Wild Blackberries

Seasonal Produce – September

The summer seems to be hanging on for a little while longer and in the kitchen, there are lots of salad crops and plenty of peas, beans, and courgettes to brighten our plates. This is the time of year for the arrival of the first game and foraged wild mushrooms, whose rich earthy flavours are perfect partners and the season for mussels, oysters, and scallops.

Scones, Jam and Clotted Cream

Scones

A scone is a baked quick bread, with flour, fat and a raising agent, which were originally baked on a griddle and was around the size of a medium dining plate. The cooked scone would be cut into triangles, in Scotland thought to be one of the homes to the origins of the scone the large griddle cake is called a bannock. With the development of baking powder, scones became a popular recipe bake in the oven, slightly sweetened and often with the addition of an egg-wash glaze.

Hand made Aioli

Aioli

Aioli is a flavour packed classic Provençal sauce made from garlic, olive oil, and egg and I use it as a dip with Devilled Whitebait. A portion of freshly fried thick cut chips, English not American are really great piping hot, dusted with sea salt and served with a large pot of pungent aioli. Aioli is traditionally served with seafood, hearty fish soup and at the centre of the classic Le Grand Aioli, a show-stopping dish of fish, normally salt cod, boiled eggs, chickpeas, and vegetables.

Cooked Rice

How to Cook the Perfect Bowl of Rice

I have been posting a series of recipes to celebrate Chinese New Year so I thought we need to look at how to cook the perfect bowl of light fluffy rice to eat with all the other dishes. If you follow the tips below you don’t need a rice steamer cluttering up your work surface and I know you won't go wrong with the perfect accompaniment to your Char sui Pork and Spicy Sesame Chicken Wings.

Dark Chocolate Mousse

Valentine’s Day Chocolate Mousse

So, you have successfully shucked the oysters, the steak was cooked to perfection and you matched your meal with a perfect bottle of wine, Valentine’s Day is going according to plan now you need something simply stunning to finish the meal. I have chosen something stunningly simple to make, that can be kept in the fridge and will wow your dinner companion. And the bonus, there will be a couple left over for the morning.

Grilled Sirloin Steak

Valentine’s Day Cooking the Perfect Steak

What can be more romantic on Valentine’s Day than to cook and share a delicious steak with your partner, served with a rich buttery Bearnaise Sauce, some thick cut chips, and a crisp green salad? Here are the steps you need to prepare a fabulous steak just like a professional grill chef.

Grilled Oysters

Valentine’s Day Oysters Blue and Blonde

The oysters are gratinated with a crisp mix of fresh herbs, savoury biscuit crumbs, and Jersey Blue soft cheese which creamy and slightly tangy taste accentuates the salty ozone flavour of the Jersey oysters. The very light continental style beer, Liberation Blonde provides the base for a refreshing dressing to the baked oysters and chilled is an ideal accompaniment.

Grilled Sirloin Steak

Cooking Steaks

How you like your steak is very subjective and in a professional kitchen, you often get cooking descriptions that can be convoluted and incredibly detailed. Chefs gauge the thickness and weight of the piece of meat, the type of cut, the cooking technique and the provenance of beef when cooking and often access the stages by gently touching and feeling the give in the meat and using their experience as a guide. A good grill chef is a very valuable member of the kitchen.

Braised Beef and Red Wine Pie

Shin is an inexpensive cut of meat, which is big on flavour, and is full of gelatinous sinew which cooks down to make the most excellent gravy. It is easy to stew, you can also cook in the oven at around 350 F / 180 C / Gas mark 4 and it really lends itself to batch cooking in the pressure cooker and freezing down until required. You can substitute the red wine for a strong tasting beer for beef and ale pie and adapt the recipe further adding chestnut mushrooms, sautéd kidneys or if you are feeling indulgent a dozen oysters just before you finish cooking.

Christmas Dinner – The Turkey Recipe

Most families in the United Kingdom traditionally sit-down on Christmas afternoon for their festive dinner. Today the centerpiece is usually a roast Turkey served with stuffing, sausages wrapped in streaky bacon ( pigs in blankets ), crisp roast potatoes, parsnips, Brussel sprouts and lots of other vegetables, and cranberry sauce.