Sticky Ribs birthday feast

My son has just turned 17, and this was the meal he wanted for his birthday. A stack of ribs with sweetcorn, homemade coleslaw,and potato wedges. Followed by Pavlova.

To make the ribs you will need:

1 rack of ribs per person-I bought extra because we are all greedy!

For the sauce-bear in mind this is just guessed I don't really do proper measurements

1 carton passata
1 cup red wine
Half jar honey
Few glugs dark soy sauce
As above of Worcester sauce
1 bottle shop bought BBQ ketchup
Half small jar chinese 5 spice
4  whole star anise
Tbsp fennel seeds
Tomato  puree
4 cloves garlic, squashed

Mix together all of the above.

I cut all the ribs away from the bone and marinade in this mixture and cover with foil , leave in fridge overnight. Leave ribs out for an hour at room temp before cooking.

Preheat oven to gas 6, 200 c. Put ribs and all the marinade onto a large deep roasting tray, cover with foil and place on middle shelf of the oven, cook for 3 hours approx, lower the heat a bit an hour before end of cooking. I like my ribs falling off the bone. Cook for less time, if you prefer to chew off the bone!

Finger lickin good!

All that was left was a pile of clean bones...


 For the Pavlova

Set oven to Gas 4.

For the  Pavlova I whisked 6 egg whites until soft peaks form, then gradually added in 300g caster sugar, with a little splash white wine vinegar, and a splosh of good vanilla extract. Whisk on high until thick and glossy and spread onto a greased and lined- baking tray in a circular shape about the size of a dinner plate. Put into the oven and turn down immediately to Gas 2, and leave for 1 and 1/4 hours. Turn oven off and leave the pavlova to cool completely. Once cooled  invert onto a plate whip up some double or whipping cream, spread over the pavlova, add fruits of your choice.

 My greedy son nearly ate half of this in one sitting!!

I also made him a rugby player birthday cake as a surprise, I don't think anyone really grows out of birthday cakes, I would love it if someone made me one, but I would probably be too critical! Although these goal posts are rubbish! I needed some straws, but forgot to get them, so tried to cover chopsticks with icing but failed:(

My Son loved his cake. I even matched his team colours.:)

Birthday boy

Jerk chicken

This Jerk chicken is yummy and has a good bite. I had to leave out the scotch bonnets as my children are wimps, but did add some crushed dried red chillies as these are a bit mellower. I looked at a few recipes online then kind of just made up whatever I fancied to go in. Not rigidly measured.

To make this you will need:

2kg chicken pieces, cut 3 slits into each piece so they absorb the marinade.

For the marinade:

1 large onion sliced

Half pot 50 g of Jerk seasoning (I used Asda brand)

360g bottle BBQ ketchup (Asda brand)

1 large glass red wine

1 TBSP crushed red chillies

4 -5 garlic cloves crushed

Few squirts tomato puree

1 cup water

2 tsp salt

Big handful fresh chopped coriander

Add all of the above -except the coriander- into a large bowl and mix well into the chicken pieces, cover and leave overnight for best flavour .

Heat oven to gas 6 / 200 c

Line a large roasting tray with foil, add the chicken and marinade-don't waste a drop- and cook for 1 hour, maybe 10 mins more,it should look black, but won't be burnt.

Transfer into a large dish pour on all the juices and onion left in the pan, add a handful of chopped coriander and let it cool a bit before serving.

 This would also be fantastic cooked on the BBQ. We had ours with salad and mash, it would be nice with proper rice and peas, potato wedges,  corn on the cob, whatever you fancy really.

Give it a try!

Carrot cake

I have tried various recipes for Carrot cake and have been disappointed many times, I find many far to sweet.

I can't remember where I found this one, but like it and have tweaked it to my own taste.

You will need:

An 8 Inch cake tin-I used a silicone one

Set oven to 180-Gas 4

150 ml sunflower oil

130 g light soft brown sugar

4 eggs

200g SF wholemeal flour

1 tsp bicarb

1/2tsp salt

3 tsp cinnamon

1tsp fresh grated nutmeg

zest of an orange

100g sultanas

200 g grated carrot

220 ml orange juice 

Lightly toasted pecans or walnuts for decorating-of which I had none!

For the icing

200g tub full fat cream cheese or mascarpone icing sugar,

140 g Icing sugar
30 g butter
 1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Grease and line cake tin.

Put the sunflower oil, eggs and sugar into a large bowl. I have my little helper today :)

Cracking eggs

 Whisk on high until well combined, then add the sifted flour, bicarb, salt and spices, fold in gently, then add remaining ingredients.

  Pour into a cake tin and bake for 1 hr or until after testing your skewer comes out clean. turn out onto a wire rack to cool.

Whisk all the icing ingredients together until smooth and creamy.

Tongue out concentrating!

  Spread onto the cooled cake, and decorate with the toasted nuts.

Enjoy!

Dippy eggs and soldiers

This simple  breakfast/tea/supper never loses its appeal does it? Always reminds me of childhood. It's my daughters favourite. If there is nothing she fancies for tea, and I suggest this it up always gets gobbled up!

 Its a great cure all when little ones are poorly too, It makes them better, and say's' I love you' when you put it on their lap on a tray. :)

Yolks have to be super runny though!