AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DISHES: #3 MALTA - MAJJAL BHAL FIL-FORN

The latest stop on my around the world in 80 dishes it Malta!

Maltese cooking it seems isnt just opening a bag of Malteasers, after a thorough search throug Maltese recipes I cam across the layered pork based dish Majjal Bhal Fil-Forn.

Ingredients:

4 pork loin steaks

savoy cabbage

1 granny smith apple

1 large onion

2 slices of bacon

2 large baking potatoes

dried cranberries

nutmeg

smoked paprika

fennel seeds

100ml water

olive oil

This is a really easy dish to make!

In a large casserole dish layer some of the cabbage and add the 2 slices of bacon (cut into pieces)

Grate a Granny Smiths apple and add that on top, followed by a layer of sliced onion.

Next up is a layer of the pork loin steaks

slice the potatoes and layer on top of the pork, add the 100ml of water the then give it all a good grind of salt & pepper. Add the nutmeg, smoked paprika & plenty of fennel seeds ontop.

Finally, drizzle a good glug of olive oil over the top and throw in plenty of dried cranberries. Put a lid on it and bung in an oven on 180C for 1hr 20mins.

Plate up a portion making sure to keep the pork loin whole & enjoy!

A rather tasty trip to Malta!

Countries to go: 77

Countries done:

#1 Peru

#2 Oman

#3 Malta

Keep following the Greedy Mancunians to see what country I 'visit' next!

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DISHES: #2 OMAN - LAMB KABOULI

For my 2nd stop on my Around the world in 80 dishes, I chose the country Oman.

After a few google searches I came across a very tasty looking Omani dish - Lamb Kabouli.

It's a fantastic dish (and one I'm sure I will return to many a time in the future) that is a little like a lamb biriyani only lighter, more fragrant and with chickpeas, parley and lime juice giving it more a middle eastern taste. Here's how it's done.

Ingredients:

For the Spice Mix:

3 cloves of garlic

A large thumb of fresh ginger

1 tablespoon of coriander seeds

1 tablespoon of cumin seeds

1 tablespoon of cardomon seeds

2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper

Half a teaspoon of turmeric

Juice of 1 lime

Glug of olive oil

A dash of water

(Blend all of the above into a paste)

For the rest of the dish:

Basmati rice

Tin of chickpeas

1 large onion

Cloves

Cinnamon stick

Peppercorns

Salt

600g of diced lamb

2 cups of water

Butternut squash

Carrots

Curly leaf parsley

Finely chop a large onion & brown on a high heat in a little oil. Remove half the onion from pan and put aside for later. Add the blended spice mix and fry for a minute. Turn down the heat to a medium heat and add the lamb, season with salt and throw in about 10-12 whole peppercorns. Cover with 2 cups of water and add half a dozen cloves and a cinnamon stick (remember to fish these out when serving). Turn down to a low heat and simmer for 1hr 20.

Meanwhile cube a butternut squash and carrots spread out on a baking tray, drizzle with oil, salt & pepper and roast for 40 mins in the oven.

Throw in the tin of chickpeas to the lamb after an hour and boil up some basmati rice, when the rice is partially cooked - with about 10 mins remaining - gently ladle on the lamb and remaining liquid on top but not stirred in to the rice. Cook for the remaining 10 mins until the rice is finished. Serve with plenty of fresh chopped curly parsley, and the roasted vegetables.

I hope you enjoy the taste of Oman as much as I did!

Countries to go: 78

Countries done:

#1 Peru

#2 Oman

Keep following the Greedy Mancunians to see what country I 'visit' next!

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DISHES: #1 PERU - PAPAS RELLENAS

I have embarked on a culinary adventure! Hurrah! I intend to pick 80 countries and cook a dish from each of them in a Greedy Mancunian food voyage. I look forward to trying and sharing some interesting  world cuisine dishes. So....... here I go....... first stop on my voyage is Peru.

The Peruvian dish I have decided to try out is Papas Rellenas.

The dish is a filled mashed potato stuffed with a minced beef mix and coated in breadcrumbs and deep fried. I was expecting it to be quite heavy and a bit greasy, but found it to be quite the opposite - it was very tasty!

Firstly peel & boil some potatoes (use some good mashers) once cooked through, mash til smooth and leave to cool. Once cool mix in a large egg and kneed to make your dough. 

For the filling you will need the following:

2 large cloves of garlic

Half an onion finely chopped

Half a green bell pepper finely chopped

10-12 black olives sliced

3 tsps capers

Half tsp of chili powder

Half tsp of cumin

Half tsp of ground cinnamon

1 tsp of oregano

3 tablespoons of tomato purée

Squeeze of lime juice

500g of minced beef steak

1 bay leaf

In a large pan heat some olive oil and throw in the onions & press the garlic. Once the onions have softened throw in the steak mince and brown, breaking it up with a spoon as it fries. Throw in all the other ingredients and cook on a low heat for 15mins. Let the mixture cool.

Taking some of your potato dough, form a flat pancake and put a spoon or 2 of the filling mix in the centre. Fold the potato around the filling to form a large ball.

Fill 3 bowls - one with plain flour, a pinch of chili powder & a tsp of cinnamon. One with a beaten egg with a dash of water. And the final bowl with breadcrumbs mixed with oregano. 

Dip your large balls first in the flour until coated, then dip in the egg, finally into the breadcrumbs again til fully coated. Drop balls in a pan of boiling sunflower oil and deep fry until golden.

Slice in half and serve with a salad drizzled with lime juice.

Delicious!

So that was my first visit on my Around the World in 80 Dishes!

Countries to go: 79

Countries done:

#1 Peru

Keep following the Greedy Mancunians to see what country I 'visit' next!