tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48542154426417114112024-03-13T02:15:49.671-07:00Fun Dine With MeFun Dine With Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155094535396519067noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854215442641711411.post-50873933302325292082009-05-25T07:12:00.000-07:002009-05-25T07:15:43.311-07:00Gabriela's recipes - Polvorones<div style="text-align: center;">And here is the recipe for the delicious little Mexican cookies that Gabriela served up as part of her dessert. Seen below being enjoyed by Leonie...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx1O9WylCELQIwBsy9WE4zi4zsgGeJnGdMCSr8HIckr3fWJmCSyoOCu8G6Xv5m3aWsGCBZ8uKhw7xna2yhr-BeA7zlH2UbbiuSEl-D_Ye2g_cNllQdxTdKYgcTZhddk9zPMqpX02MPfrD/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJx1O9WylCELQIwBsy9WE4zi4zsgGeJnGdMCSr8HIckr3fWJmCSyoOCu8G6Xv5m3aWsGCBZ8uKhw7xna2yhr-BeA7zlH2UbbiuSEl-D_Ye2g_cNllQdxTdKYgcTZhddk9zPMqpX02MPfrD/s320/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339764915104893154" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="margin: 1ex;"> <div> <p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">Polvorones</span><br /></p> <p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">Ingredients</span><br /></p> <p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">225 grams of butter </span><br /></p> <p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">1 cup of Pecans </span><br /></p> <p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">2 cups of flour</span><br /></p> <p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">2 Tablespoons of confectionary sugar</span><br /></p> <p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">2 Tablespoons of vanilla</span><br /></p> <p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">Directions:</span><br /></p> <p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">Leave the butter out for half an hour, until it’s soft.</span><br /></p> <p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">Finely chop the pecans</span><br /></p> <p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">Mix everything together in a bowl with your hands</span><br /></p> <p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">Once the ingredients have been mixed together thoroughly, put a bit of flour on your hands and form about 25 little dome shaped mounds from the mixture.</span><br /></p> <p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">Put on a non-stick baking tray or an Exopat, also called a SILPAT (it’s a non-stick baking mat of joy!)</span><br /></p> <p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">Put in the oven on 360 degrees F/180 degrees C for about 25 minutes.</span><br /></p> <p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">Once cooked (they do not increase in size much), leave to cool.</span><br /></p> <p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">Once cooled, roll them in confectionary sugar until they are covered on all sides.</span><br /></p> <p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;">Estan lista para comer! Que bueno.</span></p> </div> </div><br /></div>Fun Dine With Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155094535396519067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854215442641711411.post-57721146287166554662009-05-25T07:05:00.000-07:002009-05-27T00:10:36.540-07:00Gabriela's recipes - Baked Eggs al Forno<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Here Gabriela kindly shares her brunch recipe for</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:times new roman;" > </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Eggs Al Forno with Crème Fraiche and Herbs de Provence</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-style: italic;">...</span><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAhFhyfHMpcrNCBz9uAOujPU5IpkxSSNnvQsbJtzbA_LCSgJkbangd20sz0P1zAfHNTD9bG_QLAriftv8euDykSO-mrRJwe_PdbOZE9103M0Kbkb08oqUUFO46geBnqRfN78994Z6WjZY/s1600-h/8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjAhFhyfHMpcrNCBz9uAOujPU5IpkxSSNnvQsbJtzbA_LCSgJkbangd20sz0P1zAfHNTD9bG_QLAriftv8euDykSO-mrRJwe_PdbOZE9103M0Kbkb08oqUUFO46geBnqRfN78994Z6WjZY/s320/8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339763909139344546" border="0" /></a><br /><p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >As this is a recipe I made myself, I don’t really have measurements of the ingredients, aside from the number of eggs per person. So, I’ll try my best to explain the recipe as best I can.</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >It was created through quite a bit of taste testing as on their own, the baked eggs were missing something, and while many baked egg recipes call for milk, I find milk and eggs to be too heavy.</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Thus, crème fraiche!</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >In order to make the baked eggs, you can either use shallow ramekins (if you have them) or fashion your own out of aluminium foil, which is what I did. If you do use ramekins, be sure they are wide enough to allow the two eggs and ingredients to sit about half an inch deep.</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >If you create your own makeshift foil ramekins, be sure to spray them with non-stick cooking spray (ie PAM or FRY Light Extra Virgin Olive Oil Spray) so that you can easily remove them from the foil when they are cooked.</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Ingredients:</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Large Free Range Eggs (I use two eggs per person. If you prefer egg whites, the dish can be made with one egg, both yolk and white, and two egg whites, or even three egg whites and no yolks.)</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Parmesan Cheese (About a small handful, grated, per person.)</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Reduced Fat Crème Fraiche (About 3 tablespoons per person). You can use regular fat Crème Fraiche, but this variety makes the dish much lighter.</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Herbs de Provence</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Sea Salt</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Pepper</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Cooking Spray</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Two sprigs of Chives per person</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Preparation:</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Crack the eggs into a bowl first, so as to prevent the yolks from breaking, then pour the eggs into the ramekins.</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >The egg whites should be filled with dollops of crème fraiche, so that when done, the eggs should look like they are floating in a sea of white crème fraiche orbs. (I don’t know how else to describe this.) But, don’t smother the eggs in the crème fraiche. Perhaps I can take a photo to show you what I mean.</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Next, sprinkle grated Parmesan over the dish.</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Sprinkle Herbs de Provence liberally over the dish.</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Sprinkle crushed sea salt and pepper sparingly.</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Put the ramekins on an oven tray and pop them into an oven heated to 180/200 degrees C, depending on how powerful your oven is.</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Set a timer to 8 minutes and let the eggs bake.</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Chop up the chives.</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >After 8 minutes check the eggs to see how they are coming along, and leave them in for another four minutes or so, depending on how well they are cooked. The egg yolks should not be cooked through but rather quite fragile so that they break when your fork hits them.</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >At the same time, cut slices of bread (La Brea Multi-Grain bread tastes wondrous with this dish, as would any light grain and seed filled fresh bread) and pop them into the top shelf of the oven to have warm, toasted bread to accompany your eggs. I usually spray the slices with the cooking spray to prevent them from drying out in the oven.</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Once the whites look relatively solid (usually this takes about 12 minutes) remove the eggs from the oven. They shouldn’t be completely solid as the crème fraiche and Parmesan should be soft and melted, not overcooked.</span><br /></p> <p><span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >If using an aluminium ramekin, press down the sides of the container, and carefully use a spatula to remove the eggs and plate.</span><br /></p> <span style=";font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;" >Sprinkle with chives and serve with toasted bread.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">...et voila!</span><br /></div>Fun Dine With Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155094535396519067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854215442641711411.post-40298013574530484532009-05-01T14:52:00.001-07:002009-05-01T15:11:28.739-07:00Gabriela's Brunch!