I've lost a year.......what ever happened to 2013 ?

I'm a very bad food blogger. Whip me, beat me and call me Lazy Daisy.

A small flurry of posts on the sister FB page had reminded me that The Speakeasy existed, and I am ashamed to note that it's been over 12 months since I posted any recipes.

I gave up food writing and reviewing restaurants when my real job simply did not allow me time to cook or be a wordsmith anymore. Even the lure of complimentary food no longer cuts the mustard. My last work with Cotswold Style was presenting at the Cheltenham Food Festival last Summer - good fun - and done for love not money.

My creative side needs to be nurtured though, that book won't write itself - my Sister in Law and I keep promising to write a book about her Pro-Chef days working with the coolest music bands in the UK, TV catering and the F2 circuit; feeding Factory 51, the big Festivals, touring with Primal Scream, cast dining for Dr.Who, roulades for racing drivers.

I will keep my hand in and commit to posting once a month...feel free to nag me if I neglect to do so.

Mrs Nightingale.

Beetroot Hoummus - Detox 2013

• 2 tins of chickpeas - drained and washed under cold water
• cloves
• garlic - roughly chopped
• zest and juice of a lemon
• 100 ml olive oil
• 2 cooked and peeled beetroots
• salt/pepper
• 1 Tbs tahini

Blitz all ingredients bar the olive oil in a processer until you have made a thick paste, then drizzle in the olive oil and blitz again. 

Low Carb Beef Stew

Low Carb 

Beef and Lentil Stew

Ingredients:

2 Tb. oil
 
2.5 lbs. beef chuck, cut into ¾ inch cubes
 
1 onion, chopped
 
3 garlic cloves, minced

4 carrots, sliced

3 large celery stalks, sliced

1 ½ cup dried green or brown lentils

1 tin of chopped tomatoes

6 cups beef stock

1 cup dry red wine

3 bay leaves

1 Tb. dried thyme

Pinch of cayenne pepper

3 Tb. fresh chopped tarragon

Salt and Pepper

Directions:

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sauté the onions for 3-4 minutes, then add the beef and garlic.

Brown the meat, stirring regularly, for 5-10 minutes.

Add the carrots, celery, lentils, tomatoes, beef stock, wine, bay leaves, thyme, 1 tsp. salt and cayenne pepper.

Bring to a boil, COVER, then reduce heat and simmer for about 45-60 minutes, until the lentils are tender. Stir in the tarragon. Then taste for salt and pepper. *The key here is to use a pot with a heavy lid, otherwise you may have to cook it longer for the meat to tenderize.

Detox 2013 - Ginger Apple Smoothie

Ginger Apple Smoothie 

Ingredients:

1 apple, cored, peeled and sliced

1 lemon, peeled and seeded

1/2 cup filtered water

1/2 cup ice

1 (2-inch) piece of fresh ginger root, peeled and crushed.

Detox 2013 - Jazzy Water

Bored of water but resolved to drink more in the New Year as part of your detox plan? 

Try jazzing it up.

Ingredients:

2 lemons

1/2 cucumber

10-12 mint leaves

3 quarts water

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Chill Time: Overnight or 8 hours 

Yields: 10-12 glasses

Method:

1. Slice cucumber and lemons. Place in the bottom of the pitcher. Toss in mint leaves. Add water

2. Chill overnight or for at least 8 hours

Mackerel Pate

(serves 4-6)

2-3 medium smoked mackerel, bones and skin removed ( I used 280g from Sainsbury’s!)

1 lemon, skin and pips removed

1 small carton cottage lowest fat cheese with chives (or whatever you fancy)

few squirts lime juice or half a fresh lime

black pepper

1. Put everything into a blender and blend for around a minute, until well combined and of desired consistency.

I promise you won't taste the cottage cheese !

White Hot Chocolate

White Hot Chocolate (4 large mugs)

85g finely chopped white chocolate 

150 ml double cream 

850 ml whole milk 

Half teaspoon vanilla extract.

Place the chopped chocolate in a heat-proof bowl, and set aside. Combine the cream and milk in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Heat just until bubbles begin to form around the edges of the pan; do not boil. Pour the hot liquid over the white chocolate. Let sit for about 30 to 60 seconds, then stir until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Whisk in the vanilla, then whisk vigorously until a light foam forms on the surface of the liquid. Pour into heated cups, and garnish with chocolate-covered marshmallows or a peppermint stick. Serve immediately.