tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20226044245946192942024-02-19T02:38:42.716-08:00Itchen in the KitchenI have a love of good food and love to cook it too. this blog contains my favourite recipes, reviews of the best books and advice on the best kitchen must haves i have come accross.S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-22572663040537990232010-01-12T04:34:00.000-08:002010-01-12T04:34:47.926-08:00Carrot and Coriander SoupFollowing on from my last post saying that it is all going to be healthy foods, I decided to make carrot and coriander soup at the weekend. All fresh and healthy.<br />
<br />
<br />
Well it was made and the whole pot was finished in two days. My wife and 7 month old daughter loved it, and I had the nappy changes to prove it was healthy.<br />
<br />
Anyway here is the recipe:<br />
<br />
1 large chopped onion<br />
2 cloves of garlic<br />
500g of chopped peeled carrots<br />
100g of chopped potato<br />
2 litres of chicken stock<br />
A good handful of fresh coriander<br />
250ml tub of low fat Cream fresh<br />
<br />
Method: -<br />
<br />
1 – Put the onions and garlic in a large pan with a little oil and soften till the onions are transparent.<br />
<br />
2 – Add the chopped carrots and potato.<br />
<br />
3 – Add the chicken stock (you can use vegetable stock if required).<br />
<br />
4 – Simmer the soup until the veg is all cooked and soft, usually about 45 mins.<br />
<br />
5 – Add the coriander and liquidise using a hand blender. (you can also use the liquidiser and blitz a bit at a time, and season to taste<br />
<br />
6 – Now you can either add the cream fresh now and stir into the soup, or add it when serving as a spoonful in the middle of the bowl.<br />
<br />
7 – Enjoy this with some crusty bread.<br />
<br />
Now be careful, we managed to finish all of this soup in two days, and we paid the penalty with regular trips to the toilet. Maybe too much info there, but it is so delicious.S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-4331086107830084642010-01-08T05:49:00.000-08:002010-01-08T05:54:35.568-08:00Venison SteakOK, to start off my healthy food try this Venison Steak. Venison is a really good lean meat thast can help you lose weight. the meat is tender and high in good protiens.<br />
<br />
Ingredients: -<br />
<br />
1 off Venison Steak - Get this from Flethchers - see link below<br />
1 table spoon of chinese five spice<br />
<br />
<br />
Method<br />
1 - Take the Venison and rub the five spice into the meat. leave overnight in the firdge to marinade<br />
<br />
2 - Preheat a griddle until it is smoking, of use a heavy frying pan.<br />
<br />
3 - Place the venison on a worktop and rub a little sunflower oil into the steak. this helps it cook.<br />
<br />
4 - Place the steak in the griddle or pan for about 2 mins each side, or until slightly chared, and still pink in the middle. the steal should still be slightly springy when cooked, and not tough like an old boot.<br />
<br />
5 - Now serve this with some steamed veg like cabbage or even some roasted peppers as they work well with venison, and some boiled salad potatoes.<br />
<br />
I love Venison done with five spice they really do work well together. but try it with just cinamon and ginger powder as they work well too. or even do not have any spices as the meat speaks for itself.S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-72146139498329091062010-01-08T05:43:00.000-08:002010-01-08T05:43:41.709-08:00Christam is overSo that is Christmas over for another year, and thank god for that. i managed to get my way through some great food and drink over the festive period, and found myself drinking far too much Jim Beam.<br />
<br />
I got two bottles of Jim Beam Black, and this stuiff is now my favourite tipple. it was so good i managed to polish off both bottles in less than 4 days. i also manged a bottle of Jack Daniels, and a bottle of some other borboun that i can't remember.<br />
<br />
Well I'm now 7 pound heavier and going to eat more healthy food for the next month. So my blog will be all healthy foods that can take away the pounds, and also not be the usual boring salad related vegitation.<br />
<br />
Anyway, Happy New Year to you all, and hope this year is a good one.S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-87545137910225882482009-12-16T09:23:00.000-08:002009-12-16T09:24:27.707-08:00Spanish Fish StewSorry to everyone who reads this blog, as there were no new posts for a few weeks? The reason behind this is due to the fact that I was unwell. I managed to catch Swine Flu from someone in my work and it basically floored me for over a week. But I am back at work now and feeling much better.<br />
<br />
<br />
I have been trying to think of some good recipes to add to the blog, but can never think of any, then it comes to me usually when I have to make dinner and open the fridge to see what we have, and that’s how this dish came about. It was a Thu night and we do not do our shopping until a Friday, so the cupboard was a little Mother Hubbard. We had some frozen fish and that got me thinking about a dish my wife and I had in Spain.<br />
<br />
Spanish Fish Stew<br />
<br />
Ingredients<br />
500g of mixed fish. (Best to use a mix of smoked fish, white fish prawns and some shell fish; to be honest any fish will work with this)<br />
2 tins of chopped tomatoes<br />
2 cloves of Garlic crushed or finely chopped<br />
2 heaped teaspoons of Smoked Paprika<br />
A good handful of chopped basil and parsley<br />
A little corn flour mixed with water to thicken the sauce.<br />
2 table spoons of lemon juice<br />
½ a teaspoon of Tabasco sauce<br />
<br />
Method: -<br />
1 – Take the garlic, tins of tomatoes and add to large saucepan or cast iron casserole dish, and heat over a medium heat until the tomatoes are simmering.<br />
<br />
2 – Add the chopped basil and parsley, and reduce to half<br />
<br />
3 – Add the paprika lemon juice and Tabasco sauce.<br />
<br />
4 – Turn down the heat to low and add the fish, and the corn flour if required.<br />
<br />
