Sunday 27 July 2014

Grilled chicken and Comte cheese wraps

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Work has been crazy hectic for me with late nights and early morning runs to the kitchen, churning out hundreds of macarons and delivering to Selfridges where we have a stand at the moment as part of the 'Meet the Makers' campaign that runs till the end of August. If you do want to pick up some printed macarons, do drop by :)

Anyways, coming to the recipe. I have trouble sorting out the lunch scene in between all the chaotic baking. I almost always never eat lunch on time and its around 4 or so in the evening that i manage to grab a bite and by then I'm famished. On days i wake up early enough, i manage to make something for lunch, and by make i mean pack the leftovers from last night or make a sandwich. This wrap happened on one of those days I was sick of eating rubbish sandwiches from the nearby supermarket. I had grilled the chicken a day before and so it was really easy to put together. I chucked it into the microwave for a couple of minutes and it tasted so so so much better than the store bought ones.
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Comte cheese has turned out to be a favourite of ours and i keep adding them to almost all of our pasta and sandwich dishes. I was sent a 24 month aged Comte and I've been very stingy with it. I used it in this sandwich and its been nicely wrapped and put in the freezer for future use. The nutty flavour of Comte is perfect in this wrap and i love it even more a bit melted. This recipe was passed on from Comte as part of the Bastille Day Celebrations and its a fabulous one to take to picnics and such as Comte is a hard cheese and doesn't melt that quickly in this hot weather, which btw has gotten to me so much, i actually want the cold to come back. Its so muggy and stuffy during the night, and the days are even worse. I know, I know, i complain when it cold, i complain when its hot as well :)

Serves 4
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Tortilla wraps- 4
Boneless chicken thighs- 2, around 250 gms
Paprika- 1 tsp (optional)
Salt and pepper- to taste
Oil- 1 tbsp

Yoghurt- 3 tbsp
Mayonnaise- 1 tbsp
Lemon juice- a splash
Carrots- 150 gms, grated
Red pepper- 1, small
Lettuce- 1 small head
Comte cheese- 100 gms, grated
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Wash, pat dry the chicken and cut into bite size cubes.
Season with enough salt and pepper and the paprika. Keep aside for half an hour.
When ready to cook, preheat oven grill and line a baking tray with aluminium foil.
Arrange the chicken pieces on the tray and grill in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes, flipping each of them after about 10 to 12 minutes.
Once cooked, keep it wrapped in the foil itself.

Make the sauce by whisking together the yoghurt, mayonnaise and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
Grate the carrots, dice the red pepper into long strips and tear the lettuce into big slices. 

Lightly heat a tortilla, either in the microwave or in a frying pan. Place on a serving plate.
Generously spread the yoghurt sauce on to the tortilla leaving about an inch from the edges.
Place the lettuce, peppers, carrots and chicken slices on the wrap and top with freshly grated Comte cheese.
Roll the wrap tightly and gently heat in the microwave for a couple of minutes, just to get the cheese melting. Of course, this step is purely optional, but i like it this way.
Cut the wrap diagonally and serve warm.
Do the same with all other remaining tortillas.
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Notes: Feel free to use chicken breasts instead and you can even pan fry it in about 2 tbsp of oil.
Original recipe called for corn as well, but i didn't have any at home so omitted it

With thanks to Comte cheese for the samples.

Thursday 17 July 2014

Carnaby Street Eat Fest

Carnaby Street, Carnaby, London, W1
Picture courtesy Sister PR

Carnaby Street is this bustling street lying parallel to Regent Street, and one that is a must visit if you are in London. Its very close to Oxford circus tube station and getting there is really easy. Its got a whole lot of retails outlets and some really cool places to eat, plus bars and clubs as well and the first time i went there i was in awe of what lies behind some of London's main streets- the back alleys are the best way to explore the heart of London.

