Wednesday 29 September 2010

The Pink Whisk: Sugar Crusted Fruit Scones

The Pink Whisk: Sugar Crusted Fruit Scones: "Scones - My Way! So many of you have requested my recipes from The Great British Bake Off - so here's the first - Sugar Crusted Fruit Scon..."

Thursday 23 September 2010

So, whats all the fuss about this new Millione Rose?

Lets face it ladies the bottle looks hot! It looks like it should be displayed next to some sexy Agent Provocateur lingerie... So yes it looks good, but does it taste good? OH YES! It's a delicious lightly sparkling Frizzante Rose from Italy, terribly moreish, and it gives you the giggles.

Well, not only is it all the above, Millione vino is very special. You see there is a country in West Africa called Sierra Leone, they desperately need funds to build schools and help with primary education. Jerry Lockspeiser, one of the founders of Millione, went on a trip with anti-poverty charity ActionAid.  He was so moved that on Jerry's return he vowed to help by creating a new wine brand with a plan.

For every bottle bought £1 goes towards building community-run primary schools.  So the aim is to sell 1 million bottles = 1 million pounds. 

Pre-sales have reached 100,000 bottles already, bought in by supermarket giants Salisbury's, Waitrose, Tesco and Morrisons.  So Millione and ActionAid look set to reach their 1 million pound target -with our help. Last night at the Launch party of Millione in Shoreditch House, Jerry said: "That figure alone has already helped build 2 schools". Wonderful news, and we can help by just buying the odd bottle.

At a retail price of only £7.99 why not grab a couple of bottles this weekend and share with your pals, make some wonderfully rich cup cakes to go with and celebrate each other and the fact that you are helping build happier lives with every sip. Great excuse for a drinkie!

For more details please visit: www.oneinamillione.com
You have to check out the Bottle-o-meter.  There is also a competition to win a crate of Millione by sending in a picture of your purchase of Millione!...Go.
    Celebrity supporters include Emma Thompson, Stephen Fry, Sean Lock, Jan Ravens, Alan Davis, Phil Jupitus, John Lloyd (QI producer), Jack Dee, Hugh Dennis, Mark West, Peter Shilton, Helen Chamberlain, Jason Manford, Paddy MacGuiness, Jack Whitehall, Jimmy Carr, Mark Watson, Janice Long and many more.

Saturday 11 September 2010

How to cook the best Greek roast Potatoes! A revelation!

Greek Cookery & Wines (Gastronomy) by Sofia Souli.
Most holiday makers that travel to Greece and love the authentic way of Greek cooking, will buy this 1975 cookery book whilst on their holidays. The much loved book has been translated into about 50 million languages, and re-published a trillion times, its quite simply a must have, it displays dishes from the mainland and the islands.  
 
Simple quality ingredients with not so much method, which I think at times is refreshing, if you have a little common sense you will do fine following these recipes. Greek cookery beginners can really get into this book and make it their own.

Not only are the recipes simple but so are the pictures, retro colourful 1970's photography making some of the dishes look like splodges of inedible meals, but that's its utter charm, its brilliant.
 
When I was in Corfu this summer, my mum bought me a copy, and oh is it a treasure! You can buy it in Greece for around 15 euro but if you can't be bothered to go to Greece to pick up a copy you can buy a second hand copy online for as cheap as 65p!! click here to buy 
 
Anyway, since being back in London I haven't roasted my spuds in any other way, other than the recipe from this book. Forget parboiling, its a waste of time, you can cook your spuds to crispy, lemony, fluffy perfection. Do try this at home!
 
GREEK OVEN ROASTED POTATOES
6 portions

1 1/2 Kilos of Medium sized potatoes (red ones are very nice)
1 cup (200ml) of Olive oil
2 Lemons (juice of)
Good handful of Oregano
Salt and pepper
3 cups of water (600mls)

Method
1. Wash and peal the potatoes and cut them lengthwise (Quartered).  Place them in a roasting tin.
2. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, oregano, and the juice from 2 Lemons and mix well.
3. Add the oil and 3 cups of water, roast in a pre-heated oven at 200 degrees Celsius for approx 1 hour.
4. Turn the potatoes after 30 minutes.  
 
Whilst cooking the potatoes will absorb the water, lemon and olive oil and I cant describe to you in a blog how good they taste!! You have to try them x
 
Book a Greek Class with me!  We cook 2 main dishes and baklava dessert!! www.marikas-kitchen.com