What do you have on the food menu?

[countrygirl]

With all the discussion on drink, what about food?

What's on this evenings menu, at home or eating out? What do you prepare for special occasions?

If any budding chefs have any cooking tips, tell us about them.

[tonc]

This evening we're eating out at this world kitchen restaurant. I'll probably end up eating the moussaka which is pretty good there...

On special occasions I tend to prepare something I haven't made before. Always exciting to try to get it right on the first time!

[Pete Smoke]

Last night i prepared a Prawn Curry And Quinoa. It was rather excellent, as are a lot of my curries as they are made with my own 'home made' paste. Halfway through i add passata and yoghurt - simple.

The paste is made entirely from scratch, from seeds - dry fried for a couple mins and ground up and sieved, what doesn't go through the sieve is reground until it goes through. Just add oils and vinegar and keep in the fridge - the longer its kept the better it tastes.

[scotchdrinker]

Last night I grilled Spicy Teriyaki Ginger Chicken tenderloin, and on the side had a squash medley that I sauteed. It had (avocado squash, yellow, zebra, korean, orange and yellow pepper, and mushrooms, in olive oil and oregano. Sauteed for awhile and that was it.

[Call me Jane]

A few weekends ago I tried grilling on a friend's BBQ as I don't have my own. Sliced sausages down the middle, spread with Dijon mustard, stuffed with 3 dried plums, wrapped in a thinned slice of bacon. When grilled the plums inside soak up the fat juices. Very yum!

[Robert]

... dried plums...

Prunes?

[Pete Smoke]

The Mrs made a tomato based chicken stew that was incredibly tasty, i was surprised as her food is usually a bit 'unpredictable'. It was so nice i've overeaten!

[Malt-Teaser]

It looks like very rich chocolate cake for the next few days

http://www.whisky-emporium.com/Blogs/2010-07-July/Blog.htm

[Call me Jane]

... dried plums...

Prunes?

Yes. Same as prunes. But saying prunes isn't as nice as saying dried plums.

Happy bIrthday Malty! That cake looks delicious.

[Malt-Teaser]

... dried plums...

Prunes?

Yes. Same as prunes. But saying prunes isn't as nice as saying dried plums.

Happy bIrthday Malty! That cake looks delicious.

Thanks Jane and yes, that cake is delicious, but not for the calorie conscious.

[Peat Sampras]

Tonight I shall be feasting on my trademark creamy tomato pasta sauce with fresh fine herbs from my balcony and red hot chili and thai curry in it. (besides Pizza, this is about the only thing I can cook, for the rest of the time I leave that task to my better half)...

[Pete Smoke]

Decided to go for the lazyass option of an indian takeaway, to be delivered by a local scallywag who will inflict me with his banal chit-chat, which out of paranoia i will have to entertain out of fear my next order will in some way be sabotaged.

[Malt-Teaser]

This evening 'Malty the Chef' cooked two rather different offerings;

For myself a mince-based chilli kind of thing with mince, kidney beans, sweetcorn, carrot, onion, kohlrabi, tomato puree, a selection of herbs and a wee bit of Sambal Oelek.

For Mrs. Malty it was turkey steak, maultaschen, grilled fresh pineapple and spring onion.

[Peat Sampras]

This evening 'Malty the Chef' cooked two rather different offerings;

For myself a mince-based chilli kind of thing with mince, kidney beans, sweetcorn, carrot, onion, kohlrabi, tomato puree, a selection of herbs and a wee bit of Sambal Oelek.

For Mrs. Malty it was turkey steak, maultaschen, grilled fresh pineapple and spring onion.

Mouthwatering!

[scotchdrinker]

Last night I grilled a Rib Eye Steak (that I marinated in Stubb's Beef Marinade), Shrimp (that I marinated in Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Pepper and Cayenne Pepper). I also grilled Lemon Lime Vinegar marinated peppers, and Squashes (Yellow, Zebra, and Star (don't remember the name lol)). Quite delicious.

[countrygirl]

I've recently started making wholegrain pastry, which has a wonderful strong earthy flavour. So far I've used it to make a cheese and pepper quiche, and a goats cheese and cherry tomato tart. I surprised myself by how nice they tasted, you just can't beat home baking.

[C57]

Chili for me tonight. My chili is lke no other though

[Call me Jane]

I've recently started making wholegrain pastry, which has a wonderful strong earthy flavour. So far I've used it to make a cheese and pepper quiche, and a goats cheese and cherry tomato tart. I surprised myself by how nice they tasted, you just can't beat home baking.

Sounds great! I'm wondering what kind of adjustments you make to the recipes to convert to whole grain. Do you have to use more liquids? And do you use whole wheat pastry flour or just whole wheat?

[countrygirl]

I've recently started making wholegrain pastry, which has a wonderful strong earthy flavour. So far I've used it to make a cheese and pepper quiche, and a goats cheese and cherry tomato tart. I surprised myself by how nice they tasted, you just can't beat home baking.

Sounds great! I'm wondering what kind of adjustments you make to the recipes to convert to whole grain. Do you have to use more liquids? And do you use whole wheat pastry flour or just whole wheat?

Hi Jane, i have an old recipe from an old book.

Wholemeal Shortcrust Pastry
100g (4 oz) wholemeal flour
100g (4 oz) self raising wholemeal flour
pinch of salt
100g (4 oz) butter
100ml (4 fl oz) water

Make to the usual method for any pastry.

The normal pastry ingredients from the same book states to add water to the right consistency, and gives no quantity, so i cant answer your question specifically. I hope this is useful.

c'girl

[Pete Smoke]

All this talk of quiche... i've had a goat's cheese and basil quiche with steamed and buttered chard on the side, nicely stuffed i am.

[LeoDLion]

The other day I made lamb curry for the first time. We ate it with pita bread. It turned out to be very good. My wife commented we can serve it in a get together with friends.

A notable recipe I did is an italian dish called braciole. This is made with beef flank flattened out and rolled and braise. Inside the beef are good stuff like cheese, tomato, red pepper, etc. And served with a side of angel hair pasta, olive oil, cheese and panko crumbs. It was a hit.

One of my favorite is fried pompano. I simply fried it. This fish does not stick to the pan and does not break up. Various sauces can be made. One of my favorite is very simple: saute onion, garlic and lots of tomato. Goes very well with the fish.

[C57]

Welcome back Leo (unless I just missed your posts somehow!)

[LeoDLion]

Welcome back Leo (unless I just missed your posts somehow!)

Thanks. Yes I was absent for quite a while but now got the time to read and post.

[Pete Smoke]

Decided to go for the lazyass option of a Chinese takeaway, delivered by a local scallywag who inflicted me with his banal chit-chat, which out of paranoia i entertained out of the fear my next order will in some way be sabotaged.

[JamesC]

Chops, peas and mature cheddar mash potato. Was lovely and only took 15 minutes.