January 25th, 2010
Last weekend I had my future in-laws visiting and wanting to make a good impression I spent time in the kitchen whipping up culinary delights, like this rum and raisin tart.
It’s my favourite dessert, my mum and nan both make this and now I do too. It is incredibly simple to make but tastes delicious especially when served with cream! But be warned – it is quite rich.
6oz Pastry (6oz flour, 1 ½oz marg, 1 ½oz lard, cold water)
4oz raisins
2oz glace cherries, chopped
3oz butter
3oz castor sugar
2 egg yolks
1 tbsp rum
Make the shortcrust pastry by sifting the flour and salt into a bowl. Chop the fat into small cubes and add to the bowl. Using your fingertips rub the fat and flour together until it resembles fine bread crumbs. Add two tbsp of water and mix with a palette knife, keep adding the water gradually until the dough comes together in a ball, but do not let the dough get damp or sticky. If you are short of time, ready rolled shortcrust pastry does the trick!
Line a flan tin with the pastry, trim edges.
Place the raisins in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to the boil and then allow to cool for 5 minutes. Drain off water.
Melt the butter and sugar and gently bring to boiling point. Remove from heat.
Add the rum and egg yolks and beat well.
Cover the base of the pastry with cherries and raisins and pour over the egg mix
Bake in a pre-heated oven, Gas mark 4 for approx 40 minutes.
(For larger flan tins, make 1 ½ of all quantities)
Emma P
Tags: rum and raisin tart
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January 19th, 2010
Hailed as the reunion of all time, my trip to Amsterdam with eight of my long lost school friends was gearing up to be the most epic adventure since Phileas Fogg breezed around the world in eighty days. Booked into the Bulldog Hostel, the only 5* hostel in the world, with a vague itinerary, three months worth of gossip and a new pair of heels – there was nothing to stop the Bromley babes descent on the cobbled corridors of Amsterdam. And indeed, epic it was.
As I awoke at three in the morning, hoping to roll out of bed and straight into the cab, I was somewhat distracted by the inches of white powder that crunched under my feet. That’s right, the white Christmas had come early – and in its eagerness it had brought mountains of the magical white stuff. But our glee was short lived when, on arrival at the airport, we discovered our flight was cancelled. Feeling extremely hard done by, our hormonally charged group stood defiant in the face of adversity. ‘We will have our holiday. We will return with stories of wine, food and shopping’. And so we did. Choosing a destination closer to home, we picked our bags and spirits off the floor and ended up in … Brighton.
Armed with iphones we managed to reorganise our ad hoc excursion in just fifteen minutes. The greatest triumph of all was our accommodation, The Lanes Hotel. Situated right on the seafront, a ten minute walk from all the boutique lanes, the commercial high street and the busy bars and restaurants, it was a tourist treat! At only £30 a night, (including breakfast) we had our very own bachelorette pad. I cannot praise the staff enough, their helpful service really made our trip; clearly customer service is not lost on this young bunch.
Our time was spent relaxing in the Angel food bakery, drooling over their exceptional cupcakes, followed by exotic cocktails at My Hotel. Finally, we topped it off with a delicious dinner at Jamie Oliver’s Italian diner. With atmospheric lighting, fabulous food and extremely handsome staff (!) I was quite literally in my element.
Upon my return to hectic London life, I reflected on how I had misjudged what our little country has to offer. With a full belly, some vintage jewellery in hand, and many a fond memory, I realised that a holiday doesn’t have to be either well planned or stressful, indeed sometimes the more ad hoc the better, and for me – how worth the spontaneity it was!
Lauren
Tags: Brighton, cocktails, Jamie Oliver's Italian diner, My hotel, The Lanes hotel
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December 21st, 2009
It was the foodie hen-do of all hen-dos. It began on Friday with dinner for the bride to be (Emily), the hen’s sister Polly and myself. Dinner on Friday was at Sam’s of Brighton, I had rib-eye steak, perfectly cooked, served with chunky (proper) hand-cooked chips. Emily’s partridge was a little tight and difficult to eat, but the flavour was good. Polly chose Thai-spiced sea bream which she quietly enjoyed I think, but didn’t say much… A bottle of powerful red from Ribera del Duero was divine.
