Sunday, 8 May 2011

Pasta Maker


Finally, after what seems like an eternity, I have got, a, PASTA MAKER!!


Woo Hoo. Never in the field of human pasta making, was so much owed, to Harrison, for making the best pasta with his new pasta machine on that beautiful Thursday night... 

Made from my own hands, eaten by me, my brother mum and dad, and enjoyed by me, my brother and my mum and dad, and from this day on, I will be known as, the crrrrrrazy pasta maker.


Tuesday, 26 April 2011

Wonky Summer Pasta


Get into the Summer Spirit with Jamie Oliver's WONKY SUMMER PASTA!

Serves 4

Ingredients for the PASTA:

2 Egg yolks
125g of Parmesan cheese, plus a little extra for serving
The zest and juice of 2 lemons
A small bunch of fresh Basil
500g of fresh lasagne sheets

Ingredients for the Salad:

8 rashers of Pancetta
1 clove of Garlic
1 tablespoon of fennel seeds
1 x 100g bag of prewashed rocket and/or watercress
A small bunch of fresh mint and fresh tarragon
A large handful of red, green or mixed Grapes
1/2 a Lemon
2 tablespoons of Balsamic Vinegar

NOTE FOR THE SALAD YOU CAN MAKE IT UP!

Method:

Step 1 - PASTA 1

Turn the oven on to 190°C/375°F/gas 5. Fill a large saucepan with hot water, put it on a high heat and cover with a lid. Either put the finer grater attachment into the food processor or, get your grater out ( believe me it is hard work ) for the Parmesan. 

Step 2 - PASTA 2

Carefully separate the 2 eggs and put the yolks into a big serving bowl. Add 3 tablespoons of extra virgin oil and a good pinch of salt & pepper to the bowl of egg yolks.Grate the Parmesan in the processor and tip it into the bowl of egg yolks with the lemon zest and juice. Reserve some of the small basil leaves, then split the rest of the bunch into 2 halves. Pound one half in a pestle and mortar until you have a green paste, and roughly chop the other half. Add both to the bowl.


Stir until everything is mixed together, then season with salt and pepper.


 
Step 3 - SALAD 1

Put the Pancetta into an empty frying pan on a medium heat and add a squashed, unpeeled clove of garlic. Once the rashers are golden, turn them over and add the table spoon of fennel seeds. Meanwhile, empty the bag of salad leaves on to a serving platter or into a large bowl. Quickly tear in some mint and tarragon leaves , and add a large handful of whole or halved grapes. When the pancetta is nice and crispy, take the pan off the heat. Toss the salad together and put on a platter with the crispy pancetta and fennel seeds on top.

Step 4 - SALAD 2

Make the dressing. Pour 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar into a small jug or jam jar. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and squeeze in the juice of 1/2 a lemon, then take to the table with the salad so you can dress it right before tucking in.

Step 5 - PASTA 3

Stack the lasagne sheets on a chopping board and slice into fairly thin strips. 


Add to boiling water with some salt. Stir, and then put the lid on, a little askew, and boil for 1 minute and 30 seconds.


The pasta has to be eaten as soon as its ready, so drain, and toss the pasta and sauce together, adding a little of the pasta water if its too thick.  Taste and season and serve! To make this dish really come together get  some Garlic Bread!
Get into the SUMMER SPIRIT!

Sunday, 10 April 2011

Austria - Here I Come, what culinary delights are waiting for me?

Not sure I'll do much blogging this week as I'm in St. Anton skiing (if I find any snow!)
But I'll make sure I keep an eye out for some interesting dishes if my ski instructor takes us to a mountain restaurant, and will post as soon as I can!





Saturday, 9 April 2011

Le Manoir End

The Le Manoir Experience is a deep one, an amazing one and a fun one. I highly recommend to the highest degree that you experience this course for yourself because it is a magnificent one.
Mark is left, Me ( Centre ), Right is Adam who came in for a while to check us out!
Philippe is behind the scenes working as usual so clap, clap, clap!

Thank you very very very much to:

Mark Peregrine (THE HEAD TUTOR ALSO THE FUNNY ONE AND THE MAKE IT ENJOYABLE ONE!!)

Philippe Tsolakis (THE COURSE TUTOR ALSO THE TECHNIQUE MAN AND THE BEHIND THE SCENES MAN!!)


THANK YOU!!!!

Le Manoir Garden


The Door to... The GARDEN!!

The Clubhouse / Gardeners House
Part of the Raymond Blanc Hotel
The Sculpture Snail
Creepy Scarecrow
Beautiful View of the Grand house/restaurant/cookery school/hotel.



You would think that they would grow plants and vegetables in their 5 - 6 acre garden to serve in their restaurant, but no, they do it for the fun. As we headed over we saw people in deck chairs and our tutor told us that once the people had got up and cheered and shouted: "Thanks for the Food" and "You are the greatest chefs ever". This was not to be today, they were quiet,and relaxing in the sunshine. As we got into the garden,the gardener told us abou the asparagus that they had, and picked some of for us to eat raw! It takes 3 - 4 years before asparagus can be harvested.


Next, was the 'MicroGarden' as I called it. A Poly Tunnel filled with trays of 'Micro Salad', which are basically plants that haven't grown that much and are about 3cm tall. They are used for garnishes. We tried loads. Spicy ones, plain ones, tangy ones and loads more! I am now experimenting with my own!

Our Garden Expedition had come to a close. Please try the 'Micro' plant/sald and see if it works for you!