♥︎Fregola, cucumber & orange

For ➋ 

2 small cucumbers about 150 g* 

1 tbs caster sugar 

1 ts sea salt 

1 ts coriander seeds 

5 tbs white wine vinegar 

2 tbs dill, finely chopped

150 g fregola Sarda** 

2 tbs olive oil 

1 large orange

2 spring onions, finely chopped 

a handful of watercress 

To make the pickle, thinly slice 1 cucumber and put in a small mixing bowl. Mix the sugar, sea salt, coriander seeds, vinegar and dill and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Pour over the cucumber, cover and place somewhere cool for at least 1 hour. The cucumber will darken a little in colour and soften slightly, but should retain its crunch. 

Bring a saucepan of water to the boil, salt it lightly, then tip in the fregola. Simmer for about 10 m, testing regularly for tenderness. Drain thoroughly, tip into a bowl then sprinkle a few drops of olive oil over it and toss to coat evenly. This will stop the beads sticking together as they cool. 

Peel the second cucumber, halve it lengthways and cut it into 1cm chunks. Peel the orange with a kitchen knife, taking care to remove the white pith, then cut into thin slices. Warm the oil in a shallow pan, add the raw cucumber pieces and continue to fry them gently. 

Add the spring onion to the pan with the drained fregola. Season with salt and black pepper. Fold the pickled cucumber and its liquid into the ingredients, add the watercress then stir briefly. 

Divide between plates and place the orange slices at its side. 

*When using larger cucumber, cut the slices in half. 

**Use Sardinian roasted fregola. Or plain pearl couscous

♥︎Kikerage & enoki with udon noodles

For ➋

25 g dried kikerage (black fungus)

1 tbs sunflower oil

1 tbs mirin

100-150 g udon noodles

100 g fresh enoki, without feet, in 2 portions

5 g plant butter

3 scallions, cut in rounds

2 garlic cloves, chopped or crushed

1 tbs furikake

Pour warm water over the kikerage and let it soak for 15 m to 1 h. Drain it, and use as a base to cook the udon. If necessary, add some water. Heat and dissolve 1 tbs miso in it. Cook the miso as directed.

Meanwhile, fry the kikerage for 5-7 m in 1 tbs sunflower oil. Add a dash of mirin and let evaporate. Set the kikerage aside in another container. Stew the onion and garlic for 2 m in the same pan, with a little oil.

In the meantime, cook the enoki with a few small lumps of plant butter in 2 packets 1 m in the microwave.

Mix the kikerage with the onion and garlic.

Let the udon drip. Place on plate. Mix the kikerage and onion over it. Sprinkle with furikake.

Place the enoki on the plate.  Serve.

Kikerage is an edible mushroom and is a popular condiment in Japanese ramen noodles. It is also commonly known as wood ear mushroom, black fungus, jelly ear, jew’s ear, and mu-er in Chinese. It is known for its nutritious value.The edible mushroom gets its name from resembling the shape of an ear. Kikurage has a smooth surface on both sides and is dark brown in colour. Raw wood ear mushrooms carry a light woody fragrance. Once cooked, the mushroom is gelatinous and easily absorbs the flavours in the dish. To rehydrate wood ear mushroom, soak the desired amount in cold water for 1 to 2 h. The wild mushrooms can expand 3-4 times in size. For faster results, soak the dried kikurage in warm water for 20 m. However, the mushrooms will not expand as much and will be less crunchy. Once rehydrated, store in the fridge and consume within 1-2 days.

Easy miso sauce for noodles

For ➍ 

1 heaping tbs white miso paste 

1 tbs plain peanut butter or Chinese sesame paste 

1 tbs toasted sesame oil 

½ tbs chili garlic sauce, adjust according to desired spice 

½ tb soy sauce 

1 ts dark soy sauce, optional for colour 

½ tbs maple syrup or other sweetener like mirin

½ tbs rice vinegar or distilled white vinegar 

1 ts minced garlic 

1 scallion chopped 

Mix everything together. Add to the boiled and drained noodles.

Seared tuna on spicy risotto

For ➋

1  garlic clove, peeled & crushed

2 tbs olive oil

2 x 200 g tuna steaks

2 tbs olive oil

300 g risotto rice

5 spring onions, chopped

6 chestnut mushrooms, chopped

2 pinches chilli flakes

2 pinches  curry powder

20 cl white wine

80 cl fish fumet or chicken stock

sea salt & pepper, freshly ground

10  cherry tomatoes

2 tbs olive oil

1 lime, quartered

Preheat the oven to 200°C.

