Daily Kitchen Tips

[Really Proud Dad]

I am putting these tips on the site, as former chef in the Royal Air Force I think everyone (including me) needs help now and again

The First Tip is (hedge will agree)

Try your hardest to always use fresh herbs when cooking, if you can't add dried half way through cooking and not at the end as most recipes state.

Matt

[Really Proud Dad]

Oops nearly forgot......

If there is anything you want to know how to make just let me know and i will post it for you here

Matt

[Jen]

Great idea Matt ;D

[Really Proud Dad]

Sorry I missed yesterday guys, got drunk (oops)

so to make up for it here is my recipe for choc chip muffins:

2 Eggs
250ml Milk
125ml Vegetable Oil
100g Granulated Sugar
100g Brown Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
400g Flour (plain)
4 teaspoons Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
150g Plain Chocolate

Preheat the oven to 200°C (gas mk 6, 400°F).
Place the eggs, oil, vanilla extract, sugars and milk in a large mixing bowl and beat together.
In another bowl place the flour, salt and baking powder and mix thoroughly.
Chop the chocolate into small pieces, and stir into the flour. Pour in the liquid, and mix together until just blended.
Line a muffin tray with paper muffin cases, and then fill each case to just below the top with the muffin mixture. Bake the muffins for 20-25 minutes. They are cooked when a skewer inserted into one and then removed comes out clean (apart from any chocolate!).


This recipe makes approximately 12 muffins.


Yum Yum (and i will see you all at wieght watchers) LOL

Matt

[Really Proud Dad]

Hi Guys,

As Promised here is my recipe for sweet yorkshire pudding (Clafoutis)

250g Plain (Unbleached) Flour
150ml Double Cream
100g Soft Fruit (strawberrys are best)
3 large Eggs
100ml Full Cream Milk
75g Castor Sugar
25g unsalted butter
15ml Sunflower oil

Preheat Oven to 230 degrees
put butter and oil into large round oven proof dish and put in the oven
sieve flour and sugar into large mixing bowl
whisk in eggs until mixed
add milk and half the cream until mixture resembles batter (but thicker)
slice half the fruit and add to the mixture
remove dish from oven and pour mixture into dish
add rest of fruit to mixture (do not mix)
pour over rest of cream
put in oven for 25-35 mins until golden brown
the clafoutis will not rise that much but the taste is exquisite.

Matt

[Jen]

OOOOOOOooooooooooo!
That sounds just yummy!

[Really Proud Dad]

Hi Guys,

Todays Tip is:

Whenever working with your hands in a kitchen there are certain guidlines i always follow, these are:

When working with Fresh Chillis, Oil your hands first, this prevents your hands getting covered in oils from the chillis,

When making bread, before kneading wet your hands first DO NOT flour your hands the dough will stick to your fingers

And the most important, Wash your hands with fragrance free soap after each stage of preparation and cooking

Matt

Tomorrow: Perfect Macaroni Cheese

Matt

[missj544]

OMG! I love mac and cheese! cant wait.

Thanks Matt

[Really Proud Dad]

Hey All,

here it is the perfect Mac and Cheese

Luxurious Macaroni Cheese


250g macaroni, cooked according to pack
250g mascarpone cheese
4 rashers smoked bacon or 4 tablespoons of chopped pancetta
50g fresh parmesan, grated
1 onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic
100ml chicken stock
100ml double cream,
olive oil

Method

Cook the onions, garlic and bacon in a large saucepan until bacon is crispy.
Add the chicken stock, cream and half the parmesan.
Heat and add the mascarpone and cooked pasta.
Warm through and place in an oven proof dish, sprinkle over the remaining parmesan.
Place under a grill and cook until golden brown.
Serve with a mixed salad.

OR

Ziti Macaroni & Cheese
1 lb Ziti, cooked, drained,
-rinsed
4 tbsp Butter
1/2 cup Fine dry bread crumbs
2 1/2 cup Extra sharp Cheddar cheese
-shredded
3/4 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
3 tbsp Flour
3 cup Milk
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Pepper


Preheat oven to 400~. Grease 13x9x2 inch baking dish. Place ziti in
large bowl.

In medium saucepan, over medium heat; melt butter. Pour 1 T into small
bowl; add bread crumbs, 1/2 C cheddar cheese, and 1/4 parmesan. Mix.

Whisk flour into butter in pan. Cook 1 minute, whisking. Whisk in
milk gradually. Simmer 2 mins. Add remaining cheeses, salt, and
pepper. Add to pasta; toss. Place in prepared dish; top with crumb
mixture. Bake 25 mins., until browned and bubbly.

Matt

[Goth]

I gotta say, this sounds absolutely delicious! Bacon, garlic and onion in macaroni cheese.....mmmmm

[blackenedrose]

Matt you are really good at these and they are no end of help! Will have to try them ALL out asap.

[missj544]

Matt, I finally tried the Mac & Cheese
What can i say it was DELICIOUS!! We are having some cold autumn days here in Colorado and this dish was perfect. The cheese.. *shivers* and the Pancetta are the perfect marriage. ;D

Thanks.

Jacqueline~