Friday, 29 November 2013

Dinner With The Presidents!

The White House in 1889 




Often, I read cooking articles and look at  recipes from around the world. The other day I came across these which caught my eye and wanted to share them with you. 



Picture of The White House in 1889  

The President was Benjamin Harrison, 23rd President of the United States of America from 1889 to 1893. (Grandson to President William Henry Harrison)

PRESIDENT HARRISON’S WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS DINNER MENU 1889

MENU 

Blue Point oysters, half shell 

SOUP 
Consomme royal 

ENTREE 
Bouches a la reine

ROAST 
Turkey, cranberry jelly
Potatoes duchesse
Stewed celery
Terrapin a la Maryland
Lettuce salad, plain dressing 

SWEETS
Mince pie
American plum pudding 

DESSERT
Ice cream
Tutti frutti
Lady’s fingers, macaroons, Carlsbad wafers 

FRUITS
Apples, Florida oranges, bananas, grapes, pears

Black coffee

To see the article in full I have added the link below.

http://clickamericana.com/topics/featured/christmas-dinner-from-the-white-house-1889


The next Christmas Menu for the White House was at the beginning of World War 2.

President was Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States of America from 1933 to 1945

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS DINNER MENU 1941 
(SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOR WAS BRITISH PRIME MINISTER CHURCHILL)

 MENU

Oysters on the half-shell with Crackers

SOUP
Clear Soup with Sherry

ENTREE
Celery, Assorted Olives
Thin Toast

 ROAST
Roast Turkey with chestnut dressing, sausage
Giblet gravy
Beans
Caulifower
Casserole of sweet potatoes
Cranberry Jelly
Rolls

Grapefruit Salad with cheese crescents

DESSERT
Plum pudding and hard sauce
Ice cream and cake

Coffee

Salted nuts and assorted Bonbons 

To see the copy of the article see the following link

http://blog.timesunion.com/tablehopping/29789/historical-menu-white-house-christmas-dinner-1941/

In Australia, Christmas Day is normally very hot, so the traditional hot dinner has changed over the years to a cold one. People enjoy cold seafood and turkey with salads. The hot plum pudding has also changed to a ice cream plum pudding. This is my recipe, hopefully you will try it!

BERNADETTE'S CHRISTMAS PLUM PUDDING 
 
Ingredients
 
Half a cup of caster sugar 
One cup of water 
Half a cup of raisins 
Three quarters of a cup sweetened dried cranberries 
Two litres vanilla ice cream 
One teaspoon vanilla bean paste 
Half a teaspoon of cinnamon 
Half a teaspoon of nutmeg
85g unsalted shelled pistachios, chopped 
One quarter of a cup of brandy 
Blackberries and or raspberries, to serve 
 
Icing sugar, for dusting
 
Method
 
Ingredients 125ml strong black coffee, cooled 60ml Kahlua (or other coffee liqueur) 60ml Marsala 200g savoiardi (sponge finger biscuits) 1.5 litres vanilla ice cream, softened 150g good quality dark chocolate, grated
Read more at http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes/384034/Bill-Granger-s-tiramisu-ice-cream-cake#xcU9m08hQskgKDbi.99
Ingredients 125ml strong black coffee, cooled 60ml Kahlua (or other coffee liqueur) 60ml Marsala 200g savoiardi (sponge finger biscuits) 1.5 litres vanilla ice cream, softened 150g good quality dark chocolate, grated
Read more at http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes/384034/Bill-Granger-s-tiramisu-ice-cream-cake#xcU9m08hQskgKDbi.99
125ml strong black coffee, cooled 60ml Kahlua (or other coffee liqueur) 60ml Marsala 200g savoiardi (sponge finger biscuits) 1.5 litres vanilla ice cream, softened 150g good quality dark chocolate, grated
Read more at http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes/384034/Bill-Granger-s-tiramisu-ice-cream-cake#xcU9m08hQskgKDbi.99
Line a 20cm square baking tin with baking paper. How to line a square cake tins video Combine the coffee, Kahlua and Marsala in a bowl. One at a time, briefly dip half of the savoiardi into the coffee mix and use to line the base of the tin. Layer half of the ice cream on top and then sprinkle with half of the grated chocolate. Repeat these layers, then place in the freezer for 4 hrs or until frozen. About 30 mins before you will be ready to eat the tiramisu, transfer to the fridge to soften. Cut into squares to serve.
Read more at http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes/384034/Bill-Granger-s-tiramisu-ice-cream-cake#xcU9m08hQskgKDbi.99125ml strong black coffee, cooled
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups strong fresh brewed espresso
  • 1/3 cup coffee liqueur like Kahlua
  • Vanilla sponge cake
  • 1/4 cup finely ground espresso
  • 2 pints espresso ice cream
  • Chocolate curls
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 1/2 cups strong fresh brewed espresso
    • 1/3 cup coffee liqueur like Kahlua
    • Vanilla sponge cake
    • 1/4 cup finely ground espresso
    • 2 pints espresso ice cream
    • Chocolate curls
    • 1
    Place sugar and 2/3 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in espresso and Kahlua. Let the syrup cool.
    • 2
    Using a serrated knife, cut sponge cake in half horizontally, making two layers. Place one layer in the bottom of a 9x9x2 inch baking pan. Using a pastry brush, brush with 3/4 cup cooled syrup. Sift 2 tablespoons ground espresso over cake.
    • 3
    Place espresso ice cream in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat on low speed with the paddle attachment until spreadable. Spread ice cream over cake; top with second layer of sponge cake. Brush with remaining syrup. Transfer cake to freezer for 20 minutes.
    • 4
    Remove cake from freezer; sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons of ground espresso. Place coffee ice cream in a mixer bowl. Beat on low speed until spreadable. Spread ice cream over cake, forming large swirls. Return to freezer; freeze until completely hardened. To serve, garnish with chocolate curls.