5 – Let the fish cook for about 10 mins on low or until the fish is cooked, and try not to stir the dish as this will break up all the fish.<br />
<br />
6 – Now serve in a bowl with some crusty bread.<br />
<br />
This is a great winter meal as it is warming and the taste is really great with the smoked paprika. Simple but yet so delicious.S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-54919671752357136842009-12-03T09:10:00.000-08:002010-01-08T05:55:06.971-08:00Roast Haunch of VenisonSorry I’ve been away for a while, but I have just moved jobs from Glasgow office to the site office at the Grangemouth refinery and have not had time to do much this week.<br />
<br />
<br />
Well at the weekend my wife and I went to Mitchells in Carmunock for our annual birthday meal and it was great. She had fillet steak and I had Venison, so in honour of the venison I had here is my own recipe for Haunch of venison.<br />
<br />
Ingredients: -<br />
1 off Haunch of venison<br />
1 table spoon of Chinese five spice<br />
2 glasses of red wine<br />
<br />
Method<br />
<br />
1 - Take the haunch of venison and rub the five spice into the meat. Leave overnight to marinade<br />
<br />
2 - Preheat oven to 190deg C / Gas Mark 5<br />
<br />
3 - Take a roasting dish and place a large piece of tinfoil in the base. Place the venison in the foil and pour over the red wine. Close the foil around the venison ensuring it is sealed.<br />
<br />
4 - Cook the venison for about 1.5 to 2 hours dependent on the size of the meat. The foil will allow the venison to steam in the red wine and the meat should be tender when cooked. Baste half way through cooking as this will allow you to check how the meat is cooking.<br />
<br />
Serve this with either creamy mash potatoes or crispy roast potatoes. It is so amazing you will never go back to roast beef. <br />
<br />
I like to get my venison at a place near my mother-in-law's in Kinross. They are called Fletcher's and they do mail order. Here is the link: <br />
<br />
<strong><a href="http://seriouslygoodvenison.co.uk/index.php">Fletchers of Auchtermuchty</a></strong> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKl0cwiiN446lGmtOM5NgrIOP1V2anGZgbQ3y9jTUj5GuWnTjAh_hvYF210CHpkBoNzhFRfSToUcmu4NgylCusMNC4ozC3YVyyDeeHJ5gPpgNsnsIVhSwX4wPOo4jEHMz9c5mKSeIUyB10/s1600-h/logo2004.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKl0cwiiN446lGmtOM5NgrIOP1V2anGZgbQ3y9jTUj5GuWnTjAh_hvYF210CHpkBoNzhFRfSToUcmu4NgylCusMNC4ozC3YVyyDeeHJ5gPpgNsnsIVhSwX4wPOo4jEHMz9c5mKSeIUyB10/s320/logo2004.gif" /></a><br />
</div><a href="http://seriouslygoodvenison.co.uk/index.php">http://seriouslygoodvenison.co.uk/index.php</a>S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-46312975631652638382009-11-25T04:30:00.000-08:002009-11-25T04:30:07.396-08:00PavlovaWell the weekend was another rainy time, and I had to try and find something to take away the rain blues with my son. My wife said why don’t you make a Pavlova with him. What a great idea.<br />
<br />
<br />
So I checked the fridge to make sure we had everything and we set to work. There is nothing as frustrating as trying to separate eggs with a two and a half year old.<br />
<br />
We managed to make it and he had some with his dinner, then lunch the next day and then dinner and then wanted some before bed.<br />
<br />
A complete success I think.<br />
<br />
Anyway here is the recipe: -<br />
<br />
Ingredients: -<br />
4-5 egg whites - dependent on how big the eggs are.<br />
250g caster sugar<br />
1 teaspoon of corn flour<br />
2 teaspoons of vinegar<br />
2-3 drops of good quality vanilla extract<br />
300 ml of Whipped cream and sliced fruit for the topping<br />
<br />
Method: -<br />
1 – Preheat the oven to 180 deg C / 350 ºF / Gas Mark 4.<br />
<br />
2 – Beat the eggs until stiff peaks. (Until you can hold the bowl upside down without the beaten eggs falling out.) Remember not to show off doing this as many times I have ended up with the eggs on the floor and the dog eating them.<br />
<br />
3 – Add the sugar and beat in. now add the corn flour, vanilla and vinegar, and mix together for about 20-30 secs. Not too much or you will release the air from the eggs and the Pavlova will be flat...<br />
<br />
4 – Place greaseproof paper on a baking tray or flat oven proof dish, and pour the mix onto the tray / dish till about 1 high and the diameter of a diner plate.<br />
<br />
5 – Place in the oven and immediately turn it down to 150 deg C / 300 ºF / Gas Mark 2. and cook for 1hr 20 mins. (Do not check on the Pavlova until about 1 hr and 15 mins or it will collapse and be ruined)<br />
<br />
6 – Turn off the oven and leave the Pavlova in the oven to cool for about an hour.<br />
<br />
7 – Remove from the oven and turn over onto a plate, so the top is now the base. Peel off the greaseproof paper carefully so not to take the Pavlova with it, use a knife to scrap it off if necessary.<br />
<br />
8 – Cover in fresh whipped cream and fresh fruit such as pineapple or strawberries or raspberries. <br />
<br />
The Pavlova is all lovely and crispy meringue on the outside and like marshmallow on the inside. I grew up eating this when my Gran and my Mum made it for every occasion like Christmas. No one could ever make it as good as they could. Every time I tried it was flat and rubbish. <br />
<br />
But when my mum died a few years ago I tried to make it again and I seem to have picked up the knack. Maybe my Mum and Gran were watching down on me giving me that helping hand.<br />
<br />
Now when I make it for Christmas dinner, it brings a tear to my Dad’s eye.<br />
<br />
4NS5Q63MMGHBS McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-45947396041487231562009-11-18T03:46:00.000-08:002009-11-18T03:46:16.786-08:00Great Real Gravy for Roast Beef or ChickenThis is a recipe that I got when talking to an old lady in a hotel when I was away with work. She described it in such detail then went away and wrote it down for me. She was really sweet. This can be used for any roast meat Beef, Chicken, Pork, Venison, you choose.<br />
<br />
<br />
