Thursday, 28 February 2013
Mopping food - heavenly
Today's recipe was Chickpeas with tomatoes and Harissa.
This is a vegetable based stew to serve with rice or bread. Mr Slater recommends bread and the delight of mopping up delicious juices with - in this case - flat bread.
Two new ingreds for me tonight, preserved lemons and Harissa paste. I have never used preserved lemons before but they did add a kind of sharpness to this " gloopy" stew. I used bought flatbreads for the mopping up , Mr Slater makes his own of course.
The verdict - another delicious tea ( apart from the fact I now have a very large jar of preserved lemons to use up - any ideas??? ) and ideal for eating in front of the television in P Js
Husband's verdict - a very clean well mopped dish, but couldn't decide which he liked best
Butter beans with mustard and tomato or Chickpeas with tomatoes and Harissa.
Both are heartwarming filling delicious bowls of food .
Apologies can't get photos to load Will publish later if I can get it it work!!!!
This is a vegetable based stew to serve with rice or bread. Mr Slater recommends bread and the delight of mopping up delicious juices with - in this case - flat bread.
Two new ingreds for me tonight, preserved lemons and Harissa paste. I have never used preserved lemons before but they did add a kind of sharpness to this " gloopy" stew. I used bought flatbreads for the mopping up , Mr Slater makes his own of course.
The verdict - another delicious tea ( apart from the fact I now have a very large jar of preserved lemons to use up - any ideas??? ) and ideal for eating in front of the television in P Js
Husband's verdict - a very clean well mopped dish, but couldn't decide which he liked best
Butter beans with mustard and tomato or Chickpeas with tomatoes and Harissa.
Both are heartwarming filling delicious bowls of food .
Apologies can't get photos to load Will publish later if I can get it it work!!!!
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
Problematic recipe
A chapter called "Coconut cream"
Mr Slater says he first "........met coconut in the form of a neat sweet Bounty Bar, and as a coating, along with raspberry jam, for the tiny, castle shaped sponges we wrongly call madeleines."
And I guess this is true of most people ageing between 45-60 ish!!!!!!
In this recipe he introduces me to coconut cream - Chicken wings with coconut cream
Making this dish was not easy and had more than one problem for me.
As I carefully got my ingreds together in the true tradition of a T V chef - everything to hand and ready weighed out - I realised something had gone wrong when I tried to pour my coconut cream into a jug. It was solid! had I bought the wrong thing? Back to Mr Slater's list of ingreds - there it was 320ml of coconut cream I had bought creamed coconut, reading the chapter again I realised this is what is used in piña colada !!!!!
Fortunately I had a can of coconut milk which I decided to substitute, carefully pouring off the creamy stuff at the top, leaving the watery bit behind. Phew first disaster averted.
Then I had problems with the food processor, the ginger and garlic wouldn't blitz but just flew round and round the bowl, along with the turmeric, chilli and coriander. Got round this eventually by adding a few of the tinned tomatoes. Seemed to work ( Have I mentioned how much I ate washing the food processor?)
Then half way through I had to dash into Leeds to taxi my daughter and friends, leaving my hubby behind - sort of in charge.
45 mins later back home and ready to continue.
The final result, OK but not worth the effort in my opinion and very messy finger food.
Not one to do again
Mr Slater says he first "........met coconut in the form of a neat sweet Bounty Bar, and as a coating, along with raspberry jam, for the tiny, castle shaped sponges we wrongly call madeleines."
And I guess this is true of most people ageing between 45-60 ish!!!!!!
In this recipe he introduces me to coconut cream - Chicken wings with coconut cream
Making this dish was not easy and had more than one problem for me.
As I carefully got my ingreds together in the true tradition of a T V chef - everything to hand and ready weighed out - I realised something had gone wrong when I tried to pour my coconut cream into a jug. It was solid! had I bought the wrong thing? Back to Mr Slater's list of ingreds - there it was 320ml of coconut cream I had bought creamed coconut, reading the chapter again I realised this is what is used in piña colada !!!!!
