Cooking with Paula McIntyre

Braised local beans with parma ham and spaghetti 1 stick celery, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 25g butter 4 slices parma ham, shredded 1 tablespoon tomato puree 250g mixed beans ( runner beans and green beans) topped tail and cut into 2cm pieces 250g local tomatoes cut the same size or whole if cherry tomatoes 250ml stock 300g dried spaghetti 75g hard cheese like parmesan/ Cais na Tire/ pecorino Handful fresh basil, parsley or lovage, chopped 1 tablespoon of good olive oil Cook the onion, garlic and celery in the butter in a pan over low heat – keep a lid on and give it a stir occasionally, for 15 minutes or until soft. Add the ham and cook for a couple of minutes. Mix in the tomato puree and add the beans, tomatoes and stock. Place the lid on and simmer for 10 minutes. Cook the spaghetti for 10 minutes and then drain and add to the braised beans. Mix in the cheese and herbs. Check seasoning and serve in bowls with a drizzle of the good oil.

Recipe Florentines 50g butter 50g soft brown sugar 50g golden syrup 50g plain flour 100g chopped mixed nuts ( pistachio, hazelnuts, almonds) 75g mixed dried fruit ( apricot, cranberry, raisins etc) Set oven to 180oc and line 2 trays with parchment paper. Melt the butter, sugar and syrup in a pan. Remove from heat and beat in the flour to a smooth paste. Mix in the buts and fruit. Take a tablespoon of the mixture and place on the baking tray and flatten slightly. Repeat with remaining mixture, leaving space in between as they spread when cooking. Bake for about 10 minutes and cool to set. Blackcurrant icecream 150g blackcurrants 1 tablespoon Brandy or fruit liqueur 1 tablespoon liquid glucose Juice ½ lemon 250g sugar 4 egg yolks 500ml double cream Place the blackcurrants with the brandy, glucose, lemon juice and 50g of the sugar in a pan and simmer for 10 minutes. Blend and cool Whisk the remaining sugar with the egg yolks in a heat proof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Whisk for 2 minutes then whisk with an electric whisk for another 3 minutes or until pale. Whisk the cream to soft peaks. Fold the egg yolk mixture into the cream and then fold in the blackcurrant mixture. Place in a plastic tub and freeze until set. Scoop the icecream and sandwich between 2 Florentines.

Recipe Scones 225g soda bread flour ½ teaspoon baking powder 50g butter 35g castor sugar 1 egg 125ml buttermilk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 egg yolk Sift the flour and baking powder into a bowl. Add the butter and rub until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. ( For best results chill at this stage for an hour) Add the sugar and mix well. Set oven to 190°C and lightly butter 2 baking trays. Whisk the egg, buttermilk and vanilla together and add to the flour mixture Mix to a soft dough and place on a floured surface. Knead gently. Roll to 2cm thick and cut into desired shapes and place on baking trays. Brush the top with egg yolk and bake for about 20 minutes or until golden, risen and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped. Strawberry and elderflower jam 500g strawberries 500g jam sugar or granulated sugar 1 tablespoon lemon juice 2 elderflower heads If the strawberries are large, cut them in half. Put the strawberries and lemon juice into a large pan. Heat for a few minutes to soften, add the sugar and stir over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Add the elderflower heads. Once the sugar has dissolved and the liquid is clear, boil steadily for about 6 minutes, or until at setting point. To test if the jam is at setting point, spoon a little onto a cold plate, leave for a minute and then push the jam with your finger. If the jam crinkles and separates without flooding back, setting point has been reached. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes. Remove the elderflowers. Spoon into sterilised jars, label and seal with wax paper and a lid. Split the scones, add some jam and a little clotted cream.

Recipe Southern Fried Chicken 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs 150ml buttermilk 1 teaspoon fresh chopped thyme 1 clove garlic, crushed 150g plain flour Half a teaspoon mustard powder 2 teaspoons onion powder 1 teaspoon garlic powder Half a teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon sweet smoked paprka Half a teaspoon of salt Oil for cooking Mix the buttermilk with the minced garlic and thyme. Add the chicken and marinate in the fridge for a few hours Mix the flour with the mustard, onion, garlic powders, pepper, salt and paprika. Remove chicken from buttermilk and dredge in the flour mixture. Set oven to 180oc.Heat half a thumb nail depth of oil in a pan until a little flour added sizzles. Add 4 of the thighs and cook for 2 minutes each side. Transfer to a baking tray. Repeat with remaining chicken and cook in oven for 10 minutes or until crisp and cooked through. Waldorf Salad 75g walnuts 35g castor sugar 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 4 sticks celery, finely chopped plus leaves 2 red apples, quartered, cored and chopped 75g smoked cheddar cut into half cm dice 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 150ml sour cream Heat the sugar in a small pan until it turns amber. Add the balsamic and 25ml water. Cook to a liquid and toss in the walnuts and place on parchment paper to cool. Chop the walnuts and mix into the other ingredients.

