Tasty tofu

August 9, 2021September 7, 2023 ~ Corrie ~ 2 Comments

Ever eaten a dry, tasteless tofu skewer? Me too… But it doesn’t have to be this way! Tofu can be an intimidating ingredient if you don’t know how to cook it, but done right, your tofu dishes will be bursting with flavour and taste scrumptious.

Teriyaki tofu steaks with broccoli
Serves 2 / Hands on time 10 mins / Total time 40 mins
You’ll need: 20cm oven-proof dish
280g firm tofu, drained
200g tender-stem broccoli
4 whole spring onions, outer layer removed and ends trimmed
For the marinade
2 tbs light soy sauce
1 tbs sweet chilli sauce
1 tbs maple syrup
1 tbs mirin
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp garlic oil or 1 garlic clove, crushed
1 knob of ginger, grated
To serve
Boiled rice or noodles
Black sesame seeds (optional)

Method 
1. Pre-heat an oven to 200°C/180°C fan/400F/gas mark 6.
2. Drain the tofu and cut into thick steaks and place in the oven-proof dish before putting to one side.
3. In a bowl, combine the marinade ingredients together and pour evenly over the tofu steaks. Give the dish a shake until all the tofu is evenly covered. Bake in an oven for 15 mins, before taking out and carefully turning the steaks over – I do this by inserting a fork into each tofu steak and carefully flipping them over. Return to the oven for 15 more mins.
4. Meanwhile, use this time to cook the rice or noodles. Steam the broccoli and the spring onions together 5 mins before the tofu is due to come out.
5. Remove the tofu from the oven and leave to rest for 5 mins before lifting the steaks out and placing them on top of rice or noodles. Scrape out any remaining sticky sauce and top the tofu with it. Serve with the steamed greens and a sprinkling of black sesame seeds.

Braised tofu & kale bulgur bowl
Serves 4 / Hands on time 45 mins / Total time 45 mins
300ml cold water
120g bulgar wheat
1 Knorr vegetable stock pot (½ for the stock, ½ for the stock)
1 tsp sesame oil
1 medium onion, roughly sliced
¼ tsp sea salt flakes
1 tbs balsamic vinegar
1 tbs light soy sauce
2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
500ml boiling water
125g Shiitake or chestnut mushrooms, sliced
280g firm tofu, cut into 8 thick slices
4 handfuls chopped kale
2 spring onions, finely chopped to serve(optional)

Method
1. Measure out the bulgur wheat and pour into a small saucepan along with 300ml of cold water and half a vegetable stock pot. Place over a medium to high heat until boiling before turning down and simmering for 8 mins. Once the water has absorbed, remove from the heat, give it a quick stir and cover with a lid. Put to one side.
2. Meanwhile, warm 1 tsp of sesame oil in a large pot with a lid over a medium heat. Add the chopped onions, ¼ tsp sea salt flakes and 1 tbs of balsamic vinegar. Give it a good stir and pop the lid on. Turn down the heat slightly and allow to soften for 10 minutes – stirring occasionally.
3. Once the onions have softened, add the garlic along with a dash of stock and cook for a further 2 mins. Add the soy sauce, the rest of the vegetable stock and the mushrooms. Up the heat and bring to the boil.
4. Reduce the heat and carefully submerge the 8 tofu slices into the broth, before covering with a lid and cooking for 10 mins. Once the tofu is cooked, add 4 handfuls of kale directly on top the tofu and cover again for a further 5 minutes.
5. Loosen up the bulgur wheat by stirring with a spoon and divide into bowls. Top with the braised tofu and sprinkle with chopped spring onions.

Peanut tofu with roasted greens
Serves 2 / Hands on time 20 mins / Total time 50 mins
You’ll need: A baking tray and a wok or large frying pan
1 tsp rapeseed oil or rapeseed oil spray (see tip below)
396g pack of firm tofu
1 can chickpeas, drained
100g tender-stem broccoli
4 spring onions, trimmed
2 tsp light soy sauce
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
½ lime, quartered
Satay sauce
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tbs boiling water
3 tbs crunchy peanut butter
1 tbs light soy sauce
1 tbs rice vinegar
2 tbs sweet chilli sauce
To serve
Brown rice or bulgur wheat to serve (optional)
Freshly chopped coriander (optional)

Method
1. Preheat your oven to 200°C/180°fan/400°F/gas mark 6. Drain the block of tofu and cut into large chunks. Line a baking tray with baking paper and place your tofu chunks on it, evenly spaced apart.
2. Bake in the oven for 10 mins before turning the tofu and continuing to bake for 5 more mins. Meanwhile, make the satay sauce by combining all of the ingredients together in a medium sized bowl, large enough to include the tofu later. Put to one side.
3. Drain the chickpeas and prepare the veg by trimming the stalks of the tender stem and halving the spring onions.
4. Once the tofu is cooked, remove from the oven but keep the oven on. Transfer the tofu a bit at a time to the satay sauce coating the cubes carefully with a spoon. Once all the tofu is well coated, put to one side to marinate. If you’re making rice or bulgur wheat, now is good time to put it on (I recommend cooking just 50-60g for 2 people or you may end up with too much food).
5. On the same baking tray you cooked the tofu on, add the broccoli, spring onions and chickpeas. Drizzle with a tsp of sesame oil and 2 tsp of soy sauce and bake in the oven for 15 mins, giving it a shake halfway through. 10 mins before the vegetables and chickpeas are due to come out the oven, heat a tsp of sesame oil in a wok or large frying pan over a medium to high heat. Once hot, add all the tofu along with all the sauce and fry until sticky and a bit singed. The sauce will stick to the pan a bit as it’s quite sweet but simply scrape it off with a wooden spoon – these bits will add a delicious burnt caramel flavour.
6. Divide the cooked rice or bulgur wheat (if using) between two bowls and top with the chickpeas and greens. Spoon over the tofu and finish with a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of chopped coriander (optional).

