Cooking With Paula Mcintyre

Paula's "Burns Night" SupperHaggis stuffed chicken thighs 6 chicken thighs, skin on, bone removed 75g crumbled haggis 75g sausage meat 25g breadcrumbs 1 onion, finely chopped Mix the haggis, sausage, crumbs and onion well. Place chicken on a board, skin side down and divide the stuffing among the thighs. Roll up the thighs to enclose the stuffing. Take a square of foil, place chicken on top, wrap up into a parcel and twist the ends. Repeat with remaining chicken and place in a roasting tray. Add 100ml of water and bake for 30 minutes at 180oc or until an internal temperature of 75oc is reached. Allow to rest for 10 minutes in the foil. Whiskey sauce 2 shallots, finely chopped 35g butter 50ml Scotch 200ml chicken stockCook the shallots in 15g of the butter until soft and golden. Add the stock and boil to reduce by half. Remove chicken from foil and strain any juices into the pan. Boil until sauce is spoon coating consistency. Lower heat and whisk in remaining butter, check seasoning.Brown butter mash

Flaky pastry225g plain flour 150g butter Pinch salt Cold water to bind Wrap the butter cling and place in freezer for 45 minutes. Mix the salt and flour together and then grate the butter from frozen into the bowl. Mix together then rub to breadcrumb consistency. Add cold water to bind, mix to a smooth dough, roll into a sausage shape and chill for an hour. Roll into a rectangle about 50cm x 30cm on a floured surface. Take a third of the pastry and fold into the middle and fold over the top third. Turn by 180 degrees and roll into the same size rectangle and fold in the same way. Divide the pastry roughly in half but with one side a bit bigger than the other. Roll out the smaller side into a 30cm round and place on a parchment lined baking tray. Use a knife to cut round a plate and use the trimmings for the top. Roll the other piece into a 40 cm round. Place on parchment paper and chill until ready to assemble.Mushroom Duxelle 350g mushrooms, sliced 1 tablespoon oil 2 shallots, finely chopped 25g butt

Mulled fruit 250g frozen mixed berries 100g castor sugar 200ml water 2 cloves 1 cinnamon stick, split in half 150ml red wine 4 large pears 4 plumsPlace the berries, sugar, cloves, wine, cinnamon stick and water in a pan and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the cloves and cinnamon and blend to a smooth sauce and pass through a sieve into another pan. Peel the pears and cut in half through the root. Remove core with a melon baller or teaspoon and place in the berry liquor. Cover with a sheet of parchment and simmer gently for 10 minutes. Cut the plums in half, remove the stone and add to the pan. Simmer until pears and plums are just done. Remove pears and plums and boil the liquor to reduce by half. Return the pears and plums to the pan and allow to cool. Chop into 1cm pieces. You’ll have a bit more fruit than you need but it will keep for a couple of weeks in the fridge.Jelly 200ml of cooking liquor 2 leaves gelatine Soak the gelatine in cold water for 10 minutes. Heat the liquor and add the gelatine leave

2 pears, cored and chopped finely 2 sprigs rosemary, chopped 2 small onions, peeled and finely chopped 25g butter 500g sausage meat 35g chopped chestnut 75g breadcrumbs Handful chopped parsleyCook the onions gently in the butter until soft and golden and add the rosemary, cook for a minute and then cool. Mix into the sausage meat with the breadcrumbs, pears, chestnuts and parsley. Press into a buttered baking dish and bake for about 30 minutes at 180oc. Sweet and smoky cranberry sauce 1 small red onion, finely chopped 1 tablespoon oil 1 dessertspoon tomato puree 350g frozen or fresh cranberries 1 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard Dash Worcestershire sauce 75g soft brown sugar 25ml cider vinegar Cook the onion in the oil until soft then add the tomato puree and cook for a minute. Add the cranberries, paprika, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, sugar and vinegar and cook gently for about 20 minutes. Check seasoning. Can be pureed with a blender or left as is.

Braised carrots with leeks and sprouts 500g carrots, peeled and sliced thinly 2 onions, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon fennel seeds, ground 25g butter 500ml vegetable stock 375g leeks, split, washed and chopped 500g sprouts, trimmed and cut in half through the rootHeat the butter in a large casserole pan and the onions and garlic. Cook until soft and add the carrots. Cook with a lid on over medium heat, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes. Add the fennel seeds and cook for a minute. Pour over the stock, add the lid and leave for about 15 minutes. Add the leeks and return the lid. After 5 minutes add the sprouts and place lid on again. Cook for about 8 minutes or until sprouts are cooked through. At this stage the liquid should have been absorbed but if not crank up the heat for a couple of minutes. Crispy parsnips with parma ham 4 medium parsnips, scrubbed, trimmed and cut in half lengthwise 50g plain flour ½ teaspoon salt Few grinds black pepper ¼ teaspoon mustard powder 2

