Caramelized Onion and Cheddar Quiche

January 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
onion-quiche

Quiche is one of my favorite weekend dishes because I can prepare it in advance and leave my days free for the purpose weekends were intended - relaxing (not this weekend as I have a full schedule of last minute design work!). This caramelized Onions and cheddar quiche is an absolute delight - the additional step of caramelizing the onions adds some wonderful flavor. I always do a slightly different quiche with the addition of feta cheese in place of the cheddar which works just as well in my … [Read more...]

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Vegetable Lasagne

January 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment
vegetable-lasagne

There are many things in live without but vegetables are not one of them. I adore vegetables in whatever shape or form they come in, and most especially when their subtle flavours are not hidden under heavy sauces. This vegetable lasagne is one of my absolute favorites. Yield - 6 servings   1 box lasagne sheets Tomato and Vegetable Sauce 1.5 tbsp EACH - olive oil and unsalted butter 3 whole unpeeled garlic cloves 1 medium sized red onion, peeled and finely diced 2 banana … [Read more...]

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Glayva Orange Pudding

January 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment
orange-pudding

In the cold months of winter or when I am in need of good old British comfort food when I am feeling a little low there is nothing more wonderful than a sponge pudding. One of my personal favorites is Glayva Orange Pudding, a creation of my mothers who runs Puddy Blog. 3½ oz unrefined golden caster sugar 3½ oz unsalted butter, room temperature 3½ oz self raising flour 2 large eggs 1 blood orange, finely grated zest 1 tsp (or amount to taste) Glayva whisky liqueur (or Grand … [Read more...]

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Hogwarts Chicken and Ham Pie

January 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment
chicken-and-ham-pie

Reading the early books of Harry Potter is always likely to leave me craving some classic British favorites - one scene in particular will always set in motion a craving - Ronald Weasley eating Chicken and Ham Pie! Mrs Weasley is another character I always associate with food cravings - if I find myself reading any of Mrs Weasleys exploits in the kitchen you can guarantee something from that chapter will feature on our table the same night! Two of the children in our family are extremely … [Read more...]

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Beef and Ale Pie (using Black Sheep Brewery Ale)

January 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment
steakandalepie

There is nothing nicer than a warming Beef and Ale Pie on cold winter days. Personally I like my pie served with a selection of roasted seasonal vegetables. This pie uses Yorkshire Ale from the Black Sheep Brewery, one of my personal favorites, but you are free to substitute this with any ale of your choosing. I would advise using one with a decent strength - a weak ale will lead to a mediocre beef and ale pie! Enjoy! 1 oz butter with 1 tbsp olive oil 2 lbs stewing steak or shin beef, … [Read more...]

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Engagement Party Planning

January 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
successful-engagement-party

A close friend of mine has recently become engaged and, as per usual, it has fallen to me to do the menu planning. At the moment I am contemplating the sort of things one can serve for a spring engagement party.  I am leaning to towards something a little different because their party is expected to be a little, how can I say, off the wall perhaps? Personally I would like to keep the food to simple yet hearty food because I have a feeling the guests may well be drinking plenty of champagne (and … [Read more...]

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Cheese Topped Onion Soup

January 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment
cheeseonionsoup

Ingredients 60 grams unsalted butter 4 large white onions, peeled and diced 1 tbsp sherry vinegar 60 ml dry sherry 2 sprigs fresh thyme 1 bay leaf 720 ml EACH - beef stock and chicken stock 240 ml cold water 1/2 tsp sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Topping French bread - cut to fit top of bowl 230 grams grated Swiss Gruyère or English mature white Cheddar cheese   In a large soup pot set over a low heat, melt the butter When hot, add the onions and a little … [Read more...]

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Autumn Vegetable Stew

January 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment
vegetable-stew

There is nothing more delightful than a beautiful warming stew - and I like mine packed with nourishing vegetables (most especially during the January post-christmas diet!). The taste of the vegetables is not overpowered by any thick sauces in this one which is why I love it so much. 250 ml (metric) cup 2 tsp olive oil 1 large red onion, peeled, halved, sliced 1/2 tsp finely grated garlic 1/2 tsp finely grated fresh ginger 1 cup prepared carrots - peeled and diced 1/2 cup prepared … [Read more...]

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Sticky Toffee Pudding

January 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment
stickytoffeepudding

There are some occasions, most especially during cold winters, when only a good line-your-ribs style pudding will do. This one, I admit, is a little bit of a cheats version - the  sauce being little more than dulce de leche warmed through. Not traditional, but really wonderful just the same (its also baked) Pudding 175 grams dates (not sugared), stoned and chopped 1 dessert spoon (2 tsp) bicarbonate of soda Boiling water 90 grams unsalted butter 175 grams light muscovado sugar 2 large … [Read more...]

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Shark Fin Soup: The Soup with a high price

January 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment
shark-fin-soup

Quite often I receive requests from random visitors to provide ideas for recipes - sometimes those requests border on the extreme. One such request landed in my inbox a few days ago. They asked if I knew of any recipes for Shark Fin Soup which, apparently, they were planning to serve at a special gathering on New Years Eve. The short answer is "No, I don´t". The longer answer is I would not, ever, contemplate eating Shark Fin Soup and nor would I ever encourage others to do so because the … [Read more...]

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