35 recipes from top Sydney chef Danielle Alvarez
These 35 recipes by Opera House chef Danielle Alvarez are completely cookable at home. You’ll be delighted at how gourmet these dishes are.
Whether you’ve dined at Fred’s or you have a copy of Always Add Lemon on your bookshelf, you will be familiar with her homestyle recipes that celebrate local produce and traditional technique.
The recently crowned Opera House Culinary Director shares some of her favourites with delicious., from Cuban classics that draw on her heritage to produce-driven plates and rustic freeform tarts.
Say hola to our cubano sandwich with spiced pork neck
“This is a classic, simple, authentic recipe and, in my opinion, it cannot be improved. Cuban bread, roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, dill pickles, mustard and lots of butter... that’s it. This sandwich is one of the country’s greatest culinary contributions to the world for good reason. I hope you give this a try.” - Danielle Alvarez. Begin this recipe 1 day ahead.
“This classic mojito recipe has the sugar dialled down as I don’t like very sweet cocktails. But there’s just enough sweetness to balance the flavours.” - Danielle Alvarez.
Peanut butter, oat and jam bars
These sweet and salty snack bars by Danielle Alvarez are made from everyday pantry staples.
“This recipe will fill your home with the intoxicating vanilla aroma of roasting figs, and the flavour is simply divine. Serve with unsweetened whipped cream or creme fraiche as the figs will carry enough sweetness.” – Danielle Alvarez.
Pineapple and ginger upside-down cake
This summer cake will impress at any feast. This is an edited extract from Always Add Lemon by Danielle Alvarez (Hardie Grant, $50). Photography © Benito Martin and Jess Johnson.
Layer up tonight with our pumpkin, sausage and sage lasagne
This take on the classic Italian dish is the very definition of impressive comfort food.
Easy strawberry and macadamia crostata
Enjoy a taste of Italy in springtime with this rustic crostata dessert from Danielle Alvarez.
“Congri is one of my ‘death row’ dishes. Beans cooked together with rice, sofrito and a little bacon are so utterly delicious I find it hard to have just one serve. You do need to cook your own beans from dry, though, so don’t try to swap with canned beans – the texture just won’t be right.” - Danielle Alvarez Begin this recipe at least 6 hours ahead.
“Do try to find sour cherries as I think the balance of sweet and sour works best here, otherwise it’s just sweet on sweet.” – Danielle Alvarez
Ropa vieja (shredded beef with vegetables)
“This is Cuban cooking at its best. A cheap cut of beef, turned into something fabulous with the addition of a flavourful sofrito made of onion, garlic, capsicum, tomato and spices. If you master this one, you can cook Cuban food.”- Danielle Alvarez.
Crisp leaves with peas and buttermilk herb dressing
This crisp and creamy salad is the perfect summer side.
This is a great bring-a-plate bean salad! Simple flavours working very well together.
Radicchio chopped salad with chickpeas and Italian dressing
“This salad is a real homage to the American-Italian ‘red sauce’ restaurants of my youth. The tablecloths are red-checked, the grated parmesan and chilli flakes sit in jars on the table, the dressings are sharp and the tomato sauce is sweet. And so I’m calling this dressing ‘Italian’ for no reason other than it’s the type of dressing you’d find at these places. The salad would typically be made with iceberg, but I like it with radicchio for a more adult taste and texture.” – Danielle Alvarez.
The classic combination of crab and corn unlike any way you’ve had it before.
“This is a perfect summer pasta and makes great use of a glut of zucchini.”
Poached chicken and freekeh salad with tarragon and lemon vinaigrette
This zesty chicken side is the hit of citrus every spring feast needs.
Blackened grapes with pancetta quails
Marinating the quails in dessert wine for this recipe was such a revelation that it nearly sent our test kitchen into meltdown. Try it and see for yourself.
Danielle Alvarez’s instantly-warming apple and butterscotch pudding
Apples and caramel reunite in a combination that is scrape-your-bowl-clean good.
Pumpkin, leek and Gorgonzola galette
This cheesy pumpkin creation is the perfect buttery baked treat for easy entertaining.
