The road has come to an end...

Sad as this may be, I have decided to end this blog for a very good reason.  I am going to write my own cookbook and publish the journey at:  http://foodforthepocket.blogspot.com/

I still, and always will love Nigella, and she will be with my on this journey...

So please feel free to follow my new blog and learn through this adventure...:)

Bye...

What to do with left overs...

If you think the way I do, you would also feel that throwing leftovers away is such a sin!  Well, I had some leftovers in the fridge last night (some chopped cabbage, carrots, noodles and smoked chicken), so I decided to put all this into a pot, warm it up, and put this all into a tortilla wrap for supper!  It turned out well, just needed some sweet and sour sauce and there you go!

Not too bad for a fridge raid...:)



This image was found at:  www.healthyfood.co.nz

How To Be a Domestic God

My favorite Nigella book has to be "How To Be a Domestic Goddess".  Not only for all the sweet treats, but for all the valuable advice Nigella passes on to her minions.

I would like to try every recipe in the book, and will be documenting my findings here...:)

Let's get baking!

Spaghetti with tomato and chilli...

Ok, so I am not exactly the spokesperson for spaghetti, or anything Italian for that matter, but I have to say that this new found love of mine, makes me feel utterly Italian!  Spaghetti with tomato and chilli is just spaghetti and sauce really, but add some fire and it becomes something of a marvel.  Nigella would agree totally, and I think if she had to taste this, she would be impressed!

Ingredients:

Half a packet of shop bought spaghetti
Chopped cherry tomatoes (about half a small bag)
One onion
One red chilli, chopped and seeds removed
Tomato sauce (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Boil spaghetti until tender
Mix in chopped cherry tomatoes, onion and chilli
Add some tomato sauce for good measure
Salt and pepper to taste

Enjoy!  :)



This image does not belong to me, it was found at:  www.dailymail.co.uk

Cupcakes for a good cause...

This weekend, Michael and I made some cupcakes for a charity called "Cupcakes for kids with cancer".  I cannot think of a better reason to bake something...:)



www.cupcakesofhope.org/‎ 

Crumbed Chicken and Salad

You know, there are few things in this world as joyous as a simple supper of crumbed chicken and salad.  The fact that the salad is a breeze to make whilst the chicken bakes in the oven, is just a joy in itself.  But the pleasure of eating something so good, but knowing that it is also good for you - is the greatest joy of all.  So, make the salad of your choice, get some chicken breasts, dunk them in some corn flour, then egg, then in bread crumbs, and bake or fry them...

Joy, joy, joy!  :)



Please note that this picture does not belong to me, and was found at:  www.taste.com

Something Simple...

One of the greatest lessons that I have learned from Nigella, is the fact that the simpler something is, the better it is!  I made some simple snackwiches last night...just bread with some ground beef and veggies...so delicious and so simple!

Perfect for lunch the next day too!

Pilchards Hot Pot

I am trying something very traditionally South African this weekend called a pilchards hot pot, which is basically canned pilchards cooked with spinach and served with polenta.

Bizarre as it may seem, but the small bones which are always present in pilchards are miraculously cooked away, and you are left with something comforting and so unusual!  :)

Really not sure what Nigella would think of this, but it works for me.

Hello!!

Yes, I am back.  I have been suffering from some bizarre illness that has left me coughing for weeks on end!  But I am back in the kitchen and cooking up a storm again!  Tonight, Michael and I are heading into pork sausage country and doing something that looks good, tastes great, and obviously comes from the mind of Nigella!  :)

Missed you all...

A Nice Idea...

Now that I am finally getting over my flu spell, I have taken the time to create my own cookery book.  I took all my favorite recipes and put them together in a collection.  It makes finding all your favorites really easy, and if you cook from top to bottom, it makes life even easier!

So that is the plan.  I will keep you updated on my experiences as always.  :)

Sorry...

Hello everyone, so sorry that the blog has been so quiet, but I have been ill.  Not ill from food, but ill from flu!  :)

Will be up and running again real soon!

And the result...