Fortunately I had a can of coconut milk which I decided to substitute, carefully pouring off the creamy stuff at the top, leaving the watery bit behind. Phew first disaster averted.
Then I had problems with the food processor, the ginger and garlic wouldn't blitz but just flew round and round the bowl, along with the turmeric, chilli and coriander. Got round this eventually by adding a few of the tinned tomatoes. Seemed to work ( Have I mentioned how much I ate washing the food processor?)
Then half way through I had to dash into Leeds to taxi my daughter and friends, leaving my hubby behind - sort of in charge.
45 mins later back home and ready to continue.
The final result, OK but not worth the effort in my opinion and very messy finger food.
Tuesday, 26 February 2013
You can eat Mr. Slater's words
You can eat Mr. Slater's words - well it would save on calories. Please, please read page89 - Feb 26 th - of The Kitchen Diaries 11. The way this man describes food is wonderful, and I couldn't wait to try today's recipe for lunch today.
Bulgur and bacon - according to our chef ".......it turns out to be one of those ridiculously cheap meals that hits all the right notes."
I had never heard of bulgur wheat before, neither had most of the supermarket assistants, but finally tracked some down behind the packets of pearl barley. Obviously not much call for it!!!
Why ever not? It's lovely. Definitely beats my usual lunch - Ryvita and cottage cheese.
Hope it will reheat ok as saved some for hubby for his tea - I am out with the girls at book club.
Bulgur and bacon - according to our chef ".......it turns out to be one of those ridiculously cheap meals that hits all the right notes."
I had never heard of bulgur wheat before, neither had most of the supermarket assistants, but finally tracked some down behind the packets of pearl barley. Obviously not much call for it!!!
Why ever not? It's lovely. Definitely beats my usual lunch - Ryvita and cottage cheese.
Monday, 25 February 2013
I don't like stir fries/Husband is delighted.
I don't like stir fries - well once again I have to eat my words. Yesterday was Pork with garlic and oyster sauce , and yes it was delicious, if a little hot!
" Never pay more than a few quid for a wok" is Mr Slater's advice, " the trendy thick woks with famous names are rubbish" Thank goodness for that! I needed to buy a wok.
Cheap wok at the ready I began to make the stir fry. Personally not a lover of stir fries, pork, and hot chillies I was definitely not looking forward to this.
I decided to take Mr Slater's advice noted in the ingredients "........plus some greens somewhere" and accompany the stir fry with Kale with chorizo and almonds - a recipe which had escaped me on Feb 19 th.
Love the kale recipe but not sure I could eat it as " a light main course" but as a side dish it was excellent and felt like healthy eating.
The stir fry was good if a little too hot for me, next time I will use less chilli. My guinea pig for this recipe was my daughter who loved it but didn't agree that it needed less chillies.
Lemon tart
Today my husband and his sweet tooth ( but not his waistline) are delighted!!!! I made another desert Lemon tart.
Jim is diabetic and as such , in the interests of his well being and waistline, I try to keep him away from sweets and deserts!!!!! However I do need a second opinion on my cooking - lucky for him.
I decided to make the pastry by hand as I find it therapeutic and hate washing the food processor. The filling was easy to make, with some left over when poured into the pastry case ( which I baked separately in little soufflé dishes -this in fact worked well - good for people like me who don't like pastry)
A delicious tangy desert which is good enough to serve at a dinner party. Lovely!
In the interest of my husbands waistline the rest is now sitting my daughter and future son- in- law's fridge.
" Never pay more than a few quid for a wok" is Mr Slater's advice, " the trendy thick woks with famous names are rubbish" Thank goodness for that! I needed to buy a wok.
Cheap wok at the ready I began to make the stir fry. Personally not a lover of stir fries, pork, and hot chillies I was definitely not looking forward to this.
