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Here you will find our tried and tested recipes for fantastic food.   Whether it be something light for a summer's afternoon or a hearty warming meal for a winter's night, you should find a recipe here that will do the job !

TAKE ME TO THE KITCHEN

Cocktails ? Some fine wine ?  A beer ?  How about some absinthe ?  Is it really as bad for you as they say ?  Or perhaps I can recommend the best ciders and tell you the ones to avoid ?   It's all here - simply read on...

TAKE ME TO THE BAR

 

 

THE MENU

NEW!  SAUSAGES IN ALE SERVED IN A YORKSHIRE PUD
THAI GREEN CURRY
BRIE-STUFFED BAKED MUSHROOMS
TUNA STEAK WITH GINGERED CARROTS
CHICKEN BURRITOS WITH SALSA VERDE
BEEF STROGANOFF
DAD'S CHILLI CON CARNE
BEEF & ALE PIE
SELGUM (CURRIED TURNIPS)
BARBECUE MARINADES (new)

 

THE BAR MENU

LONG ISLAND ICED TEA
MARGUERITA CLASSIC
PLANTER'S PUNCH
RUSTY NAIL
ABSINTHE
HENRY WESTON'S CIDER
RUDDLES ORGANIC
DRINKS TO AVOID...

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SAUSAGES COOKED IN REAL ALE, SERVED IN A YORKSHIRE PUDDING

This is fantastic comfort food of the first order!  To serve 4, you will need:

 

12 thick sausages from a decent butcher
1 large onion 
pinch of sugar (helps onions caramelise)
half pint of real ale
half pint of chicken or vegetable stock
tablespoon flour (thickens the sauce)
sprinkle of mixed herbs plus salt n pepper

To Serve:

Yorkshire puddings and mashed potatoes
1/ Finely slice the onions then cook them slowly in a large pan along with the pinch of sugar

2/ As they cook, add the sausages and fry vigorously until they start to colour.  Add the flour and continue cooking for 5 minutes, stirring regularly.

3/ Add the real ale, herbs, and vegetable stock.  Turn the heat down and let it simmer for about an hour while you prepare the yorkshire puddings and mashed potatoes.

4/ Yorkshires can be made easily from scratch - just flour, eggs, and milk but if you want to cheat, just use a 'mix' which is usually just as good.  Ideally aim to make your yorkshires almost the size of your serving plates (as in the picture above).

5/ To serve, spread a layer of mashed potato onto each plate.  Top with a yorkshire pud.  Spoon the sausages and gravy on top.  Delicious !

 

 

 

 

 

 

THAI GREEN CURRY

2 chicken breasts cubed

200ml coconut milk (half a tin. The remaining half can be poured into a freezer bag and frozen for next time) 

3 or 4 dried kaffir lime leaves

1 green or red pepper , diced

Green Curry paste:

2-3 spring onions 

Green chillies to taste (1-3)

juice and zest of 2 limes 

1 clove garlic 

1 inch fresh ginger diced 

2 lemon grass stalks 

2 tablespoons fresh coriander 

2 tablespoons fresh basil 

olive oil 
1/ Pound all the ‘paste’ ingredients in a pestle and mortar, adding enough olive oil to lubricate the 
    mixture OR whizz all paste ingredients in a food processor until smooth.

2/ Fry the paste and diced peppers on a medium heat for 3 or 4 minutes, stirring from time.

3/ Add the coconut milk and lime leaves. Simmer this mixture for 10 minutes.

4/ Add the cubed chicken (no need to fry these first) and continue simmering until chicken is just
    done.

5/ Serve with rice and a few roughly torn basil leaves scattered on top.

 

 

 

BRIE-STUFFED MUSHROOMS WITH CRANBERRY

These make a great starter or could be served as a light supper with some warm crusty bread.

 

Allow 3-6 medium-sized mushrooms per person for a starter

Piece ripe brie

Breadcrumbs 

Melted butter 

Lambs Lettuce for garnish (or Rocket leaves)

Cranberry sauce (warmed) 


 

1/ Rub mushrooms with clean dishcloth to remove loose dirt.
2/ Remove stalks.
3/ Place upturned mushrooms on lightly greased baking tray
4/ Insert a cube of brie into each stalk cavity.
5/ Season, then drizzle with melted butter.
6/ Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top to cover the brie.
7/ Bake in oven for 5-10 minutes until mushrooms are cooked to your liking.
8/ Serve with warmed cranberry sauce on bed of lamb’s lettuce

 

 

 

TUNA STEAKS WITH GINGERED CARROTS

Another great starter or you can add a salad to create a light lunch dish. 

