Pancake Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday, which is a Tuesday in Feb or March depending on the Easter Calendar – its always the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of lent and Shrove comes from the word Shrive which means confess.

Is also known as Pancake Tuesday

Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday – which was the last night of eating richer foods before fasting for lent from Ash Wednesday..

No Weigh Pancake Recipes..

Tips..

• • Use the same cup/mug to measure the flour and the milk
• • Wipe the pan with kitchen paper between pancakes
• • Transfer cooked pancakes to a baking tray and keep warm in the oven
• • You can make pancakes and reheat later in the oven or microwave
• • If you would like fluffy American style pancakes use self raising flour
• • Add a pinch of salt and pepper for savoury pancake

Ingredients..

1 large egg

1 cup of plain flour 

1 cup of milk semi skimmed

Butter to cook 

Crack the egg into a mixing bowl, add the flour and half the milk Whisk up and continue to add the remainder of the milk as you are whisking..  

Put a large non stick pan on medium heat and pop a teaspoon of butter on pan

When the butter is melted – use a ladle to spoon the batter onto the pan – each ladle make one pancake – you can cook 2 or 3 on the same pan..

Cook for 1 minute then flip over and cook again for 1 min

Pop cooked pancakes on a baking tray covered with foil and keep warm in the oven.

Pancake Toppings...

Sugar & lemon – try butter with a little lemon zest

Pop a handful of blueberries into the batter

Bacon & Maple syrup

Chocolate & banana

Chocolate peanut butter and banana

Savoury

Classic Cheese & ham 

Wilted baby spinach & mushroom cream

Ham leek and mushroom crepe with parmesan cheese 

Quesadilla pancakes

One pancake sprinkle with cheese, salsa, shaved red onion, & coriander top with another pancake to make a sandwich– pop in the oven for a few mins until cheese is melted...cut into quarters and  serve with sliced avocado, and spicy beans.

Valentine’s Day 2015 - Food for Love

Valentine’s Indoor Picnic 

Celebrate Valentines with a difference !

Create an Indoor picnic :

Cover a coffee table with a tablecloth, placemats, shimmery material,  or even a single duvet cover 

Its time to get out some candles, lanterns, tee lights,  cushions etc. Pop on some romantic music....

Menu….

Oven Baked Brie, Camembert or Mont D’or

Served with a selection of 

Grilled veggies, olives, salad , crusty bread & charcuterie

You will need....

1 box of camembert or brie 

1 loaf of fresh crusty bread or fresh bread rolls

1 bowl of fresh rocket or baby leaf salad

Small bowl of marinated olives

2 grilled red peppers

Mixture of charcuterie, salami, coppa, Parma ham bressola etc.

1. Pop the cheese into a warmed oven of 180 for 10 mins

2. Pop the crusty bread into the oven for 5 mins

3. Toss the salad gently in a little balsamic

4. Pop the peppers on a little serving dish and also the olives.

5. Lay the charcuterie out on a wooden board or platter.

6.     When cheese & bread are warmed pop on the wooden board or platter with spoons for scooping.

Sparkling wine or champagne works so well with the texture and smoothness of the cheese.  Enjoy.. 

Chocolate Fondue with fresh berries & marshmallows

 1 ½ bars of good quality dark chocolate 

 2 tbls of cold butter in little cubes

Zest of an orange (if you have it)

1 handful of fresh berries

1 handful of marshmallows

Break the chocolate into squares and pop into a small bowl over simmering water.  When the chocolate is melted add the butter cube by cube.  The chocolate will take on a nice glossy shine.

Pop the bowl onto a plate surrounded by the berries and marshmallows with some cocktail sticks to pierce the berries and mallows…

This is a fab dessert as its so romantic to share and the mixture of flavours work really well..

If you happen to have a fondue set in your cupboard this is the perfect opportunity to use it! 

Sensational Chocolate Puddings... 

Makes 6 

Cooks Notes

These little puds need to be served straight from the oven.

Its really important to not overcook them so the best way is to either set the timer or really watch the time  &  bake for exactly 12 mins.. They should be moist & saucy in the centre.. 

Serve with a  little bowl of whipped cream or ice cream on the side...

They need to  be chilled  for a minimum of  4/5 hours, however you can make and chill for up to 2 days!!   

