20 sheets (30 × 20 cm) filo pastry (cut in half to make 40 rolls)
250 ml pomegranate molasses (for dipping)
1 kg yogurt (for dipping/side)
20–30 bottles ayran (optional)
PREPARATION
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Fry the almonds or pine nuts until golden. Remove and drain on paper towels.
In the same pan, add onions and cook until translucent. Add beef, salt, and spices. Stir until browned, then mix in the toasted nuts. Let cool.
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and grease a baking sheet with olive oil.
Cut filo sheets in half lengthways. Place 2 tablespoons of filling along one edge, leaving a 1 cm margin on three sides. Fold in edges and roll tightly into a cigar shape, brushing with olive oil as you go.
Repeat until all pastry and filling are used.
Brush rolls generously with olive oil and bake for 10–13 minutes, until golden and crisp.
Serve immediately with pomegranate molasses and thick yogurt for dipping. Enjoy with a cool glass of ayran on the side.
2 parts mayonnaise, 1 part ketchup, dash of sriracha
American yellow cheddar cheese
Lettuce
Tomato slices
Red onion rings
Truffle mayo sauce:
2 parts mayonnaise, 1 part tartufata
Sautéed mushrooms
Swiss cheese
Baby arugula
Thai Chimi blend:
Thai salsa and chimichurri (mixed or layered to taste)
American cheddar cheese
Grilled onions
PREPARATION
Use 170–225g of ground beef per patty for standard-sized burgers.
Gently form into round patties about 2 cm thick. Avoid overhandling to maintain tenderness.
Press a thumbprint into the center of each patty to prevent puffing during cooking.
Season both sides with salt and pepper just before cooking to preserve moisture.
Preheat grill to medium-high heat (250°C).
Grill patties for 3–4 minutes per side for medium doneness (internal temp: 60°C). If using cheese, place it on the patty during the final minute of cooking.
Classic cheese burger:
Spread classic sauce on both sides of the bun.
Add grilled patty topped with melted cheddar.
Layer with lettuce, tomato, and red onion.
Truffle mushroom burger:
Spread truffle mayo sauce on the bun.
Place grilled beef patty with melted Swiss cheese.
½ cup raisins (both blond and dark, soaked in warm water for 10 minutes)
½ cup toasted nuts (almonds, cashews, pine nuts)
1 cinnamon stick
3 cardamom pods
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp allspice
1 tsp turmeric
Salt and black pepper to taste
Braised US prime beef ribs
3 kg US prime beef short ribs
4 tbsp olive oil
2 large onions, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp allspice
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp black pepper
Salt to taste
4 cups beef broth
2 cups red grape juice (or water)
4 tbsp tomato paste
Date sauce
½ cup dates, pitted
1 cup braising broth (from the cooked beef)
1 tbsp pomegranate molasses
½ tsp cinnamon
¼ cup cooking cream (optional)
Pinch of salt
PREPARATION
Oriental rice
In a saucepan, melt the ghee and sauté the chopped onion until golden.
Add the soaked raisins, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, ground cinnamon, turmeric, and allspice, stirring briefly.
Stir in the rinsed and drained rice, coating it with the flavors.
Pour in the beef broth, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
Once cooked, fluff the rice with a fork.
Garnish with toasted nuts before serving.
Braised beef ribs
Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F).
Season the ribs with cinnamon, allspice, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt.
Heat olive oil in a heavy pot and sear the beef ribs on all sides until they develop a golden-brown crust.
Add the chopped onions, celery, carrot, and garlic. Sauté for a few minutes.
Pour in the red grape juice and beef broth, ensuring the ribs are mostly submerged. Cover and place in the oven for 1.5 hours.
Remove the beef ribs, wrap them in aluminum foil, and return them to the oven for another 1.5 hours or until the meat is tender and easily falls off the bone.
Date sauce
In a small saucepan, combine the dates with 1 cup of the braising broth.
Let it simmer for 5 minutes, then mash the dates and strain the sauce if a smoother texture is desired.
Stir in the pomegranate molasses, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. If using, add cooking cream for a richer consistency.
PLATING
Arrange the spiced rice on a serving platter.
Place the tender braised beef ribs on top, drizzling with a bit of the cooking broth.
Sprinkle with extra toasted nuts and chopped coriander for garnish.
Serve the warm date sauce on the side or drizzled over the meat.
Serves 27 | Preparation time 10 mins | Cooking time 270 min
INGREDIENTS
700g Australian boneless lamb pieces
1 tsp Ginger powder
½ cup Fresh ginger
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tbsp paprika
Salt to taste
1/3 cup sumac
1 tbsp fenugreek
2 sticks of cinnamon
3 pods of cardamom
1 tbsp cumin
1 cup parsley
1 cup lemon
1 cup oil
4-8 pita bread
2 large tomatoes
1 tsp star anise
1 tbsp black pepper
1 tbsp fennel
1 tbsp nutmeg
1 onion, chopped
1 cup pickles
1 large green pepper
1 cup garlic yoghurt
PREPARATION
Cut Australian lamb into small pieces.
In a glass bowl add salt, paprika, ginger powder, fresh ginger, garlic mince, sumac, fenugreek, cinnamon, star anise, pepper, cardamom, fennel, cumin, nutmeg, parsley, lemon and finally the oil.
Mix all ingredients and then grind in a mixer, once marinade is mixed, add it to the lamb and mix very well.
Skewer and refrigerate overnight.
Drizzle the skewered lamb with oil and grill, once cooked let rest then cut the lamb into small pieces.