 

1 tuna steak per person 
3 or 4 carrots
a knob of ginger 
a clove of garlic
Lemon Juice
some butter
 

Grate the carrots and ginger; mix together.
Chop the garlic
Melt a lump of butter and add the carrots, garlic and ginger; saute gently til carrots are tender
Meanwhile melt another lump of butter in a large frying pan
Cook the tuna steaks to your liking - trendy chefs will only seal it on both sides, leaving the
middle part raw.  Cook it for longer if you like but DON'T overcook it - it should still be quite 
pink in the middle and remember it will continue 'cooking' for a while even after you remove it from the hob - use your judgement...

Pile the gingered carrots in a mound shape on each plate.
Quickly melt some butter in a pan, adding a good squeeze of lemon juice
Place the tuna steak on top of the carrots
Drizzle the lemony melted butter over and around the dish

 

 

 

 

BEEF STROGANOFF

A very simple dish - 5 ingredients - but unbeatable for flavour if done properly; 
a perfect end to a cold winter's day

 

 
Onions
Mushrooms
Beef
Stock
Cream or creme fraiche

For 2 you'll need 1 onion finely chopped, 1lb shin, stewing or braising steak,
at least a dozen or so medium-sized mushrooms, about half a pint of stock and 
a small pot of cream or creme fraiche.

 

Trim the meat and chop into bite-sized pieces; chop the onion.  Slice about half of the mushrooms and chop the remainder into quarters.  Fry the onion in a little oil for a few minutes then add the meat plus a level desertspoon of plain flour.

Fry until sealed and browned then add the quartered mushrooms.  Fry for a couple of minutes then add the stock.  Turn down the heat and simmer for an hour before adding the remaining mushrooms.  Season with salt n pepper, adding a few mixed herbs if desired, then continue simmering for another hour or so until the meat is really tender.  Add the cream / creme fraiche and serve with rice, noodles or tiny roast potatoes

 

 

 

 

SELGUM (CURRIED TURNIP)

No, don't turn your nose up at this one straightaway !  This is an unusual
but authentic eastern Indian dish and tastes incredibly good.  At least try it once...

This is one of those rare dishes where you can actually taste every individual ingredient, plus it's quick and easy to cook... Furthermore, although it's best served straightaway it also keeps well and actually tastes even better the next day...and it's healthy too...Well, what are we waiting for - here's the recipe... 

 

For 2 people you'll need the following:

3-4 medium size turnips
1 inch ginger, very finely chopped
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
half tsp turmeric
half tsp chilli powder
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp salt
half pint stock
small tub yogurt

 

Chop your onions and ginger and place into a saucepan with approx 1 tsp oil.
Slice the turnips - slices, not dices !
Mix all the dry ingredients in a saucer or small dish
Put the heat on (high) and start frying your onion / ginger mixture
After 2-3 minutes, add your turnip slices and turn the heat down
Stir fry for 5 minutes, adding the dry spices after 2 minutes (approx)
Add the stock; simmer for 7-10 mins until turnips are nicely cooked
Add the yogurt.  Serve with rice.
If serving straightaway, add some chopped fresh coriander to finish

BARBECUE MARINADES

Oriental:

60ml Soy Sauce
30ml Honey
60ml Sherry
tsp Cinnamon
large pinch Pepper
3 or 4 cloves
60ml Cold Tea
1 crushed Garlic Clove

 

Couldn't be simpler... just mix all ingredients together and pour over the meat.  Can be used on chicken, beef or pork - tastes fantastic.
Red Wine:

150ml Red Wine
30ml lemon juice
1 small sliced Onion
1 finely sliced Carrot
1 finely chopped Celery Stalk
2 tsp chopped Parsley
2 tsp chopped Thyme
1 Bay Leaf
6 crushed Peppercorns
60ml Olive Oil 

Again, very simple - just mix all the ingredients together and add to your meat.  Remember the longer you leave it to marinate, the better the end result.  Can you used for chicken but better with beef or lamb.
Honey:

30ml Olive Oil
1 finely chopped Onion
1 finely chopped Garlic Clove
60ml Orange Juice
30ml Honey
45ml Wine Vinegar
15ml Worcester Sauce
1 tsp Horseradish
1 tsp dry Mustard
Salt and Pepper
half tsp Rosemary
half tsp Thyme

Fry the onion and garlic in the oil until turning golden, then add the other ingredients.  Simmer for 5 minutes then leave to cool.  Fantastic on chicken, pork or fish.

