Chris's Recipes

Graham's Full Monty

2012-05-10T05:07:00.001-07:00

On cold Spanish mornings (generally around 1.00pm) Graham and I would wander into Almunecar town to admire the historic buildings and carry out quality control checks on the numerous bars in town.
When we disagreed on our assessments we generally re-sampled using a famous mouth wash available in Spain known as Glenfiddech which is pure Scottish ~~Whiskey~~ water.

When it came to around 5.00pm it was difficult to find anywhere serving a good English breakfast but eventually, Graham came up with the answer. Washed down with Scottish water (What else)

The Politicians Soup

2012-04-06T09:46:00.002-07:00

Baby Chicken Tikka

2012-04-06T07:03:00.000-07:00

Couldn't bring myself to do it, so follow link and get a takeaway

Hungarian Carnival Donuts

2012-03-05T06:29:00.002-08:00

Wonderful looking donuts! They would look better with a great dollup of jam in. They are not easy to make, so these were bought but much love went into the presentation.
However, believing in baking, I found this recipe which we have tried. They were hot and fresh, including muchos jam (believe the recipe is Hungarian) so if you have a spare 2 hours for shopping and cooking, do enjoy. It was worth it. Click here

Sarah's Desert

2012-02-25T07:57:00.001-08:00

This is dedicated to Sarah Palin who one day can try this desert.

JUST VEGETARIAN

2011-10-14T14:22:00.000-07:00

I guess I couldn't write this without taking into account vegetarians. Albeit a committed canivore myself, I thought it only fair to include this...........

However, if you would like some really good recipies I can recommend you click this for a great selection.

COWBOYS MEAL

2011-10-10T07:36:00.000-07:00

Not known for my PC'ness, I didn't think calling this a Cowpersons meal sounded quite right. On the other hand. calling it a Cowgirls meal would probably mean a slap around the face.
This is something my dad used to give me for breakfast but by just beefing up the quantities, it is equally as good for a lunchtime snack. It's fast, cheap and the ingredients are probably already in the larder!

Tin of baked beans (If you have the one with the little sausages in great)
Chopped bacon
Chopped Onion
+ anything which takes your fancy (maybe a mushroom)

Fry bacon, onions and whatever in a saucepan, add beans and enjoy!

FALL OFF A STOOL

2011-10-10T06:22:00.000-07:00

Several years ago Carol and I stayed at the Holiday Inn in Manchester for a week during a very hot summer (that shows you how long ago it was!) and whilst having a drink at the bar we noticed they were serving ice creams. Looking at the menu we saw a really nice one, the name of which I cannot remember but it was fantastic.

It simply consisted of a long glass (one of those fancy ones) where you need a tea spoon with a 6 inch handle in order to eat - the contents are so simple -
7 or 8 red grapes
Spoonful of ice cream on the top
2 large shots of Amaretto or similar poured over it.
They were really scrumptious, so much so we had about 6 of these each - hence my name for it.

ANUSHA'S DOUBLE DELIGHT

2011-10-10T03:54:00.000-07:00

Anusha has come up with a simple way (Why didn't I think of it?) of having different flavours combined (see left piccy)
I once tried to make ice cream which turned out to be a disaster as you need one of those ice cream machines, so my suggestion is to use a shop or restaurant.

It is really worth experimenting with the double handed method though for eating it. You know what it's like to give someone a taste of your own food, well this double handed method (right piccy), has been perfected by her too. Anusha can be contacted at your local weight watchers. Actually, I have seen more fat on a chip!

MANPREET'S CHEESE CAKE

2011-10-09T09:52:00.000-07:00

Whilst I love Cheescake and so does Manpreet, I really would not have the patience or inclination to make one. Like her, I would only eat it at a restaurant or pick a ready-made one up from the local supermarket. However, I have been told,Gordon Ramsey has a really good recipe for this, which if you can wait 5 hours from preparation to table, is really worth the wait. This is a link to his recipe! but do come back here again.
How Manpreet remains so slim is still beyond me!

HUNGARIAN CLEAR MEAT SOUP

2011-10-08T12:10:00.000-07:00

This is quite an usual soup both in it's appearance and also the manner which traditionally Hungarians eat it. Like much Hungarian food, Paprika, both sweet and hot, play a major part in the soup. Generally, most people use beef as the main ingredient (usually the cheapest cut) or else sliced beef from a leftover roast. I have had this myself with chicken legs/wings which was equally as nice.

Beef Shank, Chicken on the bone or even try some belly pork slices - take one of these and very slowly simmer on the lowest heat you can get off your cooker - the beef will take 2 - 3 hours, chicken and pork somewhat less. When cooked, chuck away the water as it will be a bit murky by now and wash cooked meat and put aside in the fridge or just covered up.

Now get another pan of water and bring to the boil and chuck in some whole carrots (1 per person) a small onion per person, small sweet pepper (again 1 each) and a stick of celery each. If you have any parsnips lying around, a couple of big chunks can help.
Add some crushed up garlic, some black peppercorns (whole) and a tiny bit of hot stuff - either chili powder, tabasco sauce etc - just a small enough to give it all a hint of a bite. The last mandatory ingredient is a pinch of cayenne (red pepper to you and me) with salt to taste.
Simmer this for about 10 minutes and add some sort of pasta and simmer for or further 5 or 10 minutes until the veg is cooked but DONT STIR as it will all get cloudy.
If you have any bay leaves and caraway seeds handy, I guess they can only add to the flavour.
A few minutes before the end drop in the meat so it gets warmed up a bit.
When served if you have any green stuff about - parsley or carrot leaves it can all add a bit of "Panash"
Should the thought of water coloured soup put you off, add a little piece of stock cube or even a fraction of Tumeric.

