Cook Your Life

I'm Back!

So, after a prolonged absence living in the land of the luddites, I'm back!

I'm not going to give you any excuses about....no internet for months, or that I've moved, or started a new job, or had some truly major life changes (all of which are true!) but instead mention a few of the exciting new posts I plan on bringing you.

A Field Guide to Cocktails Book Review: This book is seriously addictive, fun reading and guaranteedto get your party swinging (although, not in that icky 'keys in a bowl' 70s way!)

Discover Californian Wine: A post on pairing the beautiful amber nectar that is Californian Organic Chardonnay.

Spring Has Sprung: A seasonal menu showcasing the best products to use right now.

So, once again, my apolgies for the recent lack of inspiration, but rest assured, as Arnie once said..

"I'll be back"

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes

Tumbleweed....yep, I'm sure you've seen some rolling by during my conspicuous absence over the last month or so.

I've recently taken a dip in the 'Warm impermanence' that David Bowie once sang about and found I can just about tread water...things are changing here at Casa de Rachel!

I daresay over the next few weeks you might notice some more tumbleweed, eerie silences and a creaking emptiness whilst I get set up and have the intermiable wait for my broadband to be set up before I start posting from my new life.

I promise to jump back into the kitchen and blog with both feet once settled, and look forward to lighting up my stove for the first time in my new pad.

Wish me luck!

Ready Steady Chevre

Cheese.

I am what you could call a Turophile.

For me, cheese in any guise (aside from BabyBel and Cheese Strings; I do draw the line at something that's had more plastic surgery than the Bride of Wildenstein) is one of my favourite things to eat.

Seriously, if someone told me I might never again eat chocolate...I'd respond with a shoulder shrugging 'meh!'....someone tells me no more cheese, they would not survive.

 

I was therefore very happy to attend an event at the Divertmenti Cookery School in London (held by Sopexa and French Goats Cheese) called 'Ready Steady Chevre'.

 

The event was designed to champion French Goats Cheese and I was asked to be participate in a competition a la Ready Steady Cook.

On arrival I was greeted by the organisers and the lovely Sophie Wright who stands as the 'Easy Cheesy Chevre Ambassador'.

Following a miasmic and delectable tutored tasting hosted by Patricia Michelson  (La Fromagerie) I got down to the cookery challenge!

My opponent was the beautiful and talented Anne of Anne's Kitchen blog..I had my work cut out for me!

We were shown a secret bag of ingredients and had a small 'larder' of extras...and then after securing a helper each (I was lucky enough to work with Tracey from International Foodie fame...thank-you again Tracey!!) we had thirty minutes to create and cook two dishes using our ingredients and two types of Goats Cheese.

After some frantic, messy and made-up on the spot cooking, I produced Mediterranean Haddock on Warm Salsa, topped with Sun-Blush Marinated Goat Cheese and my (and the audience's!) favourite; Goat Cheese Gnocchi with Sage Butter and Toasted Pine Nuts.

The audience tried all of our dishes, voted and......................I won!!

 

That night I carted back sackfuls of hard-won Goats Cheese (ensuring a wide berth on the train) and crept into bed with a huge cheesy grin.

 

National Curry Week & Cobra Lager

Curry and beer are on most of Britain's favourite food list.  In commemoration of this national obsession, the mouth-watering beer company 'Cobra' have partnered up with National Curry Week 2010.(Which runs from 21^st – 27^th November)

For our delectation they have created ten new recipes pairing UK dishes, with well known Indian herbs & spices.

"The ten new delicious recipes – including ‘Devonshire cream chai’, a spice-infused take on the teatime classic served with chilli jam; ‘ha-ghee-s’, traditional haggis served with curry sauce; and ‘pie, madras & liquor’, an Eastern twist on the East end favourite –will be sold in participating regional Indian restaurants across the country throughout Cobra National Curry Week 2010, 200 years on since the very first curry house opened in Britain in 1810.

For those wanting to eat more traditional dishes, Cobra has also teamed up with 500 restaurants across Britain to offer a two for one promotion on main meals from Monday 21^st November to Thursday 25^th November with the purchase of Cobra Beer.

Log onto www.cobrabeer.com or www.facebook.com/welovecurry for details of the nearest participating curry house as well as the recipes and details of the curry houses selling the special dishes during National Curry Week."

 

I urge you to run down to your nearest Curry house and take advantage of a fun week of Indian Food and great beer that celebrate our diverse and spicy culture.

