Little bit of inspiration making a big change

Demi HEWAMANNA

She is just another ordinary daughter...wife and mum of two boys and her passion for a long time has been working behind the kitchen counter and satisfying people with something fresh off the oven. Therese Rodrigo has taken the passion of cooking to another level by launching her very own easy to follow and cook, recipe book - Secrets, Cooking with Therese recently.

"I began writing this book in June of this year and on October 31 launched it and gave my first copy to the chief guest of the occasion Rosy Senanayake", Therese stated when I asked her about the book. Secrets is letting everyone who loves to cook into the little secrets that is available in the everyday spices of the kitchen. People who have got hold of her book and tried out some of the recipes have said that they are very easy to follow recipes.

"It took time and practice to make some dishes. The croissants took me two years to bring it to perfection", she added. My friends influenced me a lot and I loved to entertain my friends. And I always loved cooking for them too. I sat down in June and began writing, cooking each recipe and then step by step began taking pictures of the end result.

The people who were the first to taste and give their honest opinions were my family - my two sons, husband and of course my mentor and guide, my mother. When it comes to my children's holidays, their friends are always excited to come to my place because they know that there will be plenty of food available for them to enjoy.

Everything that you would see in the book is what has been done by me at my own kitchen. I had a full time job before I had my first baby. Was working as a secretariat for 15 years and the last job I did was take care of the company accounts. I did a lot of catering with my mother and a close circle of friends. This was one of the ideas to start experimenting in the kitchen and bring out the hidden talents. When it came to making bread, I faced a lot of trial and error till I got the perfect soft bread out, she added. When I make the food, I do not taste the food and I always get my family to try it and give the go.

One of her greatest influences has been the popular reality show Master Chef Australia which also has been a great inspiration to her. I achieve perfect results in my cooking because I say a little prayer before embarking on every single dish, even now no matter how many times I have done it I still believe in that prayer. This I swear by!

Therese has already begun work on a second book and hopes to put in more easier to follow steps recipes. Anyone interested in talking to her regarding her book and knowing more about her recipes can directly talk to her through [email protected].

Fish pie

Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Baking Temperature: 2000C?'9
Baking Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4 persons

Ingredients:
500g white fish - boiled and flaked
500g onions (chopped finely)
Salt
Pepper
Fish stock cube or fish sauce (optional)
25g ball cheese or parmesan cheese
2 eggs (beaten)
Carrots - optional
1 cup cheese sauce
200 g puff pastry
Vegetable oil

Method:

In a saucepan heat oil and add onions toss and keep frying for 4 minutes. Add fish and mix well for 2 minutes. Add salt pepper and fish stock. When about to take off the fire add cheese sauce and the beaten eggs (leaving 1 teaspoon of the yolk to egg wash pastry) and toss gently.

Preheat oven to 2000C. In a greased baking glass dish arrange the mixture, press it gently in the corners. Roll out pastry and cut strips (depending on the size of the dish 1 1/2 inch. By 8" strips) and place it along the arranged fish dish leaving the centre open, pressing it to the glass dish. Egg wash pastry. Sprinkle cheese on the centre of the fish pie where it's opened and place in a baking tray with water. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Shepherd's pie

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Baking Temperature: 1900C?
Baking Time: 20 minutes
Serving: 4 persons

Ingredients:
500 g minced beef or mutton (shredded chicken sausage meat could also be used)
2 big onions - chopped
500 g mash potato (when mashing add butter, milk and salt to combine to a smooth mash)
1tablespoongarlic - chopped
Salt, pepper
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
1 red pepper blended with 4 tablespoons of tomato puree
1-2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Parmesan cheese for sprinkling (optional)

Method:
Heat oil in saucepan, temper onions and garlic in oil and add minced meat, mix well. Add salt and pepper, let it fry for 5 minutes. Sprinkle flour on top, mix well. Add the puree, reduce fire and cook for 10-15 minutes till the meat is done and dry.
In a greased baking glass dish place the meat pressing it in corners gently. Flatten it and place the potato layer on top. With a spoon make soft peaks (as shown in the picture). Bake in a tray with water for 20 minutes. Lastly sprinkle the cheese just before taking it out.

Chocolate brownies

Preparation Time: 15-20 minutes
Baking Temperature: 1500C
Baking Time: 25-40 minutes
Serves: 6 persons

Ingredients:
225 g butter - melted '3600 g (3 cups) white sugar '9
1 tablespoon Vanilla
4 eggs '9 '3180 g (1 1/2 cups) all purpose flour1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup chocolate chips 'BD teaspoon Salt '9 1/2 cup cashew nuts

Method :
Pre-heat oven at 1500C.
Combine the melted butter, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl using a wooden spoon.
Add the eggs one at a time beating well after every egg.
Sift flour, cocoa powder, and salt together.
Toss the chocolate chips in flour, and stir into the batter mixture with a spoon or spatula. Add cashew nuts.
Spread the batter in the baking tray evenly.
Bake for 25-40 minutes.
After 30 minutes insert a toothpick or skewer into the brownie and if it comes out clean, voila! It's ready.
Note: Chocolate chips are tossed in flour so that they do not sink to the bottom of the tray.

Chocolate brownies

Preparation Time: 15-20 minutes
Baking Temperature: 1500C
Baking Time: 25-40 minutes
Serves: 6 persons

Ingredients:
225 g butter - melted '3600 g (3 cups) white sugar '9
1 tablespoon Vanilla
4 eggs '9 '3180 g (1 1/2 cups) all purpose flour1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup chocolate chips?'BD teaspoon Salt '9 1/2 cup cashew nuts

Method :
Pre-heat oven at 1500C.
Combine the melted butter, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl using a wooden spoon.
Add the eggs one at a time beating well after every egg.
Sift flour, cocoa powder, and salt together.
Toss the chocolate chips in flour, and stir into the batter mixture with a spoon or spatula. Add cashew nuts.
Spread the batter in the baking tray evenly.
Bake for 25-40 minutes.
After 30 minutes insert a toothpick or skewer into the brownie and if it comes out clean, voila! It's ready.
Note: Chocolate chips are tossed in flour so that they do not sink to the bottom of the tray.