If you’ve had a go at making any of my recipes, I’d love to hear from you. Follow me now @corrieheale and tag your recipe pictures using #corriesrabbitfood.

Summer salads

July 15, 2021July 15, 2021 ~ Corrie ~ 6 Comments

Salads! The go to lunch choice for many of us, but there’s a point when you no longer look forward to the same old tuna salad with balsamic dressing. So, jazz up your salads this summer by adding variety, texture and a bit of creativity to your salad bowl.

HOW TO BUILD YOUR SALAD
Two handfuls of leaves: If buying a bag of salad leaves, I would stick to either rocket, watercress or spinach – they last longer than mixed bag varieties. I tend to buy baby gem or just regular lettuce and chop it up as I need it. It’s cheaper and lasts a lot longer – sometimes up to two weeks!

One handful of vegetables or salad: Here are a few ideas I like that are quick and easy to make yourself. Cold baked sweet potato/butternut squash chunks, minted new potatoes, roasted carrots with dill and lemon (see recipe below) mixed roasted vegetables, tomato and onion salad (see recipe below), roasted peppers.
Feeling lazy? Shop bought deli artichokes or even jarred roasted pepper are delicious and a great substitute.

Pick your protein: Personally, I like cheese. 50g of either feta, mozzarella, goats cheese or halloumi. For a more substantial lunch, I also like to include either a boiled egg (hard boiled eggs can last up to a week in the fridge), half an avocado or half a can of drained chickpeas, canned lentils or edamame beans. If you eat meat, then this is your chance to add a bit of cooked chicken or fish.

Make it heartier: Cook up 100g of couscous, bulgur wheat, quinoa or even whole-wheat pasta (see recipe below) and add this to your salad to make more of a meal of it. This will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge. You can also buy packets of precooked mixed grains – Merchant Gourmet have some great varieties.

Add a bit of crunch: Adding a sprinkling of seeds, nuts, croutons or even breadcrumbs, add a lovely bit of texture and bite to your salad. Sunflower, pumpkin seeds and toasted pine nuts are my personal favourites.

Dress is up: 1 tablespoon of either homemade dressing (see recipe below) shop bought dressing, hummus, zatziki, a good drizzle of chilli sauce or even just extra virgin olive oil – no one likes a dry salad.

Extra acidity:
I always think a salad is greatly improved by a bit of acidity, tang and heat. I always include a few olives, a sprinkle of chilli flakes and some sort of pickle such as pickled onions, gherkins, pickled chillies or jalapeños.

So, there you have it. The building blocks to make your summer salads sing. With a little bit of preparation this formula gives you the tools to change up your lunchtime salads into creative works of art! Below are a few additional simple recipes ideas to get those creative juices flowing…

Roasted carrots with dill and lemon:
Preheat an oven to 220°C (200°C fan). Peel and chop two large carrots and pop them on a baking tray. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and spray with spray oil. Pop them in the oven for 10 mins before giving them a quick turn with a spatula. Continue to cook for a further 10 mins. Meanwhile chop a small handful of dill and make the dressing by combining 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Once the carrots are roasted, leave to cool fully. Tip the cooled carrots into a bowl and stir in the dressing and the chopped dill. Put in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to three days.

Five been salad:
I literally buy a can Napolina Five Beans, strain them and give them a quick rinse (not too much or you’ll lose the flavour as they are slightly spiced). I then add a finely chopped stick of celery and that’s it! Pop in an air tight container and use within 3 days.

Cucumber, feta and olive salad: 
Peel and chop half a cucumber and put in a bowl with a sprinkle of salt. Roughly chop a large handful of black pitted olives and add this to the cucumber. Crumble over 100g feta cheese and give it a good mix. Finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Tomato and onion salad: 
Slice 2 tomatoes along with a few very thin slices of red onion. Season well with salt and black pepper and finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.

Whole baked sweet potato:
Preheat an oven to 220°C/180°C fan. Carefully score the sweet potato with a sharp knife along the skin and insert into the centre. Withdraw the knife and place in the oven onto of a piece of foil on the middle shelf for 40-50 mins –depending on the size of the potato. Leave to cool fully before wrapping in foil and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Pesto pasta salad:
Cook 50g whole wheat pasta according to instructions. Once cooked, drain and cool with a stream of cold water before returning back to the saucepan. Cover with cold water and leave to cool fully. Drain well. Stir through a tablespoon of your favourite pesto (I like Sacla’s Chargrilled Aubergine). Transfer to an air tight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Dressing:
I like to keep it simple when it comes to salad dressing, so I tend to stick to honey and mustard – I find it goes with almost anything. If making a salad for one, this is the perfect amount of dressing. Mix together 1 tsp of extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp of cider vinegar in a small ramekin. Add a quarter teaspoon of Dijon mustard and a drizzle of honey. Season with salt and pepper and stir again until combined. For a more indulgent creamy dressing, try stirring in 1 tbs of hummus, it’s delicious.

If you’ve had a go at making any of my recipes, I’d love to hear from you. Follow me now @corrieheale and tag your recipe pictures using #corriesrabbitfood.