You will be an absolute pudding God/Goddess  when you produce these little delights!!!!

All you need is...

250g  butter

5 eggs

75g caster sugar

250g chocolate.. 70% cocoa

50g plain flour

Preheat oven to 180

Method... Delish Choco Puddings..

1. Whisk up the eggs until pale then add the sugar and whisk until well combined. 

2. Half fill a medium pot with water, put the chocolate & butter into a heat proof bowl, and pop over the heat mixing slowly to combine.  

3. When melted take off the heat and slowly add egg mixture beating until smooth. 

4. Then gradually fold in the flour.. Pour into buttered little ovenproof dishes  and chill for 4/5 hours /overnight or up to 2 days   

5. When ready to have dessert…. Pop into the oven on a tray for exactly 12 mins @ 180 

Treat your loved one to Breakfast in Bed....

Breakfast in bed ..

Baked eggs w spinach and tomato

2 handfuls of baby spinach

2 eggs

6 cherry tomatoes squashed

Wilt the spinach – pop in a colander and pour over the boiling water – squeeze out the excess water and pop into two ramekins.

Squash the cherry tomatoes into a bowl using your finger..  Season the tomatoes and pop in on top of the spinach..

Make a well in the cent of each ramekin and crack in a egg.  Bake for 10/12 mins or until eggs are softly set – serve with toast or crusty bread.

• • Fresh Orange juice – add some cranberry juice, or a lemon & lime for a zingy flavour – splash out and buy a cheapy bottle of sparkling wine ... 

• • Cinnamon Toast or try a Brioche – 2 tbls soft butter combined well with 1 teasp of ground cinnamon. Spread toast or brioche with butter and grill... 

• • French Toast – use French Bread, Brioche (look out for those little brioche fingers choc ones avail too!)  or any crusty bread..   All you need is for 6 slices is  2 eggs - half cup of milk, whisk & dip slices of  crusty bread – fry in a little butter until golden brown – try it with mixed berries & a little sugar or crispy bacon

• • Scrambled eggs –1 tbls of milk/cream per egg... whisk up and pop into a non stick saucepan over medium heat, keep stirring do not be tempted to leave as it only takes 30 secs to RUIN!!   

• • Bulk Scrambled eggs up by adding some smoked salmon/ crispy bacon or chorizo and try them with brioche buns, croissants or focaccia bread toasted, or brown bread.

Classic French toast with fresh berries

Serves 2

2 eggs

1/2 cup of milk

4 thick slices of thick white bread, brioche, or panettone

1 tbls of butter

2 handfuls of fresh berries

1. Whisk the eggs together with the milk.
2. Place the bread in a shallow dish
3. Pour the mixture over the top and allow it to soak right thru, turn it over to ensure.
4.  Heat a large non stick pan and melt the butter, add the bread and cook for about 1 min until golden then turn over and cook for about another min.  
5. Transfer to plates and top with any kind of fresh berries you have, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries etc….

Or make a berry sauce:

2 cups of mixed berries

¼ cup icing sugar

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

Blend the berries with the icing sugar & lemon juice … to whatever consistency you prefer..

Pepper Crusted Fillet/Striploin Steaks

The secret to a good steak is to buy a good steak 

Ask your butcher they are there to help!

Age of the steak – hung for 21 days to 35 

Good beef should be deep red in colour

Beef should have good marbling –a good layer of creamy white fat around the top of the striploin/sirloin is essential 

2  x  Fillet Steaks/Striploin or Ribeye

Coarse Salt & fresh cracked black pepper

Splash of olive oil

Drizzle the steak with olive oil then season on both sides with Course Sea Salt, Cracked black Pepper 

Heat the oil in a small pan medium high heat.  Cook steak for 3 to 4 mins each side for medium rare 

or more to your liking…

Red wine cracked pepper jus

Its best to make the red wine jus first as you can leave it to rest.

1 cup of red wine

4 cubes of cold butter

Salt & lots of cracked black pepper

Place the wine in a small saucepan, boil until reduced by half, takes about 6 mins.

Remove from the heat and add the butter bit by bit until butter is melted and sauce is thickened.  Season with salt & pepper.... and its ready to go!!