Recipes for success

After cooking their hearts out on screen earlier this year, the MasterChef finalists are showcasing their best recipes in a new book. Here are three for starters from Natalie Coleman, Dale Williams and Larkin Cen
Singapore Chicken And Udon Noodle Hot Wok from MasterChefSingapore Chicken And Udon Noodle Hot Wok from MasterChef
Singapore Chicken And Udon Noodle Hot Wok from MasterChef

SEA BASS CEVICHE WITH POMELO

(Serves 4)

Ingredients

Sea Bass Cevice With Pomelo from MasterChefSea Bass Cevice With Pomelo from MasterChef
Sea Bass Cevice With Pomelo from MasterChef

4 large sea bass fillets, skinned and pin-boned

2 pomelos

Juice of 2 limes

1 red chilli, finely chopped

4 spring onions, finely chopped

1tbsp finely chopped coriander

Coriander and rose sea salt (or any other sea salt infused with coriander)

Pepper

Micro coriander, to garnish

Method

Cut the fish into thin strips and place in a large bowl. Set aside.

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Peel one of the pomelos (be sure to remove the white pith, too, as it’s bitter). Cut out the segments from the membrane. Juice the other pomelo – use a juicing machine or citrus juicer if you can as the pomelo is quite a tough fruit.

Add the pomelo juice to the sea bass along with the lime juice, chilli, spring onions and coriander.

Season to taste with the coriander and rose sea salt and black pepper, then leave in the fridge for five to 10 minutes, or until the flesh starts to turn white.

To serve, mix the pomelo segments into the sea bass ceviche. Spoon onto the plates and garnish with micro coriander.

SINGAPORE CHICKEN AND UDON NOODLE HOT WOK

(Serves 4)

Ingredients

2tbsp vegetable oil

4 chicken thighs (skin on)

4 chicken drumsticks (skin on)

1 garlic clove, crushed

1 bird’s eye chilli, diced

2tbsp Madras curry paste

200ml chicken stock or water

1tbsp cornflour

3tbsp frozen peas

1 red pepper, deseeded and cut into julienne

1 green pepper, deseeded and cut into julienne

1 red onion, halved and thinly sliced lengthways

16 raw tiger prawns, peeled and butterflied

400g fresh udon noodles

4tbsp chopped coriander

Method

Heat a wok, then add the vegetable oil.

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Put the chicken thighs and drumsticks in the wok and cook over high heat for about five minutes or until browned all over; the skin should become golden and crisp.

Lower the heat a bit and allow the oil to cool slightly, then add the garlic and chilli to flavour the oil.

Add the curry paste and stir around the wok, making sure all the chicken pieces are coated with the mixture.

Pour in the stock or water. Lower the heat to medium and simmer for 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through (check by cutting into a thigh or drumstick to the bone and having a look at the flesh inside).

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About five minutes before the end of the cooking time, stir the cornflour with three tablespoons of water in a small bowl.

Stir again before adding to the wok.

Mix into the sauce and carry on cooking to thicken.

Add the peas, peppers, red onion, prawns and udon noodles to the wok.

Stir-fry for five minutes, mixing the ingredients into the sauce.

To serve, divide among four bowls and garnish with coriander.