Mix together the lime juice, garlic, olive oil and salt & pepper in a shallow dish. Add the tuna and turn over several times to coat in the marinade. Place in the refrigerator until required.

For the risotto heat the oil in a wok until it is smoking, add the risotto rice, spring onions and mushrooms and fry for 4-5 m. Add the chilli flakes, curry powder and wine and bring to the boil, when the wine has been absorbed slowly add the stock. Bring the mixture to a simmer and gradually add the fumet or stock continuously stirring for 18-20 m until the rice is creamy and tender.

In the meantime, place the tomatoes into a roasting tin, drizzle over the oil and season. Roast in the oven for 6-8 m.

Sear the marinated tuna in a hot chargrill pan for 1 m on each side or until browned all over and pink in the middle. Remove from the pan to rest.

To serve, spoon the spicy risotto into a shallow bowl and place the tuna steak on top. Arrange the roasted tomatoes over the tuna and garnish with half a lime.

Jamaican pork tenderloin

For ➍
500-750 g pork tenderloin, trimmed & cut into 2 cm slices*/**
2 dl orange juice
1 large onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 ts cornstarch***
2 tbs apple juice
2 large cloves garlic, minced
½ ts ground cayenne pepper
¼ ts ground cumin
¼ ts dried leaf thyme
¼ ts salt
2 tbs minced scallions

Place the pork* slices, a few at a time, between 2 sheets of waxed paper or plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound slices to 0.5 cm thickness.
Coat a skillet with a small amount of vegetable oil. Place skillet over medium-high heat until very hot.
Add slices to make a single layer in the skillet. Cook slices for about 6 m, or until the meat is cooked, turning once halfway through cooking time. Transfer the pork to a warm platter. Cover to keep warm. Repeat until all the meat is cooked.**
Add the orange juice to the skillet. Quickly bring to a boil, scraping bottom with a spatula to loosen any browned bits. Add the onion, green peppers, red peppers. Cook, stirring, for 5 m, until vegetables are tender.
Place the cornstarch in a small bowl. Add the apple juice. Stir until smooth. Add the minced garlic, ground cayenne pepper, cumin, thyme, and salt. Add to the skillet. Cook, stirring, for 3 m, or until the sauce thickens.
Serve over the meat. Sprinkle with the scallions.
Serve with oven-baked sweet potatoes.

*Or chicken fillets, sliced in 2 lengthwise.

**Or braise the meat in a traditional way: brown the complete tenderloin for a few m in oil, then braise for about 15-25 m in a skillet.

***Omit, if wanted.

Mushroom miso risotto

For ➍

50 cl hot water 

2 tbs miso paste or liquid miso 

2 tbs olive oil

1 yellow or white onion, finely chopped* 

240 g risotto rice 

10 cl dry white wine 

1 tbs butter 

500 g mushrooms (oyster, shiitake, cremini) cleaned & torn or sliced 

sea salt & shichimi togarashi (Japanese pepper mix)

2 tbs parsley, minced 

Mix the hot water and miso in a saucepan, and keep liquid miso stock simmering over low heat. 

Heat the olive oil in another saucepan. Add the onion and sauté for 5 m, covered, over medium heat. 

Add the risotto rice, stirring until all of the rice is coated in the oil. Add the white wine and boil for 1 m. 

Add the miso stock one ladleful at a time into the risotto and onion mixture, stirring occasionally for about 20 m or until all of the stock is fully absorbed.  Or add the liquid, cover and look after 15 m whether the rice is soft enough.

In a separate sauté pan, melt the butter over medium-high heat and sauté the mushrooms until golden brown.** Season with salt and shichimi togarashi or pepper to taste. 

Divide the risotto onto serving plates. Top with the sautéed mushrooms and garnish with parsley.

*Use a mix of white or yellow onions and scallions. Add the scallions just before the stock is added.

**Or heat the pan, dry cook the mushrooms until slightly brown, then add the butter. Cover for 5 m on medium heat. You might add a splash of wine and a taste of balsamico bianco and lots of shichimi togarashi. Check whether the mushrooms are done.

Gnocchi with cavolo nero & sausage

For ➍

2 salsicce or other pork sausages

3 tbs sunflower oil

1 tbs fennel seeds

500 g  gnocchi

800 g Italian stir-fry mix cavolo nero* 

Remove the skin from the sausages. Heat ⅓ of the oil in a frying pan and fry the sausage meat with the fennel seeds 3 m over medium heat until golden brown. While cooking, press the meat into pieces with a wooden spoon.