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Saturday, 14 September 2013

A Little Taste of York!!!

York is a town about 100kms east of Perth or about one and half hours drive.
 
Founded in 1831, York was the first inland European settlement in Western Australia. York is named after the City of York in England.

 Farmers settled in the 1830's and concentrated on growing wheat, barley and sheep. The township did not begin to appear until 1835/36 when an army barracks and store were built and some 50 acres of land were cleared. 

In 1886 the arrival of the Railway coincided with the gold rush that took hold in Southern Cross and later Coolgardie and Kalgoorlie. Miners and prospectors stopped on their way to the goldfields. There is a superb and fascinating Heritage Trail Brochure - York to Goldfields Heritage Trail - which traces the original route from York to the Goldfields and explains the pioneering work of the remarkable Charles Cooke Hunt, who laid out the line of wells and waterholes through the region during his journeys in the 1860s. It was during 1886 to 1900 that most of the town's impressive and very solid buildings were constructed. 

There still are many lovely old buildings around York that have been renovated. In one, The York Motor Museum, there is an impressive collection of old cars. Established in 1979 by Peter Briggs, it is recognized as the finest collection of veteran, vintage, classic and racing cars in Australia.

Another sight I recommend is Mount Brown Lookout, reached via Pioneer Drive east of town. It is three-hundred and forty-two metres above sea level and accessible by foot or car. For those who venture there the lookout provides a beautiful three-hundred and sixty degree panoramic view of the surrounds and town below.

Next time you want to go for a drive, go to York and take a picnic, or stay overnight at the Hotel! 


Bernadette's Chicken Caesar Salad 

 

Serves 4 people

 

Ingredients

 

250 grams of bacon rashers 
4 skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips 
1 tablespoon of olive oil 
1 cos lettuce 
1 handful of English spinach
2 handfuls of croutons 
One third of a cup grated Parmesan cheese 
2 avocados, peeled and diced 
12 cherry tomatoes, halved 
Half a cup of toasted pine nuts
One third of a cup of Caesar salad dressing 
 
 
Method


Cook the bacon until crispy, break into pieces when cool. 
 
Wipe out the fry pan and add the oil, cook the chicken strips until they are golden brown. Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels.

In a salad bowl, place the lettuce, English spinach, cherry tomatoes, avocado, croutons, pine nuts, parmesan cheese and bacon. Toss all ingredients.

Top with the sliced chicken and serve.




 
 
 
 
 
 
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Saturday, 17 August 2013

The Star Attraction

Star Gazing is a wonderful thing, whether in your own back yard or at a planetarium.
 
One of my fondest memories is when I went with a group of friends to Murdoch University, Western Australia to watch Halley's Comet. We looked through high powered telescopes and saw the comet and its tail.
 
Halley's Comet, or Comet Halley, is only visible from earth every 75-76 years. It was first determind in 1705 by English Astronomer Edmond Halley, after whom it is named. Halleys Comet last appeared in 1986 and will next appear in mid 2061. 

They say the further you go into the country with no city lights, the clearer you see the stars. 
 
For people that don't have telescopes and live in the city with all the bright lights, I discovered a great website on the web.

http://www.worldwidetelescope.org/Home.aspx 

In 1608, Dutch eyeglass maker, Hans Lippershey, offered a new device to the government for military use. This new device used two glass lenses in a tube to magnify distant
objects.

There is question whether he may not have invented the telescope (at least two other Dutch opticians were also working on the idea at the time), but Hans Lippershey has been credited with its invention. He at least, applied for the patent for it first. 

Many people think Galileo Galilei discovered the telescope, he didn't. He made great improvements to it. His first construction was a three power instrument, which he quickly improved to eight, twenty and then thirty power. With this new tool, he found mountains and craters on the moon, discovered that the Milky Way was composed of stars and discovered the four largest moons of Jupiter. 

