
Sushi on a stick with edamame peas!
I spent a small fortune on different sticks for this meal, many of them from my new favourite shop 'Hobby Craft' (seriously, I could spend hours in there). Others, rather more chic, came from skewer specialists 'Spikomat'.
There is something of the fairground about eating off a stick, it's a childish pleasure, so I included saffron flavoured candy floss in the menu. Another dish, the corn dog, influenced by State fairs in the United States, I have never even tasted before, nor had most of my guests. Even with vegetarian hot dogs, it was a tasty surprise.
My only bug bear was that many of the recipes in Matt's book simply didn't work. It's a problem when the author is primarily a stylist and photographer, in that he/she thinks visually and not whether it is easy to follow the recipes. I struggled to make the savoury 'dango' tofu balls as Matt did not specify whether the rice flour should be glutinous or not. I was dubious whether to serve these rather heavy tasteless balls, but the umami heavy ponzu sauce transformed them into one of the favourite dishes of the night.
The spaghetti on a stick was impossible. Once I had conquered the problem of vegetarian meatballs made from Quorn refusing to turn into a ball (I used Xanthan gum), the spaghetti/meatball concoction, despite 'chilling' for over 12 hours, would not coagulate into the sliceable squares promised by Matt. We resorted, a brilliant idea by helper @sarahserves, to dipping the spaghetti in tempura batter to make it stick together ...on a stick.
Menu
Frozen Kir Royale with blackcurrants and raspberries...on a stick.
Banderillas (olives, pickled garlic, anchovy wrapped cocktail onions) ... on a stick.
Sushi (avocado and wasabi caviar rolls, you push them up as you eat) ... on a stick.
Tomato, mozzarella and basil salad ... on a stick.
Savoury dango tofu with ponzu and Japanese pepper dipping sauce ... on a stick.
Baby baked aubergines with miso and yuzu ... on a stick.
Pizza ... on a stick.
Corndog (with Heinz ketchup and American mustard) ... on a stick.
Mushrooms deep fried in corn batter ... on a stick.
Corn on the cob (slathered in garlic butter and maple syrup) ... on a stick.
Monkfish in yoghurt and turmeric ... on a stick.
Palate cleanser: frozen grapes ... on a stick.
Chocolate-dipped frozen bananas (with popping candy) ... on a stick.
Salted caramel lollies dipped in homemade sherbet ... on a stick.
Saffron sugar candy floss ... on a stick.
Guests were not given cutlery.
Cocktail on a stick!
Banderillas!
Salad on a stick!
Corn Dog!
Turmeric and yoghurt marinated monkfish!
Savoury dango on a stick in Yuzu, Japanese pepper and Ponzu sauce!
Tempura spaghetti on a stick!
Miso baked aubergines on a stick!
Frozen chocolate-dipped bananas!
I taught my guests how to make candy floss.
Looks like a fabulous supperclub. I never realised Hobbycraft sold food stuff like skewers, I will have a look next time.
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool, I love all of the recreations of the dishes... on a stick!
ReplyDeleteI love the look of your salad on a stick. Very clever!
ReplyDeleteMaybe Matt needs to be put on a skewer. Some great ideas though - I love finger food. Love the banana dipped in chocolate! Trust me.
ReplyDeleteLOL magnolia!
ReplyDeleteYes ...great launching point for ideas but I really wonder if they worked for him or if the recipes aren't written in as much detail as I would like.
Bananas dipped in chocolate, very simple, very effective. The banana soon defrosts and you are left with the hard shell of choc on the outside.
I just love your inspiring ideas,and all the research you do - Delicioso .
ReplyDelete