Chow Down to Eurovision 2014 - F.Y.R.Macedonia

добро вечер, dobro večer this is former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, ex-République yougoslave de Macédoine calling, and contestant number eleven in Chow Down to Eurovision 2014 Semi Final 2.

Last year former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia presented the easy to make and even easier to eat sugar ladened halva.

 

This year there is a touch less sugar with a very simple yet satisfying salad.

 

Sometimes we can get too fancy in fear of presenting a dish that could be labelled pedestrian that simple pleasures like this salad can be over looked, and that would be a greater tragedy.

 

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia always sends great voices to Eurovision and 2012 was no exception with Kaliopi and Crno I Belo.

 

While she hasn't replaced Karolina as my favourite from F.Y.R.M she comes a very close second.

She placed 13th in the final.

 

 

My Shopska salad

Ingredients

• 2 red onions
• 2 small cucumbers
• 1 punnet of cherry tomatoes
• 1 small red capsicum
• 1/2 cup fine grated Cheddar cheese
• Salt, pepper
• Olive oil

 

Method

• Peel cucumbers and dice to 1-2cm cubes
• Dice the rest of the vegetable the same size
• Season with salt and pepper and a splash of olive oil
• Top with grated cheese
• When I first read about this salad it said to serve in an oval, on further readings it may have been a translation issue and meant to serve in a bowl!
• Either way it is the most delicious simple salad and is perfect, in an oval, bowl, or jar as a work lunch.
• You may like to decorate the top with some additional red capsicum, but I advise stopping before you try and recreate F.Y.R. Macedonia's flag as you may have to spend time picking them out before you take the photo!

F.Y.R. Macedonia are sending another power house vocalist in Tijana who is heading To the Sky and possibly Saturday's final.

Will she be able to make the final top ten, a place F.Y.R. Macedonia hasn't been...yet.

 

If they win, their air force might even be able to afford shirts as well as gas masks! 

со среќа so sreḱa!

Chow Down to Eurovision 2014 - Netherlands

Goedenavond this is Netherlands calling from the beautiful canals of Amsterdam.

Our trip to Amsterdam in 2011 (can't believe it's 3 years already, get me to flight centre STAT) has inspired this year's entry for Chow Down to Eurovision 2014.

One of the things I love to do while travelling, apart from eat and check out the supermarkets, it see what's on TV.

I think it gives you a taste of the differences in culture by doing something you would normally do at home.

Sadly these days it seems to be more dubbed reruns of Friends and Seinfeld, though it was fun flicking on the TV to see Australian Master chef with Dutch subtitles.

Maggie Macneal (minus Mouth) sang Amsterdam which placed 5th in 1980 and provided a wonderful soundtrack to our trip.

I'm sure none of the Dutch people tired of my head appearing out of a boat in the canals singing Amsterdam, Amsterdam at the top of my lungs.....their only respite was when my mouth was full of croquette!

 

 

One of the "delights" of our Amsterdam trip was our hotel not only had tea and coffee making facilities but Cup-a-Soup as well, clearly no expense was spared!

Not content with the good old chicken noodle, it was Chinese Tomato, which we learnt was popular with children in Holland possibly due to the addition of sweet apple sauce.

AB as a tomato fan loved it but did declare that "the croutons were a waste of time" 

I come up with my own version, that doesn't require packets or a 27 hour flight.
There are some apple croutons that have been slipped in but allegedly they aren't a waste of time!

It's a bit more adult with the apple cider and apples rather than apple sauce.

Chinese tomato soup
Ingredients

• 1kg tomato topped and halved
• 2 large granny smith grated
• 700ml chicken stock
• 300ml apple cider
• 1 clove garlic grated
• 1 small thumb ginger grated
• 1 tbsp. oil
• 3 tbsp. kecap manis
• 1 green chilli sliced finely
• 1 tbs. dark soy (use light for a lighter colour...obviously)
• 2-3tbs. brown sugar
• 1/2 an apple extra for croutons (optional)
• Squeeze of lemon juice

Method

• In a large saucepan add oil, ginger, garlic and chili
• Add the apples and tomatoes and stir to coat in oil
• Add apple cider and bring to the boil
• Add chicken stock
• Add kecap manis, sugar and soy
• Simmer on low for 20 minutes
• Blend with a hand blender
• Roughly cut extra apple into small pieces and coat in lemon juice
• Drain any extra juices and sprinkle apple croutons onto soup, or stir through (these aren't a waste of time I have been informed)

After Anouk got The Netherlands to the finals last year after an 8 year absence will The Common Linnets' Calm After The Storm continue the trend or start another drought?

I'm hoping for rain!

veel success!

Chow Down to Eurovision 2014 - Armenia

Բարի երեկո (Good Evening) this is Armenia calling, proudly the first contestant for Chow Down to Eurovision 2014.

It seems only yesterday the bunting was being packed away and we were celebrating the win of Norway's cardamom lard fried morsels for Chow Down to Eurovision 2013.

