Family Mess Hall - whole food meals dinners recipes

Cauliflower, bean and carrot bechamel bake Here is a lusciously creamy cauliflower, bean and carrot side dish to roast or bbq meats. It's more delicate in flavour and lighter in calories than classic cauliflower cheese due to the complete omission of cheese. The result is a gently sweet and creamy steamed vegetable bake that sits perfectly beside heavily spiced, salted (eg corned beef) or marinated meats. Ingredients: 2 carrots (sliced) 1/2 large head of cauliflower (cut into florets) 200 grams green beans (topped and tailed then halved) 500 mL whole milk 50 grams butter 50 grams all purpose flour ((2 tbsp and a bit)) 1/2 tsp nutmeg or mustard powder Method: 1. Preheat oven to 180C / 350F. Make the bechamel (white) sauce Melt the butter in a saucepan and then whisk in flour to make a roux (thickening paste).  Continue to whisk and cook for a minute. At a medium high heat, add the milk to the roux and whisk until the sauce has thickened. This may take ten minutes o...

Apricot, coconut and pecan oatmeal A thick, warm, creamy bowl of oatmeal porridge is a soothing and nourishing way to start your day. Vegan friendly and sugar free.  Ingredients: 1 1/2 cup oats 3 cups water 1 cup coconut milk 3 dried dates chopped 1/2 dried apricots finely chopped 1/2 cup chopped pecans 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp salt Method: Place all ingredients except pecans in a pot and bring to the boil on the stove over medium high heat. Reduce heat to a low simmer and continue cooking for 30 minutes total or until your oatmeal porridge is thick and the fruit and broken down. Serve with chopped pecans and an extra splash of coconut milk or dairy cream.

Kimchi pancake Ingredients: 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour 1/2 cup potato / corn starch 1 eggs 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup kimchi juice 1 tsp salt 1 tbsp sesame oil 1 cup kimchi (chopped) 1 spring onion (scallion) (finely chopped) Method: In a bowl, mix all dry and liquid ingredients together.  Stir in chopped kimchi. Add 1 tbsp of vegetable oil to a hot fry pan and ladel in a cup of batter.  Swirl your pan to help the batter spread out into a thin layer.   Fry for 3-5 minutes and then turn when golden and crisp.  Continue cooking on the other side until golden.  Allow to drain on a rack to help the jijimi remain crispy. Serve immediately in rectangular slices or whole, topped with a fried egg.

Shiitake, chard and leek egg tart Ingredients: Short crust pastry (pate brisee) 250 grams butter 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour 1 tsp salt 1/4 cup cold water Quiche filling 1 cup chard ((finely shredded)) 1/2 leek ( (thinly sliced)) 5 dried shiitake mushrooms ((rehydrated then finely chopped)) 1 tbsp soy sauce 2 tbsp shiitake mushroom soaking liquid 3 tbsp fresh coriander ((chopped)) 2 tsp Japanese dashi stock granules 8 large eggs ((whisked)) 3 tbsp grated parmesan cheese 1/4 cup cream 2 tbsp all purpose flour Method: Make the pastry In a bowl, rub the cold butter into the flour until is resemble fine breadcrumbs.  Add salt. Add water and mix to form a soft dough.  Wrap / cover and refrigerate while you prepare the filling. Make the quiche Chop your vegetables and set aside. Whisk eggs in a bowl with mushroom stock, dashi granules, soy sauce, parmesan cheese, flour and cream.   Line an oven safe dish (diameter 30cm / 12 inches) with baking paper.  Roll out the sh...

Mex-tinged chicken schnitzel rice bake Ingredients:  Chicken schnitzel 2 skinless chicken breasts 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs 3/4 cup flour 2 eggs (beaten) 1/2 tsp each of ground cumin, coriander and paprika (chilli powder to taste is optional) 1/2 tsp salt Mexican spiced tomato sauce 1 tin crushed tomatoes 1 tsp garlic (minced) 1 tsp each of ground cumin, coriander and paprika 1 tsp cocoa powder 1 tsp sugar Rice and vegetable mixture 3-6 cups cooked rice (cold or hot) (adjust this amount to suit your own rice to vegetable ratio) 1/4 cup fresh coriander (chopped) 1 onion (chopped) 1 green capsicum (chopped) (Option: dice or slivers) 1 tin black or red beans (drained and rinsed) 1 tin corn kernals (or 1 cup fresh from the cob) Optional toppings 1-2 cups grated cheese (Adjust the amount of cheese to your liking) 1 cup sour cream or plain yoghurt 1/4 cup fresh coriander (chopped) tabasco sauce (to increase the the chilli factor) Method: Preheat your oven to 180 degrees C / 350 degrees F. M...