Chow Down to Eurovision 2014

Time to polish off the mirror balls and decant the glitter........

 

The count down has began for Chow Down To Eurovision 2014, 7 weeks of Eurovisual arousal.

We will be passing through the 37 participating countries in this year's Eurovision Song contest on our journey to Copenhagen.

This year will be bigger and more interactive than ever, with the #eatus on twitter, more indepth voting and for the final.....I want to see you!

I would love it if you wanted to give your points via video, but only after saying how much you really, really, really enjoyed the wonderful show. (more on that as the time comes)



This clip of some of the funnier moments in voting history may provide some inspiration.

So here are the key dates:

• April 2 Semi Final 1 begins
• April 19 Semi Final 2 begins
• May 5 the Final beings
• Winner announced May 12

There will be a lot more information on how to vote, and join in as we get closer to the most Eurotastic time of the year.

If you are new to Eurovision and are thinking what on earth is he going on about, check out Chow Down to Eurovision 2013.

Will Norway be the winner again?

Feed the Birds, Tuppence a Slice

While on an excursion doing research for the upcoming Chow Down to Eurovision 2014,  the group was offered some stone age bread.

Bread with no flour? What is this crazy talk??

It was like a scene from my Big Fat Greek Wedding come to life, What you mean you don't put no flour in the bread?.........ok I use spelt?

I'd never heard of it, but loved the nutty deliciousness.

So no flour, just seeds and nuts, which makes it fit into the Paleo diet (if that kind of thing floats your boat)

The chef's reply when asked for the recipe was "Google it!"

So after some Googeling, recipe comparison and testing, this is my take on the Nordic nut bread.

There are more seeds than what I found traditionally which I think gives a better firm multigrain bread texture rather than one of crispy seeds.

I'm not one for trendy diets but for me this bread is a perfect breakfast as 1 slice will keep you going for hours....and that's just the chewing! (kidding)

The only down side is it's best not to quickly grab a piece before meeting people unless you like the blacked out tooth look.

Nordic Nut Bread aka Stone Age Bread

• 100g slivered almonds
• 100g walnuts
• 100g linseeds
• 100g sunflower seeds (kernels)
• 100g pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
• 50g sesame seeds
• 50g black sesame seeds
• 50g poppy seeds
• 50g black and white chia seeds (or just 1 or the other)
• 2 1/2 tsps. sea salt flakes
• 5 eggs
• 100ml olive oil

Method

• Preheat oven to 150°C
• Line a medium loaf pan  (25.5 x 14.5 x 6cm)
• Add all the seeds and salt to a mixing bowl and combine well
• Add eggs and oil to a jug and whisk with a fork
• Pour egg mix into mixing bowl and stir till the seeds and liquid is very well combined
• Pack into the lined loaf tin
• Flatten the top of the loaf and make sure there is no excess liquid (it will just be cooked egg and not look great)
• Bake for about 1 hour and 15minutes.
• It will be oily at the bottom
• Remove from the tin and place on a wire rack over a tray to cool, and release any extra oils
• When cooled it isn't oily but moist with a nutty texture
• Enjoy with cheese, salmon, poached eggs, avocado or just on it's own for that long lasting breakfast
• Some recipes use whole almonds but I think the slivered give a better end result as the nuts cook all the way through
• It will make another appearance with a slight variation when the Chow Down to Eurovision 2014 heads to Copenhagen, so watch out for that! #eatus 

Heaven is a place on earth.....with blue cheese and quince paste.

In My Kitchen March

After being a bench warmer for In My Kitchen - February, I'm back in business and ain't it grand!


In My Kitchen......
....is some delicious barely seared tuna. It's something I saw on a Jamie Oliver show years ago and just love the clean flavours. I often forget about it which is crazy as it's the perfect dinner with some miso soup.
Mental note: I need to make this more often! 

 

In My Kitchen.....

....are lots and lots of apples.

 

Thankfully the tree has decided to produce after last year's appleless season.

 

Apart from just eating and juicing them I've made apple jelly. It tastes exactly like McDonalds hot apple pie, which is amazing how tastes sticks in your mind as I've not eaten at a McDonalds for over 14 months now (YAY!)

 

Apple chutney is next on the list, any other suggestions?



 

 

This is a beautiful filling for cupcakes.

 
 In My Kitchen....
....there is the start of something exciting.

I have bitten the bullet and bought a new camera and accessories to enhance the visual presentation here. Though the irony of taking these snaps on my phone is not lost on me .

Stay tuned as I learn what I'm supposed to do with them.

 

 In My Kitchen.....
.....well not quite my kitchen but I thought I should share my toot paper....well you know what I mean!

I found some toilet tissue that even by just going to the loo it is creating some good in the world, and there can never be enough of that.

According to their website each roll equals a person in a developing country having access to a toilet.
*Not sponsored

 

And finally now grab a tissue....you have been warned!

 

In My Kitchen........
.......there have been more tears than socially acceptable for a 6ft, 39 year old man to shed.

Last week we lost our little darling Sailor, the bringer of ultimate cuteness to our home and the reason I am useless at cooking rabbit.

Not because I have any issues with eating rabbit, I'm ok with identifying Pets vs Food but I'm pretty sure she put a jinx on the house so no matter how hard I tried it always turned out rubbish.

No bunnies where harmed in the making of this photo but there was some pretty poorly executed photo shopping.

It was very sudden but thankfully her last peaceful moments were spent in the loving arms of AB, I can't think of a better way to go really.

Sorry to be such a downer but I'm hoping this tribute will save me a whole heap of cash on therapy!

(which, naturally I can spend on kitchen ware )

 

Thanks to Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial for hosting the monthly In My Kitchen, check out the other kitchens.