Miso aubergine summer supper

May 12, 2021October 16, 2021 ~ Corrie ~ 2 Comments

This light summer salad makes the perfect vegan midweek dinner recipe for two. However, double it up, team it with my vibrant rainbow slaw, and you have yourself, the prefect summer vegan supper for four. Summer, eat your heart out.

Roasted miso aubergine salad
Serves 2 (double up if serving 4) / Hands on time 15 mins / Total time 50 mins
50g bulgur wheat
125ml cold water
½ vegetable stock pot/cube
1 medium aubergine, sliced into 4 quarters lengthways
For the dressing:
1 tbs miso paste
1 tbs maple syrup
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp light soy sauce
1 garlic clove, peeled, grated or chopped
For the salad:
2 large handfuls salad leaves
2 spring onions, finely sliced lengthways
1 medium red chill, deseeded and sliced (optional)
Handful cashews, whole or roughly chopped
Toasted sesame oil for drizzle

Method 
1. Preheat an oven to 200°C/180°C fan/400F/gas mark 6. Line a baking tray with baking paper and put to one side.
2. Measure out the bulgur wheat and pour into a small saucepan along with 125ml of cold water and half a vegetable stock pot/cube. Place over a medium to high heat until boiling before turning down and simmering for 4 mins. Once the water has absorbed, remove from the heat, give it a quick stir and cover with a lid. Put to one side.
3. Slice the aubergine lengthways into 4 quarters and criss cross the flesh. In a small bowl, make the miso glaze by combining the miso, maple syrup, soy sauce, sesame oil and crushed garlic together (if the miso paste you’re using is quite firm, add a small dash of boiling water to it first to help it loosen).
4. Brush the aubergines generously with all of the marinade, all over. Place skin side down, before covering the tray loosely with foil. Roast for 25 mins.
5. Meanwhile, finely slice the chilli and the spring onions. After 25 mins, remove the foil from the aubergines, give them a turn and roast uncovered for a further 5 mins. Turn the aubergines one final time and add the cashews (I like to add mine whole, but you can chop them if you wish). Continue to roast for 3 mins.
6. Turn the oven off but leave the aubergines inside while you assemble the salad. Dress the leaves lightly in sesame oil and season with salt and pepper. Divide the leaves between 2 plates and top with the bulgur wheat, spring onion and chilli. Remove the aubergines and cashews from the oven and top the salad, along with any remaining sticky miso residue from the baking tray.

Cashew rainbow slaw
Serves 4 as a side / Hands on time 20 mins / Total time 20 mins
You’ll need: A large non-stick frying pan
200g toasted cashew nuts
½ small red cabbage
2 carrots, peeled and grated
1 red pepper, de-seeded and diced
Handful fresh coriander, chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
Knob ginger, grated
1 tbs cider vinegar
1 tbs sesame oil
1 tbs runny honey
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 lime, juiced
½ tsp chilli flakes
½ tsp sea salt flakes

Method
1. Start by putting a large non-stick saucepan over a medium to high heat. Once hot, toast the cashews for a few minutes keeping them moving in the pan until they’re golden. Put to one side.
2. Thinly slice the cabbage, dice the pepper, grate the carrot and chop the coriander. Add them to a large bowl along with the cooled cashews. Stir until combined well.
3. To make the dressing add the grated ginger and the crushed garlic to a small bowl. Mix in the sesame oil, cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, lime juice, chilli flakes and salt.
4. Pour the dressing over the slaw, mix well and serve.

If you’ve had a go at making any of my recipes, I’d love to hear from you. Follow me now @corrieheale and tag your recipe pictures using #corriesrabbitfood.

V – Vegetarian Vn – Vegan Df – Dairy free

The vegan summer crowd-pleaser

April 25, 2021 ~ Corrie ~ 2 Comments

As lockdown eases you’ll find that the dining room is no longer in the house, it’s in the garden. So, dust off the patio furniture and string up the fairy lights because alfresco dinner parties are set to be this Summer’s biggest trend. Dinner parties can be a daunting prospect, so why not keep it simple and serve up a big vat of crowd pleasing Bolognese? Not only does my red lentil Bolognese make a tasty vegan summer recipe, it’s simple, delicious and could feed an army! Serve with homemade garlic bread, torn fresh basil and lashings of extra virgin olive oil, for the perfect vegan dinner party idea this summer.

Vegan red lentil Bolognese
Serves 6 / Hands on time 30 mins / Total time 1 hr 10 mins / V Vn Df ❄
1 tsp rapeseed oil
1 large white onion, peeled and diced
2 carrots, peeled and diced
2 celery sticks, diced
2 garlic cloves, peeled and diced
1 can plum tomatoes
250g red lentils
1 tbs tomato purée
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp dried parsley
700ml vegetable stock, I use 1 Knorr stock pots
3 tbs vegan red wine (optional)
8 cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
450g whole-wheat spaghetti or gluten free alternative (75g per person)
Extra virgin olive oil to serve
Fresh basil leaves to serve (optional)

TIP: This Bolognese is suitable for home freezing once cooked. To freeze, cool fully before spooning into bags or Tupperware. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Method
1. In a large cooking pot, sweat the diced onion, carrots, celery and garlic together in a tsp of oil over a low heat. Season well with salt, put the lid on, and sweat for 15 mins, stirring occasionally.
2. Add the tomato purée and the tinned tomatoes. Break the tomatoes up a bit with a spoon before pouring over the stock, wine, lentils, cherry tomatoes and sprinkle over the oregano, parsley and the nutmeg. Season well with salt and pepper and bring to the boil.
3. Once boiling, turn the heat down and simmer for 25 mins with the lid on, stirring occasionally to dislodge any lentils stuck at the bottom.
4. After 25 mins, keep the Bolognese cooking and fill a large saucepan with boiling water and add the whole-wheat spaghetti. Season the water well with salt and boil the pasta for 10-12 minutes (or according to the packet instructions).
5. Once the pasta is cooked, take off the heat along with the Bolognese. Drain the pasta and divide into bowls. Top the spaghetti with the Bolognese and serve drizzled with olive oil and topped with a good crack of black pepper and fresh basil leaves.

