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Category Archives: Food

There is Butter then there is REAL Butter

27 Monday Apr 2020

Posted by cinders54 in Appetizers, Dairy, Food, Recipes, Tips, Uncategorized

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Tags

butter, Dairy, Family, Food

This has to be the most delicious easy recipe ever for making BUTTER.  Yes real butter.

Monday morning dawns – Fresh bread proving

In the back of the fridge is a 21oz double cream that we have not used over the weekend so what’s the best thing to do with it? Make butter to go with your warm scrummy tasty fresh bread.

You need

  • 21 oz fresh double cream
  • Maldon salt
  • One electric hand mixer
  • Two clean bowls
  • One spatula
  • Muslin or a kitchen towel
  • Sieve and a clean pan or something to hold the sieve in

Stage 1

Pour a 21oz carton of double cream into a clean dry bowl

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Whisk with an electric hand whisk until thick cream.  You can make this with an electric stand mixer but I find it easier with a hand whisk

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Next step keep whipping. Don’t be afraid if it starts to turn pale yellow and look like scrambled eggs.

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Scrape down with a spatula.  Keep whipping – next stage it starts to get wet!

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Then even wetter. Keep going, you’re doing a great job

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When you get to this stage the buttermilk and curds split away from each other.  That’s perfect.

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Now, this is the exciting part.  Stop whisking – time to get your hands messy!

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Line a pan with a square of muslin cloth or if you do not have any a kitchen towel will do.  Now pour the liquid into the pan and add a third of the curds (butter in the making).

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Gather together at the top and wring out letting all the buttermilk drip back into the pan.

You will be amazed at the amount of buttermilk is squeezed out.  You now form a REAL butter pat

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Place the first pat into a clean bowl and repeat until all the butter is drained from the buttermilk.  I do this to make three pats for 21oz of cream.

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So by now, you have three good pats of butter and around 300 mls of buttermilk.  Now pop the buttermilk in a jug ready to use later (makes great chicken or scones).  Get some really good sea salt – I adore Maldon. I think it’s the best in the World but please don’t use table salt as it will spoil the finish.

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Sprinkle on two large pinches (around 7 grams).   You can add more or less depending on your taste and preference.

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Here again to get my hands messy.   Mix together to make a smooth butter.   I have old wooden butter paddles but you don’t need them. I just like them for the fun

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When smooth you can either make a block or if you have some butter dishes you can place the butter in them.  I put a greaseproof paper on top then cling film or you can freeze them.

butter1-3

You can now make different Artisan Butters Garlic, Peppers, chicken butter is a fabulous appetizer just add chicken meat juices and serve topped with crispy chicken skin on the top delicious served with rye bread

Make some fresh Bread and savour.

And

Remember to stay safe

Love x

 

 

#Pandemic #Lockdown 2020 Cooking for a #War #Zone

22 Wednesday Apr 2020

Posted by cinders54 in Food

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Tags

Beer, delicious, Dinner, Family, Food, wine

Lockdown.   We were all glued to the TV 5pm 23rd March 2020.  Our Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.  The children did not make a sound.  The day we all changed forever

As life progressed through the lockdown we have all come to be like Darwins Finches – evolving in our environments.  So far life is pretty much the same.  The major difference is #Shopping, which I adore.  Don’t take me to Shopping Malls or large department stores – All I want is Food Markets & Food Halls !!!

I miss shopping for food so much I find it’s the one and only upsetting part of Lockdown.  I now have a Vegetable / Fruit Man who drops the most delicious fresh vegetables and fruit at my door.  I have my most amazing HERO in My Butcher Matthew https://www.facebook.com/mitchellsbutchers533/.  Matthew Mitchell’s butchers Lytham Road Blackpool has been my butcher for years – now he delivers to my doorstep.  I adore my sweet sweet Milkman he is also a star and supplies the freshest milk and cream three times a week to my front door.

I bake bread 4 days a week.  I am love being home in the Kitchen.  I have seven to feed in my family home now and we are here for the Lockdown and beyond.

Here is my list of dinners we have had each day during lockdown.   Lucky for us the family meals have not changed too much though.  My favourite time of day is when the family sitting and eat together each evening ……….