Well, the pasta and sausage dish turned out great!  I also listen to the advice that Nigella gives and I added some butter to the tomato sauce since tomatoes can sometimes be just too acidic.  Nigella also advises that we reserve a cup of the pasta water to emulsify the sauce before serving, and so I did as I was told.  A success on all accounts...

:)

Pasta, tomato sauce and sausages

Nigella makes a fabulous feast (for her teenagers and their friends) which consists of pasta, tomato sauce and salami...but I am creating the same thing tonight, with a light twist.  I am going to use different sausages instead of salami.  I will have to cook the sausages beforehand, but I will bung them in before serving.  All this with some fresh ciabatta fingers...great!  :)

Again, Nigella...how easily you inspire me!

Making it up as you go along...

You know, one of the most interesting things that I have learned from Nigella is that when it comes to food, you can always make things up as you go along - as long as the end result tastes good.  So, I have often followed recipes religiously, and sometimes I have combined and played around until I come up with something magical.  I am currently creating my own recipe book with all my favourites and I am even planning to make a copy for all my friends and family as Christmas gifts...

Now if that is not innovation, then I don't know...:)

Thanks Nigella!!

Gary is on the Christmas trail again...

Yes, yes, yes...I cannot get it out of my blood...the Christmas spirit...and as a result, I have decided to upload a video which is very close to my heart.

Here, Nigella shows us how to make a delicious Christmas cake...now why wait until Christmas to try it?

Please note that I do not own this video, I found it on youtube.

Chocolate and Vanilla Cupcakes

I am a huge fan of the cupcake, not only because it manages to bring joy AND taste, but also because there is something so comforting in the knowing that you can just sit back with a warm cup of coffee and enjoy a cupcake or two after a hard day's work...

So here are my newest little beauties...

Prayer...

I think it would be in bad taste to go on about my feelings regarding the latest news about Nigella and her husband, so I will keep it short and to the point...

I pray for you Nigella, and I hope you find the happiness you deserve.

Deep Dark Chocolate Cake...

To be honest, my favorite thing to do in the kitchen is bake.  Not sure where that comes from, but I'm sure I can thank my mother for all those years of baking during my childhood.  I am happy (and almost smug) in the knowing that baking is and always will be something that I love doing.  It is a way to express yourself that not many people find the time to do, but I love it!
So, I made some cakes for a colleague last night.  Michael was there with me (as always), and gave his valuable opinion.
So today we shall see what the rest of the colleagues think of Gary the baker...*nervous twitch*

Pasta and chocolate!

There is a recipe that I have found on Nigellissima, which I find very interesting!  It is pasta with chocolate!

I cannot wait to try this out...it sounds incredible!



This recipe is taken from:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/chocolate_pasta_with_64143

Ingredients

• 100g/3½oz cocoa or chocolate pasta
• pinch salt
• 50g/1¾oz pecans, roughly broken up
• 50g/1¾oz unsalted butter, softened
• 50g/1¾oz dark brown sugar
• 100ml/3½fl oz double cream, plus extra to serve

Preparation method

1. Put water on to boil for the pasta and, when it’s boiling, add a pinch of salt and cook the pasta, setting a timer for two minutes before the packet instructions say it will be ready.
2. Put a medium-sized, non-stick frying pan on the stove and tumble in the pecans, then toast them over a medium heat. Once you can smell their scent wafting up from the pan, remove them to a cold plate.
3. Now stir the butter and sugar together in the frying pan until you have a hot, treacly syrup. Carefully pour in the cream, stir and let the caramel mixture bubble up, add the toasted pecans and a pinch of salt, then turn off the heat.
4. Just before draining the pasta, lower in a cup to remove a little pasta-cooking water, then toss the drained pasta back into the frying pan with the dark and nutty butterscotch sauce, adding a tablespoon or two of the cooking water if needed to help coat the pasta. Stir to combine before dividing between two bowls. Serve with a little double cream in a small jug to pour over as you eat, if wished.

The best potato chips or fries

One of the best tips I ever got from Nigella, I use more often than any other, and that is related to the perfect potato chips or fries.  Nigella suggests that you actually put the chopped potatoes into the oil BEFORE you start heating the oil, and trust me...it works!  I do that every time I make fries and they have never failed!
I suggest you do the same to get the perfect result!

