How to make Popcorn Pannacotta

As you know I like taking a dish and putting my own spin on things and it doesn't stop at dessert!!

This dish is far easier than it sounds but tastes great!

It does take a bit of time but well worth the effort!

So I popped my own sweet popcorn on the stove.

Get the deepest pan you have and chuck in your popcorn kernels so they cover the bottom. Now glug some oil in so they are just covered and sprinkle with sugar.

On a medium heat start to warm the pan shaking every now and then, when the first one pops get your lid on straight away and keep shaking until the popping stops.

First job done, now Pannacotta.

You need
1 litre cream
Sugar to taste
6 sheets gelatin
Popcorn

Take a litre of cream and gently warm through with some of that popcorn you made. Keep tasting until the popcorn flavour comes through and add sugar if you need it.

While thats infusing chuck your gelatin in cold water as per packet instructions.

After 5 minutes drain off the gelatin and squeeze all the water out.
Add this to your infused cream, stir in and then pass through a seive to remove the popcorn.

Pour into moulds and fridge until set.

Job done!!

I served mine with salted caramel sauce and some left over popcorn!

Micro herbs in a school???

Just wanted to say a bit about micro herbs and why I use them in a school!!

Micro herbs/Sakura cress are more commonly found in your high end fine dining restaurants and I think that has put chefs in my position off the idea of using them.

Yes the price might seem extravagant but the flavour and colours you get from them are amazing!!

A tray of Sakura cress costs me around £13. Don't get me wrong it is alot for just a garnish but a box will last me for 2 services so around 180 plates.

Now it sounds better, right??

Not only that but it really enhances the look of the dish. As chefs we are always taught you eat with your eyes first.

If you get chance to get some of these bad boys grab them!! Its not as expensive as you think!!

Lobster Thermidore Pizza

So as part of our street food week I thought it would be a good idea to make a gourmet pizza, little did I know that I would be acquiring a couple of beautiful lobsters from Kingfisher in Brixham. So as I only got 2 lobster to serve 85 I made a really nice cheese and lobster sauce to top my pizza and garnished with a slice of their amazing smoked salmon. Classic street food! Take something that shouldn't be there and make it work!! Have a go!!

Easy Pancake Recipe

So with Shrove Tuesday looming I thought it would be a good time to give you my Easy Pancake Recipe!

 1 cup flour.
 1 cup milk.
 1 egg.

Whack them in a blender. Job done! Makes 8 decent pancakes. My boy likes them with Nutella and banana but as always you can chuck on what you like. Get tossing!

Cheesy Jalapeno Bread

I don't need to tell you how cold its been, but I do need to tell you about todays lunch! So Chilli Pasta Bake ( done it before I know ) but this time I was looking to serve it with something other than garlic bread. What else do you serve with chilli? Cheesy Jalapeno Bread thats what. Admittedly at first I thought I had over Jalapenoed but as it turns out it was the star of the show! I also forgot to add a key ingredient to the dough and it still came out better than normal.

Here's how I did it.

500g Plain Flour
7g Dried Yeast
A good handful of Jalapeno Peppers
300ml warm warm water

Mix all the dry ingredients and slowly add the water until the dough comes clean off the bowl.
leave until doubled in size then roll out like pastry  to about an inch thick.
Top with grated cheese and slap it in the oven on 150c for 10 to 15 mins.
Job Done!!!

Did you notice no fat in the recipe? You won't in the end result either. Have a go!