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnwIaQXiYM_QnI3EIkPJ50CRbdEZ2s2mHZNWNjTuqP-JOGhu-err6TfvGI-05S-FWpd5fev_kgR59BPjLQYPaEqgUwHRLktQmJZTUbEVygHV1shmyq1d9aYDhiLlrxeXC0-z_fCN-kLl-/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtnwIaQXiYM_QnI3EIkPJ50CRbdEZ2s2mHZNWNjTuqP-JOGhu-err6TfvGI-05S-FWpd5fev_kgR59BPjLQYPaEqgUwHRLktQmJZTUbEVygHV1shmyq1d9aYDhiLlrxeXC0-z_fCN-kLl-/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330977758692455538" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So, in a genius twist to the formula, Gabriela had the bright idea of hosting a brunch party rather than dinner; more hours of boozing time right?!? Yeah! She was whisking up a storm in the kitchen, while one by one the guests arrived. Greeted by bellini's and the sunday papers...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNz2gvo1E9tgiV2qr8P3hz3y5Kh5SqVbWs1Ogfm5IuGbLOwgaTywxW4KyIwWjfr0cT232Bs7jf-CQUGdod794Sxz7riNOAIZfFNt1R8-VUcHRnm-MJtsOCnmJlwvZQHKfd-0Hk0uQox8N/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNz2gvo1E9tgiV2qr8P3hz3y5Kh5SqVbWs1Ogfm5IuGbLOwgaTywxW4KyIwWjfr0cT232Bs7jf-CQUGdod794Sxz7riNOAIZfFNt1R8-VUcHRnm-MJtsOCnmJlwvZQHKfd-0Hk0uQox8N/s320/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330977757566409426" border="0" /></a><br />After a couple of glasses the eagerly awaited first course arrived... French Toast!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVSmuzfSJAoPClYvwCFIhL9MYEp1DajZS7zy6P7VGEHYv0-dUy_kqO39ngECA_fNfSBN3mq-Bf9djlgBsMY1_a15-WFmzTRoyNtp7T30gNvPRzQ4GvyCv8U1wOu24s8L82Lp-Nz0xT6qo/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVSmuzfSJAoPClYvwCFIhL9MYEp1DajZS7zy6P7VGEHYv0-dUy_kqO39ngECA_fNfSBN3mq-Bf9djlgBsMY1_a15-WFmzTRoyNtp7T30gNvPRzQ4GvyCv8U1wOu24s8L82Lp-Nz0xT6qo/s320/3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330977637649221378" border="0" /></a><br />With syrup and cinnamon and more bellinis!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCbRQqyTfmp3z0T6Uc5Dhw9HbNC0KMQZiGwYEr1xcSAkzI4BgN9QWGr0EeJg7BR3qL_M_qfwkPWME8gPkmOXBFIDTK9iMMtJWsm3e9fWSKnblS3dB066XU9lVnKjJdDOZomsYAEtVz7co/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCbRQqyTfmp3z0T6Uc5Dhw9HbNC0KMQZiGwYEr1xcSAkzI4BgN9QWGr0EeJg7BR3qL_M_qfwkPWME8gPkmOXBFIDTK9iMMtJWsm3e9fWSKnblS3dB066XU9lVnKjJdDOZomsYAEtVz7co/s320/4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330977633399571570" border="0" /></a><br />Guests all cleaned their plate and then went for a little nose around Gabriela's lovely flat...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQLEWMQI8vpH0jmZW6YG0OgJDoiOlNJohUlkxIjnLaXveSy3UnuRvwirKzzCsRTYdYWR_oRef2S_To5K70UsSBoA-qSRaCRSB_7N8cF7k7tKN2CQYSRcxz2wFNlCflVryBvv1n1QfmgGz/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQLEWMQI8vpH0jmZW6YG0OgJDoiOlNJohUlkxIjnLaXveSy3UnuRvwirKzzCsRTYdYWR_oRef2S_To5K70UsSBoA-qSRaCRSB_7N8cF7k7tKN2CQYSRcxz2wFNlCflVryBvv1n1QfmgGz/s320/5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330977632454920322" border="0" /></a><br />Flicking through her New York photobooth snaps and admiring a formidable Marc Jacobs shoe collection...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymDrDCVuyeZiL3w0GDJu1Hwr7GfrsRYv7J4MxCZm9b0iCKU7J61vzIkdDMqzPhzEkoc7A22EbNe6K69v_NP9b8iEhsPdEZx6NMZVufT1d2Av_uedc-snNxlsj9oT57Mvhyphenhyphen3Fu_miLfEeu/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymDrDCVuyeZiL3w0GDJu1Hwr7GfrsRYv7J4MxCZm9b0iCKU7J61vzIkdDMqzPhzEkoc7A22EbNe6K69v_NP9b8iEhsPdEZx6NMZVufT1d2Av_uedc-snNxlsj9oT57Mvhyphenhyphen3Fu_miLfEeu/s320/6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330977631499727890" border="0" /></a><br />The main course kicked off with Bloody Mary's. They had a kick too, with tabasco and extra pepper. And extra vodka.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFP-lSrRPXkT0XsHv2_UcP4e3uM9AaFZRyl2-IitmPqp4wqX1WpJeNB8CQUzaucMxIGEZP3f7v96tn1pezkHcnLSzd2BxM1f15W59bpVCUZYSUiQu4ghZPuwER1yvRxcFD3iFCGGNFcu6f/s1600-h/7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFP-lSrRPXkT0XsHv2_UcP4e3uM9AaFZRyl2-IitmPqp4wqX1WpJeNB8CQUzaucMxIGEZP3f7v96tn1pezkHcnLSzd2BxM1f15W59bpVCUZYSUiQu4ghZPuwER1yvRxcFD3iFCGGNFcu6f/s320/7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330977628013508514" border="0" /></a><br />Before long the main course of Eggs Al Forno (baked eggs) arrived...<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB17jB9aUrLa3qiLSZluEGS8cGS_sOZEBoZW9bdBgp0ftxKIzchWY-RQg2wMidM0tunSfSP-Vi6y8NLSkPNHTWU2RARYNcIPk2EuaAdcWngQ3bGePilLqTPfNw_l7b_9QsuSLFbGYmpX4c/s1600-h/8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB17jB9aUrLa3qiLSZluEGS8cGS_sOZEBoZW9bdBgp0ftxKIzchWY-RQg2wMidM0tunSfSP-Vi6y8NLSkPNHTWU2RARYNcIPk2EuaAdcWngQ3bGePilLqTPfNw_l7b_9QsuSLFbGYmpX4c/s320/8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330977315504871250" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3i-Kvd4beHTqxSp49zRkUmk-GylNhyphenhyphen3vcW_gxDTX8CdHzQjuWhv2HjKR2lLmq0wnrWB3gqqRdI9ieiuXNk9dqMrL0EIt30p9TJ0JD-87oCW4dA_uG7kgwuV4cjY1wBGYMplnkcrnG2k-f/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3i-Kvd4beHTqxSp49zRkUmk-GylNhyphenhyphen3vcW_gxDTX8CdHzQjuWhv2HjKR2lLmq0wnrWB3gqqRdI9ieiuXNk9dqMrL0EIt30p9TJ0JD-87oCW4dA_uG7kgwuV4cjY1wBGYMplnkcrnG2k-f/s320/9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330977309695574786" border="0" /></a><br />Then on to the third course of little Mexican cookies called Polvorones and fields of strawberries covered in dark, white and delicious maya gold chocolate!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwoivTj04q_XhAZMt85-A13vvc0vQ42-J8RKpQS-r098BzUDI-KBlIPaRsaciK8DolvVrZj4EtzjCU0KKpUklGAPjiHGKNqLjAk7RQ6jpoyxSsoqdeN0iY9LprU6rhwqY1CVtXOSZbpmJ/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwoivTj04q_XhAZMt85-A13vvc0vQ42-J8RKpQS-r098BzUDI-KBlIPaRsaciK8DolvVrZj4EtzjCU0KKpUklGAPjiHGKNqLjAk7RQ6jpoyxSsoqdeN0iY9LprU6rhwqY1CVtXOSZbpmJ/s320/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330977311999906946" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTT7-wmDIhFXq0eDDUyoi6Hp6O3IZrgQcir1zLxh0PrzPSNF_Je3naZuCygj_DqQYxloeqkl2WJWMQtkZOjzMo6ZDaZk0lpCZem_-4wPNaiTWVSccXLIbsU2TQxO5wiM4rpUlgamQGBEZ7/s1600-h/11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTT7-wmDIhFXq0eDDUyoi6Hp6O3IZrgQcir1zLxh0PrzPSNF_Je3naZuCygj_DqQYxloeqkl2WJWMQtkZOjzMo6ZDaZk0lpCZem_-4wPNaiTWVSccXLIbsU2TQxO5wiM4rpUlgamQGBEZ7/s320/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330977305937178306" border="0" /></a><br />And knowing the group's penchant for a good cheeseboard, Gabriela had chosen expertly from Neal's Yard and accompanied her selection with Spanish quince jelly.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcffIhULnlt3RS_Yo3_4v_mprBbhDC4hYJftqcAXO4GW7ROYTGqriwUKR4LptC4SGccM9Kjsa_n9WnBzlJFgpDpBEdThtUFRUygOZGRuto52petEes5ZXXHW7PB2F1z_Qh7kGEYXnMRqkO/s1600-h/12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcffIhULnlt3RS_Yo3_4v_mprBbhDC4hYJftqcAXO4GW7ROYTGqriwUKR4LptC4SGccM9Kjsa_n9WnBzlJFgpDpBEdThtUFRUygOZGRuto52petEes5ZXXHW7PB2F1z_Qh7kGEYXnMRqkO/s320/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330977304741961778" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Scoffing slowed to grazing and the group eventually rolled back onto the sofas to finish reading the papers while the final round of secret scoring took place in the next room.<br /><br />All our hosts are now dying to find out the results, and we bet you are too! Well, all will be revealed after our results party next week. Before then, look out for Gabriela's recipes and let us know who YOU think should win!<br /><br /><br /></div>Fun Dine With Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155094535396519067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854215442641711411.post-59327396398181428022009-04-28T09:39:00.000-07:002009-04-28T10:08:26.776-07:00Gabriela's Menu<div style="text-align: center;">And for our final feast, our resident American diner Gabriela presents...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Brunch<br /><br />Starter </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Angelica’s Pan Frances (French Toast)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Main</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Eggs Al Forno with Crème Fraiche and Herbs</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Dessert</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Polvorones (Mexican Pecan Cookies), Chocolate Covered Strawberries </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">AND</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Neal’s Yard Cheeses with Spanish Quince and Celery</span><br /><br />...and she promises plenty of booze to wash it all down with! Report to follow imminently!<br /></div>Fun Dine With Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155094535396519067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854215442641711411.post-39687193916282853192009-04-18T10:32:00.000-07:002009-05-27T00:27:42.990-07:00Nadia's Dinner<div style="text-align: center;">Here' s the full report of dinner number 4...