Meanwhile, heat the rest of the oil in a frying pan and fry the gnocchi 8 m. Over medium heat until golden yellow and done. Toss regularly.

Add the stir-fry vegetables to the sausage meat and fry for 7 m while stirring over high heat. 

Add the gnocchi, season with salt and pepper and serve.

*Or make a mix from cavolo nero cabbage, chestnut mushrooms, broccoli & scallion.

Fluffy omelet with asparagus

For ➍

225 g asparagus, rinsed & tough ends snapped off

8 large eggs, separated

120 g shredded sharp cheddar cheese

6 cl milk

65 g all-purpose flour

½ ts cayenne or paprika

½ ts salt

1 tbs butter

Cut asparagus into 2-3 cm lengths. In a  pan over high heat, bring 25 cl to a boil. Add asparagus and cook until bright green and just tender when pierced, about 2 m. Drain, rinse with cold water, and drain again.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix egg yolks, 4/5 of the cheese, milk, flour, cayenne, and salt until well blended. Stir in asparagus.

In another large bowl, with a mixer on medium speed, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Spoon about a quarter of the whites into yolk mixture; stir to combine. Scrape yolk mixture into bowl with remaining whites and fold together gently just to combine; do not overmix.

In an  ovenproof frying pan over medium-high heat, melt butter; swirl pan to coat. Pour in egg mixture and smooth top with a heatproof, flexible spatula. Cook until edges appear set and dry and bottom is browned (loosen edges with spatula to check), 7 to 8 m.

Transfer pan to oven and broil 10-12 cm from heat until omelet is puffed, set, and lightly browned, 3 to 5 m. Sprinkle evenly with remaining cheese; broil until cheese is melted and bubbling, 1 m longer. 

Serve at once from pan, spooning onto plates. 

Asian variant:

225 g asparagus, rinsed & tough ends snapped off

8 large eggs, separated

250 g scallions, chopped

6 cl miso stock

65 g all-purpose flour*

½ ts salt

1 tbs butter

Cut asparagus into 2-3 cm lengths. In a  pan over high heat, bring 25 cl to a boil. Add asparagus and cook until bright green and just tender when pierced, about 2 m. Drain, rinse with cold water. 

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix egg yolks, flour, scallions and salt until well blended. Stir in asparagus.

In another large bowl, with a mixer on medium speed, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Spoon about a quarter of the whites into yolk mixture; stir to combine. Scrape yolk mixture into bowl with remaining whites and fold together gently just to combine; do not overmix.

In an  ovenproof frying pan over medium-high heat, melt butter; swirl pan to coat. Pour in egg mixture and smooth top with a heatproof, flexible spatula. Cook until edges appear set and dry and bottom is browned (loosen edges with spatula to check), 7 to 8 m.

Transfer pan to oven and broil 10-12 cm from heat until omelet is puffed, set, and lightly browned, 3 to 5 m. Broil until cheese is melted and bubbling, 1 m longer. 

Japanese risotto with mushrooms & scallions

For ➋

80 cl water

1 tbs miso* 

1 tbs extra-virgin olive oil 

100 g sushi or other short-grain rice 

10 cl sake 

salt & freshly ground black pepper 

150 g enoki or shimeji mushrooms 

50 g chopped scallions 

25-50 g kaiware daikon sprouts**

2 tbs olive oil

Combine 1 tbs miso with the water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer the stock. 

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the rice, stirring constantly in one direction, until well coated. Remove the pan from the heat and add the sake. Return to the heat and stir constantly in one direction until all of the liquid is absorbed. 

Add the stock in 10 cl increments, stirring constantly until the liquid is absorbed with each addition (about 12-15 m)***.   Season with salt and pepper. 

Meanwhile stir-fry the mushrooms and scallions in 1 tbs of oil. (about 5 m). Add some mirin if you want. The last 2 m add the sprouts.

Spoon into serving bowls. Garnish with the mushrooms, scallions, and sprouts and serve.

*or vegetal stock

**or sliced daikon

***or pour the warm miso stock on the rice, bring to a boil, cover with a lid and let cook on moderate heat for 12-15 m.

Read tip on risotto making.

