Meat Archives - Retro Food For Modern Times

Category: Meat

08
Dec
2024

Fusion Food – December 2004

categories: 20 Years Ago Today, Custard, Delicious, Desserts, France, Lamb, Lobster, Middle Eastern

Hello time travellers, and welcome to December 2004, where we are decking the halls with Fusion food courtesy of Delicious Magazine. For those who are not familiar with the term, the Escoffier School of Culinary Arts says it involves “bringing together ingredients from different cultures and merging recipes. This technique of joining culinary forces offers truly novel flavour combinations and unique menu offerings”.

In their examples, they list Tex-Mex and French Vietnamese. My personal favourite fusion was an absolutely fabulous Korean Taco place near where I used to work. Their kimchi fries were to die for!!! Kedgeree, which I also love, is a fabulous Anglo-Indian creation. I am also not averse to a tandoori chicken pizza!

On the menu today, we have an American / Middle Eastern mash-up, an Anglo-Indian combo that is not kedgeree and an Irish / French marriage to finish off. Will these be in the realm of kimchi fries? We’ll find out soon enough.

But first, it wouldn’t be a 20 Years Ago Post without a quick look at what was making the charts in December 2004.

Step Back in Time – December 2004

Movies

Today we are looking at the film charts from December 2004 and what a month! In the first week of December, National Treasure was number 1,Bad Santa was #4 and Garden State was #6. Week 2: Team America: World Police was #1. In Week 3, Ocean’s Twelve was number 1. Personally, I hated that one so it just goes to prove you can’t have everything. But in the fourth week, Lemony Snicket was # 1, and to round out the month, Meet The Fockers topped the box office, and Phantom of the Opera, which we spoke about last month, was #6.

Music

There was no change from last month in the top songs. My Boo by Usher and Alicia Keys was number 1 in the first week, and Drop It Like It’s Hot by Snoop Dog was top of the Billboard charts for the rest of the month.

Books

In a weird twist, The Da Vinci Code headed back to the top of the charts in the first week of December. I can’t explain this. The movie didn’t come out til 2006 so it wasn’t tied to that. And surely everyone who wanted to read it, had already read it by then. Maybe it was a surge of people buying Secret Santa gifts for their coworkers. Anyway, its return was short; Night Fall by Nelson DeMille took top place the second week, and Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom was the best-selling book for the remainder of December.

Two things that I would have wanted as Christmas presents that year were the rerelease of Stephanie Alexander’s Classic “The Cook’s Companion“, although with a massive price tag of $125, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t under any tree with my name on it. Also, according to Delicious magazine, this was when Nigella Lawson’s “Feast” was released.

So, now that we have set the scene, let’s set the table for our fusion feast!

Lobster Cocktail with Preserved Lemon

This recipe livens up the traditional prawn (shrimp) cocktail with a bit of luxe from the lobster and some Middle Eastern flavours of preserved lemon and harissa. You will see that the recipe calls for a whole lobster. I used a far more economical lobster tail, and one tail between the two of us was perfect for a starter. This meal looks elegant and ritzy but can be made without a high price tag.

This was delicious, and every ingredient had its place. I had never even thought of using a grain in a seafood cocktail. And, to be honest, I thought about not including the burghul wheat. Please don’t do this, it brought a beautiful nuttiness to the lobster cocktail. I’d never had it before but now, I want to have burghul in every seafood cocktail! It was a game changer ingredient!

A word of advice on the sauce. When I first made the harissa sauce, I thought it was a little bland, so I added more harissa. I then popped it into the fridge whilst I made the rest. The flavours continued to develop, so what I ended up with was somewhat spicier than when it went into the fridge! It still tasted delish, but be careful if you are playing with the ratios, as you don’t want to overpower the flavour of that lovely lobster!

Finally, our lime tree was also bare so I used a lemon as my garnish. We’ll now have to wait til winter for fresh limes but the lemon tree is the gift that keeps on giving!

Lamb Rack with Coconut Gravy and Mango Chutney

This feels to me like a perfect blend of the Fussiest Eater in the World’s tastes and mine. He likes his good old English roast. I like a bit of spice! This recipe was, therefore, a win-win! It felt a bit unusual adding the curry gravy to the meat after it was cooked but this recipe really worked for me!

Baileys Crème Brulée

Speaking of win – win…Baileys is one of my favourite tipples. And crème brulée is one of my favourite desserts. This was DELIGHTFUL! The Baileys was there but more like a whisper than a scream. If I hadn’t known it was was Baileys I would have spent the first few spoonfuls thinking…”I know what that flavour is….but I need just one more spoonful to figure it out”…and after that I would have decided not to worry too much about defining the flavour and just dug in for sheer enjoyment! And of course, if you want a stronger Baileys flavour, a little glass on the side wouldn’t go astray!