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxIlCoLr9VGg_sRBYnIQpDt-8Bqewjq-VifLJLtR1rCxVuqcjl4Y6xHUWtHS7fnCK9RK_jPkxQx-ybDB34oqU4dDScaysldNd99t-PZgiUr_er-UI_jQBQQo9EjUVa-AsIJgJeH7Sw1rO/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxIlCoLr9VGg_sRBYnIQpDt-8Bqewjq-VifLJLtR1rCxVuqcjl4Y6xHUWtHS7fnCK9RK_jPkxQx-ybDB34oqU4dDScaysldNd99t-PZgiUr_er-UI_jQBQQo9EjUVa-AsIJgJeH7Sw1rO/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326088845970410962" border="0" /></a><br />Welcome to Nadia's! Our penultimate Fun Dine With Me meal. On arrival, our guests were treated to a luxurious cocktail of Tattinger Champagne, Creme de Cassis and fresh blueberries. A sumptuous take on Kir Royale and a tray of cherry tomato, basil and mozzarella nibbles. After welcoming everyone, our hostess popped back into the kitchen to finish prepping...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuDO_Aq6amR4OAaCcz2TVQTir-F181dkJIT_wWWZHKWWaBnDEII1luBkMdGGg5riH4tNe-LaiodJId1Pd7hw15VntBeGUj7p0gt6tkGGyV18VpJle3ZFKbUVUrn-K0YTvJxyxJ3tMi6X0/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuDO_Aq6amR4OAaCcz2TVQTir-F181dkJIT_wWWZHKWWaBnDEII1luBkMdGGg5riH4tNe-LaiodJId1Pd7hw15VntBeGUj7p0gt6tkGGyV18VpJle3ZFKbUVUrn-K0YTvJxyxJ3tMi6X0/s320/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326088842674494274" border="0" /></a><br />...an ocean-full of mussels for the main course! Sourced from Stoke Newington's The Fishery, renowned for freshness and value. Bearding all those mussels gave our group time to snoop around Nadia's flat...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHI2T3gU1j-oQFyB3h3UWYDfQiKlFP-t-u7YKM-5CXLoHMFxxazzci-_Oo7Ox-B2e8ZQbD1zcPBztuMDxiXwEPInImrs12GNar1CiBE2qIGX5KO_DtsbnZ0NTVt5lls-hTVi8N-tO35hH/s1600-h/snoop2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHI2T3gU1j-oQFyB3h3UWYDfQiKlFP-t-u7YKM-5CXLoHMFxxazzci-_Oo7Ox-B2e8ZQbD1zcPBztuMDxiXwEPInImrs12GNar1CiBE2qIGX5KO_DtsbnZ0NTVt5lls-hTVi8N-tO35hH/s320/snoop2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326092159882516994" border="0" /></a>One room in the house had been on the BBC show Changing Rooms! Quite a talking point! Here our guests marvel at the wonkiness of outdated frosted glass designs and shoddy paint job. Then Leonie went to investigate Nadia's bookshelf...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Qz11EmdSMot6UYK_fKbbLkJq3EM0VEpELletQXuZ55uTblb9TVlI4XdIzHOKdh1UDXu-5pONTThg2DxGxp0VzIlQEE6-MeoXKWKk2oqtk1fb12isxHg5KXcFy7UajmgARhK_kGdbf2hL/s1600-h/snoop.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Qz11EmdSMot6UYK_fKbbLkJq3EM0VEpELletQXuZ55uTblb9TVlI4XdIzHOKdh1UDXu-5pONTThg2DxGxp0VzIlQEE6-MeoXKWKk2oqtk1fb12isxHg5KXcFy7UajmgARhK_kGdbf2hL/s320/snoop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326092159386832562" border="0" /></a>...She has quite a collection of celeb biographies and I think the Alex James one was autographed! Amazing!<br /><br />Anyway, on to the starter...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJdQ10DI7t7vkXQHLOjaFe2VZRJzxEhfddgwILuIZxVvwFpo4OhdiQUOAHKaN-GI5ewTQ3595tiaAvWjVkva7WSj-NRWn_laHHoIojN4KtUHgQipCvVgiz88S0yJVYPqcBbF6XHym_JSf/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJdQ10DI7t7vkXQHLOjaFe2VZRJzxEhfddgwILuIZxVvwFpo4OhdiQUOAHKaN-GI5ewTQ3595tiaAvWjVkva7WSj-NRWn_laHHoIojN4KtUHgQipCvVgiz88S0yJVYPqcBbF6XHym_JSf/s320/3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326088845199274274" border="0" /></a><br />English asparagus wrapped in Prosciutto and topped with a poached egg. Parmesan shavings replaced the Prosciutto for our veggie types.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFj4eNZ40WZESOhcnb0lMmiQlmiBvYEkh1X5qiaRxyPeDQ6FgyOU9EvYW7RNUOb5dC1_qCD0Sex00_xskotbTwGAX4jfBJEuBtuA7fRfxO4fKfWSCGpwGm7MlzzT7fPg-naonfI-G9NEL7/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFj4eNZ40WZESOhcnb0lMmiQlmiBvYEkh1X5qiaRxyPeDQ6FgyOU9EvYW7RNUOb5dC1_qCD0Sex00_xskotbTwGAX4jfBJEuBtuA7fRfxO4fKfWSCGpwGm7MlzzT7fPg-naonfI-G9NEL7/s320/4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326088844398870178" border="0" /></a><br />Guests tucked in and moved from cocktails onto the wine. Next, Nadia was back in the kitchen steaming all those mussels...<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSDY4jEj4N7dwtHgV9M8SQELe2VH7rp_OCUdTKHOTFBvJAh6YSsDS-jIaf0oVuPkUZWzapqKdtDVsTKYIibdHfbg8iIRX34aMXbdMcu-ZurZSHwzZ4iWQoWPGos3OB59btbvgs4kEYjjI/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPSDY4jEj4N7dwtHgV9M8SQELe2VH7rp_OCUdTKHOTFBvJAh6YSsDS-jIaf0oVuPkUZWzapqKdtDVsTKYIibdHfbg8iIRX34aMXbdMcu-ZurZSHwzZ4iWQoWPGos3OB59btbvgs4kEYjjI/s320/5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326088837164698802" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Three saucepans were filled with red onion, garlic, butter and white wine and the mussels were added to steam. Nadia put the chips in the oven to accompany but realised she'd forgotten the bread, oops!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPd-bK61FEqWLritVeWkJvJHp96tC7bYXHH-dlrLQGs05xAj1EuryWQaWglZmoEe08ystw6rCS42fHCG_qCA1tlRSKA1lUJXluyapygWJ3s7ggUMWiHQfuddJNe3DbaLUuDW9XnL9fM5E/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPd-bK61FEqWLritVeWkJvJHp96tC7bYXHH-dlrLQGs05xAj1EuryWQaWglZmoEe08ystw6rCS42fHCG_qCA1tlRSKA1lUJXluyapygWJ3s7ggUMWiHQfuddJNe3DbaLUuDW9XnL9fM5E/s320/6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326088333374065698" border="0" /></a><br />With cream and coriander added at the last minute our main course was served. Informal eating with your fingers was the order of the day. Rhydian was especially skilled at deftly removing the meat using half of the shell, most civilised! Nadia removed piles and piles of empties and cleared the way for dessert...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtszDs8mN-U6rEvVpfrorTeZthkxa5Z9XqFiZauQhAyCTiaI23Emy0JOxkjckG2arCjS4gI9c0Vzsef3i7UR0hlCf0cWpmmGPL1hzchiVZ7DKGAz5Xiy6iTCR2VFJoSAAhf_nu1bmsNu1/s1600-h/7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvtszDs8mN-U6rEvVpfrorTeZthkxa5Z9XqFiZauQhAyCTiaI23Emy0JOxkjckG2arCjS4gI9c0Vzsef3i7UR0hlCf0cWpmmGPL1hzchiVZ7DKGAz5Xiy6iTCR2VFJoSAAhf_nu1bmsNu1/s320/7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326088328081848418" border="0" /></a><br />Which had altered from the original menu slightly and become Individual Banana Mousse, topped with grated chocolate. But perhaps the most eagerly awaited course was the CHEESEBOARD!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjUvUAN6QE7nNJPIB3EKigjPP-Qpo54fi1OZ_GvCV2llYq9DKiYWbZ07Zgx5JkIeZPPky7rBqCfTuASAOLsdb4enLxmuJ59dC-1azPy9ZBUaUdDK1dusOZQfCxjqFRI9IGc8031nA2Nru/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjUvUAN6QE7nNJPIB3EKigjPP-Qpo54fi1OZ_GvCV2llYq9DKiYWbZ07Zgx5JkIeZPPky7rBqCfTuASAOLsdb4enLxmuJ59dC-1azPy9ZBUaUdDK1dusOZQfCxjqFRI9IGc8031nA2Nru/s320/9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326088325133799506" border="0" /></a><br />Which was demolished pretty swiftly along with red wine, crackers and matzo biscuits; a nice touch as Gabriela was celebrating passover. After dinner and the all important voting in secret guests stayed and danced around Nadia's living room for hours. Most raging after-dinner so far in the competition!<br /><br />Next up, our final diner to host, Gabriela. Her menu will be revealed any moment now and we shall all find out the scores and who our winner is!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Fun Dine With Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155094535396519067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854215442641711411.post-66689624808208012942009-04-10T04:25:00.000-07:002009-04-14T09:44:04.966-07:00Nadia's Menu<div style="text-align: center;">Next up to host is Nadia, she now reveals what our diners are in for...<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /><br />Starter </span><div style="font-style: italic;">Spring medley asparagus (<wbr>English) with poached egg (and prosciutto ham)</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: italic;">Main</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: italic;">Wild Mussels marinas with bread or fries</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: italic;">Dessert</div><div style="font-style: italic;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: italic;">Caramelised banana split. </div><div style="font-style: italic;"><br /></div><div style="font-style: italic;">Cheese selection</div><div><br />And what are their first reactions? Here's what Gabriela had to say...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Menu looks interesting indeed. And, I'm impressed that she's going to attempt 5 poached eggs. I wonder if she's using a poacher? If not, very impressive. I'll have to get tips.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> Is there any way to check where these 'Mussels' are from? (I hope she didnt fish them out of the canal.)</span><br /><br />Worry not Gabriela, Nadia went to great lengths to find the freshest WILD mussels in London and didn't just nab some out of Clapton pond.<br /><br />And Philippa... <span style="font-style: italic;">Looks ambitious but a very impressive sounding menu. And bonus points may be in order for the cheese board!</span><br /><br />First reaction from Leonie...<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">So... despite being a lifelong vegetarian, once in a blue moon I will have a seafood craving and chow down on some mussels (they're the only fishy thing I can hack, because they don't have eyes.). Nadia has obviously discovered this, and so tonight will be a blue moon night. They better taste good though - I don't want those little critters to have sacrificed themselves in vain.