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Some of Sibila's recipes from past months.

Quinoa and Smoked Ricotta Melange

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Feeds 4:

Ingredients

200g quinoa
300g red onions
olive oil
balsamic vinegar (aged without added sugar)
salt (or soya sauce)
sugar (optional)
200g mushrooms
3 peppers (yellow, red and green)
ginger
garlic
keffir lime
lemon grass
mixed herbs
smoked ricotta or if not possible some other mild smoked cheese

Preparation

Rinse the quinoa carefully - it removes the bitter flavour - and cook uncovered in double quantity of salted water for 10-15 minutes until you the seed begin to separate. Cover and set aside for 10 minutes. All the water should be absorbed and you should end up with pilaff-style cereal.

While it is cooking prepare a red onion marmalade:
stir fry the onion in a tbsp of olive oil - stir continuously for approximately 7-8 minutes until evenly deep golden colour but not brown. Add 2 tbsp of balsamic vinegar and continue to stir until is sticky. Add some salt or soya sauce to taste.

Now look honestly at this marmalade and ask yourself, "Do I need to put sugar here? Am I so addicted to the sweet taste that I can't resist compromising this otherwise pretty healthy dish?" If the answer is "Yes", add half a tbsp of sugar, stir until it melts and feel guilty for the rest of the day! If the answer is no - congratulations!

Stir fry the pepper and mushrooms for 5 minutes, season with mixed herbs of your choice. You can add garlic and ginger, keffir lime and lemon grass to create a thai style flavour - or try a Provence herb mixture for a more Mediterranean taste.

Presentation

Cut smoked cheese with heart shaped biscuit cutter Place the quinoa in a ring and garnish with chives placed as a flower.
Spread the onion marmalade on the bottom of the plate, heap up the stir fry vegetables on the top and finish with 2 pieces of smoked ricotta.

Ideally accompanied by Gewurztraminer or some fruity, non oaked aged red wine.

For Asparagus and Avocado Risotto with Smoked Butter, click here

For Stout, Portobello Mushroom and Tofu Casserole, click here