Monday, 7 November 2011

Sunday Roast

One best thing about a Sunday is Roast....MMMMMM!! 
So Yesterday I made a sunday roast for 4 people and a small portion for mark. 

Roast Chicken stuffed with sage and onion stuffing with roast potatoes & parsnips, carrots and red cabbage. 




How to do my Chicken Roast:

Stuffing
Ingredients:
  • 25g butter
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 100g fresh white breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, sage, tarragon & parsley
  • 2 tsp dried mixed herbs
  • 1 beaten egg
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  1. Melt some butter and heat the finely chopped onion until cooked and soft. 
  2. But the cooked onion into a bowl and add the breadcrumbs herbs egg and seasoning. 
  3. Mix well


 
Chicken
Ingredients:
  • 25g butter
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 100g fresh white breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh lemon thyme, sage, tarragon, rosemary & parsley
  • 2 tsp dried mixed herbs
  • 1 beaten egg
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  1. Preheat oven to 200°C 
  2. I used a corn fed chicken as they are juicy and have a more intense flavour. 
  3. I rubbed olive oil all over then sprinkled salt, pepper, rosemary and lemon thyme.
  4. I grated lemon skin which I rubbed on the chicken (don't use too much or it will be to lemony) 
  5. I stuffed it up the bum bum of the chicken and used a spoon to make sure it reaches the neck as well. (with remaining stuffing roast it in the last 20-30mins of the chicken. 
  6. I didn't have the best of roasting tins, but if you want a good roasting tin use one with a rack so you can put some water below the rack to moisten the chicken. I checked the chicken every 30 mins and would sprinkle water to insure the chicken doesn't dry up. 
  7. I turned the temperature of my oven down as the outside of the chicken was starting to turn crispy. 
  8. My chicken took 2 hours to roast, to check if it is cooked poke something threw the thick part of the thigh, the juice should be clear. 

Potatoes & Parsnips
Ingredients:
  • Potatoes
  • Parsnips
  • Rosemary & marjoram 
  • Goose fat 
  • Salt 
I had to roast the vegetables separately from the chicken as I didn't have a big enough oven (I had a microwave oven). If this happens wrap the chicken in tin foil, if it gets cold put it in the oven for 10 mins. 

  1. Wash and chop the potatoes into half or quarters depending on how big they are. 
  2. par boil the potatoes with salt for approx.10 mins 
  3. Allow this to cool outside so that the potatoes are dry.
  4. While this is drying cut the parsnip into chunky chip sort of sizes. 
  5. Cover with cold water and bring to the boil, once boiled reduce heat and simmer for 5 mins. 
  6. Now we can bring the potatoes back in to the picture. 
  7. Cover the parsnips and potatoes generously with goose fat then season with salt and add chopped rosemary and marjoram.
  8. Pop it in the oven and cook for 25-35 mins (until golden brown)  I moved around the potatoes & parsnips from time to time.


Red Cabbage
Ingredients:
  • 1 tpsp vegetable oil 
  • Shredded red cabbage (I used a good amount for 4 people)  
  • 1 Chopped red onion
  • 1 tsp of cinnamon 
  • 1 tsp of paprika 
  • Some red wine 
  • 100ml of vegetable stock
  • Salt & pepper

  1. Heat the vegetable oil and add the chopped onion and shredded red cabbage cook for about 5 mins. 
  2. Add the vegetable stock, cinnamon, paprika and red wine and simmer until most the water has evaporated & the veg is tender, mine took about the same time as the potatoes and parsnips roasted.

Carrots 
With the carrots and chopped them up again to chunky chip sizes, boiled with salt for about 5-8 mins or until cooked but still crunchy. 
Then I drained it and added a blob of butter. 

I usually make my gravy on a gas hob, but I had an induction cooker. 
I didn't want to mess up the gravy
I was lazy and bought ready made gravy!!! 



Wednesday, 19 October 2011

Homemade Burgers!

Last night I made some burgers for Din Din.



Ingredients I used:

  • 500g of minced beef 
  • 1 Red Onion 
  • 1 tsp Oregano 
  • 1 tsp Cumin 
  • 1 tsp Paprika 
  • 1 tsp Basil 
  • 1 tsp Chilli Powder 
  • 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
  • 1 clove of garlic  
  • 2 Eggs 
  • 2 Tomatos 
  • 1 Handful of Mushrooms
  • A lil butter 
  • Wholemeal Burger Baps 
  • Gruyere cheese
  • Some watercress & rocket 


STEP 1

Dice onions and add to a big bowl with the mince, crack the eggs in and the herbs. 
I used cumin (gives it a nutty peppery punch especially with chilli powder), chilli, paprika, basil, oregano, dijon mustard and the crushed up garlic. 


