Sunday dinner expert please

[Scrooge]

Well Mrs Scrooge has decided to invite the whole family to Vegas for Christmas dinner [:0]

Till last night I had managed to pull the 'I am working so you cook everything' line.

Now however a request from the FIL has come in...roast potatoes [:0]

It has been years since I cooked them, sooooo give me some hints please people [^]

This whole thing has now got me thinking, maybe I should raid the local British foods store for traditional British Christmas foods, mince pies, paxo stuffing etc...any more hints [?]

[Decker]

Hmmm, steam the potatoes, then drain. With lid on saucepan vigorously shake to bruise spuds. MUST be cooked in Beef Dripping or Goose Fat.... over to people who actually cook...

[Decker]

Hmmm, steam the potatoes, then drain. With lid on saucepan vigorously shake to bruise spuds. MUST be cooked in Beef Dripping or Goose Fat.... over to people who actually cook...

Par Boil the potatoes, don't steam them (so they are just starting to crumble up on the outside), then roll then in a sieve or collinder (SP?), this roughs up the edges to give you a crispy, but not hard outside.

Definitely cook them in goose fat for the best taste. Make sure the goose fat is HOT before putting the spuds in. Cook them hot and turn them frequently. Hot fat will seal the spuds quicker meaning that won't absorb so much fat. Wait until they are just turning from golden to deep brown. Take them out and serve hot.

Alternatively you can trust delia

Paul

Paul

Par Boil the potatoes, don't steam them (so they are just starting to crumble up on the outside), then roll then in a sieve or collinder (SP?), this roughs up the edges to give you a crispy, but not hard outside.

Definitely cook them in goose fat for the best taste. Make sure the goose fat is HOT before putting the spuds in. Cook them hot and turn them frequently. Hot fat will seal the spuds quicker meaning that won't absorb so much fat. Wait until they are just turning from golden to deep brown. Take them out and serve hot.

Alternatively you can trust delia

Paul

Paul

[HighFlyer]

Decker, please dont tell me that the spuds I've had at your house have been cooked in beef dripping?

I think everyone has their own way of doing roast potatoes but the basics are definitely to lightly par boil the potatoes for a few minutes (literally a few, not till they are soft), shake 'em around in the pan to get them all fluffy, then throw them into a pre-heated roasting tray with VERY hot oil and baste, baste, baste! I put extra virgin olive oil in the pan when i par-boil the potatoes and pre-heat the roasting tray's oil for a good 20 minutes.

I am sure there are others that are far better than me at this, but you cant go too far wrong with potatoes - even I can manage it.

Oh - you HAVE to have individual Yorkshire puddings made in a muffin tray! Again, small dollop of oil in the bottom of each muffin segment, heat that up for a good 20 minutes before pouring the batter mix in. Its best to make the batter mix before you start cooking so it can 'stand'. No idea why, just something you are supposed to do according to my Mother. Yum.

Thanks,
Sarah

[HighFlyer]

Decker, please dont tell me that the spuds I've had at your house have been cooked in beef dripping?

I think everyone has their own way of doing roast potatoes but the basics are definitely to lightly par boil the potatoes for a few minutes (literally a few, not till they are soft), shake 'em around in the pan to get them all fluffy, then throw them into a pre-heated roasting tray with VERY hot oil and baste, baste, baste! I put extra virgin olive oil in the pan when i par-boil the potatoes and pre-heat the roasting tray's oil for a good 20 minutes.

I am sure there are others that are far better than me at this, but you cant go too far wrong with potatoes - even I can manage it.

Oh - you HAVE to have individual Yorkshire puddings made in a muffin tray! Again, small dollop of oil in the bottom of each muffin segment, heat that up for a good 20 minutes before pouring the batter mix in. Its best to make the batter mix before you start cooking so it can 'stand'. No idea why, just something you are supposed to do according to my Mother. Yum.

Thanks,
Sarah

[Decker]

apparently Iberian Pig Fat is the new Goose Fat...

[Decker]

apparently Iberian Pig Fat is the new Goose Fat...

Originally posted by Decker
Iberian Pig Fat

Did someone mention my name?

I follow Jamie Oliver's recipe for roast potatoes. It's combined with a roast chicken here, but the potato recipe is easily extrapolated -- I keep plastic jars of frozen beef, goose, chicken, pork and lamb fat in the freezer for use in making such things...amazing what a different fat can do to flavour the buggers. I love me some steamed potato chunks tossed in lamb fat and then roasted. [:p]

THE MOST IMPORTANT aspect is to let them steam off and bump them around a bit so they have a fluffy, imperfect surface -- this gives the crunchiness so valued in a good chip! [y]

Enjoy!

GJ

Originally posted by Decker
Iberian Pig Fat

Did someone mention my name?

I follow Jamie Oliver's recipe for roast potatoes. It's combined with a roast chicken here, but the potato recipe is easily extrapolated -- I keep plastic jars of frozen beef, goose, chicken, pork and lamb fat in the freezer for use in making such things...amazing what a different fat can do to flavour the buggers. I love me some steamed potato chunks tossed in lamb fat and then roasted. [:p]

THE MOST IMPORTANT aspect is to let them steam off and bump them around a bit so they have a fluffy, imperfect surface -- this gives the crunchiness so valued in a good chip! [y]

Enjoy!

GJ

Originally posted by Scrooge
Well Mrs Scrooge has decided to invite the whole family to Vegas for Christmas dinner [:0]

Till last night I had managed to pull the 'I am working so you cook everything' line.

Now however a request from the FIL has come in...roast potatoes [:0]

It has been years since I cooked them, sooooo give me some hints please people [^]

This whole thing has now got me thinking, maybe I should raid the local British foods store for traditional British Christmas foods, mince pies, paxo stuffing etc...any more hints [?]

www.igourmet.com for your xmas pudding?