Vegan garlic bread
2 baguettes or ciabatta loaves (not too big they won’t fit in your oven)
150g dairy-free margarine
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1tbs dried oregano

Method
Preheat an oven to 200°C/180°C fan/400F/gas mark 6. Cut both loaves into slices about 2cm thick, being careful not to slice right through to the bottom, leaving the base intact. In a bowl, mix together the dairy-free margarine, garlic and oregano. Place each loaf on a large sheet of foil and spread the garlic margarine between the slices of bread. Sprinkle with salt and pepper before wrapping in the foil and placing on a baking tray. Bake for 5 mins before unwrapping and cooking for a further 4-5 mins until crisp. Serve immediately.

If you’ve had a go at making any of my recipes, I’d love to hear from you. Follow me now @corrieheale and tag your recipe pictures using #corriesrabbitfood.

V – Vegetarian Vn – Vegan Df – Dairy free

Ready, steady… PICNIC!

March 31, 2021 ~ Corrie ~ 4 Comments

With lockdown restrictions easing and spring in the air, it’s time to dust off the picnic blanket and dig out the old hamper. It’s time to picnic. Come April, the rule of six will be back in earnest, with gardens and parks sure to be brimming with alfresco dining. So, forget soggy potato salads and bland quiche’s, it’s time to up your picnic game and I have just the recipes to get you started.

Minimum effort, last minute picnic
“You can’t go wrong with a fancy bottle of red wine, a freshly baked baguette and a couple of good tapenades.”

Black & green olive tapenade
Serves 6-8 / Hands on time 10 mins / Total time 10 mins / V Vn Gf Df ❄
You’ll need: A food processor
Black olive tapenade:
200g (drained weight) pitted black olives in brine. I used a mix of Kalamata olives and black.
1 tsp capers
1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, peeled and roughly chopped
1 tsp red wine vinegar
Juice of half a lemon
Small handful of chopped parsley to serve (optional)
Green olive tapenade:
200g (drained weight) pitted green olives in brine
1 tsp capers
1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
1 pickled jalapeño pepper, stalk removed
1 tsp white wine vinegar or cider vinegar
½ lemon, juice
2 tsp pine nuts
Small handful of chopped parsley to serve (optional)

Method
Drain the olives and put them in a food processor along with the other ingredients, leaving out the parsley. Blitz until you have your desired texture, I like my tapenade quite coarse so keep the blitzing to a minimum. Serve on toast, sprinkled with freshly chopped parsley and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil.

The impressive picnic offering
“Been invited to a picnic and need to bring a dish? Then pop this loaf in your handbag along with a good quality butter for an easy, yet impressive offering.”

Leek and cheddar loaf
Makes 1 loaf / Hands on time 20 mins / Total time 1hr 20 mins + cooling / V ❄
You’ll need: 2lb/900g loaf tin, baking paper
Rapeseed oil or butter for greasing
150g leek (1 medium leek) finely chopped
75g strong mature vegetarian cheddar, grated
250g self-raising flour
50g wholemeal flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp sea salt flakes
250ml semi-skimmed milk
2 eggs
Few springs of thyme, leaves picked
Black pepper
40g vegetarian Italian hard cheese or Parmesan*, grated
Small handful pumpkin seeds

Method
1. Preheat an oven to 180°C/160°C fan/ 350°F/gas mark 4. Grease a loaf tin with oil or butter and line the bottom with baking paper. Put to one side.
2. Finely chop the leek and grate the cheddar. Mix together in a medium sized bowl and add the Italian hard cheese, keeping a handful a side for later.
3. In a larger mixing bowl, measure out the flours, baking powder, salt and mix until combined. Add the leek and cheese mixture, thyme leaves and a good crack of black pepper and mix well until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
4. In a mixing jug, measure out 250ml of semi-skimmed milk and crack in 2 eggs. Beat with a fork until fully incorporated. Pour straight into the dry mixture and mix quickly until combined – adding the wet ingredients to the dry activated the baking powder so the sooner you can get it in the oven the better.
5. Pour into a loaf tin and top with the remaining cheese and a sprinkling of pumpkin seeds. Bake in the oven for 1 hr.
6. Remove and cool in the tin for 10 mins before turning out and cooling fully on a rack. However, if you’re desperate to eat it warm feel free, just bear in mind the loaf will be a little soft so slice carefully. Serve on its own or spread with butter. Wrap in foil and keep refrigerated for up to 5 days.

The picnic for two
“Simply add a large bag of crisps, a bottle of fizz and a punnet of fresh strawberries and clotted cream. Done!”