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> I'm not a massive asparagus fan, but I do love a good poached egg - will there be a ham substitute for me and Gab? We shall see....</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> Caramelised banana split sounds ammmazing. And hell, you know what I'm like around a cheese board. Can't wait!</span><br /><br />The full report will follow shortly along with a selection of Nadia's recipes. Is she on to a winner?<br /></div></div>Fun Dine With Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155094535396519067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854215442641711411.post-79156498161803356282009-04-08T02:24:00.001-07:002009-04-08T02:26:57.770-07:00Leonie's recipes...<div style="text-align: center;">Our third dinner was deemed a success by all, although the scores have still not been revealed!<br /><br />Now you can have a go at home by trying Leonie's recipes; that unusual salad, novelty fondue and classic crumble. So get cooking...<br /><br />Strawberry, Watercress and Goats Cheese Salad<br />Place a small nest of watercress in the middle of a plate, cut<br />strawberries in half and place around the edge of the greenery (but<br />hey, go crazy on this bit, make up yer own pattern!). Crumble goats<br />cheese in the middle and then splash with balsamic vinegar. Easy! But<br />oh so good.<br /><br />Fondue<br />Rub the inside of the fondue pot with a cut clove of garlic, then heat<br />up half a pint of white wine and a splash of kirsh. Dump in a block of<br />emmental and one of gruyere - you need much cheese more than you think<br />you do! Keep stiring as the cheese melts and add a squeeze of lemon<br />juice and a table spoon of cornflour to help thicken it. Dip in cubed<br />bread pieces and lightly steamed veg.<br /><br />Crumble<br />Place chopped rhubarb, apples (skinned and cored) and blackberries<br />into a large pudding dish. Cover with water and add a healthy wack of<br />sugar and place in a warmish oven for about an hour, until youve got a<br />mushy, syrupy fruit soup. Then cover with crumble, which is made by<br />rubbing 3 parts flour to 2 parts sugar and 2 parts butter between your<br />fingers until, well, until it looks like crumble. Then bake in the<br />oven until the tops brown and the bottom's bubbling. You can put fresh<br />ginger in the fruit mush too .<br /><br />Thanks Leonie!<br /></div>Fun Dine With Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155094535396519067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854215442641711411.post-14882395072551560412009-03-04T08:50:00.001-08:002009-04-03T11:56:09.587-07:00Leonie's Dinner Party!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qLhsdp1Tv8RJQFDGbZCa8UMks02iWrxh84oFkzFznu_-1QpWb_vxzgbN8-z7EIGcp47SKwHWcTwwPFW_xEmO41VkSYkMf9XEY-TZ2mcEJZUqmznXkODNpPDVYb84N_FO28n1cWcNoto_/s1600-h/99.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qLhsdp1Tv8RJQFDGbZCa8UMks02iWrxh84oFkzFznu_-1QpWb_vxzgbN8-z7EIGcp47SKwHWcTwwPFW_xEmO41VkSYkMf9XEY-TZ2mcEJZUqmznXkODNpPDVYb84N_FO28n1cWcNoto_/s320/99.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309378898946580290" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">It was a bit of wait for our next dinner date, due to all our diners leading busy lives so everyone was raring to get stuck in to Leonie's evening of meat-free fun! Thank goodness no-one is Lactose intolerant as her menu promised to be a cheese feast!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82sUMIIISsUmUpcOTEy_E0x3OSQo3DW1K54ISf4GrH6kqBlogfhactVrgg6Jt34CxA31iss1ldB4JxsO5XH2UvwvnHM7TUrYxoYGhk7kblEXgdflTyGnhrnuFJOFzeP1wAk_-imlazkqJ/s1600-h/98.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82sUMIIISsUmUpcOTEy_E0x3OSQo3DW1K54ISf4GrH6kqBlogfhactVrgg6Jt34CxA31iss1ldB4JxsO5XH2UvwvnHM7TUrYxoYGhk7kblEXgdflTyGnhrnuFJOFzeP1wAk_-imlazkqJ/s320/98.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309378890609063234" border="0" /></a>Our guests were greeted with zingy Margaritas so got into the party mood as soon as they arrived. The usual slew of bottles and choccies were forthcoming, hooray!<br />Rhydian had time for a bit of nosing around in Leonie's considerable wardrobe while we waited for Gabriela who had inadvertently ended up in Camden due to getting on the wrong bus!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKP7SPtPg7XBcidMSdCQpo2jrqlgSDveJ_rBCj9wGTegQZYwcClvLG_tdkSQkvG5y3Y6SoU-TQu1udHQhfuOMu2eYh7MQDJB3Ht0VCeACZwoWNenNhhqZCPUaXaGJDiWvlHcegaxw0KzAn/s1600-h/97.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKP7SPtPg7XBcidMSdCQpo2jrqlgSDveJ_rBCj9wGTegQZYwcClvLG_tdkSQkvG5y3Y6SoU-TQu1udHQhfuOMu2eYh7MQDJB3Ht0VCeACZwoWNenNhhqZCPUaXaGJDiWvlHcegaxw0KzAn/s320/97.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309378886936886610" border="0" /></a><br />But we were all happy to see her arrive in one piece (if a little bit late)!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrasibc2LsM124nepWqNQdR9fwDXTRfCI7GDxnnE-Bsd2p6P1cl_l8_UuxzYrvfUWd-vXqaAxteW6q0moeI4yIdXA-B1RV4TMmqUw_mNSe2fZEKRtCcgFcnwXdMgGZAnhUBzT3NJPak71E/s1600-h/96.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrasibc2LsM124nepWqNQdR9fwDXTRfCI7GDxnnE-Bsd2p6P1cl_l8_UuxzYrvfUWd-vXqaAxteW6q0moeI4yIdXA-B1RV4TMmqUw_mNSe2fZEKRtCcgFcnwXdMgGZAnhUBzT3NJPak71E/s320/96.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309378881457634722" border="0" /></a><br />So first up, our starter, an unusual combination of Strawberry with Soft Goat's cheese with a Watercress salad and balsamic dressing. Served on dainty little plates atop a darling vintage tablecloth.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigY1gAoOt2actC0027nHo6C8RsRgNsB7SPp_bdxJTQdQqNk0vqJezVibWCO1aFys-eWxV2PWrFPdTB_B2zeK6Siat-apbpQ_uIjpQMJDkHHZ5V5k2qidx4qHZvzC_to2vnZUzjw_YuHBL/s1600-h/95.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigY1gAoOt2actC0027nHo6C8RsRgNsB7SPp_bdxJTQdQqNk0vqJezVibWCO1aFys-eWxV2PWrFPdTB_B2zeK6Siat-apbpQ_uIjpQMJDkHHZ5V5k2qidx4qHZvzC_to2vnZUzjw_YuHBL/s320/95.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309378882431002050" border="0" /></a>Guests wolfed it down, having waited for Gabriela, and Leonie nipped into the kitchen to put the finishing touches to her main course spread...<br /><br />Cheese Fondue!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KzPErQLX6czqNFV5JHTl_770M-Mymjb7YnKO5f3oikOz4z8GcWxfWQ3HCRftGs2DAuwr9nYTacF7fXUBVTi4Xm5WvTAov8KX5ReYJVcd87fkXSqw5Z9tt69WROpIosxviuyKxql9I5fJ/s1600-h/92.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KzPErQLX6czqNFV5JHTl_770M-Mymjb7YnKO5f3oikOz4z8GcWxfWQ3HCRftGs2DAuwr9nYTacF7fXUBVTi4Xm5WvTAov8KX5ReYJVcd87fkXSqw5Z9tt69WROpIosxviuyKxql9I5fJ/s320/92.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309377066867822434" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4IN6BqLWgkpsD6k3EPwb-XD6gTmMMub7pQEbeBIBFdQpONR_fLJtPIprZey4bYrHRitP9f_LWhX0xMPVDUx4VP8ksOI7gFOEQb7Yf4wdj79zS8xz57oqaBdTIK1xM9fA1rtWD-nEcN19/s1600-h/94.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4IN6BqLWgkpsD6k3EPwb-XD6gTmMMub7pQEbeBIBFdQpONR_fLJtPIprZey4bYrHRitP9f_LWhX0xMPVDUx4VP8ksOI7gFOEQb7Yf4wdj79zS8xz57oqaBdTIK1xM9fA1rtWD-nEcN19/s320/94.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309377064473268866" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9jug0hwjn4uXphIWafYsEn2mXroIuvQq_BYwvzxVGN_9jUvhqPC-5I-cHopCLHCPqNqWyBvH7Am8iW9qBe0j0jrL99cbFILith9YjcTlFXWkXVQwLxTOhf45Mg7pSm85d9YUswwSgY2C/s1600-h/93.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9jug0hwjn4uXphIWafYsEn2mXroIuvQq_BYwvzxVGN_9jUvhqPC-5I-cHopCLHCPqNqWyBvH7Am8iW9qBe0j0jrL99cbFILith9YjcTlFXWkXVQwLxTOhf45Mg7pSm85d9YUswwSgY2C/s320/93.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309377065285802962" border="0" /></a><br />It was a bit of drama, trying to get the measurement of meths right for the burner but soon we were cookin'! Or at least heatin'! And eatin'... Dippables included traditional cubed bread, broccoli, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes and new potatoes.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdA431s-VIwlhPZnbzwayN4DDJ1wXC3VedI8J36K5UxNtNn59-mo2CVjMWtniodwwWZ7u15VtWdJ8cRSzpBmkFFANEonSS_UxLEhOLpVa2TqREhS9ytnlu0R5m-rq0wOv9SIkJhqONFUj/s1600-h/91.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdA431s-VIwlhPZnbzwayN4DDJ1wXC3VedI8J36K5UxNtNn59-mo2CVjMWtniodwwWZ7u15VtWdJ8cRSzpBmkFFANEonSS_UxLEhOLpVa2TqREhS9ytnlu0R5m-rq0wOv9SIkJhqONFUj/s320/91.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309377066496244034" border="0" /></a><br />Forfeits were threatened for anyone who dropped their dip into the pot, apparently that's the punishment laid down by the Swiss for such bad table manners.<br /><br />Next up, Dessert...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqNhInaRlAWS35pxpBP56bOznttLjMHYKiunHXRcZiz6dmZI2Ba1_TtE0h3IiI7x5nAwb0oiEx1o4H_uvlgw7JRLRlDhErmP6C1vIxXh_34AYvhCfskY7cxlP5GqsH9H3MGNX5auGe4wW/s1600-h/90.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqNhInaRlAWS35pxpBP56bOznttLjMHYKiunHXRcZiz6dmZI2Ba1_TtE0h3IiI7x5nAwb0oiEx1o4H_uvlgw7JRLRlDhErmP6C1vIxXh_34AYvhCfskY7cxlP5GqsH9H3MGNX5auGe4wW/s320/90.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309377060186868754" border="0" /></a><br />Our hostess sprinkled a last dusting of cinnamon onto her Rhubarb and Apple Crumble and served with lashings of cream and ice cream...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEERkkhg6afABWFdHO8FJ-SZ7Avdw8UZrMIynEvpCcBzOPegCJDWLYI856Nn4Q1tPe3hUb1tU3DElxVltnQ14XtqMX7LLUdoE3ACKuIGyJuOrlFPoBomtOePLnqz2XTl2RAWmj9QBERiE/s1600-h/89.