During home isolation throughout Covid-19 restrictions, there was no way that I was going to waste the festivities of a Saturday night! Our plan was for the two of us to watch a large screen movie at home after a meal designed around the theme of the movie. We completed this series over a period of 7 weeks and this is one of them.
'The Gentlemen' was a typical Guy Ritchie film with action, quirkiness and dark humour. I wanted to create an English menu with blokey overtones and bold statements. The wagyu steak was inspired from one of the scenes and the Englishman's Relish (anchovy spiced butter) was a no-brainer for me.
Menu:
- Home made crumpets with white butter, smoked salmon and capers and a whiskey on the side.
- Wagyu Steak with Englishmans Relish, green beans and fried parsnip crisps
Crumpet Recipe:
1 tspn instant yeast (I use freeze dried available in supermarket)
2 tspns caster sugar
1.25 cups lukewarm skim milk
1.5 cups 00 white flour
1 tspn salt
1/3 cup warm water
1 level teaspoon bicarb soda
In a glass measuring jug, combine milk, sugar and yeast and mix until dissolved. Cover and rest in a warm place for 10 minutes. By then it should be starting to froth.
In a mixing bowl, mix flour and salt and make a well in the centre. Pour yeast mixture into well and mix into flour mixture until it is all combined. Cover and again set aside in a warm place for about an hour or until it has doubled in size.
Mix together the warm water and bicarb soda and whisk into flour mixture. Cover and sit in a warm place until it doubles in size again - 30-40 minutes.
You will need a wide non-stick fry pan and egg rings. Turn heat on med low and place egg rings onto the pan. Spray pan and rings with oil. (Be careful not to spray onto gas flame)
Spoon 2-3 tblspns of batter into each ring and cook for 12-15 minutes or until bubbles appear on the surface. At that point, using tongs, remove the egg rings. Flip crumpets and cook briefly until golden brown. Allow to cool on a wire rack.
You can either serve immediately or store in fridge/freezer to toast up later.
These were particularly delicious served as an appetiser with unsalted butter and smoked salmon.
Note: I use a sink of water as a warm place to rise yeast. Ensure bowl is covered.