Sunday, February 15, 2009

Bertrands 'World Peace' Soup

Ingredients
A Good Knob of Butter
3-4 Carrots (sliced)
2-3 Sticks of Celery (sliced)
2 Onions (roughly chopped)
1 Chilli (de seeded and sliced)
3-4 Cloves Garlic (finely chopped)
7 Tomatoes (quartered)
1x400g Can Chopped Plum Tomatoes
A Handful of Basil Leaves (torn)
2 Pints Vegetable Stock
300ml Single Cream

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Large Pan
1 Blender

The Good Bit
  1. Melt the butter in the pan and gently soften the onion and garlic for about 5 minutes before adding the carrots and celery, cook for another 5 minutes then add in the tomatoes (canned and chopped) along with the chilli and basil.
  2. Cook this lot until the tomatoes are soft, then add 2 Pints of vegetable stock and transfer the mixture to a blender. blend until smooth then add in the cream, re heat and serve topped with sprigs of parsley and a nice warm baguette.
Serves 4

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Mushrooms in Red Wine

Ingredients
1 Onion (thinly chopped)
1 Clove Garlic (crushed)
375g Button Mushrooms (cleaned and bottom of stalks cut off)
125g Smoked Ham (cooked, cut into strips)
1 Teaspoon Dried Mixed Herbs
150ml Red Wine
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
1 Baguette to Serve

Equipment
1 SHARP Knife
1 Chopping Board
1 Garlic Press
4 Ramekin Dishes
1 Sauce Pan

The Good Bit
  1. Heat a splash of oil in the sauce pan and cook the garlic and onion until it goes soft but don't colour it, about 3 minutes, add in the herbs, ham, mushrooms and red wine, season to taste the bring to the boil then turn off the heat and leave for 30 minutes.
  2. With about 10 minutes to go, pre heat your oven to 220c 425f gas 7, Divide the mixture between the four ramekin dishes and place in the oven for 15 minutes, serve with the French bread.
Serves 4

Monday, February 9, 2009

Coddled Eggs

Ingredients
50g Smoked Salmon (cut into chunks)
4 Eggs
4 Tablespoons Double Cream
Butter
Salt and Pepper
Dill/Chives to Garnish

Equipment
4 Ramekins (greased with the butter)
1 Oven Proof Dish

The Good Bit
  1. Pre heat your oven to 180c 350f gas 4. Divide the salmon equally between the ramekins, then break an egg into each dish on top of the salmon, season with salt and pepper then top with a spoonful of double cream.
  2. Place the ramekins in your oven proof dish then top the dish up with just enough water to reach half way up the ramekins, cook for 10-15 minutes until they are set, garnish with either dill or chives and serve.
Serves 4