The Carnaby Street Eat is a free one day International Food Festival with 40 of the area's best restaurants, bars and cafe's taking part. From Hawaiian to Indian to Italian to Japanese there will be the chance to experience the sights, smells and flavours of over 15 international cuisines. Last week, a couple of us food bloggers were invited to a preview show of the Street Eat fest where we got a sneak peak at whats in store on the 20th of July. It was one fun evening where we restaurant hopped till about 11.30 in the night and i think i ate and drank so so much, i thought id be put off both for a really long time. That feeling lasted till 8am the next morning when i woke up with a grumbling stomach.
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We started off the evening bonding over Prosecco and smoked salmon at The Wright Brothers. A restaurant that boasts about sourcing some of the best oysters, sustainable fish and finest seafood and bring them to you in the most delicious of ways. I will never forget this restaurant because it was the first time i ever had oysters. After the head chef gave us an introduction to oysters, May of Eat Cook Explore patiently told me how to go about eating it and, i, after much coaxing went ahead and tried it. I must say, it wasn't bad at all. I mean the shallot vinaigrette which i generously doused over the oyster made a lot of difference, but i am a convert and i shall definitely try them again. Head on over there to taste some of their tasty grub, and they'll even show you how to shuck the oysters.
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Next stop was the funky Choccywoccydoodah which is like a cake haven. The interior is filled with trippy creations made with chocolate cakes and unique chocolate gifts. They took us to their secret tea room which is done up, like someone said, Alice in Wonderland theme. Very colourful with loads of mismatched furniture and accessories. If you want to enjoy a different sort of afternoon tea, you know where to head to. On the day they will be giving out free chocolate samples and Kiss FM DJ will be spinning the decks.
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We then walked back to Shoryu in Kingly Court where we tasted some amazing Japanese yatai style street food. The dumplings and steamed bun with pork and beef were to die for. I would tell you to not miss them this Sunday. They would be serving their signature hirata buns and gyoza's. After downing a sake cocktail we moved over to Whyte & Brown where we got to enjoy some craft beers. I really enjoyed the Honey Beer and the dessert which was a fabulous Exotic Mess with tropical fruits like pineapple, bananas and passion fruit was what hit the spot for me. However, i must admit, that a few spoons down and the sweetness was getting to me. The beer helped and after a quick loo run we moved on to the next restaurant.
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By this time we were filled to the gills, at least I was and we still had 3 more restaurants to hit. Off we went to Cha Cha Moon, a Chinese noodle bar where we again had cocktails, dumplings, steamed broccoli (which btw was simply out of this world) and Singapore noodles which most of us packed because we just couldnt eat. A few bloggers had already left by then and I was contemplating on whether to leave or not when Scarlett told me were off to Rum Kitchen to have some more drinks. Well, that did it for me and off i scampered with the rest of the gang to this Caribbean themed restaurant and cocktail bar. We all ordered the same cocktail Rumbustion which I couldn't finish..like for the first time ever, i couldn't finish a cocktail. This evening sure had some firsts for me :) Head on over there to sample delights including roast pumpkin and chickpea curry, saltfish fritter and jerk chicken wings.

Last and final stop was the American diner Stax where we sampled like a gazillion milkshakes all spiked with alcohol. My favourite was the cookies and cream shake which had oreos and whipped cream. I was so high on food by this time i just couldn't eat or drink any more. It was such a fun evening and a very different one from the usual and I enjoyed myself so so much. The fact that it was a small crowd made it even more fun and I went back home with a whole new set of blogger friends.
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Picture courtesy Sister PR

Carnaby Street Eat is on the 20th of July from 11am to 6 pm and the weather is promising to be really good so I'm planning to head out there for lunch. There will be live cooking demo's, music and other fun activities- a perfect day out for the young and old alike.

With thanks to Sister PR for inviting me to the event. All opinions are my own and I wasn't paid to do the review.

Sunday 6 July 2014

World Cup Best of Brazil Masterclass at Jenius Social

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Is everyone going crazy with the World Cup scenario? I am so not a football fan, but somehow with everyone in good spirits about the game, especially when you are at a pub in the evenings, its kind of hard to not be part of the whole fun. The husband has been filling me in on that front and I can hear him shouting and screaming (to himself) in the middle of the night watching a game.

Even though the sport doesn't appeal to me much, Brazil does, and most importantly, the food aspect. So when Jenius Social invited me to their World Cup Best of Brazil Masterclass I couldn't say no. I'd been to Jenius Social once before and its this really nice social hub of sorts in North London. I walked in and knew immediately that it would make for THE perfect place to host our events (in case you are wondering what I'm talking about, there's something in the pipeline, stay tuned for the big reveal). Its cosy, its personal and omg the light coming in from those huge glass windows was kind of where i was sold. There is also a well-fitted and fully functional kitchen, which was to be our abode for the evening.
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We were about 6 to 8 of us and I for one had such a blast. The Chef, after introducing us to Brazilian food, dove straight into the cooking session. He first showed us how to prepare the various dishes and then sent us over to our work stations to start cooking a kick-ass Brazilian feast. Being a small group, we had hands on experience in every dish. Right from getting the ingredients ready, to cooking it to serving it was done by all of us, of course with the Chefs help. It was my first time with Brazilian food and I must say it was quite interesting. 
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We made spicy Malagueta Prawn skewers, zingy lime and garlic chicken skewers alternated with chunky pineapple cubes, Cassava picanha, Bacalhau (Brazilian fishcakes) and my favourite the quinoa salad with mango and avocado which was so refreshing and summery. I am so going to try making this at home one of these days. Another favourite was the Empadinhas, small pastries filled with any filling of choice, cheese in this case, which were very similar to empanadas. After a busy 2 hours, we were ready to dig into all the food we prepared.
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Took off our aprons and settled down at the table with a glorious glass of Caipirinha - yes Brazil's national cocktail- and some conversation, before digging into the food. Jenius Social did a fab job of organising the cook-along session celebrating Brazilian street food, and for a few of us it was a first time eating and cooking the food from that part of the world. We summed up the evening with a generous slice of the Nega Maluca, a Brazilain chocolate cake coated with a delicious layer of caramel, and went home with a wealth of information on Brazilian street food.