Smokey Sweet Potato Bean Wraps — Smokey sweet potato bean wraps

Smoky sweet potato & bean wraps
Serves 4 / Hands on time 25 mins / Total time 45 mins / V
Filling:
1 tsp olive oil
1 medium sweet potato, baked
½ medium onion, chopped
1 large garlic clove, crushed
1 tsp smoked paprika
2 tbs tomato puree
Pinch of chilli flakes
2 cans of mixed beans, washed and drained
1 corn on the cob or 1 can of sweetcorn, drained
To serve:
4 large wraps
2 handfuls fresh spinach
1 avocado, peeled and sliced
4 tbs Greek yogurt
40g cheddar cheese, grated

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°fan/400°F/gas mark 6. Score the sweet potato carefully with a knife and stab it through the middle a couple of times. Bake in the oven on the middle shelf for 45 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, make your bean filling. In a large pot, sweat the chopped onion in the oil for about 5 minutes on a medium heat (add a dash of water to help them steam). Once softened, add the garlic and the smoked paprika and cook for a further minute. Add the tomato puree and the chilli flakes and give it a good stir.
3. Cook for a few minutes before adding the beans. Stir and cook for a further 5 minutes before seasoning well with salt and pepper. If using a fresh corn on the cob, remove the kernels by standing on its head and running a sharp knife, carefully down the sides slowly (they tend to go everywhere, so proceed with care). Add the corn to the beans and continue to cook for 5-10 minutes.
4. Take the beans off the heat, cover with a lid and put to one side. Slice the cheese and the avocado ready to fill your wraps.
5. Once your sweet potato is soft, carefully remove from the oven and cut into quarters to cool it down a bit. Lay your wraps out and spread one half with a tablespoon of warm sweet potato and the other half with plain yogurt. Top evenly with a couple of spoons of the bean mixture and a layer of sliced avocado and cheese. Season well with salt and pepper and top with a layer of fresh spinach.
6. Fold the top and bottom of the wrap in on itself and carefully roll it until you have, well a wrap. Serve straight away or wrap up in foil and take to work for lunch.

For more foodie blogs like this, visit learningwithexperts.com

If you’ve had a go at making any of my recipes, I’d love to hear from you. Follow me now @corrieheale and tag your recipe pictures using #corriesrabbitfood.

Want to get the most out of your veg? Then why not learn from expert Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and up your five-a-day game.

Peanut butter millionaire’s shortbread

March 17, 2021 ~ Corrie ~ 5 Comments

With Easter just around the corner, what better time is there to whip up a tooth achingly indulgent treat? This melt-in-the mouth, peanut butter millionaire’s shortbread, has the perfect balance of salty sweetness that will keep your hand firmly in the biscuit tin. I’ll let you decide whether that’s a good or a bad thing.

Peanut butter millionaire shortbread
Makes 16 squares / Hands on time 50 mins / Total time 50 mins plus chilling / V
You’ll need: 20x20cm deep loose bottomed square tin
For the shortbread:
125g unsalted butter at room temperature + extra for greasing
50g golden caster sugar + plus extra for dusting
1 tsp vanilla extract
175g plain flour
50g salted peanuts
For the peanut caramel:
100g unsalted butter
75g light brown sugar
25g dark Muscovado
397g can condensed milk
3 tbs crunchy peanut butter
Pinch sea salt flakes
100g good quality dark chocolate

Method
Step 1: Make the shortbread
1. Preheat your oven to 180°C/160°C fan/350°F/gas mark 4. Line the tin with baking paper and grease well with butter. Put to one side.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar and vanilla extract until light and fluffy (you can do this with a wooden spoon or use a standing mixer). Once smooth and creamy sift in the flour.
3. Using a wooden spoon or a standing mixer, combine together until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Mix in the salted peanuts and turn out into the centre of the tin. Spread out to the edges of the tin evenly using a spoon, before using your finger-tips to press it down until you have a firm biscuit base.
4. Bake for 20 mins or until the surface is slightly golden. Leave to cool fully in the tin.

Step 2: Make the peanut caramel
1. Place the butter, both sugars, peanut butter and the can of condensed milk in a medium sized pan and heat gently until the sugar dissolves. Continually stir with a wooden spoon making sure no sugar sticks to the bottom of the pan.
2. Turn the heat up to medium high, stirring continuously and bring to the boil. Once boiling, lower the heat back down to low and stir continuously for 5-10 mins or until the mixture has thickened slightly. Remove from the heat and pour over the cooled shortbread. Sprinkle over a pinch of sea salt flakes and leave to set and cool fully.
3. Make the topping by melting the chocolate slowly in a bowl over a pan of hot water. Pour the melted chocolate over the cold caramel and manoeuvre the tin with your hands to allow the chocolate to spread evenly and to the edges. Leave to set in the fridge.
4. To turn out the shortbread, use a sharp knife to score around the edges of the shortbread (it can help to use a hot knife so carefully run it under hot water and dry before scoring and turning out). Cut into squares (again using a hot sharp knife) and serve.

If you’ve had a go at making any of my recipes, I’d love to hear from you. Follow me now @corrieheale and tag your recipe pictures using #corriesrabbitfood.

V – Vegetarian

Want to take your bakes to the next level? Then why not treat yourself to a Learning with experts online course ‘The Essentials of cake baking’ with Rosalind Miller?

Up your breakfast game

March 4, 2021 ~ Corrie ~ 3 Comments

Grabbing a Pret muffin on my way to work now feels like a distant memory. Like many, my daily commute now consists of rolling out of bed, occasionally getting dressed and opening my laptop. I spend my days in and out of virtual meetings, taking lunch time strolls and preparing the most important meal of the day. Breakfast! Shoving a breakfast bar in my mouth whilst running for the tube has been replaced with gentle porridge stirring and egg sizzling. So, enjoy lockdown while it lasts and start your day the right way by upping your breakfast game.

