Seaweed Salad

NAME: _Seaweed Salad

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INGREDIENTS/UTENSILS:
Sheets of thin seaweed. (See Notes)
2 tbsp rice wine
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp light soya
1 tsp rock or sea salt
1 shallot

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METHOD:
Cut the seaweed sheet into 2mm strips with scissors, place in a saucepan with plenty of water and bring to a boil, then immediately remove from heat, strain, and rinse. Set aside. (This step removes the sand and salt dust adhering to the seaweed and softens it preparatory to the next step.)

Meanwhile, in the saucepan, combine the liquid ingredients, salt, and a few thin slices of shallot, place over medium heat, add the seaweed back once the liquid has warmed through, stir several times, and allow to simmer gently until the seaweed is at the required degree of doneness. (I tend to leave a lot of texture in it.)

Turn out into a bowl and allow to cool in refrigerator.

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SERVING:
As a side with many Asian dishes, or just over steamed rice, an excellent flavour and

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NOTES:
I've used a few kinds of seaweed, the really crispy kinds that are used for nori and sushi rolls are NOT suitable, neither are the dyed green ones. You want naturally-dried seaweed and kelp for this dish. Or if you can pick it up fresh, that's even better. Remember that most kinds of seaweed are edible, but do consult a foraging website or manual first.

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ENJOY!

Roast Potatoes and Paprika Cream Vegetables

NAME: _Roast Potatoes and Paprika Cream Vegetables

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INGREDIENTS/UTENSILS:
8 small potatoes
1 zucchini
6 yellow button squash
1 green capsicum
1 medium carrot
1 tin crushed tomatoes
sprig rosemary
1 tbsp paprika powder
4 cloves garlic
1 litre chicken stock)
1 cup sour cream
1 cup yoghurt
100g sharp cheddar
small qty dripping or butter
Salt and pepper to taste

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METHOD:
Scrub and then boil potatoes in salted water. Place sprig of rosemary in water for five minutes then remove and set aside. Keep boiling until potatoes are soft, then set aside to cool. Meanwhile, boil stock to reduce to about half, then add the tinned tomatoes, garlic cloves, paprika, and the sliced carrot.

While this is simmering place the potatoes into a suitable baking dish, and crush crush the top of each potato, then add a pat of butter or dripping, several rosemary needles, some flaked salt, and enough crumbled cheddar cheese to top. Use a spoon or ladle to drizzle some of the stock and tomato over the potatoes, place in the oven at 210C.

Quarter the zucchini lengthways and chop roughly into cubes, similarly dice the button squash and capsicum. Add to the sauce, as well as a few needles of rosemary. Once the vegetables have softened but are not yet mushy, stir in the sour cream and turn the heat off.

Potatoes are done when the cheese and sauce topping browns slightly.

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SERVING:
Serve two potatoes pressed flat so they open up, top with vegetables, and spoon a dollop of yoghurt over. Serve at once.

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NOTES:
Something about yoghurt/sour cream and a salty paprika/tomato sauce is irresistible. If you use vegetable stock and olive oil, this is a vegetarian meal.

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ENJOY!

Fennel and Turmeric Rabbit Stew

NAME: _Fennel and Turmeric Rabbit Stew

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INGREDIENTS/UTENSILS:
1 kg rabbit
3 tbsp fat (I used half rabbit dripping, half olive oil)
3 - 4 cm of turmeric root
1 large or two mall fennel bulbs plus some stems and leaves
1 large brown onion
3 cloves garlic
2 carrots
1 parsnip
3 potatoes
3 tbsp mustard (American or Dijon)
salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp flour

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METHOD:
Joint the rabbit, salt very lightly, and fry the pieces slowly, reducing the heat to braise for about 10 further minutes once it has slightly browned. Remove pieces from pan and set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, peel and rough chop the onion, garlic, and fennel and a few sections of fennel stem and leaves if you have them, add to the pan on low heat, allow to braise slowly. After ten minutes grate the turmeric onto the onions, add the mustard and stir through, then remove the meat from the bones and cube to about 3cm, add to the pan, cover and allow to cook slowly for around 20 minutes, adding splashes of water if necessary to keep it moist.

Peel and dice the carrots, parsnip, and potatoes, dice, and add to the pot along with a few glasses of water, season to taste. Keep simmering until the vegetables are at the desired softness, mix the flour with a few tablespoons of water and add just enough to thicken. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

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SERVING:
Can be reheated but doesn't really gain anything, and besides, it's going to get eaten up anyway...

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NOTES:
You can add a sprinkle of nutmeg. And as to the rabbit dripping, you can use lard or beef or all olive oil or any combination - I just like that my rabbits have enough body fat to make dripping from. %) The mustard needs to have some bite but not overpower. I used Mild English in fact, but Dijon or American would have been better.

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ENJOY!