Posted in Baking, Cooking on October 19, 2010 | 4 Comments »
So i’ve been under ground the last week or two – apologies, but here’s what i’ve been working on….
My entry for Cully & Sully Cheffactor check it out on www.cheffactor.ie
what do you think? Voting starts Oct 25th – Nov 25th – so PLEASE vote for me.
It’s an absolute dream opportunity Vick xx
Posted in Book Shelf, Restaurant Reviews on October 5, 2010 | 2 Comments »
Last nights Cook Book Club inspired me to come home from work this evening & use up my butternut squash which has been sitting in my fridge a week (what a sin!) and cook Italian inspired Butternut Squash risotto. Catherine Fulvio was the guest chef / author of last nights 2nd CookBook Club, Catherine is of course famed for her tv show on RTE, Catherine’s Italian Kitchen & Catherine’s Roman holiday and of course Ballyknocken House & Cookery School. Catherine trained in Ballymaloe and is also inspired by her husband Claudio’s heritage & culture from his Sicilian home place.
Catherine’s humour, smile & enthusiasm was definitely inspiring & her love of Italy & Sicily was great to see how easy it is to cook up an italian dish & how quick a simple dish like Penne ala Vodka with some store cupboard basics! Every house should have a bottle of vodka just for the pasta of course!
Catherine’s Menu:
Antipasta Platter: Caponata, Arancine, Aubergine Parmigiana, Peperonata, Marninated Olives, Bruschetta
Mains:
Chianti Braised Beef with Soft Polenta
Roasted Monkfish with Pesto Trapanese & Roast Mediterranean Vegetables
Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage and Lemon Butter, Herb Salad with Lemon & Honey Dressing
Desserts:
Raspberry Tiramisu with Biscotti
Chocolate & Almond Torte with Stem Ginger Ice-cream
Hazlenut & Orange Tart with Creme Fraiche
I have to say the Antipasta Platter was definitely my favourite part of the evening the flavours were just amazing, I’m definitely going to try to make the Arancine (rice balls) & aubergine parmigiana - they were amazing. I also had the Chianti Beef which was really tender & the Polenta, it was my first time having this, i think I’m a mash potatoes fan over the Polenta, but will try anything once, other cous cous would be great with the beef. The Monkfish also looked fantastic with the mediteranean veg & got great reviews. I had the Chocolate & Almond Torte for dessert it was fantastic & the ginger ice-cream was a great accompaniment.
And finally a picture of Catherine & me, she was so charming & lovely, really inspiring to meet her, & got a signed copy of the Catherine’s Italian Kitchen.
Happy Cooking,
Vick xx