Recipe 4 mackerel filleted, pin bones removed and trimmed ( ask your fishmonger) Oil for brushing Seasalt for seasoning Heat your barbecue or a hot pan ( if you’re worried the pan might stick, line the bottom with parchment paper). Brush the skin with oil and season with salt. Place skin side down and cook for about 3 minutes or until skin is crisp. Season the flesh with salt and flip over. Cook for another minute and rest. Elderflower Yoghurt 200ml Greek Style yoghurt 1 teaspoon black onion seeds 1 teaspoon hot honey 1 dessertspoon elderflowers chopped ½ teaspoon seasalt Toast the onion seeds in a dry pan until they pop then mix into the yoghurt with the hot honey, elderflowers and salt and mix well. Beetroot Salad 2 medium beetroots, peeled and coarsely grated 1 red onion, finely sliced 1 tablespoon oil 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar Salt and pepper to taste Fry the onion in the oil until soft and mix into the beetroot with the vinegar and season well. Allow to marinate for an hour, tossing occasionally, before serving. Serve the mackerel on some beetroot salad with a dollop of the yoghurt on the side. Garnish with some elderflowers and parsley/lovage

Recipe Salsa verde Handful basil Handful parsley Handful mint leaves 2 cornichon chopped 4 capers 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon white balsamic or lemon juice 75ml olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Blend together 500g lamb leg steaks Oil for rubbing Seasalt 500g baby potatoes, boiled, cooled and cut in half 8 scallions, split in half lengthwise 75g feta cheese Rub the lamb leg steaks with oil and season with seasalt. Place on grill and cook for 3 minutes each side. Allow to rest. Toss the potatoes in a tablespoon of oil and place on the grill cut side down. Cook until marked and flip over, scatter with salt. When cooked toss a dollop of the salsa verde in and mix well. Place the scallions on the grill to wilt and toss into the potatoes. Place on a platter. Slice the lamb and arrange over the potatoes. Drizzle over the remaining salsa and crumble over the feta.

Recipe Salsa verde: Handful basil Handful parsley Handful mint leaves 2 cornichon chopped 4 capers 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon white balsamic or lemon juice 75ml olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Blend together 500g lamb leg steaks Oil for rubbing Seasalt 500g baby potatoes, boiled, cooled and cut in half 8 scallions, split in half lengthwise 75g feta cheese Rub the lamb leg steaks with oil and season with seasalt. Place on grill and cook for 3 minutes each side. Allow to rest. Toss the potatoes in a tablespoon of oil and place on the grill cut side down. Cook until marked and flip over, scatter with salt. When cooked toss a dollop of the salsa verde in and mix well. Place the scallions on the grill to wilt and toss into the potatoes. Place on a platter. Slice the lamb and arrange over the potatoes. Drizzle over the remaining salsa and crumble over the feta.

Recipe Custard Cream 225 ml milk 2 egg yolks 75 g caster sugar 10 g plain flour, sieved 10g cornflour 250ml double cream Simmer the milk. Whisk the egg yolks, sugar, cornflour and flour and then pour over milk. Whisk well and return to pan over low heat. Stir constantly until custard is thick. Pour into a bowl and cover surface with cling, cool and chill. Whip the cream to stiff peaks and fold in the custard. Poached rhubarb 4 thin sticks rhubarb, cut into 2cm pieces 75g castor sugar 150ml water Place the sugar and water in a saucepan and simmer until sugar has dissolved. Add the rhubarb and grenadine and gently simmer until just done – keep an eye to make sure it doesn’t over cook. Cool. Pastry Crisp 1 pack ready rolled puff pastry Icing sugar for dusting Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set oven to 180oc. Dust over the top with icing sugar evenly with a sieve. Place another sheet of parchment on top and then top with a baking tray. Bake for about 15 minutes or until pastry is crisp and golden. Divide into 8 rectangles with a serrated knife. To assemble 250ml double cream whipped Fold the custard into the cream. Spoon a quarter onto 4 of the pastry crisps. Top with rhubarb Top with another crisp and dust with icing sugar

