 Recipes from the Southern Hemisphere
Pavlova (an Aussie dessert classic)
1/2 cup egg whites, at room temperature (from about 4 eggs)
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon raspberry vinegar or red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
2 kiwi fruits, peeled and thinly sliced or 1 cup of another ripe fruit, such as peaches or nectarines
10 strawberries, green parts trimmed off, thinly sliced or other berries, such as raspberries or blackberries
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer), whip the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt in a clean, dry bowl until foamy. Add the granulated sugar, cornstarch, vinegar, and vanilla and continue whipping until stiff, smooth and glossy, about 8 minutes more. On a sheet of parchment paper cut to fit a sheet pan, use a pencil to draw or trace a circle 9-inches in diameter. Line the sheet pan with the parchment, pencil side down (you should still be able to see the circle). Spoon the egg whites into the circle, using the back of the spoon to smooth the top and sides of the disk. Bake in the center of the oven for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 300 degrees and bake until the meringue has puffed up and cracked on the top and the surface is lightly browned to the color of cafe au lait, about 45 minutes more. Turn off the oven, prop the oven door open, and let the pavlova cool in the oven at least 30 minutes, to room temperature. This ensures a gradual cooling, which protects the delicate meringue. Whip the cream and brown sugar together until stiff. Spoon it in the center of the cooled pavlova and spread out to within 1/2-inch of the edge. Arrange the slices of kiwi around the edge. Arrange the slices of strawberry in the middle. To serve, slice into wedges with a serrated knife.
Chilean Salmon Ceviche
2 cups lobster stock
2 cups clam juice
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup lime juice
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons grain mustard
1/4 tablespoon aji amarillo
2 (6-ounce) Chilean salmon fillets, cut into very thin slices
1 yellow tomato diced
1/2 bunch scallions, sliced
1/2 bunch cilantro, leaves chopped
1 bunch chives, chopped
3 sweet potatoes, peeled, steamed and sliced to 1/4-inch pieces
Combine lobster stock and clam juice and reduce by half. In a blender mix the orange juice, lime juice, dry mustard, mayonnaise, heavy cream, whole grain mustard, aji amarillo; then add it to the stock. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the salmon, tomato, scallions, cilantro, and chives and add in the stock juice. On a serving platter arrange a bed of sliced sweet potatoes and serve the ceviche on top.
Argentinean Steak with Chimichurri
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
2 jalapenos, roughly chopped
4 cloves garlic
4 bay leaves
1/2 cup freshly chopped Italian parsley
1/2 cup freshly chopped cilantro
1/2 cup freshly chopped oregano
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
1 (1 1/2 to 2-pound) flank steak
Preheat a grill or broiler to high.
In a blender, combine vinegar, jalapeno, garlic, and bay leaves puree until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and add the herbs. Whisk in the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Mix well and set aside. Season the flank steak with olive oil, salt, and pepper and grill/broil the steak for 2 to 3 minutes per side for medium rare. Slice the steak thinly, across the grain on the bias and serve with the chimichurri sauce.
Grilled New Zealand Rack of Lamb Grill Lamb Marinade
1 tablespoon black peppercorns, plus ground pepper
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup red wine
2 sprigs thyme
1/4 cup finely chopped garlic
1/2 cup canola oil
2 lamb racks, about 1 pound each, chine bone removed
2 tablespoons chopped chives, for garnish
In a small dry skillet, heat the peppercorns over medium heat until fragrant, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a pan large enough to hold the racks and add the mustard, soy sauce, red wine, thyme, garlic, and oil. Mix, add the racks, and turn to coat them. Marinate in the refrigerator, turning occasionally, at least 8 hours and preferably overnight. Prepare an outdoor grill or preheat the broiler. Season the lamb with the salt and pepper and grill over high heat, or broil, turning once, until brown and crisp, 12 to 15 minutes. Let rest 3 minutes before slicing.
Sosaties (Grilled Marinated Meat with Apricots - South Africa)
2 pounds lamb, cut into 1" pieces
1 pound pork, cut into 1/2" cubes
1 garlic clove, peeled
Salt, pepper
4 tablespoons oil
1 cup onions, chopped
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon tamarind paste
2 cups white vinegar
2 tablespoons apricot jam
2 tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in
2 tablespoons red wine
1/2 pound dried apricots
1/2 cup dry sherry
Place the lamb and pork pieces in a large bowl that has been rubbed with the clove of garlic. Season with salt and pepper, and toss. In a saucepan, heat the oil. Add the onions and saute for 5-6 minutes, then add the curry powder and garlic. Saute for another minute. Add the sugar, tamarind paste, vinegar, and jam and stir well. Stir the cornstarch mixture and add it to the onions, and cook, stirring constantly, until it thickens. This should take about 3 minutes. Cool, then add to the meat and toss well. Marinate for 2-3 days. One day before preparing the sosaties, combine the dried apricots and sherry in a small bowl, cover, and let sit overnight in the refrigerator. Drain meat from sauce and reserve. Thread lamb, pork, and apricots on skewers. Grill over charcoal until browned on all sides. Serve with heated reserved sauce. |
Merchant's Wine Picks for March
2005 Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
2005 Houghton Chardonnay Verdelho
2004 Hare's Chase Red Blend
2003 Boekenhoutskloof "The Wolftrap" Red
2004 Casa Silva Reserva Carmenere
2004 Cellos de los Siete
2004 The Winner's Tank Shiraz
2003 Montes Alpha Syrah
2003 Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre Apalta Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
2004 Marquis Philips Shiraz 9