52 Recipes - The entire list

Here is the full list of the recipes I cooked in 2010

JAN
4.1 1 Lobster Thermidor - The internet -Seafood
11.1 2 Indian Lamb kebabs - Indian in 6 Cookbook-Indian
18.1 3 Lamb Kofta - The internet -Greek
25.1 4 Pea & Prawn Linguini - Gourmet Traveller Cook book -Pasta/Seafood

FEB
1.2 5 Berry Trifle - A & B special -Dessert
8.2 6 Tandoori Chicken - Indian in 6 Cookbook -Indian
15.2 7 Dahl with Spinach - Indian in 6 Cookbook -Indian
22.2 8 Spanakopita - Gourmet Traveller (Mar 2010) -Greek

MAR
1.3 9 Sago Gula Melaka - Food Safari- Malay/Dessert
8.3 10 Slow Cooked Greek Lamb - The internet -Greek
15.3 11 Olive fetta & onion tart - The internet -Greek
22.3 12 Orange sugar puffs - Gorgeous Cakes Cookbook- Dessert
29.3 13 Hot Cross Buns - Gourmet Traveller (Apr 2010)- Baking

APR
5.4 14 Rabbit & Mushroom Pie - Gourmet Traveller (Apr 2010) -Game/Pie
12.4 15 Potato Gratin - The internet -Vegetable
19.4 16 Cassoulet - The internet -Main
26.4 17 Lemon Curd - The Cooks Companion -Baking

MAY
3.5 18 Welsh cakes - A &B special -Baking
10.5 19 Walnut & espresso cake - Gourmet Traveller (May 2010) -Baking
17.5 20 Lemon Meringue Cake - Nigella Lawson -Baking
24.5 21 Duck L’Orange - The internet -Game
31.5 22 Reine de Saba - Julia Childs -Baking

JUNE
7.6 23 Berry Bundt Cake - The internet -Baking
14.6 24 Fish Stock - Comfort Food (Gary M) -Stock
21.6 25 Paella - Margaret Fulton -Spanish
28.6 26 Spanish Donuts - Gourmet Traveller (Jun 2010) -Baking

JULY
5.7 27 Roasted Carrot soup - Gourmet Traveller (Jun 2010)-Soup
12.7 28 Oxtail Bolognaise - Comfort Food (Gary M) -Pasta
19.7 29 Prawn Cocktail - Gourmet Traveller (Jan 2010) -Seafood/Entree
26.7 30 Duck Liver Pate - French Cooking Class -Entree/Starter

AUG
2.8 31 Caramelised Onion Relish - French Cooking Class -Relish
9.8 32 Confit of Duck - French Cooking Class -Meat
16.8 33 Duck & Pear Salad - French Cooking Class -Entree
23.8 34 Fricassee of Chicken - French Cooking Class -Meat/Main
30.8 35 Fresh Pasta - French Cooking Class- Pasta

SEP
6.9 36 Concorde Cake - French Cooking Class -Baking
13.9 37 Lamb Ragu - The internet -Pasta
20.9 38 Chocolate Chip Cookies - The internet -Baking
27.9 39 Chilli Jam - The internet- Relish

OCT
4.10 40 Pesto - Maggies Harvest (Maggie Beare)-Pasta
11.10 41 Fruit Tarts - French Cookbook (JC) -Baking
18.10 42 Eton Mess - The internet -Desert
25.10 43 Raspb white choc.muffins - Donna Hay-Baking

NOV
1.11 44 Stuffed Vegetables - The internet-Vegetable
8.11 45 Peach Melba - Nigella Lawson -Desert
15.11 46 Passionfruit Curd - The Cooks Companion -Baking
22.11 47 Red Velvet Cupcakes - The internet -Baking
29.11 48 Borscht - Naomi -Soup

DEC
6.12 49 Coulibiac - Naomi -Fish/Pie
13.12 50 Fruit Mince Tarts - Gourmet Traveller ( Dec) -Baking
20.12 51 Roasted Duck & Cherries - Gourmet Traveller ( Dec) -Game
27.12 52 Cheese Straws - The internet -Baking

