2007 Retrospective

Nupur from One Hot Stove came up with a great idea in which we look back over the year and pick out our favourite dishes. It's a hard thing to do but I've given it a go and come up with a list of sorts, offered in no particular order I've selected a baker's dozen for good measure.

1. Tomato and Basil Cleanser

This is really two recipes in one dish and is a play on that classic combination of tomato and basil. A ball of basil ice cream sits in a bath of cold-pressed tomato soup. This was one that was a given in my list as I think it not all satisfies your palette it also satisfies your other senses.

2. Scrambled Eggs with White Truffle

There isn't much of a recipe but this something that I could never tire of and being able to share the experience with family in Italy made it all the more special.

3. Jewelled Amaranth

This could be classed as my beautiful mistake. It's a dish that started one way and ended up some place totally different. This highlighted the point for me, that we should always be open to the unknown and just go with the flow and see where it takes you.

4. Ajo Blanco

What can I say about Ajo Blanco that hasn't been said before? It's an insanely simple recipe that produces the most amazing soup you'll ever taste. It really is a dish you have to make yourself to truly understand the reaction it instils.

5. Cocoa Nib and Glacé Orange Cookies

We've all had the chocolate and orange combination before but not quite like this. This is a cookie for the adults in the family, the flavours are a little more mature, a little more intense but are wrapped in a buttery cookie dough.

6. Purple Congo Gnocchi

For a variety of potato I wasn't very found of I was more than pleasantly surprised to find they were perfectly suited to make the most eye-catching and tasty gnocchi.

7. Ginger and Lemon Barley Water

It may be old-fashioned but with Summer well and truly taking hold at the moment, something refreshing is needed and it's hard to go past this.

8. Stewed Rhubarb and Coconut Sago

This is a recipe that changes according to the seasons - in summer substitute berries and stone fruit and in winter this provides a different way of serving stewed rhubarb

9. Gnocchi alla Romana

A classic dish from Lazio that defies any alterations.

10. Black Genoa Figs with Buffalo Mozzarella "a la Pearl"

I had this at a restaurant and enjoyed it so much I had to go home and make it myself. Hats off to Pearl.

11. Pineapple Upside Down Cakelets

A sure way to Paalo's heart is this favourite of his - individual pineapple upside down cakes.

12. Salmon and Caviar Timbale

A favourite during summer - it's quick to prepare but looks a million dollars.

13. Toffee Coated Marzipan Walnuts

These are just evil...pure evil. You don't need chocolate when you have these.


I hope you've enjoyed this walk down memory lane, it certainly has brought back some good memories for me.

Here's hoping that 2008 will bring even more delights to enjoy.