Here is a pic of the black spaghetti dish I made...:)

I know it looks weird, but trust me, it was awesome!!

Weekend Wonders

On the Nigella Feats dvd, there is an episode called "Weekend Wonders"...and I was simply inspired by this episode for this passed weekend.  :)
So I made the chicken bake with lemon and sage and some mushy peas...what an utter joy!  Easy, fast and oh so good!

Black spaghetti, tomato, mushroom, garlic, ginger, corned eat and bacon...

Well, well, well, what can one say about black spaghetti, tomato, mushroom, garlic, ginger, corned eat and bacon?  Sound like a strange combination to you?  Me neither! So last night, I cooked up a storm in the kitchen, with poor Michael having to stand by and hope for the best!  :)

The black spaghetti has a strange thickness to it, but it tastes like normal spaghetti (no idea why I was under the impression that it wouldn't)...and the sauce was really good too, chunky and delicious.

I will post a pic in the next few days...:)

I wonder what Nigella would have to say about this dish?

Pic of my cupcake as promised...

A few posts back I mentioned that I had made a batch of cupcakes and that I would post a picture...well...here it finally is...:)

Nigella would be so proud...I hope!

Something more homey and comforting

Sometimes you get the urge to just make something that your mother used to make, and to me, that would always involve delicious vegetables!  My mom knows so much about making vegetables taste and look good, so I am sure that she would be so proud to see that I am making such healthy meals at my own home now.
I made some fish cakes (sounds simple and boring, but they are awesome), with some steamed vegetables with a herb butter, and a salad of designer leaves and cheese on the side.

Nigella often talks about comfort, and for me, there is nothing more comforting than a reminder of your childhood and the good days...:)

Nigella Christmas

As bizarre as this may sound, I am already planning the Nigella Christmas of my dreams for this year!  I am going all out...and so far, these are the items on the menu:

Nigella's Spiced and Super-Juicy Roast Turkey
Nigella's Christmas Morning Muffins
Nigella's Chocolate Christmas Cake
Nigella's Eggnog
Nigella's Sweet Potato with Marshmallows

Seriously, I know that planning so far ahead is crazy, but I want to make this Christmas the most memorable of all!  So I see no harm in planning this all now...

Something unusual...

We all want to get home from work and make something that is delicious, nutritious, but above all, easy and fast...right?  Well, last night, I was in that fast but good mood, and I made something I would like to call Mango Chicken with Trimmings...:)
I cut up some skinned and de-boned chicken thighs, fried them in a little garlic oil, and then added about three tablespoons of mango chutney (Nigella's favorite).  Then I made some fresh vegetables and some creamy mash to go with.  Turned out rather well.  Took little under ten minutes and food was on the table!'

My mom would be so proud!  And so would Nigella I'm sure!  ;)

Long time...

...sorry that I have no posted something in a long time.  But I am actually waiting for some pictures of more cupcakes I made this weekend.  As soon as I get them, I will send them in a new post to share with you!

Also, last night, I made risotto for the first time...very strange rice in the sense that you have to keep adding stock and waiting for it to be absorbed, but a great result!  I added bacon bits to make it more interesting, but after leaving the food overnight, the bacon seems to have salted the meal so much that it is difficult to stomach!  Well, we live and learn...

:)

Confession

Ok, ok, I know that it seems like years since I posted something on this blog, but to be honest, I have been cheating as far as my cooking is concerned.  Hey, I'm human.  Michael has been eating all the sandwiches and burgers that I have been churning out, and I know that it is time for me to make something nourishing and wholesome for him again...

Nigella!!!

Spaghetti Carbonara

I spent some time with Nigella this weekend...watching her "Nigella Feasts" dvd.  As soon as I came across the episode "Solitary Sensations", I knew that I had to make something special for Sunday dinner.  I tried the Spaghetti Carbonara...:)  What a joy!  And to make things even more interesting, I didn't have any white wine to hand, so I used red, and the results were awesome!
The idea of eating raw egg may seem repulsive to some, but believe me, it makes a sunshine sauce which is not only delicious, but also sticks to each strand of spaghetti!

