Arepa (Sweet Corn Cakes)

4 serves

Ingredients
1 cup semolina (try cornmeal, millet grain, amaranth or quinoa)
1/3 cup cornflour
1 tbs caster sugar
3 tomatoes, diced
1 large lime, juiced
1 tbs olive oil
1 brown onion, finely diced
400g can black beans, drained, rinsed
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 avocado, mashed

1. Combine semolina, cornflour, sugar and 1 tsp salt in a bowl. Add ½ cup cold water. Stir until mixture forms a thick paste. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead to a smooth dough. Divide dough into 8 portions.

2. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Using wet hands, form each dough portion into a thin disc. Cook arepas, 2 at a time, for 3 minutes each side or until golden. Transfer to a plate. Keep warm.

3. Combine tomato and lime juice with 1 tsp sea salt flakes and white pepper in a bowl.

Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add onion. Cook for 3 minutes or until tender. Add beans and cook for a further 3 minutes or until heated through. Remove pan from heat and stir through cheese.

4. Spread 4 arepas with mashed avocado. Top with tomato and bean mixture. Cover with remaining arepas, season with salt and serve.

Buckwheat & Pine-Nut Tabouli (served with grilled lamb)

Ingredients
1 cup buckwheat
3 large vine-ripened tomatoes, deseeded & diced
1 Lebanese cucumber, diced
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh continental parsley
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh mint
4 green shallots, thinly sliced
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 cup lemon juice

1.  Rinse buckwheat under cold running water. Place in a saucepan with 3 cups boiling water.
Bring to boil, cover, reduce heat to low & simmer for 20 mins or until just tender.

2.  Rinse under cold running water, drain well then place in a large bowl.
Add tomato, cucumber, herbs, shallots, pine nuts, cinnamon, lemon juice & olive oil into bowl.
Season and toss to combine. Serve with lamb and a lemon wedge.