Sunday 17 November 2013

Casino Royale James Bond party

 James Bond Theme Party

 


Apèritif : Martini shaken not stirred
 
 
 
Menu:
 
Starter:
From Russia with Oeufs
(Poached Wild salmon with wild herbs served with Beluga Caviar and a Hollandaise sauce)
 










Main:
Golden Eye Steak Flamed in Cognac with Crushed Potatoes
(Marinated rib eye steak flamed in Cognac glazed with Balsamic vinegar serve on crushed potatoes and salad rockets)















Dessert:
Spoon Raker Panna Cotta
(Honey Yoghurt Panna Potta served with a sweet raspberry topping and garnished with raspberry)

 

After dinner  entertainment: Casino Roulette and Blackjack
 
Dress code: Black tie and evening dress
 

Monday 11 November 2013

Italian Meat Balls in Tomato Sauce



Italian Meat Balls in Tomato Sauce


(serves 2)

 
1 packet meat balls
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 jar Tomato and Basil sauce
1 small onion (diced)
1 clove garlic (chopped)
½ small red pepper (diced)
½ small green pepper (diced)
1 tomato (diced)
2 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper
a few shavings of parmesan cheese
1 packet fresh spaghetti



 




1.     Heat the olive oil in a frying pan. Fry the meat balls until they are slightly brown on the outside. Pour in the tomato sauce and the diced vegetable. Simmer for 20 minutes till the meatballs are cooked.

2 .    Cook the spaghetti according to the instruction on the packet. Drain.

3.        Place the spaghetti in a warm plate. Spoon the meatballs and the sauce on top of the spaghetti. Garnish with shavings of Parmesan, chopped chives and a sprig of basil.

 


 

Roast Turkey Steak With Cheese & Craker Crust and Beetroot Gravy

Roast Turkey Steak With Cheese & Craker Crust and Beetroot Gravy

I have created this turkey recipe. It is absolutely delicious. The turkey is top with a cheese and cracker crumbs crust and roast in the oven till the crispy. It is serve on a bed of spinach with sweet baby beetroot turkey gravy.




Serves 2


2 pieces turkey steak (about 150g each piece)

1 small red chilli ( chopped)

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon chilli oil

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic (chopped)

1 small onion  (chopped)

100g grated cheese

8 Ritz Cheese crackers

A few sprigs of rosemary

100g cooked baby beetroots

½ small red pepper ( chopped)

100ml rich turkey stock

A handful of  spinach leaves

Salt and pepper

Method:

1. Mix lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, onion, chilli, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add turkey steak and marinate for1 hour.


 
2. Transfer the marinated turkey steaks onto a plate.



3.  Place the Ritz crackers in a plastic bag. Use a rolling pin and break the crackers into fine crumbs. Add in finely grated cheese.





4.  Place the turkey steaks on a baking tray. Press the cheese crust on top. Drizzle with olive oil. Add a sprig of rosemary on top.



5.  Roast the turkey steak on the centre of the oven at gas mark 5/ 190C for 30 minutes until the turkey s cooked and the crust is golden brown.





6. Cut one beetroot into fine strips. Set aside for garnish. Place the beetroot and red pepper in a processor. Add in turkey stock. Pulsate for 30 seconds. Pass the sauce through a sieve. Heat the sauce in a pan.


7. Cook spinach in a pan of salty water for 1 minute. Drain.


8. Put a few spoonful of beetroot gravy on a warm plate. Arrange the cooked spinach in the centre. Place the cheese crust turkey onto of the spinach. Drizzle with beetroot gravy. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and beetroot strips.



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Saturday 9 November 2013

Creamy Trout, Butternut squash and Asparagus Risotto

Creamy Trout, Butternut squash and Asparagus Risotto

This delicious healthy and nutritious risotto is made with smoked trout, butternut squash and other vegetables, herbs and a creamy white wine sauce with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese



(Serves 4)


300g Arborio rice

200g smoked trout fillet (cut into cubes)

60g butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic (chopped)

1 leek stem (sliced)

150g butternut squash (diced)

1 teaspoon chopped of fresh thyme

1 tablespoon chopped chives

1 glass Italian white wine

1 litre chicken stock ( Stock cube)

1 tablespoon cream

150g of asparagus tips

70g grated Parmesan

Salt and pepper

70g grated Parmesan



1. Melt 40g butter and oil in a pan. Fry leek, garlic and butternut squash for 1 minute without browning.

2. Sizzle in the wine and thyme. Add in the rice and the chicken stock.

3. Bring to the boil. Simmer for about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.

4. Gently stir in the trout, the asparagusand the cream. Add a little more stock if necessary. Cover and simmer very gently for 3 minutes. Stir every minute till the rice is soft and creamy and the fish is cooked.

5. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the rest of the butter and half the chopped chives.

6. Serve hot. Sprinkle with Parmesan and chopped chives.



 

This is a very easy recipe to make for the whole family. It is delicious and nutritious and bursting with flavour. It is a favourite for the family.

Tomato Parmesan Chicken

Serves 4

Preparation time: 20minutes

Cooking time : 60 minutes in a slow cooker


4 pieces chicken joints (skin removed)

1 Tin tomato soup

2 tablespoon tomato puree

1 handful chopped herbs (basil, thyme, oregano and parsley)

2 clove garlic (chopped)

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1 onion (chopped)

1 cup white wine

100g sliced mushrooms

1 small courgette (diced)


2 tablespoon parmesan cheese

3 tablespoon olive oil


2 tablespoon flour

Salt and pepper


  1. Sprinkle the chicken joints with salt and pepper. Dredge with flour.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a pan. Brown the chicken on both sides. Drain and set aside.
  3. With the remaining oil the pan, sweat the onion and garlic. Add in mushrooms, herbs, white wine, tomato puree, tomato soup. 
  4. Transfer the chicken into a slow cooker. Pour over the sauce. Cover and cooked at heat setting (No 1 ) for 1 hour.
  5. Stir in the diced courgette and grated Parmesan.
  6.  Cover and cook for another 5 minutes.
  7. Season to taste. Garnish with freshly chopped herbs and fresh garlic buttered toast.

Twice Baked Slow Cooked Duck Soufflé with Cheese

I am very proud of this recipe. It was published in the monthly My Favourite Recipe magazine last year in issue 67. I won Recipe of the ...