Tuesday 30 September 2014

this is punny


Designing Your Own Dishes in Different Cuisines by Using Spices




If you would like to make up your own dishes in the style of a different country, one easy way is to use the spices which are commonly used in that country. 

As a guide, Spicery sets out the spices for a number of cuisines in order from the ones used in the largest quantity down.

Indian
Moroccan
African
Middle Eastern
Indonesian
Coriander seed
Coriander seed
Coriander seed
Paprika
Coriander seed
Turmeric
Turmeric
Cumin
Pepper
Cumin
Cinnamon
Paprika
Allspice
Cumin
Fennel seed
Cumin
Cumin
Ginger
Coriander seed
Cassia
Fenugreek
Cinnamon
Pepper
Sumac
Turmeric
Ginger
Ginger
Fenugreek
Thyme
Lemongrass
Pepper
Cloves
Cassia
Galangal
Chilli
Pepper
Cloves
Ginger
Cloves
Chilli
Cardamom
Pepper
Tamarind
Cloves
Cardamom
Chilli
Saffron


Malaysian
Thai
Chinese
Japanese
Mexican
Coriander seed
Coriander leaf (cilantro)
Star anise
Sichuan pepper leaves
Paprika
Cumin
Kaffir lime leaf
Fennel seed
Black sesame
Cumin
Fennel seed
Lemongrass
Cassia
Mustard seed
Oregano
Cinnamon
Green chilli
Sichuan pepper
Salt
Chilli
Turmeric
Garlic
Cloves
Wasabi
Coriander leaf (cilantro)
Pepper
Galangal
Ginger
Dried seaweed
Chilli
Ginger
Ginger
Galangal

After looking at these spices, I decided that I need to up my use of coriander seed!  And I was surprised just how few of these cuisines used lots of garlic! 

Thanks to Auckland Libraries for Spicery by Ian & Elizabeth Hemphill

Monday 29 September 2014

Capital City of the Week – Madrid



This is Madrid's City Hall – also known as the Cybele Palace



The Prado Museum has a fantastic collection of art.  I'd love to see it.  It is in Madrid.


This is Madrid's Museum of the Americas


World famous tenor Placido Domingo comes from Madrid.

So where in the world is Madrid?

Madrid is the capital of:


Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys


I-I love the colorful clothes she wears
And the way the sunlight plays upon her hair
Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys was a standout song for its time.  It was released in 1966.  It took 8 months of recording in several different studios!
The song was the Beach Boy's third number one hit in the US – the others being I Get Around and Help Me Rhonda.  I remember Help Me Rhonda well but must admit I don't really recall the other song.
I enjoyed watching this YouTube clip of the song.

Sunday 28 September 2014

So true!


Potato & Prosciutto Pizza

Potato & Prosciutto Pizza by Carole's Chatter
 
This Potato & Prosciutto Pizza came about through not having much fresh food in the house and not feeling like shopping.  Sometimes necessity does produce a special dish!
I thinly sliced a potato and boiled them in salted water for 2 to 3 minutes – to give the potato a bit of a head start.
I used a pita bread as a base – I brushed both sides of it with olive oil and garlic infused olive oil.
I brushed a mixture of passata (tomato puree) and Dijon mustard over the base.
Then on went a layer of potato slices, some thinly sliced capsicum (bell pepper), a finely diced chilli and some sliced up pieces of leftover prosciutto – you don't need much.
Then on with the cheese a mix of pizza mix cheese and parmesan.  Salt and pepper of course.
Cook your pizza in a hot oven and then sprinkle some sliced tops of spring onions on top (scallions). 
This tasted fab – next time I might put the potato layer a little higher up so you could see some of it in the finished pizza.

Saturday 27 September 2014

Wisdom from the indomitable Julia Child


St Émilion


St Emilion France by Carole's Chatter
 
One of the many highlights of our recent trip in France was to visit the town (near Bordeaux) called Saint Émilion.  It is associated with some of the most famous red wines in the world.  There have been vineyards in the area since the second century.  Now that's history! 

St Émilion is a  hilltop town - very picturesque - touristy but not totally overrun by them. This town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

St Emilion France by Carole's Chatter
 
I found out later that this church is a monolithic church – the bottom of it is hewn out of a single block of stone 

 
We bought a good red wine from the Grand Cave de St Émilion  -Couvent des Jacobins - Grand Cru Classe Saint Émilion  - 2004.  It was part of a special gift for my brother in law. 

St Emilion France by Carole's Chatter

We were wandering about the town and fell over some old buildings with modern animal sculptures including cows and giraffes. 

St Emilion France by Carole's Chatter

Walked across town to be by the tower – called the King's Tower – we didn't climb it. It is the remnants of a castle.
St Emilion France by Carole's Chatter
 
My souvenir tea towel showing the Bordeaux wine areas 
St Emilion France by Carole's Chatter
 
We had lunch at a nice bistro (Le Bistrot des Vignobles) with tables in the garden. Luckily we were seated under the large awning so weren't affected when the rain set in. We both had set menus - cold salad (lots of fruit), supreme de Voillaile and panna cotta - all good. I went to town with foie gras, and duck - both delicious and good value 

St Emilion France by Carole's Chatter


I recommend Saint-Émilion to you.

Friday 26 September 2014

Hate graffiti - but I thought this was funny!


Food on Friday: Cocktails and Mocktails


ON

This Food on Friday is revisiting Cocktails and Mocktails.  There were just under 50 in the first edition.  Let's see how well we do this time.


To add your cocktails or mocktails, just put the name of the beverage together with your blog name/name into the first Mr Linky box you will find below.  Then paste the url for your post about it into the second box.
I'll be pinning the links to thisPinboard – this is a quick way for you to scan the dishes and choose which ones you want to check out in more detail.
One thing – don't try too many of these at once!


Thursday 25 September 2014

Maya Angelou - wise and much missed


Need Some Inspiration? Try Salads!




Food on Friday: Salads was indeed inspirational.  Over 120 salads were linked up.  To see them all, pop over to this Pinboard.
I have selected some stunning salads that were linked in to inspire you today.  Enjoy!
The first one at the top of the post is of Sorrel & Watermelon Salad with Feta by Pattie T of Olla-Podrida.



Look at this!  Raspberry Pretzel Jello Salad by 2 Kids and Tired Cooks

Smoked Chicken Cobb Salad by I Believe I Can Fry

 

Thai Beef Salad by Mama's High Strung

Spicy Pineapple Salad by Ask Sarah




Soba Noodle Salad with Avocado by Chit Chat Chomp