Step 1 – lay sticks of celery, quartered pealed onions and large peeled halved carrots on a roasting tray. Add a touch of water. Place the meat you want to roast on top of the veg. and roast your meat as normal using the juices to baste.<br />
<br />
Step 2 – When the meat is cooked to your desired taste, remove the meat from the pan and remove the veg to a bowl. Now put the roasting pan over a low heat and deglaze with either a few glasses of red wine for beef or venison, and white wine for pork or chicken. Number of glasses of wine will be dependent on the size of the meat roasted. I say about 1 glass for every 1 kg. use a whisk to deglaze it’s much better.<br />
<br />
Step 3 – As a great touch now add a few teaspoons of horseradish sauce if it’s beef gravy, or fresh sage for either chicken or Pork. Now add a few teaspoon of corn flour to thicken the mixture till it’s a sort of rue. <br />
<br />
Step 4 – As the mix starts to bubble, ensure it is not burning, add about a litre of stock. Chicken stock if the meat is chicken, Ham stock if the meat is Pork, or beef stock if the meat is Beef or Venison. Mix well and add the veg again. Allow it to thicken.<br />
<br />
Step 5 – Remove from the heat drain the gravy into a large jug. (you can use the vegetables as a base for a soup by liquidising them, have them with your meal as an accompaniment or just throw them away. Sometimes I actually liquidise the whole lot and have that as my gravy, but it’s not really smooth when you do that, more rustic and hearty than <br />
<br />
Step 6 - Now into the jug of gravy add a few tea spoons of gravy granules and whisk until the gravy is thick. This may sound like sacrilege after all the work you have done, but it works really well and makes nice thick tasty gravy. <br />
<br />
Step 7 – Enjoy this with your traditional roast dinner. It is really nice and well worth all the effort.S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-14637383840314659262009-11-12T09:29:00.000-08:002009-11-12T09:46:57.602-08:00Chicken and Leek PieA few weeks ago I was given some leeks by a neighbour who had grown them in her garden, and she had too many to use. When I got them I tried to think what to do? Maybe make soup?<br />
<br />
<br />
Then I remembered my Grandpa making Chicken and Leek pie. So I decided to have a bash on making my own version.<br />
<br />
First you start off by making the short crust pastry, then the filling. <br />
<br />
Make the <a href="http://itcheninthekitchen.blogspot.com/search/label/Pastry"><strong>short crust pastry</strong></a> as described in a previous post.<br />
<br />
<strong>Filling</strong><br />
<br />
Ingredients:- <br />
250g of chopped boned chicken. (you can use whatever part of the chicken you want, breast, thigh, or leg but the brown meat has more flavour.<br />
2 roughly chopped leeks.<br />
2 cloves finely chopped garlic.<br />
1 glass of white wine.<br />
½ pint of chicken stock.<br />
A little corn flour to thicken / or alternatively use a little chicken gravy granules.<br />
50ml of double cream<br />
Salt and Pepper to taste.<br />
Egg wash to glaze the pie.<br />
<br />
Method: -<br />
1 – Take the chicken and brown it with a little oil in a saucepan. Remove and put in a bowl once done.<br />
<br />
2 – Add the chopped leeks and garlic to the pan and sweat them done till the leaks are just starting to soften.<br />
<br />
3 – Add the glass of white wine, and chicken stock and allow to it reduce for 15-20 mins.<br />
<br />
4 – Now add the chicken gravy granules or corn flour to thicken the sauce.<br />
<br />
5 – Add the cream, and salt and pepper to taste.<br />
<br />
6 – Allow the mix to cool while you make the pie shell.<br />
<br />
7 – Take the <a href="http://itcheninthekitchen.blogspot.com/search/label/Pastry">short crust pastry</a> out of the fridge, and take a 10” fluted deep pastry tin.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQnk10RUW-8-Es3s_7YocBH83sLRUAqQlnxEEvhB35YDVzytUVnwe-41Yfj4Y9h54naf3-t1zVBdCvOxDfuz5zLiCQPSg9T7LU5OI-d-ojK489nv74QeZmpJDzeN8U0yXKellDGUJjSzU/s1600-h/shortcrust-pastry-shepherds-pie-shell-homemade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQnk10RUW-8-Es3s_7YocBH83sLRUAqQlnxEEvhB35YDVzytUVnwe-41Yfj4Y9h54naf3-t1zVBdCvOxDfuz5zLiCQPSg9T7LU5OI-d-ojK489nv74QeZmpJDzeN8U0yXKellDGUJjSzU/s320/shortcrust-pastry-shepherds-pie-shell-homemade.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
8 – Line the dish by slicing 5mm discs from the <a href="http://itcheninthekitchen.blogspot.com/search/label/Pastry">short crust party</a>, and make a sort of patch work effect on the pastry tin. Push them together to till all the tin is covered with pastry. This is much easier to cover the dish than rolling it out.<br />
<br />
9 – Place a sheet of greaseproof paper in the pie case, fill with beans or coins and blind bake the pie case to 10-12 mins at 190°C: 375°F: Gas 5.<br />
<br />
10 – Take the case out the oven remove the beans or coins and bake for a further 5 mins.<br />
<br />
11 – Remove the case from the oven and allow to cool for 5-10 mins. Now add the pie filling but not too much that you are overfilling it (you should have some filling left) and roll out the remaining pastry to 5mm thick. Using the rolling pin roll up the pastry and place it on the top of the pie.<br />
<br />
12 – Cut the pastry round the tin, and using a fork, crimp the edges of the top pastry onto the base, cut two breathing holes in the centre of the pie top and apply an egg wash to glaze the top of the pie, and put into a preheated oven at 190°C: 375°F: Gas 5, for 30-40 mins until the top is golden brown.<br />
<br />
Remove from the oven and serve with crushed potatoes with plenty of butter and pepper.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1N5pykta75B1h-TQR3E0XLVlStKG3ZPLm2Y3FFQs4XcvNZHo377bXvVb2ZR-bnKxEVHtyDZ2UAI6Kw1EWVf-7Lw7_uZqtfpM9x6WoAhhaB9qy8gEi4uL-ZhloeMRw2YH1nMTFQUCgpUxt/s1600-h/pasties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" sr="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1N5pykta75B1h-TQR3E0XLVlStKG3ZPLm2Y3FFQs4XcvNZHo377bXvVb2ZR-bnKxEVHtyDZ2UAI6Kw1EWVf-7Lw7_uZqtfpM9x6WoAhhaB9qy8gEi4uL-ZhloeMRw2YH1nMTFQUCgpUxt/s400/pasties.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Note - You should have some filling and pastry left over, what I do is make small chicken and leek parcels and precook then freeze them. Then I can have them as snacks or lunches another dayS McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-83311003170295385992009-11-12T02:26:00.000-08:002009-11-12T02:26:43.675-08:00Short Crust Pastry: -<br />