Recipe Peanut butter cake 100g soft butter 50g smooth peanut butter 100g soft brown sugar 2 eggs 75ml natural yoghurt 100g self raising flour Line a 25 x 20 cm tin with parchment paper and set oven to 180oc. Mix the butter, peanut butter and sugar with an electric whisk until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time and whisk well. Whisk in the yoghurt and flour to a smooth batter and spoon into the tin. Bake for about 20 minutes or until an inserted skewer. Allow to cool. Turn out onto a tray and remove parchment. Vanilla Cream 350ml double cream 1 teaspoon vanilla paste 20g icing sugar Whisk the cream to peaks and fold in the vanilla and sugar. Place in a piping bag and pipe over the cool cake. Flamed strawberries 400g strawberries, hulled and cut in half 1 tablespoon icing sugar Place the strawberries cut side up on a metal tray and dust over the icing sugar. Flame with a blow torch until sugar has melted, Cool and place on cake.

Recipe Sobrasada buttered tomatoes 75g sobrassada 25g butter 1 red onion finely chopped 200g halved cherry tomatoes Handful parsley chopped 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar Salt and pepper to taste Heat the sobrasada in a pan until it melts and add the butter and onions. Cook until the onions are soft and add the tomatoes. Cook for a minute then add the parsley and vinegar. Check seasoning. Grilled corn 2 ears corn Oil for brushing Boil the corn in salted water for 2 minutes then drain and pat dry. Brush with oil and cook on the grill to scorch all over. Remove the niblets and season with salt. Grilled monkfish 500g monkfish tail 1 tablespoon oil Seasalt Trim any skin from the monkfish. Rub the oil over the monkfish and season with salt. Place on grill and cook for a couple of minutes each side – depending on thickness. Monkfish should feel firm but with a little give. Allow to rest and slice Serve on the tomatoes with the corn mixed in.

Jerk spiced pork with grilled pineapple salsa 750g pork belly slices 2 cloves garlic 1 onion, chopped 25g root ginger, chopped 1 green chilli 1 teaspoon all spice 1 teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground cloves ½ teaspoon nutmeg ½ teaspoon black pepper 1 bay leaf shredded 2 teaspoons thyme leaves 65g dark brown sugar Zest and juice 1 lime Blend the garlic, onion, ginger, chilli, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, black pepper, bay and thyme to a smooth paste. Mix in the sugar and lime and then rub in all over the pork. Marinate for a few hours. Rub off the marinade and place the pork on a grill. Heat the marinade up in a pan and when the pork is cooked add to the marinade. Grilled pineapple salsa 1 pineapple 1 red onion 1 teaspoon finely chopped red chilli 2 limes 25ml olive oil 1 teaspoon sugar Peel the pineapple and cut in quarters through the root. Remove stalk from middle and cut each quarter in half. Place on a hot grill to mark and then chop into 1cm dice. Finely chop the chilli and add with the lime zest. Cut the limes in half and grill until black then squeeze into the mix. Add the oil, sugar, and season with salt.

Recipe Meringues 3 egg whites 175g castor sugar 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar 1 teaspoon cornflour Set the oven to 120oc and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Whisk the egg whites in a clean bowl to stiff peaks. Slowly add the sugar, whisking all the time. Whisk in the vinegar and cornflour. Spoon into a piping bag preferably with a star nozzle. Pipe onto the baking tray. Cook in the oven for about an hour or until firm to touch and allow the meringues to cool in the oven when you turn it off. 500ml double cream 500g strawberries Half of the meringues above Lightly oil a loaf tin and line with cling film. Remove the green from the strawberries and set 8 aside. Finely chop the rest. Whip the cream. Crush the meringues with your hand coarsely and add to the cream with the chopped strawberries. Spoon the mixture into the tin, cover with cling and freeze for a few hours. Remove from freezer half an hour before you want to serve. Remove from tin and take off cling. Half the remaining strawberries and top the parfait with them and some of the remaining meringues. Slice and serve.

Recipe: 3 egg yolks 160g castor sugar 190g soft butter 250g plain flour 1 heaped teaspoon baking powder Beat the butter with half the sugar until pale and fluffy. Whisk the egg yolks and remaining sugar for a minute. Mix the egg yolk mixture, flour and baking powder into the butter mixture to a smooth dough. Line 2 x 8 inch cake tins with parchment paper or 6 individual tins or ring moulds. Divide the dough in 2 and roll each one into a ball. Place on parchment paper and place another sheet on top. Roll out to a circle to line the bottom of the tin and press up the side a bit. Repeat with other tin and then chill for an hour. Set oven to 170oc and cook the sables from the fridge, for about 20 minutes or until golden. Cool. Poached Rhubarb 8 stalks rhubarb, cut into 2cm pieces 1 litre local apple juice 500ml water 50g castor sugar 50g honey 2 tablespoons grenadine Place the water, honey and sugar in a large saucepan and simmer until sugar has dissolved. Add the apple juice and bring to a simmer. Add the grenadine and then the rhubarb. Cover the surface with parchment paper and lower the heat to as little as possible. Cook for about 3 minutes then turn off and allow the rhubarb to cool in the liquor. Place in a sterilized kilner jar and seal. Store in the fridge and use as necessary. More than you’ll need for the recipe but will keep in the fridge for a few months. Honey cream 250ml double cream whipped 1 tablespoon honey Bee pollen Mix the honey into the cream. Spoon some rhubarb onto the shortcake. Pipe on the cream and sprinkle over the bee pollen.