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEERkkhg6afABWFdHO8FJ-SZ7Avdw8UZrMIynEvpCcBzOPegCJDWLYI856Nn4Q1tPe3hUb1tU3DElxVltnQ14XtqMX7LLUdoE3ACKuIGyJuOrlFPoBomtOePLnqz2XTl2RAWmj9QBERiE/s320/89.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309376402044553618" border="0" /></a><br />Then, in classic CDWM style, it was time for the after dinner entertainment, no, not yodelling or alpine horn blowing, thank God. But Roulette!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsuczJq3pibrUWYHq8m47UqToQCN9bLMcY1-JlRPyNJNJzFvSFMoQsQcL9vNYseyHiSKPQQmBU2Wybo04m8qbGvt7rhY5tMJMIccG8ofWdQzRwvMUrrHjC7-RDN9QBWr5GhAdcgN22Yia/s1600-h/88.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsuczJq3pibrUWYHq8m47UqToQCN9bLMcY1-JlRPyNJNJzFvSFMoQsQcL9vNYseyHiSKPQQmBU2Wybo04m8qbGvt7rhY5tMJMIccG8ofWdQzRwvMUrrHjC7-RDN9QBWr5GhAdcgN22Yia/s320/88.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309376400826373714" border="0" /></a><br />That green table cloth served a dual purpose! Guests were issued chips and bets were placed...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjagrH3ZazThQ1zg_YR1TlYL9h7mnhHqVHxqt9SIhTdZyTTirUxgjzNx2Px-5SNlDavToJeCz_HeEITbYaR4mIuDVewRSkkHWMB8PCUzP-vcsKYxMeppxY2ij7vJC7Bu1zVHL365bwVfrm/s1600-h/86.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjagrH3ZazThQ1zg_YR1TlYL9h7mnhHqVHxqt9SIhTdZyTTirUxgjzNx2Px-5SNlDavToJeCz_HeEITbYaR4mIuDVewRSkkHWMB8PCUzP-vcsKYxMeppxY2ij7vJC7Bu1zVHL365bwVfrm/s320/86.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309376396364592018" border="0" /></a><br />Lucky Miss Philippa cleaned up and showed the guests the full extent of her competative side, did she leave them wondering about her scoring tactics?!?!?!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AQy5dUJHncMuqxCa-QBJLwTDHt-deJaESwBn2OuPYvpJonKNK5JLT_ns7ue3isGEcT9Fmf8ooWXeCE_MLlG0_5EXFqw7q0IkcyJogmD83sfzmGKHXpZuG1q7mbX1cnpces0QAyUaJzfb/s1600-h/85.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AQy5dUJHncMuqxCa-QBJLwTDHt-deJaESwBn2OuPYvpJonKNK5JLT_ns7ue3isGEcT9Fmf8ooWXeCE_MLlG0_5EXFqw7q0IkcyJogmD83sfzmGKHXpZuG1q7mbX1cnpces0QAyUaJzfb/s320/85.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309376391524358882" border="0" /></a><br />Our hardcore hostess and Rhydian rounded off the evening with a couple of Tequila shots while secret scoring took place in the kitchen. Stay tuned for the scored and our final two meals!<br /></div>Fun Dine With Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155094535396519067noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854215442641711411.post-47310672000099380672009-02-26T11:21:00.000-08:002009-02-26T11:33:22.157-08:00Dinner 3 - Leonie's Menu<div style="text-align: center;">We are all eagerly awaiting the third installment in our eating odyssey, Leonie's evening!<br />She has handed over her menu, here it is for your delectation as well as some of her discerning guests' first reactions...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Starter</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Strawberry, watercress and goats cheese salad</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Main</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Cheese fondue with bread and veg</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Pudding</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Rhubarb, apple and blackberry crumble</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Gabriela sounds keen: </span>"This menu sounds like a dream. A dream of joy! Apple crumble of any kind is the way to my heart. And cheese. Especially goat's cheese. Yum yum.<br />My only sadness about this menu is the fact that I cannot eat myself into oblivion. Why? Because I have to wear a white leotard the next day for a film - I'm playing a ghost, but I'd rather be playing a cheese fondue pot. Maybe I'll make a suggestion to the filmmakers..."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And Philippa's pleased too:</span> "Starter sounds exciting and I LOVE rhubarb so pudding will be just my sort of thing.<br />I had a bad experience with cheese fondue in my youth but will put that out of my mind for Leonie’s dinner party and give her the chance to impress me and help me put my bad memories behind me!"<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And last time's host Rhydian is happy the heat is off him!</span> "SOOoooo looking forward to this. Leonie's menu sounds amazing!<br /> I've never had strawberry, watercress and goats cheese together before. Sounds really exciting!<br />Main - Always love a good fondue (hope there's a load of white wine in there)!<br />Dessert - A good home made crumble is my favorite (drowning in cream, obvs!)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">What do <span style="font-style: italic;">you</span> make of this menu? We'll be posting the full report next week!<br /></div></div></div></div>Fun Dine With Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155094535396519067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854215442641711411.post-83571942233524151542009-02-24T09:00:00.000-08:002009-02-24T09:00:01.847-08:00Rhydian's recipes - Pancakes!<div style="text-align: center;">Happy Pancake Day everybody!!!<br /><br />As you will have seen below, our second host Rhydian got his guests to toss their own pancakes for dessert, (some more successfully than others) and has now supplied us with a foolproof Pancake Batter recipe so you can join in the fun!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Pancake Batter</span><br />(makes 8-10 medium sized, thin pancakes)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">125g plain white or wholemeal flour</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">300mls milk</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">1 beaten egg</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">oil or butter for frying</span><br /><br /><p>1. In a large mixing bowl, sift the flour and make a small well in the middle. Add the beaten egg then, whilst constantly stirring, slowly start adding half the milk, bit by bit. Add the rest of the milk and beat thoroughly, until the mixture is smooth. No Lumps allowed!<br /></p> <p>2. Heat a medium sized frying pan and coat lightly with oil. Pour a small ladleful of your pancake mixture into the pan, tilting the pan to make sure it covers the pan evenly.</p> <p>3. Cook for around 1-2 minutes, or until bubbles start appearing and the underside turns golden. Loosen the edges of the pancake with a spatula, then toss it over and cook the other side for another 1-2 minutes, or until it turns golden. This is a good opportunity for a tossing contest at home.<br /></p> <p>4. Eat immediately topped with your favourite sweet or savoury toppings; our favourites were classic lemon juice and sugar, blueberries and ice cream or maple syrup. Yum!</p>Hooray for pancake day!<br /></div>Fun Dine With Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155094535396519067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854215442641711411.post-12326152227449363932009-02-20T08:23:00.000-08:002009-02-20T10:53:38.244-08:00Rhydian's Dinner Party!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQrvjyw7_ELYmM0RpcBX6VIF03IFu0OcskKPhXoyaQcTskY2zd1W6k6K-Z_1pZh4OG_JQSBctJZfl84WAwRCrJBt6V271Q82GBwEasfa0t1E7QUMp5y38YS5v8alonGahFulWMsc71AVx/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQrvjyw7_ELYmM0RpcBX6VIF03IFu0OcskKPhXoyaQcTskY2zd1W6k6K-Z_1pZh4OG_JQSBctJZfl84WAwRCrJBt6V271Q82GBwEasfa0t1E7QUMp5y38YS5v8alonGahFulWMsc71AVx/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304918271834739602" border="0" /></a> So our intrepid eaters gather once more, this time at the home of Rhydian, ready to uncover the mysterious 'Interactive Feast'. Rumours had been doing the rounds; would we be ordering from Deliverance? would we have to bring our own picnic fixings? But Leonie correctly guessed...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Guests are topping their own pizzas and tossing their own pancakes!</span><br /><br />Genius! Rhydian's thinking is that if you don't like it, you made it, it's your fault, you can't mark me down! Risky strategy maybe, but sounds like a lot of fun all the same! Let's see...<br /><br />Refreshed by perfectly chilled Cava on arrival, and after some <a href="http://sharing.theflip.com/session/33752a9b50f19f63e8656e031419d03f/video/3184027">nosing around</a>, the contestents crammed into the cute little kitchen, where Rhydian was rustling up their toppings...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizow_uKXMwFvqOeqe8hxciVOQhJri2kiGOnETpEvfZTKWB7IxFns2L-O0aVADSnvy4ZACM-X-UQ1O2960ZKwow1JCL5r4hghox2J1TDUU5cyxKh2GyK-6uhyphenhyphenw8zVGg6mLjZF48TJJOQ9jn/s1600-h/0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizow_uKXMwFvqOeqe8hxciVOQhJri2kiGOnETpEvfZTKWB7IxFns2L-O0aVADSnvy4ZACM-X-UQ1O2960ZKwow1JCL5r4hghox2J1TDUU5cyxKh2GyK-6uhyphenhyphenw8zVGg6mLjZF48TJJOQ9jn/s320/0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304918270927834370" border="0" /></a><br />...and it was quite a spread: Venison sausages, parma ham, griddled asparagus, mozzarella, goats cheese, mushrooms with balsamic, caramelised red onions, fresh rocket and smoked salmon. All with a base of smooth red pepper sauce. Wow!