Caramelised Onion Jam and Goats Cheese Crostini and Red Pepper and Goats Cheese Crostini

AS SEEN IN MARLBOROUGH TOWN AND COUNTRY MAGAZINE - JUNE 2013


A friend recently asked me to organise a cookery party for her 50th Birthday. It was going to be something a bit different with a cookery demonstration and everyone "getting their hands dirty" making some of the dishes. It was great fun and and enjoyable way to spend the afternoon.

One of the canapes we made were crostinis with different toppings. They are really easy to make and the great thing about them is they can be made in advance.


Ingredients

1 french stick
olive oil
sea salt

For the onion crostini
1 jar of onion jam
4 oz piece of stilton

For the red pepper crostini
1 jar of roasted peppers
6oz soft goats cheese


Makes approximately 20 crostinis

To make the crostini bases

Slice the french bread into 1/2 inch thick slices. Lay on a baking tray in a single layer and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Place in the oven gas7, 200 degrees centigrade for about 15 minutes until the bread is lightly toasted. At this stage you can allow the bread to cool and place in an airtight container for 2 days.
When you are ready to assemble the crostinis lay them on the baking tray and spread with the onion jam and sprinkle with some crumbled stilton for the onion crostinis.
For the pepper crostinis place some roasted peppers on the bases and sprinkle with some crumbled goats cheese.
Place the crostinis in the oven gas 7, 200 degrees centigrade for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and melted and the crostinis are warmed through.

Indian Spiced Salmon with Basmati Rice and Peas

This is a delicious way to cook salmon as the spices lift the salmon fillet into something special.
It is also really easy and quick to prepare.

600g salmon fillets( skin removed)         1 inch piece fresh ginger ( grated)
1 garlic clove ( crushed)                                1 cinnamon stick
½ teaspoon turmeric                                      3 whole cloves
1 teaspoon chilli flakes                                   salt and pepper
1 large onion -chopped                             1 can chopped tomatoes
½ teaspoon black mustard seeds              juice of 1 lime to taste
½ teaspoon ground coriander                    fresh chopped coriander
½ teaspoon ground cumin                          1 green chilli,chopped

Cut the salmon into 2 inch pieces and place in a bowl with the garlic, chilli
flakes, turmeric and a pinch of salt. Stir cover and chill for 2 hours. ( you can
leave it for less time if you are short of time).

Warm the oil in a sauté pan. Add the onions and cook for 5 minutes.
Add the spices, chilli and salt and cook for 5 minutes.

Add the tin of tomatoes, lime juice and 200ml of water and simmer gently
for about 15 minutes until the sauce thickens.

 Place the marinated salmon in the pan of sauce, cover with a lid and simmer for 5
minutes until the sauce is thick and salmon is cooked through.
Sprinkle with the coriander and serve with some steamed basmati rice through which

you have stirred some cooked peas.