On Saturday we were sensible all day, knowing that a gourmet dinner and drinking marathon was coming. Polly had arranged for a chef-friend of hers to come and cook a three-course dinner for 15 of us. I loved being responsible for the food & wine-matching element. I had spent hours ‘umming’ and ‘ahring’ over the right combination, plus a few essential tips from the food & wine matching queen Fiona Beckett.
I chose Australian Green Point fizz for the afternoon’s drinking… recommended by the lovely Johnny Ray, Telegraph Weekend. A great value sparkling wine for £10 – it showed enough depth of flavour to stand on its own.
We then moved on to roast peach bellinis with wild mushroom, fig and Parma ham crostinis, olives and bread. Then to start, I enjoyed roast pumpkin, goats cheese and caramelized walnut salad, other chicks gobbled up potted brown shrimps, chicken liver pate with spiced plum chutney, pan fried chicken livers with pomegranate and watercress. For all this I chose Albariño Martin Codax 2008 Rias Baixas – it is one of my fave white wines and always impresses! A white wine of enough strength to complement the many flavours of these dishes, but yet not overpowering and gentle on the palate.
For mains I opted for slow cooked pork belly with herb Puy lentils, black cabbage and grilled apple - it was good but I think a little more slow cooking was needed to get the fat fully dissolved so the meat falls apart. The ‘hen’ had venison with red wine, juniper and chestnuts while there was some great fish being eaten - black bream with herb orzotto and gremolata and cod wrapped with prosciutto and sage with pea and garlic cream. At this point we drank Yering Frog Pinot Noir 2008 which was actually a little powerful in flavour, more than I has imagined. Believe it or not, the richer (Decanter gold award winner) Ch. Moulin Mont Milan 2007 was better, a joy – very smooth.
Three puddings on one plate - Bakewell tart, treacle tart, berry granita and clotted cream were accompanied by a scrummy dessert wine Concha y Toro Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2006. Good old Majestic!
And yes believe it or not, after all of that, we still managed a night of dancing at Funky Fish, with lots of vodka red bull – oh dear! A little sore the next day to say the least, but it was so worth it! What will be eating and drinking at the wedding?
Georgie
Tags: Brighton, Funky Fish, Sam’s of Brighton, Wine
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December 18th, 2009
I must admit that, like most people, I am partial to the odd splash of Champagne. So in September, when I had the opportunity to venture across the border to Champagne itself, I was exceptionally excited! Getting up at the crack of dawn we made our way to the ferry, catching a glimpse of the White Cliffs of Dover, before heading to the port of Dunkerque.
We were greeted by a sun drenched country at around 11am – time for our first champagne house visit! Driving along the breathtaking country lanes, leading us through the vine laden fields, we eventually arrived, eager for some bubbles! However I swiftly learnt that many people don’t just go to Champagne for it’s world-famous produce, it also offers exquisite food. You just need to know where to look…
After fighting through the road works currently going on in Reims, my first fill of fine food wasn’t too hard to find as it was our hotel’s restaurant – L’Assiette Champenoise. This restaurant boasted a Michelin star where you can sample outstanding cuisine, whether you opt for Foie Gras, King Crab or Pigeon of course teamed with a delicious choice of wines, including an extensive choice of champagnes. After reading the rave reviews, prior to the trip, I was not disappointed – noted by the accolade of praise for the head chef Arnaud Lallement.
Varying from the local restaurants, littering the streets of Reims, to such treasures as L’Assiette Champenoise or another favourite from my trip, Le Foch, with so much to see, do and taste, Champagne is certainly worth a visit.
Edwina
Tags: Arnaud Lallement, Champagne, L’Assiette Champenoise, Le Foch, Reims
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December 15th, 2009
Within a week of being at University I realised how young and uncultured I was, well, for all of my 18 years that is. Surrounded by gappies who had ‘discovered’ themselves, matured and caught the traveling bug, I felt quite insignificant. I got a part time job and immediately started saving for some extravagant summer adventures to rival the stories of my peers.
