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Wild Mushroom Risotto

Wild Mushroom Risotto recipe

“W” in our Vegetarian Alphabet… OK we’ve had to bend the rules a little as our Mushrooms weren’t actually foraged as it the wrong time of year for most of them. But you get the idea I hope?

Today’s bit of useless information. Auricularia auricula-judae go by many common names. As you can see by their Latin name “Wood Ears” is one of the more polite versions. “Jews Ears” is the older and now generally redundant version. Legend has it that Judas Iscariot hung himself from an Elder Tree after betraying Jesus. The Elder is the favoured host species, so the similarity to ears and legend combined to give this interesting like Fungus it’s name. In fact there’s likely to be very little truth in this particular legend as Elder prefer colder and wetter conditions, also the wood if very brittle and doesn’t support much weight before snapping. But who am I to question an good myth?!

Ingredients:-

Wild Mushrooms (We had a pack of dried Auricularia auricula-judae from the local Chinese Supermarket and a pick of Woodland Mushrooms from the Supermarket)
Vegetable Stock
1 Large Onion, finely chopped
3 Cloves of Garlic, minced
Risotto Rice
A Small (125ml) bottle of White Wine
Butter (Or Margarine)
Fresh Parsley to garnish
Grated Italian style Cheese
Lemon Juice
Salt & Pepper to season
Olive Oil
Dried Thyme

Method:-

(1) If you are using dried Mushrooms rehydrate them according to the instructions.
(2) Fry the Mushrooms in Butter or Margarine and set aside.
(3) Add more Butter (Margarine) and Olive Oil to the frying pan.
(4) Gently fry the Onions until they are translucent.
(5) Add the Rice dry and stir it to coat.
(6) Add the Wine and simmer to reduce whilst stirring regularly.
(7) Add the Garlic and Thyme.
(8) Add the Stock little by little stirring continuously.
(9) Once to liquid has been absorbed add the Mushrooms and stir well.
(10) Just before serving stir in the Italian Style grated Cheese.
(11) Season with Salt & Pepper to taste.
(12) Plate up and squeeze a little Lemon juice over and garnish with fresh Parsley.

 

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Sweet & Sour Pork

This was the second meal from the discounted Pork Shoulder. So four hearty plates plus side plates for Smooh the Cat at £3.84

Ingredients for the battered Pork:-

700g of cubed Pork Shoulder
250g Self raising Flour (Gluten free in our case)
Chinese Five SpiceIngredients for the battered Pork:-
Turmeric
Garlic Salt
Sparling Water

Method:-

(1) Marinade the Pork cubes in Soy Sauce, Onion Salt & Pepper in the fridge for an hour.
(2) Mix the dry ingredients and dredge the Turkey cubes.
(3) Add sufficient Sprinkling Water to make a thick batter.
(4) Coat the Pork in batter individually.
(5) Heat the fryer to 170c.
(6) Fry in small batches until they float and are golden brown. If you have a probe you are looking for 76c in the middle, but not much more.
(7) Drain on kitchen paper.

Ingredients for the Sweet & Sour Sauce:-

1 Onion, finely chopped
1 Red Pepper, chopped
2 Cloves of Garlic, minced
1 Thumb size piece of fresh or fermented Ginger, minced
Tomato Ketchup
Cider Vinegar
Pineapple Juice
Chilli Flakes
Cayenne Pepper
Soy Sauce
Salt & Pepper
Oil

Method:-

(1) In a large pan or Wok fry the Onions and then add the Garlic & Ginger with the dry seasonings.
(2) Add The Red Pepper.
(3) Add the Soy Sauce, Tomato Ketchup and Vinegar.
(4) Simmer and add the Pineapple juice.
(5) Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to reduce.


We served ours on a bed of Rice noodles dressed with fried sliced fresh Red Chilli and Leek. A handful of Rice Noodles thrown in the fryer puff up like Prawn Crackers and add a bit of crunch. We’ve made a number of variations on this theme and they are becoming much more ‘Traditional’ tasting. We’d certainly have been happy to pay restaurant prices for this meal.

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