The Virtual Pub
Come Inside... => The Restaurant => Topic started by: Pastis on December 04, 2008, 03:50:00 PM
-
I've been invited to join some friends for Christmas dinner. It seems that for all of us family is either too far away or the last place we'd rather be ;). We appear to be eight sat down so far but it could increase.
The basic menu seems to be taken care of but I'd like to take something along by way of a contribution apart from the obvious bottle of collapso. Any ideas?
I'm working on a Lite version of Celebrity Death Bingo for later in the evening but no doubt BM will be after royalties... ::)
-
Take a goose. A live one.
-
Were you thinking food, drink, giftage, handmade, purchased? Is it a couple, a single lady or a sad lonely bastard hosting?
-
I've been invited to join some friends for Christmas dinner. It seems that for all of us family is either too far away or the last place we'd rather be ;). We appear to be eight sat down so far but it could increase.
The basic menu seems to be taken care of but I'd like to take something along by way of a contribution apart from the obvious bottle of collapso. Any ideas?
I'm working on a Lite version of Celebrity Death Bingo for later in the evening but no doubt BM will be after royalties... ::)
20% as you are my mate like... whistle:
Boring but take collapso or chocs that you like in case they only have shite.
-
I was thinking of a foody contribution, ornate choccy truffles I fancy having a go at making, or a simple gifty thing like quality crackers.
The chef is Japanese, his other half's Australian, the remainder are an equally strange mix... I should fit in nicely eeek:
There were murmurings about a Turkey Royale and from previous experience of their cooking it should be amazing. Nick's Goose suggestion might even be in there!
-
Handmade choc truffles were exactly what I was going to suggest!
May I also suggest a board game. Taboo is hysterical, excellent for groups and helps everyone get to know each other.
-
Handmade choc truffles were exactly what I was going to suggest!
May I also suggest a board game. Taboo is hysterical, excellent for groups and helps everyone get to know each other.
Truffles it will be then. I have 3 weeks to practice cloud9: Can you freeze them?
I will google taboo scared2:
-
Delia seems to think so!
-
Good!
I've taken a look at Taboo; not a bad idea rubschin: Though knowing some of the guests we'll move on to the XXX version within minutes eeek:
-
The game is good in that it becomes what the players make it. We've played with a full range of ages that remains clean and it's played at the end of very drunken nights out where it becomes a little more lairy. Always hysterical fun though.
-
Rather like Polish the Knob TM
-
noooo:
-
Completely unlike Polish the Knob I would have said... noooo:
-
We made some Lavender flavoured shortbread recently ~ one person trying to describe it said it tasted how she would expect heaven to taste. We also made Lavender Creams (Peppermint creams using lavender essence instead of peppermint) ~ Jolly nice and different.
-
Good for canine halitosis then?
-
We made some Lavender flavoured shortbread recently ~ one person trying to describe it said it tasted how she would expect heaven to taste. We also made Lavender Creams (Peppermint creams using lavender essence instead of peppermint) ~ Jolly nice and different.
Lavender has extraordinary properties. On the taste side, one of the most delicious creme brulees I've ever had was a lavender one cloud9:
Ta for jogging the memory; I'll see if I can work it in... whistle:
-
Actually I am thinking white chocolate lavender truffles would be pretty good!
-
Actually I am thinking white chocolate lavender truffles would be pretty good!
Wow! Have several claps Wenchy!
I've bookmarked Delia but if you can link a recipe for that... cloud9:
-
Chocolate Lavender Truffles
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon dried lavender florets
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
Grate chocolate. Bring cream and lavender to a simmer for one minute, then strain. Add cream to chocolate and stir to melt. Mix well. Chill at least 3 hours. Roll into 1 inch balls, then roll in cocoa. Makes 25 truffles. Lovely as an after dinner treat with coffee!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Although I reckon you could just use lavender essence add some in at the same stage you would add in the alcohol. Snoopy would have a better idea of the amounts to use though I think. I've never used the essence before only the tips.
