Ideally being away from home, I would think I'll be going out for dinner, and yes it would seem ideal, go out, have quick dinner and have a good drinking session with friends. Although, seeing that my birthday fall on a Saturday, I figured I'd have all the time in the world on Saturday to cook. Of course it was all left to rather late as I had to rely on my housemates to give me a ride to the supermarket to buy the ingredients on Saturday. Nevermind that I couldn't decide what to cook. Of course back in M'sia, I would jump for fried meehoom with curry chicken, but over here I need to think if that would appeal to my friends especially when a few of them don't take spicy. So my friend convinced me to make a lasagne. He gave me the recipe and there I was, a little panicky as I've never made one before. I did without bechamel sauce solely because I was starting to cook at about 3-4pm and the sauce wasn't going to happen, so I replaced with double cream.
*
After cooking the bolognese sauce with the usual beef, onion, wine (which I forgot), pinch of sugar and herbs at the end (garlic, coriander, basil), all I had to do was made sure that I did it in this sequence:
- bolognese sauce
- lasagne sheet
- bolognese sauce
- sprinkle of grated parmesan
- slices of mozarella
- ham
- slices of boiled egg
- lasagne sheet
- bolognese sauce
- sprinkle of grated parmesan
- slices of mozarella
- lasagne sheet
- bolognese sauce
- sprinkle of grated parmesan
Then it was in the oven at probably the heat of 200 degree celcius with aluminium foil covering the top. After about 30 mins the foil is removed to allow the top to brown. Thereafter, you let it cool down for about an hour and it will also allow the inside to set. Ta-da, you have a yummy tray of homemade lasagne! Although it looks ugly on my end. hmmmm...
*
As starters, I made caprese salad wannabe. It was slices of avocado, tomatoes and mozarella cheese. Sprinkle extra virgin olive oil on the top, oregano, a bit of salt and balsamic vinegar (or syrup). I've come to learn that if you;'re going to have the olive oil fresh, it's best to spend a little more and get a good quality one, but if you're going to quick with it and it's going to be drowned by passata, you don't have to use the best of the best really.
*
2nd starter was grilled portobello mushroom with chopped garlic, olive oil, salt and coriander. It was yummy mummy! Simple yet tasty! Ideal for mushroom lovers!
*
3rd starter was roasted diced potatoes with garlic, olive oil and salt. Yummy dish made by Dave!
*
For dessert we had:
- Fresh cream sponge cake with berries topping bought by Dave
- Carrot cake with cheese topping made by Jemma
- Key lime cheese cake made by Jemma
- Hard rock angel cake made by Lee
Yes, yours truly had four cakes for her birthday. All dishes accompanied by white Pinot Grigios, Red Chiantis and cakes with champagnes.
