I don't remember a time I didn't cook

age 16...

I've been cooking since I was about 6 or 7 and as a result, by the time I reached 16 I thought I  knew what I was doing (as most 16 year olds do!), especially when preparing a recipe I had cooked many many times.  

My friends and I were catching up for a movie night and I offered to bring dinner.  I decided to make my cheese and spinach pie as it is quick, easy and everyone likes it!  When I went to make it I decided to double the amount of ricotta and fetta and also add some tasty and parmesan cheese for extra flavour. Great idea, right?!

So, I take my gorgeous golden crispy pie to my friends place and we're sitting in the garage getting ready to watch movies and my friends sister says she'll run inside to grab a knife to cut the pie and some cutlery and plates.  And I say 'Don't bother getting plates or cutlery, it's a pretty solid pie, we'll be able to just pick it up and eat it.'  It wasn't until I cut the pie and lifted the first piece out that I realised the pie was very sloppy!  When I more than doubled the cheese content I didn't add any extra spinach!! 

So, I felt super embarrassed after assuring everyone we would be able to eat solid pieces of pie and we all ended up with cheese all over our hands, all over our clothes and unfortunately, all over my friends couches and carpet!  To this day, I have still not lived this one down.

But I did learn two things; 1. When you change a recipe there will  be consequences.  2. Cheese and spinach pie tastes great with extra tasty and parmesan!  

Failing!

Just tried to make Babaghanoush so I could post the recipe tonight and I failed.  Not too badly, I might add, the flavour is perfect.  The execution, however, left much to be desired!

So, off tomorrow to buy more eggplant and a lemon!  Fingers crossed I get it right tomorrow.

Failing!

There is a beautiful cake I make a few times a year but only when strawberries are cheap as it uses 2 whole kilos!  Well, usually only 1.5 kilos, but this year I thought I would try my hand at making jelly to go over the top.  I went and bought my strawberries, and other ingredients,  and spend a good few hours preparing this cake and at the last step I did something very stupid and ruined all my efforts.

Luckily, I know EXACTLY what I did wrong and how to fix it next time, so stay tuned and check back over the next week or two for the recipe to my Strawberries and Cream Cake - for the serious strawberry lover!   

Failing

Curries are not working.  I am somewhat disheartened.  On the other hand, I do not like failing and will therefore make these recipes again and again until I get them right, so stay tuned for Rogan Josh and Chicken Mughlai recipes in the near future.  

Naan could go either way at the moment, dough is proofing so waiting to see what happens. 

Other recipes should be posted by tomorrow afternoon. 

Recipes - Parmesan Gelato

This was supposed to be one of two starters for the Vegetarian Feast.  I found the recipe on taste.com.au, one of my favourite websites for sourcing new recipes, however it did not work!  When reading the recipe, it didn't make a lot of sense in my head but I thought I would give it a go anyway.  Bad idea, total fail! 

Ingredients
1 cup parmesan, grated
1 1/2 cups cream
pinch paprika
1 cup balsamic vinegar 
1/2 cup red wine
1 baguette, sliced
1-2 cloves garlic, halved
olive oil

Step 1 - Put parmesan, cream and paprika in a bowl over simmering water.  Season and stir until parmesan has melted. Strain through a fine sieve, pushing down well. Set aside to cool then cover and refrigerate overnight.

Step 2 - Place vinegar in a pan, bring to boil then reduce to simmer until reduced by half. Set aside to cool.

Step 3 - Using an ice cream scoop to place small scoops of the parmesan mixture on a lined tray and return to the fridge.

Step 4 - Preheat oven to 170°C.  Drizzle oil with red wine, brush with oil and place on a baking tray.  Bake for 6-8 minutes until golden brown, rub with garlic while still warm, then set aside to cool.

Step 5 - To serve, place scoop of gelato on bread and drizzle with balsamic glaze.

Notes:

Balsamic glaze can be purchased from most supermarkets and is an alternative to making it yourself.   

Pasta

A week ago I decided to learn how to make pasta.  For many people, making pasta is easy, even therapeutic, however my first three attempts have been unsuccessful.  I am determined to unlock the secret to making pasta!

Some recipes call for 1 egg to 100g flour.  Other recipes say 3 eggs to 2 cups flour.  Some recommend adding salt and olive oil to the mix and others suggest using lukewarm water to reach the correct consistency.  

Many recipes and youtube videos show the pasta dough being mixed in a food processor before being taken out to be kneaded.  While using this machine would remove part of my problem I am determined to learn to make pasta from scratch by hand! 

I am not used to failing when cooking but it is not in my nature to admit defeated...