Chocolate pear porridge

Chocolate pear porridge
Serves 1 / Hands on time 10 mins / Total time 10 mins / V Vn Df
1/3 of a mug of porridge oats (any regular sized mug will do)
2/3 of a mug of milk
1 heaped tsp cocoa powder
Pinch of sea salt flakes
Handful dried fruit and nuts
1 tsp maple syrup + extra to serve
Drop of vanilla extract (optional)
½ a pear, sliced

TIP: Don’t wait to soak your pan after cooking. Do it immediately or your porridge will turn to cement.

Method:
1. In a small saucepan, combine all the ingredients together apart from the pear. Cook over a medium heat stirring continually until the porridge is thick and creamy.
2. Serve immediately topped with sliced pear and a drizzle of maple syrup.

Spicy Bean & Tomato Eggs

Spicy bean & tomato eggs
Serves 1 / Hands on time 10 mins / Total time 15 mins / V Df
You’ll need: Non-stick frying pan
1 tsp rapeseed oil
2 spring onions, sliced
¼ tsp smoked paprika
Dash of Tabasco sauce (optional)
1 or 2 eggs
1 large or 2 regular tomatoes, chopped
½ can kidney beans
Handful fresh coriander, chopped
Extra virgin olive oil to serve
Toast to serve (optional)

TIP: If making for 2, use a large frying pan and double the recipe.

Method:
1. Fry the spring onions in the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat for 2 mins. Add the chopped tomatoes, Tabasco and smoked paprika and cook for a further 2 mins. Season well with salt and pepper and add the beans. Cook for 5 mins.
2. Using a spoon, make a well in the mixture and crack in your egg/eggs. Cover the pan with a lid or with sheet of foil and cook for 2-4 minutes or until the whites have set but the yolks are still soft. Serve in the pan topped with a handful of chopped coriander, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and toast for dunking.

Blueberry Dutch baby

Blueberry Dutch baby
Serves 2 / Hands on time 5-10 mins / Total time 30 mins / V
You’ll need: Oven-proof dish, roughly 22cm x 28cm
30g unsalted butter
100g plain flour
3 eggs
300ml semi-skimmed milk
2 tsp caster sugar
Pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 handfuls of blueberries
To serve
Granulated sugar and maple syrup
Icing sugar for dusting (optional)

Method:
1. Preheat an over to 220°C/200°C fan/425°F/gas mark 7. Measure out the butter and add to the over-proof dish. Place in the oven to heat up.
2. Meanwhile, measure out the flour in a large bowl and mix in the salt and the sugar before making a well in the centre. Crack in the eggs, add the milk and the vanilla before beating the eggs into the milk, slowly incorporating the flour. Once you have a smooth batter put to one side.
3. Remove the dish from the oven (by now the butter should be melted and bubbling). Sprinkle the blueberries straight into the dish followed by all the pancake batter. Return to the oven and bake for 20-25 mins. Once the pancake has puffed up and the edges are golden brown, remove from the oven.
4. Serve immediately sprinkled with sugar and lashings of maple syrup.

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If you’ve had a go at making any of my recipes, I’d love to hear from you. Follow me now @corrieheale and tag your recipe pictures using #corriesrabbitfood.

Leek, potato & cheddar pie

February 10, 2021February 11, 2021 ~ Corrie ~ 4 Comments

If there was ever a time to bake a pie…

Leek, potato and cheddar pie
Serves 4-8 / Hands on time 1 hr 45 mins / Total time 2 hrs 15 mins + resting / V
You’ll need: 25cm flan tin (preferable with a removable bottom) / baking paper / rolling pin /
For the rough-puff pastry:
250g strong white bread flour
250g cold unsalted butter
1tsp sea salt flakes
100 ml cold water
For the filling:
150ml tap water
½ vegetable stock pot or cube
250g potatoes, cubed
250g leeks, trimmed and roughly chopped
½ white onion, peeled and chopped
100g mature vegetarian cheddar
1 egg, beaten

TIP: This recipe is split into 3 parts to give you the option of making the pie in stages – making a pie all in one day can be exhausting. I usually make the pastry the day before filling the pie and then refrigerate the pie over night before baking.

TIP: Alternatively, you can always use shop bought puff pastry.

PART 1:
Make the rough-puff pastry (Hands on time 45 mins + 30 mins resting)
1. Mix the salt and the flour together in a large bowl before grating in a third of the cold butter. Using your hands, coat the butter in the flour before grating in another third of the butter and repeat with the last third. Adding the butter in batches makes it easier to incorporate.
2. Using your fingers, rub the butter loosely until it resembles breadcrumbs. This should take 10 to 15 mins so pop the radio on.
3. Make a well in the bowl and add 100 ml of cold water. Mix with a butter knife before using your hands to bring the crumbly dough together – being careful not to over work the dough.
4. Turn out onto a large piece of cling film and gather up the corners until you have a firm ball of pastry. Refrigerate for at least 30 mins. If making the filling the same day, use the next 30 mins to jump to PART 2.

5. Once the pastry has rested, remove from the fridge and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Using your hands, mould the crumbly pastry into a rough rectangle (the pastry will be very crumbly but don’t let that scare you, it will start to come together at you roll it out). Flour your rolling pin and roll the pastry away from you in one direction only, until roughly three times the original length, flouring the surface as you go if needed.
6. Fold the top third of the pastry down to the centre, then the bottom third up and over that. Give the dough a quarter turn to the left or right, flour the surface and your rolling pin if needed and roll out again to three times the length in one direction.
7. Fold as before, before wrapping well in cling film and refrigerating again for at least 20 mins. The pastry can be kept refrigerated for up to 1 month or freeze for up to 6 months.

