Sabrina Ghayour
Sabrina Ghayour was given her very first cook book at the tender age of 6 when a passion was ignited that just grows bigger. Inspired by the first TV Chefs of her generation, Madhur Jaffrey and Ken Hom, she spent years learning as much as she could about food from around the world. And of course Sabrina’s Persian heritage means that food is very much part of her cultural background.
Sabrina has worked in some of London’s finest 5 star hotels, Michelin starred restaurants and top Catering companies and also run her own events and catering business. Visit her blogspot here.
“I’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the country’s greatest Chefs and food critics and have traveled the world extensively to better understand ingredients, traditions and flavours from other lands’, she says “Not just the pleasure of eating, but cooking, using different ingredients, understanding tastes and textures and how to take a few simple ingredients and turn them into something truly special.”
Greek ‘Reveni’ Cake
The cake itself is a simple and moist sponge but the syrup is what makes it really special and the perfect accompaniment to tea or coffee after a big meal. It’s absolutely delicious and perfect for those with a sweet tooth.
Fragrant Vietnamese Seabass
Summer is here and the hot weather makes me crave lighter meals with plenty of fresh fish and seafood. Vietnamese food is one of my favourite cuisines, bursting with flavour and wonderfully fresh aromatics, its healthy, delicious and perfect when you want to eat light.
Keema Muttar
Keema Muttar is one of my favourite dishes and features on takeaway menus up and down the country. ‘Keema’ means minced meat (always lamb) and ‘muttar’ are peas and together, with an earthy blend of spices, they are transformed from two humble ingredients into something rather more special.
Turkish ‘Borek Peynir’ (Cheese Pastries)
To mark the final of my three authentic Turkish recipes, I had to end it with one of the most commonly loved pastries in all of Turkey, the Borek.
Turkish ‘Adana’ Kebabs
These kebabs are really delicious and have quite a fiery kick to them, but the level of heat is up to you. The are completely versatile in that you can BBQ them, preferably over charcoal which really is the best and most authentic way to cook them or if like me, you don’t have a BBQ then you can either grill them or pan fry them.
Turkish ‘Gavurdagi’ Salad
This dish is traditionally an accompaniment for any kind of grilled meat, but what really made it so appealing to me was the unexpected presence of pomegranate syrup in the dressing; it provides a rounded acidity that elevates the dish greatly, transforming it into a mouth watering accompaniment worthy of being a main dish in itsel
Bolinhos de Bacalhau
Originally a Portuguese recipe which made its way to the exotic shores of Brazil, Bolinhos de Bacalhau (Pronounced ‘Bollinyoos de Bacalyao’) are delightful little salt cod fritters which are one of my absolute favourite things to scoff in summer washed down with copious amounts of Caipirinha cocktails.
Persian ‘Mirza Ghasemi’ Aubergines
I don’t know how to best translate what this dish is into English. It is not a dip and definitely not your trendy aubergine ‘caviar’ but it is traditionally eaten as a side dish (or starter) with other dishes like grilled meat and chicken or even a stew with rice.
Chipotle Chicken Pitas with Chunky Guacamole
Chipotle [Chee-pot-lay] are smoked chillies that have the most wonderful smoky flavour which when used in marinades for meat and poultry and Mole sauces, impart a deep earthiness into the dish that is incredibly comforting. I always keep a jar of Chipotle paste in the cupboards, because convenience is the name of the game sometimes and it is perfectly ok to get a little help to prepare a good meal and my Chipotle chicken pitas are a great meal.
Warm Salad of Chorizo and Cannellini Beans with Oregano
There are some wonderful herbs in our supermarkets right now. Spring brings new tastes and flavours to us and gives me inspiration to experiment with some of my favourite ingredients and create something deliciously moreish.
Korean Bulgogi Beef with Broccoli
Bulgogi is thinly sliced meat (usually beef and sometimes pork) marinated in simple sauce made using just a few ingredients. Then after a few hours of marination, the meat is ready to be fired up on the barbecue and this is really where the flavours become smoky and sweet and make the classic Bulgogi.
Prawn, Pomelo and Peanut Salad with Herbs
Pomelo is one of my favourite fruits, hailing from Malaysia and Indonesia, it is often used as a refreshing component to salads in the far east. With it juicy and sharp, but not acerbic flesh, its flavour is delicate and sweeter than most citrus and it can be found in supermarkets right now.
Linguine alle Vongole (Linguine with Clams)
“Bada-Bing!”… “Fuhgeddaboudit”… Ok, I’ll stop, but Linguine and clams always make me come over all ‘New York-style Mafia boss-ish’. It is one of my all time favourite dishes to eat. After years of hearing about it in Mafia movies, I felt compelled to see what all the fuss was about and I tell you, I fell head over heels in love. Silky strands of ‘Al-Dente’ pasta bathed in a rich, white wine, garlic and clam-studded sauce with emerald flecks of parsley and just a hint of chilli
Sumac and Sesame Crusted Chicken with Quinoa Tabbouleh
This week, my recipe uses a Persian seasoning called ‘Sumac’ which is a red coarse powder, with an appealing acidity to it, that isn’t too overpowering. I use the Sumac to marinate some chicken fillets along with some sesame seeds to give some added crunch. A refreshing Tabbouleh, made with Quinoa instead of Cous Cous, accompanies the chicken to make the perfect dish.
Toad in the hole
Last week my recipe came from the exotic far flung reaches of Southeast Asia and this week, I am bring it back to ‘Good Old Blighty’ with one of the nation’s dishes, Toad in the hole. Yorkshire pudding batter enveloping as many plump and juicy sausages that you can fit into the dish, with a generous ladleing of meatylicious gravy.
Chicken and Vegetable Laksa
Comfort food, for me personally, does not always fall into the usual British ‘stodge’ categories of mash potatoes, stews and pies etc. I love Asian and Oriental dishes like noodles and soups and stews and this week my recipe comes from the farthest reaches of Southeast Asia, brimming with goodness and totally satisfying to boot.
Heavenly Hamburgers with Sweet Potato Wedges
Once in a while, we all just want to be a little naughty and indulge in one of our favourite foods, regardless of the fat/calorie content. Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but you can still do that and be healthy. I started making these burgers over a decade ago and they are just so popular in my family. I have made them for family everywhere from L.A. to Lausanne and it is a firm favourite.
Persian Braised Celery, Herb and Beef Stew (Khoreshteh Karafs)
This week my stress levels have kicked in to an all time high and not only am I craving comfort food, but also need the kind of dish that can be made in a large batch and eaten for a few days. Who on earth has time to cook every night when your workload is beyond hectic?
Tandoori salmon with a fresh tomato and coriander chutney
It is week 3 of my healthy eating recipe series and I am pleased to say I have been sticking to eating sensibly (can I just say that I count good quality chocolate as ‘sensible’) and have been getting creative in the kitchen again to bring you something tasty, easy and incredibly healthy.
Rare Beef with Asian Crunchy Salad
With the spirit of a New Year detox in mind, here is my next offering to you proving to you that making healthy yet delicious meals, needn’t be a laborious task. I love this dish, the salad is zest, crunchy and bursting with flavour.