Awesome!  Thanks Nigella!  :)

I'm not sure if it is my own doing, or that of Nigella, but I am often inspired to create Italian dishes that are more than just ordinary.  So, I made normal penne pasta last night, but added a sauce that was more than just tomato...it contained fresh herbs and pepper...I also added some chicken strips and added this sauce to the pasta...really awesome.  :)

Just take ingredients you like, mix them and you will be amazed by how amazing the meal can be!

:)

Sad as this may sound, I have had a week of fast foods and sandwiches!  Sometimes life can really take you on a side road and your time to cook is not forthcoming...well, I have to say that I was unhappy not to be in the kitchen, but I am so looking forward to getting back in there and making something new!  :)

So, Michael and I are going on a picnic this weekend, and we are taking Nigella along (metaphorically speaking)  :)

We are having buttermilk chicken drumsticks, pecan nut coleslaw and rocky road, as talked about in one of Nigella Express episodes...:)

Going to be awesome!  Will take pics!

A curry in a hurry...

I have always been a fan of indian food, and I am happy to say (smug even), that I have found a way to make a curry in a hurry.  Strange as it may sound, one should always cook the spices before you add them to the meat that you are using.  So I made some chicken last night, fried in butter, and cooked the indian spices seperately in some water (feel free to use any spicage you like).  Then I combined the two, added some coconut milk and some spicey rice.  I served this with some home-made brown bread...

All praise again to the Queen of food...Nigella...what an inspiration she is in my kitchen!  :)

Long weekend...

We just enjoyed a long weekend here in South Africa for the Easter season, and I had this brilliant idea to make trifle according to Nigella's recipe which she shares on the Nigella Feasts DVD.  So, I bought some chocolate cake, canned cherries, custard and cream...layer upon layer of gorgeousness!  :)

Michael and I are STILL eating on the trifle, and it is a joy with every bite!

Rapid Ragu

One of my favorite Nigella recipes is for Rapid Ragu (a glorified meat sauce)...made some yesterday and Michael and I enjoyed it with some kitka bread.  Very nice indeed!  :)

I have to also mention that I added two teaspoons of curry spices (not in the recipe), and it made the meal have a more Indian flair, which was also nice.

Just a thought...

:)

Remember that chicken and mango curry I told you about?  Well, here is a pic...:)

Following the recipe?

People always think that they need to follow a recipe religiously in order to get the best out of the dish that they are making, but I tend to disagree.  Nigella has an awesome recipe for red mango curry with prawns, and I decided to change it up a little...instead of using prawns, I used chicken, and I also used chicken soup instead of stock.  The curry turned out so nice, and it has given me the confidence I need to follow a recipe, but also use whatever I have in the house!  :)

Nigella is making a chef of me yet...and she doesn't even know I exist!  :(

You all know that I love making cupcakes, and Nigella really inspired me to do so!  I made another batch the other day, and I think they came out brilliantly...

What do you think?  Please post a comment...:)

Ever heard of pork sausages with butter beans and tomato sauce?  I guess we have all thought about a combination like that at some point.  I tried this for Michael and I last night.  Turned out really good.  The trick is to ensure that the beans and the sausages are cooked through, so I would fry them in some olive oil first before you put them all together in a baking tray and roast for 20 minutes in a moderate oven...

Really awesome and easy food!  :)

I have always heard of welsh rarebit, and I have even seen Nigella prepare it before, but because of my weirdly dark aversion to English mustard, I have avoided the mere thought of it.  BUT, last night I found the strength to just take the dive and make it!  So I did... English mustard and all...and guess what?  It was fantastic!  It really is SO nice and SO easy!  All you need is bread (ciabatta or normal bread), cheese, eggs and yes, English mustard.  Bang it all into the oven and hey...:)

Thank you Nigella again for changing my cooking life!