Mince Pies with Streusel Topping and Orange Cream Homemade Mincemeat 100g ice cold butter, coarsely grated 200g dark brown sugar 2 Armagh Bramley apples, peeled, cored and coarsely grated zest and juice 1 lemon zest and juice 1 orange 50ml rum or orange liqueur 150ml Port 100ml Brandy 600g dried mixed fruit – I like a mixture of dried cranberries, cherries,figs, sultanas, pear and raisins 2 teaspoons mixed spice 1 round preserved ginger, finely chopped 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground clovesPlace everything in a bowl and mix well with your hands to incorporate all the ingredients. Place in sterilized jam jars, seal with a lid and leave for at least 3 days before using.Pastry 225g plain flour 110g cold butter 35g icing sugar 1 egg Rub the flour and butter together until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the sugar and mix well. Make a well in the centre and add the egg. Mix to a dough.Wrap in cling and chill for 20 minutes.Butter 2 x 12 hole pie tins. Roll out the pastry and cut into ro

Crostini with triple crème cheese, roasted grapes and walnut 1 ciabatta loaf 200g red seedless grapes, removed from stem 1 tablespoon oil 1 teaspoon seasalt 1 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary 2 rounds triple crème cheese 4 walnut halves Slice the bread as thinly as you can with a serrated knife and place on a couple of baking trays. Bake in a 180°c oven until crisp and golden – about 10 minutes. Cool. Place the grapes into a baking dish and drizzle over the oil. Scatter over the salt and rosemary and place in a 180°c oven for about 25 minutes or until the grapes are blistered. Cool. To serve – slice the cheese thinly and place on a crostini, top with a few grapes and then finely grape walnut on top. Crostini can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container. The grapes can be stored in the fridge for up to a fortnight.Crostini with local prawns, roast tomato, chilli and horseradish1 ciabatta loaf 1 x 350g pack frozen local prawns, defrosted Juice and zest 1 lemon 1 teaspoon salt 250g cherry tom

Chicken and leek minestrone soup with walnut and parsley pesto toasts Chicken and leek minestrone soup 1 small chicken, about 1kg 2 onions, peeled and quartered 1 stick celery, roughly chopped 2 cloves garlic, peeled 1 bay leaf 1 large leek, split, washed and chopped 25g butter 75g macaroni pasta 1 tin borlotti beans Large handful parsley, chopped Salt and pepper to taste Place the chicken in a pot and add the onions, celery, garlic and bay. Season with salt and pepper and cover with cold water. Bring to a simmer, place a lid on and cook until fork tender on the stove – about an hour and a quarter. Alternatively place in a casserole and cook in a 180oc oven for a couple of hours. Remove chicken and set aside. Remove bay leaf and blend the liquor. Cook the leeks in a pot with the butter, season to taste and cook until soft – about 5 minutes. Add the blended cooking liquor, bring to a simmer and add the pasta. Cook for about 10 minutes or until pasta is done. Meanwhile rip the chicken from the carcass

Chicken with leeks and mustard 8 boneless chicken thighs, skin on 1 tablespoon oil 15g butter 2 shallots, chopped 1 medium leek, split, washed and chopped 100ml dry white wine or dry cider 250ml chicken stock 2 tablespoons double cream 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard Heat the oil in a large frying pan until hot and add the chicken skin side down. Cook for about 5 minutes or until skin is golden and crisp. Flip over and cook for 5 minutes on the other side or until cooked through. Remove chicken from pan. Add butter and shallots to pan and cook until shallots are golden. Add the wine and cook for a minute, then add the stock and simmer until the liquid has reduced by half. Add the leeks and cook for 5 minutes. Add the cream and mustard and cook for a minute.Return the chicken to pan with resting juices and check seasoning. Serve with the buttered Queens.Buttered Queens 12 medium Queens potatoes, scrubbed Handful parsley, chopped 50g butter Place the potatoes in a pan and cover with cold water. Bring to a

Beef sausage stroganoff with parsnip mash 500g beef sausages 1 tablespoon oil 2 onions, finely sliced 1 clove garlic, minced 25g butter 250g sliced mushrooms 1 tablespoon tomato puree 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 150ml beef stock 75ml double cream 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard Heat the oil in a large pan and add the sausages. Cook to seal on both sides and then add the onions and garlic. Cook until golden. Add the mushrooms and dot the butter around the pan. Cook until the mushrooms are golden and mix in the tomato puree. Add the Worcestershire sauce, vinegar and stock and cook until the stock has reduced by half. Add the cream and mustard and cook to spoon coating consistency. Check seasoning. Parsnip mash 1kg peeled potatoes 200g parsnips, peeled and chopped 200ml whole milk Salt to taste 25g butter Boil the potatoes. Place the parsnips in a pan and cover with the milk. Season with salt and place parchment on top. Cook gently until parsnips are soft. Blend to a sm

