From Malaya to Spain, for a tasty treat.

Our October Malaysian chef  Sok-Tin Wild had to go into hospital unexpectedly,  so at 4 days notice

Steven Parks stepped in the breach and demonstrated Spanish cooking for us.

 We were not disappointed.  Steven,  a lover of food, a cook and raconteur  gave us an engaging and tasty evening.  He told us stories of his time on TV's  ' Come Dine with Me' and prepared a wonderful meal cooked from start to finish on his Camping Gaz stoves.

 First the Paella -   the contents were - Meat - Chicken, chorizo sausage, prawns, mussels and squid  plus Vegetables - onions, garlic, red pepper and green beans and of course rice.   Then fish stock, water, salt and saffron were added and bubbled away until it was ready to eat.

At the same time he showed us how to make a real Spanish Tortilla.  Chopped Potatoes  and a few onions simmered in oil for 15 minutes  and then when drained, lots of eggs from his three chickens were added. ( One who does not lay, one who had a cyst on her chest - which in fact left one chicken to do all the hard work.)  Delicious food, and enough for 31 of us to share.

It was a very good evening with  7 guests  who all seemed to enjoy themselves, and we wonder whether the TV  producers will  introduce a new follow up programme to 'Come Dine with Me' called   'Come dine with me Outdoors', or ' Come camp with me'  to promote cooking outdoors.

If ever a speaker has to cancel ,we shall  keep Steven's number handy for more culinary treats.

Leeds Castle......... from a distance.

Continuing our friendship with the Members of High Halstow WI, Sadie Curtis  of Leeds WI led a walk around Leeds Castle Grounds.  Starting from Leeds Car Park, through Broomfield where we stopped at the Church.

 

 The verger Derek Hadlow kindly unlocked the Church for us to have a look around this historic building.   From there we walked  to the bottom of the hill, through woodland and into Leeds  Castle Grounds where we continued on the public footpaths.    Sadie had arranged for a friend of hers, a Leeds Castle guide to tell  us some of the history of   "the loveliest castle in the world".  Our walk took us to the far side of the great lake,  and back up past the cricket ground to Leeds Churchyard.  Finally along the road to The George Public House where a ploughman's lunch awaited us.

It was an amazing day to be out  in the open, with blue sky - though mud underfoot after the previous day's rain.  Fred Lucette amazed  us all by completing the whole walk and Peter Kelly was on hand to take photographs.  There were 11 walkers from Hollingbourne, 10 from High Halstow and 2 from Leeds - we enjoyed the weather, the scenery and the company.

Out to Lunch

A new place to try for lunch - The Apprentice Restaurant

at Mid Kent College Maidstone Campus.

Oakwood Park, Tonbridge Road, ME16 8AQ

12 of us were there by reservation, but you can just turn up between 12 and 1 on a weekday.
The apprentices  are at the early stages of their course to become proficient  restaurant cooks, waiters, wine waiters and receptionists, and did their best to make us feel welcome.

A three course meal with an interesting and modern menu to choose from.   Having tasted soup, tempura fish or quiche;  Chicken Ballentine, Trout or Gammon we are now at the final stage with
Eton mess and Treacle tart in front of us.   A good meal for £6.00  and smaller tables of 2 or 4 were also on offer.

Wine, soft drinks and tea or coffee are on the menu  and you can book and find out 'today's menu' from 01622 625873 or Angela.akhlaq@midkent.ac.uk