Smoked Salmon, Poached Eggs and Asparagus

Ingredients

150g smoked salmon
150g green asparagus
2 medium sized eggs
2 slices sour dough bread
1 litre water
50ml vinegar
salt and pepper

Method

1. Bring half the water to boil in saucepan. Poach the asparagus for 2 minutes. Drain and set aside. Discard water.
2. Bring the remaining water to the boil and add the vinegar. Crack an egg into a bowl and gently lower the egg to poach in the boiling water for 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the egg from the water. Repeat with remaining egg.
3. Meanwhile toast the sourdough bread. Butter.
4. Divide the asparagus, egg and salmon onto toast. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.

How to poach eggs like a chef:

1. Tear a square of cling film. Drizzle with oil, and spread with your fingers to evenly grease. Lay into a small cup or bowl, overhanging the sides. Break the egg into the cling film and pull the plastic up to gather it around the egg.
2. Expel all the air around the egg, and twist the cling film to shape the egg. Tie the plastic, sliding the knot down close to the egg to preserve the shape. Place into a pan of simmering water and poach until the white has set but the yolk is still runny.
3. Lift from the water and, using scissors, carefully cut the cling film below the knot. Gently peel away the cling film.

Reference from: Masterchef Australia, The Cookbook Volume One page 62

Fruit Kebabs/Fruit on Skewers

I had brunch with some women at church on the weekend and thought I'd bring along some fruit. Wanting to deviate from the traditional presentation of fruit as a fruit salad or a fruit platter, I decided to make fruit kebabs. The arrangement of the fruit is simple enough but the presentation makes it look quite elegant. I'm glad that these fruit kebabs were a hit with the ladies :)

The following is more of an idea than a recipe, and can include anything you want to try. Choose a variety of different coloured fruit or whatever is in season at the time. Other fruits for suggestion that are good to use for fruit kebabs include: kiwifruit, oranges and red grapes.

Ingredients

Watermelon
Strawberries
Pineapple
Rockmelon
Honeydew
Bamboo skewers
Melted chocolate, optional

Method

1. Chop up fruit into uniform pieces or of similar bite sized pieces and place into bowls.
2. Thread fruit pieces onto skewers, alternating with different types of fruit.
3. Serve chilled with melted chocolate for dipping or serve on its own.