So, Sunday evening at the Pub, I thought I'd knock up some Toad in the Holes for the specials board. They look good right? Well they didn't sell, so I had to eat them. Thanks! I'll start my diet next week, I guess?

For the batter:

• Equal volumes of Egg- Plain Flour- Milk (Coffee cup/cereal bowl)
• Mix together in a blender. Or just beat it like it owes you money!
• Rest the mixture for AT LEAST 1 HOUR. 

Depending on what type of sausages you use, I'd usually advise pre cooking them before adding the batter. 
Use a nice nonstick dish. Way less stressful when it comes to washing up. 
Cook in a very hot oven and don't keep opening the flipping door!

Serve straight away.

Question is..... What would you serve this with? Chips? Mash? New potatoes? Salad? Peas?

answer in the comments below?

Next generation of desserts are happening. Very happy with this first version of my new chocolate tart. Still not 💯! Way better than the brownie though, this is for the chocolate lovers out there. 

The recipe for the filling is 

• 250g butter melted with 420g 75% cocoa chocolate buttons
• whisk 600g of sugar with 3 medium yolks and 3 whole eggs
• then fold the  two mixtures together with a shot of espresso

Bake for around 20 minutes at 130 degrees C

This recipe was scribbled down in one of my notebooks years ago. I cant claim to own it, but I hope you all like it.
One thing ive found is that the eggs and sugar needs to be mixed really. Otherwise you can taste the sugar crystals after the bake.
Give it a go. Comment below.

Obviously, that's not egg! The main part of this eggsperiment was to try out SCRAMBLED TOFU. As well as some vegan sausages for the pub breakfast menu. 
These were the Linda McCartney sausages. I personally thought they were a bit crap. I'm open to suggestions here. Found any good vegan sausages? Or a substitute for this on a Full English? 
So, to the scrambled tofu.

1x 250g bock of Tofu will do 4 portions easily.
1x regular sized onion
half a teaspoon Turmeric
half a teaspoon of paprika
That's it! 
Fry the finely diced onion with the spices until softened. Then add the Tofu and gently crush through the fried mix. Just like scrambled egg, this does not take long and should not be overworked.

Season with sexy salt (smoked sea salt is ace) and black pepper. Let me know how you get on, in the comments below.

So. Here's something I've wanted to try for a while. I wanted to bring that fried chicken experience, but without the chicken. With all the hype surrounding vegan choices, my research lead me to try this out. This is only initial beta testing at the  moment. The full VEGAN version will be tested soon.

For this vegetarian version, I used a  medium cauliflower, cut in to six aggressively sized chunks. Seasoned with:

• Cumin
• smoked paprika
• garlic
• rosemary
• coriander
• garam masala
• oregano
• celery salt
• mild chilli powder
• salt and pepper

Coat all the wedges in the herbs and spices. Leave for a few hours, then coat in Gram Flour, then egg, then Bread crumbs and deep fry.

These turned out WAY better than I thought they would. I actually surprised myself! 

To make this Vegan, use aquafaba instead of the egg mix, also ensuring that the breadcrumbs are also vegan.
To make this GLUTEN FREE. Just find some GF breadcrumbs innit!

PRO TIP: Test a single piece of Cauliflower first. Adjust the seasoning before committing to the fryer.

Any questions? Get in touch via COMMENTS below.

Served with Balsamic roasted red onion, wild rocket  in a Beetroot Brioche Bun

So, here's the idea. I wanted to create a burger using Goats Cheese. One of my favourite cheeses. One spiral down the wormhole of creation, I stumbled across some Beetroot Brioche buns. The plan was hatched.

Sourcing some Local rare breed beef (500g) from my butcher. He minced this for me and I just added a little salt and pepper and formed the pattie.

When using quality beef from a butcher, I find a rarely need to add anything to bind the burger. However, if you are using supermarket mince, I'd recommend 8% fat as a minimum. Add a handful of breadcrumbs and an egg. 
There is something about supermarket mince which always seems to make dry, grainy burgers. So adding the egg and breadcrumbs helps it retain its moisture.
The brioche bun, however, is from a supermarket. But I will add my homemade Brioche recipe at a later date.

