aside to cool. 

2.      Place a layer of the cake at the bottom of a large trifle bowl, and spoon the berry mix on top.

3.      In a mixing bowl whisk together the mascarpone, vanilla extract and custard until smooth but make sure it doesn’t get to runny, you want it to remain slightly thick. Spoon on top of the cake and berries, followed by the softly whipped cream. 

4.      Chill for a couple of hours in a fridge and just before you serve decorate the top of the trifle with the reaming blueberries and raspberries. 

Raspberry & Rosemary Pavlova

Raspberry & Rosemary Pavlova

Makes 1 Pavlova

INGREDIENTS:

For the Pavlova:

9 egg whites 

500g/2½ cups caster sugar

2 tsps cornstarch

1 tsp white wine vinegar

1 tbsp rosewater

For the filling:

500ml/2 cups whipping cream

1 tbsp icing/confectioners’ sugar

1 tbsp rosewater 

200g/1¼ cups fresh raspberries

METHOD:

1.    Preheat the oven to 160°C and line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.

2.    Use an electric mixer to whisk the egg whites in a clean, dry bowl until firm peaks form. Gradually add the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking constantly until mixture is thick and glossy and the sugar completely dissolves. Add the cornstarch, vinegar and rosewater and gently fold until just combined. 

3.    Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking tray in a circle shape and use the back of a wooden spoon to shape the meringue into a nest. Place the meringue in the pre-heated oven and turn the heat down to 140°C and bake for 1.5hrs. Once the meringue is baked, turn off the heat, open the oven door and allow it to cool completely. 

When the meringue is cooled and ready to serve you can start assembling the filling. You don’t want to add the cream too far in advance as it will soak into the meringue. Gently whip the cream until it thickens and then whisk in icing sugar. Fold in the rosewater and then spoon the filling into the centre of the meringue. Add the fresh raspberries on top.

ROAST CHICKEN, TARRAGON & PANCETTA SALAD

Roast Chicken, Tarragon & Pancetta Salad

Serves 2

 INGREDIENTS:

1 tbsp olive oil 

70g/2½oz pancetta 

100g/3½oz pea shoots 

100g/3½oz freshly podded peas

2 tbsp chopped tarragon

200g/7oz roast chicken, shredded 

For the dressing 

50ml/1½floz. salted butter, melted  

juice and zest of one orange 

1 teaspoon of dijon mustard 

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 

METHOD: 

1.    Place a frying pan over a medium to high heat and add the one tbsp olive oil – followed by the pancetta. Cook the pancetta until it’s crispy, about two minutes. 

2.    Place all the ingredients for the dressing in a bowl and whisk together well. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. 

3.    Put all the remaining ingredients for the salad in a large bowl, pour the dressing on top, and the crispy pancetta - gently toss. 

4.    Divide between two plates. 

Summer Herb Chicken Kiev

Summer Herb Chicken Kiev

Serves 4 

INGREDIENTS:

100g/3.5oz butter, softened  

3 tablespoons mixed fresh herbs, finely chopped (I use flat parsley, marjoram, sage and thyme)

6 cloves of garlic, crushed 

4 organic chicken fillets 

75g/3oz plain flour 

2 eggs, whisked

100g/3½oz cheddar cheese, finely grated 

75g/3oz fine breadcrumbs 

vegetable oil, for frying   

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 

METHOD: 

1.  Pre-heat the oven to 180°C /350°F/gas mark 4.

2.  In a bowl mix together 2 tablespoons of the fresh herbs, crushed garlic and softened butter and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Spoon the herbed garlic butter into cling film, roll up into a shape of sausage and place in the fridge for 30 minutes or in the freezer for 10 minutes. 

3.  Place the chicken breast fillets in between two sheets of cling film. Flatten the fillets by bashing them gently with a wooden rolling pin, until they are even in size and about 1cm thick. 

4.  Remove the garlic and herb butter from the freezer and slice discs that are about 1cm thick. Divide the discs of butter between the flattened chicken fillets and place on one side of the chicken breast fillet, and fold the non-buttered side on top. Press down the edges of the chicken breast and pinch with your fingers. Cover with cling-film and place in a fridge to chill for 30 minutes.

