3 posts tagged “food”
So I got up earlier than usual this morning and went to a couple of markets with my friend. We hit the Farmers Market and then on the way back home stopped at the Public Market downtown. I got a good haul of food. At the Farmers Market, I knew what I wanted to get...but some of the sellers wern't there so I ended up getting it at the Public Market instead. My haul of stuff....
So, I think that I got a pretty good haul. All for $5 :) And as I said before, I stopped off at the Public Market...there's a couple of photos that I just have to show you. One I was weirded out by and the other I seriously wanted to buy some, but I'm a bit short on cash at the moment :(
I seem to have only been blogging about random food stuffs recently. It's time for some recipes I think...if you've been looking at my photos, you'll have seen things like cupcakes and pasta dishes float by. I also made roast chicken recently...but the battery on the camera was charging at the time, and so I couldn't take a photo :( But I'll be starting with the cupcakes and finishing with pasta...enjoy! :)
Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting and Mini Candies
Sponge recipe (my mum and grandma's):
100g (4oz) butter melted
6 eggs, room temperature
225g (8oz) caster sugar
125g (5oz) self-raising flour
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
cocoa powder (1oz)
Chocolate Ganache Frosting (can also be used as a glaze):
16 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine
16 ounces (2 cups) heavy cream
Place the chopped chocolate into the bowl of a food processor.
Heat the heavy cream in a quart-sized, microwavable container and microwave for 3 to 4 minutes on high, or until it just begins to simmer; be careful not to allow cream to boil over. Pour the cream over the chocolate and let stand for 2 minutes. Process by pulsing several times until chocolate mixture is smooth. Use as is for glazing. If you wish to make a lighter frosting, allow it to come to room temperature, approximately 2 hours. Once at room temperature, place in the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk on high for 2 to 3 minutes.
Baked Macaroni and Cheese
1 tbsp of butter/marg
half lb of sharp cheddar, grated
1 package of buffalo mozzarella
3 large handfuls of macaroni or ziti
1 cup of milk
2 tbsp plain flour
salt and pepper to taste
dash of oregano
2 cloves of garlic
Chop up the garlic finely and fry off in a pan with a little oil. In another pan, add the milk and the flour and gradually whisk together to avoid lumps. This forms a roux, whisk in the butter afterwards. Add three-quarters of the grated cheese to the roux and whisk to blend. Add the salt, pepper and oregano to taste. Add the garlic to the cheese sauce and whisk together, then turn off the heat.
In a pan of boiling water, add the pasta and cook until almost done. Drain the paste and add to a small baking dish (not too big, a small square one will do). add the cheese sauce and mix. Chop up the mozz into cubes and along with the remainder of the grated cheese to the top of the dish.
Cook for about 20-30 minutes in a pre-heated oven at 375F on the middle rack. Serve with salad or cursty bread :)
A meme I was recently sent. Let me have a think...
1. Bakewell Pudding And no, I do not mean 'bakewell tart'. They are completely different and in my book, the pudding is far better. Since Bakewell used to be only a bus ride away from my parents house- I would go there about once a week to get my fix. The best place to get the puddings from is the "Old Fashioned Bakewell Pudding Shop"- they put it in a brown paper bag for you or a box and then you take it away. You can get them in either small, medium or large (the large really isn't that big). I would buy one and take it home to share with my parents for dinner...it goes down lovely with a large serving of custard :)
2. Something made by a friend Yes, I am serious. If they're cooking skills are bad, tell them. They're not going to get any better if you beat around the bush. My best friend makes the best flaky cheese straws and bonfire toffee. I love my best friend :)
3. A good pate I mean those ones in the fancy packaging at the supermarket- the ones that cost you a good $6-$7 a pop. Cheap pate is alright for sarnies (I had that a lot when I was a nipper), but for eating on crackers or serving in slices with melba toast- you've gotta have the good stuff. I'm not a fan of the fois gras, but I do love me a bit of Ardennes or Brussels :)
4. Homemade jam or preserve Now my Nana makes fantastic jams and preserves (and so do I now I have the recipe). Supermarket jams and preserves taste like crap compared to something you make in your own kitchen- they're way too sweet and most of the time too geletinous. Proper homemade jams have to be slightly runny so you can get it out of the jar easier- my favourite is either strawberry or raspberry.
And finally...
5. A mushy pea/baked bean mix from the chippy This is the stuff of the gods. Whoever decided to stick mushy peas or baked beans on top of a portion of chips is a God in my eyes. My brother's a fan of the gravy/curry sauce mix. I don't like curry sauce and chips, and the gravy mix is only good if you get that nice rich onion tasting gravy- too many times they just gloop it out of a big can and warm it up (believe me I've watched them)
Yes, I am aware that the majority of the stuff is only available in the UK- but surely that's an excuse to get your arse over there and try these culinary delights. Oh and if you plan on trying #1, tell me cause I'd like to see what other people from around the world think of our regional delights :D
