Aussie Group reforms 2 :)

[Alexander's Horse]

*War reads with interest but decides McDonalds would be a whole lot quicker*

[finbar]

War doesn't have to cook it, he just has to imagine eating the end result. This is virtual dining, after all.

[War4ever]

*war trots off to make a meal is more like it*

that sounds yummy!!!

[finbar]

I can assure you it's scrumptious! You need good sized, nicely ripe figs. It was Mrs finbar's favourite entree of all time until she turned vegetarian on me and the dish doesn't work without the prosciutto.

Let me know when you've wiped the plate clean and I'll send you the main course. I suppose - given Hydey's allergy to just about everything in the culinary world and his refusal to eat just about anything that he isn't allergic to - I'd better ask what your preferences are. Meat? Fish? Anything else?

[War4ever]

well i definitely enjoy a potato.....a green veggie / perhaps brocolli.....fish is great....snapper is wonderfull ,

i love carrot ginger soup...

stay away from cauli, eggplant, unless in small quantities and pukini's

other than that....my zest for food is legendary!!!!!!

[finbar]

Mmmm. That's quite a range. I suppose I could do the Steamed Snapper I did for Mr and Mrs Horse and Mrs finbar on Saturday night. Even if it was very slightly underdone, thanks to Mrs finbar insisting that it was properly cooked when I suspected it wasn't.

[Hydey]

Its ok finbar, the chips were cooked just right.

[Messer Niccolò]

what exactly is a Steamed Snapper?

[Hydey]

Steamed= method of cooking

Snapper= type of fish

[finbar]

Originally posted by Hydey
Its ok finbar, the chips were cooked just right.

I should hope so! Actually, Hydey, tonight I made myself what I would've made you had I known you were serious about your preferences - Steak Sandwich smothered with Caramelised Onions, an Egg and some Bacon.

[finbar]

Originally posted by Hydey
Steamed= method of cooking

Snapper= type of fish

A-ha! I'm educating him!

[Hydey]

Originally posted by finbar


I should hope so! Actually, Hydey, tonight I made myself what I would've made you had I known you were serious about your preferences - Steak Sandwich smothered with Caramelised Onions, an Egg and some Bacon.

Bastard I love a good steak sandwich.


ON Topic mode "No darts for Hydey Wednesday night"

[War4ever]

mmmmmmm. steak sandwhich......

actually finnie, i am not such a bad cook myself...nothing quite so grandiose .....but....this was for a first date...

baked cod with grilled grapes/strawberries/almonds
steamed brocoli, carmelized carrots and fluffy potatoes...

nice bottle of wine.....and XXXX for desert

not too shabby for a first date eh?

of course after that it was grilled cheese and soup

[finbar]

Originally posted by War4ever
mmmmmmm. steak sandwhich......

Mine was yummy last night. Split a focaccia and toast it. Start with a good dollop of horseradish, then a hearty handful of rocket leaves, then medium-rare chargrilled scotch fillet sliced on an angle, then caramelised onions, then (and this is where Hydey tunes out) a layer of chargrilled eggplant, a layer of sliced and oven-roasted Roma tomato, then (this is where Hydey tuned back in again) an egg and a layer of thin, crispy bacon.

On the side - potatoes sliced about 1/2 inch thick, tossed in olive oil, thyme and seasonings, placed flat on a baking tray and baked at 200C for about 40 minutes till crisp and golden.

... mmmmmmmmmmmm ...

actually finnie, i am not such a bad cook myself...nothing quite so grandiose .....but....this was for a first date...

baked cod with grilled grapes/strawberries/almonds

Fruit with fish. Easier to pull off than fruit with meat, but still very brave.

steamed brocoli, carmelized carrots and fluffy potatoes...

Yum.

of course after that it was grilled cheese and soup

Isn't that always the case?

[finbar]

War - you must've finished your entree by now. Just stick the plate in the dishwasher, thanks.

Here's your main. It's basically what I gave Mr and Mrs Horse and Mrs finbar the other night. The fish is a bit fiddley to prepare but it's worth it. You finish up with a sort of squat cylinder of fish which you then steam. Much easier to present on the plate than pieces of fish of differing sizes.

Steamed Snapper with Celeriac, Tomato and Capsicum

Ingredients

* 1kg snapper fillet
* 1 bunch celeriac
* 6 peeled garlic cloves
* 1/2 kg tomatoes
* 2 sliced red peppers
* 1/2 bunch thyme
* 1 punnet cress
* 100ml olive oil
* 1 pinch saffron
* salt
* pepper
* baguette


Method

Fish

Cut the snapper fillet down the natural seam in the centre. Remove the dark flesh. Trim the ends to form 20cm long pieces of fish. Lightly salt and roll up in cling film to produce a tight sausage. Rest in the fridge for a couple of hours. Cut into four pieces, remove cling wrap and place in oiled ramekins. Steam for about twelve minutes.

Celeriac Peel
Peel celeriac and cut into thick rounds, toss in oil, picked thyme, salt and pepper. Bake at 180º Celsius until golden for about 20 minutes.

Croutons

Cut ten elongated thin slices from the baguette. Brush with oil, season with salt and bake at 180º Celsius until golden. Save the remainder of bread to serve at table.

Sauce

Peel, deseed and roughly chop tomatoes. On a low heat start the garlic and 50ml of oil in a small pan. When the garlic is soft, add the tomatoes, peppers a little water and salt and pepper. Cook gently until the peppers begin to soften. Finish with the saffron.

To Serve
Place celeriac on the plate. Tip the liquid from the ramekin into the sauce and place the fish on the celeriac. Spoon the sauce over the fish and finish with the croutons and baby cress.

Serves 4