Grilled picanha steak, hash browns, café de Paris butter 4 x 175g picanha steaks Salt Remove steaks from fridge half an hour before cooking and season with seasalt. If cooking in a pan – place steaks fat side up over medium heat and cook until fat is rendered and golden. Flip and cook to your liking. Allow to rest. Keep the fat for the hash browns. Café de Paris butter 250g soft butter 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 tablespoon oil 1 shallot,finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon curry powder 2 anchovies, chopped 1 teaspoon capers 1 tablespoon ketchup 1 teaspoon English mustard 35ml Brandy 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce Handful parsley Cook the shallot and garlic in the oil until soft and golden. Cool and then blend with the butter and other ingredients to a smooth paste. Wrap in a sausage shape in cling and chill. Slice and serve on the steak. Any excess can be frozen. Hash browns 4 medium rooster potatoes 1 heaped tablespoon plain flour 1 egg Good pinch salt Oil for cooking Boil the potatoes for 10 minutes then drain and cool. Coarsely grate and mix in the flour, egg and salt. Add a little oil to the beef fat. Press the mixture into moulds and then cook for 2-3 minutes each side until golden.

Wild garlic mole 1 tablespoon oil 1 shallot, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, minced Handful wild garlic leaves, shredded Handful coriander chopped 75g purple sprouting broccoli 2 green chillis, deseeded and chopped 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds Zest and juice 1 lime 50ml olive oil Shred the broccoli and cook in boiling salted water for a minute. Drain and cool. Cook the onion and garlic in the oil until soft and add the chillis. Cook for a minute. Place the mixture in a jug and blend with the wild garlic, coriander, broccoli, pumpkin seeds, lime juice and zest and oil. Check seasoning. Tostadas 6 soft flour tortillas Oil for cooking Cut 3 rounds out of each tortilla. Fry in oil until crisp and set aside. Grilled asparagus 8 asparagus stems Oil for brushing 75g feta cheese crumbled Bring a pan of water to the boil and season with salt. Trim the tough bottom of the asparagus and add to the water. Cook for about 3 minutes – check if a knife goes in. Drain, brush with oil and cook on a grill pan to mark. Cut the stems into 4 slices Spoon some mole onto the tostadas and top with asparagus and crumble of feta.

Teasmoked brined chicken 8 boneless chicken thighs 500ml water 1 teaspoon mustard seeds 2 cloves garlic, smashed Few sprigs rosemary or thyme 20g seasalt 50g brown sugar 1 tablespoon cider vinegar Simmer the water with the mustard, garlic, herb, salt, sugar and vinegar until the sugar has dissolved. Cool completely and add the chicken. Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight. Remove from brine and pat dry 50g longgrain rice 25g Demerara sugar 1 dessertspoon tealeaves Line a roasting tray with foil and scatter over the rice, sugar and tea. Mix well. Place a rack on top and add the chicken. Cover tightly with foil and cook on a high heat for 5 minutes then turn heat off and allow to rest for a few minutes. Peri Peri sauce Roast garlic 1 bulb garlic broken into cloves Oil to cover Place in a ramekin, cover with oil, cover with foil and bake in a 180oc oven until soft. Cool and peel the garlic and place back in oil 4 red chillis 50ml extra virgin olive oil 50ml red wine vinegar 4 cloves roast garlic 1 teaspoon smoked paprika ¼ bay leaf, shredded Salt to taste Brush the chilis with oil and place in 180oc oven for 10 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes then peel and remove seeds ( keep them in if you want it hot). Blend with the garlic, oil, vinegar, paprika and bay. 1 tablespoon maple syrup Place the chicken, skin side up, on a baking tray. Mix the maple with 2 tablespoons of the peri peri and brush all over the chicken. Cook for about 12 minutes or until cooked through. Remaining peri peri will keep in the fridge for a couple of weeks. Cucumber salad 1 little gem Handful mixed leaves ½ cucumber 25ml balsamic vinegar 75ml oil Salt and pepper Peel and slice the cucumber. Break the gem into leaves. Drizzle the vinegar and oil all around a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Add the leaves and cucumber, toss around and serve.