Never one to follow the crowd, I avoided the conventional Thailand, South American gaunt and decided to inter-rail around Europe. One of my many stops was Montenegro in the Eastern sphere of Europe. Previously Yugoslavia and then Serbia Montenegro, this little country had been plagued by a history of nation-state conflict. Indeed my trip there came just two months after its independence was constitutionally recognised. A far cry from the backward, unstable and out of touch image the Eurovision would have us believe, Montenegro was jaw droppingly beautiful and the people amongst some of the most hospitable around.
Prepared with a tent and camping equipment my boyfriend and I headed for Durmitor National Park in the North of the country. This trip definitely wasn’t for the faint hearted! As Montenegro only has one train station (linking it to Serbia), the national mode of transport is…wait for it…a minibus. Our particular model had a door that didn’t close properly and a severe lack of seat belts; lets just say it was an MOT disaster. With multiple warnings of ad hoc landslides and ‘soft roads’, as well as the odd deserted car crash, the five hour journey winding along steep cliff faces was not exactly confidence inspiring! However, what we found at the top was well worth the high blood pressure.
Filled with deep and vast lakes, several mountain and hiking trails with the offer of white water rafting and hand gliding- Durmitor is an unsung adventure playground. However, it was the simplicity, beauty and tranquility of life there that was heart-stopping. After buzzing round cities sapping up culture after culture, Durmitor offered the perfect scenery to sit and take stock. After days of swimming in the icy-cool lakes followed by romantic walks among the trees, I left with a contentment I have yet to rival. For those of you with a little fire in the belly and a curiosity for the unspoilt, Montenegro is a must. As an up and coming ski resort, Montenegro’s doors are now open all year round. To capture the magic of the country in all its perfection, get in quick…that is before Ryan Air or Easy Jet do.
Lauren
Tags: Durmitor National Park, Montenegro
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December 11th, 2009
With the announcement of yet another fabulous hot spot in town, my friends and I were delighted to see that despite being part of the Soho House Group this place was not confined to members only.
Minutes after spotting the new opening on Daily Candy, three of my closest friends and I were proudly coveting a dinner reservation. Minus the usual blag to get into Soho House and Shoreditch House, Dean Street Townhouse was calling us.
After eventually locating the conspicuous front door of the four-storey Georgian townhouse, we found ourselves greeted immediately and shown to our seats. Minutes later we were sipping cocktails and pondering over the mouth-watering menu, agreeing to each other that the service so far had been spot-on.
The dining room itself has a fabulous wintry atmosphere, full of first week opening buzz and Thursday night media types starting the weekend wind down. The interior was all hard wood floors, leather Georgian banquette seating and crisp white linen table cloths.
The food did not disappoint, and the Hot Smoked Salmon with Beetroot to start was divine followed by the Chicken Bacon and Leek Pie which was a delectable bargain at £11.50. The Smoked Haddock Soufflé and the Red legged partridge were also raved about. Too full for desserts, the staff were more than happy to leave us relaxing at the table whilst we finished our wine.
Overall Dean Street Townhouse was a great spot to catch-up with friends over great food with attentive staff. Not expensive at all and if you really wanted to push the boat out what better place to crash than in one of the 39 bedrooms on offer.
Hannah K
Tags: Dean Street Townhouse
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December 9th, 2009
You might think I can cook given I work for a food and drink PR consultancy. Well you’d be wrong.
I have one dish. I developed that out of necessity whilst living on the Guinean border in Sierra Leone for a couple of years trying to turn ex-rebels into soldiers. Based on the food is energy theory and the availability of fowl with a modicum of flesh, it was never a headline act. But my family flatter me when my Chicken Makeni is rolled out once again. I know the enthusiasm is based on its delivery being in close proximity to either X-Factor or Strictly Come Dancing (yeah – I’d rather be cooking but didn’t Darcey do well). The respite it gives them from cobbling together the Saturday evening nosh.