Hi everyone!  Again, the Italian in me inspired me to create something special for supper last night.  I have always liked the idea Nigella has to use turkey meatballs and pasta.  Unfortunately, I was out of turkey last night, so I had to grab the next best thing, which was mini pork sausages.  All I did was put a pot of pasta on the stove, and brought that to the boil.  Then I snipped the mini pork sausages in half and fried them in some olive oil.  I added some fresh chopped tomatoes (flesh and all), some garlic, oregano, and vinegar.  I also added some salt and pepper to taste.  I banged all this into a large bowl, tossed it all together and hey presto!  :)

I find more and more that learning from Nigella makes me feel more confident in the kitchen.  You can obviously follow the recipe exactly, but dwell a little and see what you can come up with!

Here is a pic of the Italian dish...:)

I spent Saturday making a batch of Nigella's famous cupcakes for a friend's birthday party!  I also decided to make a cake out of the same batter and see how it would turn out...here are the results...

Thanks Nigella!!

I have found making chicken (on the bone) so much easier since trying out numerous Nigella chicken recipes   And somehow, every time the meat is incredibly tender and even sweeter to taste.  I made some baked chicken covered in bacon, but added some crushed garlic and lemon between the chicken and the bacon.  The lemon permeated the entire piece of chicken and made the entire meal fresh and satisfying!  I served this up with some vegetables...:)

I made Michael's favorite last night again...chicken, mushrooms and bacon pie...it is always a winner, but I realized something about the gravy...the more flour you add, the thicker the gravy becomes...to many of you this might be obvious, but I learned that last night for the first time.  That fact is going to help me in future stews, pies and gravy en devours!  :)

Hi everyone...tonight I am going to attempt to be Italian again, by making some pasta with minced beef and cheese.  Sounds simple, but Nigella has taught me that to enhance the flavor of this kind of dish, you should start off with garlic oil and onion.  You can even add some frozen peas into the mix to add a bit of substance.  Going to do all of the above!

And just for fun, I wanted to show you all how the amazing Nigella appeared at the promotion of her Nigellissima book in New York.  :)

The amazing thing about pies to me, is not only are they super comforting, but they are also incredibly easy to make!  My particular favorites are sausage rolls and Nigella's Chicken pie with bacon and mushrooms.  Last night, Michael and I enjoyed the sausage roll comfort, with some italian potato chips (salt, pepper and oregano)...what a treat!  :)

Try it!!

Ok, so, last night was not exactly the culinary experience of them all, but I must say it was delicious nonetheless...Michael and I made some toasted sandwiches with ham, salami, cheese, mayo and home-made chutney (Nigella Christmas Chutney).  All of this was pleasurably washed down with some sweet tea.  :)

You know that there is an episode in the Nigella series called "Retro Rapido"...well, one of those recipes is for sole goujons...sounds amazing, but when you cannot get your hands on some sole, then chicken will do just the thing!  I made some chicken goujons with corn flakes, chicken spice, chili flakes and mayo to bond it all together...then bake this in a high oven for about twenty minutes!  And there you go!  I served it with some potato salad which had bacon and cheese...yum.  :)

I find that sometimes, making something a little more traditional can give you a new perspective on an old favorite. I was adventurous again, and decided to combine the Nigella skills I have gained through reading her cookbooks and watching her amazing shows, by creating a meal which is so typically South African, but should be shared with the world...
I made use smoked snoek (fish), with curried rice, peas, corn and boiled egg last night.  Michael had the good sense to suggest that I add some lemon to the mix, which really brought out the flavors!  The smoked fish is very strong, and one needs to be careful when adding spice...so I kept it simple by using salt, pepper and some curry.  It serves well as a meal on its own, but can be served with some toasted wholewheat bread if you are in the mood.  I'm sure Nigella would be so proud of me!  :)

Here is a pic of the traditional creation with a Nigella twist...