I decided to take Mr Slater's advice noted in the ingredients "........plus some greens somewhere" and accompany the stir fry with Kale with chorizo and almonds - a recipe which had escaped me on Feb 19 th.
Love the kale recipe but not sure I could eat it as " a light main course" but as a side dish it was excellent and felt like healthy eating.
The stir fry was good if a little too hot for me, next time I will use less chilli. My guinea pig for this recipe was my daughter who loved it but didn't agree that it needed less chillies.
Lemon tartJim is diabetic and as such , in the interests of his well being and waistline, I try to keep him away from sweets and deserts!!!!! However I do need a second opinion on my cooking - lucky for him.
I decided to make the pastry by hand as I find it therapeutic and hate washing the food processor. The filling was easy to make, with some left over when poured into the pastry case ( which I baked separately in little soufflé dishes -this in fact worked well - good for people like me who don't like pastry)
A delicious tangy desert which is good enough to serve at a dinner party. Lovely!
Sunday, 24 February 2013
Heavenly calories!!!!!!
Last night saw us tucking into the most heavenly - quick and so easy to make - desert. Fried apples with brown sugar and creme fraiche.
Of this recipe Mr Slater says " It's a pudding for when you didn't intend to have a pudding....."
He is so right, again the ingreds are simple and normally in the store cupboard or fridge.
A simple combination of apple, sugar, butter, creme fraiche and Calvados ( or ordinary brandy if you don't have Calvados.) The result is a sticky, slightly caramelised, mouthwateringly, divine pudding.
Actually tastes much better than it looks !!!!!!!!
Husband's verdict - "........needs more brandy, but having been denied deserts for so long it is difficult to make a constructive criticism"
Of this recipe Mr Slater says " It's a pudding for when you didn't intend to have a pudding....."
He is so right, again the ingreds are simple and normally in the store cupboard or fridge.
Actually tastes much better than it looks !!!!!!!!
Husband's verdict - "........needs more brandy, but having been denied deserts for so long it is difficult to make a constructive criticism"
Saturday, 23 February 2013
Pancetta and bean soup with spaghetti
Mr Slater says about pancetta " a meal it does not make, but the difference it adds to even a few lettuce leaves or a bowl of soup is extraordinary"
So on last night's menu we had Pancetta and bean soup with spaghetti.
Quick and simple to make with ingredients mostly from the store cupboard. A tasty, warming and very filling soup perfect for winter days. A good stand-by when you haven't time to shop.
Not sure I will be in a rush to make it again though.
Today I should be making Pumpkin, tomato, and cannellini soup. However try as I might I have been unable to get hold of a pumpkin anywhere. Wakefield, Leeds, Dewsbury, stores or markets seem bereft of this vegetable so this is a recipe I will have to put on hold.
As a local produce grower informed my husband ( yes I have had him searching too) "....they are seasonal and that season is autumn" so maybe on hold until Sept/Oct! Not a bad idea as my system has had fun dealing with beans and prunes - not regulars in my diet!
Desert today is Fried apples with brown sugar and creme fraiche - sounds yummy. Let you know tomorrow.
Meanwhile despite the freezing weather, a long walk is beckoning in order to work off all these extra calories .
So on last night's menu we had Pancetta and bean soup with spaghetti.
Quick and simple to make with ingredients mostly from the store cupboard. A tasty, warming and very filling soup perfect for winter days. A good stand-by when you haven't time to shop.
Not sure I will be in a rush to make it again though.
Today I should be making Pumpkin, tomato, and cannellini soup. However try as I might I have been unable to get hold of a pumpkin anywhere. Wakefield, Leeds, Dewsbury, stores or markets seem bereft of this vegetable so this is a recipe I will have to put on hold.
As a local produce grower informed my husband ( yes I have had him searching too) "....they are seasonal and that season is autumn" so maybe on hold until Sept/Oct! Not a bad idea as my system has had fun dealing with beans and prunes - not regulars in my diet!
Desert today is Fried apples with brown sugar and creme fraiche - sounds yummy. Let you know tomorrow.
