#11 Flatbreads with Lemon Thyme and Ricotta

For the longest time, I've been hearing about the health benefits of "cottage" and "ricotta" cheese as great sources of protein, easy to go snacks, and possible accelerator for weight loss.

However, for the life of me I have NEVER seen cottage cheese, this legendary super-cheese ANYWHERE in Taiwan. (And as for ricotta, it's insanely expensive and one can only find it at those fancy supermarkets at 101. As with most things that I cannot find, I began my quest of making it myself...To my great discovery...IT'S EASY!
Cottage Cheese 

Ingredients.
2 cups of Milk ..........................38NT
1 lemon (juice) ..........................9NT
Salt to taste
TOTAL: 47NT

Heat milk up to 50-60 degrees, turn off the heat before the milk boils!
Stir in the lemon juice and just let the pot sit for 30+minutes.

Place your cheese cloth over a large bowl. Pour the contents in your pot over your cheese cloth and squeeze squeeze squeeze! Soon you will be left with liquid whey and a ball of crumbly delicious cottage cheese!

Doesn't it look like a snowball? Mmmmmmmmmmmmm beautiful.

Ricotta Cheese

Ingredients.
Leftover whey

Boil and strain.

As a Taiwanese, how could we NOT love Scallion Pancakes?!
Chewy, flaky, and savory. One of my all-time favorite guilty pleasure. Served both in classy Chinese restaurant or simply in one of those food stalls right on the street - a classic night markets treat.

However, scallion pancakes are dubbed one of the most high-calorie snacks in Taiwan. Not only does the pastry itself contain a high amount of lard (to retain it's chewy flaky texture), more oil is used while frying, enhancing it's flavor and making it smell absolutely delightful, but quite detrimental to our health.

So when I came across Ramsay's leek flatbreads... I couldn't wait to try it. This recipe seems to be the IDEAL compromise. A much MUCH healthier version of our traditional snack.


#11 Quick Flatbreads with Lemon Thyme and Ricotta

Ingredients.
Green onions ..........................................20NT
All purpose multi-grain flour ....................10NT
Butter, olive oil ........................................5NT
Ricotta cheese ........................................24NT
1/2 Lemon  .............................................10NT
Warm Water
Thyme
TOTAL: 69NT

#8 Fish Fillet with Sweet Chili Sauce

For the last three days, I took a trip down to southern Taiwan, hence the lack of cooking. It's been real fun hiking and just overall enjoying nature. While I was there, I took the opportunity to buy some kitchen utensils made out of some of the best woodwork in Taiwan, including a pair of well-carved chopsticks and a wooden spoon especially for spooning rice.

As I'm cooking through Gordon's recipes... it dawned on me that we live in VASTLY different parts of the world, hence not only do we not speak the same language but we encounter VERY different ingredients from spices to cuts of meat and sea food. Many ingredients that are readily accessible to Ramsay are unheard of in my little island. Therefore, I'm constantly tweaking his recipes, trying to find suitable alternatives. However, with my lack of knowledge in the culinary world, I am in deep trouble. Looks like I will be doing a LOT of research and experimenting.

But like Gordon says "Cooking is about being adventurous. Be a little more daring"
Since I will be having two friends over for dinner today, I decided to test out Gordon's Red Mullet recipe with two common fish fillets (dory & tilapia) easily accessible in most supermarkets in Taiwan. Three taste-buds to judge which fish goes better with the chili sauce!

#8 Fish Fillet with Sweet Chili Sauce

Ingredients.

1 Dory fish fillet ...................................69NT

1 Tilapia fillet ........................................45NT

1 Chilli ..................................................5NT

2 Garlic cloves ......................................2NT

Salt, sugar, 2 tbs fish sauce.....................5NT

1 tbs Rice wine vinegar, 3 tbs olive oil ....5NT

Spring onions .........................................5NT

Coriander ...........................................11NT

Lime ....................................................5NT

Peanuts ..............................................15NT

Coriander

2 eggs & fish sauce .............................10NT

TOTAL: 172 NT (for three)

I had to "create" my own pestle mortar to crush my spices and peanuts! Quite successful I would say, although it would be fun to have a real one!

End Results:
The dory fish has a very creamy texture while the tilapia is much more firm. I believe the sweet chili sauce goes well with both! Very complex flavor and texture.

Next time you can't find an ingredient, try a substitute!
So remember cooking is flexible, versatile, filled with imagination. Be Adventurous!

#5. Pan-seared Scallops with Crunchy Apple Salad

#5 Pan-seared Scallops + Crunchy Apple Salad

This is almost a no-brainer! Anyone can easily recreate this dish, however, the combination of all these fresh ingredients, really goes together. I love how the apples brings so much crunch and flavor to the salad that you barely need any dressing at all. A very healthy simple well-rounded dish that can be served beautifully to impress.

Ingredients.

9 scallops ......................................90NT

1 apple .........................................10NT

1/2 romaine ..................................23NT

lemon juice, salt, pepper, olive oil ....5NT

TOTAL: 128 (for three) 

This has quickly became one of my favorite dishes, so easy, but incredibly tasty. It took me quite a few tries to get the scallops done they way I wanted. My biggest mistake at the beginning was not allowing it to defrost COMPLETELY. This, I realize is very important, giving your protein enough time to defrost naturally at room temperature. This is the only way to guarantee the best flavor and texture.

I am guilty of whipping out this salad several times as a side dish when I have company.