Kitchen - The little tapas book

Fried breadcrumbs with eggs

PREPARATION 20 minutes

COOKING 40 minutes

SERVES

4 thick slices white bread, crusts removed

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

125 ml (4 fl oz/ cup) mild olive oil

1 red onion, cut into 2 cm ( inch) cubes

2 garlic cloves, crushed

2 red capsicums (peppers), cut into 2 cm ( inch) squares

100 g (3 oz) thinly sliced jamn, cut into fine strips

2 chorizo, cut into 2 cm ( inch) cubes

teaspoon smoked Spanish paprika

4 eggs

2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf (Italian) parsley

Cut or tear the bread into small pieces or large crumbs. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large heavy-based frying pan over medium heat. Add the bread pieces and toss to coat in the oil then stir continuously for 34 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove and drain on paper towel. Season with salt and pepper and allow to cool.

Heat 2 tablespoons of mild olive oil in the same pan used for the bread over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and red capsicum and stir until softened, for about 10 minutes. Add the jamn, chorizo and paprika and continue to cook on medium heat until lightly browned, another 10 minutes. Sprinkle with half the bread pieces and stir through. Remove from heat and keep warm in a low oven while cooking eggs.

Put the remaining oil in a clean frypan over medium heat. When hot, quickly crack 4 eggs into the oil. Using a metal spoon scoop hot oil from the base of the pan over the eggs so that they become crispy around the edges while yolk remains soft. Remove from oil and drain eggs.

To serve, divide the breadcrumb mixture between 4 serving dishes; top each with a fried egg and sprinkle with parsley.

Garlic lamb skewers

PREPARATION 15 minutes

COOKING TIME 5 minutes

MAKES

600 g (1 lb 5 oz) trimmed lamb steaks

1 garlic bulb

1 red chilli, chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

60 ml (2 fl oz/ cup) oil

Cut the lamb steaks into 2 cm ( inch) cubes and halve each garlic clove lengthways.

Thread 2 pieces of lamb and 2 slices of garlic alternately onto 35 small metal skewers.

Combine chilli, crushed garlic cloves and oil. Heat a chargrill pan and lightly brush with oil. Cook skewers for 25 minutes, brushing occasionally with garlic and chilli marinade.

Meatballs

PREPARATION 15 minutes