<br />
<br />
Ingredients – <br />
225g (8oz) Plain Flour <br />
50g (2oz) Lard <br />
50g (2oz) Butter <br />
½ tsp Salt <br />
2 tbsp Cold Water <br />
<br />
Note – the type of fat you use for short crust pastry is really up to you. Butter, Lard, Vegetable fat, Margarine, whatever. I remember my grandpa using half butter and half lard, so I stuck to that.<br />
<br />
Method – <br />
1 – Sieve the flour and salt together into a bowl. Tip – always sieve the flour, as you need to make it fluffy when making pastry.<br />
2 - Cut the butter and lard into small cubes approx 1cm in size and add to the flour.<br />
3 – Rub the fats lightly into flour, use the tips of you fingers and lift the mix up as you go. This puts air into the mix. Do this until the mix resembles breadcrumbs. Once it gets to this stage stop. The flour contains gluten, and over mixing does something to the gluten so it becomes chewy and not short and crisp. It’s like making shortbread, to much mixing and the shortbread will become chewy when cooked.<br />
4 - Make a small well in the middle of the mixture and add a little cold water, mix using a knife, do this until the mix is a nice dough similar in texture to play-dough or modelling clay. Do not have the party sticky. If it does add a little more flour.<br />
5 – Wrap the pastry in Clingfilm and put in the fridge for al least half an hour. Or freeze it for another day.<br />
<br />
To cook the pastry bake in a preheated oven at between 190°C: 375°F: Gas 5 or 220°C: 425°F: Gas 7 depending on thickness and use.S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-25363542761685842172009-11-10T04:56:00.000-08:002009-11-11T09:14:31.539-08:00Venison PieThis was a recipe of my grandmothers and I have made a few small tweaks to make it better. I made it for my Mother-in-law on Sunday night and she was well impressed, so a few points for me on the old ladies score pad.<br />
<br />
<br />
Ingredients: -<br />
0.5 kg of diced venison<br />
150g button Mushrooms cut to the same size as the meat, (it is better to use wild mushrooms but these are not always available).<br />
150g of chopped mixed peppers, (roughly chop them to about 1 to 1 1/2" pieces)<br />
A little sunflower oil<br />
1 large onion finely chopped<br />
2 cloves of garlic, crushed<br />
1/2 bottle of red wine<br />
2 tea spoons Chinese 5 spice<br />
2 tea spoons of English Mustard<br />
2 tea spoons of brown sugar<br />
2 tablespoons of corn flour<br />
Knob of butter<br />
1 large pack of Puff Pastry (I never make my own, it's better to buy it)<br />
1 beaten egg to glaze the pastry<br />
<br />
Method: -<br />
1 - Heat the oil in a pan, and brown the meat, remove and drain.<br />
<br />
2 - Place the drained liquid from the venison back in the pan and add the onions and garlic to soften. As the onions go transparent add the meat again.<br />
<br />
3 - Add the mushrooms, peppers, the red wine mustard and Chinese five spice, and simmer for 40-60 Min's. This will allow the meat to become tender.<br />
<br />
4 - Add a little water if required and mix the corn flour with a little water and add to the stew, add the sugar and salt and pepper to taste. Allow the mix to cool.<br />
<br />
5 - Place the filling into a pie dish and cover with the puff pastry. Apply an egg wash to the pastry. I find folding the pastry round the corners of the pie dish helps when the pastry starts to shrink while cooking, I also use a pie funnel as it stop the pastry falling into the filling and going soggy.<br />
<br />
6 - Cook in a pre-heated oven at 200 deg C / 400 deg F /Gas Mark 6 for 30 - 40 Min's, until the pastry is golden brown.<br />
<br />
Serve Immediately. I find that this goes really well with mashed sweet potato.S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-29897436961032863782009-11-05T09:37:00.000-08:002009-11-05T09:37:22.632-08:00Easy Chocolate MooseChocolate Moose<br />
<br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
320g (12oz) strong dark chocolate - 70% coco solids min<br />
30g (1oz) unsalted butter<br />
6 eggs<br />
pinch of salt<br />
<br />
Method:<br />
<br />
1 - Separate the eggs, placing the whites into a large bowl.<br />
<br />
2 - Break the chocolate into small pieces I like to use a chefs knife to cut it up as it helps with the melting,<br />
<br />
3 - Put the chocolate in glass bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Add the butter and allow both to gently melt. <br />
<br />
4 - Add a pinch of salt to the egg whites and whisk till they are just becoming stiff.<br />
<br />
5 - Take the yolks and mix them up with a fork.<br />
<br />
6 - When the chocolate and butter have melted allow them to cool for a couple of minutes then stir in the yolks.<br />
<br />
7 - Fold in the egg whites with a metal spoon or spatula in three to four batches until fully mixed.<br />
<br />
7 - Pour into ramekins or glasses and refrigerate for a couple of hours to set.<br />
<br />
This is great topped with a little fresh whipped cream, or served with Amaretto Biscuits.S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-52707453523891285622009-11-03T04:36:00.000-08:002009-11-11T09:15:04.119-08:00A great drinking wine - Rioja for under £10I do not profess to be a wine buff, but I do know what I like and what taste good with food or on its own, and this is one of those on its own wines. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSMPUSdO0MiRsqc-U5cvpzHmGzx8rkuBoeA8X0rhCS1rtExU2snP0paApfXpcgoi2fGZuV1wMvVj3haAiae6IIG9M2n9z9IYWoQzgumuGkojyNd1gWXKcTvxBtLMcQTN_oEOVs0ZFScfD/s1600-h/Rioja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRSMPUSdO0MiRsqc-U5cvpzHmGzx8rkuBoeA8X0rhCS1rtExU2snP0paApfXpcgoi2fGZuV1wMvVj3haAiae6IIG9M2n9z9IYWoQzgumuGkojyNd1gWXKcTvxBtLMcQTN_oEOVs0ZFScfD/s400/Rioja.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div><br />
