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.

Thursday 22 August 2013

Roast Double Turkey With Cheese & Craker Crust and Beetroot Gravy

Roast Double Turkey With Cheese & Craker Crust and Beetroot Gravy

I have created this British turkey recipe. It is absolutely delicious because it consists of two types of turkey--- turkey steak and turkey mince. The turkey is then 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.

www.britishturkey.co.uk 
www.redtractor.org.uk
 

 

Serves 2


2 pieces British turkey steak (about 150g each piece)

100g British minced turkey

1 small red chilli ( chopped)

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce

1 tablespoon chilli oil

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic (chopped)

1 small onion Red Tractor (chopped)

100g Red Tractor red Leicester cheese

8 Ritz Cheese crackers

1 small bunch Red Tractor Greek basils

A few sprigs of rosemary

2 bay leaves

100g Red Tractor cooked baby beetroots

½ small red pepper ( chopped)

100ml rich turkey stock

100ml red wine

A handful of Red Tractor  spinach leaves

Salt and pepper

Method: 

1. Mix lemon juice, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, onion, chilli, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add turkey steak and marinate for 2-3 hours.

 


2. Add ½ teaspoon of chopped rosemary and ½ teaspoon chopped Greek basil to the mince turkey. Mix well.

 


3. Transfer the marinated turkey steaks onto a plate. Pour the rest of the marinate into the turkey mince. Mix well.

 


4. Place the Ritz crackers in a plastic bag. Use a rolling pin and break the crackers into fine crumbs. Add in finely grated red Leicester cheese and 1teaspoon chilli oil.

 


 

5. Place the turkey steaks on a baking tray. Spread the turkey mince on top. Press the cheese crust on top. Drizzle with the rest of the chilli oil. Add a sprig of rosemary on top.
 

 

6. 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.

 

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

9. 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, basil and beetroot strips.

 
 
 
 
 

Sunday 30 June 2013

Taylor Wimpey Dinner Party Competition Entry

Taylor Wimpey Dinner Party Competition Entry 

 This is my entry for the Taylor Wimpey Dinner Party Competition

                                          Menu:
                                       ~~~~~~~

Dark Rum Majito
 
This is my favourite perfect welcome cocktail drink for the summer. It is made with dark rum, sugar, lime juice, sparkling water and mint leaves. The rich flavour reminds me of a sunshine holiday and parties.


Starter:

Creamy Trout, Leek, Butternut Squash and Asparagus Risotto

 

This is a light and healthy starter and very easy to make. This means that you can spend more time with your guests. It has some lovely smoked trout, asparagus and Pamersan cheese in it. This is lovely starter to a dinner party.

I would serve this with a light and fruity Chardonnay.

Main:

Balsamic Glazed Tuna Steak with Basil and Cherry Tomatoes 


This is a fresh and healthy seafood dish and go well with fresh summer basil and sweet cherry tomatoes. Serve this with a small tablespoon of steamed rice.



I would serve this with a pinot grigio for a refreshing taste for a summer dinner party.


Dessert:

Honey & Greek Yoghurt Panna cotta

I like this easy light dessert can bee made in advance. Honey and Greek Yoghurt is nice and refreshing for a

summer dessert. I would garnish this with fresh raspberries and raspberry puree.



This dessert  go well with a light Sauvignon Blanc because of its sweetess and citrus flavour

Thursday 20 June 2013

Mini Meat Balls Spaceship Supper

This is my super quick recipe for children using Richmond Mini meat balls

My entry for Britmums' Hungry To Happy Challenge sponsored by Richmond Mini Meat Balls.




 

 

 

Mini Meat Balls Spaceship Supper



Serve 1

 5-6 Richmond mini meatballs

1 Egg

1 handful of oven chips

1 tablespoon peas

3 tablespoon baked beans

 

Method:

1. Preheat oven at Gas7/220C for 10 minutes. Place the oven chips on a baking tray and bake the chips for 18-20 minutes.

2. Heat the meatballs in the microwave for 1 minute.

3. Microwave the peas for 2 minutes till cooked.

4. Heat some il in a frying pan. Gently fry the egg til cooked.

5. Place the baked bean on a plate and cook in a microwave for 2 minutes. Arrange the fried egg on top of the beans.

6. Place the chips around the side. Arrange the meat balls on top of the egg. Garnish with a few peas.








 

Friday 31 May 2013

Pinching-Pennies money saving tips


Win a £100 Amazon Gift Card by sharing you money saving tips on your blog post


 

 

When it comes to food shopping I always have plenty of money saving ideas. The top money saving tip that I like most is when shopping in the supermarket, always club together with a group of friends or neighbours. Offer to do shopping for each others or better still take turn to go shopping once or twice a week. By doing it this way you can save money and time on petrol and wear and tear on your car .

Supermarkets often have offers like buy one get one free or three for the prize of two, etc. If you club together you can share out the food that you get. For example you may not want 3 packets pork chops and keep eating  pork chop allweek, but if there are 3 family join together, you can easily use up 3 packets of pork chops without any food going to waste.

       Also sometimes supermarkets send out vouchers like, spend £50 you get £6 off. If you have a small family you may not be able to spend £50 a week on shopping, so if you join up with a few friends you can easily spend £50 and get you £6 off. Also sometimes supermarkets give 12 pence off on per litre of petrol when you spent £50 on your shopping. So if you have a few of you, you can take turn to shop and take turn to redeem the petrol vouchers.

Money off vouchers are useful too. You can swap the vouchers that you don’t want with friends, so that everybody can save some money and buy the things that they want rather than throw some of the money off vouchers away.

 Form a Cooperative club and save money. It is also a sociable get together too. Remember pennies make pounds



Friday 19 April 2013

My Million Point Home Decoration

My Million Point Home Decoration
http://pinterest.com/ahhar/my-million-point-home-decoration/
My entry for the Confused.com 'Pin for Points' competition




If I win 60000 Points, I would decorate my home like a palace. I always love a nice home.  I am a DIY woman. I can get lots of my material from Homebase and Sainsbury and Argos with my 60000 points.

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 ...