And just listen to that crack!

My Nigella Moment – Tomato Tarte Tatin

For first-time readers, this refers to the moment at the end of Nigella Lawson’s cooking shows when she sneaks back to the fridge to have another bite of something delicious. In the context of these Twenty Years Ago posts, it is something contained in the magazine that may not fit with the overall menu theme but I’m sneaking it in because it is too good not to share.

The tomato tatin was absolutely delicious. What made it SPECTACULAR was the caramelised garlic. I made the tomato tarte tatin on a night when I was by myself so I made a quarter quantity of the caramelised garlic. Massive mistake. It was absolutely delicious. I had some left over after the tomato tatin and I put it on absolutely everything I ate over the next day or so. Salad? I added it to the dressing? Steak, I added it as a little condiment. Snacking – the carmelised galirc and butter on really fresh bread was divine. Seriously someone needs to bottle that up and sell it. I would buy a lifetime supply!

The ricotta cream was also really nice. I did add a little tip I picked up from Girl Dinner and added a splash of pickle juice into the ricotta mix which I thought set it off really nicely!

What a month! Each of these brought me joy! I’m so glad the December 2004 issue of Delicious delivered fusion, not confusion. Now, I need to dash; I have a great little business idea I want to try out!

Have a great week!

04
Oct
2024

Mainland Teriyaki

categories: 1970's food, 1970's recipes, Good Housekeeping World Cookery, Pineapple, Steak, United States of America

Today, we’re continuing our virtual journey to the South Sea Islands which started with Fish in Lolo Sauce. Our culinary adventure takes us through the pages of Good Housekeeping’s World Cookery (1972), where today we are rediscovering a classic recipe: Mainland Teriyaki.

Setting the Scene

Imagine yourself on a secluded beach. The warm sun gently warms your skin while ocean waves crash softly against the shore. Meanwhile, the air is filled with the sweet scent of tropical flowers. Then, someone fires up a grill. Soon, you smell roasting pineapple and grilling meat. That’s the essence of Mainland Teriyaki. It captures the spirit of the South Sea Islands, even though the recipe has Japanese origins.

Although Mainland Teriyaki may not be for everyone, those who love a blend of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors will be delighted. The combination of sweet pineapple, salty olives, and umami-rich, garlicky, ginger-infused marinated steak is delicious!

For me, Mainland Teriyaki brought back a wave of nostalgia. It reminded me of a time I’ve only ever experienced through the lens of film and television. Specifically, it evoked memories of Gidget, the iconic surfer girl. Additionally, it took me back to when a young, handsome Elvis Presley was playing his ukulele on the beach in Blue Hawaii.

Mainland Teriyaki is a perfect dish to enjoy on a warm summer day. Or, if you’re feeling a bit blue, it can serve as a reminder that summer is coming, even if it feels like “it’s been a long cold and lonely winter.” The combination of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors will transport you to a tropical paradise, making you forget about the cold weather.

Whatever your mood, why not fire up the grill and get ready to savor a taste of the South Sea Islands, courtesy of Mainland Teriyaki?

Mainland Teriyaki – The Recipe

At first I thought the inclusion of olives in this recipe was a bit weird. They really didnt seem to fit in with the Asian inspired flavours of the rest of the dish. But they really work together well here, just like they do on pizza!

Have a great week!

25
Aug
2024

Spice It Up – August 2004

categories: 20 Years Ago Today, Apples, Baking, Blue Cheese, Delicious, Indonesia, Lamb, Leeks, Magazines, Pie, Salad, Savoury Pies and Tarts

Hello friends! Welcome to Twenty Years Ago Today! For a spicy twist this month, I turned to the August 2004 issue of Delicious magazine for recipe ideas. While the month wasn’t perfect, one dish stood out as a clear highlight and is easily one of my top ten of the year. But, before we get there, let’s take a little look at what was making the charts pop culture-wise back in August 2004!

Pop Culture – August 2004

So, for the first week of August 2004 and, also for the first time in what seems like eleventy billion years, The Da Vinci Code was NOT the number one selling book. That honour went to R for Ricochet by Sue Grafton. Now, I have never read any of this series. Is anyone out there a fan? I love a good mystery / thriller. Please let me know if you think this series might be good for me! However, before we get too excited about the demise of The Da Vinci Code, it went back to number one for the rest of August.

Collateral was the best-selling film of August 2004 but Garden State, which was a film we covered in my film club was #10. Leave, (Get Out) by JoJo was the number 1 song. I do not remember this song or the singer at all!!! Does anyone?

