Battle of the architects – Rueben Lautier
If you look more closely there are wonderful parallels and deeply rooted connections between the arts of building and of cooking. To begin with, both evolve from necessity, and both possess a cultural and sensory, aesthetic dimension. As do most arts, these two also bestow a leading role to the materials used and require designing, … <a href="https://served.mt/rueben-lautier/">Continued</a>
A chef in the city – Maria Muscat
Served asks Maria Sammut, Executive chef & co-owner of 59 Republic, Valletta a few questions about her passion and drive for good food. What or who inspired you to become a chef? My early inspiration is a cliché, but it was my mother who involved me, from an early age, in her cooking and has … <a href="https://served.mt/getting-to-know-maria-muscat/">Continued</a>
Wood fired slow-cooked lamb
Serves 10 Prep time Prep time 7-8hours Ingredients 10 kg milk-fed lamb 4 large onions Half a bottle of decent quality red wine 6 – 8 garlic cloves Olive oil Rock salt Fresh pepper A large bunch of rosemary sprigs Method Heat wood-fired oven for 3-4hours until it reaches a peak of 250C allowing it … <a href="https://served.mt/wood-fired-slow-cooked-lamb/">Continued</a>
Raw Chocolate and Orange Cheesecake
Makes 5 mini cakes Prep time 30 mins + overnight soaking and chilling Ingredients For the base 15g dates, soaked in warm water for 1 hour 80g almond flour 10g cacao powder Zest of half an orange Pinch of salt 20g chocolate, finely chopped For the filling 60g cashews, soaked overnight 15g coconut oil 15g … <a href="https://served.mt/raw-chocolate-and-orange-cheesecake/">Continued</a>
When Architects cook.
If you look more closely there are wonderful parallels and deeply rooted connections between the arts of building and of cooking. To begin with, both evolve from necessity, and both possess a cultural and sensory, aesthetic dimension. As do most arts, these two also bestow a leading role to the materials used and require designing, … <a href="https://served.mt/bring-on-the-battle-2/">Continued</a>
Dark Chocolate Orange Quinoa Porridge
Serves 2 Prep time 35 mins Ingredients 85g white quinoa, uncooked 240ml almond milk or milk of your choice Zest of 2 oranges 2 tbsp. cocoa powder 2 tbsp. maple syrup Method Rinse quinoa in a fine mesh strainer. Heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Once hot, add the quinoa and toast for 3 … <a href="https://served.mt/dark-chocolate-orange-quinoa-porridge/">Continued</a>
Strawberry Coconut Chia Pudding
Serves 2 Prep time 10mins + 30 mins chilling Ingredients 150g strawberries, halved 240ml coconut milk 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1-2 tbsp. coconut sugar / 2 Medjool dates 6 tbsp. chia seeds Method Blend all ingredients except for chia seeds until very smooth. Spoon chia seeds into a large jar or container with lid, then … <a href="https://served.mt/strawberry-coconut-chia-pudding/">Continued</a>
Stuffed Roast Aubergine…
…with turmeric and curry spiced chickpeas and lentils topped with a tahini sauce. Ingredients 2 aubergine Olive oil 1 onion Garlic 1 tbsp. turmeric 1 tbsp. dried coriander 1/8 cup lukewarm water 1 tbsp. dried cumin 1 tsp. mild curry powder Handful fresh coriander 1 cup chickpeas 2 cups-soaked lentils For the tahini sauce: ½ … <a href="https://served.mt/stuffed-roast-aubergine/">Continued</a>
Dark chocolate Brownie
Serves 10 to 12 Prep time 1.5hrs plus 24 hrs resting Ingredients For the brownies 7 tbsps. unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for baking pan 100g plus 2 tbsps. unbleached all-purpose flour 1/4 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 200g unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped 3 tbsps. sunflower or coconut oil 200g granulated sugar … <a href="https://served.mt/dark-chocolate-brownie/">Continued</a>
Mastering sushi rolls.
