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maltatoday WEDNESDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2018 14 Food Method 1. Wrap the cinnamon, peppercorns, cloves and bay leaves in a small piece of muslin and tie into a bundle with kitchen string and set aside. 2. Heat some oil in a heavy based casse- role dish over high heat. 3. Add the onions and fry till they are nicely browned, stirring frequently for 5-7 mins. 4. In a separate pan, fry the celery, green pepper and fennel, till they get plenty of colour. 5. Add the veg to the caramelised onions. 6. Sear the sausage on all sides in a sepa- rate pan until nicely browned. 7. Add the sausage to the casserole dish and give a good stir. 8. Add the tomatoes, garlic, salt cayenne, bunch of thyme and spice bag. Now add the rice and give everything a good stir until the rice is coated. 9. Pour in the stock and bring to the boil over high heat. 10. Lower the heat, cover and simmer gen- tly for 20-25 mins until the rice absorbs the stock and is cooked through. 11. Add the prawns and give a stir and cook for about 3 mins. 12. Remove the thyme and spice bag and serve immediately in warmed bowls. Surf and turf pilaf rice Ingredients Serves 4 – 6 • ½ cinnamon stick • ½ tsp black peppercorns • 2 cloves • 2 bay leaves • vegetable oil for cooking • 2 onions, diced • 4 celery sticks, tough strings removed with a vegetable peeler and thinly sliced • 1 green pepper, cored, deseeded and diced • 1 fennel bulb, tough core removed, diced • 200g Italian sausage, cut into 2cm dice • 6 plum tomatoes, diced • 4 garlic cloves, finely grated • 2 tsp salt • 2 tsp cayenne pepper • ½ bunch thyme, tied with kitchen string • 175g basmati rice, rinsed • 350ml chicken stock • 250g peeled large raw prawns (tail shell intact), deveined • 2 tbsp chopped parsley • Salt and pepper February has been pretty cold when compared to the rest of the mild winter. When those cold fronts strike and you need something warm and comforting, this recipe hits all the right spots. Made with Italian sausage and local prawns, it's a one-pot meal, meaning there is less washing up. Sean Gravina