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Dazz Switalla Flavour Secrets No.1 The Strand Chef www.no1thestrand.co.nz |
The hot sunny days have driven a lot of us inside during the heat of the day – once again this year I'm using the siesta initiative.
It's nice to rest or sleep during the hot parts of the day, to wake up totally refreshed ready to party or get underway with some other recreational activity.
In the animal world dogs seem to pant more, chickens hide under the hedge and make themselves scarce.
But then there's the odd exception. ‘Cocoa' the dark chocolate chicken has a fondness for wandering inside and now sleeps on the back step at night!
She has play fights with the cat and dog, preferring to hang out near the back door as if ostracised from the rest of the flock.
I'm no animal psychologist, but there's something weird going on in that chicken's head especially since the hot weather has hit.
The heat can drive some people crazy too. I witnessed an overzealous parking warden issuing a ticket for a basketball hoop at the end of the cul-de-sac.
As for the garden, well that's gone ballistic too. Zucchinis are turning
into marrow in no time
at all and tomatoes ripening every day, inspiring me to use it all in some mad
creation for this week's recipe – a very different summertime cheeseburger.
Summertime cheeseburger
Gluten-free, serves two
Ingredients
2-3 large zucchini
2 large tomatoes
200g paneer cheese
1 small bunch mint,
chopped
Fresh basil leaves
2 eggs, beaten
1 Tbsp custard powder
Microgreens for garnish
Salt and pepper
Olive oil for cooking
Aioli or mayonnaise for
dressing
Method
Finely slice the zucchini or use a spiralizer to cut into small ribbons. Sprinkle with salt and place in colander to drain.
Slice the paneer cheese into large steaks and pan fry in hot olive oil. Mix chopped mint in with beaten eggs, custard powder and drained zucchini and make four large fritters.
When all nice and cooked drain on kitchen towel and assemble using the fritters as a base. Adding the fried paneer cheese, sliced tomatoes, basil leaves, mayonnaise or aioli, and microgreens.
Enjoy the delicious summer madness.