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUBaUnkeROJ6lxzx7t_W3Kj3od9G_0Nx6y1rAmjsapqrZ-oJtPtrUtaeYadVZiD5oV133n6JXVdEf-oquXdeZXFFggA-GJuvYRgUffisWzRY4YdBMxXOWZyWHdc7h38MLorLww8uzmaoE/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRUBaUnkeROJ6lxzx7t_W3Kj3od9G_0Nx6y1rAmjsapqrZ-oJtPtrUtaeYadVZiD5oV133n6JXVdEf-oquXdeZXFFggA-GJuvYRgUffisWzRY4YdBMxXOWZyWHdc7h38MLorLww8uzmaoE/s320/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304917764821131170" border="0" /></a><br />Trepidation, excitement, wondering and bemusal were just a few of the emotions our diners were feeling before tackling the toppings head on!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0KsaEIROJJdtK8GOLDu1Qt_nQPPle85bWhFsedb5f2mUUHOHxs-bwDod0kpFCdTflm5tbpKP9FzhWTnjHbNN1Fzw4DMeAmu0_ynmWLwZtkwemRKqns_jkqg2U-rOCpIFKLsI0dBA01Yh/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0KsaEIROJJdtK8GOLDu1Qt_nQPPle85bWhFsedb5f2mUUHOHxs-bwDod0kpFCdTflm5tbpKP9FzhWTnjHbNN1Fzw4DMeAmu0_ynmWLwZtkwemRKqns_jkqg2U-rOCpIFKLsI0dBA01Yh/s320/3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304917762495661650" border="0" /></a>Leonie gamely goes first, creating a veggie feast, heavy on the cheese with a distinctive triangle of asparagus.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUVu5Y_NBDgdG84T1m7viEQJ0rDtqrLgvQ5HuhzFQXtPXu9RRlJSRaGf0brHj7JhO9RFTyutb3PZQWAJJg9pBEsxzquW5GBdN9gT5Hk427lR2g7h0RcwrulCJYX5xkrAMZGI8uyVpCh_T/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUVu5Y_NBDgdG84T1m7viEQJ0rDtqrLgvQ5HuhzFQXtPXu9RRlJSRaGf0brHj7JhO9RFTyutb3PZQWAJJg9pBEsxzquW5GBdN9gT5Hk427lR2g7h0RcwrulCJYX5xkrAMZGI8uyVpCh_T/s320/4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304917757777468274" border="0" /></a><br />Philippa, when asked what she was going for, replied simply "Everything!".<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj311UN86_fmur9xVjss7FSDQunNkyLk5TsDkuk4Y9FSFTl9QFKPcycaP9oYTrTUSOoUiL3v5Omn34nY1gV20v1QTMVnNV8QsqbIZANmfaBs-BOiPd5ifxrge-_l9AP0-u6LwHjEuBa4dvU/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj311UN86_fmur9xVjss7FSDQunNkyLk5TsDkuk4Y9FSFTl9QFKPcycaP9oYTrTUSOoUiL3v5Omn34nY1gV20v1QTMVnNV8QsqbIZANmfaBs-BOiPd5ifxrge-_l9AP0-u6LwHjEuBa4dvU/s320/5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304917757504031618" border="0" /></a><br />Gabriela went for another meat free one, leaving more sausages etc for everyone else, but a squabble was kicking off over the balsamic mushrooms so Rhydian quickly whipped up some extra servings.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnXgz-YtncF3mBchPGdgotRL7H8-TkjbMiBDAxEjqCHxHZx_Plf-iSjWNd5M-OLk22IfwjPUJyWEJAb6bl1LeqKsN4RNwinmSe5F7cxA88nondSIogkiedg-uzMCIE-grawkdWRHjGVY3/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnXgz-YtncF3mBchPGdgotRL7H8-TkjbMiBDAxEjqCHxHZx_Plf-iSjWNd5M-OLk22IfwjPUJyWEJAb6bl1LeqKsN4RNwinmSe5F7cxA88nondSIogkiedg-uzMCIE-grawkdWRHjGVY3/s320/6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304917754955430050" border="0" /></a><br />Nadia looked highly satisfied with her handiwork, and by this point Rhydian was left with just enough to top his own base with. He was also sharing his with a poorly housemate, what a sweetheart!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObBYCn6s9S8bDtrVmx-Ii6VzCPuoGVXzF2ZQmtuQ4AuXLQV8_bgBOgKJgHCOe7A5BDDLoHnBakmWqnxX20I5IVfV1U5ih8BZUbZzJ7iOE21WflOVrC48-uBPulhBLYuuf9IGPMm9OrFU1/s1600-h/7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObBYCn6s9S8bDtrVmx-Ii6VzCPuoGVXzF2ZQmtuQ4AuXLQV8_bgBOgKJgHCOe7A5BDDLoHnBakmWqnxX20I5IVfV1U5ih8BZUbZzJ7iOE21WflOVrC48-uBPulhBLYuuf9IGPMm9OrFU1/s320/7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304917237785779490" border="0" /></a><br />Leonie and Philippa's came out of the oven first, looking done to perfection as guests could choose how well done they liked theirs (passing the blame again Rhydian!). Condiments and crushed black pepper were provided and people were making a dent in tonight's red wine haul.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfxOFPsXrAVL_Cb5oy__Ha98ViUuhEK32j31z_cSb3yF4O7o6Qi-q2B5Xd3aCJNB6tQ6Z_dbG04QphM6cfeMCRfSqwANmQBejsvUceuIolBDvMnbvRcyLGbOyc-HOwTte8SVPaxiCxLRB/s1600-h/8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfxOFPsXrAVL_Cb5oy__Ha98ViUuhEK32j31z_cSb3yF4O7o6Qi-q2B5Xd3aCJNB6tQ6Z_dbG04QphM6cfeMCRfSqwANmQBejsvUceuIolBDvMnbvRcyLGbOyc-HOwTte8SVPaxiCxLRB/s320/8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304917238343648434" border="0" /></a><br />Nadia and Gabriela's up next.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpkbg3DsSeSzVtTbgFUYczaW1UlHjKwQG_Sucaq9ImBZopRQ19AtTDjCln6W3HwiX-s2Yu-bGH7X59vks_taU10cRXz_ZdS6XoguKJMoseEiAU3ay7fuAgN9BFuflWu6_0t9Ohol_GPJO/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpkbg3DsSeSzVtTbgFUYczaW1UlHjKwQG_Sucaq9ImBZopRQ19AtTDjCln6W3HwiX-s2Yu-bGH7X59vks_taU10cRXz_ZdS6XoguKJMoseEiAU3ay7fuAgN9BFuflWu6_0t9Ohol_GPJO/s320/9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304917240728734978" border="0" /></a><br />It looked like the less formal approach was paying off, everybody was enjoying themselves and somehow Rhydian had managed to keep his kitchen completely clean (he admitted to being a bit OCD).<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrbvZyGskUvg49S_GMfOfvxDhgSl7rCeQgcJTuquGsjmv6cfRs3QsN0OGROZysPolhX8Ojeyp2ci_P6dbhKZZmCV079NVTGeaN-LKF5UwIWXhJn-et-Ki1Tce2_Nv5_C_NHMsBp8u3lGf/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrbvZyGskUvg49S_GMfOfvxDhgSl7rCeQgcJTuquGsjmv6cfRs3QsN0OGROZysPolhX8Ojeyp2ci_P6dbhKZZmCV079NVTGeaN-LKF5UwIWXhJn-et-Ki1Tce2_Nv5_C_NHMsBp8u3lGf/s320/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304917236147966002" border="0" /></a><br />Next, our tireless host whips up the batter for dessert. A couple of weeks before Shrove Tuesday he gives his guests an opportunity to perfect their tossing technique! See a video of Gabriela having a go <a href="http://sharing.theflip.com/session/b956e0e40f329d8a1d6a1e2c9a68a098/video/3184712">here!</a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LRCezlGLNEToJMgRhk9iMmLA1Fr2TwWU8FDPTqsarHwnRrU0NhljG9ctNXsafLvUQUNLEzgsE7zxE6cEDCpSg6021N-wufuCKYh4L67liAaFAPvDKFCjIfTMCS0IMIT8JF8w6BcyKkGm/s1600-h/12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LRCezlGLNEToJMgRhk9iMmLA1Fr2TwWU8FDPTqsarHwnRrU0NhljG9ctNXsafLvUQUNLEzgsE7zxE6cEDCpSg6021N-wufuCKYh4L67liAaFAPvDKFCjIfTMCS0IMIT8JF8w6BcyKkGm/s320/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304917235937143714" border="0" /></a><br />Philippa managed a full 360! Extreme!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbPrWoYC9094tUncZFY5ypDgLkdImPBceP0hjqtb_8mmCUtxJGMPZFeWyI8PuxLFM6o6r6fhmvq5Z0HzYvI0Lp5k11No-rJO8NKeMrIjyXYaYZi2JMkXJg-iG9zfkkxIIY1oKI5rfjz4q/s1600-h/14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 289px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbPrWoYC9094tUncZFY5ypDgLkdImPBceP0hjqtb_8mmCUtxJGMPZFeWyI8PuxLFM6o6r6fhmvq5Z0HzYvI0Lp5k11No-rJO8NKeMrIjyXYaYZi2JMkXJg-iG9zfkkxIIY1oKI5rfjz4q/s320/14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304916731338611378" border="0" /></a><br />And there were the sweet toppings to get stuck in to too! Maple syrup, blueberries, strawberries, Haagan Dazs and of course, lemon and sugar!<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgkgsfNPuc8VulUbJtpLl8dJSOyF76RFkw1XVBMTFbfaWKSchytp7Bj3jGZzk9XcnGYFq4nBAehmIPrKEGy_Unze5Up3WcI0r79JFBt1yR0ZdTD6UR4nlfXoIuIiEdCT0-eXNWWv9crFm/s1600-h/13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgkgsfNPuc8VulUbJtpLl8dJSOyF76RFkw1XVBMTFbfaWKSchytp7Bj3jGZzk9XcnGYFq4nBAehmIPrKEGy_Unze5Up3WcI0r79JFBt1yR0ZdTD6UR4nlfXoIuIiEdCT0-eXNWWv9crFm/s320/13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304916467359966514" border="0" /></a><br />Then to round off the meal, Rhydian came over all George Clooney and revved up the Nespresso machine, offering his guests a choice of coffee capsules from his wooden display tray. How suave!<br /><br />That kept him busy while the guests were whisked off one by one to give their scores. Will Rydian be in the lead after a fantastic interactive feast? Or will guests mark down for the lack of starter and having to lift a finger? All will be revealed once we've enjoyed our other hosts efforts. Next up is Leonie, her menu will be posted next week! Watch this space!<br /></div>Fun Dine With Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155094535396519067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854215442641711411.post-72365083013782854372009-02-15T08:53:00.000-08:002009-02-15T09:04:43.075-08:00Dinner 2 - Rhydian's Night<div style="text-align: center;">Our second host is Rhydian, who has professed his lack of cooking skills, but will he be shown to be bluffing? Or will our guests overlook culinary disasters as long as everybody has a ball?<br /><br />Here is Rhydian's menu, given to the guests before the evening, and a few of their reactions to it...<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Rhydian's Interactive Feast<br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Main Course<br />Pizza<br /><br />Dessert<br />Pancakes<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Philippa says - </span></span></span></span>I think he's very ambitious making pizza for five people - and pancakes too! I wouldn't do it! But I think it's going to be a really fun one - interactive dining.