Leon: Naturally Fast Food Book 2 Review

 

I was recently sent a new book to review Leon: Naturally Fast Food Book 2.

Being somewhat sceptical of books that triumph the concept of 'Fast Food' I was really surprised to discover really fun and imaginative recipes.

It may seem very middle-class-London-fake-hippy when you first pick it up, but delve a little deeper and you'll find a book brimming with ideas that will keep everyone in the family happy; from moody teens to grumpy grannies this book really does have it all.

 

The publishers have done a great job at keeping the feel of the restaurant. The writing is warm, and funny, and you feel that the people putting the book together feel like a family.

It's set out like a colourful scrapbook that's jam-packed with secret tips and little asides that make you all warm and gooey inside (rather like their Caramelized Pear Flambe with quick real custard)

The book is split into lots of sections that include; Quick Suppers & Lunches, Puddings, Slow Cooks & Stews, Preserved Flavours.

All the recipes are simply explained and strikingly laid out, begging you run in the kitchen and get cooking, some of my favourites were 'Roast Carrots & Fennel in Parmesan Breadcrumbs', 'Chimichurri Sauce' and 'OT's Hot Cheese:Egyptian Gibna'.

The recipe that dragged me to the oven first was 'Sally Dolton's Museli Bars'. Much to my husbands disgust I am big fan of rabbit food muesli, and these moist treacly morsels were not only virtuous, but they tasted divine.

The directions were really simple, and the ingredients cost a fraction that a box of dusty, preservative-packed shelf-bought bars would have.

Overall I would heartily recommended picking up a copy of this book to stick in the stocking of someone you love...in return they can repay you with oodles of scrumptious, happy comfort food!

 

Happy Birthday to Me!

I thought I'd write a quick post to let you all know that despite reports to the contrary I'm still alive and cooking!

This past weekend saw me celebrating my birthday with aplomb!

I was inundated with gifts from those I love; Skulls in all shapes, sizes and guises (a strange penchant of mine) Giant bottles of Jaegermeister (thanks Tommy Lee for fuelling my new favourite dirty tipple) and Zombie Survival information (Remember the need for Cardio folks!) to name but a smattering.

Dinner was cooked for me and I ate like a queen...Cote de Beouf, Game Pie, Chocolate fondant..my waistline has surely grown a few inches to accommodate all the deliciousness!

I very much to forward to getting back in the kitchen shaped saddle and inspiring you to do the same..until then, I'm off to work off my red meat and alcohol over-indulgence with some hardcore exercise!

 

Melanzane alla Parmigiana & Ravenswood Lodi Zinfandel

This is the second of my reivews for a couple of the amazing wines available here in grey old blighty all the way from sunny California.

Today I've paired the rich and spicy Lodi Zinfandel from Ravenswood with a hearty vegetarian Italian classic of smoky aubergines, garlicky tomato sauce and a mountain of gooey cheesy lushness!! This recipe is great by itself or as a side to some garlic and herb Roast Lamb Shoulder.

If you haven't visited yet and arn't sure about all this American hooch, then check out the Discover California Wine site, it will help explain all the many wonderful varietals and give you plenty of booze for thought when planning a trip to the 'home of the brave'.

If you're already at home with some of the heavier, spiced South African reds, then you will definately enjoy the tobacco infused intensely fruity Zinfandel, it goes perfectly well with the bonfire season. Enjoy!

 

 

 

Melanzane alla Parmigiana

Serves 4

Preparation Time - 35m
Cooking Time - 1 hr
Beverage Suggestion -  Zinfandel

Ingredients

2x Aubergines, sliced into rounds
410g or 2 Cups Marzano Tomatoes (tinned), chopped
1x Red Onion, finely Chopped
2x Garlic Cloves, finely chopped
250g or 2 Cups Mozzarella, sliced
2 tbsp Olive Oil
10g or 1/3 Cup Basil, chopped
1x Red Chilli, chopped and seeds removed
4 tbsp Red Wine
1 tbsp Tomato Puree
50g or 1/2 Cup Parmesan, grated1 tbsp Sea Salt
Cracked Black Pepper & Sea Salt to taste

 

Directions

1. Salt the aubergine rounds and leave for 30m
2. Rinse and dry the aubergine
3. Heat the griddle pan until it is smoking
4. Lightly oil each round, and griddle until marked
5. Set aside the aubergine
6. Fry the onion, garlic and chilli in the remaining oil until soft
7. De-glaze the pan with the red wine
8. Add the tomatoes, puree and basil
9. Stir in the aubergine
10. Season to taste
11. Layer the tomato mixture and mozzerella in the oven-proof dish
12. On the final layer of cheese, sprinkle over the parmesan
13. Bake at Gas Mark 5/375f/190c for around 30m until bubbling and golden on top

 

 

Chicken & Gorgonzola Pasta and Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon

Mmmm Wine.