CHRIS'S MEAT & VEG SOUP

2011-10-08T08:10:00.000-07:00

Basically this is the same as a stew but with less of the main ingredient and more water!
Put some water in a saucepan to give you the volume for cooking the main ingredient you want to use. If it's uncooked meat simmer it for however long it takes to cook it (2 hours+)and then chuck the murky water away and refill pan. Put in whatever vegetables you want plus mixed herbs, garlic?, (a must have is potatoes) and cook until virtually ready. Thicken it up with a little corn flower, stock cubes or gravy granules. Thereby, you have created a wonderful soup/stew.

The difference between a stew and a soup is simply the liquid for a stew has to be slightly thicker with less liquid served on the plate.
Beer and Red wine can be substituted or partially substituted for the water which certainly adds to the flavour but I prefer the alcohol as God intended it..... straight down the throat! This is lovely on cold winter days and nights. This can be garnished with any green stuff you have lying around as long as it's legal!

SPANISH TOSTADA

2011-10-07T12:00:00.000-07:00

This is so simple and when I first saw it, but thought it was a dire concoction until I tried it.
It simply consists of a open toasted baguette (French stick, slit hot dog rolls or buns) commonly know as a Barra.
Rub a peeled garlic all over it and rub or grate a tomato (sweet) into the bread.
Them drizzle a fair bit of Olive oil over it. Really yummy!

ORGASMIC BANANA'S

2011-10-07T11:17:00.000-07:00

This recipe can be used either for breakfast, desert or simply a snack but remains one of my all time favourites.
Simply slice a peeled banana from end to end and put into a hot frying pan with literally two drips of oil. Pour on runny honey and turn them over a couple of times as the burnt honey will form a crispy bit on the outside. Cooking time should be about two minutes. Serve on their own, perhaps with a little more honey and maybe some ice cream.

BOILED EGG

2011-10-07T10:00:00.000-07:00

YOU HAVE TO BE JOKING!!!

IF YOU CAN'T DO THIS - GIVE UP

BUT FOR GOD'S SAKE DON'T MICROWAVE THEM

2011-10-07T09:09:00.000-07:00

HEALTHY BREAKFAST

GET A LIFE!!

POACHED EGG

2011-10-07T09:04:00.000-07:00

Just boil a pan of water, add a splash of vinegar if you have some (This helps stop the eggs from disintegrating) Put the eggs in the pan with the heat turned off. Replace lid and leave sitting for three and half minutes. VOILA!!

SCRAMBLED EGGS

2011-10-07T07:51:00.000-07:00

A two minute hot breakfast which can be cooked either in a saucepan or in the microwave.
Simply break 1,2 or 3 eggs and stir up well with a fork whilst adding a little butter and dash of milk. Add salt and pepper to your taste.

Put into hot oiled pan on a medium to high heat constantly stirring for about a minute. Remove from the heat to let it finish cooking in the pan. Cooking time depends simply on how you like your eggs cooked. If you have been cooking it for more than 5 minutes, suggest you start shopping for a new pan.

Should you microwave cook, use a small bowl and microwave on medium, for a good 2 mins, stirring every 20 seconds and finish off on high for 30 seconds. You will probably find it is a bit lumpy but can be broken up with a fork before serving.

FRY UP OR "CHUCK IT IN THE PAN"

2011-10-07T05:52:00.001-07:00

I guess this really does have to come first in the list as there is nothing more traditional than the Old English Fry-up and I believe I have got this to purrrrrfection. My taste buds have been activated just by writing this.

Key to this has got to be fried bread, crispy bacon and egg. I must admit when they are in the fridge I chuck in a tomato, sausage and mushrooms. Depending on how hungry we are, I often put in thinly sliced potatoes or mashed potato from the previous days leftovers.

There is nothing better (other than sex) than the smell of a morning fry-up wafting around the house until the smoke alarm goes off.

I have read some famous cook books by TV chefs that suggest you can use a microwave for bacon and mushrooms. This is sheer damn heresy and the only thing you need is a frying pan and oil. Personally I prefer Olive oil and that's not for health reasons, I simply like the added flavour it gives. With regards to the type of bacon and sausage, I really don't think it matters - it's just what you like or what's in the fridge.

Let's assume we are going for the "Full Monty" this is the order it's put in the pan. I have the oil on quite low to start as I prefer things cooked slowly.

Sausages in for 5 or 6 mins then add
Sliced potatoes (the idea is that they don't come out as chips) in for 5 minutes then add
A slice of bread (unhealthy white tastes better) turn heat up a bit and remove bread when cooked.
Add bacon, mushrooms and tomato and leave for 5 minutes cooking.

Break the egg into the pan and flip over as necessary.............. Bon apetite

If you are using mashed potato put it in very last thing and wind up the heat in the pan (After serving the rest) and burn the underside of the potato so it's got a crust - that's mouth watering.

If you are out to impress someone with this, open the sausage from end to end and put in a little mustard mixed with honey - great flavour.