 

Pandemic Lockdown

 

March 23rd Monday.                        Ragu

March 24th Tuesday                        Chicken Pie

March 25th Wednesday                  Mexican

March 26th Thursday                      Thai Green Curry

March 27th Friday                           Fish on the BBQ

March 28th Saturday                      BBQ

March 29th Sunday                        Roast Lamb Dinner

March 30th Monday                      Chicken Pie

March 31st Tuesday                      Pizza

April 1st Wednesday                     Steak on the BBQ

April 2nd Thursday                      Indian

April 3rd Friday                            Fish on the BBQ

April 4th Saturday                        BBQ Hamburgers

April 5th Sunday                          Roast Leg of Lamb dinner

April 6th Monday                         Chilli & Rice

April 7th Tuesday                        Leo Birthday 13 years old Homemade Pizza Night

April 8th Wednesday                  Beef Rendang with coconut rice

April 9th Thursday                      Panacklty

April 10th Friday                         Fish on the BBQ

April 11th Saturday                    Chilli

April 12th Sunday Easter          Roast Leg of Lamb

April 13th Monday 3 weeks from Lockdown.  Beef Bourgignon

April 14th Tuesday                      Chicken Parmigiana

April 15th Wednesday                 Nachos

April 16th Thursday                     Ragu

April 17th Friday                           Fish on the BBQ

April 18th Saturday                      Indian Take away

April 19th Sunday                        Chicken Roast

April 20th Monday                      Burgers 5 Guys style

April 21st Tuesday                      Chicken Curry & Dhal

 

Soooo I have decided to start a Pandemic Recipe Book.  If anyone wishes to have any of the recipes just contact me.  I shall be uploading all of them very soon

Watch this space

#Stay #Home #Stay #Safe

We shall #all #meet #again x x x

 

 

 

 

 

Poutine Addict

01 Sunday Dec 2019

Posted by cinders54 in Food

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Well, life can be difficult when you are a Poutine addict.   I travel around the World and I have to search out Poutine and I’m not even Canadian!!  I recently had the most amazing Poutine in Houston TEXAS at Tubs Poutine near Katy Texas.

Poutine

TO DIE FOR – My last meal of choice would be Poutine!

Oh my #World.  The most #Awesome #mouthwatering #Divine #Dynamic #Delicious #poutine I have #Ever tasted in my Life.  The #Fresh #Fries / #Chips The #Cheese #Curds #Finest #Steak #Onions #Garlic #oh #mouthwatering #Taste #sensation #buttery #Brown #Jus #Gravy #Simply #exquisite #Tubs #poutine you surpassed everything x @tubspoutine Amazing x x Thank You 🙇 x x x x — at Tubs Poutine.

 

 

Perfect Boiled Eggs

20 Sunday Oct 2019

Posted by cinders54 in Appetizers, Breakfast, Food, Healthy, Protein, Recipes, Tips, Uncategorized

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delicious, Eggs, Family, Recipe

Creating the perfect boiled egg is an art:-

eggsbreakfast

 

NOT anymore.  Americans say you cannot make a hard-boiled egg in under 10 minutes I beg to differ.  

Put the Kettle on no, not for tea – well you could as long as you have enough boiling water.  Bring to a boil – place your ROOM temperature eggs in a saucepan – when the water is boiling pour gently over to cover the eggs.

Bring the water back to a rolling boil – Turn down to simmer. 

Set a timer for 4 minutes for large eggs, 3 minutes for small eggs and 5 minutes for extra large.

After the timer goes off pour the water away and run the eggs under a cold tap while still in the saucepan.  When cool enough to peel – peel and enjoy

I serve mine with organic Spinach and guacamole for a great breakfast

Enjoy x x

 

 

Mama’s Tagliatelle al Ragù

Featured

Posted by cinders54 in Food, Italian, Recipes, Sauce, Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Ragu10This recipe is for a large Family -Or -you can adjust the quantities to fit the amount you need or do like I do and freeze it.   It is so yummy you will want to stock the freezer with this one.

 

 Act 1

1lb Stewing Steak (chuck in America)

2lb Minced lean Steak

1lb minced pork or pork sausage meat

6 slices of Bacon chopped

6 slices of Pancetta fine dice

8 oz Consomme or beef stock (I use Baxters or homemade Beef stock )

1/2 bottle of Red Wine

2 large onions finely diced

6 cloves of garlic crushed (I adore garlic – use as much as you wish)

1 celery stalk finely diced with the leaves

4 carrots fine cubes

4 Tbs Tomato Purree

4 cans of organic tomatoes (Not the chopped ones) whole tomatoes

1 Teaspoon Raw cane sugar

1 large bunch Basil

1 Lemon

Lea and Perrins Worcestershire sauce

Salt & Pepper to taste

Good quality Olive oil (extra virgin)

Large wedge FRESH Parmasan

Act 1

Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large saucepan, then add the Bacon and Pancetta.  Fry until crisp

Add the onion and carrot.   Fry gently over medium heat until the onion has softened slightly.