52 Recipes - December & Conclusion

So finally I completed the 2010 New years resolution...and finished all 52 recipes

December
13.12 50 Fruit Mince Tarts - Gourmet Traveller ( Dec) Baking
20.12 51 Roasted Duck & Cherries - Gourmet Traveller ( Dec) Game
27.12 52 Cheese Straws - The internet (bookmarked) Baking

Overall I thought it would have gotten easier but I found that after the initial list of recipes I always wanted to try I had to get very inspired and motivated to try others. The french cooking course was a fabulous gift from Andrew and helped for the time when we were travelling ( sort of like cooking exam cramming) so good I'm back there next month for more so I'm very excited.

Nearly of the the recipes I tried I would definitely try again. The only one I wouldn't was the Sago pudding as it was just OK but still edible. Lobster Thermidor is a very special occasion dish and well worth it. Andrew initially laughed at why I bothered cooking Hot Cross Buns until I took them out of the oven and demolished 6 each with a lot of butter. Making the conserves and stock from scratch does make all the difference so Jamie Oliver and all the rest of those TV chefs aren't lying when they recommend making your own. I have to say the slow cooking was also a highlight, especially in the winter months.

Next post I will post the lot...and if anyone needs any recipe just drop me a line...or leave a comment. It seemed like a mammoth task but was worth it. Oh and my taste buds and cooking skills are all the better for it. And I weigh roughly the same so the gym ( and Chelsea my trainer) I have to say a big thanks too.

52 Recipes - October & November

OK so now another update with those recipes...October & November

OCT
4.10 40 Pesto - Maggies Harvest (Maggie Beare) Pasta
11.10 41 Fruit Tarts - French Cookbook (JC) Baking
18.10 42 Eton Mess - The internet (bookmarked) Desert
25.10 43 Raspb white choc.muffins - Donna Hay Baking

NOV
1.11 44 Stuffed Vegetables - The internet (bookmarked) Vegetable
8.11 45 Peach Melba - Nigella Lawson Desert
15.11 46 Passionfruit Curd - The Cooks Companion Baking
22.11 47 Red Velvet Cupcakes - The internet (bookmarked) Baking
29.11 48 Borscht - Naomi Soup

DEC
6.12 49 Coulibiac - Naomi Fish/Pie

A lot of Baking in the last few months...I will need to give the red Velvet cupcakes another go as I substituted sour cream for buttermilk ( I know mental). The Raspberry and white chocolate muffins worked a treat, and finally a recipe from the Domestic Goddess herself actually working and tasting fabulous ( in fact Peach Melba is becoming a regular dessert at Riversdale Road) . I have found as much as I love NIgella her recipes are a bit crap.

On a side note another couple and ourselves have been doing theme dinner monthly ( or when we remember) hence the recent Russian dishes...I must say Coulibiac is a fantastic Salmon & Mushroom Pie and was filling( I was worried it would not be enough). Spanish night was still the best for me ( paella & Churros - whats not to love).

So my final 3 are reserved for Xmas theme...thinking of Christmas tarts but unsure of the other 2...maybe a roasted duck with cherries...actually I haven't made egg nog either so best I read up on my Fanny Cradock and get back to you all in December.

La Concorde

This is the cake I have been raving about for the last few months. This cake was created for the launch of the Concorde Jet back in the 1970's. I have never (baked) or eaten a better chocolate cake. Hands down.

Basically it is discs of chocolate meringue, sandwiched with the richest of chocolate mousse then decorated with broken sticks of meringue. It is layered, rich and all chocolate to the bank.

Perfectly good by itself, however I like it with a raspberry coulis ( don't add too much sugar in the coulis - the tartness of the raspberry is wonderfully with the richness of the chocolate) and whipped cream (somehow it enhances the cake more).