In the absence of any memory of JoJo, let’s pop the soundtrack for Garden State onto Spotify and get cooking!

The Spice It Up Menu – August 2004

Gado Gado

Spices used – garlic, ginger etc in the Satay sauce, chilli

I adore Gado Gado. It’s the perfect balance of health and indulgence, combining the virtue of steamed vegetables with the decadence of a spicy satay sauce. Unfortunately, despite searching through multiple supermarkets, I couldn’t find the tofu puffs I typically include. To compensate for the protein, I added some eggs. I ate this as a main dish so wanted to make it a substantial meal.

I also took some liberties with the vegetables, using ingredients I preferred or had readily available instead of strictly adhering to the recipe.”

Gado-Gado Recipe

Lamb Chops with Bay, Paprika and Chickpeas

Spice used: Paprika

The Jamie Oliver recipe was…alright. While it wasn’t a favorite, it was certainly edible. I’m not likely to make it again, but it was passable.

The biggest issue was the excessive amount of chili. As someone who enjoys spicy food, that’s a rare complaint for me. The chili completely overwhelmed the other flavors.

Another minor annoyance was the recipe’s use of the term “chops” while actually calling for “cutlets.” For those unfamiliar with lamb, cutlets are significantly more expensive than traditional chops. I used loin chops for my version because I had some in my freezer.

Lamb Chops with Bay, Paprika and Chickpeas Recipe

Apple and Blackberry Pie

Spices used: Cinnamon and Cloves

This. Was .Divine.

Unfortunately, my photos were not. Please don’t judge this on the photo or my really bad lattice work because the pie really truly was AMAZING!!!! This is a top ten dish if ever there was one! There is a version with Rhubarb mentioned which I will also be trying ASAP!

Apple and Blackberry Pie Recipe

Cinnamon Tea and Recipe

Spice Used: Cinnamon

Delicious Magazine also contained a recipe for Cinnamon Tea. I only ever really drink herbal tea, so this was not for me. Howeever, as the name suggests, it does contain a spice so if you are a tea drinker and maybe wanted something to sip on while eating your pie, here is the recipe.

My Nigella Moment – Leek and Gorgonzola Tarts

For first-time readers, this refers to the moment at the end of Nigella Lawson’s cooking shows when she sneaks back to the fridge to have another bite of something delicious. In these Twenty Years Ago posts, it is something contained in the magazine that does not fit with the overall menu theme but I’m sneaking it in because it is too good not to share.

I love leek and gorgonzola anything as it reminds me of a pizzeria I used to go to with my work mates a few years ago that did an amazing leek and gorgonzola pizza! I didn’t think these were as good as the pizza but that could also be nostalgia talking. They were quite nice in their own right!

Leek and Gorgonzola Tarts Recipe

I hope you have enjoyed this trip back to August 2004. Have a great week!

14
Jul
2024

Taken At The Flood – Vienna Steak

categories: 1940s recipes, Burger, Dining With The Dame, Meat, Minced Beef, Poirot

Hello crime readers and food lovers! Today’s Dining With The Dame dives into “Taken At The Flood” (also known as “There Is A Tide”). This is a classic Agatha Christie mystery full of death and dastardly doings but also somewhat a mystery is our chosen dish – Vienna Steak!

Now, at first glance, this dish might have had you thinking schnitzel, a more familiar Austrian offering. But here’s the twist: Vienna Steak is actually more akin to a bunless hamburger. Traditionally, it’s served alongside fried onions and potatoes, a hearty, comforting but economical, combination. However, I couldn’t resist putting my own spin on this wartime dish. Who can resist a good peppercorn sauce, right? So I jazzed up my version with a rich, flavorful sauce that adds a bit of glamour to the Vienna Steak.

Speaking of twists, a lightbulb moment just struck! Given the title of the book, wouldn’t “Vienna S-Taken At the Flood” be a great pun? (Okay, that one’s a stretch…) But you know how much we love a little food-related wordplay here at Retro Food For Modern Times!

Taken at The Flood – The Plot

There were waves in the air of feeling – a strong electrical current of – what was it? Hate? Could it really be hate? Something at any rate – destructive.

Lynn thought suddently, “But that’s what the matter everywhere. Ive noticed it ever since I got home. it’s the aftermath the war has left. Ill will. Ill feeling. It’s everywhere. On railways and buses and in shops and amongst workers and clerks and even agricultural labourers. And I suppose worse in mines and factories. Ill will. But hereit’s more than that. Here it’s particular. It’s meant!