<br />
I few weeks back my wife and I went onto the Oddbins website and ordered 12 bottles of wine. I do not like to pay more than £10 a bottle so we chose carefully. We ordered three bottles of this Aradon Rioja and we were not disappointed. This wine is really easy drinking; I just sat down watched TV and enjoyed it. <br />
<br />
I think it has a nice fruity flavour with just a little spice. It’s not too heavy either, as I find some red wines can be a little overpowering, but this one is not.<br />
<br />
I would definitely recommend this wine as a bottle to enjoy on its own, and at the price of £6.99 tastes like a more expensive wine.<br />
<br />
Why not do what we did and go to the Oddbins website and order a case of 12 bottles it's great value, or even take one of their 6 or 12 bottle cases. See link below for Oddbins.S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-6425745305755722872009-11-02T04:48:00.000-08:002009-11-12T09:31:24.115-08:00Roast Duck - Oriental StyleThis is a recipe that I tried a few years ago and it was so good that my wife and I started to have it nearly every month. we got a bit sick of it that I stopped making it, then at the weekend she went out and bought a duck, so I just had to make it all again. It is really easy and the flavours are superb.<br />
<br />
<br />
Ingredients: -<br />
1 duck - any size<br />
Kettle full of boiling water.<br />
Chinese Five spice powder.<br />
<br />
Sauce: -<br />
2 table spoons of shred-less marmalade<br />
1 glass of red wine<br />
1 tea-spoon of Chinese five spice<br />
2 table spoons of gravy granules<br />
200ml of boiled water.<br />
<br />
<br />
Method: -<br />
<br />
1 - Take the duck and prick it all over with a carving fork or skewer then place it in a large bowl. Pour over the kettle of boiling water. This helps to take some of the fat out from under the ducks skin. Remove and then dry with a tea towel, or paper towels.<br />
<br />
2 - Rub the five spice into the skin of the duck, massaging it all over. Place on a plate and marinade in the fridge for at least 2 hours. (Better to leave it overnight if possible)<br />
<br />
3 - Pre-heat the oven to Gas mark 6 / 400deg F / 200 deg C. Cook the duck in the middle of the oven until the juices run clear. Then turn the oven to it's highest for 5-10 mins to crisp the skin.<br />
<br />
4 - Take out the oven and rest for 10 mins before cutting. Now cut the duck down the centre and remove the breasts whole. Shred the remaining meats off the legs and the rest of the bird.<br />
<br />
5 - For the sauce place the glass of red wine, the marmalade and the five spice in a pan and bring to the boil to burn off the alcohol from the wine.<br />
<br />
6 - Add the 200 ml of boiled water and the gravy granules. This should make a nice thick sauce, if not add a little more gravy granules.<br />
<br />
7 - Serve this with roasted sweet potatoes, fresh spring greens and the shredded duck on the side.<br />
<br />
These dishes is great with a nice rich red wine such as the <a href="http://itcheninthekitchen.blogspot.com/2009/10/classic-red-wine.html">Canti</a> mentioned in an earlier post, or try a <a href="http://itcheninthekitchen.blogspot.com/2009/11/great-drinking-wine-rioja-for-under-10.html">rich Rioja.</a>S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-23106409148162516152009-10-29T06:38:00.000-07:002009-11-11T09:15:30.896-08:00A classic red wine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceHjlWWtMwJZc5gIe0NboQPA7ghW6kZDttuRkT85-1AmS-yKgSfNtt-E2QF5ef4K9iquF9drKjLgRkgZHKI41oAWhwexcw0CjeHcrB6uDKH5QPV4GD7vN9dyf1lEdz8gV3qxen2lF2-a_/s1600-h/Canti+-+Merlot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceHjlWWtMwJZc5gIe0NboQPA7ghW6kZDttuRkT85-1AmS-yKgSfNtt-E2QF5ef4K9iquF9drKjLgRkgZHKI41oAWhwexcw0CjeHcrB6uDKH5QPV4GD7vN9dyf1lEdz8gV3qxen2lF2-a_/s640/Canti+-+Merlot.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div>If you are anything like em then you love to sit down and enjoy a nice glass of red wine. <br />
<br />
Well this is one of my favourites. Canti - Merlot<br />
<br />
It is great with beef and venison, if fact any red meats at all. It is made from Merlot grapes from Sically and has a soft delicate flavour like red cherries, and black berries. it is really nice drunk on it's own too, but with a good strong red meat I find it really brings out the flavours and compliments them perfectly.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">It is avalable from Tesco, Adsa and Morrisions for about £5.50 a bottle. but it's always on offer somehwere for £4.50. Try it and love it. I buy four bottles a month and they are usually gone by the first two weeks.<br />
</div>S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-68154869091459343802009-10-29T06:18:00.000-07:002009-10-29T06:18:41.594-07:00The Office BuffetI was away with business the other day and was at a vendors factory doing an inspection of some large mechanical equipment. It was a real boring day, and just then the receptionist came in with a few platters of food.<br />
<br />
The food looked great, not the usual sandwiches and cold chicken drumsticks, or rubberised chicken saty from a large frozen food store. <br />
<br />
This stuff came in like a real chef had prepared it. it my complete surprise the receptionist told me that is was from Waitrose.<br />
<br />
Honestly i was really surprised as i didn't know waitrose did this sort of thing. I got talking to her and she then told me that she found out about them when they did the food for her nieces christening, and then she got waitrose to do food for the buffet at her wedding.<br />
<br />
Well i was impressed and have added a link at the side and bottom of the blog so you can have a look for yourself.<br />
<br />
