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Hazel Nuts as “Water Chestnuts” - Well why not give it a go?

Hazel Nuts as “Water Chestnuts”

We have a large Hazel bust nearby and on Squirrels to pinch them, so at this time of year we have quite a good supply of very big nuts. They are the size of a small Conker this year. Apparently nuts have a demographic status in Chinese Cuisine….”Peanuts = Everyman - Hazel Nuts = Middle class and thriving - Walnuts = Elite and above”. So with the idea of using Hazel Nuts as a local and free alternative to Water Chestnuts we set about pottering yesterday.

Ingredients:-

A large bowl of foraged Hazel Nuts
A hammer or Nut cracker (I used a hammer on the kitchen floor!!!!)
Bicarbonate of Soda.

Method:-

(1) Preheat the oven to 250c.
(2) Lay the nuts on an oven proof tray in a single layer.
(3) Place in the oven for 20 minutes. Those which explode are the ones with no actual nut inside. Which saves you smacking them later!
(4) Remove the tray and cool enough to be able to handle the roasted nuts.
(5) Crack open and remove the roasted nuts and bin the shells.
(6) Boil a small pan of water with 2 table spoon of Bicarbonate of Soda and simmer the nuts for 10 minutes. Interestingly the water turns a dark purple…..
(7) Drain and cool.
(8) Once cool enough to handle the brown coating will rub away with ease.

Your roasted and cleaned nuts are now good to add at the beginning of a Chinese style stir-fry just after the Onions and Garlic. You can then set them aside and re-add at the end. They really do add a great flavour and crunchy texture.

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Thai Style Fishcakes recipe, eat well on universal credit

I happened across a whole Coley at half price yesterday. We understand it’s a member of the Cod family? Well this one isn’t now! My knife skills are biased towards Butchery rather than Fish Mongering, so this was an interesting gig. Between us we skinned, filleted and ‘Pin Boned’ the flesh. Even the unban Foxes would have turned their noises up at the bits and bobs we had left so it went in the bin (Outside bin that is!)

Ingredients:-

1 Coley, filleted, skinned and Pin Boned
1 Thumb of Ginger, grated
The Juice of a Lime
½ a Tsp of dried Coriander
A drizzle of Olive Oil
5 medium Potatoes, pealed, boiled and mashed
2 Tsp of Hot Chilli Jam
1 Tsp of Thai Basil
1 Tbsp of Capers, finely chopped
1 Tbsp of Cashew Nut Powder (Just wuzz them in a blender)
50g of Cornflour
200g of Breadcrumbs (Gluten free bread wuzzed for us)
1 Tsp of Turmeric
1 Tsp of Paprika
2 Eggs, beaten
Salt & Pepper to season at various stages

Method:-

(1) Line a large dish with kitchen foil.
(2) Dress the fillets with the Ginger, Lime juice, Coriander and season with Salt & Pepper.
(3) Drizzle over the Olive Oil and wrap the foil around the filleted Fish and fold to seal.
(4) Cook in a pre-heated oven of 180c for 10 to 12 minutes until the Fish is cooked through.
(5) Allow to cool then flake to Fish into a bowl. Make sure you remove any remaining small bones.
(6) Mash the Potatoes and allow to cool.
(7) Add the flaked Fish to the mashed Potatoes and stir in.
(8) Add the Chilli Jam, Thai Basil, Capers, Powdered Cashew Nuts, and season with a little Salt & Pepper.
(9) Combine well.
(10) Divide into portions and roll into a ball.
(11) Flatten the balls and form into thick Fishcakes.
(12) Mix the Turmeric and Paprika with your Breadcrumbs, seasoning with Salt & Pepper.
(13) Dip each Fishcake in the Cornflour and coat well.
(14) Dip into the beaten Egg and then coat evenly with the Breadcrumbs.
(15) Place in the fridge for 20 minutes or 10 minutes in the freezer, to set.
(16) Place the Fishcakes in a pre-heated Air Fryer at 180c for 20 minutes, turning once half way through cooking.

These might look like they were bought, but you’ll never buy Fishcakes with this depth of flavour and kick! Also we had 8 in total, 4 of which are now frozen so by way of price, they’re hard to beat budget wise…..

 

 

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