Agatha Christie – Taken at The Flood

It’s autumn 1944, and an air raid rattles the Coronation Club in London. Here, amidst the chaos, we meet Major Porter, the club bore. He regales Hercule Poirot with the tragic news of Gordon Cloade’s death. A German bomb has recently obliterated Cloade’s London house, taking his life in the process.

However, a twist emerges. Cloade died intestate, meaning he hadn’t updated his will after his recent marriage. This leaves his entire estate to his second wife, Rosaleen. But Rosaleen’s past holds a potential complication. Before marrying Cloade, she was the wife of a man named Robert Underhay. Underhay’s fate remains shrouded in mystery – appearently he died years ago in Africa, but concrete proof is absent.

Major Porter has just revealed that Underhay had spoken about faking his death and assuming a new identity as Enoch Arden when, he realises, much to his embarrassment that Jeremy Cloade, Gordon’s brother has overheard his conversation.

The narrative then leaps forward in time. Spring 1946 sees Mrs. Lionel Cloade, another member of the Cloade family, seeking out Poirot. Convinced by a recent ouija board session, she pleads with him to locate Robert Underhay. Finding Underhay alive would invalidate Rosaleen’s marriage to Gordon, thereby jeopardizing her inheritance of the Cloade fortune. Poirot, however, remains unimpressed by this reliance on the spirit world and politely dismisses Mrs. Cloade.

But fate, it seems, has other plans. Just a few days later, news arrives that a man named Enoch Arden has been found dead…

I included the above quote on ill will on purpose as Taken with the Flood is full of crimes and misddemeamours. My copy is only 192 pages yet in that we have (In no particular order)

Murder
Attempted Murder
Death by misadventure
Death by Bomb blast
Accidental Death
Death by Suicide
Death by overdose
Eavesdropping
Bribery
Embezzlement
Perjury
Impersonation of persons living or dead
Drug addiction
Casual racism
General cattiness
A very red flag raising romance

And to lighten the tone a little bit of cross dressing!

Good thing we have Poirot on hand to unravel all the threads and get to the bottom of what is going on with the Cloade family!

Taken at The Flood – The Covers

As usual there are some amazing covers here and quite the variety This is quite a complex story and as many aspects of it are in these covers. The ouija board, the items found in Enoch’s hotel room, Enoch’s body on the floor with the murderer seen absconding out the window, a very egg shaped head on Poirot, the blitz.

And because it is Dining With the Dame we also have a wacky cover from Sweden showing a house sinking into a bog and some grassland in the shape of a girl’s face. The Swedish translation is “High Water” which may explain the cover! Either way, I love it!

The Recipe: Vienna Steak

“And every year things get worse and worse No Service! Food uneatable! Vienna Steak indeed! A steak’s either Rump or Fillet – not chopped up horse!”

Agatha Christie – Taken at the Flood

Vienna Steak with Mashed Potatoes, Fried Onions and Peppercorn Sauce

Print Recipe

A tasty throwback to a pub meal from 1940’s Britain as described in Taken at The Flood.

Author: Taryn Nicole

Ingredients

Scale

For The Vienna Steak:

500g minced Beef
1 onion, finely chopped
1 slice of white bread, crusts removed and torn into small pieces
1 tbsp of milk
1 tsp Herbes of Provence
1/2 tsp nutmeg
Oil for frying the onions and the “steaks”
Salt and Pepper

For The Fried Onions:

2 large onions, thinly sliced
2 cups buttermilk
1 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper, ground
1/4 – 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

For the Mashed Potatoes:

500g potatoes, peeled and chopped into quarters
50ml milk
1 tbsp butter
Salt and Pepper to taste

For The Peppercorn Sauce:

1 tbsp butter
1 shallot finely chopped
50ml brandy
150ml Beef stock
100ml cream
2 tbsp green peppercorns from a tin or jar, slightly crush these with the back of your knife

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

For The Fried Onions

Place the onions in a shallow bowl and cover with the buttermilk.
Cover and place in the fridge for about an hour.
Place the flour, salt, pepper and cayenne in a ziplock bag and stir to combine.
After the hour, heat the oil to 180C in a deep saucepan.
Take a handful of onions from the bowl and shake off the excess buttermilk. Add them to the ziplock bag and shake. Remove the onions from the bag and shake to remove any excess flour.
Place in the oil and fry until they are a deep golden brown (2-3 minutes).
Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain the onions on paper towel.
Repeat with the rest of the onions until they are all used up.
Serve sprinkled on top of the Vienna Steaks.