Back to earth and try my great Vegetable Lasagne!
 
Vegetable Lasagne 
 Ingredients 
 
1kg pumpkin, skinned, seeded and cut into 2cm cubes
1 teaspoon chilli flakes
Sea salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 cup olive oil
8 sage leaves, finely sliced
1 large onion
2 cloves garlic
8 basil leaves, finely sliced
Half a tablespoon of  dried oregano
300g eggplant, peeled, cut into 1cm cubes and salted for 20 minutes
1 capsicum, diced
2 zucchini,diced
800 grams of chopped tinned tomatoes
75 grams of butter
75 grams of flour
500ml milk
300ml sour cream
500 grams of spinach
200 grams of instant lasagne sheets
80grams of Parmesan cheese, grated

Method 
 
Preheat oven to 175C.

Place pumpkin on a baking tray. Coat with chilli flakes and season. Drizzle with a little olive oil. Bake for 20 minutes. Add sage and turn pumpkin over. Bake a further 10minutes or until soft and golden.

Add remaining oil to a saucepan, cook onions and garlic with the herbs until soft for about 15 minutes. 

Rinse salt from the eggplant and fry with the onions for 5 minutes. Add capsicum and zucchini and cook a further 5 minutes. Check seasoning, add tomatoes and simmer until thick for about 20 minutes.

To make sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan and add flour. Cook gently for 5-10 minutes. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps forming. Allow to boil, stir through sour cream. Put to one side.

 Saute spinach in a little extra olive oil and cover the bottom of a 15cm x 20cm baking dish. Cover spinach evenly with lasagne sheets. Cover with pumpkin mixture and pour over half the tomato mixture and then half the white sauce. Layer with lasagne sheets and repeat with remaining tomato mix and white sauce.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and bake until golden for about 45 minutes.

 


  
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Sunday, 28 July 2013

Nuts about Albany!


Albany is a Port city on the Great Southern Coast of Western Australia. It is approximately 418kms, about 5 hours drive from Perth.

 The area was initially named Frederickstown in honour of Prince Frederick, Duke of York. In 1831, the settlement was transferred to control of the Swan River Colony and renamed Albany by the Governor, James Stirling.

 Albany is very picturesque and has some beautiful old buildings. 

One of the main visitors attractions is Whale World. Whaling was once one of Albany's main sources of income but stopped operations in 1978. The Southern Right Whale was once caught there and when numbers started to  diminish, they stopped operations. Today, whale numbers have grown again. A trip to Middleton Beach and you may see the whales bring their calves into the shallow waters where they frolic around.

 For the adventurous, Bluff Knoll is on top of the Stirling Ranges, just out of Albany. If you are in good condition you can climb it, taking about 3 to 4 hours. The round trip is about 6 kilometers or 3.7 miles.

They have snow sometimes in the Winter months, as it is 1,099 metres (3,606 ft) above sea level. No snow skiing but a great view!

 Traveling around the area I came across a great little corner shop/eatery and had the best lemon meringue pie.  This inspired me to share one of my favourite pies.

I hope you enjoy it. 
 
Bernadette's Pine Nut Tart

Ingredients

Sweet Pastry 
340 grams of plain flour
a pinch of salt
150 grams of unsalted butter
90 grams of icing sugar
2 eggs beaten

Method

Sift the flour and salt onto a work surface and make a well in the centre. Add the butter to the flour mix, rub through until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add the icing sugar and then the eggs and knead a few times to bring it together. 

 Then wrap in cling wrap and put in the fridge for at least an hour.

Three quarters of a cup pine nuts, toasted. (You can toast the pine nuts in a fry pan over the stove until golden brown)

 Ingredients

Frangipane Filling

250 grams of unsalted butter
40 grams of plain flour
2 cups almond meal
Three quarters of a cup of icing sugar
5 eggs
250 grams unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

Method

 Preheat oven to 180°C. 

 Butter and flour six 4-inch round tartlet pans with removable bottoms. 

 Roll the dough out to a thickness of quarter of an inch and line the pans. Prick the pastry all over with a fork. Place in the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes.

 Place the almond meal and all but 1 tablespoon of the icing sugar and flour in a mixing bowl. Add the butter then eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.
Pour the filling into the shells.

 Press 2 tablespoons of pine nuts into each tartlet.

 Set the shells on a baking tray and place in the lower third of the oven. Bake for 10 minutes. Raise the tarts to the middle rack of the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes.  

 To serve, remove the tartlets from the oven and place on a rack to cool slightly. Dust each tartlet with the remaining icing sugar. Serve warm or at room temperature.
 
They are delicious with ice cream or double cream. Some have even suggested lavender ice cream.

 





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