Easter Cooking…
As with everything this year - “It is different!” So this is my take on how to enjoy it .. It will just be a family day full of good food & good fun …
We still have the Egg Game - After all!
We are a family of many tastes - Meat eaters, Non-meat eaters & various allergies, to take into account - too boot!
The skin is crisp whilst the meat is moist …
1.5kg/3lb 5oz pork belly, skin scored
2 tsp sea salt flakes, lots!
1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper, loads!
200ml/7fl oz cider vinegar
ps. I add a bit of chilli too!
Method
Preheat the oven to 240C/220C (fan)/Gas 9..
Dry the pork belly skin with kitchen paper. Cover liberally with sea salt & black pepper together in a bowl, rub all of the pork and skin, then turn the belly over and rub it on the underside of the pork.
Place the pork in a flameproof baking tray, double lined with tin foil, and roast for 25-30 minutes, or until the skin is crisp, longer if required, keep an eye on it! Reduce the oven to 180C/160C (fan)/Gas 4 and roast for a further hour.
Add the cider vinegar & some mores freshly ground black pepper.
Return the pork to the oven and cook for a further hour, or until the meat is really tender.
Transfer the pork to a carving board, rest for 10 -15 minutes, keeping the meat warm. Carve when ready…. This also makes great sandwiches when cold!
It takes all sorts!
Potato, Asparagus, Egg & Red Onion Salad
This recipe says what it does on the picture pretty much! But just for reference - Here is what I do!
Bunch of Asparagus - Steamed & cooled
New Potatoes boiled & cooled
Eggs boiled
Red Onions - Sliced thinly
Method
Arrange all ingredients, as shown in the picture.
Walnut, Fetta & Rocket Salad
As with the other salad this also does what it says in the picture!
Fetta
Rocket
Walnut
Method
Arrange all ingredients, as shown in the picture.
The Sauces
Simple French Dressing.
Mayonnaise, mixed with a tbsp or so of Olive Oil, Dijon mustard, salt & Pepper, lemon juice & capers. Mix to taste.
Potatoes - Is life worth living without them?
There are so many ways to do potatoes, for this meal I am leaving the skin on & roasting them with chicken fat for real crispiness & splendid dark colouring! This is not ‘posh’ food this is family food!
250g butter, chopped
150g chocolate, I use a mixture of dark & milk
440g caster sugar
250ml milk
225g plain flour
75g self-raising flour
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 eggs, beaten lightly
chocolate for decoration
shop bought eggs for decoration
Method
Preheat oven 160 -140C fan oven
Combine butter, chocolate, sugar & milk & melt in pan or microwave, don’t burn! Let cook - a bit!
Mix flours, add eggs & vanilla essence add chocolate mixture & make into a batter. Fill the muffin cases, about 12! Cook for 35 - 40 minutes. Let cool…
Melt decoration chocolate & drizzle over the muffins & decorate with shop bought mini eggs!