Take care and will blog back soon.S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-34868722370633769432009-10-28T05:14:00.000-07:002009-11-11T09:16:00.799-08:00Brocolli and Blue Cheese soup.This is a soup i was served at a works dinner and thought that i would try and make my own version. I looked it up in books and the internet and found so many variations. I tried a few and plumped for a mix of a few. So this is my take on this classic soup.<br />
<br />
Ingredients: -<br />
<br />
1 litre chicken stock (you can use ham stock, but i think Ham makes it a little salty).<br />
500g broccoli<br />
250g blue cheese (a nice creamy cheese works best), if it’s really strong use maybe 200g<br />
1 onion chopped<br />
Knob of butter<br />
<br />
<br />
Method: -<br />
1 - Melt butter and soften onions. <br />
<br />
2 - Add stock and broccoli. Simmer till the broccoli is cooked. <br />
<br />
3 - Blitz the mix with a hand blender or liquidiser.<br />
<br />
4 - Break the cheese into small pieces and add to the liquidised soup. Stir till the cheese has melted.<br />
<br />
It’s easy and delicious. people taste it and remark how good it was, then can't believe how simple it is when I give them the recipe.S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-38880933945021499532009-10-27T10:14:00.000-07:002009-10-27T10:14:36.096-07:00<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGhC7grdjUE3FTop03YNM4eKLp3PLknK7pVHib6-7NvqNGd9oUQwWJ2rQycYqfQjGBviKEGYu8E_tfVltYL3_y8EF4kRb9rb0DJoy7ydknBURvUhhZH90bpw_HQi3glWMJJzeAVhzkT_c/s1600-h/3189PP960GL.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxGhC7grdjUE3FTop03YNM4eKLp3PLknK7pVHib6-7NvqNGd9oUQwWJ2rQycYqfQjGBviKEGYu8E_tfVltYL3_y8EF4kRb9rb0DJoy7ydknBURvUhhZH90bpw_HQi3glWMJJzeAVhzkT_c/s200/3189PP960GL.BMP" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">One of my favourite kitchen gadgets next to my knives is a Hand Blender. If you do not have one then it really is a must. It is so versatile for making sauces and blending soups that I couldn’t be without mine.<br />
</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I use a Braun, and I have got loads of attachments for it from ice breakers to whisks. But to be honest I use it mostly for blending soup and sauce in the pot, and don’t need to take it out, into a liquidiser and then back to a pot.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
If you have not got one then get one, you will wonder how you were able to live without it before.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I have put a few on the Amazon shop for you to look at, they don’t cost much, and are a god send. I know many chef use them too so they can’t be that bad if Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey have one.S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-71586572884729980692009-10-26T05:51:00.000-07:002009-11-11T09:16:19.961-08:00Easy Chocolate TartThis is a recipe I got from an old recipe book, and it is just divine. I have also made it by adding some chopped roasted hazelnuts to the mix. Yum yum. <br />
<br />
I have served this at many a dinner party and each time it has been raved about and I have passed this recipe out to more people than any other.<br />
<br />
Ingredients: -<br />
For the pastry<br />
250g/9oz plain flour, plus extra for dusting<br />
pinch salt<br />
100g/3½oz cold butter<br />
1 egg<br />
1 yolk<br />
50g/2oz caster sugar<br />
<br />
<br />
For the filling<br />
400ml/14fl oz double cream<br />
few drops vanilla extract<br />
100g/3½oz caster sugar<br />
400g/14oz dark chocolate, must be 80% or more cocoa solids<br />
50g/2oz butter<br />
50g of chopped roasted hazelnuts or flaked almonds<br />
<br />
Method<br />
<br />
1. For the pastry, place the flour, salt and butter into a food processor and blitz until the mixture is like breadcrumbs.<br />
<br />
2. Add the egg, egg yolk and sugar and pulse until the mixture forms a dough. Place into cling film and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.<br />
<br />
3. Preheat oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
4. Place dough out on a lightly floured surface and rollinto a sausage about 3" wide. then slice off 5m sections and line a 25cm/10in fluted tart tin. I find slicing the pasty when chilled then pressing it down like Playdoh really easy and is much better than all the fuss of rolling and dropping it. trip the top of the pastry on the tin<br />
<br />
5. Place a piece of greaseproof paper on top and weigh it down with baking beans or coins.<br />
<br />
6. Blind bake the pastry for 15-18 minutes dependent on the oven, or until lightly browned. remove from the oven and leave to cool.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
6. Meanwhile, for the filling, bring the cream, vanilla extract and sugar slowly to the boil in a pan.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
7. Break the chocolate and butter into pieces and place into a large bowl. Pour over the cream mixture and whisk slowly until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
8. Pour the chocolate mixture into the tart case (add the chopped hazelnuts or almond flakes after the mix, this lets them stay at the top of the tart and makes it look really proffesional) and leave to cool. Place in the fridge to set for two hours.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
9. Add the white chocolate and stir until melted. Stir in the remaining cream.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
10. To serve, cut the tart into wedges . Serve with some whipped cream and a few chopped hazelnuts sprinkled on the cream.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This is soooooo rich, but amazing.S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-60389839391211408092009-10-26T05:34:00.000-07:002009-10-26T05:34:16.547-07:00What you need in the kitchen - A good set of knivesI have always said it and will keep saying it to everyone i know. the best thing to have in the kitchen is a good set of knives. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I do not know about you, but how many times have you been away to a self catering apartment only to find the knives in the drawer are blunt. Cutting onions is like trying to use a brick to dig the garden.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So a good set of stainless steel knives are king in the kitchen.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I would recommend three, a pairing knife, a boning knife and a large chef’s knife as a minimum. I also have a number of others I use but these are the minimum I would recommend.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I have tried to put them on the shop, and looked for the best value possible. Do not buy cheep knives as it is not worth the money. I spent nearly £100 on three knives and a sharpener over 18years ago and they are still as good as they were new.S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-40062990777513531692009-10-22T05:03:00.000-07:002009-10-22T05:03:05.487-07:00My New shopHello everyone,<br />
