I'm sorry for the lack of updates recently but I'm kept busy at my new job.
However, there are updates in the pipeline. I got some grand plans for a shopping spree in London this coming weekend where I'll try to get hold of some authentic, some would say kinky, ingredients for Bento boxes etc.
Please be patient and you shall be rewarded. In one way or another. ;)
Recipes, cooking tips, reviews, gadget tips and other rants and raves. Cookery with attitude at times!
Thursday 29 November 2007
Wednesday 21 November 2007
Stupid challenge
People who know me knows that I am very competitive and can't live down a challenge.
As if that wasn't enough I have now come up with my own challenge. Since I haven't trained or exercised properly since the mid/late 90's I thought it would be a good idea to partake in the Reading Half Marathon on the 2nd of March next year!?!?
To put more pressure on myself I've started to challenge some of my friends as well.
Posting it on my blog now will also add pressure on myself to actually start training for this event.
You might notice somewhat healthier recipes here in the near future, as well as the occasional update on my progress. If there is any progress...
Stupid me....
As if that wasn't enough I have now come up with my own challenge. Since I haven't trained or exercised properly since the mid/late 90's I thought it would be a good idea to partake in the Reading Half Marathon on the 2nd of March next year!?!?
To put more pressure on myself I've started to challenge some of my friends as well.
Posting it on my blog now will also add pressure on myself to actually start training for this event.
You might notice somewhat healthier recipes here in the near future, as well as the occasional update on my progress. If there is any progress...
Stupid me....
Friday 16 November 2007
Bento - Part Deux
Yesterdays little experiment turned out just fine so I thought I'd give it another try.
Todays Bento consists of teriyaki marinated beef, fried vegetable rice and pickled beetroot.
For the rice I started with frying up some mushrooms, red onion, garlic, spring onions, red chili and ginger. In the meantime I boiled my rice and let it cool down. Once it was cool I turned up the heat on the pan and fried the rice together with the vegetables until it had turned a nice color.
The beef is marinated in teriyaki marinade, chilli sauce and some sesame seeds. Then I fried it until it turned nice and crispy.
Once again - let's hope it tastes ok! ;)
Todays Bento consists of teriyaki marinated beef, fried vegetable rice and pickled beetroot.
For the rice I started with frying up some mushrooms, red onion, garlic, spring onions, red chili and ginger. In the meantime I boiled my rice and let it cool down. Once it was cool I turned up the heat on the pan and fried the rice together with the vegetables until it had turned a nice color.
The beef is marinated in teriyaki marinade, chilli sauce and some sesame seeds. Then I fried it until it turned nice and crispy.
Once again - let's hope it tastes ok! ;)
Thursday 15 November 2007
Bento - A first try
Bento is the name for Japanese lunchboxes. It seems that they are becoming more and more popular here in the west.
After what I can understand there's no real rules as to what constitutes a bento box. Something I like ;) I have seen pictures of some very artistic looking bento boxes on the net, but I don't think I'll ever get that far.
This is my first try at making one and it contains the following:
Rice
Smoked mackerel (flaked)
Spring onion (or scallion for you on the other side of the pond)
Beet root (sliced)
Sliced pickled cucumber
First I sliced the cucumber very thinly using my mandolin, then I pickled it in some cider vinegar, water and salt and it didn't turn out bad at all.
Let's hope it tastes ok, since this is my lunch for today! ;)
After what I can understand there's no real rules as to what constitutes a bento box. Something I like ;) I have seen pictures of some very artistic looking bento boxes on the net, but I don't think I'll ever get that far.
This is my first try at making one and it contains the following:
Rice
Smoked mackerel (flaked)
Spring onion (or scallion for you on the other side of the pond)
Beet root (sliced)
Sliced pickled cucumber
First I sliced the cucumber very thinly using my mandolin, then I pickled it in some cider vinegar, water and salt and it didn't turn out bad at all.
Let's hope it tastes ok, since this is my lunch for today! ;)
Tuesday 6 November 2007
New toy - Bread Maker
I got myself a new toy a couple of days ago. I got myself a Panasonic SD-255 Bread Maker. The main reason I choose just that model was that it had a automatic 'raisin and nut' dispenser. Normally your bread maker beeps when it's time to chuck in raisins, nuts or bacon for example. This one has a tray that automagically dispenses the solid additions when it's time.
It has all the normal features like a dough mode, timer and such things. One thing that separates it from quite a few other bread makers is that it has a special rye mode.
So far I've only made two different loafs of bread, wholemeal/rye and cheese/bacon, but they've both turned out very nicely. If you are in the market for a bread maker, have a look at this model. It's a bit pricier than most but you'll find that it has some features that you won't find on cheaper models.
Another upside of getting it is that I can now justify adding a breadknife to my Global collection, as well as getting myself a nice breadbin. Bonus! ;)
It has all the normal features like a dough mode, timer and such things. One thing that separates it from quite a few other bread makers is that it has a special rye mode.
So far I've only made two different loafs of bread, wholemeal/rye and cheese/bacon, but they've both turned out very nicely. If you are in the market for a bread maker, have a look at this model. It's a bit pricier than most but you'll find that it has some features that you won't find on cheaper models.
Another upside of getting it is that I can now justify adding a breadknife to my Global collection, as well as getting myself a nice breadbin. Bonus! ;)
Monday 5 November 2007
Recipe - Rösti
Rösti is originally a Swiss dish but there are versions of this dish in most potato eating countries in the world.
You can use it as a side dish to many different meals, this time I served it together with a blue cheese topped steak, vegetables and a creamy peppercorn sauce.
Rösti - makes 5 - 7
Ingredients
3 normal sized potoates
Salt
Pepper
Vegetable oil
Method
Cut each potato into two and put the pieces into a pot of boiling water. Let them boil for about 5 minutes then put them into a colander.
Grate the potatoes using a coarse grater once they have cooled enough to handle. Mix in some salt and pepper to taste. Form the grated potatoes into patties.
Heat the oil in a frying pan on a medium heat and put the patties in the pan once it is hot enough. Fry them until golden.
Enjoy!
You can use it as a side dish to many different meals, this time I served it together with a blue cheese topped steak, vegetables and a creamy peppercorn sauce.
Rösti - makes 5 - 7
Ingredients
3 normal sized potoates
Salt
Pepper
Vegetable oil
Method
Cut each potato into two and put the pieces into a pot of boiling water. Let them boil for about 5 minutes then put them into a colander.
Grate the potatoes using a coarse grater once they have cooled enough to handle. Mix in some salt and pepper to taste. Form the grated potatoes into patties.
Heat the oil in a frying pan on a medium heat and put the patties in the pan once it is hot enough. Fry them until golden.
Enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)