I have just been to Restaurant Tristan which opened in Stans Way, East Street Horsham and hopefully it will grow and become a shining star in the area. It was "fine dining" of the highest quality, the owner Tristan Mason a Michellin starred chef who worked for Marco Pierre White has taken over this great 16th Century dining room that used to be Stans Way Restaurant.

The food was excellent and we had 2 starters, scallops and langoustines which were both beautifully presented and full of fabulous flavours. The mains were just as good and desserts were also delicious and beautifully presented. It is early days on the service front as there is a brand new team and the Bank had not even got credit card m/c delivered which caused embarrassment when coming to pay but I'd come back to sample more of the great food.

To sum up, I'd recommend it because of the great flavours, super ingredients, excellent presentation and it made us feel special!

Can you tell........ we really approved and will be going back.

[link]

Mac

Hi Ossie

Another thing you can substitute wine with is sherry, again dry or sweet. My motto is, life's to short to drink bad wine. With wine in recipes make sure that the wine is one that you like to drink so you can finish off the bottle and enjoy.

Mac

Jan

Thanks, always up for a recommendation. The hotel is not booked but Barwick was a good option because it also did rooms. The restaurant needs to be within a taxi drive of Yeovil to get my guests back.

Mac

I am visiting Yeovil on business and have spotted the following on the internet. Can anyone recommend the Little Barwick House. What is the food like and is the wine list excellent?

Always open for alternatives for fine dining if this is a bad choice. Thanks, Mac

posset, thank you, I will try and get from Lakeland on-line.
Mac

Thanks, sound yummy. I have my work cut out on the tins though.
Mac

Veggie Soup
Take an onion, two carrots and two stick of celery and chop finely (blitz if you're busy or just feel lazy)
Sweat off in some veggie oil on low to medium heat until softened
Add 1 pint of water (filtered or bottled)
Add veggie stock cube (optional)
Season with salt and pepper and simmer for 10 mins
Bring to the boil and Add 4 med peeled potatoes decent sized chunks
Add 6 peeled and chopped leeks
Add lentils (of your choice)
Simmer until veggies are softened
Finally enjoy with some warm crusty bread or oat cakes!

Does anyone have any brilliant ideas for filling miniature Yorkshire puddings and where can I get a tin from. I have seen them done and with the Christmas and party season near they would be a great idea for canapés and or starters.

Is there a brilliant method for making infused olive oil? Is it different for soft herbs like basil versus woody herbs like rosemary?

Any advice on the best oil to use, timings and methods etc. would be gratefully received and I'd also love some ideas or inspiration on interesting ingredients to infuse.

Mac

Thank you for doing such good research. Excellent tips, I will try out your recipe. I buy smoked mozzarella from our local cheese shop; the smoking process seems to dry the cheese out and gives it a great flavour. This should avoid the wetness you describe. If I add rocket and baby tomatoes, I could be taken back to Italy in a moment. Only thing I don't have is the wood-burning oven (soon to be banned by the EEC) to make it truly authentic so my electric oven will have to do.
Mac

I'm going to the Cheltenham festival in March for the week and staying in Burford. I am a regular visitor and have been disappointed in recent years as goodies like the Angel have gone a little down hill.

I'd be willing to travel (within reason) but would appreciate any top recommendations. Thanks

Mac

Try the Red Fort in Dean Street (off Oxford Street). It is a up market Indian Restarant that is well worth a visit. Give it a try and you wont be dissapointed.

M.

Hi Livewire
They were a success, tasty, great texture and easy to make. I substituted the raita with some mushrooms and a bit of cheese on top and this provided a bit of moisture. I also used coriander instead of parsley (just what I had) and this was also tasty.


Thank you for the tip!!

Mac

Livewire

I'll give them a try!!

Thanks for the link.

Mac

Hi
I'm looking for a recipe for vegetarian burgers. Any suggestions would be most welcome, my search did not come up with any ideas via the website.
Thank you.
Mac

Hi Biv

Thank you for your ideas, Chequers at Rowhook - we will try and enjoy. The Green Man in Partridge Green is a regular retreat for us. Great for lunch and dinner. Interesting, I just read in the local paper that it has won an award for its good grub. Cheers, Mac

Can anyone recommend a good quality pasta machine for home use? Not looking for a Rolls Royce but do want a reliable easy to clean model.
Thanks
Mac

A recommendation for Stan's Way House Restaurant, East St, Horsham (website is available to have sneak preview of menus and wine list via yahoo etc.). Excellent grub, iffy wine list (could do better but that's personal opinion) but a few goodies available. Lovely setting with open plan airy setting, wooden beams etc. Great local and seasonal produce. Game and seafood prepared with skill and lots of care and thought. European influence (esp. France) and enjoyable ambience make it worth a visit.

Would appreciate similar recommendations in Horsham area.

Mac

HELLO

You could stuff mini Yorkshire puddings, or regular size if you don't have a pan. For stuffing mix fine-diced mushroom, garlic and shallot and sauté. Allow to cool and mix with crème f or philli cheese. Alt. or 2nd filling sauté spinach and garlic and same as above. Maybe a hot version would be veggie sausage and tomato sauce (Italian style passata). Good luck.
Mac

I agree with you and am concerned that the current format on the box - it is like reality TV, game show drivel. Bring back the old format where cooking and trends take centre stage.

Mac