The food I prepare is always personal and individual and no two events are ever the same, but here are some sample menus that I have done for clients to give you an idea of some of the things I cook.
A birthday lunch party in the garden during the summer
- Seared hand dived Cornish scallops with salsa verde served in their shells, a strip of rare sirloin with freshly grated horseradish, roasted cauliflower with cumin seeds and preserved lemon, local asparagus and buttery pink fir apples
- Tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream
A supper with old friends in the spring
- Smoked haddock souffle
- French trimmed racks of lamb with homemade redcurrant jelly, celeriac mash and garlicky french beans
- Plum frangipane tarte
An autumn supper
- A fig and walnut tarte tatin with goats cheese
- Cornish hake with a dill beurre blanc and samphire, served with slow roasted tomatoes and puy lentils
- Hazelnut and chocolate roulade
An Indian evening
- Cumin and black onion seed flatbreads, poppadoms and pickles
- Chicken and fresh spinach curry, smokey aubergine curry, lemon dahl and roasted coconut sambal steamed rice and raita
- Cardamon pannacotta with lightly poached rhubarb
A Thai evening
- Green mango salad
- Thai fish curry, crispy Cavolo Nero and steamed sesame greens served with rice
- Passionfruit tarte
BBQ
- Locally reared butterflied leg of lamb marinated in Moroccan spices, served with flat breads, home-made pickles and a creamy yoghurt dip
- Half lobsters, drenched with garlic butter, served with herby potato salad
- Roasted vegetables – tiny courgettes, juicy red peppers and aubergines all served with a squeeze of lemon, some cold pressed olive oil and crunchy sea salt
Lunches
- Salad niçoise with seared fresh tuna
- Crab cakes with a chipotle mayo
- Asparagus and crab tarte
- Pissaladière
- Bouillabaisse with rouille and croutons
Lazy Sundays
- Roast rib of beef with roasted potatoes and yorkshire’s
- Lemon and thyme roasted chicken with bread sauce and all the trimmings
- Black berry and apple sponge
- Steamed syrup pudding
- Rhubarb crumble
- All with clotted cream and⁄or custard
Nice Small Things
Quite substantial as a canapé, but perfect as a walking starter or a light meal before heading off out.
- Courgette fritters with red pepper dipping sauce
- Sweet potato and chorizo croquettes
- Mini game burgers with homemade pickles
- Chicken liver parfait with caramelised onions and mini thyme shortbreads
Canapés
- Crab and mango tacos
- Thai chicken brochettes with chilli dipping sauce
- Tuna sashimi with wasabi
- Scallop ceviche
- Quails eggs with celery salt
- Mini crab salads
- Cheese and thyme shortbreads
Kids
As a mum to two kids I really appreciate the importance of children eating a healthy and varied diet. That said I’ve had my fair share of fussy eaters, so my children’s teas are usually filled with nursery favourites to keep tummies full and parents happy.
- Cottage pie, peas and carrots
- Breaded chicken strips, corn on the cob and roasted new potatoes and broccoli
- Sticky soy and honey pork ribs, rice and peas
- Sausage and mash, to name a few
