Some Oceanwood Country Inn recipes

Vodka Marinated Halibut Gravlax
with Rocket Greens and Melon Dressing

Serves 4

Gravlax

8 oz. Halibut fillet (skinless & boneless)
2 oz. Rock or coarse salt
1 oz. White granulated sugar
1 Tbsp. Chopped herbs (Fennel, Parsley, Basil)
1 Tsp. Pink Peppercorns, crushed
3 oz. Vodka

Place halibut fillet in a stainless steel or glass container. Mix together the salt, sugar, herbs
and peppercorns. Pack the salt mixture on all the surfaces of the halibut fillet. Pour the vodka
on both sides of the halibut and cover dish with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 4 days, making
sure to turn the halibut fillet over each day. Fillet should be firm to the touch. Slice thinly and serve.

Melon Dressing

100 gm. Favourite melon
100 ml. Champagne vinegar
50 ml Vegetable oil
Salt & pepper, to taste
1 tsp Fresh mint and fennel, chopped

Place ingredients in a blender and process for 1 minute. Adjust seasoning.

Serve marinated halibut slices arranged on a bed of rocket greens. Drizzle with melon dressing.

     Best Ever Banana Muffins

          3                 large over-ripe bananas
            3/4 cup       white sugar
            1                 egg   
            1 tsp.          baking soda
            1 tsp.          baking powder
            1/2 tsp.       salt
            1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
            1/3 cup       melted butter
            1 tsp.          vanilla

    Mash bananas.  Add sugar, slightly beaten egg and vanilla. Add melted butter.

    Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then add to the banana mixture.  Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.
    Makes 12 average size muffins.  Easy, eh?

    Quick Coffee Cake

    Lots of coffee cakes take up to an hour to cook.  This one is done in 30 minutes allowing you
    an extra half an hour in bed which by amazing coincidence is the precise amount of sleep the
    average person needs.

    For the cake batter:

    1/2 cup        unsalted butter, cut into bits and softened
     1 cup          sugar
     2                 eggs
     2 cups        all-purpose flour
     1 tsp.           baking soda
     1 tsp.           baking powder
     1/2 tsp.       salt
     1 cup           buttermilk
     1 tsp.           vanilla

     For the topping:

     1/3 cup       firmly packed brown sugar
     1/4 cup       granulated sugar
     1 tsp.           cinnamon
     1/2 cup       chopped walnuts

     Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and lightly butter a 13x9 inch baking dish.

     In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat all the cake batter ingredients together until smooth
     and fluffy.  In another bowl, stir together all the topping ingredients.

     Pour half the batter into the baking dish and sprinkle half the topping mix evenly over it (which
     of course means it will be the middling mix as well). Repeat with the rest of the batter and topping mix.

     Bake in the middle of the oven until a tester (toothpick or whatever) comes out clean -- about
     30 minutes.  Let it cool in the pan.

             Variations:   You could add 1/4 cup of sun-dried cranberries to the batter mix, or dried blueberries,
             or dried apricots - almost any dried fruit really, although raisins and currants won't win any prizes
             for creativity.

     
            Scones

          Scones are sometimes a little tricky.  Some people have an instant feel for them, others never quite get it.
            Maybe it relates to the temperature of your hands, or the temperature of the room.  The biggest
            thing seems to be not to overwork them.  Don't try too hard, trust your instincts, and may the force
            be with you. The nice part is there are lots of possible flavour variations.

            2 cups         flour
            4 tsp.          baking powder
            1/2 tsp.       salt
            1/2 tsp.       cream of tartar
            4 tbsp.        sugar
            6 tbsp.        butter at room temperature
            2                eggs
            1/2 cup       buttermilk
            1/2 cup       currants - or one of the variations below

            Mix together flour, baking powder, salt, cream of tartar and sugar.  Cut in butter and mix until
            it resembles fine meal.

            In a separate bowl, beat eggs lightly.  Stir in buttermilk.Add this to the dry stuff.  Mix only until flour
            is dampened.   Gently mix in currants or other fruits/herbs.   

            Turn out on to floured board and knead briefly, just until the mixture holds together well.  Form
            dough into a flat round shape - about 3/4 inch thick.  Brush top with egg wash and sprinkle with
             granulated sugar.   Cut into wedges and bake on an ungreased baking sheet in 400 degree oven
             for 12 to 15 minutes.

            Variations:    Add grated orange rind and orange juice (use proportionately less milk).
                                 Add blueberries, cranberries, raisins, dried apricots with rosemary (this
                                 last one is my personal favourite).

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