Now as I do not have the permission to give the recipe I was given class (I simply haven't asked Le Chef) I have posted a recipe link I found on a public site which is good:-

http://www.grouprecipes.com/53276/concorde-cake.html

What I do recommend is that you use the best quality dutch cocoa ( DON'T SKIMP - its expensive but you will thank me) free range eggs (why are people still using battery when free range is only a few dollars more - think of those poor chickens) and the best quality dark chocolate (couverture hands down - again DON'T SKIMP on the chocolate). The recipe link also includes vanilla (this is optional).I found the times I have baked it post cooking class I have run out of meringue sticks - so don't use a big nozzle on the piping bag.

Oh and only ever make this cake for company. Just reading the amount of butter, chocolate and eggs in this cake could make you gain weight - But you can get 8 to 10 serves out of this delight and then the butter/choc ratio is nothing. Well almost nothing.

Only 2 months to go - 9 recipes - for November and for 4 December. I will try to only do Xmas related ones in December...Well try that is.

52 Recipes - June to September

Ok so I was VERY shabby in blog entries after returning from the big trip...the holiday is now a memory. But not shabby with keeping up with recipes...so an update is needed to fill you all in... ( classified as date/recipe title/source & type - for all you foodies and hungry masses)

JUNE
7.6 23 Berry Bundt Cake - The internet (bookmarked) Baking
14.6 24 Fish Stock - Comfort Food (Gary M) Stock
21.6 25 Paella - Margaret Fulton Spanish
28.6 26 Spanish Donuts - Gourmet Traveller (Jun 2010) Baking

JULY
5.7 27 Roasted Carrot soup - Gourmet Traveller (Jun 2010) Soup
12.7 28 Oxtail Bolognaise - Comfort Food (Gary M) Pasta
19.7 29 Prawn Cocktail - Gourmet Traveller (Jan 2010) Seafood/Entree
26.7 30 Duck Liver Pate - French Cooking Class Entree/Starter

AUG
2.8 31 Caramelised Onion Relish - French Cooking Class Relish
9.8 32 Confit of Duck - French Cooking Class Meat
16.8 33 Duck & Pear Salad - French Cooking Class Entree
23.8 34 Fricassee of Chicken - French Cooking Class Meat/Main
30.8 35 Fresh Pasta - French Cooking Class Pasta

SEP
6.9 36 La Concorde (Cake) - French Cooking Class Baking
13.9 37 Lamb Ragu - The internet (bookmarked) Pasta
20.9 38 Chocolate Chip Cookies - The internet (bookmarked) Baking
27.9 39 Chilli Jam - The internet (bookmarked) Relish

Ok so no recipes during the big trip... I was ahead of myself and I made up for it at cooking class. It was a fantastic day - we made 8 new recipes all fabulous and got to eat them at the end of the day!) It was that good I’m going back in feb (that was the earliest class I could get into!)

The best recipe of the day ( of the year to be more exact) was the La Concorde – the most amazing chocolate cake I have ever made...I will be making it next weekend for Sunday Lunch desert ( Andy’s dad is visiting from out of town) – and will reveal the recipe for the BEST chocolate cake...EVER.

52 Recipes - April & May

Goodness we have been 'busy cookin' a plenty... just a quick update

APR
5.4 14 Rabbit & Mushroom Pie - Gourmet Traveller (Apr 2010)
12.4 15 Potato Gratin - The internet
19.4 16 Pork Cassoulet - The internet
26.4 17 Lemon Curd - The Cooks Companion

MAY
3.5 18 Welsh cakes - A &B special
10.5 19 Walnut & espresso cake - Gourmet Traveller (May 2010)
17.5 20 Lemon Meringue Cake - Nigella Lawson
24.5 21 Duck L’Orange - The internet
31.5 22 Reine de Saba - Julia Childs

I know that its still the middle of May and we have gone over but as we are away for 5 weeks in August we need to get ahead of ourselves or the NY resolution of 52 recipes wont be reached. And there is nothing I hate more than not finishing something...ooh it drives me insane.