-
The Restaurant thread was such a good idea cloud9:
-
Lavender tips have to be very fresh (even if dried they have to be fresh when the drying started and lavender "goes over" very quickly). The Lavender essence is cheap enough (£4.50 for 10ml but you only use a few drops) and the flavour is intense. Also no need to strain it out as there is with the flowers. You can, if you have the time, make lavender sugar on the same principle as vanilla sugar simply by placing fresh flowers into sugar and sealing the jar for a few months but again the essence is easier.
-
Lavender tips have to be very fresh (even if dried they have to be fresh when the drying started and lavender "goes over" very quickly). The Lavender essence is cheap enough (£4.50 for 10ml but you only use a few drops) and the flavour is intense. Also no need to strain it out as there is with the flowers. You can, if you have the time, make lavender sugar on the same principle as vanilla sugar simply by placing fresh flowers into sugar and sealing the jar for a few months but again the essence is easier.
"CULINARY LAVENDER ESSENCE
To enable lavender to become a versatile year-round flavour, The Hop Shop has devised two special types of lavender and rosemary essence for use in cooking and has worked closely with local food producers to develop ice-creams, fudge, cakes, biscuits, marmalades, chutneys and jellies to add to the farm shop's repertoire.
The essence is designed to combine with the other ingredients in a recipe and is in a form whereby it can be properly tasted on the tongue. (The oil itself is bitter and can only be smelled, not tasted.) There are two types - one is designed for use in cakes, biscuits and all high-temperature cooking such as fudge, jams and jellies. The other is for use in ice-cream, cold cheesecakes and soft drinks.
The essence has proved popular with commercial food manufacturers, chefs, caterers and home cooks because of the consistency and intensity of flavour it produces and its ease of use.
NB. The only food type which requires oil, not essence, is chocolate, for which we recommend the Lavandin oil.
CULINARY LAVENDER HEADS
When using lavender flowers to decorate or flavour food, it is important to select the right variety as some can be bitter or too strong. We sell a selected variety with good colour and a delicate taste specifically for culinary use."
-
Chocolate Lavender Truffles
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon dried lavender florets
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
Grate chocolate. Bring cream and lavender to a simmer for one minute, then strain. Add cream to chocolate and stir to melt. Mix well. Chill at least 3 hours. Roll into 1 inch balls, then roll in cocoa. Makes 25 truffles. Lovely as an after dinner treat with coffee!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Although I reckon you could just use lavender essence add some in at the same stage you would add in the alcohol. Snoopy would have a better idea of the amounts to use though I think. I've never used the essence before only the tips.
Sounds great Wenchy, any idea what constitutes "a cup"?
-
MUG
-
A "cup" is an American culinary measure roughly equivalent to 112 grammes of flour.
For liquids it's about 250 ml or a little over 8 fluid oz
You can buy such cups in "Kitchen" Shops. We have a stainless steel one that came from the Kitchenware dept in IKEA. Useful if following American recipes but a normal sized tea cup is not far off.
Cue some clown to say he only drinks tea out of a mug or the saucer. ::)
Edit: I bloody knew it! As I was typing he had to say it.
-
angel1
-
Chocolate Lavender Truffles
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon dried lavender florets
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
Grate chocolate. Bring cream and lavender to a simmer for one minute, then strain. Add cream to chocolate and stir to melt. Mix well. Chill at least 3 hours. Roll into 1 inch balls, then roll in cocoa. Makes 25 truffles. Lovely as an after dinner treat with coffee!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Although I reckon you could just use lavender essence add some in at the same stage you would add in the alcohol. Snoopy would have a better idea of the amounts to use though I think. I've never used the essence before only the tips.
Sounds great Wenchy, any idea what constitutes "a cup"?
Bloody americans!
1 us cup= 1 cup [US] = 236.5882365 gram according to the web
my measuring cup says it is 250 ml
-
I fear you may be using a bra angel1
-
Chocolate Lavender Truffles
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon dried lavender florets
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
Grate chocolate. Bring cream and lavender to a simmer for one minute, then strain. Add cream to chocolate and stir to melt. Mix well. Chill at least 3 hours. Roll into 1 inch balls, then roll in cocoa. Makes 25 truffles. Lovely as an after dinner treat with coffee!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Although I reckon you could just use lavender essence add some in at the same stage you would add in the alcohol. Snoopy would have a better idea of the amounts to use though I think. I've never used the essence before only the tips.
