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Camila Garza, Bucharest (2026)

21/08/2024

Banana oat pancakes

Method
STEP 1
Put the oat milk, egg yolks, banana, oats, baking powder and vanilla in a blender and process to as smooth a mixture as you can get. Whisk the eggs whites until they hold stiff peaks. Whisk 1-2 tbsp of the whites into the batter, then fold in the rest.

STEP 2
Heat a non-stick pan over a medium heat and spray with a whisper of oil, pour about 2 tbsp of batter into the pan and cook for 1-2 mins, until the base sets and bubbles appear all over the top. Flip and cook the other side for a minute. Repeat in batches, making sure the top looks dryish before attempting the flip, or the centre will collapse.

15/08/2024

Chicken balti

Method
STEP 1
Put the chicken in a medium bowl. Mix in the lime juice, paprika, chilli powder and a grinding of black pepper (step 1), then leave to marinate for at least 15 mins, preferably a bit longer.

STEP 2
Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large non-stick wok or sauté pan. Tip in the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, whole chilli and cumin seeds, and stir-fry briefly just to colour and release their fragrance (step 2). Stir in the onion, garlic and ginger and fry over a medium-high heat for 3-4 mins until the onion starts to turn brown. Add the remaining oil, then drop in the chicken and stir-fry for 2-3 mins or until it no longer looks raw. Mix the turmeric, cumin, ground coriander and garam masala together. Tip into the pan, lower the heat to medium and cook for 2 mins (step 3). Pour in the passata and 150ml water, then drop in the chunks of pepper. When starting to bubble, lower the heat and simmer for 15-20 mins or until the chicken is tender.

STEP 3
Stir in the tomato, simmer for 2-3 mins, then add the spinach and turn it over in the pan to just wilt. Season with a little salt. If you want to thin down the sauce, splash in a little more water. Remove the cinnamon stick, chilli and cardamom pods, if you wish, before serving. Scatter with fresh coriander and serve with warm chapatis or basmati rice, if you like.

08/08/2024

Slow cooker coq au vin

Method
STEP 1
Season the chicken. Melt half the butter in a deep frying pan or large flameproof casserole over a medium heat and cook the chicken, skin-side down, for 10 mins until deep golden. Flip to seal the fleshy side for a few minutes – you may need to do this in batches. Put in the slow cooker.

STEP 2
Tip the bacon into the same pan and fry for 5-6 mins until crisp, then add to the slow cooker. Tip the onions or shallots and carrots into the pan and fry in the bacon fat for 5 mins until starting to colour. Add the garlic, cook for 1 min more, then sprinkle over the flour and cook for 1-2 mins until you have a sandy paste. Stir through the tomato purée and cook for 2 mins more. Bring to the boil, then turn down to a simmer for 2 mins.

STEP 3
Tip the contents of the pan over the chicken. Pour the stock and wine into the pan, bring to the boil, then pour into the slow cooker. Nestle in the bay leaves and thyme, season, then set the slow cooker on high for 3-4 hrs, 5-6 hrs on medium or 7-8 hrs on low, stirring once or twice, until the chicken is tender.

STEP 4
While the chicken cooks, heat the remaining butter in a clean pan and fry the mushrooms for 4-5 mins over a medium heat. Tip into the slow cooker about an hour before the end of cooking and stir. At this stage, the coq au vin can be cooled and kept chilled for up to three days or frozen for up to three months. Defrost and reheat in a pan over a medium heat until piping hot. Scatter over the parsley, if using, and serve with mash or buttered tagliatelle.

02/08/2024

Easy biscuits

Method
STEP 1
Mix the butter and sugar in a large bowl with a wooden spoon, then add the egg yolk and vanilla extract and briefly beat to combine.

STEP 2
Sift over the flour and stir until the mixture is well combined – you might need to get your hands in at the end to give everything a really good mix and press the dough together. Chill for 20-30 mins.

STEP 3
For basic vanilla biscuits: Pre-heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Chill the dough for 20 - 30minutes, roll out and cut out shapes as above. Bake on a non-stick baking tray for 10-12 minutes until pale golden. Carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool and crisp up.

29/07/2024

Gnocchi traybake with lemony ricotta

Method
STEP 1
Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 8. Tip the gnocchi, courgette and tomatoes into a large roasting tray. Add the artichokes and oil, the bashed garlic cloves and chilli flakes, and season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix all the ingredients together with your hands, then bake for 30-35 mins until the gnocchi are crisp at the edges and the veg is soft.