1x Beetroot Brioche Bun
1x Handful wild rocket
1x Spoonful of Dijon mustard mixed with 1 spoonful of Mayonnaise
1x  Red Onion cut into wedges and fried with olive oil, glazed with balsamic vinegar
1x 6oz Beef Burger
1x Slice of goats cheese

I'm not going to tell you how to cook a burger. This recipe is more of an idea suggestion. This can be served with a red cabbage coleslaw and sweet potato fries. 

​A picture will follow soon.

​ This is a summer classic. At home, I’d served Barbecued Chicken with my risotto option. In my kitchen at work, I like to use my smoker to intensify the taste experience.
Smoked chicken can be purchased from a lot of good delicatessens. Slices can be reheated in a pan with some red onions, garlic, parsley and Cherry plum tomatoes and served on top of this risotto.
​
I often use Mascarpone to finish my risotto. It helps balance out the flavours and textures. Not much is needed. 

• 200g Risotto Rice (Arborio )
• 550ml Chicken Stock
• 100ml white wine
• 1 banana shallot finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic chopped
• Fresh thyme
• 1 lemon zested
• 50g Mascarpone cheese
• Olive oil
• salt
• white pepper
• butter

Start with a teaspoon of olive oil and a knob of butter in the pan. Add the garlic and then the shallots over a low manageable heat.
Once these start to cook without colour add the rice.
Keep stirring until the rice starts to appear a little translucent.  Then add the white wine
Once the wine has reduced by half, add half of the stock.
Keep stirring over the love heat and add the sprig of thyme.

This is the point where you need to assess how it's doing.  Adding more stock a little at a time, while constantly checking the rice. 
When you are happy with the texture of the rice. Add some lemon zest and desired amount of Mascarpone. Remember to keep tasting if you are unsure of the amounts.

Serve as soon as ready. This is a very flexible and adaptable recipe. If you want to serve with fish. Naturally, you can use fish stock.

​Enjoy.

Camembert, rosemary and heritage tomato Pissaladiere

This is a variation of a dish which was served in my early days when training in France. Although nearly almost always a staff meal. It’s a dish I see rarely in the UK. Pissaladiere is a more rustic and French version of the much more popular Pizza. Even in France the great author Elizebeth David found it referred to as Pizza Provençal
For this version, I gently pressed out a sourdough base, before topping with slices of red onion, heritage tomatoes, Camembert and finish with a sprig of rosemary. 

​

As with a homemade pizzas, the topping is entirely up to you. A Pissaladiere is NOT supposed to look like a Dominoes Pizza. Let the toppings do the talking. 
Bake in an oven on its hottest setting around 300c if it'll go. 
My professional tip would be to cook this directly on an upturned shelf in the oven.
Takes around 10 minutes.
Enjoy. 

Inspired by a rare visit to a Michelin Starred restaurant. The flavour combinations of Blue Cheese, Pear, nuts and celeriac are a classic. Consistently popular when it appears on the menu in various combinations. Usually popular as a first course, but equally delicious as a main meal.

• 1 Conference Pear
• Dolcelatte cheese
• 1 chicory (Red or White)
• Toasted Cashews
• 1 Small celeriac
• Peashoots, wild rockert and baby watercress mix (Mixed leaves available from most supermarkets)
• Premium extra virgin olive oil
• salt/ black pepper

The only real preparation involved in this salad is to cut the celeriac into thin match sticks. Then season them and dress with a little olive oil. 
​

Another simple summertime salad. The updated version of this salad now includes The mini mozarella balls, because the are cute and delicious.
Also, because I was sent some by the company #AD
Using lovely ride peaches and the best Prosciutto you can afford, this is another salad which blends sweetness, creaminess and textures. 
Sprinkle with some brioche crouton and some balsamic glaze to finish.
This has been a winner at family barbecues and on my menus over the years.
Enjoy