Im quitre happy it is going well however I think my pants need letting out. Or the installation of an elastic bands. Otherwise I'm, as my grandmother would say, very 'healthy darling'( she would saw drougie as this is Croatian for darling but I digress). And it is rather cold in Melbourne at the moment. Unsure what to try next, thinking another slow cooked all in one number (a treat and a half in this cold season). Maybe some italian? Mmmm pasta...mmm cheese...mmm size 36 by june ( Noooooooooooooooo!).

52 Recipes - March

A quick update on the recipes.
Ok so now March is down and dusted....

1.3 9 Sago Gula Melaka - Food Safari (Season 2)
8.3 10 Slow Cooked Greek Lamb - The internet
15.3 11 Olive fetta & onion tart - The internet
22.3 12 Orange sugar puffs - Gorgeous Cakes Cookbook
29.3 13 Hot Cross Buns - Gourmet Traveller (Apr 2010)

Just baked the buns today - and they were a triumph!

Andy and I ate 4 straight out of the oven - OMG why I havent made these sooner!

Now for APR ( Planned)
5.4 14 Rabbit & Mushroom Pie - Gourmet Traveller (Apr 2010)
12.4 15 Potato Gratin - The internet

These are both for a dinner with friends on Saturday night....and yes I will be taking pictures!

52 weeks

Well now its February I decided to come clean about my new year’s resolution

Firstly I haven’t broken it!

Secondly I chose it as it specifically so I couldn’t break it. Naturally.

Thirdly it’s not shocking, dirty, drug or sex related, climbing Mt Everest or building an Ark [Jesus I tried that when i was about 8 with Lego and let me tell you it didn’t work then] nor am I trying to be more spiritual, find religion, give up a vice nor loving thy neighbour more [Even though one of the guys to our left is a bit hot I don’t thing Andy would appreciate my spying on the hot neighbour].

And the thing is that after collecting so many cookbooks over the years -16 at last count, 18 months worth of the Gourmet Traveller [ The OZ foodies bible] & a folder of cut out, scribbled on and given to – recipes, I thought it was time for action.

So my resolution was to try a new recipe per week for 2010. Period.

Criteria was simple – it must be something new I haven’t cooked before, sourced from anywhere & I must have at least 52 completed by 31st of Dec 2010. Yes I was a bit inspired by Julia & Julie but not inspired enough to do every day – Well I would if I didn’t have to work! Also these are the dry runs of what will be appearing on the menu for dinner parties at Casa del a Riversdale this year.

So here’s what I prepared [earlier] to date (with source):-

JAN
4.1 1 - Lobster Thermidor - The internet
11.1 2 - Indian Lamb kebabs - ‘Indian in 6’
18.1 3 - Lamb Kofta - The internet
25.1 4 - Pea & Prawn Linguini - ‘Gourmet Traveller Simple’

FEB
1.2 5 - Berry Trifle - A & B special [ made up this one]
8.2 6 - Tandoori Chicken - ‘Indian in 6’
15.2 7 - Dahl with Spinach - ‘Indian in 6’
21.2 8 – Spanakopita (planned) - Gourmet Traveller (march 2010)

So I think I have covered classics, Indian & Greek so far. Lobster Thermidor has indeed splendid & a marvellous start. All the Indian recipes were amazing [without burning our mouths] NB - less liquid with the Dahl, darl. I think Greek food hits the spot with my love affair with Lamb. Planning to roast a whole leg Greek style soon. μεγάλος!

I have decided that throughout the year I will be updating with my progress to date – no dear reader this is not becoming a foodie blog [There is much a rumbling with Eurovision 2010 to be had next month!] but I thought a new series just for ‘010- I will also take any suggestions or recipes sent from anyone– however nothing too unusual (I’m not eating insects, testicles etc) however would be open to different styles to push my cooking boundaries.

Email me recipes at urbanguy99@hotmail.com
[title your email recipe].

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