So I set myself a target. The aim being to get their attention and produce something that can be turned out at a dinner party and generate the enthusiastic response Greg and Michel cough up when digging into an inspiring offering from a finalist on Professional Masterchef. I wanted a dish that was self-assured and freewheeling. A mother of all dishes.
For this I called up the Leith’s Cookery Bible, which smacks of culinary authority and turned to page 421. Peppered Venison Steak. Honestly it couldn’t be easier. And when there are only seven stages, one of which is ‘ boil up the sauce again’ I thought I’d hit a winner. I couldn’t have imagined how such a fantastic dish could be so easily produced. Nor how much fun one has (another stage is the pyrotechnic explosion when lighting the brandy – WHOOPS A DAISY where’s the dog gone?). I’ve created this using Donald Russell meat and it’s sublime. ‘Created’ implies artistic input but really Prue and Caroline are such consummate story tellers it merely needs a slavish adherence to their very clear direction and you’re in with a chance at the final.
I’ll allow myself to go ‘off piste’ once I’ve concocted it sufficiently well to see real satisfaction and not the glee of an uninterrupted Cowell-fest.
PS
All my growing bravado went to nothing when I tried this with pork. Disaster.
But at least the dog was back which was useful. He’s never been picky.
Simon
Tags: Donald Russell, Leith’s Cookery Bible, Peppered Venison Steak
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December 1st, 2009
21; a milestone, a coming of age and mostly a time for AMAZING presents! These annoying little assumptions tormented me for months when considering what to buy my boyfriend, Seb, for his 21st birthday. During the summer we had visited Norway on a hiking trip. However due to our university loans not funding such extravagance, we had to camp for the duration of the trip. Usually I’m a lover of the great outdoors and a bit of rough, but my spirits couldn’t help being dampened somewhat as we pitched tent next to a site of traditional (and extremely comfy looking) Scandinavian log cabins. Squished in a two man tent with sizable backpacks to match wasn’t exactly romantic, or a set up suited for a good nights sleep! So to make amends for our missed opportunity, and provide probably the best birthday present I’m ever going to come up with, I booked us a log cabin on the Finnish lakes for a few days during Easter.
Usually my luck in life is higher than the average human being. However, the first day of our trip proved I had had more than my fair share of good fortune and fate was doing a 180 on me. We arrived late at night into a very shanty airport only to find that we couldn’t hire a car being neither 25 nor the owner of a credit card! As the log cabin was a four hour drive from Tampere, we were in somewhat of a pickle. An organisational freak, I was horrified at my lack of preparation and promptly went into a sheepish silence. Little did I know that things were only going to get worse! Jumping off the bus from the airport we arrived in Tampere at midnight only to find our youth hostel closed. Trundling round the town got us nowhere as we were beaten off with Scandinavian hotel prices! After haunting the train station until it closed, Seb and I set up camp for a night on a park bench. Northern Finland, in the middle of March with only a few blankets and fleeces for warmth, was not the smartest idea I’ve had. As we snuggled up for the night I was heartbroken that my brilliant plans had gone so wrong!
But like a Hollywood block buster there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Acting as his own knight in shining armour, Seb was up early with a beaming grin and a will full of confidence. After finding a coach to take us to a local town near the cabin we were well on our way; when we arrived what we got was nothing short of spectacular. With a view to die for, our own sauna, jetty and wood burning fire I was ready to throw away my passport and set up life amongst the lakes. With the nearest cabin a good half a mile away, seclusion was no longer a far off dream. The next three days were a blur of forest walks, blistering hot saunas, winter bbq’s and hot chocolates on the jetty. The holiday was perfection and I will certainly be returning, hopefully with car and hotel to boot next time!
Lauren
Tags: Finland
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November 26th, 2009
Maths for Mummies:
6 exhausted best friends – (14 children + 6 husbands) + the A303 + 1 roaring fire + several bottles of wine = 24 happy hours in Wiltshire.
Fonthill Gifford might sound a bit like something out of Miss Marple but it’s the home of the rather splendid Beckford Arms – a classic country pub with rooms.