For The Vienna Steaks:

Heat the oil and saute the onions until golden brown. Set aside to cool.
When cool, add to the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
Shape into four burger patties.
Place in the fridge for around an hour.
Heat the oil in a frying pan over high heat. Add the patties. Sear for a minute on each side then lower the heat to medium and and allow to cook through, turning once during cooking. Cook to your preferred state of doneness
Remove from pan and keep warm while you make the peppercorn sauce.

For The Mashed Potatoes:

Place the potatoes into a saucepan and cover with water. Add salt.
Cook for approx 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
Drain the potatoes. Leave to dry for a minute or two the pop back into the pan. Mash well ensuring there are no lumps of potato left.
Add the butter and milk and mash again.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.

For The Peppercorn Sauce:

Melt the butter over medium heat in a small pan.
Add the chopped shallot. Cook for around 5 minutes until softened, stirring every few minutes.
Add the peppercorns and stir for 1 minute.
Increase the heat to medium high. Add the brandy and cook until this is amost entirely reduced.
Add the stock and simmer until reduced to about half (3-5 ) minutes
Reduce the heat to medium low, Add the cream and heat to your desired consistency. Do not allow to boil.

To serve, place a big spoonful of mashed potatoes on a plate. Place a Vienna Steak on top of the mash. Pour the sauce around the mash. Sprinkle the onions on top of the “Steaks”.

He stood for a moment in the hall looking from the glass -enclosed empty office to the door labelled in firm old-fashioned style COFFEE ROOM. By experience of country hotels Poirot knew well that the only time coffee was served there was somewhat grudgingly for breakfast and that even thena good deal of watery hot milk was its principal component/ Small cups of a treacly and muddy liquid called black coffee were served not in the COFFEE ROOM but in the lounge. The Windsor Soup, Vienna Steak and Potatoes and Steamed Pudding which comprised dinner would be obtainable in the COFFEE ROOM at seven sharp.

Agatha Christie – Taken at the Flood

Links To The Christieverse

Superintendent Spence says to Poirot “And then your anonymous A B C lunatic killed….(no spoilers here”). This might refer to the killer in the earlier Poirot mystery The A.B.C Murders.

Other Food & Drinks Mentioned in Taken At The Flood

Breakfast x2
Coffee
Toast
Soup
Milk
Tea x2
Sherry
Gin
Beer
Cake
Swiss Roll
Windsor Soup
Steamed Pudding

Our August read will be Crooked House.

Have a great week!

11
May
2024

Witness For The Proscuitto and Melon

categories: Dining With The Dame, Finger Food, Prosciutto, Rockmelon, Starters

Hello crime readers, foodies and lovers of terrible puns! Today’s Dining With The Dame comes to us via another short story, Witness For The Prosecution. This story appears in the Hounds of Death collection. We have already featured The Red Signal from this collection. I also have a French version of this story! Today, I am pairing the story with a classic starter, Proscuitto and Melon. We love a twofer here at Dining With the Dame so later this week, we will also be celebrating a very special occasion with a cocktail also inspired by this story.

Witness For The Prosecution- The Plot

“Supposing I tell you that he did not come in that night at twenty past nine, but at twenty past ten? You say that he tells you he knew nothing about the money coming to him. Supposing I tell you he knew all about it, and counted on it, and committed murder to get it?”

Agatha Christie – The Witness for The Proecution

Young, handsome but hard up, Leonard Vole finds himself accused of murdering the elderly lady, Emily French, in order to inherit her wealth. The facts seem stacked against Leonard. Mr Mayherne his solicitor is certain that Leonard is innocent. The only person who can provide an alibi for Leonard is his wife Romaine.

My Mayherne goes to see her, despite knowing that a court is unlikley to give much credence to the evidence of a devoted wife. He gets the a terrible shock when Romaine not only tells him she detests her husband but that he is not actually even her husband! She was married to another man in her home country of Austria but he was locked away in a madhouse so the two could not marry.

Therefore double jeopardy does not apply

She also says that Leonard committed the murder and confessed so to her.

How can Mr Mayherne save Leonard when even his own wife is determined to see him hanged?

The Witness for the Proscution – The Covers

I could not find many covers for Witness for The Prosecution as it is usually part of a collection such as The Hound of Death. We’ll look at some of the playbills and movie posters next time and talk a bit more about the 1957 movie next time.

The Recipe: Proscuitto and Melon

I’m not entirely sure we need a recipe for somerthing as simple as this, but our old friend The A-Z of Cooking has one so here it is!

I decided to sit my melon slices on some Romaine lettuce in honour of Leonard’s wife!

Links To The Christieverse

None that I could find but please let me know if you spotted any!

Other Food & Drinks Mentioned in The Witness for The Prosecution

Brandy

Our June read will be Taken at the Flood. Yay, it’s a Poirot!

Have a great week!