Try this sweet and earthy lamb dish at home | FOOD NEWs

Marinated Lamb Cutlets with White Bean Puree, Currants, Olives and Pine Nuts 

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

12 frenched lamb cutlets

1 bunch rosemary

1 bunch thyme

50g pine nuts

50g currants

100g wild baby olives

400g tin cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

¼ cup almond meal

1 lemon, zested and juice

1 grated garlic clove

100ml olive oil

Salt and pepper

METHOD

1. Chop thyme and rosemary, mix with olive oil and lemon zest. Marinate lamb cutlets in herb and lemon zest and marinate for a minimum of two hours.

2. White bean puree: add beans, almond meal, garlic and 1 tbs of lemon juice into a blender. Blend until smooth, season with salt and pepper and set aside in a small serving bowl.

3. Heat a pan to med-high heat, add cutlets into pan two or three at a time. Seal on first side for around 3 to 4 minutes, turn over and cook on other side for approx. 2 mins. Set aside and repeat with remaining cutlets.

4. Once lamb has been removed and is resting, add to pan while still hot pine nuts, currants and olives. Toss around until pine nuts let off a nutty aroma.

5. Serve lamb on platter, top with currant, pine nut and olives and serve with a bowl of white bean puree.

Honeysuckle Ice-creamery & Gelato has been a popular stop-off for families and late-night revellers since it opened in late November. The servings are big and there are more than 35 flavours to choose from. Food & Wine can vouch for the chocolate and berries combination. 

The Family Hotel is hosting a three-course Vegan Long Lunch on February 25. There are two sittings: 11am to 1pm, and 1pm to 3pm. The last event sold out so don’t drag your feet. Tickets $51.64 at eventbrite.com.au.

Farmers and Artisan Market @ Lake Mac East comes to Swansea’s Quinn Park on January 20, 8am to 1pm. Stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables, seafood, bread, gourmet items and more.

The Essential Ingredient at The Junction is hosting a Get It India Masterclass on February 3 from 10am. World-class home cook Susan Kumar will teach you how to prepare samosas, brinjal (eggplant) fry, chettinad lamb curry, spicy pumpkin korombe and okra curd salad during the five-hour class which also includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon coffee. Tickets $245 per person at essentialingredient.com.au.

Tintilla Estate’s French Provincial Long Lunch is so popular two events are being held this year. On March 24 and 25, from noon, guests can enjoy a four-course meal paired with Tintilla wines. Tickets cost $105 ($95 for club members) and bookings are essential by emailing info@tintilla.com.au or phoning 6574 7093.

Nanna Kerr’s Kitchen is hosting Hungerford Hill Feast on March 24. The evening begins at 6.45pm with canapés and sparkling wine on the balcony overlooking the vineyards and Brokenback Ranges, followed by a seated four-course tasting menu with matched Hungerford Hill wines. Tickets $109 at kerrsorganic.com.au.

Maitland Taste returns on March 10. Listen to local and interstate experts in the fields of cooking, edible gardening and biodiversity across two stages while sampling some of the best street food and wine the Hunter has to offer. There will also be fun and educational activities for the kids, live entertainment, boutique market stalls, fresh produce and styled dining areas.

A Beermakers Dinner is taking place at Nelson Bay Bowling & Recreation Club on February 24. Tickets are $60 per person and include beer tasting and a five-course dinner.

Legend Vietnamese Restaurant at Wallsend changed its focus from yum cha to quality Vietnamese cuisine in October but still offers yum cha on Sundays, 10.30am to 2.30pm.  A limited yum cha selection is available on the regular menu. The restaurant has been refurbished in recent months, too. 

The Burwood Inn’s tuna tataki, sesame aioli, mirin watermelon, soy caviar and wasabi peas caught Food & Wine’s eye this week. It’s on a specials menu but hopefully will hang around.

Shoal Bay Country Club is going all out for Australia Day with crab racing, thong throwing, live music, DJs and more.

Feast Fest returns to Blacksmiths this Sunday, January 20, 4pm to 8pm. Bring a picnic blanket or chair and enjoy twilight on the beach with food and market stalls, entertainment and fun activities.

Moor Newcastle East will be serving Spanish-style tapas on March 3 to celebrate the return to Newcastle of flamenco dancer (and friend of Moor owner Kylie Pratt) Deya Miranda Giner after a 20-year absence. Her husband Paco Lara Puerto will be dancing with her, accompanied by a guitarist. Details to come.