Two kinds of spiced chicken wings and blue cheese dressing on Black Friday

Posted by petra08 on November 30, 2014 · 14 Comments 

The American tradition Black Friday seems to have hit the UK big time. I saw some crazy shoppers chasing a bargain, stopping at nothing. I can’t remember there having been such a frenzy here before, this is usually reserved for Boxing day, or when IKEA opened in Edmonton in 2005. I didn’t go to the … Continue reading →

Filed under Allotment/Veg, Blue cheese, Celery, Cheese, Chicken, Chilli, Fruit, Garlic, Hot Sauce, Main course, Meat, Recipe, Snack, Starter, Tomatoes · Tagged with , , , ,

Sometimes love is a good steak and red wine

Posted by petra08 on November 29, 2014 · 6 Comments 

Do you ever have one of those days when you regret having left your bed, and even more so reading your e-mails? M had one of those days and it wasn’t just one thing, all bad things comes in three and it was about as far as we could stretch a day of misery. There … Continue reading →

Filed under Allotment/Veg, Beef, Carrot, Cote du Rhone, Garlic, Main course, Meat, Onion, Potatoes, Red, Starch · Tagged with , ,

Orange and rose chocolate ganache tart and a spot of meringue rage

Posted by petra08 on November 28, 2014 · 15 Comments 

I set out to do what I usually don’t, baking. I approached it in a very scientific way.I got all of the ingredients out and made sure I had enough of everything before starting. I had found an irresistible  recipe for a Pomegranate Meringue Rose Tart. Go ahead, click on the link and have a … Continue reading →

Filed under Dessert, Egg, Fruit, Recipe · Tagged with , , , ,

A mighty, meaty ragu

Posted by petra08 on November 26, 2014 · 9 Comments 

I used to be a season ticket holder to a great rugby team, the Harlequins. I always enjoyed going to watch them play and if the weather got too cold I could buy mulled wine by the flask. It would always warm me up nicely and take the edge of the cold. Sadly I had … Continue reading →

Filed under Allotment/Veg, Avocado, Beef, Bread, Cauliflower, Celery, Chilli, Crab, Dinner for friends, Fish & Seafood, Garlic, Herbs, Lobster, Main course, Meat, Mushroom, Onion, Pork, Potatoes, Prawns, Recipe, Red, Starter · Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Lamb chops with fruity bulgur wheat

Posted by petra08 on November 23, 2014 · 8 Comments 

Should you mix fruit with savoury dishes or not? Some hate it and some love it. I have a friend who just hates it and every time she does encounter it she will do a loud explanation (again) about why this is wrong. Whilst she is doing that I think it is a lovely combination. … Continue reading →

Filed under Allotment/Veg, Blue cheese, Bulgur Wheat, Carrot, Celery, Cheese, Garlic, Lamb, Main course, Meat, Parsnip, Pineapple, Recipe, Starter · Tagged with , , , , ,

Messing with a classic, a new take on lobster bisque

Posted by petra08 on November 21, 2014 · 22 Comments 

What is wrong with the classics? The dishes that have made it, sometimes through centuries. The truth is there is nothing wrong at all with the classics and they are called classics for a reason. It is only my inability to follow a recipe to the tee that makes me change pretty much any recipe … Continue reading →

Filed under Allotment/Veg, Amuse bouche, Avocado, Carrot, Celery, Cheese, Entertainment, Fish & Seafood, Garlic, Herbs, Lobster, Onion, Parmesan, Recipe, Spring onion, Starter · Tagged with , , , , , ,

Kimchi and tofu chicken

Posted by petra08 on November 20, 2014 · 2 Comments 

I don’t know about you but I love to go to exotic food shops, browse and then buy some random things, as well as a few things I know. Last week I popped in to a Japanese supermarket in SOHO and got a few things I know, like kimchi and a few things I didn’t … Continue reading →

Filed under Chicken, Herbs, Main course, Recipe, Rice, Tofu · Tagged with , , ,

Cod two ways and crispy roasted Brussels sprout leaves

Posted by petra08 on November 19, 2014 · 4 Comments 

Last week it was time for a Swedish visit to see friends and family. I only go a couple of times per year but why I can’t remember not to go in the winter is beyond me. Like a forgetful squirrel I seem to forget how dark it gets. It wasn’t very cold for the time of … Continue reading →

Filed under Allotment/Veg, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cheese, Chilli, Cod, Feta cheese, Fish & Seafood, Main course, Onion, Potatoes, Recipe, Spring onion · Tagged with , , ,

Avocado salad and steak with pasta pesto

Posted by petra08 on November 13, 2014 · 6 Comments 

I was raised not to play with food but a ripe avocado in the fruit basket seemed like a playful invite. I teamed it with some blue cheese, tomato, herbs and it was a salad talking to me!   I sliced the avocado and brushed it with organic extra olive oil, M got is especially … Continue reading →

Filed under Allotment/Veg, Amuse bouche, Avocado, Beef, Blue cheese, Carrot, Cheese, Herbs, Main course, Meat, Onion, Pasta, Pepper, Starch, Starter, Tomatoes · Tagged with , , , ,

A Global Parmigiano Reggiano Award

Posted by petra08 on November 9, 2014 · 17 Comments 

I entered my first foodie competition, the Global Parmigiano Reggiano Award. The brief said to use only three ingredients, parmesan being one of them. It is really difficult to limit yourself to so few ingredients. I did a lot of thinking and when I walked past the fishmonger and spotted some lobster I got an idea. It … Continue reading →

Filed under Awards, Parmesan · Tagged with , , , , , ,