Firstly I must apologise for the length of this blog, but this was too damn good!
On Monday 18th January 2016 I had to opportunity to attend a cooking demonstration at James Street South, what an amazing class! Everyone needs to try this! I was surprised but excited to realise that the event was being hosted by Niall McKenna; owner of James Street South & Winner of Great British Menu. The aim of this event was for Niall to teach us how to 'Cook the Perfect Brunch', his was perfect, my attempt was good :)
The Class
There were 40 people in attendance, we were all greeted with complimentary drinks and each of us received a pack containing the recipes from the night (result). It was clearly evident that a lot of work had went into the preparation of this class, the ingredients were all neatly laid out, side by side in little tupperware boxes and Chef Aaron was busy prepping away at the back of the room, cooking what looked like 100 eggs.
The class started with a fresh nutri blast - the combination of apple juice, spinach, kale, cucumber and mint leaves made this a bitter but refreshing drink, one that could probably cure the worst of hangovers and prep you for a marathon! It was zingy.
Then came the star of the show, Columbian Eggs! (Available at Cast & Crew down by the Titanic Centre) Now if you read my last blog you'll know I'm a big fan of eggs, well now I'm in love! Chorizo, eggs, tomatoes, spinach, avocado and seasoning on top of sourdough, my god what a creation! It was amazing to see Niall prep and cook this, the speed at which he did it was amazing! We were then all given the poshest version of 'egg in a cup' I have ever seen and it was definitely the tastiest! I have attached a wee image for you all to see. I enjoyed this dish so much I rushed out and bought the ingredients myself and cooked this meal the next day!
P.S. see tops tips on how to make the tastiest scrambled eggs!
Fish: I am not a lover of fish, in fact a tuna sandwich is really my limit, or at least it was until recently. In the past two weeks I have tried and enjoyed Salt & Chilli Squid and at this event I ate Haddock! I was a little apprehensive as the haddock was not covered in mayo and between two pieces of bread, but instead it was mixed in with rice, cooked in chicken stock, onion, cardamom, turmeric and a bay leaf, and was topped off with a perfectly poached egg (we were also shown how to cook the perfect poached egg). I am happy to report that not only did I try this fish dish but I enjoyed it, it was kind of like a fish risotto.
Niall
Honest, passionate and funny are just some of the words I could use to describe him, but in truth I think I will label him -'The Food Encylcopedia'. Stories about his family, tips about cooking and funny wee digs at his staff who were helping out added another dimension to this class. A complimentary class, I was expecting to watch him cook, taste some grub and get a quick pic for the blog but there was so much more to this event, Niall took his time to pass on some of his knowledge, he talked while making each dish, he engaged with the audience to uncover our love of food, he allowed for short Q&As after each dish, he offered alternatives for those with allergies, he was quick to rebuff some suggestions telling us plainly that it wouldn't work, a welcomed honesty that showed he cared, he could have just agreed that yogurt goes well with fish but he didn't, he offered different suggestions.
The Cookery School
2016 is the year of food and to promote this James Street South Cookery School are running one of these classes per month! I am unsure yet if they are all going to be complimentary but once I get confirmation I will let you know. Even if they aren't I still advise you go to one of these, my attendance has definitely given me the bug and I have already been on looking at doing one of the more 'hands on' classes! Hopefully a birthday treat if any family are reading (Massive Hint, Massive Hint) I strongly suggest that you have a look at the classes available, and please consider doing one, you will not regret it
David
While on the course I met an lovely gentleman called David, it was a pleasure to meet you David, I really hope you read this and I hope we meet again one day! I hope you and Mel are well and planning your next cruise!!
My Top 5 Tips Picked Up
1. if you ever find onions repeating on you, or giving you heartburn if may be because you havent cooked them for long enough - always sweat your onions in a pan for ten minutes, it will remove the acidicy from the onions!
2. Do you ever cook roast potatoes and the oil burns your eyes? Try using Rapeseed Oil instead of Olive Oil, it has a higher burn so will still do the same job but the oil wont burn, giving you those stingy eyes
3. Do not store eggs in the fridge - it affects the flavour
4. When making scrambled eggs don't go crazy scrambling the eggs but instead just fold the eggs!
5. If you want to enhance your cooking skills, knowledge of good food or are looking a date with a difference get yourself booked in to one of these classes, in a word- OUTSTANDING
HERE IS THE LINK: https://www.cookinbelfast.co.uk/
GALLERY
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