Saturday, 3 April 2021

The birthday menu choice

Wow, this all looks amazing! I have read and read and read them again and Menu 2 keeps jumping out at me! Please can I opt for that – it's such a wonderful idea!”

Menu 2 it is – it will be an absolute pleasure!

I sent the original email and the menus well in advance, a month ahead - deliberately, it gives me time to consider and plan my order of work and then cooking. I make no apology for it sounding like a military operation – that's because I am totally out of practice!

Remember the days when we had a social life and family and friends came to visit? I hardly dare say this but, if all goes accordingly to plan, may be we'll be able to cook for our family and friends again – do you remember how? I'm not sure I do so the birthday menu is a dress rehearsal!

Here's Menu 2 with my notes on each course :

Menu 2


Cream Cheese & Cashew Nut Paté

with soda bread


the paté should be as fresh as possible

so made the day before delivery, leaving only

the garnish of freshly cut chives to sprinkle

on the day


the soda bread is home-made and should be

baked on the day of delivery – looks like I'll be

up early!



Cheese, Potato and Onion pie

with coleslaw (using home-made mayo)


the pie has several elements :


baked jacket potatoes

finely diced onions, sautéed in butter

and rapeseed oil with Dijon mustard

grated cheeses – Mature Cheddar, Red

Leicester and Gruyere


each element can be prepped ahead


flaky pastry lid – pastry made ahead and

frozen


the coleslaw has a simple base, finely

shredded white cabbage, fine julienned carrots

and finely sliced spring onions – prep ahead,

bag separately, then fridge


the home-made mayo is the magical

ingredient and can be made the day before

delivery ready to incorporate and add final

seasonings, then box


Flourless Chocolate Cake

with Raspberry Coulis


dessert is easy – the cake benefits from being

made ahead, portioned and frozen

and the coulis can be frozen too


Me and my big mouth! Suddenly I'm alarmed at the thought of pulling this together - what began with “treats” has now morphed into a three course supper!

Next up … the “to do” list


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