Sunday, June 12, 2011

Food Porn - A Lazy Sunday Post

The photos to follow are what I have been Tweetting (@beancounterau) in the past couple of weeks. I used to just “state” what home meals I have been having. But of late I have included graphic representations of the said meals as well.

The demands of my day job gave me little time to write so I’m posting just photographs instead. Enjoy the food porn!


Roast Belly of Pork


Breaded Pork Chops


White Chocolate Mini Cake


Sinigang at Pritong Tuyong Biya


Roast Rib of Beef


Brussel Sprouts with Pancetta


Oxtail Kare-Kare


Shabu-shabu at home


Sizzling Porterhouse


Sizzling Porterhouse


Red Velvet Cupcakes topped with White Chocolate Ganache


Bistek Tagalog


Pasta Carbonara ala Beancounter


Cappuccino Cheesecake with Dark Chocolate Chips


Gai Lan with Oysters Sauce


Ginisang Sardinas


Pan de Sal (with hotdog) for kids' school lunches


Pan de Sal


Menudo


Sotanghon Guisado


Home made burgers and thick cut chips


Wonton Soup and a side of Fried Chicken Wings


Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Roast Chicken ala Beancounter


Winter has been unfairly associated with everything grim. But to be honest, despite the drop in temperature, there are lots I like about winter. Foremost of which is the food. Chief of which are roasts.



It’s a season we have to have, might as well find pleasure in it.




Although I enjoy roasts regardless of the time of year there’s no better occasion for it than during the cold months. It’s comforting. It’s satisfying. It’s delectable. And the other great thing about it, it’s easy.



Winter is the season to bulk up, pig out and do as little as possible (that’s what I plan to do anyway). My recipe for roast chicken ticks all that. It’s filling. It’s rich. And almost effortless.



By the way, the parsley I used here were from my very own garden. Feel free to substitute your preferred herb. Rosemary perhaps?




Roast Chicken ala Beancounter

1 whole chicken (less than 2kg)

125g softened butter

1 bunch parsley (half of which chopped finely, half left whole)

3-4 cloves garlic crushed (with a knife & a bit of salt)

3-4 garlic cloves whole

1 lemon cut into 4 wedges

Salt

Pepper

Roasting vegetables your prefer (season with salt & pepper and some olive oil)




  1. Preheat the oven to 220°C.
  2. Prepare your herbed butter by combining the butter, parsley and crushed garlic. Make sure it’s mixed well.
  3. Season the chicken (inside and out) with the salt and pepper.
  4. Fill the chicken cavity with the lemon, garlic cloves and some parsley.
  5. Loosen the breast side skin careful not to tear. Fill it with the herbed butter. Massage the chicken with olive oil all over.
  6. Put the chicken (breast side up) and the vegetables in a large baking dish. Place in the oven.
  7. After half an hour turn the chicken over onto its other side. After a further half hour turn the chicken over breast side up and roast for another half an hour or until done. Serve hot!