Easy Gourmet Dishes with Brian Binns

Brian Binns won the Sunday Times competition for the Best Amateur Cook in Great Britain in 1975, and obviously in the opinion of his judgers who included Caroline Conran , a food writer, chef Michel Bourdin , and Michael Smith , a food historian, deservedly so. At the time he was a senior executive with a large national bakery group. Since then Brian has travelled throughout Europe, Russia and India, imparting his knowledge and simultaneously gaining experience of international cuisine. In the year 2000, he “retired “to live in Kyrenia, North Cyprus, where he writes for the local media and carries out consultancy work. He is a man with a great eye for detail. His recipes which he has devoted many hours to perfecting are characterised by useful Technical Tips and Personal Ploys, gems which few cooks are prepared to part with, jealously guarding their secrets – but not so with Brian who willingly shares his wealth of experience with devotees of his favourite past time. The recipes in this book are some of his favourites and the result of his love and passion for food and enjoyable eating.

1. Mix the pork, scampi, sherry, coriander and the white of one egg together, blend to a smooth paste. Season to taste.

2. Mix the remaining egg white with the corn flour and spread this onto one side of the bread, then spread the scampi mixture evenly to cover.

3. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the surface gently pressing them so that they stick to the scampi mixture; Brush the undersides of the bread with egg yolk.

4. Heat vegetable oil to 18 C°, it should be 4 cm deep. Fry the "filled" bread slices, seed side up until the underside is golden, approximately four minutes. Carefully turn the slices over and fry until the seeds are pale gold. Drain the toasts on kitchen paper.

5. When you are ready to serve them, cut into 3 cm wide fingers and garnish with fresh coriander.

The Aubergines: Two medium aubergines cut lengthwise, each into four slices. You may remove some of the skin if you wish. Salt and freshly ground black pepper Olive oil for frying, approximately 1 cm deep.

Season the aubergine slices with salt and pepper. Put them into hot oil and fry until golden on each side. Remove to kitchen paper to absorb excess oil and put to one side.

Heat the oil, add the diced tomatoes and quickly drive off excess juices, try to keep the tomatoes crisp. Remove from the heat, add the basil, stir to mix, season to taste. Stir in the Feta, put to one side.

All the above can be done several hours ahead.

Preparation of your serving plates:

Yoghurt and cream mixed together 50/50, to a thick pouring consistency 200 g

Tomato coulis or sauce 50 g

Good ketchup mixed with a little tomato puree works quite well.

Coat the serving plates evenly with the yoghurt mix. Decorate this artistically with the tomato sauce. This can be done before serving, keeping the plates chilled until required.

Serving the Aubergine Layer

Make a sandwich of the aubergine slices (four per serving) and the filling.

Place onto a clean baking sheet and into a hot oven 200 degrees C°, for 5 minutes.

Carefully position each onto a prepared plate.

1. Roll out the pastry thinly and line about twenty, 6 cm tartlet tins.

2. Place the onion in a saucepan with the milk, salt and pepper. Bring to the boil and simmer for one minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese and egg.

3. Leave until cold, then spoon into the pastry cases.

4. Bake in a preheated oven 20 C° for 15 min until golden.