Shrimp, rocket and basil pizza with aioli

I've got a confession to make - I've been having this pizza for lunch for the past three days now... it's so good! The rains from last week were beneficial for our rocket patch which sprung back to new life and has now been decimated again thanks to this pizza recipe. Enough with the drooling, here's what you do...

What you need for the pizza:
1 large pita bread/wrap
1 tbps tomato paste
1 generous tsp aioli
1 cup of cooked and peeled shrimp
1 handful of grated mozzarella cheese
1 cup of basil leaves finely chopped
1 handful of rocket leaves
extra-virgin olive oil to drizzle

What you need for the aioli:
1 egg yolk
1 tsp dijon mustard
1 clove of garlic minced
extra virgin olive oil
squeeze of lemon juice
salt to taste

Here's what you do:
Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

Firstly make the aioli. Place the egg yolk, mustard and minced garlic into a mixing bowl and whisk together. Slowly add small amounts of olive oil whilst whisking. Don't add it all at once otherwise the mixture will separate. After about a cup of olive oil has been added you can squeeze in the lemon juice and add salt to taste. This mixture can be kept in a jar in the fridge for a few weeks and can be used on fish (with chopped basil mixed in!) or as a simple dip for home made chips!

Once the aioli is made, spoon a generous teaspoon onto the pita bread along with the tomato paste. Spread the mixture evenly across the pizza base. Distribute the shrimp and mozzarella evenly across the pizza and place into the oven for 10-15 minutes (until the cheese has melted and the pita base is crisp).

Remove the pizza from the oven and sprinkle the chopped basil over the top. Pile your rocket in the middle, drizzle with olive oil and enjoy!

Toasted Vienna loaf with Roasted Pepper Pesto, Shrimp and Salad

This has to be a pretty decadent lunch - but in reality it's quite healthy and fantastically delicious!

Here's what you need:
For the Roasted Pepper Pesto:
1/2 cups picked basil leaves
1/2 cup of semi-dried tomatoes
1/2 cup of roasted red capsicum (peppers)
3 cloves garlic
1/2 cup roasted cashew nuts
1/4 cup parmesan, grated
1 cup of quality extra virgin olive oil (though you may need more depending on how dry the mixture ends up being)
salt and pepper

Vienna Loaf, thick sliced and toasted
Handful of cooked and peeled shrimp
Whole Egg Mayonnaise
Butter lettuce (or any frill-ice etc - avoid iceberg lettuce!)

Here's what you do:
To make the Roasted Pepper Pesto, combine all the ingredients in a food processor and blend together. Any remaining pesto can be stored in air-tight containers in the fridge for a few months. As with other pestos, ensure a layer of olive oil covers the top to keep the pesto from changing colour. Also keep in mind: this particular pesto tends to expand (for some reason) in the fridge - so do not top up your jars, otherwise you'll find a friendly squirt as you open the lid!

Thickly slice the Vienna Loaf and then toast it. Spread the Roasted Pepper Pesto on the bread, slay some shrimp across it, spread the whole egg mayonnaise and then top off with some lettuce. Dress lightly with some more of the extra virgin olive oil and you've got yourself a fantastic lunch!

Serve with a crisp and fruity white wine.

Try this:
Replace the shrimp with whole cooked, peeled and halved prawns. You could also go the whole hog and replace the prawns with lobster! But I'm too poor for that.

A small squeeze of lemon juice to the seafood can also add some extra zing to the flavours.

Semi-dried Tomato Pesto Pasta with Shrimp

There's a reason it's called 'comfort food'. It's filling, it's delicious, and it's exactly what you need at the end of a hard day (or even, not-so-hard day).

This semi-dried Tomato Pesto Pasta with Shrimp is sure to bring a bit of comfort to those moments when cooking a nice meal is the last thing on your mind.

Here's what you need:
Following on from the Basil pesto base, with a slight twist...
1 1/2 cups picked basil leaves
1/2 cup of semi-dried tomatoes
3 cloves garlic
1/2 cup roasted walnuts
1/4 cup parmesan, grated
1 cup of quality extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper

250g Pasta (any long pasta will do, I'm using spaghettini)
2 handfuls of fresh shrimp, shelled and deveined

Here's what you do:
Take your pasta and boil it in salted water until aldente. There is no need to put oil in the water - a common misconception to prevent the pasta from sticking. If you want your pasta to not stick together, keep stirring the pasta in the water during the first five minutes of boiling.