To serve, heat up pita bread then cut open, add the grilled lamb, sliced tomatoes, pickles and pepper (to taste), finally top with the garlic yoghurt sauce and more lamb meat.
Serves 10 | Preparation time 30 mins | Cooking time 3 hours
INGREDIENTS
1 beef Ribeye Roast Bone-In (2 to 4 ribs), small end, chine (back) bone removed (6 to 8 pounds)
Salt
Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Goat cheese Mashed Potatoes (recipe follows)
Seasoning:
3 tablespoons freshly grated orange peel
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh thyme
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1 tablespoon coarse grind black pepper
Chocolate-Port Sauce:
3 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup finely chopped shallots
1-1/2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme
1-1/4 cups port wine
1 can (14 to 14-1/2 ounces) beef broth
3/4 cup whipping cream
1 tablespoon soy sauce
3/4 ounce bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
Salt and ground black pepper
PREPARATION
Heat oven to 350°F. Combine seasoning ingredients; press evenly onto all surfaces of beef roast.
Place roast, fat side up, in shallow roasting pan. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is centered in thickest part of beef, not resting in fat or touching bone. Do not add water or cover. Roast in 350°F oven 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 hours for medium rare; 2-1/2 to 3 hours for medium doneness.
About 45 minutes before serving, prepare Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes.
Remove roast when meat thermometer registers 135°F for medium rare; 145°F for medium. Transfer roast to carving board; tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let stand 15 to 20 minutes. (Temperature will continue to rise about 10°-15°F to reach 145°F for medium rare; 160°F for medium.)
Carve roast into slices; season with salt, as desired. Serve with sauce and mashed potatoes. Garnish with parsley, if desired.
Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes:
Peel 3-1/2 pounds all-purpose potatoes and cut into 2-inch pieces.
Place potatoes in stockpot and add enough water to cover potatoes; add salt as desired. Bring water to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook 25 to 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Drain well. Mash potatoes with 1-1/2 cups milk, 6 ounces softened goat cheese and 2 tablespoons butter in large bowl with electric mixer until smooth.
Season with 1-1/2 teaspoons salt and pepper, as desired. Keep warm.
Chocolate-Port Sauce:
Melt butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and thyme; cook and stir 4 to 6 minutes or until shallots are lightly browned.
Add port; cook 5 to 7 minutes or until reduced by one half, stirring occasionally.
Add broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook 15 to 17 minutes or until reduced by one half, stirring occasionally.
Stir in cream and soy sauce; cook 3 to 5 minutes or until slightly thickened, stirring frequently.
Remove from heat. Add chocolate; stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper, as desired. Keep warm.
COOKING TIPS
Sauce may be prepared up to 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Reheat gently before serving. Do not boil.
To prevent seasoning on roast from overbrowning, tent loosely with aluminum foil after roasting for 1 hour.
SAFE HANDLING TIPS
Wash hands with soap and water before cooking and always after touching raw meat.
Separate raw meat from other foods.
Wash all cutting boards, utensils, and dishes after touching raw meat.
Do not reuse marinades used on raw foods.
Wash all produce prior to use.
Cook steaks and roasts until temperature reaches 145°F for medium rare, as measured by a meat thermometer, allowing to rest for three minutes.
Cook Ground Beef to 160°F as measured by a meat thermometer.
Heat 1/2 tsp oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat until hot. Combine salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Press evenly onto all surfaces of beef Tenderloin Roast. Place the roast in the skillet; brown evenly. Remove the roast from the skillet.
Heat the oven to 218°C. Place mushrooms and shallot into a food processor; pulse on and off about 10 times until finely chopped. Do not overprocess.
Heat the remaining 1/2 teaspoon oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add mushrooms and shallot; cook 4 to 6 minutes until tender and all liquid is evaporated, stirring often.
Add wine; cook 2 to 3 minutes until all liquid is evaporated.
Stir in mustard, thyme, remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the skillet to a medium bowl; cool.
Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place it in the oven.
Unfold pastry dough on a lightly floured cutting board. Roll pastry out to a 12 by 9-inch rectangle; lay the dough with the shortest edge toward you.
Spread mushroom mixture onto pastry dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge of the dough. Place the roast in the center of the mushrooms.
Fold pastry dough neatly around the roast, stretching dough if necessary.
Cut off excess pastry dough; press to seal overlapping edges. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and dust lightly with flour.
Place pastry-wrapped roast, seam-side down, on the baking sheet. Cut 4 (2-inch) vents in the top of the pastry.
Bake in a 218°C oven for 35 to 50 minutes or until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the roast registers 57°C for medium rare; 66°C for medium.
Transfer Beef Wellington to a carving board. Let it stand for 10 minutes. (The temperature will continue to rise about 10°C to reach 63°C for medium rare; 71°C for medium.) Carve into slices and serve with your favorite vegetables.
COOKING TIPS
Mushrooms and shallot may be finely chopped by hand.
Use any excess dough to decorate Wellington.
SAFE HANDLING TIPS
Wash hands with soap and water before cooking and always after touching raw meat. Separate raw meat from other foods.
Wash all cutting boards, utensils, and dishes after touching raw meat. Do not reuse marinades used on raw foods.
Wash all produce prior to use.
Cook steaks and roasts until temperature reaches 63°C for medium rare, as measured by a meat thermometer, allowing to rest for three minutes.
Cook Ground Beef to 71°C as measured by a meat thermometer. Refrigerate leftovers promptly.