Japan style risotto

For ➍

1 tbs sesame oil

300 g sushi rice, rinsed

2 garlic cloves, pressed or finely chopped

2 scallions, cut into thin rings, keep white & green parts separately

4 tbs white miso paste

50 g butter

400 g mixed Asian mushrooms, such as shiitake **, shimeji *** (beech mushroom) and enoki **** / *

50 g young spinach (optional) *

sesame seeds, toasted

Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the sushi rice, garlic and the white parts of the scallions 1 m while stirring until the rice grains are coated with oil. Spoon the rice mixture into a pan / wok with a lid.

Beat the miso paste with 75 cl of boiling water until the miso is completely dissolved and pour the liquid into the rice. Boil 10-15 m

Melt 20 g of butter in the frying pan over medium heat. Fry the Asian mushrooms 3 m until they are slightly softer. Stir them, put the lid on. Cook for 5 m over low heat, or until the mushrooms are al dente soft. *****

Stir the remaining butter into the baby spinach. Cook for 5 m with the rice. Add if necessary. extra liquid.

Let the rice rest for 1 m. Add sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. 

Sprinkle the green parts of the scallions and toasted sesame seeds over the risotto.

* use other vegetables, such as pumpkin and snow peas

** the stems removed and the hat cut into slices

*** base removed and brushed

**** cut into thick vertical slices

***** otherwise: add the mushrooms to the risotto and cook for 5 m 

Read tip on risotto making.

Winter risotto with turnips & wild mushrooms

For ➍ 

2 scallions, chopped 

2 turnips, peeled & cut into 1 cm cubes 

200 g wild mushrooms, larger ones cut in 2  

2 tbs olive oil 

250 g risotto rice 

10 cl white wine 

70 cl vegetable stock 

Parmigiano, grated

Heat 1 tbs olive oil in a cooking pot and stir-fry the scallions and mushrooms for 5 m. Drain on kitchen paper. Heat 1 tbs olive oil in the cooking pot again and fry the turnips for 2-3 m. 

Add 250 g risotto rice to the turnips and stir until the rice becomes translucent. Pour the white wine over and let it evaporate completely, whil sirring. Add the vegetable stock to the rice and stir well. Cook covered for 20 m over a low heat. 

Mix the grated Parmigiano into the risotto. Season with salt and pepper. 

Sprinkle with the mushrooms and spring onions.

Read the tip on making a quick risotto.

Tamagoyaki (Japanese layered omelet)

For ➍
6 radishes
1 scallion
8 eggs
1 tbs light soy sauce
1 tbs dashi
1 ts mirin
salt
oil for baking

Clean the radishes. Cut them into thin slices first and then into thin strips. Clean the spring onion and chop it finely. Place the radish and spring onion in cold water. Beat the eggs with soy sauce, dashi and mirin. Stir the mixture smooth and add a little salt if desired.
Brush a large non-stick frying pan or a roasting pan with an oil-dipped brush*. Heat the oil - don't let it get too hot! - and pour so much of the beaten eggs into the pan that the bottom is covered with a thin layer. Let the egg set and roll it up using two spatulas.
Slide the roller up against the edge of the pan. Brush the pan again with a brush dipped in oil, pour some of the egg mixture back in and let it set. Roll out the first roll to the bottom edge of the pan and roll it up again with the new layer.
Continue like this until the egg mixture has run out and a thick roll has formed. Slice the still warm roll or wait for it to cool.
Drain the radish and spring onion, sprinkle with salt and place on the roll.

*Japanese cooks use a rectangular iron pan.

Foam omelet with chestnut mushrooms & red onion

For ➋
1 tbs liquid baking product or butter
½ red onion, in half rings
1 sprig of thyme, only the leaves, or ¼ ts dried thyme
125 g chestnut mushrooms, sliced
3 eggs, split
2 scallions, in rings

Heat the baking product and fry the onion rings for about 4 m. Add the thyme and the mushrooms and stir fry for a few more m. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks with a few tbs of water and spoon the mushroom mixture through it.
In another bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff with some salt. Carefully spoon this through the mixture.
Pour this mass back into the same frying pan and let it cook slowly with the lid on the pan for about 5 m.
Turn the omelet over using a flat plate and cook for another 5 m.
Cut the omelet into 4 points and serve immediately. Delicious with a salad and potatoes from the oven as a main dish and with some bread as a lunch dish.

*You can also add strips of ham or smoked chicken.