 

CHICKEN BURRITOS WITH SALSA VERDE

A lot of people get confused when confronted with a Mexican menu:  Enchilladas, Tortillas, Empanadas, Burritos, Chimichangas... what does it all mean.  So before we go further, let's clarify... 

 

Tortilla Basic thin flat bread 'wrap' used in most Mexican dishes 
Taco A tortilla deep fried into a 'U' shape and stuffed with a filling
Nachos Deep fried tortilla chips covered with various toppings
Enchillada A tortilla rolled and stuffed with a filling, usually topped with a sauce
Flauta A small enchillada which has the ends folded in (to contain the filling) and has been deep-fried 
Burrito A tortilla stuffed and formed into a 'parcel' shape
Chimichanga A deep-fried Burrito
Quesedilla A flat tortilla covered in a topping then topped with another torilla !
Empanada A small savoury 'pastie' shaped pastry
Fajitas Marinated meat fried with onions and peppers and served with warmed tortilla and soured cream

 

That should clear up any confusion.  Now for this recipe.  Essentially each person ends up with a flour tortilla stuffed with refried beans, cheese and shredded chicken, topped with a sauce made from spring onions, fresh green chillies, stock and cream.  Accompaniments would be rice, guacamole, salsa and soured cream; very tasty and also very colourful on the plate.  

 

For 2:

2 chicken breasts

2 flour tortillas

1 can pinto beans (kidney beans or borlotti beans make reasonable substitutes)

6 (or more) fresh green chillies

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 small tomatoes, chopped

1 bunch spring onions

1 tsp ground cumin

Stock 

half tsp oregano

Cheese for grating (Monterey Jack is best; cheddar almost as good)

1 small pot double cream

1 small pot soured cream (to serve
 

First poach the chicken breasts in a little stock or water.  As they cook, start preparing the beans...

Finely chop the small onion and one or two chillies.  Fry in a little oil for a few minutes then add the cumin and oregano.  Fry gently for 3-4 minutes then add the drained beans, chopped
tomatoes and enough stock to just cover.  Allow to simmer for at least 20 minutes - longer 
is fine - until reduced enough that you end up with a thickish paste once blended.  You'll need to use your judgement here; when it looks ok, get the blender or masher out and turn the mixture into a paste.

You will already have removed the chicken breasts from their cooking liquor by now and left
them to cool.  Once cool enough to handle, flake the meat with 2 forks and set aside while we make the salsa verde...

Finely chop the spring onions and remaining chillies.  Fry these gently in butter until soft then add approx half pint stock.  Season with salt and pepper then simmer this mixture down until reduced.  This can take as long as you want it to take - it can be done in 10 minutes if you're in a hurry but really the sauce tastes better and better the longer it cooks.  At the end of the cooking time add the pot of double cream.  Your sauce should be the same consistency as this cream so again, use your judgement when reducing the mixture down.  Blend it before serving.

Now stuff the tortillas...
Warm them through in the microwave for a few seconds (enough to make them more
pliable) then lay them out flat on your worktop.  In a straight line across the centre of 
each tortilla add the following:  a good spread of the bean mix, a generous handful of
shredded chicken and top this off with some grated cheese.  Roll up each enchillada and
seal with a cocktail stick.  Warm these through in the oven until cheese has melted.

To serve:

Allow 2 per person; spoon the salsa verde across them.  Serve with rice, gaucamole,
salsa, soured cream and more grated cheese if desired.  Absolutely delicious...