Meanwhile despite the freezing weather, a long walk is beckoning in order to work off all these extra calories .
Friday, 22 February 2013
An apricot crumble cake.
Only a day behind with this one, according to Mr Slater should have made this yesterday !
Easy to make and quite delicious, a strange combination of a cake and a crumble. Moist but does benefit from being served with cream or creme fraiche.
Mr Slater says this is " the grown up version of the little cakes " I think this is a much nicer version and certainly more moist.
Is it worth all the extra calories - not sure - let me know what you think.
Easy to make and quite delicious, a strange combination of a cake and a crumble. Moist but does benefit from being served with cream or creme fraiche.
Mr Slater says this is " the grown up version of the little cakes " I think this is a much nicer version and certainly more moist.
Pictures at last!!!!!!
At last managed to sort out loading pictures so here are some of the recipes I have made.
Chicken with potatoes and dill, Prune pudding, and Little apricot and oat cakes. Now all I have to remember to do is take the photos!!
Thursday, 21 February 2013
On course again.
Well, after a weekend of cooking I am back on track. I have successfully made " Little prune puddings with caramel sauce", "Chicken with potatoes and dill", "Butter beans with mustard and tomato" , and " Little apricot and oat cakes".
( if you have The Kitchen Diaries you will realise one or two recipes are missing but intend to complete by the end of the week)
LITTLE PRUNE PUDDINGS
Mr Slater says " nothing makes my heart sink like a restaurant order of one pudding and four spoons" If I have chosen the pudding I quite agree. However I was unable to make my pudding as individuals as I haven't the correct size tins so made one big pud! This worked well, but I intend to look out for some small pudding tins as it is a nice way to serve this pudding.
The pudding was delicious , the taste of the alcohol really came through. A lovely warming comforting pudding for cold winter days. My husband thought it would work well with apples - not so sure how that would work as they wouldn't absorb the alcohol .
CHICKEN WITH POTATOES AND DILL
Devine and quick and easy to make. Mr Slater suggests serving with steamed rice but I think a green veg works best!
BUTTER BEANS WITH MUSTARD AND TOMATO
Really didn't want to make this as I hate butter beans and thought it sounded quite unpalatable. I have to eat my words however. A lovely comfort food kind of bean stew, quick and easy and can be made from store cupboard ingreds - a good recipe when you have forgotten to shop.
LITTLE APRICOT AND OAT CAKES?
" A cake with backbone" according to Mr Slater. This was the first Nigel Slater recipe which I found hard work. My apricots would not chop in my food processor so tried my liquidiser which didn't work either so ended up doing it by hand which was very time consuming.
Not worth the effort would be my verdict on these little cakes. They had a chewy texture and were very sweet.
Apologies to anyone reading this as I have photos of all my efforts but can't get them to upload onto the blog. Will do so as soon as I learn how!!!!
( if you have The Kitchen Diaries you will realise one or two recipes are missing but intend to complete by the end of the week)
LITTLE PRUNE PUDDINGS
Mr Slater says " nothing makes my heart sink like a restaurant order of one pudding and four spoons" If I have chosen the pudding I quite agree. However I was unable to make my pudding as individuals as I haven't the correct size tins so made one big pud! This worked well, but I intend to look out for some small pudding tins as it is a nice way to serve this pudding.
The pudding was delicious , the taste of the alcohol really came through. A lovely warming comforting pudding for cold winter days. My husband thought it would work well with apples - not so sure how that would work as they wouldn't absorb the alcohol .
CHICKEN WITH POTATOES AND DILL
Devine and quick and easy to make. Mr Slater suggests serving with steamed rice but I think a green veg works best!
BUTTER BEANS WITH MUSTARD AND TOMATO
Really didn't want to make this as I hate butter beans and thought it sounded quite unpalatable. I have to eat my words however. A lovely comfort food kind of bean stew, quick and easy and can be made from store cupboard ingreds - a good recipe when you have forgotten to shop.