Mix all the pesto ingredients together in a food processor and blend until smooth. Take 2-3 tablespoons and place into a mixing bowl. The rest of the pesto can be refrigerated for a few months - just ensure a layer of olive oil covers the top.

Before the pasta becomes aldente, using a sieve, parboil the shrimp in the boiling water then drain and toss into the mixing bowl with the pesto.

Once the pasta becomes aldente, mix it together in the mixing bowl with the pesto and shrimp. Tip: don't drain the pasta before mixing. Using a pair of tongs, quickly remove the pasta from the water straight into the mixing bowl. The residual water helps make the pasta creamier in texture.

Pluck a few basil leaves and serve with alongside a light and fruity Pinot Noir from New Zealand!

Vietnamese Glass Noodle Salad

Here's one to tickle your tastebuds! This one I have attempted on many occasions, and am finally getting the knack of it. I first found this in a Donna Hay recipe book (Off The Shelf) and have since added my own few touches.

This is a dead simple recipe and I have used it frequently as a side dish to mains during dinner but also have enjoyed this on it's own for lunch.

I have found that the McWilliams Inheritance Chardonnay matches well with the light flavours in this dish.

Here's what you need (to serve 6-8):
- 250g Glass Vermicelli Rice Noodles
- 1 bunch of mint
- 1 bunch of Vietnamese Basil
- 1 mild Red Chilli
- 1 roasted chicken (ie the kind you get from the supermarket) - you can alternatively use some pan fried chicken breast
For the dressing:
- lemon juice
- fish sauce
- sugar
- water



Here's what you do:
Take the bunches of mint and Vietnamese basil and pick of the leaves. Discard the stems. If the leaves are big (say around the size of your thumb) then chop them coarsely into smaller pieces. Take your roast chicken and shred the meat. De-seed the chilli and chop into thin slices.

Take your Vermicelli and soak in boiling water for 5-7 minutes until al-dente. Rinse and drain with cold water. Use a pair of scissors to cut the noodles and continue until you are able to pull off a handful of noodles at a time.

Mix the mint, basil, chicken and noodles together. Add the chilli on top as a garnish.

For the dressing, mix up one part lemon juice, one part fish sauce, two parts water and sugar to taste. The dressing, whilst being relatively strong to taste, should have a smooth finish and should not be overpowered by either the lemon or the fish sauce. Add sugar or extra water if unbalanced. Add the dressing to your desired amount (usually almost 3/4 of a cup) just before serving.

Enjoy :)

Steven's Spanish Eggs

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I've been working on this recipe for ages, but I think I've finally got it! I first tasted 'Spanish Eggs' at a cafe in Southbank, Brisbane whilst on my work experience with Nigel. I don't remember too many details about that original dish except that it was served on sour dough bread, had one really massive free-range fried egg, had a very nice topping and a slice of Swiss cheese was to be found wilting on top. I couldn't believe how good it tasted so I've been working on recapturing that feeling ever since - and now I think I'm pretty close to that original sensation.

I have served this a number of times for breakfast, but it's probably better suited to a brunch or lunch.

Here's what you need (to serve four):

• Turkish bread: one of those long ones you can get from the supermarkets
• 4 large eggs (either the 700g or 800g varieties)
• 2 diced Chorizo sausages
• 4 rashes smoked bacon diced
  
• 1 finely diced red onion
• 1 can of diced tomatoes
• Fresh basil leaves finely chopped
  
• Balsamic Vinegar
  
• 1 Minced garlic clove
  
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Here's what you do:
Slice the turkish bread into four sections and then halve length ways. Either toast in the oven or use a sandwich maker/press.

Fry the eggs sunny side up, serve them on the toasted turkish bread.

In a heated non-stick pan, add the olive oil and garlic. Then add the diced red onion and fry until the onion is soft. Remove the onion and garlic and set aside temporarily. Fry the smoked bacon and diced Chorizo sausages until fragrant, then return the onion and garlic for a further few minutes. Add the diced tomatoes and basil leaves. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Once the tomato mix is ready, gently spoon the right amount on each fried egg. Add a small dash of balsamic vinegar over the top and serve with the other half of the toasted turkish bread lying off the top (as pictured above).

For something different:
Use a balsamic vinegar reduction for a sweeter touch. Simmer some vinegar in a pot until reduced to a syrup consistency. Beware because this can stink up your whole kitchen!

Add a slice of Swiss cheese to the top just before serving.

Let me know how you find this recipe and enjoy :)

Another version I attempted at YF Committee Retreat earlier this year...