Sounds great Wenchy, any idea what constitutes "a cup"?
Bloody americans!
1 us cup= 1 cup [US] = 236.5882365 gram according to the web
my measuring cup says it is 250 ml
Pretty much what I said then. whistle:
The Yanks have measuring cups for Liquids and others for Dry ingredients. They also sell sets with quarter and half cups as well as full ones.
Now we sit back and wait for Nick to mention C Cups or similar.
Edit; See I can read his bloody mind from here.
-
Is there some sort of time warp on this pub today? rubschin:
-
Nope but you can type your one liners faster than I can type several lines ~ normally when the site tells me that another post has been made as I type I review that which I have written but on the last two occasions I let it run and after posting went back to add the edit.
You are getting predictable old horse.
-
The Yanks have measuring cups for Liquids and others for Dry ingredients. They also sell sets with quarter and half cups as well as full ones.
That is what I have. I actually find cooking with them far easier than cooking with scales.
-
You don't like fish?
-
The Yanks have measuring cups for Liquids and others for Dry ingredients. They also sell sets with quarter and half cups as well as full ones.
That is what I have. I actually find cooking with them far easier than cooking with scales.
I confess I lean toward the Keith Floyd method of a "metric handful" and a "good splosh"
-
Normal cooking I agree but for baking where measurement is vaguely important I prefer the cup method.
-
You are of course right, as ever, but I don't do a lot of baking what with Minimus being allergic to eggs and all.
Basic throwing of a meal together is what I am mainly confined to these days.
-
I've had a happy088 from the host / chef for the truffles so preliminary trials might begin at the weekend eyes:
Celebrity Death Bingo™ Lite© needs a little more explanation so I might have to do a full PowerPoint presentation in order to extol its virtues whistle:
-
I've had a happy088 from the host / chef for the truffles so preliminary trials might begin at the weekend eyes:
Celebrity Death Bingo™ Lite© needs a little more explanation so I might have to do a full PowerPoint presentation in order to extol its virtues whistle:
Lite or not... 'tis still 20%... whistle:
-
I've had a happy088 from the host / chef for the truffles so preliminary trials might begin at the weekend eyes:
Celebrity Death Bingo™ Lite© needs a little more explanation so I might have to do a full PowerPoint presentation in order to extol its virtues whistle:
Lite or not... 'tis still 20%... whistle:
Probably an academic point, but 20% of what exactly? ;)
-
I've had a happy088 from the host / chef for the truffles so preliminary trials might begin at the weekend eyes:
Celebrity Death Bingo™ Lite© needs a little more explanation so I might have to do a full PowerPoint presentation in order to extol its virtues whistle:
Lite or not... 'tis still 20%... whistle:
Probably an academic point, but 20% of what exactly? ;)
Truffles... whistle:
-
I've had a happy088 from the host / chef for the truffles so preliminary trials might begin at the weekend eyes:
Celebrity Death Bingo™ Lite© needs a little more explanation so I might have to do a full PowerPoint presentation in order to extol its virtues whistle:
Lite or not... 'tis still 20%... whistle:
Probably an academic point, but 20% of what exactly? ;)
Truffles... whistle:
He'd sell his Granny for a share of the profits
-
But would he sell his paint pod? rubschin:
-
He has gone a bit quiet about the joy of podding rubschin:
-
I love my PaintPod... cloud9:
-
But does it love you?
-
But does it love you?
Oh yes... 'twas designed by an idiot that has never used one but we make a great team... cloud9:
-
Apples stuffed with blueberries
-
With Cranberry sauce?
-
No
-
Good ~ might be a bit too much fruit ~ could give you the sh*ts.
-
My goose will be full of prunes
-
You wouldn't be the first to regret that either.