Chow Down to Eurovision 2015 - Estonia

As the song goes....Welcome to Estonia!

For today's dish I headed out on location to the Estonian House for a concert by Estonian Eurovision greats Ott Lepland (2012) and Tanel Padar (winner 2001) with Jalmar Varbana.

The concert was a very relaxed affair and even though I don't speak a word of Estonian, loved every second. 

My only negative about the night is neither star sang their Eurovision song!

While they are known for a lot more than their Eurovision participation it would have only taken 6 minutes to give the group of Eurovision fans in attendance what they came for, Everybody would have loved it. I know what I did there, really could I get any kuula?

As a special treat instead of past Eurovision song today we have a little taster of said concert.

Dishes that were on offer at the Estonian club which may or may not have also been eaten by Ott Lepland or Tanel Padar on the night....what is that in degrees of separation??

A herring on rye

Pork belly and pear at the Estonian house

The pork belly and pear was an inhale-able combination of salty, meaty and sweet that had to be the dish to represent Estonia this year. 
This is my made up "I think that is how it tasted" version.


Pork Belly and Pear (makes a lot)
Ingredients 

• 500g pork belly
• 1 cup green ginger wine
• 2 cloves garlic crushed
• 2-3 pears cored and quartered (I didn't peel)

Method

• Slice the pork belly into 2-3cm cubes
• In a bowl add pork, green ginger wine, garlic and a good pinch of salt
• Let marinate for a couple of hours or overnight
• Preheat oven to 180°C
• Drain pork and pat dry
• In an oven proof fry pan brown the pork then put in oven for 15-20 minutes
• Cube the pears into a similar size as the pork
• Add to the oven with the pork and cook a further 5-10 minutes
• With caution, use a toothpick to attach a piece of pear to a piece of pork

 I went to the edge of caramelised with my pork and pear as that is how I remembered them, looking back on the original photo now I think it was just because it was dark!

Elina Born & Stig Rästa will sing Goodbye to Yesterday in Vienna but hopefully not goodbye to a place in the final.  

Estonia remind me of a modern Johnny Cash and June Carter very comfortably delivering a country break up duet. 

You may catch yourself singing "goodbye to yesterday" as you go about your everyday business...or maybe that's just me.

Õnne!

Past Estonia Chow Down to Eurovision:

2014 Estonian Rye Bread Mousse

2013 Jellied Meat

Let's Get Technical - Great British Bake Off Series 5 Pies and Tarts Week

In true Great British Bake Off technical challenge fashion I am setting a time limit on this post.
On your mark, get set, WRITE!

I should post these on Sunday night but to be honest I'm a bit knackered after the challenges and before you know it, it's Sunday again!

For pie and tart week I had to make Paul Hollywood's Mini Pear Pies in 2 hours.

Here is a recap of how the bake happened via my live tweeting:

This is a recipe that I would practice and make again. I'd like to try a beef or lamb wellington version as I really like the effect the spirals have on the pastry.

My syrup was a little thick as I did have to chase a chicken out of the garden mid challenge....they don't do that on the show!!

I like to think the storks are a homage to the Australian landscape after a bush fire, next time must remember the foil hats for protection.

 The pear pies found a welcome home as a Fathers Day dinner dessert with AB's parents