6 red eating apples 80g blackcurrant jam 100g self-raising flour 50g butter, coarsely chopped 175g caster sugar 250 ml dry apple ciderPreheat oven to 200C. Butter a baking dish or skillet. Peel, quarter and core the apples. Slice each quarter in half. Spread the jam over the base of the baking dish. Place the apples on top. Rub the butter into the flour until it resembles fine crumbs. Add the sugar and mix well. Whisk in the cider to a smooth batter and pour over the top of the apples. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden and firm on top.Apple cream 1 large bramley apple, peeled, cored and chopped 50g castor sugar 250ml double creamCook the apple and sugar until soft. Blend to a smooth puree and cool. Whip the cream and fold in the apple. Serve with the hot pudding.

Coffee Cake 250g soft butter 125g castor sugar 125g soft brown sugar 3 eggs 50g chopped walnuts 225g self raising flour 50g chopped dates 1 vanilla extract Set oven to 180°c and line a loaf tin or baking tin with parchment paper. Beat the butter and sugars together until pale and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then fold in flour, walnuts, dates and vanilla extract. Spoon into the tin and bake for about 40 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.Coffee and white chocolate cream 35ml espresso 275ml double cream 75g chopped white chocolate 250g mascarpone 2 tablespoons icing sugarWarm 75ml of the cream with the espresso and add the white chocolate. Stir over a low heat until chocolate is melted. Whisk the remaining cream with the mascarpone and icing sugar and mix in the chocolate mixture. Spoon into a piping bag and pipe over cool cake.

250ml double cream 50g soft brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 egg 100g dark chocolate chopped Simmer the cream, sugar and vanilla until the sugar has dissolved. Pour over the dark chocolate and stir until melted. Cool for 5 minutes and whisk in the egg. Pour into 4 ramekins or glasses and chill until set – about 6 hours.Poached plums 4 plums, halved and stoned 50g castor sugar 100ml water Pinch cinnamon 25ml rum – optional Place the sugar and water in a pan and cook until sugar has dissolved. Add the cinnamon and rum and place the plums in. Cover with parchment and cook gently for 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow to cool in the liquid. Peel the plums and cut each half in half. Muscovado cream 200ml double cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 25g dark muscovado sugar Whip the cream and fold in the sugar and vanilla. Candied hazelnuts 50g skinned hazelnuts 75g castor sugar 50ml water Place the sugar and water in a pan and cook until the mixture is thick and syrupy but not starting to go brown. A

Brown sugar toasted fruit loaf4 thick slices fruit loaf or barmbrack 75g soft butter 50g soft brown sugar ½ teaspoon vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon mixed spiceSet oven to 180°c and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Mix the butter, sugar, vanilla and spice to a smooth paste. Spread over both sides of the loaf and place in oven for 20 minutes, turning over half way.Blackberry cream150g blackberries 75g castor sugar 200g mascarpone 250ml double cream Cook the blackberries with the sugar for 5 minutes then blend to a smooth puree and pass through a sieve to remove seeds. Cool.Whisk into the mascarpone and cream until thick. Poached apples 2 red eating apples 35g castor sugar 100ml water Juice 1 lemonPlace the sugar, water and lemon in a small pan and simmer until sugar has dissolved. Quarter, peel and core apples. Slice thinly and place in hot liquid. Cook for 5 minutes then cool.Spoon some of the blackberry cream onto hot toast and add some poached apples and a few blackberries to garnish.

Pork belly salad with radishes, hot and sour plum sauce 750g pork belly slices 1 tablespoon honey 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons cider vinegar Mix the honey, soy and vinegar together and add the pork. Mix well and marinate for a few hours in the fridge. Set oven to 200oc and line a baking tray with parchment paper. Place the belly on top and cook for about half an hour, turning once. 12 radishes, halved Heat a pan and add the pork to crisp the fat. Add the radishes and juices from pork. Cook until golden. Add a couple of tablespoons of the plum sauce on top of the pork Hot and sour plum sauce250g plums, halved, stoned and chopped 1 tablespoon oil 1 red onion, chopped 100ml cider vinegar 2 star anise 2 cloves garlic, chopped 25g ginger root, chopped 1 red chilli chopped 25ml soy sauce 35g dark brown sugarCook the onion, ginger, chilli and garlic gently in the oil and then add the plums, vinegar, star anise, soy and sugar. Simmer until the plums are soft. Remove anise and blend to a smooth pur

