There is much bandied about in the blogesphere about freebies. Some love them, others hate them, some get to many and others sulk for lack of any. For me a freebie are welcomed like any gift, as long as the giver understands that I will be honest in my review (if they expect one). Canderel didn't expect one when they invited me to cook up a storm at The Cook's Playground. All they wanted was feedback.
 |
| Sneaking a bit of tuna sashimi before putting it in the pan |
For me the best event invitation is one where I get to cook. Sure, sitting at a beautiful restaurant, enjoying magnificent food is great but it makes my night to be able to participate in the making of that food and to learn, teach and experience every step.
On this night we got to do it all. Drink bubbly, eat good food and
too many lots of chocolate coated almonds. Old friends got to chat, new friends were made and near future invitations were extended (more on that in the next post)
 |
| Myself, polkadotcupcake and ninatimm preping the tomtoes for the Tart Tartin |
Canderel teamed up with Jenny Morris to create 2 mouth watering, savoury dishes using the Canderel Yellow product, a sweetener designed specifically for cooking. We baked gorgeous tomato Tart Tartins and succulent tuna steaks with tangy sweet and sour salsa. We finished off with a bright fruit soup, that Jenny made for us with seasonal fruit, young coconut and coconut water, flavoured with almond extract and Canderel Yellow.
As soon as a nice warm, not so wet, day comes along I plan to attempt meringues with Canderel Yellow. If I succeed I know of a lot of very happy sugar free people.
Mini Tomato Tart Tartin
This makes a stunning starter or could be served as a main course with salad. For ease it can be made ahead if required. The tomatoes turn wonderfully sweet and caramelised once cooked.
1 Serving
15 minutes preparation time
30 minutes cooking time
Save 40 calories
7g fat (per serving of which saturates 3g)
144 calories (per serving)
19g carbohydrates (per serving – of which sugars 9g)
INGREDIENTS
3 tomatoes, cut in half
2 tsp granular Canderel Yellow
A few fresh thyme leaves (optional)
25g/2oz ready bought light puff pastry
Fresh basil leaves for garnish
YOU WILL NEED A 10CM ROUND FRYING PAN
METHOD
1 Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6
2 Add the tomatoes to a roasting tin and sprinkle over 1tsp of Canderel Yellow and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook in the oven for about 15 minutes until they just start to soften and wilt a little. You want them to retain their shape.
3 Whilst the tomatoes are cooking, roll the pastry out on a lightly floured board to a 10cm round. Put to one side.
4 Now spoon the tomatoes out and sit them cut side down in a small pan along with the thyme if using, then add the remaining Canderel Yellow. Cook for a few minutes until some juices run then remove from the heat.
5 Sit the pastry over the tomatoes, tucking it in and around them. Put in the oven and cook for about 15-20 minutes until the pastry is golden.
6 Remove and leave for a few minutes then invert onto a plate, be careful as the pan handle will be very hot. Garnish with basil leaves.
Tip: If you haven’t got a mini pan, you can transfer the tomatoes to a mini tart tin or oven proof dish before covering with pastry
Sicilian style swordfish
This meaty fish is griddled and served with a sweet and sour mix of herbs and sultanas. Protein rich swordfish is filling so a lightly dressed salad or spinach is all that is needed.
2 Servings
15 minutes preparation time
20 minutes cooking time
Save 10 calories
18g fat (per serving of which saturates 3g)
285 calories (per serving)
9g carbohydrates (per serving – of which sugars 9g)
INGREDIENTS
2 swordfish steaks
2 tsp olive oil
For the sweet and sour sauce;
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 Lemon and zest of ½ of the lemon
Handful of fresh flat leaf parsley, leaves only, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, grated
Few stalks of fresh oregano, leaves finely chopped or use dried
25g/2oz sultanas
1 tsp granular Canderel Yellow
METHOD
1 Lightly brush the swordfish steaks with olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
2 In a bowl add all the sauce ingredients, season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, taste and adjust as needed. Put to one side.
3 Heat a griddle pan until hot then add the swordfish steaks one at a time and cook for about 3-4 minutes each side, depending on their thickness, you want the inside to remain still pinkish. If you overcook they will become dry.
4 Serve the swordfish on a plate and spoon over the sweet and sour sauce and serve with baby spinach leaves or a salad.
Tip: If you can’t find swordfish use fresh tuna steaks instead (which is what we did)
Note: Images and recipes were supplied by Canderel. I was not paid to do this post, only shown a really good time and a product that is easy to work with.
