Masterchef & Sea Urchins

Been catching up on Masterchef, certainly NOT tried and tested, would anyone know what to do with a Sea Urchin.

PS. Oli to win!!

Mince Pies

Really been too busy to experiment with my new oven but will be finding time this weekend to make my first batch of mince pies for this year!

A great pastry recipe from my college days:

Rub 5oz butter into 8oz plain flour and combine with 1 egg yolk, a tablespoon of double cream and a bit of alcohol - brandy, rum or sherry!

Say Cheese :-)

Made a very quick visit to Waitrose today and bought some lovely melting cheeses that I can't seem to buy on the Fylde Coast!

Reblochon and Tallegio

Thanks!

Been a good month so far! Over 1400 views on my blog and 4 days to go. Favourite posts :

Jamie's Camembert Parcels
Jamie's Chicken Cacciatore
Raymond Blanc's Chicken Liver Parfait
Parmesan in Soup

http://gail-triedandtested.blogspot.co.uk/

Really should have been doing something else!

So today my friends invited me to join them for a catch up and lunch at the Ship at Elswick. I really should have been working but hate to say no so agreed to meet for a quick lunch which turned out to be over 3 hours!!!! Early start for me tomorrow!

Lunch was a very generous Chicken Caesar Salad with Anchovies, a whole chicken breast with plenty of pancetta, anchovies and parmesan - recommended.

Todays Food :

Todays lunch Prawn & Chorizo Fritatta and dinner Chicken Cacciatore

Catching up on Saturday Kitchen!

Catching up on Saturday Kitchen whilst Duncan cooks! Jamie Oliver's Lamb Shanks cooked in Guiness.

 

No Cooking Tonight!

No cooking tonight - off to the tried and tested 12 Restaurant in Thornton, not been for a while so very excited!

A Busy Day in the Kitchen!

Not my kitchen but those lovely people I work for!

Lunch today Chicken and Watercress Wraps with Mustard Mayo, lunch for tomorrow Moroccan Chickpea Soup and tonight's dinner an old faithful Rachel Allen's Fish, Tomato and Cheese Gratin - just a bit more cheese and cream in my version!

Neff has arrived!

Here it is my shiny new oven! Thanks to:

http://www.room-makers.co.uk/contact.php

Finally!

At last - my new oven is being installed tomorrow - I'm very excited, just wish I wasn't so busy at my sewing machine then I could just bake, can't possibly let Duncan use it before me!

Quick and Easy Veggie Lunch

For lunch today I made a variation of a recipe which I saw in a Waitrose magazine.
Chestnut Mushrooms stuffed with a little St Agur sat on a bed of Passata topped with Ciabatta Croutons tossed in olive oil and Oregano topped finally with Mozarella, baked for 20 mins @ 200 c

Think they liked it!

 

Last night Jill and I cooked for a few friends, Jill was in charge of starters - Smoked Mackerel Pate served Jamie's way with Yorkies and Prawns with Alioli and lovely fresh Beer Bread from the Artisan Market, she also did dessert, Nigella's Gorgonzola with Pears and Walnuts cooked with Honey and served with Oatcakes.
I did the main Jamie Oliver's Empire Chicken and my own version for Salmon with Bombay Potatoes and a Spicy Coleslaw. Above are the results - think they liked it!

Masterchef the Professionals

Enjoyed the first week of Masterchef the Professionals and thought Anna Spooner from St Annes did herself proud - wishing her luck for the future and if you open a typical French Patisserie Anna, let me know!

Beef Stroganoff

Supper tonight http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/_fillet_of_beef_82682/shopping-list

Posted this recipe before but it really is quick and very tasty!

Jamie Oliver's Empire Chicken - and Salmon?

Cooking for friends on Saturday, Jamie Oliver's Empire Chicken, attempting the same recipe with Salmon for my newly Pescatarian friend!!!

Knott End Artisan Market

Looking forward to the Artisan Market at Parrox Hall on Saturday. Not sure what to expect but thinking it's a Farmer's Market with a posh name, all the same if there's an opportunity to buy local produce that's a good thing!

Lorraine Pascal's Rosemary Roast Cottage Pie with Rosti Topping

OOps - forgot to photograph before serving! This is a really great recipe which I changed slightly, didn't put in the carrots and peas and used a chopped red onion instead of spring onion!

Jamie Oliver's Camembert Parcels - Another 15 Minute Meal

My third Jamie 15 minute meal in 2 days!

Camembert Parcels with Autumn Salad and Cranberry Dip, took a little longer than 15 minutes and had an issue with the filling oozing out of my filo - my fault for wrapping too tightly I think, but otherwise a success and very tasty!

Jamie Oliver's 15 Minute Chicken Cacciatore

Second recipe made from my new cook book, Chicken Cacciatore - a great success!

Jamie's Mushroom Soup

Made my first recipe from Jamie's 15 minute meals today Mushroom Soup with Stilton Croutes.  Did exactly as the recipe for the soup and it was gorgeous, I didn't put the mushrooms or apple on the croutes as it was just for lunch so just did stilton with a few pine nuts!

Jamie Oliver and Lorraine Pascale

Had a busy day - time to check out my new books!

 

Nigel Slaters Chicken Wings

Duncan cooking one of our fave suppers tonight. It's a Nigel Slater recipe but we've made it so often we don't get the book out anymore!

Basically just brown chicken wings, cover and leave to cook for about 30 minutes. Cool a little and take the meat from the wings.  Crush some garlic and finely sliced spring onions with salt and turmeric in a pestle and mortar, cook for a few minutes and return chicken to the pan to warm through. Serve on toasted Ciabatta, French Bread or Pannini spread with mayo!

Not low calorie by any means but so tasty and as Dunc's in charge tonight I have a feeling it may be served with skinny fries!

Delicious December!

Looking forward to reading the new issue of Delicious!

Jamie's 15 Minute Meals

Benefits of working from home - you can watch tv at 5pm when Jamie's 15 minute meals is on!

I'm a bit sceptical about the 15 minutes but loving some of the recipes so I'll be buying his latest book!