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I don't view 'cooking' as a challenge anymore. Most little boys (and some girls) used to make those little model airplanes and tanks and boats that came in pieces in a box that had to be glued together in the right order and painted and finished. They always came with a set of instructions with the sequence from A to Z.

Recipe books are the same, a set of instructions. You just need to add all the components. However, when you have made enough different dishes, you start to play with the ingredients and create your own new ones. Learning the basics, then applying it in different ways.

I bake my own bread, I make fresh pasta, I love sauces...

Cooking is now a creative process for me and is very therapeutic. I do it to relax!

Dinner at The Baskervillas is always an adventure!



Knight

JoeTGF wrote:A little off topic but still on xmas. What are people eating/roasting this year --- turkey, lamb, beef, pork? I am considering doing goose for the first time so if anyone has any good recipes on how best to do that its most welcome.

It is always turkey for Christmas dinner in Casa BM. The turkey is never frozen, but is purchased from a farm near by. You can never specify a weight when ordering, it just depends on how fat they turn out. When BM goes it pick it up, the turkeys are laid out on a couple of tressle tables in a barn and the old farm dog is usually giving each turkey a good old sniff. The taste is always excellent.

Thanks DK - I am a bit of a foodie as well but I think you are a fair bit ahead than me in terms of expertise. I really fancy the goose fat roasted potatoes but don't want to mess up the main attraction.

BM - I would have expected nothing less for xmas at yours. ....Shame its impossible to get farm fresh here apart from camel.

JoeTGF wrote:Thanks DK - I am a bit of a foodie as well but I think you are a fair bit ahead than me in terms of expertise. I really fancy the goose fat roasted potatoes but don't want to mess up the main attraction.

BM - I would have expected nothing less for xmas at yours. ....Shame its impossible to get farm fresh here apart from camel.

Joe, BM buys goose fat for the roasties from Cranstons, our local butcher. Can't you get it in Spinneys? LOL.
My favourite bit of the dinner is the sausages wrapped in streaky bacon. BM has 48 little Cumberland sausages on order at Crannies. They won't all be eaten at the table, there has to be some left so that I can stuff one in every time I go into the kitchen. That's the best bit. Then of course, there will be the diet in the New Year. If anybody buys BM a fitness DVD this year, they are dead.

Dubai Knight wrote:I don't view 'cooking' as a challenge anymore. Most little boys (and some girls) used to make those little model airplanes and tanks and boats that came in pieces in a box that had to be glued together in the right order and painted and finished. They always came with a set of instructions with the sequence from A to Z.

Recipe books are the same, a set of instructions. You just need to add all the components. However, when you have made enough different dishes, you start to play with the ingredients and create your own new ones. Learning the basics, then applying it in different ways.

I bake my own bread, I make fresh pasta, I love sauces...

Cooking is now a creative process for me and is very therapeutic. I do it to relax!

Dinner at The Baskervillas is always an adventure!



Knight

Agreed, recipes are all the same. I believe for cooking there is some special talent, thta if someone have it they can be the best cook. Experience and learning does help, but not for people withour that talent!
I have seen some cooking some dishes fot he first time, but they can do the best out of it!

Well the way u talk abt cooking, shows how much you enjoy it, and so the result should be great!

(Sorry BM for being off topic)

Bethsmum wrote:

JoeTGF wrote:Thanks DK - I am a bit of a foodie as well but I think you are a fair bit ahead than me in terms of expertise. I really fancy the goose fat roasted potatoes but don't want to mess up the main attraction.

BM - I would have expected nothing less for xmas at yours. ....Shame its impossible to get farm fresh here apart from camel.

Joe, BM buys goose fat for the roasties from Cranstons, our local butcher. Can't you get it in Spinneys? LOL.
My favourite bit of the dinner is the sausages wrapped in streaky bacon. BM has 48 little Cumberland sausages on order at Crannies. They won't all be eaten at the table, there has to be some left so that I can stuff one in every time I go into the kitchen. That's the best bit. Then of course, there will be the diet in the New Year. If anybody buys BM a fitness DVD this year, they are dead.

Oooh! "Angels on Horseback"! Luv em!

Have you tried "Devils on Horseback"? Prunes wrapped in bacon...

Or my favourite: "Sticky Pig Fingers"! Little cocktail sausages baked with honey...shlurp!



Knight

OOOh, DK, that's a bit posh for BM, 'Angels on Horseback'! We're dead basic in Cumbria, not like you lot from Darlington.

I'm partial to parsnips done in honey or Maple Syrup, also finger lickin good.


I don't do prunes, BM is a healthy lass.

@Mel, No problem Mel! I'm prone to going off topic myself! I like it.

Prunes wrapped in bacon are fantastic! Parsnips in maple syrup sound great, but haven't tried that yet.

Baked shredded beetroot with cream and blue cheese - yum!

I second the prunes, but need to do them with turkey bacon now.

BM, you can never be toooo healthy. Worth giving them a try, really. Pitted prune, half slice of bacon wrapped around it, pop into the oven until bacon is crispy. (I put them on a rack). Tis yummy......

I'll try that Bora, thanks. I'm also gonna try Kanelli's suggestion, BM loves beetroot, except when she misses her gob and it ruins her top.
BTW For the Brits amongst us, BM does a good Nigella impression.

Bethsmum wrote:BTW For the Brits amongst us, BM does a good Nigella impression.

What? Cooking wearing night attire???



Knight

No, licking her lips when putting something in the oven.