It's a Chef's Life

  Thai curry paste is so delicious, and simple to make. Just blend all of your ingredients in a food processor, I used to chop all of mine by hand because I didn’t have a food processor but save time and use a machine. One red onion, chopped roughly 2 cloves garlic 3 inch piece of ginger, peeled and chopped roughly Stems of 6 stalks of lemongrass, chopped roughly Kaffir lime leaves Toasted whole coriander, ground in a mortar and pestle, or substitute ground coriander Stalks of a bunch of coriander, chopped roughly Tamarind paste Chili, I like the flakes but use fresh or a chili paste if you prefer. This should make enough for two curries Method: Fry your curry paste in neutral oil (canola, sunflower, etc) until fragrant. Add one can of light coconut milk and fill the can with water and add. Bring to a boil and season with fish sauce and agave nectar (or brown sugar/palm sugar if you have it) until you have the right balance of seasoning you will be able to...

I love the Brazilian skirt steak that I have been getting from my butcher. My mother used to always marinate our steaks in Worcestershire sauce and bottled Italian salad dressing, try it it is the best! In the absence of both I marinated this is in HP sauce and olive oil, red wine vinegar, a touch of agave nectar, dried tarragon and dried thyme, in the absence of bottled dressing.  I like to sear my steaks on the stove and finish them in a hot oven (220 C). Serve with butter beans dressed in walnut and arugula pesto for a lovely meal. 

 This pesto is part of a recipe from the blog Chocolate and Zucchini, which I have been following since 2004, it is one of my favorite food blogs. This pesto coats butter beans, or white beans as is called for in the recipe.  Pesto is a super useful thing to know about; it can go in pasta, risotto, grilled or roasted chicken, or on crostini for a great party snack.  You can use any nut or green, tradition being pine nuts and basil, or hazelnut and spinach or almond and kale. It is just important to season it well with sea salt. Parmesan cheese is optional! Arugula and Walnut pesto Handful of toasted walnuts Two large handfuls of arugula Extra virgin olive oil Maldon sea salt 2 cloves garlic Blend all ingredients in a food processor and taste for seasoning. Keeps for a week in the fridge.

  A trip to my local gourmet store yielded this bounty. Materials for making homemade Thai curry paste and some extras for dinner tonight. I started making curry paste 17 years ago when I lived in Sydney, fresh is far superior to the jar version! It is very easy it just requires lots of ingredients. Watch this space.

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