PART 2:
Make the filling (Hands on time 25 mins + cooling)
1. Chop 250g potatoes into cubes (I leave the skins on, but you can peel them if you prefer) and add them to a medium sized saucepan along with 150ml of tap water and half a stock cube or stock pot. Bring to the boil and cook over a high heat for 5 mins.
2. Add 250g of chopped leeks and half a chopped onion to the pan and simmer with the lid on for 8 mins or until the vegetables are tender and all the liquid has evaporated, stirring regularly.
3. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool fully. The filling can be refrigerated for up to 5 days if you’re planning on assembling your pie another day.

PART 3:
Assemble the pie (Hands on time 30-35 mins + 30 mins baking time)
1. Grease the tin well and dust with flour before lining the base with baking paper. Put to one side.
2. Remove the chilled pastry from the fridge and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Cut a third of the pastry off and put to one side (this will be your pastry top). Roll out the pastry until it’s a few millimetres thick and big enough to comfortably line the tin, flouring the surface and the rolling pin as you go.
3. Drape the pastry over the tin and carefully push the pastry into the edges and up the sides using your fingertips. You will need the overhanging pastry but trim off any excessively long pieces and put to one side (these will be used to decorate your pie later). Prick the bottom of the pastry with a fork and turn your attention back to the filling.
4. Grate the cheddar and incorporate into the cooled leek mixture. Season well with salt and black pepper before spooning into the tin. Spread the filling out evenly and put the pie to one side. Before you preheat your oven, line the bottom of the oven with foil to catch any melted butter. Preheat your oven to 220°C/200°C fan/425°F/gas mark 7.
5. Mould the third of the pastry you saved for the top into a ball and roll out on a floured surface. Using a sharp knife, cut out a circle, big enough to fit snugly over the exposed filling (this doesn’t need to be too perfect, if the pastry is slightly too big to sit comfortably in the tin simply trim more off).
6. Fold the excess pastry back in on top of the pie lid and crimp around the edges to give a decorative crust – again, this doesn’t have to be perfect.
7. Use any excess pastry you removed earlier to decorate the pie. I cut out leaf shapes but you can decorate your pie however you like. If you are planning on baking the pie another day, now is a good time to wrap it in clingfilm and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before baking.
8. Egg wash the pie all over before making 2 small incisions in the centre to allow steam escape. Bake on the middle shelf for 30-35 mins or until the pastry is golden.
9. Allow the pie to cool for 10-15 mins before removing carefully from the tin and discarding the baking paper. I do this by placing a lightweight chopping board or plate over the top of the pie and flipping it on its head. This allows you to lift off the tin (do not do this when the pie is still hot as it may not hold its structure). Repeat the same trick with a cooling rack to get the pie right side up.
10. Serve warm or cold with a simple green salad.
The pie will last for up to 4 days wrapped up in the fridge.

Want more? Take your pie making skills to the next level by enrolling on the ultimate pie making course with River Cottage chef Tom Morrell. He will teach you all the skills necessary to make a variety of savoury pastry recipes – including shortcrust, rough puff, hot water crust and suet.

If you’ve had a go at making any of my recipes, I’d love to hear from you. Follow me now @corrieheale and tag your recipe pictures using #corriesrabbitfood.

V – Vegetarian

Three warming vegan soups for cold winter nights

January 28, 2021January 28, 2021 ~ Corrie ~ 3 Comments

Veganuary may be coming to an end… but that doesn’t mean we should start loading up on the bacon butties. Incorporating more plant-based meals into our everyday repertoire can only be a good thing, so let’s get started with these tasty vegan soups to warm the body and soul.

Carrot & ginger soup with cashew cream
Serves 4 / Hands on time 35 mins / Total time 50 mins + soaking
You’ll need: A food processor
1 tbs olive oil
600g carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
1 white onion, peeled and roughly chopped
3 garlic cloves, peeled and bashed
1 large knob of ginger (roughly 50g), grated
½ tsp ground nutmeg
1 can chickpeas, drained
1 ½ litre of vegetable stock, I use 1 ½ Knorr stock pots
Cashew cream
150g cashews
¼ tsp salt
1 small garlic clove, crushed
Squeeze of lemon juice
150ml water

Method
1. The night before, soak 150g of cashews in a bowl of water overnight.
2. Preheat your oven to 220°C/200°C fan/400°F/gas mark 7. Peel and roughly chop the carrots and put them in a large roasting tray, along with the grated ginger, chopped onion, bashed garlic, nutmeg and olive oil. Season well with salt and pepper and give it all a good mix, before roasting in the oven for 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, make the cashew cream. Rinse and drain the cashews and put them in a food processor along with 150ml of water, a crushed garlic clove, a squeeze of lemon juice, salt and pepper. Blitz for around 5-7 minutes or until you have a smooth creamy consistency. Put to one side.
3. Once the carrots are roasted, carefully pour them into a large cooking pot before adding a litre of vegetable stock and a drained can of chickpeas. Season with salt and pepper and bring to the boil. Simmer for 5 minutes before blending either in a food processor or with a hand blender.
4. Pour into bowls, top with lashing of cashew cream and serve with bread.

Winter ribollita
Serves 4 / Hands on time 10 mins / Total time 50 mins
1 tsp olive oil
1 white onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, sliced
2 celery sticks, chopped
1 parsnip, peeled and chopped
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
½ tsp salt
1 can plum tomatoes
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 litre vegetable stock, I use 2 Knorr stock pots
Handful fresh parsley, chopped
100g cavalo nero or kale, roughly chopped
Extra virgin olive oil to serve

Method
1. In a large saucepan or pot with a lid, add 1 tsp of olive oil over a low to medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, celery, parsnip, carrot and the salt. Give it a good stir, cover with a lid and leave to soften for 20 mins, stirring occasionally.
2. Add a can of plum tomatoes and break them up with a spoon. Add the drained and rinsed chickpeas and the vegetable stock before upping the heat and bringing to the boil. Simmer uncovered for 15 mins before adding the cavalo nero and parsley. Give it a stir and cook for a further 5 mins.
3. Take off the heat, ladle into bowls and top with a good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and serve with crusty bread and good crack of black pepper.