For those of you joining the Chow Down to Eurovision for the first time, buckle up we have 37 countries and 37 dishes to get through before we arrive in Copenhagen. 

For those of you that are back for more, I love you!

 

Armenia has been a powerhouse in Eurovision since they joined in 2006 placing top 10 every year except 2013.......oh and 2011 when they sent a lass in a giant boxing glove, fun times.

 

Armenia made it to the final of Chow Down to Eurovision 2013 with an Apricot and Nutmeg cake which has had several repeat bakes in this house. 

 

 

They were also right on the money when they sent Sirusho with Qele Qele in 2008.  

 

What could be better than a young lady in shakeable fringing singing her heart out while surrounded by 3 blokes with mullets performing a hybrid of gymnastic gyrations and liturgical dance?

 

 

Our first entrant is starting us off slowly with a salad.....just so our sequined hot pants have a little room to breath. (Not intentionally it's the luck of the running order draw!)

 

 

Eech - Bulgur and Tomato Salad

Ingredients

• 1 cup bulgur wheat
• 1 small green capsicum
• 6 Roma tomatoes
• 3 spring onions
• 3-4 sprigs of flat leaf parsley
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp. olive oil (approx.)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Finely sliced red chilli (optional...but highly recommenced) 

Method

• Bring 2 cups of water to the boil in a medium saucepan
• Turn off heat
• Add bulgur and stir
• Cover and allow to rest for 20 minutes
• Transfer the bulgur to a mixing bowl (drain any excess water, but it should be all absorbed)
• Finley chop the capsicum, tomatoes, spring onions and parsley
• Add to the bulgur
• Combine the oil and lemon juice together and stir through the bulgur and vegetables
• Season to taste
• Garnish with red chilli if desired
• You could also go to town adding other herbs such as coriander, mint or red onions
• The perfect take to work lunch, so refreshing and many of you know my negative feelings towards tomatoes! 

 

I will also showcase the contestants that with be performing in Demark but I promise no spoilers as I know many people like to save the surprise for the night.
I use to be one of them but this year I have pre-listened and so glad I did.......No Spoilers!

Armenia will be represented by Aram mp3 who is the firm favourite to win but really who can pick it??



Հաջողություն!

 

Especially the beans.....

After the joy, fun and deliciousness that was Chow Down to Eurovision 2013 it is time to resume normal Don't Boil The Sauce broadcasting. Winter has hit Melbourne in all it's time for blankie snuggles glory and I bloody love it!
I also love a dish that can be breakfast, lunch or dinner so no matter what time you finally get out from under the covers it's an acceptable time to eat it.

 
This will make enough beans to feed both sides of the army and some left over. It needs to be started a day ahead to soak the beans, or use canned for a super quick version.

Slow cooker beans
Ingredients

• 2 cups borlotti beans dried
• 1 cup haricot beans dried
• 1 cup lima beans dried
• 1 cup cannellini beans dried
• 300g approx. pancetta
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 3 red onions rough diced
• 3 brown onions rough diced
• 4 celery stalks chopped finely
• 3 garlic cloves crushed
• 1 red capsicum rough diced
• 1 bottle passata  (approx. 600-700ml)
• 600g chopped tomato
• 120ml red wine
• 4 tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp. mustard powder
• 2 tbsp. honey
• 2 tbsp. brown sugar 
• 1 cup beef stock
• 1 tbsp. salt
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 large sprigs rosemary
• 1 small handful of thyme
• Pepper to taste

Method

• Into a large mixing bowl or boiler of water add the beans.
• Leave to soak for about 8-12 hours or overnight, they will double in size.
• Drain the beans
• Chopped the pancetta into small strips
• Fry in a hot pan with 2 tbsp. olive oil
• Add the onions, celery, garlic, capsicum, fry for about 3 minutes then add to slow cooker
• Into the slow cooker add beans and all remaining ingredients and stir well
• Cook on low for about 5-6 hours depending on your slow cooker and how mushy you like your beans
• Serve as a side with a chili/pepper steak, with eggs and home made crumpets or just on their own.
• You may need to add more salt depending on your taste, beans and pancetta, just remember you can add it but you can't take it away

• You could do this in an oven for about 2-3 hours on 160°C but I haven't tested this

• For the super quick version in a large pot add fry the pancetta, and vegetables as per recipe then add remaining ingredients and boil to reduce for 15-20 mins. Add drained canned beans and simmer for another 20 minutes (also not tested but this is how I would tackle it) 
• ok now back under the blankie!!

A thing of beauty

 

 

 

 

 

Crumpet recipe will be posted soon, I have some surprise tweaks to work on.

 
 

Chow Down to Eurovision 2013 - Albaina

Përshëndetje (hello) and welcome to Albania.
In 2012 Rona Nishilu took to the stage with Suss and for 3 minutes I was memorized. While there were a mired of jokes about her hair and the screaming I sat transfixed as I witnessed a moment of true musical artistry, and I wasn't even a judge on The Voice.