STEP 2
Meanwhile, mix the ricotta and lemon zest together in a small bowl, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Dot this over the gnocchi and sprinkle over the basil.

STEP 3
Divide the gnocchi between two bowls, mixing them well so the ricotta breaks down to make a creamy sauce. Serve with the lemon wedges for squeezing over.

18/07/2024

Philly-style cheese dogs

Method
STEP 1
Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Put the chipolatas, peppers, onion and garlic in a large roasting tin and roast for 25-30 mins or until the sausages are cooked through and the vegetables are starting to caramelise. Gently shake the tin a few times during cooking to help everything to roast evenly.

STEP 2
When the sausages are almost cooked, warm the cheese sauce following pack instructions and put the rolls in the oven for 4-5 mins to warm through.

STEP 3
Take the sausages and vegetables out of the oven. Lightly crush the garlic cloves with the back of a spoon to release the cooked garlic, discard the skin and give everything a stir. Season and cut a slit in the rolls, then pile in the sausages, veg and garlic. Spoon in the cheese sauce and serve immediately.

11/07/2024

Bengali mustard fish

Method
STEP 1
In a bowl, marinate the fish in 1/4 tsp turmeric and a good pinch of salt, tossing to coat, then set aside. Using a spice grinder or a pestle and mortar, grind the mustard seeds to a fine powder. Put the tomato, garlic, 2 or 3 green chillies, the powdered mustard seeds, 1/2 tsp turmeric, a pinch of salt and 150ml water in the small bowl of a food processor and blitz to a smooth paste.

STEP 2
Heat 3 tbsp of the mustard oil in a medium-sized non-stick pan until smoking, then take off the heat and wait for 30 secs. Add the nigella seeds to the pan and allow to sizzle for 10 secs, then add the paste. Cook over a medium heat, stirring occasionally, until all the excess liquid has evaporated and the paste releases its oil. Lower the heat and continue cooking for another 4 mins or so, until it darkens a little. Add 400ml water and the remaining chillies, bring to a boil and simmer for 7-8 mins until it has a medium consistency, not too watery. Check the seasoning and keep on a low heat while you fry the fish.

STEP 3
Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan until smoking. Add the fish and fry on all sides for around 6 mins until golden brown. Add the fish to the mustard sauce, bring back to the boil and cook for 2 mins. Sprinkle on the coriander leaves and serve with rice, if you like.

02/07/2024

Sausage & squash risotto

Method
STEP 1
Boil the kettle. Put the squash in a heatproof bowl, add a splash of water and cover with cling film. Microwave on High for 8-10 mins or until the squash is tender. Meanwhile, crumble the stock cubes into a pan, add 1.2 litres hot water from the kettle and set over a low heat to simmer gently.

STEP 2
Heat the oil in a large, high-sided frying pan. Add the sausage meatballs and roll them around in the pan for 5-10 mins until browned all over and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside. Add the onion and sizzle gently for 5 mins, then add the garlic and cook for 1 min more, stirring to prevent it from burning. Stir in the thyme, turmeric and risotto rice for 1 min, coating the rice in the oil from the pan. Start adding the stock, a ladleful at a time, stirring well every 1-2 mins until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is cooked.

STEP 3
Mash half the squash and add to the pan along with the sausage meatballs and Parmesan. Stir, then top with the remaining squash, cover with a lid and leave for 2 mins. Serve with extra Parmesan.

24/06/2024

Spicy tofu tahini noodle salad

Method
STEP 1
Tip the carrots into a heatproof bowl. Pour the vinegar into a small pan with 3 tbsp water and the honey or sugar. Add a pinch of salt, bring to the boil, then immediately pour this over the carrots and leave to pickle while you prepare the rest of the dish, stirring occasionally.

STEP 2
Cook the noodles following pack instructions until tender, then drain, rinse under cold running water and drain again. Alternatively, if you prefer warm noodles, cook them at the end just before serving, without rinsing afterwards.

STEP 3
Heat the sunflower oil in a small pan over a medium heat. Tip the red pepper flakes, cumin, chilli flakes and a large pinch of salt into a small heatproof bowl. When the oil is shimmering (be careful not to let it smoke), carefully pour it over the spice mixture in the bowl, stirring to coat everything in the oil. Set aside.