Sushi chef Joshua Ramos at Medasia Fusion Lounge gives Served a five-minute master session in basic sushi making, making it look effortless. The recipes he shares below are actually quite easy to master and ingredients are available in all leading supermarkets. Did you know? On average, each person in Japan consumes around 100 grams of … <a href="https://served.mt/mastering-sushi-rolls/">Continued</a>
In bloom
The brilliant chef behind The Wandering Kitchen pop up dinners that many enjoyed over Autumn and winter, takes a last walk in the countryside before he leaves for his travels again to pick up new tips and skills to add to his already impressive own. Nasturtiums Found in the Maltese countryside in certain areas, the … <a href="https://served.mt/in-bloom/">Continued</a>
Tagliatelle with Spring Lamb Ragu…
…and Salsa Verde At the Mediterranean Culinary Academy, we’ve been busy working on our upcoming course on the Regional Cuisines of Italy so there’s been a lot of pasta testing going on. These tagliatelle are rich yet silky from the large amount of egg yolk in them, and will work just as well as a … <a href="https://served.mt/tagliatelle-with-spring-lamb-ragu/">Continued</a>
Eat Local – Eat Sustainable
The Valletta-based Mediterranean Culinary Academy has launched a range of courses to inspire participants to cook locally and sustainably. Here we explore this exciting concept and present delicious recipes packed with fresh, local and in-season produce. We’ve all heard about sustainable eating but, perhaps, haven’t fully embraced the idea or integrated it into our diets. … <a href="https://served.mt/eat-local-eat-sustainable/">Continued</a>
Barley Risotto
Serves 4 Prep time 60mins Barley is a great alternative to the usual risotto rice, yielding that similar comforting creaminess. The base recipe is always the same, but the added ingredients can be anything you have left. I have chosen to opt for mushrooms in this recipe, but the sky’s the limit really or whatever … <a href="https://served.mt/barley-risotto/">Continued</a>
Roasted Pepper Pesto Pasta
*Print: Il-Kajjik by Te fit-Tazza This is perfect for those forgotten peppers which get too soft and squidgy to do much else with. And with my abhorrence for wasting food, this is my way of reducing my food waste; easy tasty pesto which can be tossed with pasta or served with fresh bread and good … <a href="https://served.mt/roasted-pepper-pesto-pasta/">Continued</a>
Zesty Peas & Pancetta Pantry Pasta
*Print: Il-Bombi by Te fit-Tazza Serves 4 Prep time 15 mins Ingredients 500g De Cecco Orechiette pasta 4 cloves garlic, crushed 200g smoked pancetta or bacon, cubed (it’s worth freezing a few slices) 100ml white wine 200g frozen peas ½ tsp. cracked black pepper 2 tsp. dry mint Juice and rind of 1 lemon 2 … <a href="https://served.mt/zesty-peas-pancetta-pantry-pasta/">Continued</a>
Venison rack
Serves 4 Prep time 1hr 30 mins including resting time Ingredients 1 litre veal or beef stock, preferably homemade 2 dried bay leaves 1 bunch fresh thyme 180ml ruby port wine 1 one-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped 125g red-currant jam 4 tablespoons whole black peppercorns 4 tablespoons whole juniper berries 4 tablespoons dried … <a href="https://served.mt/venison-rack/">Continued</a>
Octopus Millefoglie
Serves 4 Prep time 60 mins Ingredients 1 Octopus (you can also buy it precooked) 4 large potatoes, peeled Sweet or hot red paprika, depending on your taste Olive oil Salt 4 slices of French toast Method Heat a large pot on medium high heat, without any water. After a little while, add some water … <a href="https://served.mt/octopus-millefoglie/">Continued</a>
Seabass fillets stuffed with Calamari and prawn bulgar wheat
Serves 4 Prep time 45 mins Ingredients For the seabass 8 seabass fillets. (Pin boned and scaled) 1 tbsp. veg oil for frying Pinch of salt and pepper For the bulgur wheat salad 100g raw medium bulgur wheat ½ medium onion 2 large tomatoes cut in fine brunoised style 75g cleaned calamari 8pcs peeled prawns … <a href="https://served.mt/seabass-fillets-stuffed-with-calamari-and-prawn-bulgar-wheat/">Continued</a>
Buckwheat, Banana & Hazelnut Bowl
Serves 2 Prep time 30 mins Ingredients 2 small bananas, halved lengthwise 1 tsp. hazelnut / coconut oil, melted 2 tbsp. raw hazelnuts, chopped 170g buckwheat groats, soaked in cold water overnight 125ml hazelnut milk or milk of your choice 2 tbsp. maple syrup 1 tsp. vanilla extract To serve: 2 tbsp. hazelnut butter or … <a href="https://served.mt/buckwheat-banana-hazelnut-breakfast-bowl/">Continued</a>