<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span><br /><br />Leonie - </span>Pizza and pancakes - I like both, but it doesn't sound too exciting - maybe he's playing it safe and doing something simple, but something simple really, really well (that old chestnut!)<br />What's gonna be with the pancakes? Fingers crossed for sugar and lemon. Mmm...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">and Gabriela responds -</span> Interactive feast? Does this mean we'll be cooking our own meals?!<br />I think we'll have to rename this session of Fun Dine With Me, and change it to :Please Don't Let Rhydian Make Me Ill Dine With Me.<br /><br />So what will Rhydian turn out for our demanding contestants? Will everyone drink as much wine as at Philippa's? Does the guests nosing around know no bounds? Answers to these questions and more when we reveal Rhydian's dinner here soooooooon!<br /></div>Fun Dine With Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155094535396519067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854215442641711411.post-27454614584952855522009-02-15T08:46:00.000-08:002009-02-15T08:50:45.686-08:00Philippa's Recipes - Lamb Tagine<div style="text-align: center;">Here is Philippa's main course, easily adapted for Vegetarians (er, leave out the Lamb) and wolfed down by all our guests. This dish can be prepared in advance meaning no stress once your dinner party is underway!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lamb Tagine</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLoClNqAdUNbBAbDI9JzlcoQGVxJnVtfzXfGsQA91GXVUpwhbp6hQ3Ky-1vvhGuN1VkdyyMoF5TccvuaFp75QHU5TIbHhabWQmTakV0YeFSI_5jixe85IHj5363yZCnHuuINZiNLZn3QXs/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLoClNqAdUNbBAbDI9JzlcoQGVxJnVtfzXfGsQA91GXVUpwhbp6hQ3Ky-1vvhGuN1VkdyyMoF5TccvuaFp75QHU5TIbHhabWQmTakV0YeFSI_5jixe85IHj5363yZCnHuuINZiNLZn3QXs/s320/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303067339608048418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ingredients<br />50g Sun Dried Apricots, halved<br />2tbsp olive oil<br />about 600g diced leg of lamb<br />1/2 large onion, finely chopped<br />1 garlic clove, thinly sliced<br />½ tsp ground cumin<br />½ tsp ground coriander<br />½ tsp ground cinnamon<br />400g tin Cherry Tomatoes<br />150ml Lamb Stock<br />Pinch saffron threads<br />Salt to taste<br />2 tbsp Waitrose Ground Almonds<br />2 large courgettes, cut into large pieces<br />1/2 butternut squash, weighing approximately 500g, peeled and diced<br />2 tomatoes, skinned and quartered<br />1tsp Harissa<br />1tbsp fresh parsley, chopped<br /><br />1. Place the apricots in a bowl and cover with 100ml boiling water. Leave to soak for 2 hours.<br />2. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Heat 1tbsp of the olive oil in a flameproof casserole and brown the lamb in batches then set aside. Add the remaining oil and the onion and cook gently for 10 minutes until soft and golden. Add the garlic and spices and cook for a further 2 minutes then return the lamb to the casserole.<br />3. Add the apricots and their soaking liquid, the canned tomatoes and stock. Stir in the saffron, salt and ground almonds. Heat to simmering point, cover and cook in the oven for 1 hour.<br />4. Add the courgettes, squash, tomatoes and harissa with a little extra water if necessary and cook in the oven for a further 45 minutes.<br />5. Season to taste adding extra harissa if desired, then stir in the parsley and serve with couscous.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(For the vegetarian version, replace the meat with sweet potato, aubergine and extra butternut squash)</div>Fun Dine With Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155094535396519067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854215442641711411.post-7016639985850362902009-02-13T06:31:00.000-08:002009-02-13T06:46:40.437-08:00Philippa's Recipes - Mushroom Pate<div style="text-align: center;">Philippa's beautifully presented starter was a winner with the meat-eaters as well as our vegetarians. You can give it a go at home as she has kindly given us the recipe for you to pass off as your own!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Mushroom Pate</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(p.s. Does anyone know how to type the accent on the e?)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4t946NsD1uqI5crKAXpyyMwV9oO_qgBGyMAQ7AfPucC9J3kLo7LeZYxihS_H_OSUzuwwyyFSYxlwjbKV-uFJiau8_bNeimb2PGzS0PelJou_gjhyphenhyphen9RMkqhPON1RmneUAN9j4sbSWYh_5/s1600-h/DSCF1587.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4t946NsD1uqI5crKAXpyyMwV9oO_qgBGyMAQ7AfPucC9J3kLo7LeZYxihS_H_OSUzuwwyyFSYxlwjbKV-uFJiau8_bNeimb2PGzS0PelJou_gjhyphenhyphen9RMkqhPON1RmneUAN9j4sbSWYh_5/s320/DSCF1587.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302291319157196034" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ingredients<br />4 tbsp. Madeira or Port<br />20g Dried Porcini Mushrooms, crumbled<br />150ml boiling water<br />40g butter<br />1 small onion, chopped<br />2 garlic cloves, crushed<br />450g various mushrooms, chopped<br />1 tbsp. chopped fresh thyme<br />175g ricotta cheese<br />2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar<br />4 tbsp. chopped fresh flatleaf parsley<br /><br />1. Put the Porcini mushrooms in a bowl with the boiling water and leave to soak for at least 30 minutes.<br />2. Melt the butter and fry the onion and garlic for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add the fresh mushrooms and cook for a further 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the Porcini mushrooms and their soaking liquid, bring to the boil and simmer until all the liquid has evaporated. Cool.<br />3. Transfer the mushroom mixture to a food processor and process with the ricotta cheese, vinegar and madeira to a rough paste. Add parsley and plenty of seasoning. Chill until ready to use.<br /></div>Fun Dine With Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155094535396519067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854215442641711411.post-51156824134944255602009-02-09T13:02:00.000-08:002009-02-12T11:50:27.394-08:00Philippa's Dinner Party!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcr2NgjJx-nRqvfrAek10v4gUVBw0O4B0Xz-1alklU5-LhYjchnzmLSyUzjzC77aQY2JOgIv0peNJO82Up-rEXJJMlzzXPviQYqOXTAydnbv0FYG91Te7cgYv7vi6RyRlRmmYFFDww47iD/s1600-h/cook.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcr2NgjJx-nRqvfrAek10v4gUVBw0O4B0Xz-1alklU5-LhYjchnzmLSyUzjzC77aQY2JOgIv0peNJO82Up-rEXJJMlzzXPviQYqOXTAydnbv0FYG91Te7cgYv7vi6RyRlRmmYFFDww47iD/s320/cook.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301958321263417474" border="0" /></a>So at 7.30 on Sunday evening, Philipa had everything under control. She whipped up a quick batter for some after dinner cakes and showed me her impressive collection of cake tins. The tagines were stewing slowly on the hob and cocktail glasses awaited the guests arrival...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0J0iKNwxG81B70UqY_AV9vTaJqUz5A6D9PKGN-BB8KKtckMlq-vCgiQxW08waOlgdSskEGYMjcsUKwQhdinF2WDyN0LcUu-xxScT32-Urog_U84WhHdRzdZnnMZA2PJFMCKpQJfP_k3t/s1600-h/7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0J0iKNwxG81B70UqY_AV9vTaJqUz5A6D9PKGN-BB8KKtckMlq-vCgiQxW08waOlgdSskEGYMjcsUKwQhdinF2WDyN0LcUu-xxScT32-Urog_U84WhHdRzdZnnMZA2PJFMCKpQJfP_k3t/s320/7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301957821995401618" border="0" /></a><br />I had done my best to keep all the contestants secret from each other, which was quite a task what with my big mouth and having 4 of them all in the same <a href="http://sayyesparty.wordpress.com/">club</a> the night before. Rhydian and Nadia had found out they were both in, so arrived together (and completely covered in snow). Then Leonie, kindly brandishing a bottle (as was everybody else, oh dear!). Shortly followed by Gabriela.<br /><br />Everybody was greeted with a delightful glass of Prosecco with Pomegranate juice and we all got acquainted. Some guests already know each other but others are meeting for the first time. Such fun!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogU9QOTsyB6rMV1WoOcrH9gq1QpwVYQjuzqPN_pI5_hY6NYVv5l-GWv0u_Id7laTJ-obdKU1ybWnEKvSRM6c9zbcRhg0q-a1BeFsRZNIDRtKt07Q2RfxHvhEjYNcdbfCa5YrTknKbC3UZ/s1600-h/8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhogU9QOTsyB6rMV1WoOcrH9gq1QpwVYQjuzqPN_pI5_hY6NYVv5l-GWv0u_Id7laTJ-obdKU1ybWnEKvSRM6c9zbcRhg0q-a1BeFsRZNIDRtKt07Q2RfxHvhEjYNcdbfCa5YrTknKbC3UZ/s320/8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301957732825996562" border="0" /></a><br />After the obligatory snooping around a la Come Dine, the group sat down at Philippa's beautifully laid table. Set with her Grandparent's silverware and with a simple white cloth it was an elegant setting for the first course...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZseet-h0spgjcN9pgd4Ux-mlm832C_af1Od8lBpL8H3hAzZC_kFa15zIANwkD7oNzdnPPuSTbdtWOQM1LsJixGy4HIN1eVWdwyUTIlQkRpFzgRVYHnqllIdges7A2n9pCFWw4z_cV4wQk/s1600-h/pate.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZseet-h0spgjcN9pgd4Ux-mlm832C_af1Od8lBpL8H3hAzZC_kFa15zIANwkD7oNzdnPPuSTbdtWOQM1LsJixGy4HIN1eVWdwyUTIlQkRpFzgRVYHnqllIdges7A2n9pCFWw4z_cV4wQk/s320/pate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301956426406557234" border="0" /></a>Homemade mushroom pate with toasted ciabatta and green salad.<br /><br />What do you think?<br /><br />Next up...