Cooking with Paula McIntyre

Fennel butter 1 shallot, finely chopped 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil 200ml dry white wine 250g soft butter Large handful fennel herb chopped ( substitute any soft herb like basil, chives, parsley etc)Cook the shallot and garlic in the oil until golden. Add the wine and reduce until none of the liquid remains. Blend with the butter and fennel to a smooth paste. Roll in cling in the shape of a sausage and chill. Can be divided up and frozen in batches.350g fregola ( or substitute orzo pasta) 2 shallots, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon olive oil plus more for brushing 200g heritage tomatoes, cut into 2cm chunks 1 yellow courgette 1 green courgette 200ml vegetable stock 1tablespoon balsamic vinegar 75g grated parmesan 50g fennel butter ( or just use regular butter) Chopped parsley, lovage to finishSlice the courgettes in half lengthwise then cut into ½ cm thick strips. Brush with oil and cook on a hot griddle pan to scorch for about 2 minutes each side – season with salt. Chop the courgettes into chunks. Cook the shallot and garlic in the oil until golden then add the tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 4 minutes. Add the courgettes and stock, place a lid on top and simmer for 5 minutes. Cook the fregola in boiling salted water for about 7 minutes. Add the balsamic and butter to the courgette mixture and stir until fully incorporated. Drain the fregola well and add to the mixture. Add half the parmesan and herbs and mix well. Spoon into bowls and top with the remaining parmesan.

450ml double cream 75ml pink grapefruit juice 115g castor sugar Place all the ingredients in a pan and bring to a simmer for about a minute or until the sugar has dissolved. Cool and pour into 4 glasses and set in the fridge for about 4 hours.Poached rhubarb More than you’ll need for the recipe but a good way to preserve rhubarb 8 stalks rhubarb, cut into 2cm pieces 1 litre local apple juice 500ml water 100ml castor sugar 2 tablespoons grenadine Splash sloe gin ( optional)Place the water 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 gin 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. The juice can be added to sparkling water, wine or to gin and tonic. Wafers 125g icing sugar 50g butter 50ml pink grapefruit juice 40g plain flour 10g cocoa powder Set the oven to 180oc and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Place the sugar, butter and juice in a pan and cook until melted and smooth. Mix in the flour and cocoa powder. Spread thinly over the baking tray and bake for about 10 minutes or until crisp. Cool and break into chards.Place some rhubarb on top of the posset and garnish with some wafer chards.

4 x 175g lamb leg steaks Oil for brushing Salt and freshly ground pepper Brush the lamb leg steaks lightly with oil and season with salt. Place on hot barbecue and cook for a few minutes to your liking on each side. Remove from grill, season with pepper and allow to rest for a few minutes before slicing. Barbecued broadbeans 1kg broadbeans in the podPlace on a hot barbecue and cook for about 3 minutes each side or until slightly scorched. You could do this on a ridged grill pan. Allow to cool slightly and then pop out of shells. ZhougHandful coriander , chopped Handful parsley, chopped 75ml good local rapeseed oil or olive oil 1 teaspoon fresh chopped red chilli Pinch sugar Pinch ground cloves Crushed seeds from 6 cardamom pods ½ teaspoon ground cumin 1 clove garlic Salt to tasteBlend to a smooth sauce and season to taste.2 little gem lettuce, separated into leavesArrange the lettuce on a platter. Slice the lamb and arrange around the platter. Spoon over the zhoug. Would be lovely with some new season potatoes.

Recipe150ml double cream 150ml whole milk 1 teaspoon vanilla paste 3 leaves gelatine 125g castor sugar 350g Greek style yoghurt Soak the gelatine in cold water for 10 minutes. Place the cream, milk, vanilla and sugar in a pan and simmer until the sugar has dissolved. Squeeze the water from the gelatine and add to the mixture and remove from heat. Cool to room temperature and fold in the yoghurt. Pour into 4 glasses and set in the fridge for a few hours.Strawberry Jelly 200g strawberries chopped 50g castor sugar 100ml cider 2 leaves gelatine Soak the gelatine in cold water for 10 minutes. Place the strawberries,sugar and cider in a pan and simmer until the berries are soft. Blend to a smooth puree and add the gelatine leaves. Pass through a sieve. Brush a plastic container with oil and line with cling. Pour in the jelly mixture. Allow to set in the fridge for a few hours. Remove from container and cut into squares.250g strawberries, hulled and halved 1 teaspoon castor sugar Mix the strawberries and sugar well and leave for 10 minutes.