STEP 4
Return the pan to a medium-low heat and toast the sunflower seeds for 3-5 mins until just turning golden. Remove from the heat. Mix the tahini and a pinch of salt with 5-6 tbsp water in a small bowl until smooth and pourable. Set aside.

STEP 5
Put the tofu in a shallow bowl or on a plate, break it apart slightly and spoon over the soy sauce and the chilli oil you made in step 3.

STEP 6
Divide the noodles between serving bowls and top with the tahini sauce, cabbage, pickled carrots, tofu, toasted sunflower seeds, herbs and spring onions. Drizzle over the carrot pickling liquid and serve.

17/06/2024

Gingerbread tres leches cake

Method
STEP 1
Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Oil a 23cm springform cake tin that’s at least 6cm deep and line the base with baking parchment. Put the egg whites in a large bowl with a pinch of salt, and beat using an electric whisk until foamy, about 3 mins. Slowly add 150g of the sugar, a spoonful at a time, whisking continuously until thick and glossy.

STEP 2
Mix the egg yolks, remaining sugar and vanilla together in a second bowl for 2 mins, or until pale and foamy. Add the flour, baking powder, spices and milk, then fold together using a spatula.

STEP 3
Add a large spoonful of the whipped egg whites to the cake batter, beat to loosen, then fold through the remaining egg whites using a large metal spoon (don’t over-mix, or you’ll knock out the air) until smooth. Pour this into the tin, smooth the surface and bake for 40-45 mins until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Combine the evaporated and condensed milks with 50ml of the double cream.

STEP 4
Leave the cake to cool in the tin for 10-15 mins, then carefully invert onto a serving plate or cake stand and remove the parchment. (Be sure to use a plate or stand with a slight lip to catch the excess milk.) Leave to cool for another 10 mins.

STEP 5
Poke holes over the cake with a skewer and, while it’s still warm, slowly pour roughly a quarter of the milk mixture over the top. Leave the cake to absorb this before adding more, then repeat until all of the milk mixture is used up – if the cake becomes saturated before you’ve used all the milk, pour what’s left into a jug and serve alongside the cake later for pouring over. This process could take a couple of hours, but as soon as the cake is cool, you should transfer it to the fridge. Once all of the milk has been absorbed, chill for another 2 hrs, or overnight, to chill and improve the texture.

STEP 6
Whip the remaining cream and the 2 tbsp condensed milk to soft peaks. Spoon over the chilled cake, then dust with a pinch of cinnamon. Will keep chilled for two days.

10/06/2024

Vegetable phat Thai

Method
STEP 1
If using dried noodles, soak according to pack instructions. Cut the stalks off the coriander and finely chop them (set the leaves aside for later). Tip the chopped stalks into a mortar along with the garlic and ginger, then pound to form an aromatic paste.

STEP 2
Heat a wok and, when smoking, tip in the oil, then the paste. Cook for a few secs, then stir in the pepper and peas. Cook a few mins more until softened, then pour in the egg and chilli. Stir around the pan until cooked, then add the sugar, fish and oyster sauces. Drain the noodles, then add to the pan. Toss everything together, adding a little water if the noodles seem a bit dry. Just before serving, stir in the beansprouts and lime juice, then place on a serving plate and scatter over the roasted peanuts, spring onions and coriander leaves.

03/06/2024

Potato & spring onion breakfast pancakes

Method
STEP 1
Put the potatoes in a large pan of salted water and boil until tender. Drain well, tip back into the pan, shake for 1 min over a gentle heat to dry them off, then mash and leave to cool.

STEP 2
Put the cooled mash in a bowl with the flour and bicarb. Whisk 1 egg with the milk, season, tip into the bowl and whisk until smooth. Stir in the spring onions, reserving some to serve.

STEP 3
In a non-stick frying pan, heat half the oil and butter until sizzling, then spoon in half the pancake batter to make 3 pancakes. Cook for 1 min or so on each side until browned and set underneath, then flip and cook the other side. Keep warm in the oven while you make 3 more pancakes.

STEP 4
Wipe out the pan, add the bacon and sizzle until almost crisp. Push to one side and crack in the 2 remaining eggs – with a splash more oil if needed. Fry to your liking, then serve with the pancakes and bacon, sprinkled with the remaining spring onions.

Camila Garza

21/08/2024

15/08/2024

08/08/2024

02/08/2024

29/07/2024

18/07/2024

11/07/2024

02/07/2024

24/06/2024

17/06/2024

10/06/2024

03/06/2024

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