Wednesday 25 May 2011

Let It Simmer

 I know - I keep going on about one-pot wonders, but really, is there anything better? Tonight, I promised to cook the Lancashire Hot-pot. 



If you don't have a cast iron hot-pot you can still do this in a glass or a stainless steal casserole dish. But, trust me, try to buy a the cast iron pot - they come in handy - and you will own it for life.


Traditional dishes of Lancashire Hot-Pots were often based on economical ingredients; producing cheap but tasty dishes that would keep hard working families, in Northern England, well fed in the cold climate. Great regional dishes like the Hot-Pot were inspired out of necessity - with readily available ingredients. Most kitchens back then would rarely have stoves or ovens, so hard working wifies would prepare all the ingredients in the pot and take them down to the local butchers to put in their wood fired ovens - then, after returning from a long day at the cotton mill, they would pick up the pot from the bakers and bring back to the families table for dinner.


It is good peasant – or industrial worker – fodder. The dish is quick to prepare, left to cook gently for hours without needing attention. And it is cheap and hearty, though even so it would be a special day when such a dish could be served up for working families. 


It is economical, one-pot cooking that fills people up and satisfies the stomach and soul in one go.

I like to serve mine with buttery Brussel sprouts, and warm crusty bread.



Prepare yourself

Chopped Garlic, Thyme and Tarragon

Celery and leek

Sliced waxy potatoes

Carrots ad Onions

Quality Lamb shoulder








Potato-POTARTO














Trumpet fodder


Torn, warm crusty bread





Pot Stickers








Hearty soul food

Come Follow- for more heavenly food updates!

@chefmattybee

Tuesday 24 May 2011

OHH MY BUDDHA

If you haven't already been to the Land of the Buddha, this post will make you wanna pack your flash pack and get on the first JetStar flight to Bangers.


Dragon fruit market stall.

After flicking through my archives of pics, it reminds me why I love Thailand -  the culture, the people and the melting pot of all thing sweet, sour and salty. Food Market stalls light up the streets with produce you've never seen before, and probably shouldn't be left out in the sun. I'm never afraid to indulge in staple dishes whilst rubbing shoulders with the locals. After all, If this is what Thai people eat - we should try it, right? - At least once.

Come follow me, Crumpets - and join the Club!

                   One of my inspirations and a MUST read - 'Thai Street Food' By David Thompson.

 Mixed nuts

Sun-dried anchovies - Used in the process of fish sauce

One-Pot wonders on the street

French. Colonial. Neon. Heaven

One person's garbage is anothers treasure 

Crack on the pavement

 Bags of beads

Fish market catch of the day

 Cheesy Pop-Art, Cambodia

Young coconuts on sale - on wheels


We stayed on Phi Phi recently. A secluded island off the coast of Phuket. It was beautiful - but I thought a lot about how they got food to the kitchens!
 Typical 'Resort food' was on the menu - Cheese burger. Pizza. Club Sandwich - I was't going to eat this in Thailand. So we managed to find a hidden village in the jungle, behind the resort. It was like something from the movie 'The Village' or 'The Beach'. We were told not to trek South of the wooden-huts where the guests stayed. But as cheeky and daring as I've always been; we followed staff back to their living quarters during the night, along the forbidden dirt track, with "No Entry" signs - we found rice fields and bamboo shacks serving Pad Thai, soups, and other noodle-based dishes. 

That's what I'm talking about! 

At first, the locals stared and whispered like we'd crashed the party. Yes, we'd broken the rules. But, when we looked into the make-shift kitchen - Mamma Fry was on the woks, and, giggling to her daughter, she knew we were excited to be there.

Mamma Fry cooked the best Pad Thai I've ever eaten. 


Real Pad Thai from Mammas House

DREAMING OF THAILAND

All pics by Matty Bee

Monday 23 May 2011

OK, Crumpets. Now you've done it. After promising myself I wouldn't fall into the trend of Facebook and Twitter... you've got me by the short and curlys. I guess thats why they say 'if you cant beat em - join em'.

I'm a sell out - all in the name of food. I've saved my voice from screaming in the kitchen to tell you what I really think.

I'll be writing about -  Tried and tested recipes, restaurant reviews, where to buy local and sustainable produce, tips and tricks of the trade, and all things that inspire me as a chef.

Like most things I start, Im either in... or out. So, I'll be updating the CrumpetClub Blog daily. So roll your sleeves up, come follow me - and get your hands dirty.

Everyone can cook food that tastes yummy - it doesn't need to be over worked and fussy. The best meals are cooked in ONE pot, 'One pot wonders' I like to call them. Cooking food slowly is always worth the wait. Chef Rick Stein RULES MY WORLD with his clear, simple philosophy on fresh ingredients, sourced locally without all the bullshit that make most chefs look like try hards.

Keep It Simple Stupid!

I've been lucky enough to travel the world a little bit - mainly Asia. I have a secret love affair with Thai and Vietnamese cuisine - and some of the best meals I've eaten have been sat on a milk crate on the side of a street, served out of one-pot. When in Asia, or in any other country - Don't be a fool. Eat like a local!

Look out New York - I cant wait to get lost in your concrete jungle.

Come follow me, Crumpets!

MattyBee x


Some Pics from the archive...

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us
  Coconut poached Ocean Trout w green mango salad -Pic by Shine By Three - GIDEON Shoes media lunch.

Bloody Mary oyster shots - Pic by BOY MOMENTS 
 
Torched marshmallow skewers and macaroons - Pic by BOY MOMENTS

Welcome. Whoever you are...welcome to the CrumpetClub.

I've decided now Im between jobs to report on all things delish - food that is.

I'm no Twit head or a Facefuck, so this is all new to me.

In 4weeks I will be leaving the land of Oz to don a fresh, crisp, chef jacket and get back in the kitchen as Senior Sous Chef at the newly opened, Lower East Side restaurant - 'The Fat Radish'. So what better time to start reporting on eating out, new job, new recipes, and new life in the Big Apple pie.

I'm very excited...although right now it feels like Sydney won't let me go! I've already been booked for 3 private catering events. Seems like now I'm not working 95 hours p/w at Longrain, people want me to cook at their dinner parties or special events.

Fine by me.

My boy Ru is Creative Director for Gideon Shoes - a social enterprise of the charity Noffs Foundation. With all proceeds from the shoes going back to the kids at the Street University in Liverpool. You will hear lots about Ru and his adventures from here on. Ru will be launching a pop-up shoe store in NYC, working with PR Momma Wolf, Kelly Cutrone. Check out gideon.com.au and spread the love, bitches!

COME FOLLOW! x