Recipe8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, sliced in 4 1 teaspoon smoked paprika ½ teaspoon English mustard powder ½ teaspoon garlic powder 2 teaspoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon onion granules ¼ teaspoon salt Few grinds pepper Oil for brushing Place the chicken in a bowl. Mix the smoked paprika, mustard, garlic, sugar, onion granules salt and pepper together. Take a teaspoon of the mixture out for the corn and mix the rest thoroughly in with the chicken. Allow to marinate for a few hours in the fridge. Thread onto skewers. Alternatively you can rub the whole thighs with the spice mixture. Cider spritz 200ml dry cider 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons cider vinegar Place in a pan and boil to reduce by half. Place in a spritz bottle if you have one.Brush the kebabs with oil and grill for 3 minutes each side on high barbecue heat. Spritz or brush with the cider mixture as you grill and turn. Grilled corn salad 2 corn on the cob Oil for brushing Salt Teaspoon spice rub 1 leek, split and washed 1 tablespoon cider vinegar Brush the corn with oil and season with salt. Grill until scorched all over. Remove niblets and season with the spice mix. Brush the leek with oil and grill on both sides for a couple of minutes each side. Season with salt and then chop and mix into the corn with the vinegar. Season to taste.Chipotle Sour cream 200ml sour cream 1 teaspoon chipotle chilli paste Salt to tasteWhisk together and serve on the side.

RecipePineapple semifreddo with candied white chocolate and coconut crumb Pineapple semifreddo 2 egg yolks 100g castor sugar 150ml pineapple juice Zest and juice 1 lime 25g cornflour 200g pineapple flesh, blended 350ml double creamPlace the egg yolks, sugar, pineapple juice, lime juice and zest and cornflour in a saucepan and whisk until smooth. Place over heat and whisk constantly until thick . Spoon immediately into a bowl and add the pineapple puree. Allow to cool. Whip the cream and fold into the mixture. Brush a one pound loaf tin with oil and line with cling film. Spoon the mixture in, cover and freeze.Toasted coconut and burnt white chocolate crumb 100g white chocolate, chopped 35g desiccated coconut Line a baking tray with parchment paper and set the oven to 140oc Spread the chocolate over the tray and cook for 10 minutes. Sprinkle over the coconut and cook for another 5 minutes. Cool then chop the mixture. Remove semifreddo from the tin 20 minutes before you serve. Slice and roll in the crumb. Serve with more sliced pineapple if you wish.

Recipe4 x 200g pork shoulder chops 200ml dry cider 500ml water 15g seasalt 30g brown sugar 1 teaspoon mustard seeds 1 clove garlic, smashed 2 sprigs fresh rosemary Place the cider, water, salt, sugar, mustard seeds, garlic and rosemary in a pan and simmer until sugar and salt have dissolved. Cool completely. Place the chops in a container and cover with the brine. Cover and chill overnight. Remove from brine and pat dry on kitchen paper.1 tablespoon oil 150ml dry cider 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon cider vinegar 1 tablespoon honeyBoil the cider, Worcestershire, vinegar and honey until reduced by half. Rub the oil on the chops and place on barbecue or hot pan. Cook for 2 minutes each side then lower the heat and brush with the glaze for another 3 minutes each side or until cooked through. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.Grilled apple and walnut salad 2 red eating apples Oil for brushing 75g walnuts toasted in a pan for a minute and coarsely chopped 2 red onions 1 little gem lettuce 200ml sour cream 100ml olive oil or good local rapeseed oil 2 tablespoons of chopped lovage or a mixture of chopped parsley and celery leaves Salt and pepper to taste Quarter and core the apples and brush with oil. Cook on the barbecue or grill pan to scorch and soften. Peel the onions, ensuring root intact and then cut in half through the root and into 3 wedges from each half. Brush with oil and cook on the barbecue until scorched and softened. Season with salt and pepper. Chop the apples and onions in half and toss in the walnuts. Whisk the sour cream and oil together and add the lovage or parsley mix. Season to taste and mix into the apple mixture. Separate the gem into leaves and arrange on a plate with the salt in the middle of them. Slice the pork and arrange around.