LITTLE APRICOT AND OAT CAKES?
" A cake with backbone" according to Mr Slater. This was the first Nigel Slater recipe which I found hard work. My apricots would not chop in my food processor so tried my liquidiser which didn't work either so ended up doing it by hand which was very time consuming.
Not worth the effort would be my verdict on these little cakes. They had a chewy texture and were very sweet.
Apologies to anyone reading this as I have photos of all my efforts but can't get them to upload onto the blog. Will do so as soon as I learn how!!!!
Thursday, 14 February 2013
Need to catch up.....
Yesterday, although a day behind my schedule, I managed to cook " Smoked haddock with potato and bacon".
The title did not do this recipe justice, imagine the most delicious chips you have ever eaten, and then add crispy pieces of bacon - absolutely devine if ruinous on the hips. the fish and creamy sauce for me definitely took second place.
A very rich dish. If you try it I would certainly recommend a green veg to accompany it to counter the richness.
I also thought the quantities for two were very generous but have to admit my husband did not agree!
Ten out of ten, worth every calorie.
Today is 14 th February and we are dining out, so in order to get back on track by Monday this weekend I shall be cooking:
Little prune puddings with caramel sauce
Chicken with potatoes and dill
Butter beans with mustard and tomato.
Wish me luck
The title did not do this recipe justice, imagine the most delicious chips you have ever eaten, and then add crispy pieces of bacon - absolutely devine if ruinous on the hips. the fish and creamy sauce for me definitely took second place.
A very rich dish. If you try it I would certainly recommend a green veg to accompany it to counter the richness.
I also thought the quantities for two were very generous but have to admit my husband did not agree!
Ten out of ten, worth every calorie.
Today is 14 th February and we are dining out, so in order to get back on track by Monday this weekend I shall be cooking:
Little prune puddings with caramel sauce
Chicken with potatoes and dill
Butter beans with mustard and tomato.
Wish me luck
Tuesday, 12 February 2013
Stopped at first hurdle
Today is the day I should be making Smoked Haddock with potato and bacon" , according to Mr Slater " the perfect marriage of smoked fish and cream.
However in the interests of marital harmony in our household this delight has been put on hold until tomorrow! Today is Shrove Tuesday - Pancake Day , and in keeping with family tradition we have to have pancakes, savoury and sweet!!!!!
So two days into my venture and already a day behind !
However in the interests of marital harmony in our household this delight has been put on hold until tomorrow! Today is Shrove Tuesday - Pancake Day , and in keeping with family tradition we have to have pancakes, savoury and sweet!!!!!
So two days into my venture and already a day behind !
Monday, 11 February 2013
A great day to get started
Sunday 10th February
Today is the day I actually got started. Inspired by watching the film " Julia Julia" I decided to follow Nigel Slater's kitchen diaries day by day in order to inspire and motivate me to become a better cook, even making the dishes I don't really like the sound of !!!
Motivation is a difficult thing for me , as you can tell we are into Feb and I have only just got started.
Why write a blog? Purely selfish, not sure anyone will want to read it, but maybe it will help in the motivation area and give me a reason to keep going.
The book "The Kitchen Diaries" by Nigel Slater was a Xmas present from my husband and so I begin.
You join me and the book on February 10 th A chapter called " Down to the bone"
I am not sure I can join with Mr Slater's pleasure in cooking with bits of an animal that clearly show their function but this is clearly going to be a learning curve. So ingredients sourced and inspiring words such as " fragrant luxurious supper" I made a start on Braised neck of lamb with apricots and cinnamon
One and a half hours in the oven and it smelt delicious. So excited was I at finally getting started I forgot to buy the accompanying Mograbia (a type of couscous - something else learnt today) so we had to have it with rice instead!!!!!
Still it tasted good and I froze the left over sauce to use later.
Next recipe is Smoked Haddock with potato and bacon Feb 12 th
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