Friday March 23, 2012

Appetisers for 8

 Deep Fried Shrimp

Guacamole with Tortilla

Cheese Plate

So this was not your regular Friday night dinner.  Two weekends ago was my birthday and I actually spent the whole weekend in bed due to an allergic reaction to antibiotics.  At the time I had no idea what was wrong with me.  So as a birthday 'do-over' I invited a group of my favourite women to share some drinks and nibbles on my porch. They even surprised me with gifts.  XOXO Thanks! We have had a crazy mild spring this year and we could actually sit out on the porch quite comfortably until the wee hours of the morning.  I prepared a bit of food.  Unfortunately my camera was on vacation with my son so I only have one picture taken by my daughter of the deep fried shrimp.

These are green tiger shrimp in a rich batter. Mix two egg yolks and 100g of flour then add a little water to make a smooth but rather thick batter.  Dip in the shrimps then dip them in broken up thread bean noodles.  Deep fry until golden.  Serve with sweet chilli sauce.  

The guacamole and tortilla were from the same recipe as last week Friday March 9, 2012 .

The cheese plate was a selection from my favourite local shop Ouderkirk & Taylor along with some figs and my own beetroot chutney.

The ladies supplied some excellent brownies as well. 

Friday March 9, 2012

Dinner for 6

Hibiscus Margaritas

 Spicy Roasted Peanuts

Classic Guacamole and Guacamole with Tomatillo and Peach served with Tortilla Chips

Scallop Ceviche with Ruby Grapefruit

 Fish and Avocado Tacos

Chocolate Chilli Pots

Mexican food is not my favourite but my husband really likes it.  I chose dishes that felt I would like out of a couple of cookbooks my husband had given me.  While cooking this dinner I felt like absolute crap and none of the food seemed to be going right, because unknown to me I was having a sever allergic reaction to the antibiotics I was taking for the root canal I had done a day earlier.  The guest all loved the food and looking back on it now it was a fantastic evening and the food was truly fantastic.

Hibiscus margaritas were very yummy.  As you can see we started drinking them while I was still working on the food.  My sister, who is often at our dinners, usually comes over while I am still working on the food and today we enjoyed the spicy roasted peanuts (sorry no picture) and drinks between preparations.  Don't worry there was still plenty left for the other guests.

This is one of the two guacamoles I made to go with the tortilla chips.  This is the one with peach which was everyone's favourite.  I have made similar ones since for the family using cape gooseberries as the fruit and it was very nice too.  The tortilla chips which were cut up tortillas fried and tossed with salt and cumin were excellent.  I wish it was easier to get fresh corn tortillas here so I could make them more often.  

Yummy!!! Scallop ceviche with ruby grapefruit.  Loved it! My favourite dish of the night.

Fish and avocado tacos served with green chilli salsa and salsa rosa.  I am not a huge fan of tacos but I really liked them with fish.  The green chilli salsa and salsa rosa were both super spicy, like most of the food in Christine Manfield book Fire, but so tasty.  

Chocolate chilli pots were an excellent ending to the meal.  Easy to prepare.

Sources for the menu:  Hibiscus margaritas, Spicy Roasted Peanuts and the Guacamoles and Tortilla Chips were all out of the cookbook Antojitos Festive and Flavorful Mexican Small Plates by Barbara Sibley and Margaritte Malfy with Mary Goodbody . Scallop Ceviche and Fish and Avocado Tacos were out of the cookbook Fire: A World of Flavour by Christine Manfield . The Chocolate Chilli Pots were from Delicious magazine   

Friday March 2, 2012

Dinner for 5

Take Away Sushi

I was house bound with a sick child for the last 3 days.  So there was no Friday night dinner this week, prepared by me.  My Hubby was sweet enough to bring home sushi, which is always a hit in our house. Unfortunately I didn't even take a picture of it.  Oh well, back at it next week. 

Cheers

Friday February 24, 2012

Dinner for 7

Japanese Illusion (cocktail)

Oysters with Wasabi Granita & Pickled Ginger

Salmon Soba Noodle Salad with Ginger Dressing

Crumbed Chicken with Katsu Sauce

Beef Tataki

Green Beans with Miso Dressing

Steamed Japanese Rice

Toffee Apple Roll with Sesame Ice Cream

This is the second time I have done this menu for a dinner party and it is becoming a definite favourite.  The food is fantastic and as long as I have enough prep time it runs smoothly.  It is very popular with the friends that have eaten it.  

