Saturday (night) Kitchen

I have finally realised, the place I am most happy and motivated, is in my kitchen ... even on a saturday night. I've decided to give 'getting battered on a saturday night' a whole new meaning... more like beer battered!

I love cooking and learnt from my superstar mum at a very young age. I love to cook hot, spicy, savoury 'man food' and have honed in my focus on clean and fresh Vietnamese and Korean flavours that I have picked up over the years. Although I do enjoy experimenting with English, French, Thai, Mexican, Guyanese ... loads of flavours, to create yummy meals for my friends and family.

I have been wanting to start a blog about my culinary exploits for ages now, but never took the plunge. However, I took part in a Taste Test workshop organised by Makerhood Norwood recently, and had the amazing opportunity for the ruthless restaurant critic Jay Rayer to try my food, and give me some brutal feedback. Lucky for me, he's an absolute ledge, really kind, contructive and basically knows his shit when it comes to EATING.

I served him a Vietnamese inspired "salad", which, although it involved lettuce, isn't really a salad. It's basically, cold noodles, crunchy shredded lettuce, cabbage, carrot, sour apple, fresh cucumber, pomegranate seeds, the hot and spicy bulgogi style pork (Korean BBQ), or lime chilli chicken topped with crushed peanuts, all brought together with an oriental dressing. It's what I am hoping to serve on my market stall as soon as I can secure myself a pitch! 

So, I know what I'm going to cook, I now just have to make it happen. And getting feedback from someone I admire so much, has given me the kick up the arse I needed to turn this hobby into something awesome :)

VietNomNom the market stall is going to bring Vietnamese inspired food to South London.

VietNomNom the blog is going to keep you updated on the progress of my journey, and also share with you recipes that I like to try.

For example, tonight, I've been hanging out with some tarts my sister introduced me to:

Broccoli, Stilton, Date & Walnut tart (sounds weird but it works!)

Ingredients for 2x8" tarts:

• 1 pack pre-rolled short crust pastry (blind baked for 17mins @ 180°c)
• 1 head of Broccoli cut into small florets (raw)
• Stilton (as much as you want)
• 10-15 Chopped dates
• Roughly chopped walnuts (not too finely chopped)
• 8 beaten eggs
• 200ml milk or cream

Add the dry ingredients to the pastry case, beat the eggs and milk together and pour into the case. Bake for 30-35mins @ 180°c til slightly browned and firm. Leave the tarts to cool before removing them from their case.

And here's a little mini one I made with the left over pastry and other bits and bobs:

Crushed Pea & Stilton tart

For one 4" mini tart:

• Blind baked short crust pastry
• 30g Cooked, crushed (with a fork) peas
• Stilton
• 1 beaten egg
• 30ml milk
• Pinch of salt & loads of pepper

Scoop the crushed peas onto the pastry base, and pour over the egg and milk mix, being careful not to add too much, and season. Crumble over the stilton, and bake for about 16-20mins as it's a mini version.

Serving suggestion: Serve with salad and BEER.