<br />
I have added a shopfront to my site that is based on Amazon and contains the books and kitchen gadgets that I would recommend you have.<br />
<br />
Have a look and tell me if there is anything that you would recommend?<br />
<br />
Thanks.S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-79137742772799868442009-10-22T04:57:00.000-07:002009-10-22T04:57:10.340-07:00Baked Cod (Can be made with any white fish)This is an easy and quick dish that can be made with nearly any white fish. I prefer to use cod as it is meatier, but anything can be used. I have made this dish using a number of variations such as missing out the pesto and even replacing the pesto for a ricota and spinich mix.<br />
<br />
<br />
What you need: -<br />
2 fillets of Cod, or any white fish<br />
6 slices of parma ham, pancetta or any thinly sliced continental ham<br />
green or red pesto - dependent on your tastes.<br />
<br />
<br />
Method: -<br />
<br />
1 - Place two slices of the ham side by side and spread pesto on the ham.<br />
<br />
2 - Place the Cod fillet onto the ham and spread pesto on top of the fish.<br />
<br />
3 - Roll up the ham to encase the fish.<br />
<br />
4 - Use one more slice of ham to cover the top of the fish.<br />
<br />
5 - Place the fish on a baking tray and bake in the oven at Gas Mark 5, 375°F, 191° deg C for about twenty mins or until the ham starts to crispen up<br />
<br />
6 - Remove and serve with some roast veg.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The idea is to wrap the fish up into little parcels using the ham as the wrapping paper if you like. The pesto then cooks into the fish and gives it a fantastic flavour, and also keeps the fish moist and seals in the flavours.S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-23180530865580315562009-10-22T04:52:00.000-07:002009-11-11T09:16:43.446-08:00Creamy Squash SoupI had this soup when I was in Canada snowboarding back in 2001. It is the best warming soup I have ever had, or maybe it's because it was - 10degC outside and i had spent a whole day boarding. whatever the reason its spledifurous stuff.<br />
<br />
It's also great for a dinner party served with Croutons.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Ingredients<br />
2 tbsp butter<br />
1 sliced leeks<br />
3 large cups cubed squash (you can use pumpkin for this too)<br />
2 medium size potatoes, peeled and cubed<br />
1 pint of chicken stock<br />
250ml. double Cream<br />
Salt and pepper to taste<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Method:<br />
1. Melt butter and saute leeks for a few mins until they are softened. Add the squash and potatoes and cook for around 2 minutes.<br />
<br />
2. Pour the chicken stock and bring to boil. Simmer for 20 minutes until the vegetables are tender. Then remove from heat then let it cool.<br />
<br />
3. When cool enough to handle use a hand blender to blitz until smooth, alternatively transfer it over to the blender and puree until smooth then add back to the pan.<br />
<br />
4. When the mixture is smooth add the double cream and simmer for a further 5-10 minutes, and then serve.<br />
<br />
Tip - The soup is delicious when served with croutons or crusty bread, and a little grated Parmesan is a nice touch when serving at a dinner party.S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-49239012177064918572009-10-20T04:24:00.000-07:002009-11-11T09:17:32.235-08:00Moist Chocolate Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhmy5sU20r92rqyugC4o743-ylXBkaEP27N57BjR3Y-02QJAnS0Q7-pCmPBlJEUWLG-FjOSYDdVFCUtN_PR1QwGqdu4NKHRo11bPLdjGgBomnOZflU-jhQK6nIYPb9usKUet7h33hs7Hj/s1600-h/chocolate-brownie-cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhmy5sU20r92rqyugC4o743-ylXBkaEP27N57BjR3Y-02QJAnS0Q7-pCmPBlJEUWLG-FjOSYDdVFCUtN_PR1QwGqdu4NKHRo11bPLdjGgBomnOZflU-jhQK6nIYPb9usKUet7h33hs7Hj/s320/chocolate-brownie-cake.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div>I got this recipe from an old food processor recipe book, the cake is amazing and very moreish. it's one of my wifes favourites, and i am not allowed to make this when she is on one of her diets.<br />
Ingredients: -<br />
4 eggs<br />
225g Caster Sugar<br />
2 Drops of Vanilla Essence<br />
150g Dark Chocolate (minimum 70% cocoa solids any less and the cake does not work due to the fat content of the chocolate)<br />
125g unsalted butter<br />
50ml water<br />
25g plain flour<br />
50g Ground Almonds<br />
Whipped Cream or good quality Ice-Cream to serve and Icing Sugar to dust.<br />
Use a 7 inch (18cm), lose bottom cake tin.<br />
<br />
Method: -<br />
1 - Preheat oven to gas mark 3 / 170°C / 320°F<br />
<br />
2 - Whisk together the eggs, sugar and vanilla essence until light and fluffy.<br />
<br />
3 - Put chocolate, butter and water in a bowl and heat over a saucepan of simmering water. Do not stir until it is completely melted. When they are all melted stir gently together. This is key, not to stir until it is melted as the water changes the composition of the chocolate if stirred too soon. I hav made a mess of this so many times.<br />
<br />
4 - Using a metal spoon or spatula gently fold in the creamed mixture into the chocolate mix, and then fold in almonds and flour.<br />
<br />
5 - Pour into cake tin and cook for 20-25 mins. To check if cooked see if the top is crispy.<br />
<br />