Originally posted by Scrooge
Well Mrs Scrooge has decided to invite the whole family to Vegas for Christmas dinner [:0]

Till last night I had managed to pull the 'I am working so you cook everything' line.

Now however a request from the FIL has come in...roast potatoes [:0]

It has been years since I cooked them, sooooo give me some hints please people [^]

This whole thing has now got me thinking, maybe I should raid the local British foods store for traditional British Christmas foods, mince pies, paxo stuffing etc...any more hints [?]

www.igourmet.com for your xmas pudding?

Scrooge

Having just had a panic [:I] about cooking Thanksgiving Dinner in Vegas myself for all my single friends I found a great shop that does a lot of ready made things similar to what you would find in M&S [^] - It is called fresh&easy - http://www.freshandeasy.com will help you find your nearest store - and it is run by Tesco's!

The stuff I got out of there was delicious and not bad priced either - and a lot more fresh than you normally get in stores. I got a turkey breast crown ready to pop in oven - looked as if I have slaved for days over it - but nope! [:w]

By the way - for the record my mums reciepe for roast potatoes - which worked a treat was: Par boil the potatoes for 8 mins or so - whilst that is happening put a tray with vegetable oil in the oven (whilst tutkey is cooking). When tatties are done - carefully put them in the hot oil for about 50 mins on about 375 and voila - lovely roast crispy but fluffy potatoes - and it worked for me who is a biff in the kitchen! [:#]

I hope this helps - if you need anything else just let me know

Regards

AKS120

Scrooge

Having just had a panic [:I] about cooking Thanksgiving Dinner in Vegas myself for all my single friends I found a great shop that does a lot of ready made things similar to what you would find in M&S [^] - It is called fresh&easy - http://www.freshandeasy.com will help you find your nearest store - and it is run by Tesco's!

The stuff I got out of there was delicious and not bad priced either - and a lot more fresh than you normally get in stores. I got a turkey breast crown ready to pop in oven - looked as if I have slaved for days over it - but nope! [:w]

By the way - for the record my mums reciepe for roast potatoes - which worked a treat was: Par boil the potatoes for 8 mins or so - whilst that is happening put a tray with vegetable oil in the oven (whilst tutkey is cooking). When tatties are done - carefully put them in the hot oil for about 50 mins on about 375 and voila - lovely roast crispy but fluffy potatoes - and it worked for me who is a biff in the kitchen! [:#]

I hope this helps - if you need anything else just let me know

Regards

AKS120

[Scrooge]

Thats the one on Trop and 215 right ?

Did you notice if they are carrying a lot of British product by chance ?

Oh..actually found one pretty close to the house, I will have to go by there and take a look.

[Scrooge]

Thats the one on Trop and 215 right ?

Did you notice if they are carrying a lot of British product by chance ?

Oh..actually found one pretty close to the house, I will have to go by there and take a look.

Scrooge

They carry a lot of 'recognisable' items - such as real cheese if you like a proper cheese board! English cheddar, stilton and the like that is really yummy - not like the normal stuff that normally looks grey and tastes of welly boot[:(]

If you like things like pitta/humus/proper salsa etc they do lovely fresh stuff. They also do coleslaw as you would get in Tescos! Nice fresh pittas - nothing has any preservitives in it - unlike the majority of stuff you will find in Albertsons!

There are a few things I recognise from tescos - mainly fresh stuff such as 'fresh ready meals' (chicken stuff with bits and bobs to put in oven or fish with sauces) it can sometimes be a little empty when you go in as the shelves are stocked regulalry but everytime I have been in I have not been disappointed.

And if you look around the shop they do coupons for $6 if you spend $30 (valid til 5 Dec if you are in today!) - well I can struggle to be honest to spend $40 for a weekly shop whereas it would normally cost me nearer $100 for nothing out of Smiths or Albertsons[:(!]

Worth a look anyway - i am sure you won't be disappointed - and they have a tasting table with nibbles on it!

AKS120

Scrooge

They carry a lot of 'recognisable' items - such as real cheese if you like a proper cheese board! English cheddar, stilton and the like that is really yummy - not like the normal stuff that normally looks grey and tastes of welly boot[:(]

If you like things like pitta/humus/proper salsa etc they do lovely fresh stuff. They also do coleslaw as you would get in Tescos! Nice fresh pittas - nothing has any preservitives in it - unlike the majority of stuff you will find in Albertsons!

There are a few things I recognise from tescos - mainly fresh stuff such as 'fresh ready meals' (chicken stuff with bits and bobs to put in oven or fish with sauces) it can sometimes be a little empty when you go in as the shelves are stocked regulalry but everytime I have been in I have not been disappointed.

And if you look around the shop they do coupons for $6 if you spend $30 (valid til 5 Dec if you are in today!) - well I can struggle to be honest to spend $40 for a weekly shop whereas it would normally cost me nearer $100 for nothing out of Smiths or Albertsons[:(!]

Worth a look anyway - i am sure you won't be disappointed - and they have a tasting table with nibbles on it!

AKS120

[Scrooge]

So kind of like a Trader Joe's then ?

[Scrooge]

So kind of like a Trader Joe's then ?

I'm afraid I have not been to Trader Joe's so I can't comment - however people I have spoken to have said they thought Fresh & Easy was better - but that is second hand I am afraid [:#]

I'm afraid I have not been to Trader Joe's so I can't comment - however people I have spoken to have said they thought Fresh & Easy was better - but that is second hand I am afraid [:#]

God how I long for Sainsbury's...I want my Seriously Fresh toothpaste and Felix cat treats...

GJ

God how I long for Sainsbury's...I want my Seriously Fresh toothpaste and Felix cat treats...

GJ