Mush this all up really well. 


With the herbs you can put anything you like I just went a lil crazy with my new spice rack. 



Look at Giuseppe he was WOOOWWED!!! 
This can be bought from amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chrome-Ferris-Wheel-Spice-Spices/dp/B0029600LW/ref=sr_1_15?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1319017002&sr=1-15


STEP 2


Turn the the grill on 
Now start making the burgers into balls and squish them flat so that they look like a burger. 
Whack them in the grill for approx. 10-15 mins or when they look done. 
Whilst this is going on you can start slicing the tomatos and saute the mushrooms. 


To saute mushrooms just fry them on a medium heat with butter, I usually cook them until I can smell the mushroom or if they look brownish. 


STEP 3 


With the burger baps I would grill them just a little before adding the burger on. 


Add the cheese on and grill till cheese has melted. 
I used gruyere cheese as it has a distinctive but not too overpowering taste which works perfectly with mushrooms and my burger (as I put quite a bit of spices in). 
Gruyere also melts really well!


Add the mushrooms, tomatos, watercress & rocket. 


I like to add a pinch of salt & pepper.


I used mayo as my sauce. 



STEP 4
The best step eating it... mmmm I love burgers and doing this is cheaper then McDs and healthier!

Tuesday, 18 October 2011

Bippy Bench Press!!!

Just remembered about this video made on my 21st Biffday down in Cornwall!

Part I


Part II


Starring:  Bip Ling
               Dylan Garner

Panda Trainers Oh My MY MY MYYYYY!!!! TOOO CUTE....


Jeremy Scott for Adidas Panda trainers. 
They have a headband as well... 


My only problem is how am I supposed to wear you I don't think I can stand these cuties getting dirty and I don't want to look at them...
At least I can hug them! 

Thursday, 13 October 2011

British Egg Week So I made egg and soldiers mmmmm...

This week is British Egg Week

Eggs is a great piece of food and at times might be underrated but think about all the things you can do with an egg!!


A medium sized egg has less than 80 calories
They contain high quality protein, vitamins and minerals!
This morning I did egg and soldiers 
what a classic I love egg and soldiers.
Instead of toast I tried it with asparagus and potato wedges.  

 

Boiled egg
  • Always time with a kitchen timer how long the egg should boil.  
  • Always use a room temperature egg so it wont crack
  • Always use a small saucepan
  • Prick the top of the egg with a pin so that the pressure whilst boiling wont crack the egg
  • Never use boiling hot water a gentle simmer is best  
  • Soft boiled eggs take 3-4 mins

Asparagus 

I prefer to steam my asparagus and add butter with a pinch of salt after they are done, DON'T over cook it or it won't be nice and crunchy!

Potato Wedges

  • Pre heat oven to 200°C
  • Wash a cut potato wedges first into half then with the halves into quarters an if they are still quite chunky cut again. C
  • Boil this for 5-10 mins 
  • Melt some butter and add some spices I used Paprika. Mix the potato in to cover them.
  • Then place on baking sheet and place in oven for 20-25 mins (until they are golden brown)


My cute set of animal egg cups were purchased from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001E6DEQG

Tuesday, 11 October 2011

Feel the french in your Tummy!!

I met up with a bestie buddie Bip for lunch at Aubaine near Regent Street. 

I had The Smoked Salmon Salad - 
Ugie smoked salmon, beetroot, new potato, egg & dill creme fraiche.


It was great apart from the eggs were not hard boiled and was a gooey texture which 
really disgusted Giuseppe!!!

Bip had the crab option which was-
 Timbale of crab, broccoli, bitter leaves and shellfish bisque! 
Giuseppe and I had a bit of food envy.   



Here is The 3 step guide to rating your food:



THUMBS UP!!!
I recommend this french restaurant the portions aren't too small -like most french restaurants- lovely french atmosphere with friendly staff! 
There are 4 in London check out the website for the menu and address at http://www.aubaine.co.uk/  

Tuesday, 4 October 2011