5.  Place a frying pan over a medium/high heat and add enough vegetable oil to fill 2cm. Place the flour on a plate and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. On another plate pour the whisked eggs and on another plate mix together the breadcrumbs, the remaining fresh herbs and cheddar cheese.

6.  Remove the chicken from the fridge, dip each breast in the seasoned flour, then the egg and lastly the cheese and herb breadcrumbs. 

7.  Fry each breast in the vegetable oil for 2 minutes on each side, or until golden. Then transfer to the pre-heated oven to cook for 20 minutes. 

I like to serve the chicken kievs sliced on a warmed platter, with a dressed green salad.

Health Loaf Bread

Health Loaf Bread

Makes 2 loaves

 INGREDIENTS:

450g/3½ cups wholemeal flour 

65g/½ cup wheat germ, plus extra for dusting

65g/½ cup  plain white flour

65g/½ cup wheat bran

65g/½ ground flax 

1 tbsp ground spirulina 

225g/1¾ cup pin-head oatmeal

2 tsp soft brown sugar

2½ tsp bread soda or bicarbonate of soda

1 litre/2 (US) pints buttermilk

For the topping

2 tsp (one per loaf) wheat germ 

2 tsp (one per loaf) sesame seeds

2 tsp (one per loaf) pumpkin seeds 

METHOD:

1.    Pre-heat the oven to 230°C, 450°F, Gas Mark 8. 

2.    Pour all the dry ingredients in to a large bowl and mix together.

3.    Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and gradually stir in the buttermilk using a wooden spoon to make a moist dough. 

4.    Divide the dough between 2 greased 900g (2lb) loaf tins which have been dusted with wheat germ. Smooth the top and make a spacious cross on each one with a floured knife. Sprinkle with wheat germ, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds. 

5.    Place in the pre-heated oven at 230°C, 450°F, Gas Mark 8 for 10 minutes, and then reduce the heat to 140°C, 275°F, Gas Mark 1 and bake for 1 hour. 

6.    When the loaves are cooked, remove from the oven and partly cool in the tins, then turn out and leave to cool completely on a cooling rack.

Seaweed & Vegetable Salad

Seaweed & Vegetable Salad

SEAWEED & VEGETABLE SALAD

Serves 2 

INGREDIENTS:

20g/⅛ cup dried seaweed spaghetti 

1 apple, quartered, cored and grated 

1 beetroot, cooked, peeled and grated 

1 carrot, peeled and grated 

½ fennel, halved and grated  

80g/8oz canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed

80g/8oz salad leaves 

zest and juice of 1 orange

50ml extra virgin olive oil 

50g/½ cup toasted pumpkin seeds

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

METHOD:

1.   Re-hydrate the seaweed by soaking it in warm water for about 5 minutes. Drain and rinse briefly (if you don’t rinse the seaweed it can be a bit too salty). Drop the seaweed into a large pan of boiling water for 5 minutes, to cook and drain once al dente. 

2.   Place the grated apple and vegetables, sea spaghetti, salad leaves and chickpeas in a mixing bowl. Add the orange and lime zest and juice and extra virgin olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and toss well. Sprinkle the toasted pumpkin seeds on top and serve. 

Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce on Sourdough Toast

Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce on Sourdough Toast

Serves 2

INGREDIENTS: 

8 asparagus spears

1 tablespoon olive oil 

4 egg yolks 

200g/1 cup butter

juice of half a lemon 

4 slices Soughdough bread

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 

METHOD: 

1.          Toss the asparagus in one tablespoon of olive oil and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place a griddle pan over a high heat, and then arrange the asparagus on the pan and leave to cook for 2 minutes on each side. You can also roast the asparagus in a hot oven for 5-7 minutes. 

2.        Make your hollandaise sauce by first melting the butter. While the butter is melting pour the egg yolks into a food processor, followed by the juice of 1 lemon. Turn the food processor on to medium speed and slowly pour in the melted butter through the nozzle until all the butter is whizzed with the egg yolks and the sauce is a thick consistency. It's the best way I have ever come accross to make hollandaise. 