 

Food, to me, is a very interesting part of life.  Not only does food sustain life, but we can also experiment with it, and learn from it.  Just such an occasion came up last night when I was preparing supper for Michael and I.  I have to admit that I have never seen Nigella prepare pizza, but I have seen her recipe for Naan bread pizza in the Nigella Express cookbook.  The idea of pizza has always inspired me, not because I have an Italian background (but I have been to Italy), but because pizza allows you to add and be creative in every sense of the word.  Cheese is an obvious addition to any pizza, and also a tomato base.  You can pretty much add anything you like as a filling, and keep going until the pizza resembles a child's coloring book.  :)  And once it is all done, pop the pizza into a moderate oven for about five minutes, and the results are incredible!  :)  The only tip I can give you is to add salt and oregano...they are perfect for any pizza!  The cheese you use also makes no difference, unless of course you use Stilton or blue cheese...but any are good.

Enjoy!  :)

To be honest, not every cooking experience can be a pleasant one...sad, but true...
Last night I attempted to make quiche, and must have added too much of something, and it didn't turn out as expected.  Luckily, Michael is always a trooper, and we ate the food anyway.  I guess we have to make mistakes sometimes to learn more about food.  So if you ever find yourself happily cooking away, and it does not turn out as expected, just don't lose hope!  See it as a learning curve!  :)

My psychology tip for all you home chefs out there!

One can always use such simple ingredients to make something really special.  Last night I made some chicken (bone and skin on), covered it in all spice, wrapped the pieces of chicken in bacon, then baked it in a moderate oven for 30 minutes.  The chicken comes out succulent, and the bacon is crispy...so weird, but true.  Also, I served the chicken and bacon with rice, studded with flaked almonds and some turmeric.  Very nice indeed.  :)

Again, thanks to learning all I have from the queen of the kitchen - Nigella Lawson!  :)  

I have to say that I am really learning so much from Nigella!  Last night, I made a salad of note for Michael and I.  The list of ingredients were:

Salad leaves
Beef strips
Peach halves (tinned or fresh)
Salad onions
Cherry tomatoes
Roasted cashew nuts
Dressing

Here is a pic...

Delicious!  :)

Then, for an adult late night treat, I made Nigella's favorite ..hot chocolate with rum...it can be found in the Nigella Feasts book and dvd.

What a day...what a night...what a pleasure!  :)

I have always been a fan of a good stew, and when Michael mentioned to me last night that he was in the mood for a stew, it got my chef juices flowing...I simply used Nigella Kitchen to check for the ingredients of a stew (no matter which one), and threw a few things together, some beef cubes, and a few wok vegetables, with tumeric, all spice and bbq sauce!  What an amazing result.  Michael even added some hot english mustard to his...such an amazing skill Nigella has taught me...to "think" in cooking!

Thanks Nigella!!

So last night I had to throw caution to the wind, and prepare a chicken and pumpkin lasagna ..reason I say that I had to throw caution to the wind is because I did not use a Nigella recipe for this!!  I know...shocking! BUT, I must say, due to learning as much as I have from Nigella about flavors and textures and so on, I managed to pull it off!  Michael told me that it was one of the best lasagnas he has ever had!  I mean, really, what greater compliment could one want than that?  I used chicken breasts (even though Nigella hates that cut of meat), diced pumpkin, some sweet and sour sauce, and spinach lasagna.  Wow.

I think I would have made Nigella proud!  :)

I thought I would share some of my cupcake successes with you all...I saw Nigella making cupcakes on the "Nigella Feasts" series, and I fell in love with these little babies...

Here are two pics of the cupcakes I have made...

I also have my own website for the cupcakes I make, have a look:  http://garyscupcakes.wix.com/ultimate#! 

Last night I had the pleasure of making Nigella's banofee cheesecake...I have never made cheesecake before, but the recipe is so easy to follow!  :)
I am happy to report that the cake turned out SO well, and I cannot wait to try it again!  What a pleasure Nigella makes any experience!

Happy 2013 to you all!  I have been busy in the new year already, but here I am, busy with the blog again!  To be honest, the festive season was far more restful than I thought it would be, and Michael and I ended up doing very little (especially in the line of making videos and adding them to youtube), but fear not, that is still in the pipeline and still part of my plan!  

Tonight I will be making chicken fajitas (from Kitchen)... especially for Michael's mother who will be joining us...:)