Fragrant coconut soup
Serves 2 / Hands on time 25 mins / Total time 30 mins
2 cans light coconut milk
1 vegetable stock pot, I use Knorr
2 sticks of lemon grass, bashed (I use a rolling pin)
½ white onion, roughly chopped
2 garlic cloves, peeled and bashed
1 medium sized red chilli, deseeded and roughly chopped
1 knob of ginger, roughly grated
2 tsp caster sugar
28g bunch coriander, chopped
145g nest of rice noodles
2 tsp miso paste or light soy sauce
5 chestnut mushrooms, roughly sliced
2 bulbs of pak choy, roughly chopped
3 Chinese leaves or a handful for kale, roughly chopped
Juice of a lime

Method
1. In a large saucepan, add the 2 cans of coconut milk, vegetable stock cube or pot, chopped onion, chilli, garlic, ginger, bashed lemongrass and sugar. Roughly chop the coriander stalks (saving the leaves) and add to the coconut milk. Give it a good stir and bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer for 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, cook your rice noodles in small saucepan according to the packet instructions. Once cooked, drain and cover in a stream of cold water until completely cold (this will stop the noodles from continuing to cook). Drain again and divide the noodles into two large soup bowls. Put to one side.
3. Turn your attention back to the soup and give it a quick stir. Roughly chop the remaining coriander leaves, Chinese leaves, pak choy and mushrooms.
4. After 15 minutes your soup should be well infused and fragrant. Over a large bowl, carefully pour your soup through a sieve. Discard the contents of the sieve and pour the remaining soup back into your saucepan.
4. Stir through 2 tsp of red miso paste and add the pak choy, mushrooms and Chinese leaf. Give it a good stir and cook on a medium heat for a few minutes or until the veg is tender. Take the saucepan off the heat, squeeze over the lime juice and stir. Finally, ladle over the cooked noodles and top with fresh coriander.

If you’ve had a go at making any of my recipes, I’d love to hear from you. Follow me now @corrieheale and tag your recipe pictures using #corriesrabbitfood.

Cheesy pasta bake

January 11, 2021January 18, 2021 ~ Corrie ~ 6 Comments

As we’re not set to leave the house anytime soon, I don’t see the point in embarking on a silly new year diet. New year, new you? No thanks. I choose cheese. Our fridge is still overflowing with the stuff from Christmas, so what better way to use it up than in a deliciously indulgent, cheesy pasta bake. This is what cold winter nights are made for after all. So, grab a spoon and dive into my melty cheese dream, where Covid no longer exists and I can visit my mum anytime I like.

Cheesy pasta bake
Serves 4 / Hands on time 20-25 mins / Total time 40 mins / V*
You’ll need: A deep oven dish approx 25cm (5cm deep)
3 tsp rapeseed oil
1 aubergine, cubed
1 pepper, deseeded and roughly chopped
½ red onion, roughly chopped
1 tsp oregano
½ tsp sea salt flakes
200g cherry tomatoes, halved
1 can chopped tomatoes
200g wholemeal penne
4 tbs red pesto
2 handfuls pitted black olives (optional)
100g soft cheese – I used goats cheese but stilton, camembert, mozzarella or even brie would work.
80g mature cheddar, grated
20g Parmesan* or vegetarian hard cheese, grated (optional)

Method
1. Preheat an oven to 220°C/200°C fan/425°F/gas mark 7. Roughly chop the red onion and the pepper and add to the baking dish along with the cubed aubergine. Sprinkle over the dried oregano and the salt before drizzling over the oil. Give it a good stir to evenly distribute the seasoning and the oil and bake in the oven for 15 mins.
2. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the packet instructions minus 2 minutes (this ensures the pasta doesn’t become too soft during oven cooking later. While the pasta is cooking, use this time to grate the cheddar, parmesan and chop/crumble your chosen soft cheese.
3. Remove the vegetables from the oven and give them a good shake before adding the cherry tomato halves. Mix well and return to the oven for a further 5 mins.
4. Drain the pasta and give it a quick blast of cold water (this will stop it from continuing to cook). Stir in a tsp of oil to prevent the pasta sticking to each other and put to one side to continue to drain.
5. Remove the roasted vegetables from the oven (leave the oven on) and add the can of tinned tomatoes, red pesto and black olives. Stir until the sauce is evenly distributed before adding the pasta bit by bit to ensure it gets fully incorporated.
6. Finally, submerge the soft cheese throughout the pasta bake and top with the grated cheddar and parmesan. Season with salt and pepper and bake in the oven for 15 mins. Switch the oven to a hot grill setting and grill for a further 2 mins or until the top is golden brown.
7. Remove from the oven and leave to stand for 5 mins before serving with a simple green salad.

For more foodie blogs, recipes and courses, visit learningwithexperts.com.

If you’ve had a go at making any of my recipes, I’d love to hear from you. Follow me now @corrieheale and tag your recipe pictures using #corriesrabbitfood.

V – Vegetarian
*Parmesan (Parmigiano Reggiano) is always made using animal rennet, therefore it is not vegetarian. Substitute for Italian hard cheese if applicable.