3.        Toast 4 slices of Sourdough and assemble on 2 plates, place 2 asparagus spears on each slice of toast and smoother with the hollandaise sauce. 

Asparagus Mimosa

Asparagus Mimosa

Serves 4 

INGREDIENTS:

20 asparagus spears (5 per person) 

1 tbsp olive oil 

2 eggs, hard boiled 

For the dressing 

1 tbsp fresh basil, torn 

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 

juice of one lemon 

1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

80ml/½ cup extra virgin olive oil

METHOD:

1.          Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/350°F. 

2.        Toss the asparagus in the olive oil and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place on a baking sheet and  bake in the the pre-heated oven for 10 minutes. 

3.        Whisk together the lemon juice, shallot, fresh basil and Dijon mustard. Season with freshly ground black pepper and sea salt. Then whisk in the extra virgin olive oil in a slow stream.

4.       Halve the eggs, then force through a medium-mesh sieve into another small bowl or finely chop. 

5.        Toss the roasted asparagus with 1 tablespoon of dressing in a large bowl, then divide the dressed asparagus among 4 plates. Spoon additional vinaigrette over asparagus and sprinkle the egg on top.

HAZELNUT & HERB CRUSTED LAMB CHOPS WITH PEA & WILD GARLIC PURÉE

HAZELNUT & HERB CRUSTED LAMB CHOPS WITH PEA & WILD GARLIC PURÉE

HAZELNUT & HERB CRUSTED LAMB CHOPS WITH PEA & WILD GARLIC PURÉE

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS: 

3 racks of lamb (with approx. 6 cutlets on each rack) 

2 tbsp of a mix of fresh rosemary, thyme and flat leaf parsley, finely chopped 

120g/¾ hazelnuts, roasted and very finely chopped 

2 tbsp olive oil 

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 

For the pea and wild garlic puree 

75g wild garlic, chopped 

600g/4½ cups frozen peas

75g/5 tbsp salted butter 

 METHOD: 

1.          Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/350°F. 

2.        Remove the racks of lamb from the fridge at least 30 minutes before cooking. Prep the lamb racks by scoring the fat and searing  the fat of the lamb on a hot pan. In a small bowl mix together the chopped fresh herbs , finely chopped roasted hazelnuts and olive. Then press on top the fat of the lamb. Place in the pre-heated oven to cook for 15 minutes

3.        To make the pea puree, cook thefrozen peas in a saucepan of boiling water for 4 minutes, then drain. Place the cooked peas in a food blender along with the wild garlic and butter. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Blend until you get a smooth consistency. Remove from the food blender and place in a saucepan until you are ready to serve.

Slice the rack of lamb into individual cutlets. Spoon the wild garlic pea puree in the center of four warmed plates and lay 3 lamb cutlets on top. Garnishwith wild garlic flowers and a pert wild garlic leaf.

Harissa Chicken Wings with Cashel Blue Aioli

Harissa Chicken Wings with Cashel Blue Aioli

Serves 6-8

INGREDIENTS 

For the Chicken Wings
900g/2lbs chicken wings

70ml/⅓ cup Greek yogurt

3 tbsp harissa paste

2 tbsp honey

juice from 1 lemon 

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground cinnamon

2 garlic cloves, crushed 

sea salt & freshly ground black pepper

For the Aioli 

2 free range egg yolks

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

100ml extra virgin olive oil 

100ml vegetable oil 

½ clove of garlic, crushed 

100g/5oz Cashel Blue cheese, crumbled

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 

METHOD 

1.     Pre heat your oven to 220°C/450°F or gas mark 7.

2.     Combine all the ingredients for the chicken wings (except the chicken wings) in a large bowl. Then add the chicken wings to the bowl and thoroughly coat them in the marinade. Cover the bowl with cling film and leave in the fridge for up to 1 hour, ideally overnight. 

3.     Remove the chicken wings from the fridge at least 30 mins before cooking and then place on a baking sheet. Bake the chicken wings for 40-45 minutes, turning once half way through to make sure they are evenly cooked.