 

One of my favourite things ever. It's been used since ancient times to represent inspiration and life, and I like to 'use' it pretty much everyday....that means I'm getting closer to divinity right?

 

Okay, well maybe not, but something close to divine arrived at my door last week....Three bottles of red wine from the lovely folk at Discover California Wines.

 

Now, if you're a regular reader of this blog, then you'll know just how much I am a fan of all things Californian.   Having stayed there for an all too brief time last year, I long to go back and sample all the amazing food, wine and hospitality, So these emerald vessels filled with California sunshine laced vino were perfect to cheer me up and transport me to sunnier climes.

 

I'll be pairing another dish tomorrow, but for now curl up with a good movie, a glass of the fabulous Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon with it's rich blackberry, vanilla and cocoa flavours and a bowl of this cosy and comforting pasta dish.

 

 

Roast Chicken & Gorgonzola Pasta

Serves 1-2

Preparation Time - 10m
Cooking Time - 15m
Beverage Suggestion -  Californian Cabernet Sauvignon

Ingredients

1x Breast & 1x Leg Meat (pre-cooked/leftover) Garlic Roast Chicken
100g or 1 Cup Mushrooms, chopped
1x Garlic Clove, finely chopped
1 Shallot, finely chopped
15g or 1 tbsp Unsalted Butter
4 Sage Leaves, finely chopped
1 tbsp Olive Oil
2 tbsp Double Cream
3 tbsp White Wine
100g or 1 Cup Gorngonzola, crumbled
1-2x Quantity dried pasta, cooked according to the pack instructions
Cracked Black Pepper to taste

 

Directions

1. Sauté the shallot, garlic and chicken in the butter and oil for 5m
2. Add the mushrooms and sage, cook for a further 5m
3. De-glaze the pan with the wine
4. Melt in the cheese
5. Add the cream, and stir through the cooked pasta
6. Serve sprinkled with some pepper

 

Market Kitchen: Big Adventure Guest Blogger

Ahhh, the life of an A-Lister...well, I might not be quite in the same league as Branglina, but I am on Market Kitchen Big Adventure this week!

The food magazine show, recently relaunched in a new snazzy format is currently showing three times a week on the Good Food Channel (Sky 249/Sky HD 283/Virgin 260)

I was on the Chesire programmes, and ate some amazing food, met some lovley people and generally had a blast!

All the recipes featured are excellent and easy to prepare, the  Spiced Squash Cheesecake was one of my favourites from yesterdays' show.

So, if you fancy seeing me as the guest blogger this week be sure to tune in!!

 

Meat Meltdown

My kitchen skills went in to overdrive on Friday when I noticed I had inadvertantly switched off my freezer, and the entire contents had defrosted!

To some this might not cause too much concern, me being me, had approximately...well, how can I put this delicately....enough meat to feed a small army of ravenous carnivores.

Lady Gaga could have fashioned a whole Winter wardrobe from these contents: Lamb Chuck, Veal, Lamb Cutlets, Pork Shoulder (bizarrely known as Pork Butt in the US....odd considering it's from the other end?!?) Duck, Beef, Chicken and Steak Mince by the bucket load.

The thought of cooking and consuming it all seemed pretty overwhelming, especially when you take into account that there was only me in the house, and my cat isn't really into cordon bleu.

I set aside most of the afternoon for stove work, and planned some easily made meals that could sit proudly in the (now empty) freezer.

Over the space of 3 hours, I utilsed every ring on the hob, my slow cooker, and both ovens, producing...Deep breath......Morrocan Lamb Stew with Chickpeas, Texan Chilli, Beef Ragu, Braised Veal with White Wine, Roast Spiced Duck, Lemon Pepper Chicken and Pork Rillettes......Phew!

I then sourced some willing volunteers to power their way through some protein-laden dishes, leaving me with a freezer drawer full of 'Pour and Store' bags loaded with ready-made TV dinners chock full of meaty goodness.