Jenius Social conducts regular food and drink master classes, supper clubs and cookery classes and they are also a great way to meet like minded people. Convenient location, great kitchen and a very helpful and friendly owner makes this the perfect place to hire for your event as well. I am thinking i should check out their coffee masterclass next.

With thanks to Jenius Social for inviting me to the masterclass

Tuesday 1 July 2014

Castello Tickler Cheddar and smoked paprika souffle

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I love cheese. Like really love it. Throw cheese into anything and i will eat it without any issue. Not that I have a problem eating anything otherwise (if you see me you'll know what I'm talking about), but cheesy things are right up my alley. 

Castello Cheese has joined hands with cookery school L'atelier des Chefs to create a Cheese Cookery Class which will cover a series of classes showcasing a wide range of cheeses that Castello has to offer, and of course learning to cook with it. Food author and TV presenter Stefan Gates has also put together The Ultimate Cheeseboard, which, some of us bloggers had the privilege to try recently. Each class will focus on crafting the ultimate cheeseboard and to round it off, Matt Day has suggested complimentary drinks pairing to bring out the best from each cheese. The classes start on the 18th of July and run all through to October. Its a great way to enjoy some wine and cheese and while you are at it, learn some tips and tricks on creating fabulous dishes with it.
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Off we went to L'atelier des Chef to get a preview of the class that was launching. We got to do some wine and drinks pairing and then went on to learn how to make a few dishes using the different varieties of cheese from Castello. There were nibbles and bubblies doing the rounds, a la Castello and a very interesting 'Super Taster' test conducted by Stefan Gates to see if we were a super taster. Apparently, I did have the signs of a super taster, but I actually wasn't one. Oh well! We all went home with blue tongues (as part of the test) and a goody bag filled with cheese and recipes. 

Of all the dishes we tried on the day, my favourite was the Tickler Cheddar and smoked paprika souffle which was simply mind boggling. I had to create it the very next and what do you know, thats exactly what i did. The recipe card had all the information required, and since the chef had given us tips and tricks on how to get the perfect souffle, I was pretty confident I wouldn't fail. The not failing bit was true and the souffle turned out to be fabulous, but the downside of a souffle is that it deflates very fast. So from a photography point of view it was a bit of a bummer. Well, you are just gonna have to take my word for it and believe me when i say it did puff up nicely.

Recipe halved from here (serves 3)
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Butter- 25gms, unsalted
Breadcrumbs- 10 gms
Parmesan cheese- 10 gms, grated
Bay leaf- 1
Shallot- 1 small, finely chopped
Plain flour- 25 gms
Mustard- 1/2 tsp
Smoked paprika- 2 tsp
Eggs- 2, white and yolk separated
Cheddar cheese- 50 gms (I used Castello Tickler Cheddar)
Butter- 10 gms, unsalted
Salt- to taste
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Preheat oven to 200C and butter the souffle moulds/ ramekins.
Sprinkle half of the breadcrumbs and Parmesan on to the ramekins, shake around to coat well and tip out any excess.
Start with the white sauce by boiling the milk with onions and bay leaf to infuse. Drain and keep aside.
In another saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
Add the plain flour and make the roux, stirring continuously for about 2 minutes.
Stir in the mustard and salt then slowly pour in the milk, while continuously stirring.
Cook for a further few minutes, until you get a thick but smooth mix. 
Keep aside to cool for a couple of minutes and then whisk in the egg yolks, one at a time, whisking well after each addition. if the sauce is too hot, then you risk cooking the egg yolks, and you really don't want that.
Stir in the grated cheddar and smoked paprika.
In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites to stiff peaks. The chef made us do this using a wire whisk at the class, and so I decided to do the same at home. It is a bit of a chore, but it wasn't as difficult as i thought it would be. I think when the quantity is less, its much easier (mostly because I didn't have to unearth my hand blender, wash it, use it, then again clean it..too much work).
Add one spoonful of the egg white into the sauce and mix well.
Add the remaining in, and fold gently, making sure you don't deflate them.
Distribute the souffle mix into 3 ramekins and using a palette knife spread the top of the mix evenly. Then run your thumb or forefinger along the inside edge of the ramekin for the 'top hat' effect.
Place the ramekins on a baking tray and bake on the middle rack of your oven for about 15 minutes, or until the top is golden and the souffle has risen nicely.
Serve immediately.
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Notes: I used a large ramekin, and that was a mistake. The smaller one would have been a better quantity for one, and also I didn't have enough to fill them, so i couldn't get the top hat effect
Use a good quality paprika, it makes a lot of difference
Double the recipe to feed 6
You can make the white sauce well ahead and just to the egg bit just before baking,

With thanks to Castello Cheese and L'atelier des Chefs for the event invite and classes.