Chocolate cake with dark chocolate and cream cheese frosting
“This makes a gorgeous, large single-layer cake that’s perfect for birthdays and celebrations. A classic to make over and over again. Between the moist, tender chocolate cake and the decadent ganache-like icing, this is one for chocolate-lovers.” – Danielle Alvarez.
Leftover turkey roulade sandwiches
Use up any leftover turkey from Christmas dinner to make this Boxing Day lunch classic! See notes for the original turkey recipe.
Turkey breast roulade with cranberry stuffing
“Sometimes, a whole turkey can just be too much. If you’re cooking for a smaller group, this recipe is perfect, and its no less festive or impressive. Turkey breast, which can usually be quite dry on a whole bird, is cooked to juicy perfection when roasted separately. The stuffing also helps to retain moisture, and adds the flavours of cranberries, sage and thyme.” – Danielle Alvarez
Pargo relleno con salsa perejil (stuffed snapper with parsley sauce)
“This is a delicious showstopper. When Cubans make this, it is likely they would use rock lobster which is more readily available and cheaper in that part of the world. I have adapted it for Australians as prawns and scallops are a little less of a splurge here. Serve this with congri, a little sliced avocado and lots of the parsley sauce.” - Danielle Alvarez. You will need kitchen string for this recipe.
Pastelitos de queso y pina (cream cheese and pineapple pastries)
“Pastellitos are a typical treat for Cuban kids and adults alike. I love the caramelised sugar-coated puff pastry. They are served with queso crema (cream cheese) and guava paste, but here I have used pineapple which is more readily available. However, if you ever do find guava paste, I recommend trying it in these pastries.” You will need a piping bag for this recipe. - Danielle Alvarez.
Get the party started with this parmesan and olive oil dip
What could be better than a parmesan dip on the big day.
Tomato, onion and cheddar tart
“The pastry for this tart incorporated both butter and sour cream and it just makes the easiest, flaky, buttery tart you have ever tasted,” says Danielle Alvarez. This is an edited extract from Always Add Lemon by Danielle Alvarez (Hardie Grant, $50). Photography © Benito Martin and Jess Johnson.
Buttermilk-marinated chicken with roasted grapes and za’atar
Begin this recipe 1 day ahead. You will need a kitchen thermometer. This is an edited extract from Always Add Lemon by Danielle Alvarez (Hardie Grant, $50). Photography © Benito Martin and Jess Johnson.
Tomato and fried crouton salad with tonnato and capers
This tomato salad is the bright addition you need at any summer get-together. This is an edited extract from Always Add Lemon by Danielle Alvarez (Hardie Grant, $50). Photography © Benito Martin and Jess Johnson.
Citrus and chocolate mousse trifle
This decadent trifle is certainly worth the effort. This is an edited extract from Always Add Lemon by Danielle Alvarez (Hardie Grant, $50). Photography © Benito Martin and Jess Johnson.
Zucchini blossom, honey and ‘nduja tart
You can’t beat homemade pastry and this trio of ingredients. ‘Nduja is a spicy Italian pork salume, and truly makes this tart.
Pineapple and macadamia tart with salted caramel
With drizzled salted caramel, homemade pastry and a beautiful balance in flavour, you won’t hear anyone say “no” to seconds.
Chicken, sultana and green olive tart
“The inspiration for this one comes from my grandmother. She was an incredible cook, and I can remember the delight when she made her pastel de pollo or chicken pie,” says Danielle Alvarez.
Tomato, anchovy and gruyere tart
Any homemade tart will impress winter guests. Especially this one.
Steamed artichokes with green garlic mayonnaise
Artichokes are flavour rich and loaded with nutrients.
For more food, travel and lifestyle news, go to delicious.com.au
Originally published as 35 recipes from top Sydney chef Danielle Alvarez
Secrets behind Big Mac sauce finally revealed
Love your Big Mac? Well we have very, very good news for you.
Surprising array of dishes you can make in the slow cooker
From bread to a lemon cheesecake, there’s an amazing selection of recipes which go well in the slow cooker. Check out 32 options here.