In another pan – add a splash of olive oil,  turn the heat to high and add the beef cubes.  Fry for a few minutes and keep rolling.   Once browned well add the rest of the meat and pork and brown this too.

When all the meat is browned, add to the vegetables with the crushed garlic.  Stir well and add the tomato puree.   Stir to cook

Add tomatoes the beef stock,  Lea and Perrins and salt & pepper to taste

Sprinkle the teaspoon of sugar

After an hour shred the Basil and add to the pot with the zest of lemon

I pop mine in the oven at 160C for at least an hour

Stir well back into the oven for another hour (sometimes I leave mine a tad longer to reduce the sauce).  You really want a thick sauce to stick to the tagliatelle

You will see a slick of oil on the top – you can strain this off or leave it in and stir well

Cook the Tagliatelle according to pack instructions or make your own Pasta (I do when I have time) in lots of salted boiling water.  I add lots of salt (taste of the sea). The packs of good quality pasta  you get these days are quite acceptable

I sprinkle my pasta with Olive oil and shake well

 

Act Two

Bringing it all together

 

In a large frying pan add as much sauce as you need.   Throw in the pasta with 4 tablespoons of the pasta water

Mix to coat every scrummy yummy strand

Grate over the top a large amount of Parmesan

Just before serving – sprinkle shredded Basil and the juice of the Lemon and salt and pepper.

Serve with Garlic sticky bread

Enjoy Buon Appetito

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cancun Mexican Grill Midland TX

27 Tuesday Aug 2019

Posted by cinders54 in Food, Restaurant

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Well there is not too much I can say about Midland – except for the People are so lovely friendly and kind

It is not the food capital of the World

BUT

One little place that I can now say is my favourite in Midland Texas

Cancun Mexican Grill

Steaks Pork chop shrimp just everything

On a bustling Saturday night with no reservation – we walked to the restaurant

From entering, we were greeted warmly seated on the last table but a great one – just made very welcome

Instantly served drinks corn chips and dips.

The server came back for the food order – I could not decide so much choice – advice on the whole menu gratefully received

The food came in perfect timing to order a second drink. 

Hot fresh and absolutely delicious cooked to perfection

I cannot rate this restaurant highly enough.

It is so good I am eating there the next FOUR Nights until we depart from Midland Texas to Houston.

 

DOCO KATY TEXAS

26 Friday Jan 2018

Posted by cinders54 in Appetizers, Food, Restaurant

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Tags

delicious, Katy Texas, wine

20180126_192313
20180126_193143

DoCo

 

WOW just fallen over a little GEM

 

Only been opened 2 months – Totally Love and ADORE this Bistro Mediterranean The very best #Falafel I have ever tasted even in the Middle East – A Gyro / Doner to die for – Beautiful Lamb and Beef wrap served with French fries Nothing else needed apart form the most perfectly served White wine – crisp Apples – Sauvignon Blanc

This is now my new Favorite in Katy Texas – Two-minute walk from the OFFICE what could be better – Nothing Shear Perfection 100 out of a 100 x

http://www.docogrill.com/

Know Your Doner

With roots dating all the way back to the 18th century and the Ottoman Empire, Doner is meat -lamb, beef, veal or chicken- that we season and grill to perfection on our vertical rotisseries. And because it cooks vertically, it’s a self-basting miracle that ensures all of the flavorful goodness we put into it, stays right where it’s supposed to. Doner literally means “turning” or “rotating” and it’s becoming more and more popular all over the world. Isn’t that why you’re here?

To know thy doner is to love thy doner!

Pure Love

#DOCO #Katy #Texas #food #foodporn #yum #instafood #InstaTags4Likes #yummy #munchies #amazing #instagood  #photooftheday #Falafel  #dinner #lunch # #fresh #tasty #food #delish #delicious #eating #foodpics #eat #hungry #foodgasm #hot #foods  #döner #travel #lifestyle #foodstagram #foodlover #fooD #Lunch #Phography #foodblog #foodblogger #fooddiary #delicious  #truecooks #culinary #cooking #foodie

 

 

 

 

 

Courgette / Zucchini Stacks

03 Thursday Aug 2017

Posted by cinders54 in Appetizers, Food, Recipes

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Tags

Appitzers, Family, Food, Lunch, Nibbles, Snack, vegetarian

My friend Jean has an allotment she grows the most abundant beautiful fresh Vegetables – My treat is she drops bags and bags of to my kitchen

On this windy rainy English Summer Jean arrived with tons of Zucchini /we call Courgettes – I wanted to use them while so fresh, so here we go recipe Number one

I have decided you could make small bite size ones with chilies and serve them with a sour cream dip and beer Or any non alcoholic drinks. This is a very easy recipe.