I wish I took a picture of the cocktail it is a beautiful bright green.  Very tasty too.

I have become a much better oyster shucker  lately but I wouldn't win any speed competitions.  That is why I need extra prep time for this dinner but these are so tasty with the wasabi granita and pickled ginger

Salmon soba noodle salad with ginger dressing 

 Crumbed chicken with katsu sauce.  I have recently discovered that you can buy bottled Katsu sauce in the Asian grocery store.  I am going to try it out with this chicken on a week night for the family because it is so tasty and moist.  I think the kids will like it.

Beef tataki was more successful this time as I cut the beef thinner to make it easier to eat.  I think I would go even a little thinner next time.

Green beans with miso dressing are a big seller.  Anyone who tries them wants the recipe which I happily share.  These are easy to do and a tasty way to eat green beans.  They have been added to week night dinners.

Toffee apple roll with sesame ice cream is a wonderful dessert.  Not to difficult to make but you need a little time with the apples.  The best part is that there is usually left over ice cream which goes great with apple crumble or is rather tasty on it's own.

Sources for the menu  Fuss Free Japanese from Good Taste Magazine .

 

Thursday February 16, 2012

Dinner for 4

Bacon Wrapped Pork with Jezebel Sauce

Stir Fried Asparagus, Broccoli, Sugar Snap Peas and Capsicum

Smashed Potatoes

Berries with Cheesecake Cream

So it is not technically a Friday night dinner but my parents are in town this week visiting and I am going out of town Friday so I moved dinner to Thursday this week.  It was a little simpler as it was not the big late night festivities we usually have.  Kids have school and adults have work the next day.  I made the bacon wrapped pork with jezebel sauce again.  It is pretty simple to do and very tasty.  This time I pared it with some brighter sides.  The veggies are just stir fried with a little minced garlic in a hot wok with a little sesame oil.  I add just a splash of soy and lemon juice just as they about to come off the heat to season them and brighten the flavours.  The smashed potatoes are pretty simple too.  Just boil some small potatoes until tender.  Place on a lightly oiled  baking sheet and press.  I use a drinking glass.  Drizzle with a little more olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. (You can also add rosemary, thyme or garlic depending on what you plan to serve them along side)  Bake in 210C oven until crispy, about 25 minutes. 

Dessert was the berries with cheesecake cream again, but it is the first time I have served it to my parents.

Sources for the menu: Bacon Wrapped Pork with Jezebel Sauce was adapted from a Cuisine for Two magazine , Stir Fried Vegetables & Smashed Potatoes are both made without following any recipe and Berries and Cheesecake Cream is a recipe by Matt Tebbutt  that I found in the Jamie Magazine 2011/12 Yearbook.

Tuesday February 14, 2012

Dinner for 4

Heart Shaped Cheese Pizza

Yes I am that mum.  My valentine was out of town today so no romantic dinner for two at home instead it was home made heart shaped pizza for myself and my three children.

  

The kids loved it.  Pizza dough made with my bread maker topped with pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese.  

 

Friday February 10, 2012

Dinner for 2

Vietnamese Spring Rolls with Nuoc Cham

Pho Bo (Beef and Noodle Soup)

Went for Vietnamese this week.  Only myself and my Husband tonight so I kept it simple. A starter and main course no dessert or extras.  Shared some Spring Rolls with our son.

Like any spring roll these ones take some time to make but I am getting pretty good at rolling and folding items of this type and can do it in a timely manner.  The sauce that went with the spring rolls was very tasty.  I love homemade dipping sauces, they always have a crisper, fresher taste profile.  I did find my spring rolls didn't come out as crisp as I would have liked.  Perhaps my oil wasn't hot enough.  

I have never had Pho so I am not exactly sure how it is suppose to taste authentically.  The recipe I used called for making your own beef broth.  I used store bought and added the spices and cooked it down for a while but I found it was lacking some body and depth.  I think the next time I will try to make my own broth or jazz up the store bought even more.  The meat was beautiful, so tender.  Definitely going to try this again.

Sources for the menu: Spring rolls and sauce Good Taste Magazine (from Australia) and Good Taste Magazine   Pho Bo Good Taste Magazine as well.