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPR1h7CIC3bzySUicM12tgUA49umKodgAmgvtaoqva4kRonIn8FXNrDdwPUQzAk_1Me3Dt78PfOMdNa-HonLSC3JR9DzjupQEEruGxxbsRKIWXpXNxSBEQVyIZQPddhxEgTRPn4-cHGRai/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPR1h7CIC3bzySUicM12tgUA49umKodgAmgvtaoqva4kRonIn8FXNrDdwPUQzAk_1Me3Dt78PfOMdNa-HonLSC3JR9DzjupQEEruGxxbsRKIWXpXNxSBEQVyIZQPddhxEgTRPn4-cHGRai/s320/9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301955664395439986" border="0" /></a><br />The main course of Vegetable Tagine or Lamb Tagine (below) served with herb and pomegranate cous cous.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpm64UrLJtLwTEpxlQxa2j9XNhEmFil7UBQOrY_NYWgHWu6-HKGdf4luAZytPYkCgMoLWuomaB477FghbTXp0x7yhRnUxZpQp8hrJUgbZoFZwejhlMDUywJ2jTMdwNNye7bStEtg4wBk_/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpm64UrLJtLwTEpxlQxa2j9XNhEmFil7UBQOrY_NYWgHWu6-HKGdf4luAZytPYkCgMoLWuomaB477FghbTXp0x7yhRnUxZpQp8hrJUgbZoFZwejhlMDUywJ2jTMdwNNye7bStEtg4wBk_/s320/10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301955555762017218" border="0" /></a><br />As guests listened to the cool disco-y soundtrack, discussed <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/eating_out/giles_coren/">Giles Coren</a> and opened bottle after bottle of wine. Phillipa plated up her dessert...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4BVSkmwWG3pMvULulwnfU9INMvYyjWTX4ivBKwlfH8QGWtznwn3XBHhpsYjv_8hkFwNK2LINewyOlEycmKZjXMCpDzRV3QfxXO6h0HbOKXlJRwWQlziUcX6EASQyJnBiwqnyBTIb7uRU/s1600-h/11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4BVSkmwWG3pMvULulwnfU9INMvYyjWTX4ivBKwlfH8QGWtznwn3XBHhpsYjv_8hkFwNK2LINewyOlEycmKZjXMCpDzRV3QfxXO6h0HbOKXlJRwWQlziUcX6EASQyJnBiwqnyBTIb7uRU/s320/11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301955457519565746" border="0" /></a><br />Baked Cheesecake!<br /><br />I can personally assure you it was sublimely creamy and delicious.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEges2uoz14QkbiZAMBDEz926htJV4rDf5RoDR2YQXtF1FomNYMaGVNRtjg6_Jombex6YcxeLgLHJ-EKtvOTze1hJ-f83at76Y4Dp7KwD1ySR4K9NBTaBYp1YuGtkmabb2QtZ5bwPXY6T29D/s1600-h/12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEges2uoz14QkbiZAMBDEz926htJV4rDf5RoDR2YQXtF1FomNYMaGVNRtjg6_Jombex6YcxeLgLHJ-EKtvOTze1hJ-f83at76Y4Dp7KwD1ySR4K9NBTaBYp1YuGtkmabb2QtZ5bwPXY6T29D/s320/12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301955355028670130" border="0" /></a>Then a little after dinner extra, the vanilla flavoured little cakes (whose proper name I can't remember but a recipe will follow soon!)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbLAF20cBO-ryfQHl1yZwwZSarjfnqyfr__g8qjTtKiD2LEw5hkZ2TW4N2zWZwngKniMuuDZFc-4YVjHtBSHks-mDkC6DOI5QoUkSuYO30TeKcMMm5r9zcKZQKK6gFkGvOjOEA8CRfm6O/s1600-h/13.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbLAF20cBO-ryfQHl1yZwwZSarjfnqyfr__g8qjTtKiD2LEw5hkZ2TW4N2zWZwngKniMuuDZFc-4YVjHtBSHks-mDkC6DOI5QoUkSuYO30TeKcMMm5r9zcKZQKK6gFkGvOjOEA8CRfm6O/s320/13.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301955185623576130" border="0" /></a><br />As if we weren't all fit to burst by then, we broke open the boxes of Ferrero Rocher and luscious Thorntons chocolates that Nadia and Rhydian had brought for our host.<br /><br />Secret voting was taking place in the kitchen but we kept Philippa distracted with the chocolates!<br /><br />Then all the guests departed into the snowy london streets and via snowball fights with strangers, snow angels and slipping over, finally made it home. Philippa has certainly set the bar high and all other contestants are seriously considering their menus, trying for top marks!<br /><br />Scores will be revealed as soon as all 5 dinners are done, but until then, what do you rate the meal?<br /><br />Also, keep an eye out for Philippa's recipes, they'll be up soon too...<br /></div>Fun Dine With Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155094535396519067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854215442641711411.post-83024553655204380512009-02-08T08:36:00.000-08:002009-02-09T13:24:02.770-08:00Introducing...<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;font-family:times new roman;" >..our first batch of Fun Diners!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyL7G1NfD3dlsCWSX8hjKmyfFi3SE1UbIgu8BanbNQdRzBDy2DlI04EWqNqbQ0308wC_a6WS4EjAPhNVSiqkYfHAR32GNcxpaA1fv2yZvpMImYMzQf8cUsAouQLBHvU6Nhqiw2aRyJu_K/s1600-h/philippa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyL7G1NfD3dlsCWSX8hjKmyfFi3SE1UbIgu8BanbNQdRzBDy2DlI04EWqNqbQ0308wC_a6WS4EjAPhNVSiqkYfHAR32GNcxpaA1fv2yZvpMImYMzQf8cUsAouQLBHvU6Nhqiw2aRyJu_K/s320/philippa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300899037545926194" border="0" /></a>First to host is Philippa, she's a sophisticated lady who works for a TV Channel and has renowned musical taste. She has only watched the real CDWM a handful of times but is confident in the kitchen and has a well stocked cupboard of baking paraphernalia. She's sure to set the bar high.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfRK6su3PVPQvpFbauANQwtPZTs7Si2UGX3CWLSW49Wof2wDf5JIsHxNDWEaSTcZiu7LC6mBkjf5iI7fptgsib-npCmQd3-wk_KKw_QcdCjXhfBQlDvjb-lUmhosxbJEyHRyAEwoKDd59/s1600-h/rhyd.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfRK6su3PVPQvpFbauANQwtPZTs7Si2UGX3CWLSW49Wof2wDf5JIsHxNDWEaSTcZiu7LC6mBkjf5iI7fptgsib-npCmQd3-wk_KKw_QcdCjXhfBQlDvjb-lUmhosxbJEyHRyAEwoKDd59/s320/rhyd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300899953128594034" border="0" /></a><br />Next is our only male specimen, Rhydian, who confesses to not being the best cook but is always the life of the party (not to mention the afterparty) and so hopes atmosphere and entertainment will pull him through.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kh-S6AjmfeYch0vHAqPdTi789qWzg3GUVazIM3v8ZBvKo2peiBVeGTqVlCAZ73iuhavf9ZbDZu1YdsHiCXT9NfW1jC3Cyzws0kXr1NSbwB-xIMWW3zeVR9PADlCXRsT2QdRtwMBECBsP/s1600-h/leonie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 187px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kh-S6AjmfeYch0vHAqPdTi789qWzg3GUVazIM3v8ZBvKo2peiBVeGTqVlCAZ73iuhavf9ZbDZu1YdsHiCXT9NfW1jC3Cyzws0kXr1NSbwB-xIMWW3zeVR9PADlCXRsT2QdRtwMBECBsP/s320/leonie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300896772924947250" border="0" /></a>Leonie is a talented freelance journalist and has a well documented love for cheese in all it's forms. Being a vegetarian she has the mostly meat-eating group cooking outside their comfort zones. Another legendary party person, will her night come out tops even for the carnivores?<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-0e9d-5MSW2_BACQe9cCA1NQnnCfIsv4DFXQIu2tbk-ilpD69eyQMTvjd9eYCNbGYZIlG4azsO_NXwJBzwTOUoh8cniG1akqczLZ2fCjeKpUd0WNQ6Epm1MLaDCuqiLS6T83EiVyyLHj/s1600-h/nadia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-0e9d-5MSW2_BACQe9cCA1NQnnCfIsv4DFXQIu2tbk-ilpD69eyQMTvjd9eYCNbGYZIlG4azsO_NXwJBzwTOUoh8cniG1akqczLZ2fCjeKpUd0WNQ6Epm1MLaDCuqiLS6T83EiVyyLHj/s320/nadia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300896667956291362" border="0" /></a>Nadia is our next guest; one of London's top DJs and a well known Sunday roast enthusiast, Nadia can throw a banging party but what about a dinner party where conversation comes before choons? She is in it to win it as well as for a good time.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHQb4-7vmhaXdIP5PdRjO-BdqtnMLPQ-jgwJh67gI3Xk1-6IEb-aO4ad6_TfGf1Lz3cWPfI8qyGu62QgtHMGfQMJPwZsNbNbWxQGI0olK02TpYO-a0nqgTiZ1FSlhihL-d2t0-UEvVf6X/s1600-h/gro+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJHQb4-7vmhaXdIP5PdRjO-BdqtnMLPQ-jgwJh67gI3Xk1-6IEb-aO4ad6_TfGf1Lz3cWPfI8qyGu62QgtHMGfQMJPwZsNbNbWxQGI0olK02TpYO-a0nqgTiZ1FSlhihL-d2t0-UEvVf6X/s320/gro+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300896551863903522" border="0" /></a><br />And bringing up the rear is Gabriela, an aspiring actress and theatre lover, this native New Yorker is a pesky pescatarian, eating fish and seafood but no meat. Will her stateside-style portion sizes have her guests beaten?<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Follow the five evenings right here as the contestants take it in turns to throw the most imaginative and entertaining dinner party, impress all the guests and get top marks becoming the first Fun Dine With Me champion!<br /><br />The scores won't be posted until all the dinners are over to keep our hosts in suspense but feel free to comment and share your views on the menus and the reports as they are posted over the next few weeks!<br /></div>Fun Dine With Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155094535396519067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4854215442641711411.post-26927296946044865312009-02-05T12:05:00.000-08:002009-02-05T12:18:42.556-08:00Ready, Steady... DINE!<div style="text-align: center;">The first Fun Dine With Me run is underway! We have 5 brave diners signed up to deliver dinners in February. The full accounts, recipes, and of course, scores will follow here shortly.<br /><br />In the meantime if you are interested in being part of our next batch please email your:<br /><br />NAME<br />LOCATION<br />DIETARY REQUIREMENTS<br />and availability over the next 2 months to:<br /><br />FUNDINEWITHME@GMAIL.COM<br /><br />Bon appetite!<br /><br /></div>Fun Dine With Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08155094535396519067noreply@blogger.com0