It just goes to show while I love all the bells and whistles and reveals of Eurovision it is hard to beat a stand and deliver out pouring of emotional vocal gymnastics.
Well unfortunately it wasn't that hard to beat she came 5th. Today I have keep the same simplicity in the cooking with my variation of the Albanian Turli Perimesh or mixed vegetables.

My Turli Perimesh
Ingredients

• 2 brown onions
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 large red capsicum
• 2-3 Lebanese eggplants
• 3 yellow squash
• 1 cup of cherry tomatoes
• 1 zucchini
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Basil to garnish

Method

• Chop all the vegetables into roughly the same size, leave the tomatoes whole
• Add olive oil to a fry pan over a medium heat
• Add the onions and garlic and sweat for a minute or 2 without browning
• Add the eggplant, squash, zucchini, capsicum and tomatoes
• Cook the vegetable till on medium to low heat till they are tender and the tomatoes are bursting.
• If the pan gets too dry add a splash of water or stock
• Season to taste
• Serve with an extra splash of olive oil and garnish with basil leaves  

Adrian Lulgjuraj & Bledar Sejko will bring Identitet to Sweden this year.

Fat i mire!

 

Chow Down to Eurovision 2013 - Croatia

Today we arrive in the beautiful land of Croatia for some Dalmatian cuisine (no, not dogs.) Scampi Buzara is a rich tomato, cognac and white wine sauce that the seafood is cooked in. On my trip to the market I couldn't get scampi so I recreated the dish with prawns. I was lucky enough to find some yabbies so they will play the role of a massive tasty garnish. I've also substituted the Cognac for Brandy as surprisingly I already had some in the pantry from my almost needing to "check into rehab Christmas cakes".
Our Croatian Eurovision treat is Maria Magdalena from Doris Dragovic in 1999. I love a strong performance from a strong woman who halfway through, whips off some of the outfit for a reveal. I remember years ago in a Eurovision chat room talking to someone who claimed they had designed her dress. I have no idea whether it was the truth or just an attempt to get me to do a private reveal, rest assured it didn't happen. Trust me by the end of this you will all join in on the "woe ahh ahh ahh ahh", you don't believe me but wait and see.

Is that Jane Turner on backing vocals?

Scampi Prawn Buzara
Ingredients

• 500g green prawns, peeled and devein
• 60ml olive oil
• 1 medium brown onion chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic chopped
• 60 ml brandy
• 120ml white wine
• 240ml tomato passata
• Salt
• Pepper
• 4 cooked yabbies (optional)
• Chopped parsley to garnish

Method

• Peel the prawns and devein them (I'm bad I don't always devein, I know, I know)
• In a deep fry pan heat the oil on a medium to high heat.
• Add the onion and garlic and let cook till soft without browning
• Add brandy, white wine and passata and let cook down for about 10 minutes to thicken.
• Add the prawns and cook for about 4 mins till just cooked through.
• Remove the prawns and add the yabbies to way through (this will avoid the prawns and the yabbies over cooking)
• Return the prawns and season with salt and pepper.
• Traditionally served with bread and butter, but I served on a bed of basmati rice.
• Garnish with chopped parsley.
• This served both AB and I but I could have happily had it all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Klapa s mora will perform Mižerja in Malmö

Sretno!

 

War on terrrible food....

Enough is enough, I will no longer spend money on substandard work lunches or any food for that matter.
Make the pledge with me people.

I came to this mission after a month of the dodgy cafe next to my work ( it's a captive audience type arrangement), over priced, under flavoured, and about as healthy as a packet of Winnie Blue.
So as I stood in line looking at the upside down friands, waiting way to long for the usual bad coffee, I thought what am I doing here, I can cook, why am I wasting my money with somewhere that clearly can't.
My criteria was it has to be something cold and quick that was desk edible. I also want something healthy that tasted evil, and not like grass and dirt.
This wasn't part of a new years resolution as it has been sitting in draft for about 2 months. I'm not fond of the crazy diet resolution as it ends up like a business I saw on twitter. "Resolutions Gym" January it is a gym, from February to December it's a tapas bar.
Although one change I will make this year is to not eat at any resturant that is happy to throw their food out a window, e.g. no drive-thru.

This was the first wave of troops. Enjoy, and stop paying for rubbish food!

Corn Salsa Salad
The quantity of each ingredient is really up to you, I base it around 1 can of corn.

Ingredients

• 1 410gram can of corn kernels
• 1 head cos lettuce
• 1 handful cherry tomatoes
• 2 red onions finely sliced
• 1 Lebanese cucumber
• 1 long chili
• 1 handful flat leaf parsley
• 1 handful coriander
• 1 lime
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

Method

• Drain corn
• Roughly chop lettuce, cucumber, chili, tomatoes and herbs.
• Combine in a bowl
• Add juice of the lime and 2 table spoons of olive oil
• Toss and serve
• If you take as much care with the chopping as it do, you will be finished in under 3 minutes.
• So many variations, add avocado, capsicum, mint.