Thursday, January 30, 2014

The Abel Cole Cookbook

I was contacted by Emma Healey of Abel & Cole to review some products for them.  Unfortunately, Abel & Cole dont deliver to the wilds of south west Scotland yet.  So I wasnt able to review their lovely organic veggie boxesm, but I Emma was able to send me the Abel & Cole Cookbook.  It arrived on Thursday but I didnt have much chance to look at it until today.

As a cookbook it is written in a very relaxed style.  I enjoyed the introductions and finding out about the history of the company.  The book is set out by the seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter and the idea is that you should cook by the seasons.  Even though I have only had a superficial look through the book so far, I can see that I generally dont cook seasonal produce, and how restrictive seasonal cooking would be unless you have access to the likes of Abel & Cole.  Certainly the south of Scotland is not the place for growing vegetables, it is dairy, beef and lamb country.  A few potatoes but the ground just isnt suitable for vegetables other than for potatoes.


So what did I make?

Not a Spring recipe at all, but a Summer recipe for Honey Glazed Salmon Steaks.
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp Dijon Mustard ( I used 1 tsp as I have had encounteres with Dijon mustard before!)
1 tbsp runny honey
1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
Olive oil
2 salmon steaks  ( you will note that I had three salmon steaks!)

Mix together the vinegar, musard, honey, garlic and seasoning in a  bowl.  Brush over both sides of the salmon and leave in the fridge for about an hour.

Heat a ridged fying pan to a very high heat, then rub it with a little oil.  Sear the steaks for about 3 minutes on each side, turning only once.  The fish is cooked if it flakes easily when lightly prised with a fork.  The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the salmon steaks and how you like them cooked.  Remove from the girll, bursh with any remianin glaze and serve.

I served the salmon with roasted cherry tomatoes ( oops imported) and a Leek and Potato bake - YES, seasonal cooking at last.  There isnt a recipe in the book for a Leek and Potato Bake, but there is one on the Abel and Cole website HERE.
and the finished plate....
The salmon was moist and delicious and the leek & potato bake went very well with it, as did the tomatoes.

Ill be back with more recipes from the Abel & Cole Cookbook very soon.
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