Butternut Squash on Calacatta Magnifico

introducing the perfect blend of culinary excellence and stunning aesthetics

Butternut Squash on Calacatta Magnifico quartz by stoneCIRCLE - photo by Marco Joe Fazio
 

This month, we proudly present a mouthwatering recipe crafted by the renowned Greg Emmerson, flawlessly complemented by our exquisite quartz worktop, Calacatta Magnifico.

 

Quartz and sintered stone are two remarkable composite materials composed of a high percentage of crushed quartz combined with top-quality bonding agents and captivating colouring pigments. Offering an excellent alternative to traditional granite or limestone, these composite stones possess the finest qualities of natural stone while embracing an unparalleled consistency of colour that nature itself cannot replicate.

Calacatta Magnifico quartz worktop

Greg Emmerson and Donna Thacker cooking at stoneCIRCLE yard

Immerse yourself in the culinary world as you join Greg Emmerson in conversation with Donna Thacker, presenter at Seriously Good Food of Marlow, while they conjure up the delectable flavours of Butternut Squash on the Konro grill.

Having personally savoured this ready-to-make recipe, we can confidently attest that its taste is as divine as its simplicity in preparation. So don't miss out on this extraordinary experience - embark on your culinary journey today!

 

Barbecue Butternut Squash and Homemade Hummus

by Greg Emmerson

Serves: 2 people

Preparation: 30-40 minutes

Cooking: 45 minutes

 

ingredients

Chef Greg Emmersons's Barbecue Butternut Squash - photo by Marco Joe Fazio
  • 1 medium size butternut squash (sliced into melon type strips, skin left on) 

  • 50g pomegranate seeds 

  • 30ml black garlic purée 

  • 30ml fermented mango (you can use shop bought amber)

  • bunch of fresh mint

  • chilli oil (shop bought if you can’t make your own)

  • 1 tin or 250g of cooked chickpeas

  • 60 ml fresh lemon juice, 1 large lemon

  • 60 ml well-stirred tahini

  • 1 small garlic clove, minced

  • 30 ml (2 tbsp) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving

  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin

  • salt to taste

  • 30/45 ml (2 to 3 tbsp) water 

  • dash ground paprika or sumac, for serving

 

preparation

In the food processor, combine the tahini and lemon juice and process for 1 minute. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, then process for 30 seconds more. This extra time helps “whip” or “cream” the tahini, making the hummus smooth and creamy.

Add the olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, and a 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the whipped tahini and lemon juice. Process for 30 seconds, scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, then process for another 30 seconds or until well blended. Open, drain, and rinse the chickpeas. Add half to the food processor and process for 1 minute.  Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, add the remaining chickpeas and process until thick and relatively smooth; 1 to 2 minutes.

The hummus will probably be too thick or still have tiny bits of chickpea. To fix this, slowly add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water with the food processor turned on until you reach the perfect consistency.

Taste and adjust seasoning.

Remove from the processor into a small bowl and refrigerate for 5 minutes.

Slice squash into 1 1/2-inch strips.

Brush with olive oil and place onto the barbecue skin down; check it’s not burning and cook on all sides until the squash is soft and the edges slightly charred. After about 25/30 minutes, brush with molasses just before you finish to get some nice caramelised edges.

Remove from the heat and slice into smaller uneven pieces.

Assemble dish. Place a large spoonful of hummus on the plate, and add a few squash pieces. Drizzle some black garlic and fermented mango over the squash. Add some pomegranate seeds, fresh mint, and chilli oil. Serve with sliced lime.

chef Greg Emmerson

 

project details

kitchen worktop: Calacatta Magnifico quartz 

chef: Greg Emmerson

presenter: Donna Thacker

media production: Marco Joe Fazio Creatives

Marco Fazio

Marco Joe Fazio is CCO and director of photography at space+style™ by marco joe fazio Ltd, working in fashion, hospitality, food & drink, architecture and design.

Born and raised in Tuscany, Italy, Marco learned the rudiments of photography and the magic of the darkroom in his early school years. Thereafter, he worked in architecture, interior, and lighting design for two decades. During those years, Marco founded an award-winning architectural studio and managed a multidisciplinary design team, working mainly for fashion industry clients.

Since moving to London in 2008, Marco has been recognised as a Chartered Architect of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) while pursuing his dream of connecting the worlds of architecture, design, and fashion from the photographer's perspective.

After years of passionate dedication, hard work and professional achievements, he was awarded the Fellowship certification (FBIPP) by the British Institute of Professional Photography and won the Peter Grugeon Award for the Best Fellowship of the Year in 2016. Subsequently, he has been admitted as a member of the highly regarded Association of Photographers (AOP). 

Having achieved a stronghold in coordinated image and photography for the design and fashion world, Marco has taken his expertise into the hospitality market; luxury and boutique hotels, fine dining restaurants, and the drinks and beverage industry are all reaping benefits from his services.

Today, Marco is leading his agency in assignments in the hospitality, fashion, and design industries.

Creative photography, cinematography, coordinated images and brand marketing form the core of his services.

Thanks to more than a decade in the music industry, Marco has expendable knowledge in composition and sound engineering. That knowledge is a valuable asset in creating licensed soundtracks and magnetic sound designs for commercial productions.

Marco's passion and another branch of his business are mentoring and nurturing new visual arts talents. In 2016, he launched "telling [fashion] stories" – photography & set design workshops – and more recently, he has become a lecturer for the School of Art and Creative Industries at London South Bank University (LSBU).

The crossover between genres and industries is a peculiar and essential factor in his work, contributing to thinking outside the box and achieving a unique style rich in symbolism and content.

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