250g bite size pasta like macaroni, orzo 1 ham hock or 250g ham trimmings ( ask your butcher) 2 onions, coarsely chopped 1 stick celery, chopped 2 tablespoons oil 1 medium, leek, split washed and chopped 1 large courgette Bunch basil Bunch parsley 50g finely grated parmesanPour boiling water over the ham hock or ham trimmings and place in a pot. Add the onion and celery and cover with cold water. Bring to a simmer and cover. Cook for about 2 hours for the hock ( less for the trimmings) or until fork tender. Remove ham from liquor and allow to rest for 10 minutes then shred the meat. Blend the cooking liquor. Heat the oil in a pan and cook the leeks and courgettes for 5 minutes. Add half the stock ( freeze the rest) and bring to a simmer. Cook the pasta, drain and add to the pan with the herbs and ham meat. Check seasoning. Remove the stalks from the basil and set aside. Chop the basil leaves and parsley and add to pan with half the parmesan and mix well. Spoon into bowls and sprinkle over the remaining

Harissa 1 red chilli, deseeded and chopped 1 clove garlic, chopped 2 shallots, chopped 1 tablespoon cooking oil Zest and juice 1 orange 50ml sherry vinegar Pinch cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground coriander seeds 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 50ml good olive oil or good local rapeseed oilCook the chillis, garlic and shallot in the cooking oil until soft and golden. Add the spices and cook for 30 seconds. Add the orange juice and zest and sherry vinegar and cook until it the liquid has evaporated. Blend with the olive oil to a smooth puree. Check seasoning. Carrot Quinoa 1 onion, finely chopped 1 tablespoon oil 200g quinoa, rinsed in cold water 600ml vegetable stock 175g coarsely grated carrotCook the onion in the oil until soft and then add the stock. Bring to the boil and add the quinoa. Place a lid on top and gently simmer for about 20 minutes or until liquid has evaporated. Add the carrot and replace lid. Leave for a further 10 minutes. Mix up with a fork and add a couple of teaspoo

Caramelized cherries 250g cherries, stoned and halved 75g castor sugar 125ml boiling water 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or extract Cook the sugar in a non stick pan until it forms an amber liquid. Carefully add the water as it will spit and cook until thick and syrupy. Add the cherries and vanilla and toss for a couple of minutes to glaze.Chocolate granita 450ml water 2 teaspoons glucose 75g castor sugar 25g cocoa powder 75g chopped dark chocolate Place the water, glucose and sugar in a pan and simmer until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and whisk in the chocolate and cocoa powder until chocolate has melted. Cool and pour into a plastic tub. Place in freezer for a couple of hours then fork up the mixture to form crystals. Repeat a couple of times until frozen. 200g crème fraiche Spoon the cherries into bowls and top with granita and a dollop of crème fraiche.

Brined pork chops 4 x 200g pork chops 500ml water 20g seasalt 1 teaspoon mustard seeds 25g light brown sugar Few sprigs thyme or rosemary 1 clove garlic, smashed Place water, salt , mustard seeds, sugar, rosemary and garlic in a pan and simmer until sugar and salt have dissolved. Cool completely. Place pork chops in a container and cover with brine. Leave for 24 hours then pat dry and brush with a little oil. Grill the chops for about 5 minutes each side and half way through the cooking brush with the barbecue sauce to glaze. Give a final brush of the sauce to finish and rest. Any remaining sauce can be placed in a jar and will keep in the fridge for a month.Barbecue Sauce2 tablespoons oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 stick celery, finely chopped 2 shallots finely chopped 2 tablespoons tomato puree 200ml tomato ketchup 200ml water 100ml white malt vinegar 2 tablespoons treacle 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauceFry the garlic, celery and shallot gently in the oil until golden and add the tomato puree. Coo

Herb rice salad 200g basmati rice, boiled for 10 minutes in salted water, drained and cooled 4 scallions, finely chopped Zest from 1 lime Chopped soft herbs like mint, coriander, parsley and chives 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 50ml olive oil or good local rapeseed oil Salt and pepper to tasteMix the scallions, lime zest, herbs, vinegar and oil into the rice. Check seasoning. 1kg frozen raw prawns or scampi, defrosted and patted dry on kitchen paper 2 tablespoons oil 1 bulb fennel 1 red chilli, deseeded and chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 2 shallots, finely chopped Juice of lime from above 50g butter Heat the oil in a large frying pan or wok. Cut the fennel in half and remove the core, slice the fennel as thinly as you can and add to the pan. Cook for a minute then add the shallots, garlic and chilli and half the butter. Cook until golden then add the prawns. Cook for about 2 minutes, season with salt and add the juice of the lime. Dot the remaining butter around the pan and stir until melted. S