Lebanese fattoush salad

For ➍
2 loaves pita bread
extra virgin olive oil
½ ts sumac, more for later
salt & pepper
1 heart of Romaine lettuce, chopped
1 (seedless)cucumber, chopped
5 Roma tomatoes, chopped
5 green onions (both white and green parts), chopped
5 radishes, stems removed, thinly sliced
2 cups chopped fresh parsley leaves, stems removed
1 cup chopped fresh mint leaves (optional)
lime vinaigrette:
1½ lime, juice of
7 cl extra virgin olive oil
salt & pepper
1 ts ground sumac
¼ ts ground cinnamon
scant ¼ ts ground allspice

Toast the pita bread in your toaster oven until it is crisp but not browned.
Heat 3 tbs of olive oil in a large pan. Break the pita bread into pieces, and place in the heated oil. Fry briefly until browned, tossing frequently. Add salt, pepper and ½ ts of sumac. Remove the pita chips from the heat and place on paper towels to drain.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, green onions with the sliced radish and parsley.
To make the lime vinaigrette, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil and spices in a small bowl.
Dress the salad with the vinaigrette and toss lightly.
Add the pita chips (and another generous pinch of sumac, if you like) and toss one more time.

Steamed eggs with prawns, mushrooms & scallops

For ➍
3 eggs
40 cl stock
½ ts salt
1 tbs rice wine
50 g prawns, shelled
10-15 g dried scallops, soaked in warm water until soft, tear into small pieces*
3 shiitake mushrooms, sliced thinly
5 cm knob of ginger, shredded
spring onion/scallion, shredded

Beat 3 eggs with salt and rice wine, then add in the stock.

Use 1 big or 4 small soup bowls to steam the eggs. Place half of prawns, mushrooms and dried scallops in the bowl(s).

Pour the egg mixture slowly into the bowl(s).**

Heat up a steamer or a wok, half filled with water. Put the bowl(s) into the steamer, lower the heat and let it cook for 10 m. The egg custard should be wobbly.

Carefully place the remaining prawns, mushrooms and dried scallops on the surface of the egg custard. Let it steam for another 3-5 m until the egg custard is cooked.

Serve with shredded spring onions and ginger.

*Use fresh or thawed scallops instead.
**If bubbles appear, straighten with a piece of paper.

Versatile versions of steamed eggs are a common dish in Chinese households. It can include almost anything: minced pork, fish slices or clams, pig's intestines or duck liver.

Try the similar Japanese chawan mushi.

Bacon chawan mushi with avocado & shrimps

For ➍
75 cl chicken stock (or dashi)
8 slices bacon
4 large eggs
1 tbs + 1 ts shoyu (white soya sauce)
2 ts sugar
12 large shrimps, cooked, sliced lengthwise into 0.3 cm pieces (or shaved country ham)
2 avocados, halved, cut crosswise into 0.5 cm pieces
8 scallions, thinly sliced
4 radishes, thinly sliced

In a sauce pan, heat the chicken stock (or dashi). Add the bacon. Simmer for 10 m. Whisk in the shoyu and sugar. Let it cool. Remove the bacon. (Use it for something else, like eggs for breakfast).
Whisk the eggs in a bowl. Whisk in the bacon broth. Pur the mixture through a fine sieve into 4 soup bowls.
Add the avocado slices.
Cover the bowls with plastic wrap. Put them in a steamer over gently boiling water. Steam for 13 m or until the custard is set.
Remove the wrap. Let cool the custard slightly.
Arrange shrimps, scallions and radishes on top and serve.
To serve cold, steam the custard, wrap and refrigerate for 1 day. Add shrimps, radish and scallions just before serving.

This is a modern fusion recipe, inspired on the traditional Japanese chawan mushi.

Poulet Père Lathuille (Paris sautéed chicken fricassé with artichokes)

For ➏
1 Gâtinais chicken
3 flat parsley sprigs
20 g butter
crust:
300 g (or 3) Agria potatoes
3 globe artichokes
50 cl groundnut oil
30 g clarified butter
garnish:
50 g butter
1 bulb young garlic
1 bundle scallions
25 cl milk
100 g T55 flour

Remove the legs and breasts from the chicken, cut them into small pieces. Make a chicken stock with the carcass. Chop the parsley. In a sauté pan, brown the chicken pieces in butter. Drain, deglaze with a little chicken stock and add the parsley. Set aside.
Wash and peel the potatoes. Prepare the artichokes. Cut the potatoes and artichokes with a mandolin into 3 mm thick slices, and shape into 3 cm-diameter circles with a pastry cutter. Blanch the artichokes in boiling salted water and cool immediately. Brown the potatoes in a deep-fat fryer at 140°C and drain them on a clean cloth.
Line a 18 x 6 cm (copper) mould with overlapping alternate slices of potato and artichoke, and add the chicken pieces.
Fill up the mould with clarified butter and leave to stand for 5 m in the fridge.
Immerse the mould in an oil bath, and leave to cook for 10 m at 180°C until it turns a beautiful blonde colour.
In a pan, confit the garlic gloves in butter. Cut the scallions into 3 mm thick slices with a mandolin.
Plunge the scalllion slices in milk, drain, coat with flour and fry them at 140°C.
Place the chicken dish in the middle of the plate and decorate with scallion rings and garlic cloves. Pour over the chicken stock.