 

 

 

 

DAD'S CHILLI RECIPE

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1lb minced beef

1 can tomatoes, chopped

quarter tsp marmite or Bovril

heaped tsp ground cumin

heaped tsp chilli powder

level teaspoon dried oregano

tbsp tomato ketchup or tomato puree

stock – approx half pint

1 can Kidney beans

1 pepper (preferably red) chopped into large dice or slices

 

Start by frying the onion and garlic gently in some olive oil (teaspoonful or so). 
Once the onions are starting to brown, turn up the heat and add the minced beef and the dry spices. 
Cook on a fairly high heat, stirring regularly, until the meat is browned. 
Add all the remaining ingredients EXCEPT the chopped pepper and the kidney beans. 
Turn heat down and allow to simmer for 45 minutes approx. 
At this stage, season with salt & pepper to taste, then add the peppers and kidney beans. 
Return to a simmer, cover with a lid and continue cooking until the peppers are tender. 
Serve with rice.

 

 

 

 

BEEF AND ALE PIE

Great winter-warming fayre !   The secret is to cook the ‘filling’ the day before you want to 
make the pie as the flavours will develop overnight (it almost marinates itself…). 
Quite simple to cook and uses only a few ingredients but tastes wonderful.  

 

1 large onion finely chopped

1 clove garlic finely chopped

1lb Beefsteak – Shin, Braising or Stewing cut into 1inch cubes

a dozen small-medium mushrooms, quartered

a teaspoon of mixed herbs

flour

Stout, half pint approx (Mackeson or Guinness)

Salt n pepper

Frozen Puff Pastry (Jus Rol)

 

 

Fry the onion and garlic in a little oil.  Meanwhile toss the meat in flour to coat evenly. 
Add the meat to the pan – turn the heat up – and fry briskly until sealed and lightly browned. 
Add the remaining ingredients; bring to the boil then turn heat down and simmer for at least 
2 hours until the meat is completely tender.  Add more water or stock if necessary. 

To create the pie you have 2 options:  Firstly you can tip the filling into a pie dish and 
top with the rolled pastry  OR you can simply roll out the pastry, cut it into squares or rectangles
(or circles come to that) and bake it in the oven for 10 – 15 mins till it’s nicely risen and golden. 
Then just sit each piece of pastry on top of each hot portion of filling.   Either way is good;
the latter method gives a more consistent presentation so would be a better option if serving guests.
Serve with a selection of fresh vegetables

 

 

 

 

LONG ISLAND ICED TEA -  
Mix a half-shot each of the following:  white rum, vodka, tequila, gin, triple sec.  Add approx 2 shots lemon mix.  Shake over ice and strain into a long glass.  Top up with coke. 
MARGUERITA -  
Rim chilled glass with lime juice and salt.  Shake and strain 2 measures tequila, 1 measure triple sec and approx 2 shots of lemon mix.
PLANTER'S PUNCH - 
Shake a shot each of dark and light rum over ice with equal quantities of orange and pineapple juice plus a splash of grenadine
RUSTY NAIL -  
A simple but effective Winter / Christmas cocktail.  A large scotch and a large drambuie in a large brandy glass...

ABSINTHE
Don't bother trying this unless you like wasting your money.  The supposedly hallucinogenic element inAbsinthe (Thujone) is present in such miniscule quantities that it is unlikely to effect you UNLESS you drink it in massive regular quantities, in which case the sheer volume of alcohol would cause you to hallucinate anyway !   It tastes exactly like Pernod so if you like that taste just buy Pernod instead - it's less than half the price.  

RUDDLES ORGANIC
My favourite real ale.  Tastes like proper good old-fashioned beer should taste.  Available bottled or on draught and tastes equally good either way
HENRY WESTON'S CIDER -  
Absolutely the best cider you can buy anywhere.  Good old-fashioned full-bodied flavour, really tastes of apples unlike most (all ?) canned ciders.  Go for the 8.2% Vintage Dry  for ultimate Cider-drinking pleasure !

 

 

 

Drinks to avoid

On no account EVER touch any of the following with a barge pole...

Any 'brand name' or 'supermarket' ciders apart from the ones I've recommended.
Certainly steer well clear of ANY cider less than 5% - it will be crap: guaranteed.

Any 'Supermarket' brand strong lager - this will give you serious heartburn and 
possibly even hallucinations if drunk in great quantity.

Any liqueur that has a name you don't recognise.

Be very wary if offered sherry - make sure it's a well-known brand before imbibing!

Same advice as above but Vermouth instead of Sherry...

 

 

 

 

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Last modified: July 21, 2005