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Wednesday 22 January 2014

Brie, Mushroom & Cherry Tomato Tart

Whilst i love meat and if i am honest i eat meat probably most days of the year, I wanted to do a dish a recipe which was simple tasty and yet accessible for vegetarians which is not just a filler but a wholesome enjoyable dinner for veggies and non veggies alike. This recipe was a slight culinary accident as i planed originally to create a cheats Wellington, Stromboli or Pithivier, however i didn't have enough pastry so i had to improvise and settled for a puff pastry rectangle base, using whats available with out further expense is frugal to say the least but just also shows what can be done with a little imagination.

Pre-heat your oven to 200 degrees C or 190 for fan assisted ovens. lightly oil/grease a baking tray and set aside. Pastry is delicate and needs to be treated with a little respect, it doesn't like to be over worked also doesn't like heat, sometimes the temperature in your fingers is too much and can melt the pastry. Leave refrigerated until just before expected use. I used pre-made sheets which for home cooking is perfectly acceptable, they are easily available and are very good quality.

Peel, half and slice 1 medium onion and gently saute, slice 5 chestnut mushrooms and add to the pan on a medium heat allowing the vegetables to sweat but not brown, crush 1 clove of garlic and add to the pan, half 10 cherry tomatoes and to the mix adding a sprinkle of basil (fresher the better) oregano and seasoning. Once all soft take off the heat and allow to cool.

Unroll your pastry and put on to oil baking tray, add a tomato and basil sauce i used old El paso spicy sauce for a fiery kick. Apply evenly then slice the brie into thin strips and place randomly. add your mix to the top and pop in the middle of the oven for 18 to 22 Min's or until the pastry is golden.




Sunday 12 January 2014

Friday 3 January 2014

Lunch, Brunch or Dinner 2 ways with Smoked Salmon and Eggs

Healthy, easy and delicious. Salmon in general is very versatile and is easily sourced. This recipe was due to indecision, Breakfast/lunch maybe a midway brunch, the beauty of this dish is that you can create a variation of both or just one for any time of day.

Way number 1............

3 Slices of smoked salmon
1 Roll (crusty was my preference)
1 Egg
Seasoning and dill to top.

Pre heat the oven to 180 degrees

Slice roll in half slicing the top off
Pluck out the bread from the roll creating a well
Line the hole with salmon slices, season
Crack egg in the well, season again.
Bake for 15-20 mins until egg is cooked through
Yolk should still be runny, sprinkle dill on top to finish, this is so easy to make and tastes amazing.

Way number 2................

3/4 slices of smoked salmon,
1 Egg
Remaining half of roll
30g Melted butter
Salad leaves & cherry tomato
Seasoning & Dill to top.

Pre heat the oven to 180 degrees

Melt the butter and glaze over the half Bun
Slice the bun in to 5 strips and bake for 15 mins
Place a deep pan of water on the heat, bring to boil.

Place the lettuce leafs on the plate and chop tomato's in to quarters, arrange and then add the sliced smoke salmon on the plate around the salad, sprinkle the salmon with the dill and seasoning, stir the boiling water vigorously with a spoon and crack the egg into the swirling water. Reduce the water from a boil  to a simmer, allow egg to cook for 2-3 minutes until poached. Take out and place egg on to the salmon, remove soldiers and place on plate.

The options combined is a tasty healthy snack/meal, however doubling up either option is a dead cert for scrumptious food goodness.




 

Thursday 2 January 2014

Review - Buddies USA

Kennedy Burger add bacon Buddies Rushden Dec 2013
As a food fanatic, I like to think I can try and enjoy almost any food and try any new food. I like to think of my self as a an adventurous foodie, however the reality is actually I am more of an Habitual. Someone who prefers creature comforts, sticks to what I know is good, probably has 1 of maybe only 3 items from the menu. This is definitely the case with me at Buddies,

Located throughout the heart of Northamptonshire and newly Buckinghamshire this independent chain of "Diners" brings you dangerously close to what I can only imagine actual American diners are like. Take out over exuberant happy American waiting staff bouncing around like you see on the movies, everything else screams US of A. Having never been to the states I can again only sit in a booth close my eyes and picture an American town or city with a Buddies in.

The sheer amount of variety of big hearty heart stopping food is overwhelming, their menus are so big its often hard to engage a conversation, the menu's tower over head height packed full from edge to edge front and back. Its speciality I guess are their burgers, 4 sizes of beef patties, optional chicken breasts, add on ribs, wet fries, the most amazing "slaw" and the meals are all very reasonably priced.

For me the winner is always their Kennedy Burger with added bacon, a 8oz burger in a fresh chunky bun, topped with an over generous amount of Garlic mayo, cheese, and mushrooms, add in the bacon and we have lift off. A large pot of slaw and a ridiculous amount of crisp chunky fries finish off the meal, wash down with a Diet Coca Cola and I am in burger heaven.

From the first time I went until the next time it remains one of my favourite restaurants to date. I have never ever experienced bad food at any of their restaurants I have dined in, my Local is located on the A45 east bound just before the Rushden turn off. The town centre (Northampton) is the best for décor and service but is often hard to get a table, the one by Grange Park (A45 West Bound just before M1 J15) although a competitor and rival of mine is also very good offering again  
very good service.

No doubt my Partner and I will be heading back in a weeks time for her birthday.

www.buddiesrestaurants.com