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Friday, June 17, 2011

Steak and Veggie stir fry


Always a simple dish that's really quick to make and loaded with veggies.  There's always a reason to insert steak into a meal.  :-D

STEAK AND VEGGIE STIR FRY
Serves: 2
approx prep time: 10min
approx cook time: 10min

INGREDIENTS: 
- 1 medium size steak
- 1 Red Pepper
- 1/2 a head of Broccoli
- 1 Zucchini
- 1 stalk of celery
- 3 green onions
- 1 or 2 large handfuls of bean sprouts
- 1.5 tbsp Roast red pepper and garlic seasoning
       (substitute vegetable seasoning and extra garlic if you can't get this)
- Montreal Steak Spice
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil

HOW TO MAKE IT:
- Chop vegetables into large chunks and set aside (excluding bean sprouts).
- Chop green onion into small (1cm) chunks and set aside.
- Mince Garlic and set aside.
- Thinly slice steak, lightly season all the pieces with Montreal steak spice, and set aside.
- In a non-stick pan, over medium heat, warm oil, and when hot add Green onion and garlic.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes, then add the steak.
- Cook until browned, then add remaining veggies (excluding bean sprouts), and Roast Red Pepper seasoning.
-  Cook partly covered for 5-10min until vegetables have reached desired tenderness, stirring often.
- Add bean sprouts, cover and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring once or twice.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Bumpkin South Kensington- London, UK

Location: 102 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London SW7 3RD
T 020 7341 0802, F 020 7835 0714

I've long asserted that London does not have good food.  The city is dirty, it's old, it's overpriced.  During the entire 2.5 week long Eurotrip, I've been dreading going to London.  I thought it would be super crowded and I would just have to endure it.  I was wrong.  While we were there, we stayed in Millennium hotel in South Kensington.  The area was quite nice, wonderfully kept row houses, mother with the babies in strollers out for a walk on a fortunately nice day, not crowded streets but not empty either.  South Kensington has a great cluster or restaurants and one of the things I've always wanted to have was an authentic Yorkshire Pudding.  As we were walking, we found Bumpkin.  Bumpkin is restaurant that serves country food to city people.  All of their ingredients are British, fresh, seasonal, homemade and natural.  We walked in to a upscale casual and slightly rustic interior, their customers were everyone!  From young to old, families with children, romantic dates....it was Sunday night and the restaurant was packed.

 
It was a Sunday so of course  there was a Sunday roast special...and guess what it had?  A Yorkshire Pudding!  It looked so good we both had to get this dish.
Sunday Roast - Medium cooked beef roast, potato, watercress, large Yorkshire pudding with gravy, and whipped horseradish sauce, roasted veg (a large leafy green, roasted parsnips and carrots, roasted cauliflower with cheese) for 18.95 pounds.   The hand cut chips (potato french fries) were 3.95 pounds.

Everything was simply delicious.  It was such a simple meal but such a good one at that.  The Yorkshire pudding was light and fluffy, the beef was tender and flavorful, the beef gravy ladled on top was so delicious.  Nick loved the gravy even though he usually never puts gravy on anything.  The roasted vegetables were incredible and I wish I knew how to make it at home.  The parsnips and carrots were just slightly caramelized, and roasted cauliflower with baked on cheese is simple, but just divine.  Even the roast potatoes were done to perfection.   The hand cut chips was crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside.

This was definitely not a fancy meal, it's a hearty simple meal done to perfection.  There were so many things on the menu that looked delicious, such as the meat pies and duck legs....too bad we were just too full to try them all.

I would definitely make the trip to Bumpkin again the next time I stop in London.  This restaurant proved me wrong, there is indeed good food in London.  :-)