This recipe of chicken with potatoes and artichokes reminds us that Paris and its surroundings were once full of artichokes. It was created in 1765, by a cook named Lathuille, who ran a Parisian guinguette. This establishment, located near the barrier of Clichy, was known for its sautéed chicken, but also for its tripes in the fashion of Caen and a cellar with excellent wines. On March 30, 1814, during the fall of the Empire, Marshal Moncey installed his command post there, in a show of honour against the coalition armies. Père Lathuille distributed all his provisions and bottles to the French soldiers, so that the enemy could not take them. This 'patriotic' act contributed to the success of his restaurant once peace returned. In 1906, the guinguette became a café-concert. These days, number 7 avenue de Clichy, the former grande rue des Batignolles, houses a movie theatre, le Cinéma des Cinéastes.
Use the easier variation recipe with mushrooms.

Salade niçoise with maatjes

For ➍ 

4 maatjes (marinated herring fillets)
4 eggs
200 g extra fine princess green beans
250 g cherry tomatoes (or sun-dried tomatoes)
1 yellow pepper
1 red pepper
1 bunch scallions
600 g new potatoes
100 g black olives
1 tbs fine sugar*
4 tbp olive oil
4 sprigs fresh thyme
pistou with 4 sprigs of basil**
salt and pepper
dressing:
250 g natural yogurt
2 tbs old-fashioned mustard
5 tbs olive oil
⅓ bunch flat parsley**
pepper & salt
4 sprigs oregano

Preheat the oven to 200°C. Clean the spring onions and cut the baby potatoes into 2. Peel the peppers and cut them into strips.
Cover the oven plate with baking paper and arrange the potatoes on top, with the cutting edge down. Prick holes in the cherry tomatoes with a knife and add them, together with the spring onions, the olives and the bell peppers. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, dust with sugar and sprinkle with thyme and oregano. Bake for 25 m and allow to cool.
Remove the tops of the beans and boil them for 5 m in salted boiling water. Scare them in ice cold water.
Dip the eggs in boiling water. Depending on their size, drain them after 7 to 8 m of cooking time and let them scare in cold water.
Make the dressing: mix the finely chopped parsley** with the other ingredients.
Peel the eggs and cut into 2. Arrange the grilled vegetables and beans on the plates or in a large bowl. Add the eggs, the maatjes and the basil.
Sprinkle with a little dressing and serve.

*Optional.
**Or mix the parsley and the yogurt with the hand blender, instead of chopping finely.

Ersatz Flammkuchen

for ➊ portion
1 small tortilla / wrap (corn pancake)
30 g light cream cheese
2 medium-sized scallions, in rings
75 g cooked ham *

Pre-heat the oven to 190°C.
Brush the wrap with cream cheese. Sprinkle the scallions over the wrap, together with the ham.
Place on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake 10 m in the oven.
Serve with a small salad.

*Vary ingredients, e.g. smoked ham, tomatoes ...

Asari no sakamushi (steamed Venus clams)

For ➋
15 cl sake*
1 tbs ginger, julienned
600 g small clams (f.i. Venus clams), de-gritted**
1 dried red chili pepper
freshly ground black pepper
1 scallion, chopped

In a large frying pan, add the sake and ginger and bring it to a boil.
Add the clams and a red chili pepper. Place the lid and steam on high heat for a few minutes until all the clams open.
Remove the lid and add freshly ground black pepper and green onion. Shake the pan to make sure the clams are not over-lapping each other.
Serve with the soup and eat while warm.***

*Or for a non-alcoholic soup, use a dashi stock, with some mirin, lemon peel, garlic, (Chinese) chives. Replace sake with very dry sherry.
**Discard open clams. Clean the rest in clear cold water for at least 3 times.
*** For a main course, serve with stir-fried bean sprouts, enoki and nashi pear with a sesame sauce with dashi, sake and shichimi togarashi. A bowl of pimped rice.