Recipe Lemon shortcake 200g soft butter 150g castor sugar 2 egg yolks 150g plain flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 50g ground almonds Zest of 2 lemons 4 tablespoons lemon curd Beat the sugar and butter until pale and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks, flour, baking powder, almonds and lemon zest ( keep the lemon juice for the syllabub) Wrap in cling and chill for an hour. Set oven to 180oc. Line a baking tin with parchment paper. Coarsely grate half the mixture into the tin and press around evenly. Spread over the curd. Top with the remaining grated mixture and bake for 30 minutes or until golden and firm. Cool in the tin for about 20 minutes before cutting into squares. Lemon Syllabub Juice of 2 lemons 50g castor sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract 250ml double cream 100ml yoghurt Simmer the lemon juice with the sugar until the sugar dissolves. Cool. Whip the cream and fold in the lemon mixture. Fold in the yoghurt and vanilla. Spoon or pipe into glasses and serve with the biscuits. A few raspberries could be added on top.

Recipe Grilled leg of lamb with wild garlic and almond pesto 4 x 175g lamb leg steaks 1teaspoon fennel seeds ¼ teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon castor sugar 1 teaspoon seasalt 1 tablespoon oil Grind the fennel seeds as finely as possible and mix in with the oregano, sugar and oil. Rub all over the lamb and refrigerate for a couple of hours. Remove from fridge half an hour before cooking. Wild garlic and almond pesto 35g wild garlic leaves, washed in cold water, patted dry in kitchen paper and shredded 35g flaked toasted almonds 75ml olive oil Zest 1 lemon ( keep the juice for the skordalia) Salt and pepper to taste Blend well and check seasoning. Carrot Skordalia 4 medium carrots – preferably local, scrubbed and cut in half lengthwise 1 tablespoon oil ½ teaspoon seasalt Juice 1 lemon 50ml good olive oil Take a sheet of parchment paper and place carrots on top. Drizzle over the tablespoon of oil and scatter over the salt. Gather into a parcel and bake in a 180oc oven until tender – about 40 minutes. Chop the carrots and blend with the lemon juice and oil and any cooking juices. Add a little water to loosen up if required. Check seasoning. To Cook Lamb Heat a large grill pan until smoking hot and add the lamb. Cook for 3 minutes then flip over and cook for a couple of minutes on the other side. Spoon some of the pesto over the top of each steak and allow to rest. Serve with the skordalia.

Recipe Biscuit base 200g chocolate oaty biscuits, crushed 65g melted butter Mix together and press into a pie tin up the sides a bit and chill. 100g chopped dates 50ml PX sherry Mix, cover and leave overnight. 150g chopped dark chocolate 150g chopped milk chocolate 150ml double cream 25ml banoffee toffee 25g butter Place the chocolates in a heat proof bowl. Heat the cream, butter and toffee in a pan until bubbling, pour over the chocolate and stir until melted. Add the dates and mix well. Pour into the biscuit base and smooth off. Chill for a few hours to set but take out of fridge at least an hour before serving. 250ml double cream whipped 25g dark chocolate Pipe the cream over the top and finely grate the chocolate all over.

Recipe Coconut Rice Pudding 100g pudding rice 450ml coconut milk – 1 tin 150ml whipping cream 25g honey 25g castor sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Rinse the rice pudding for a minute in a sieve under cold running water. Place the pudding rice in a pan with the coconut milk, cream, honey, sugar and vanilla and gently simmer for about half an hour or until rice is cooked through. Poached and caramelized pineapple 1 pineapple 350ml pineapple juice 25g brown sugar Peel the pineapple and remove the “eyes”. Quarter, remove the core and cut the pineapple into 3cm slices. Place in the pineapple juice and gently simmer until the pineapple is just done. Remove pineapple and add the sugar to the liquid. Boil until thick and syrupy and return the pineapple to the liquid and mix well. Candied puffed rice 50g castor sugar 2 teaspoons water 30g rice crispies 10g desiccated coconut Heat the sugar and water over high heat in a pan until the sugar turns to a golden caramel liquid – don’t stir. Remove from heat and mix in the crispies and coconut. Turn onto a sheet of parchment and cool. Spoon the rice pudding into bowls, top with some pineapple ( any leftover will keep in the fridge for a week) and scatter over some of the candied puffed rice.