Fun Monday #8

I thought I'd post my Fun Monday post on my Sunday as it is in fact Monday down under, (also I have a busy morning tomorrow so it leaves me time to be tempted by all your yummy recipes). I was going to post three recipes giving you a three course meal but ran out of time, in fact you are lucky to have the dessert because there was only one slice left by the time I remembered to take a picture. I also have to appologise for the bad photographs. I'm no photographer and it's hard to take a photo of a steaming dish when your stomach is telling you it wants to eat the dish not wait whilst you flaff around taking pictures.

The first recipe I have chosen is a firm favourite in our house and I end up making it most weeks in fact we call it cheesy chicken. It is tasty enough to serve to guests and very easy to prepare in advance. I got this recipe from The Avoca Cafe Cookbook.

BAKED CHICKEN WITH PARMESAN and WHOLEGRAIN MUSTARD
(often referred to as Italian chicken)

8 chicken breasts skinned and diced
4 oz(110g) Parmesan cheese freshly grated
2 tablespoons wholegrain mustard
110g/ ¾ pt double cream
300ml/ ½ pt chicken stock.
Parmesan shavings, to garnish.
(Serves 8)

Place the diced chicken on an ovenproof dish, cover with the cheese mustard and mix well. then add cream, stock and season with freshly ground black pepper and bake, uncovered in pre-heated oven 180 oC for 30 mins.
Remove from oven, the recipe calls for you to pour off sauce from chicken and whist until smooth, if you wish you can thicken it by whisking in a nugget of butter and flour together over the heat. I choose the easy option and serve it as it comes out of the oven, pouring the chicken and sauce over freshly cooked white rice. It's delicious served with salad and fresh, crusty bread.


For dessert I highly recommend Gateaux Diane. This is a favourite in Joules family and I learnt this recipe from his mother. My Bristol family were very impressed when I made it for a family barbeque last summer. Again it is easy to prepare in advance and the chocolate and rum cream give it the wow factor.

Gateaux Dianne

6 egg whites
12oz caster sugar
500ml double cream
300g milk chocolate (I'm sure you could use dark if you prefer)
3 tblsp dark rum.

Whist the egg whites until they form stiff peaks. Whisk in the caster sugar so that the mixture is thick and glossy.

Prepare three baking trays with parchment paper or lightly oil the trays. Spread the mixture over the trays in a circle shape, I make them as big as a pizza baking tray. These can be made days in advance if you wish.

Cook for 1 1/2 hours 110 oC.

I find this bit easy but other people mess it up by over whipping or something. I melt the chocolate in the microwave for two minutes and stir it. Add the melted chocolate to the cream and rum and whisk until a nice thick consistency. Take care not to over whisk the cream. The cream can also be made hours in advance.

Sandwich meringue layers together with a layer of cream and put cream on top. Sprinkle over some grated choc and enjoy!!!

If you are bringing this somewhere the meringue stays hard for quite a long time unlike pavlova!

I hope you enjoyed reading about our favourite meals and that you may even be tempted to try and make them yourselves.

Below is a list of all this weeks Fun Monday participants. I don't have Paige's URL if anyone can help me out please do, also if I've missed anyone out let me know and I'll add you to the list.
Sabrina
Nikki
Lisa
Enidd
Margaret
Amy W
Bethany
Little Miss Moi
Frannie
Lotta
Liza
Paige
Elena Jane
Jenn
Steffi
Min
Karmyn
Dodo
Robin
Mommiebear2
Tiggerlane
Sally
Vicki
Willowtree
Swampwitch
Chrisb
The artist formerly known as purpleworms
2crazzie4u
Sam
Erik
Girl con queso
Stephanie

The wonderful enidd formerly known as enid has agreed to host next weeks Fun Monday so pop over to say hello and sign up for whatever challenge she may have in store for us.