Being from South Africa I have been raised on BBQ’d meat, fish and vegetables. That charred flavor remind me of Sunday lunches, holidays by the beach and camping trips with my family.
Later in life I learned that roasting (or caramelizing as they say in restaurants) is equally important when adding flavor to a dish. It’s when the sugars start to ‘burn’ that beautiful flavor is born and that all meals can be turned into spectacularly delicious creations when you learn the art of caramelizing.
Seared Tuna Salad
A friend of mine once told me that putting a raw carrot in the earth will make it grow, but steaming it for 30 seconds will not. Now I’m not sure how accurate this is since I haven’t tried it, but the point was that even a short cooking time removes the ‘life’ from it. This stuck with me. Eating raw produce is the single best thing you can possibly do for your body.
Now don’t get me wrong. I love all food both cooked and raw. There’s nothing quite like slow roasted lamb shoulder with mashed potatoes and wilted spinach and your body really does need both, but it is essential to incorporate fresh, crunchy veggies regularly. The benefits are countless.
But what about flavor? How do we make these meals equally yummy?
There are many ways. Dressings, toasted nuts and seeds, flavored olive oils, fresh herbs and berries. That’s how.
Honey Roasted Pork Belly and Salad
Pork belly is one of my favorite things to cook. I pair it with a crunchy salad and a lemon dressing to balance out the richness.
See full Recipe...