Note – The cake will rise in the oven, but when cooled it will sink. The outside will be crispy and the centre will be slightly gooey a bit like a chocolate brownie. <br />
<br />
Now dust with icing sugar and serve this with the whipped cream or ice-cream, and Indulge in chocolate heaven.S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-18806140507162314492009-10-19T07:42:00.000-07:002009-10-19T08:00:26.933-07:00Balmoral Chicken<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is one of my favourite dishes. It's easy and tastes great.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ingedients: -</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 chicken Breasts</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 haggis</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8-12 rashers of smoked Bacon</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Method - </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 - Preheat oven to Gas mark 5 / 190 deg C</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 - Take a chicken breast and butterfly it (start to cut it through the middle, halving it through the widest point. Do not completely cut it all the way through, and then open it up like a butterfly)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 - Take some of the haggis and place it in the centre opened part of the chicken. The haggis is used as a sort of stuffing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 - Fold the chicken back, with the haggis in the centre, then wrap the bacon rashers round the chicken to enclose the haggis inside. tie with a little string if necessary.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5 - Repeat steps 1 to 4 with all breasts, then place on a backing tray and place in the oven for half an hour to 45 mins, or until the chicken is nearly cooked. the legth of time really depends on how big the chicken breasts are.</span><span style="color: black;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6 - Turn the oven up to Gas mark 7 / 200 deg C for 5-10 Min's to crisp up the bacon.</span><span style="color: black;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7 - Remove from the oven, cut in half showing the haggis in the middle, and serve with veg and boiled new potatos.</span><span style="color: black;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This dish goes really well with a whiskey cream sauce.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To make the sauce you need </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">200 ml double cream</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">100ml of whiskey</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A knob of butter</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Salt and pepper to season</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 tea spoon of chicken gravy granules</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Method: -</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 - Take the whiskey and put into a small pan. A small frying pan is best.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2 – Warm the whiskey then light it to burn off the alcohol.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 – Add the cream and butter</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 – Season with salt and a good but of black pepper.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5 – Add a the gravy granules and stir in</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pour the sauce over the Chicken Balmoral, it complements it perfectly.</span>S McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2022604424594619294.post-88246644440453832482009-10-16T03:18:00.000-07:002009-10-16T03:18:21.647-07:00Sticky Toffee PuddingThis is on old recipe my Gran used to make. it so so easy and is so tasty. try it you will be amazed at how easy it all is.<br />
<br />
Ingredients: -<br />
<br />
<br />
100g dark muscovado sugar<br />
<br />
175 g self-raising flour<br />
<br />
125 ml full-fat milk<br />
<br />
1 x egg<br />
<br />
1 tsp vanilla, extract<br />
<br />
50 g unsalted butter, melted<br />
<br />
200g chopped rolled dates - I like to use 100g dates and 100g raisens/sultanas<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
For the toffee sauce: -<br />
<br />
200 g dark muscovado sugar<br />
<br />
25 g unsalted butter, approximately, in little blobs<br />
<br />
500 ml boiling water<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Method <br />
<br />
<ul><li>Preheat the oven to 190 C/gas mark 5 (note: about 375F) and butter a 1 1/2 litre capacity pudding dish. (if you use a 1 ltire dish multiply the quantities by 0.8 and use a small egg.</li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li>Take the 100g of dark muscovado sugar and mix with the flour in a large bowl. Pour the milk into a measuring jug or smaller bowl and beat in the egg, vanilla and melted butter, then pour this mixture over the sugar and flour, stirring with a wooden spoon or spatula to combine. Fold in the dates then scrape into the buttered pudding dish. Don't worry if it doesn't look full: the mix rises as it cooks. </li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li>For the sauce: Sprinkle over the 200g dark muscovado sugar and break the 25g of butter into small pieces and place all over the top of the bowl. </li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li>Pour over the boiling water over the mix in the bowl. yes pour boiling water over the mix (this works, honest) and transfer to the oven. Set the timer for 45 minutes, though you might find the pudding needs 5 or 10 minutes more. The top of the pudding should be springy and spongy when it's cooked.</li>
</ul><br />
<ul><li> Underneath, the butter, dark muscovado sugar and boiling water will have turned into a rich, sticky toffee sauce. Serve with vanilla ice cream, creme fraiche, double or single cream as you wish.</li>
</ul>Now enjoy, sit back and be in food heavenS McLarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10479097924619930140noreply@blogger.com0