The interior of the Beckford Arms is traditional, simple and stylish – lots of Farrow & Ball-esque colours and real open fire places – but with a bit of a cool edge from a good iPod playlist and some really gorgeous male members of staff. Service is friendly and welcoming and the place clearly appeals to slightly bohemian Urbanites and post-shoot locals alike. It’s not a poncy gastropub, pretending to be something it’s not: it’s a traditional, local pub that concentrates on getting all the right things right.
A couple of bottles of Prosecco by the fire slipped down a treat before a delicious and reasonably priced supper. One friend rated the Salt & Pepper Squid the best she’d ever had; my Ox Cheeks were tender and tasty; the roast pheasant came with a ramekin of pheasant cottage pie on the side. I enjoyed my plate of British cheeses to follow; admittedly, one Valrhona chocolate pudding had to go back because it wasn’t quite gooey enough but its replacement oozed in all the right places.
There are eight rooms - our standard double was comfortable and well-equipped, if a little snug (which would probably have been less noticeable for a couple than it was for two friends sharing). Each room has crisp Egyptian cotton sheets, a snuggly goose down duvet, is en suite (with a bath or a shower or both) and has a flat screen TV, DVD and iPod docking station.
The unspeakable bliss of not being woken up at 6am on a Sunday by a small person was followed by a glorious full English breakfast looking outside onto the pub’s pretty garden, while planning our next trip.
The train from Tisbury got us back to London in less than two hours. Back home in time to do the homework, practise Snow White’s lines for the play and read Stick Man (twice). Maybe they did miss me after all.
Celia
Tags: Fonthill Gifford, The Beckford Arms
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November 23rd, 2009
I am one of four sisters. September 2009 marked the biggest occasion in our sisterly lives, the first to get married. The wedding took place in Cornwall, where the groom’s family resides and where our family has spent many memorable holidays since we were toddlers. My sister was very keen to use local suppliers wherever she could to support the economy. She used a Cornish catering company for the evening meal and barbecue the next day. She also used a local printing service for; menus, the order of service and escort cards.
The stars of the show, food wise, definitely had to be the wedding cake and the barbecue food the next day after the wedding. Both were sourced from Cornish suppliers and boy were they good!
The Wedding Cake
The reception was held at the stunning St Mawes Castle. The cake was castle themed with delicious turrets of white chocolate encasing the chocolate sponge. The sweet vanilla cream icing and white chocolate ‘castle walls’ complemented the deviliciously rich, moist chocolate cake perfectly. The cake was also decorated with edible shells, which added to the sea-side themed wedding. The cake was designed and made by Nicky Grant, who’s cakes and chocolates are to die for. We first spotted her at The Designer Wedding Show. I would highly recommend using this company as the cake was not only visually impressive, the quality of the ingredients were superb, creating a cake unlike any I have ever had in my life.
The Sunday Barbecue
I never thought I would rave about barbecue food. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good bbq but for me it has never been a show stopping experience. Until now.
The food, laid out in the hot Indian summer we often experience in September, looked like the perfect antidote to a slightly heavy night. The menu consisted of; Mediterranean couscous salad, two types of homemade sausages (whole grain mustard and paprika flavoured), beef burgers, chicken skewers, potato salad amongst other tasty hot/cold delights. The sausages were a firm favourite among the crowd. Speaking to the caterers, I learnt that they give their own sausage recipes to their local butcher, resulting in one of my top rated sausages ever. The company again is based in Cornwall.
Well done Sis for seeking out some top quality caterers and food specialists in Cornwall. As Kate pointed out in a recent post, the services and food companies like the above can only build Cornwall’s profile as the UK’s number one food destination outside London.
Life Style Editor at Brides, Polly Atkinson, had this to say about the Cornish Wedding.
Eddie
Tags: Brides Magazine, Nicky Grant, Polly Atkinson, St Mawes Castle, The Good Food Catering Co., Weddings
Posted in Cornwall, Drink, Events, Food | No Comments »