4. While the chicken wings are cooking, make the Cashel Blue Aioli by and placing the egg yolksin a bowl, along with the teaspoon of Dijon mustard. Lightly whisk the egg yolks and mustard together and then slowly pour in the vegetable oil and olive oil – you can combine both oils into a jug to make it easier to pour. This will make the mixture become thick and creamy like mayonnaise.  Lastly, stir in the crushed garlic and crumbled Cashel Blue cheese then season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 

5. Once the chicken wings are cooked, remove from the oven and serve with the Cashel Blue Aioli on the side for dipping.

Bloody Mary

Bloody Mary

Serves 1 

INGREDIENTS

1 shot of Vodka

Juice of ½ a lemon

3 dashes Worcestershire sauce

3 dashes Tabasco sauce

180ml/6floz tomato juice

Pinch of celery salt

freshly ground black pepper

ice cubes 

½ celery stick, to serve

METHOD

1.    Pour the vodka, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce and tomato juice into a glass, season with celery salt and freshly ground black pepper, and mix well with a spoon.

2.    Serve with a stick of celery and 3 ice cubes in each glass

Smashed Avocado & Feta Toast

Smashed Avocado & Feta Toast

Serves 2 

INGREDIENTS:

1 ripe avocado, peeled and stone removed 

1tbsp mint, finely chopped  

juice of ½  lemon 

80g/3oz good quality feta

1 tsp dried chilli flakes

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 slices of sourdough bread 

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 

 METHOD:

1.    Place the ripe avocado in a bowl and mash using a fork. Then add the fresh mint and lemon juice and stir. 

2.    Add the feta and dried chilli flakes to the avocado, season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, and mash again. 

3.    Toast the two slices of sourdough bread and smear with the smashed avocado and cheese.  Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil on top.

15 minute Chilli Prawn Linguine

15 minute Chilli Prawn Linguine

Serves 4 

INGREDIENTS: 

500g/16 oz dried linguine

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 garlic cloves, finely slices 

2 fresh red chilies, deseeded and finely chopped

450g/14 oz large raw prawns, peeled 

juice and zest of 1 lemon

1 tablespoon of fresh ginger, grated 

2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

METHOD:

1.        Place a large saucepan filled with water over a high heat and bring to the boil. Season with sea salt. Once the water has come to the boil, stir in the linguine and cooked for 10 minutes. 

2.      While the pasta is cooking, place a large frying pan over a medium heat, and add the olive oil, followed by the garlic, fresh ginger and chilies and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Increase the heat to high, add the prawns and the lemon juice. Cook, stirring, for 3–4 minutes, or until they turn pink and are just cooked through. 

3.       Drain the pasta, and return to the saucepan, stir the prawns into the pasta, along with the Italian parsley, one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and lemon zest. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, and toss well.

Three Seeded Health Loaf

THREE SEEDED HEALTH LOAF

Makes 2 loaves

INGREDIENTS:

450g/3 cups wholemeal flour 

65g/½ cup wheat germ, plus extra for dusting

65g /½ cup plain white flour

65g /½ cup wheat bran

65g/½ cup ground flax 

225g/8oz pin-head oatmeal

2½tsp soft brown sugar

2tsp bread soda or bicarbonate of soda

1 litre buttermilk

For the topping

2 tsp (one per loaf) wheat germ 

2 tsp (one per loaf) sesame seeds

2 tsp (one per loaf) pumpkin seeds 

METHOD:

1.         Pre-heat the oven to 230°C, 450°F, Gas Mark 8. 

2.        Pour all the dry ingredients in to a large bowl and mix together.

3.        Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and gradually stir in the buttermilk 

4.       Divide the dough between 2 greased 900g (2lb) loaf tins which have been dusted with wheat germ. Smooth the top and make a spacious cross on each one with a floured knife. Sprinkle with wheat germ, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds. 

5.        Place in the pre-heated oven at 230°C, 450°F, Gas Mark 8 for 10 minutes, and then reduce the heat to 140°C, 275°F, Gas Mark 1 and bake for 1 hour. 

6.       When the loaves are cooked, remove from the oven and partly cool in the tins, then turn out and leave to cool completely on a cooling rack.