Wow Factor Valentine's Recipes
Posted by Joseph Sherlock on February 07, 2011 at 10:17 AM
First of all I would like to thank everyone who took the time to read and comment on my last blog. I really appreciate all of the support and feedback!!
It's that time of year when we can all impress that someone special with our skills in the Kitchen. I am going to share with you all some really easy and stunning recipes, just in time for Valentine's Day. These recipes are very simple but certainly have that extra WOW factor perfect to share with a loved one!!
Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Cooking!!
Joseph Sherlock.
Wow Factor Valentine's Recipes:
Joseph's Irish Brown Soda Bread:
Ingredients:
- 380g Wholemeal Flour (3 Cups)
- 380g Irish White Flour (3 Cups)
- 2 level teaspoons Bread Soda
- 2 level teaspoons Salt
- 1 Pint Buttermilk (2.5 Cups)
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 230 degrees Celsius or Gasmark 8.
- Add the wholemeal flour into a large mixing bowl.
- Sieve the white flour and add that to the mixing bowl.
- Add the salt and the bread soda.
- Scoop out a well in the flour and pour in three quarters of the buttermilk.
- With your fingers draw the flour into the milk mixing them with a light touch.
- The dough should come together easily into a sort ball.
- If it becomes too dry add more milk but avoid allowing the dough becoming sticky.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured board.
- Shape it into a flattened oval shape approx 2 inches high.
- Cut a cross into the surface.
- Place in the oven immediately.
- After 10 minutes reduce the heat to 200 degrees Celsius or Gasmark 6.
- Bake for a further 30 minutes.
- Remove the bread from the oven.
- Turn it upside down and tap it on the bottom.
- If the bread makes a hollow noise then it is ready.
- If it does not make a hollow noise place it back in the oven for a further 10 minutes,
Serving Suggestion:
- Serve the bread warm from the oven as a side to the Starter below.
Curried Eggs - 2 People
Ingredients:
- 4 Large Eggs (Free Range if possible)
- ½ Cup of Low Fat Mayonnaise:
- 2 Egg Yolks (Free Range if possible)
- ¾ Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Powdered Mustard
- Pinch of Cayenne Pepper
- Half Pinch of Sugar
- 4 - 5 Teaspoons of Lemon Juice
- 1.5 Cups of Olive Oil
- 4 Teaspoons of Hot Water
- Pinch of Curry Powder
- Kos Lettuce
- Cucumber
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Pinch of Salt
- Pinch of Black Pepper
Method - Mayonnaise:
- Beat the yolks, salt, powdered mustard, sugar and 1 teaspoon lemon juice in a small bowl.
- Keep beating this mixture until it becomes thick and pale yellow in colour.
- Add ¼ Cup of oil, drop by drop, beating vigorously at the same time.
- Beat in 1 teaspoon each lemon juice and hot water.
- Add another ¼ cup of oil, a few drops at a time, beating vigorously at the same time.
- Beat in another teaspoon each lemon juice and hot water.
- Add ½ cup of oil in a steady stream, beating constantly.
- Mix in the remaining lemon juice and water.
- Slowly beat in the remaining oil.
- Cover and refrigerate until needed
Method - Curried Eggs:
- Place 4 eggs into boiling water and boil for 6 - 10 minutes or until they become hard boiled.
- With a slotted spoon remove the eggs from the boiling water and place into a bowl of cold water.
- Leave them to cool down before shelling each of the eggs.
- Cut each egg in half.
- Place 4 halves on one plate and the same on another.
- In a small bowl mix 4 tablespoons of Mayonnaise with a pinch of curry powder.
- Spread the mayo and mustard mixture over the eggs.
- Add some lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes to each plate.
- Season with salt and pepper.
Serving Suggestion:
- Serve this dish as a delicious starter with some warm Irish Brown Soda Bread and Enjoy!!
Beef Stroganoff:
Ingredients:
- 6 Ounces of Sirloin Steak - Cut into strips
- 2 Ounces of Button Mushrooms
- 3 Spring Onions
- 6 Gherkins
- 2 Shredded Carrots
- ½ Cup Sour Cream
- 2 tablespoons Brandy
- 1 tablespoon Paprika
- Pinch Salt and Pepper
- 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil
- Knob of Butter
Method:
- Coat the beef strips overnight in Paprika, Salt and Pepper.
- Heat the oil and butter in a pan and fry the beef until the juices are sealed and the meat turns brown.
- Place the beef into a separate dish.
- In the same pan fry off the chopped Spring Onions, sliced Mushrooms and shredded Carrots for 5 - 7 minutes.
- Place the vegetables into a separate dish.
- In the same pan again over a high heat add the beef and brandy.
- Carefully light the brandy with a match and burn off the alcohol.
- Add sliced Gherkins and the Sour Cream.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes before adding the vegetables.
- Be careful when stirring not to break up the beef or the mushrooms.
Serving Suggestion:
- Serve piping hot with noodles, Garlic Bread and a Crunchy Salad.
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