    • 1 pound zucchini / Courgette grated or 3 large
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 Plain flour
    • 1/2 cups Fresh grated Parmesan
    • 1 cloves garlic made to a paste with a pinch of salt
    • 2 large egg, beaten I used 1 Duck Egg 1 Large Egg
    • 1 tsp Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil or you can use fry light spray
    • 1 teaspoon mint chopped finely if fresh-or Mint jelly or mint sauce

     

  • In a colander over the sink. Grate your zucchini/courgettes sprinkle with salt and mix with your hands and leave for 10 minutes. Using a clean towel or Muslin cloth, drain the zucchini completely. Squeeze tight until no juice comes out.
  • In a large bowl place flour, Parmesan, garlic and egg and mix together to make a batter then add the Zucchini and mix really well.
  • Heat olive oil or fry light in a frying pan over medium high heat. Scoop tablespoons of the batter drop by drop flattening with a spatula, and cook until the underside is golden brown then flip to cook the other side. when both sides are golden, place on Kitchen roll to drain.
  • Sprinkle on a tad more salt.
    courgette3

    Mix

    courgettee5

    Cook

    courgette2

    Assemble

    Courgette1

  • Serve  hot with a sour cream dip.

 

 

 

Cinders Traditional Guacamole

04 Tuesday Jul 2017

Posted by cinders54 in Appetizers, Dips, Food

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Tags

delicious, Dining, Family, Food, Healthy, Mexican, Recipe

Very Easy

  • 2 Avocados
  • 1 large on the vine tomato finely chopped
  • 1/2 a finely chopped Onion
  • A Bunch of Coriander
    Guacamole 1
    Guacamole2

    (Cilantro) chopped finely

  • Lime juice 1 lime
  • 1 Clove garlic mashed to a paste
  • Pinch Salt and Pepper

To begin

1 Cut the Avocado in half remove the stone with the knife spoon out the flash onto a chopping board and chop into-chunks or make a smooth paste if you prefer

2 Chop the tomato and onion finely and mix into the Avocado

3 mix in the chopped Coriander / Cilantro

4 Sprinkle on the lime juice add salt and pepper to taste

Scrape into a bowl and place in the fridge for 30 minutes

 

Serve as a Dip or use in 7 layer dip or on a wrap

Delirious Delicious Love this I was taught this at the Guacamole Station in a Mexican Restaurant in #Katy #Houston   SIMPLY THE BEST X X X

 

 

 

 

Chop

The Very Best Chicken- Beef Stock Ever

05 Thursday Jan 2017

Posted by cinders54 in Food, Recipes

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Tags

Beef, bone broth, Chicken, delicious, Family, Healthy, stock, wine

  • 2kg chicken wings I use about 24 chicken wings
  • 2 tbsp. skimmed milk powder
  • Extra Virgin Olive oil
  • 2 large onion, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 8 Large carrot, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 3 celery stalks chopped
  • 10 button mushrooms, quartered
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
  • Large Pinch of Salt – Grinding of Pepper
  • Half bottle white wine
  • Any mixed herbs you have left over or fresh of your choosing You can use dried is you wish too

Act 1

Roughly Chop all the Vegetables, place in a large roasting tin with the peeled garlic

Place Chicken wings on top

Sprinkle over the Milk Powder

Slosh over a good sprinkling of Olive oil

Salt and pepper

Place in a hot over, roast for an hour, keep checking and turning the wings so they go brown, stir the vegetables so they do not stick

Act 2

Place everything in a large stock pot, pop in the herbs and wine, cover with cold water and bring to a boil

Skim the stock until clear to get rid of all the impurities

Leave to simmer with the lid on for at least 3 hours, check the water level keeping it topped up to cover the meat

 

Act 3

Turn off the heat and strain into another large pan – crush all the wings and vegetables to release all the juices

Back on the heat to a rolling boil

Simmer and reduce to half

 

Act 4

Turn off the heat and when cold place in the fridge overnight to go very cold

 

Act 5

Next day take off all the fat, it will come off really easy

 

Act 5

Store in pots in the freezer, you will always have homemade Chicken Stock, you will never buy a cube ever again

 

You can also do the same with BEEF BONES about 10 large beef bones –  just switch the White wine to Red

If you do not wish to use Wine, just replace with more water

Enjoy Happy Cooking

 

 

 

 

 

 

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