Tonnato 125g tinned or jarred tuna, drained weight 1 garlic clove, peeled Juice of half a lemon 1 egg yolk 1 small handful parsley leaves 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 150ml good quality local rapeseed oil or olive oil Salt and pepper, to season Put all the ingredients, except the oil and seasoning, into a food processor or a bowl suitable for an immersion blender, and pulse until smooth. While pulsing, add the oil, bit by bit, then blend until smooth. The consistency should be loose, but not runny – somewhere between single and double cream. Taste and add more lemon juice, salt and pepper, as needed.Grilled asparagus 12 spears asparagus Oil for brushing and drizzling Seasalt Shaved parmesan Fresh oregano or basil leaves Peel the bottom of the asparagus with a vegetable peeler and break off the rough part at the end. Bring a pan of boiling water to the boil and add the asparagus. Cook for a minute and drain well. Brush with oil, season with seasalt and cook on a hot grill pan or barbecue for a minute each side to mark.Spoon the tonnato, shave over some parmesan, add a few oregano or basil leaves and drizzle over a little more olive oil. Serve the asparagus on the side.

Crème Caramel with orange, date and sherryCrème Caramel 500ml whole milk 225g castor sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla paste 4 eggs + 1 yolk Take 4 x approximately 200ml ramekins or 4 metal pudding bowls and place on a folded towel or blue cloth in a roasting tin. Set the oven to 130oc. Heat 100g of the sugar in a pan and cook until a golden amber colour. Divide among the bottom of the ramekins and allow to set. Place the milk and vanilla in a pan and bring to a simmer. Whisk the eggs and yolk with remaining sugar and pour over the hot milk. Whisk then pass through a sieve into a jug. Pour into the ramekins. Pour boiling water half way up the outside of the ramekins in the pan and cook for about 45 minutes or until wobbly but set. Cool in the tray and then chill in the fridge. Orange,date and sherry salad 2 large oranges 75g chopped dates 50g dark brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla paste 50ml Pedro Ximenez sherry Peel the oranges with a serrated knife, including the pith. Segment the oranges by going in between the membranes and removing the segments. Squeeze the remaining juice into a pan and add the dates, vanilla, sugar and sherry. Bring to a simmer until the sugar has dissolved. Cool and mix in the orange segments. Place the bottom of each ramekin into a pan of boiling water, run a sharp knife around the edges and turn the pudding, sugar side up onto plates. Arrange the orange salad around the plate and serve.

4 x 175g fillets hake, scaled and pinboned 200ml water 15g seasalt 2 tablespoons oil 25g butter Place the water and salt in a pan and bring to a simmer until salt has dissolved. Cool completely then submerge the hake in the brine and leave for an hour. Remove and pat dry on kitchen paper. Heat the oil in a large non stick frying pan ( or line a frying pan with parchment paper to ensure no sticking). Add the oil and heat until hot. Add the hake, skin side down and press into the pan. Cook for 5 minutes or until skin is golden. Add the butter and cook for a minute then flip over a cook through on the other side for a couple of minutes. Allow to rest for a couple of minutes before serving.Cucumber and dill veloute ½ cucumber 1 shallot, finely chopped 15g butter 150ml dry white wine or dry cider 200ml chicken stock 75ml double cream 2 tablespoons chopped dill Salt to taste If you have a small melon baller, make about 20 balls out of the cucumber. If not, cut the cucumber in half lengthwise, then in half again. Scoop out the seeds and cut the cucumber into 1cm dice. Cook the shallot in the butter over low heat until soft – about 5 minutes. Crank up the heat and add the wine. Boil until reduced by half. Add the stock and boil to reduce by half again. Add the cucumber and cream and boil to spoon coating consistency. Check seasoning and add the dill. Dulse pickled shallots 2 shallots, peeled and sliced as thinly as you can 50ml cider vinegar 50ml water 2 teaspoons castor sugar 1 tablespoon dulse Bring the cider, water, sugar and dulse to boil until sugar has dissolved. Check seasoning and add the shallots. After an hour remove the dulse and shred finely. Add back to the shallots. When ready to use, drain off. Serve the hake with the sauce around and some pickled shallots on top with a few sprigs dill.