French Fodder!

Last month was our Rachel Khoo inspired French event. We’ve now done a few events using recipes from the ‘Little Paris Kitchen’ book, including a private supperclub and an afternoon tea. We like Rachel’s peasant style recipes paired with her stunning patisserie (she trained as a pattisiere). We found that the recipes don’t always work, as Rachel cooks in such a small oven at home where she created her recipes, and so we had to test everything thoroughly in advance.

Our guests were welcomed with a classic Kir royale, it couldn’t be any other cocktail for a French theme could it?! These were joined by canapes of lettuce cups, filled with crunchy nicoise style veg, creamy egg and lemony dressing; quail egg mini croque madame muffins (now a firm Manor favourite!); and crostini topped with a fresh and punchy ratatouille. Our amouse bouche was shots of Rachel’s creamy potato and cauliflower soup. This soup can be served hot or cold and the cauliflower makes it the silkiest soup I’ve ever tasted.

March Menu – Little Paris Kitchen

We’re going all French later this month in homage to Rachel Khoo and her popular book of 2012 The Little Paris Kitchen.

Her modern take on French classics are a refreshing change – we used her book for a couple of private events we’ve held at the Manor and we’ve been so impressed that decided to dust it off again!

With the weather taking (we hope!) a turn for the better we’ve created a menu with a springtime theme to it.

We hope our guests enjoy!

 

New Dates for the New Year…

Yes, it’s only September but we’ve had an overwhelming influx of emails from our readers eager to experience Dinner at the Manor.

We’ve finally agreed on dates and themes for the first few events of 2013, so we wanted to share them with you as soon as possible! We’d love to know what you think. Click on the links below for more details on each event and how to book.

Saturday January 12th 2013 – Wahaca: Mexican Food at Home
Just like last year we want to bring a touch of sunshine to cold, dark January and blow those post holiday blues away! Sold Out!

Saturday February 16th 2013 – River Cottage Veg
We’re going veggie once more, this time with the delights of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall! Sold Out!

Saturday March 16th 2013 – Little Paris Kitchen
We love Rachel Khoo so much, we want to hold a French themed event in her honour! Sold Out!

Expect to experience a delicious 7 course menu in a beautiful Victorian home. You’ll be dining with strangers who will seem like old friends by the end of the night! For more info take a look at our what you need to know page.

Dinner at the Manor’s Little Paris Kitchen…in Leeds!

Saturday 16th March 2013 – Sorry this event is now fully booked

We adore Rachel Khoo and think her refreshing take on all things French brings traditional recipes bang up to date for the 21st Century! We held a private tea party based around her Little Paris Kitchen cookbook, but we really think that some of her dishes (that she tested by opening up her own supperclub) are gems we want to share!

Afternoon Thé!

We went all French and kooky this weekend when we held an afternoon tea inspired by Rachel Khoo’s Little Paris Kitchen cookbook. This was a private event for a gaggle of hens who were celebrating the impending wedding of bride to be Lisa. Following a can can lesson in town they joined us for a selection of savouries and sweets washed down with teas, coffees and the obligatory kir royale. There was not a willy deelie-bopper in sight, and very well behaved they all were too!

This was a private event and we only do afternoon teas every now and then, on request. We like the fact that we can do far more in advance, plus it means we get to break away from the norm we have established with our usual Manor menus. We both love baking too, so it’s great to have a chance to challenge ourselves in this area.

Once again, we were without expert photographer Nick, however Susie did manage to take some snaps with her phone!

In terms of savouries we served up a range of treats inspired by Rachel’s book. I adapted the Nicoise wraps, stuffing the salad inside tortilla wraps instead of the suggested lettuce leaves, to make them a bit more substantial. I was impressed by the flavours of these – which consisted of sweet and crunchy green beans, radish, spring onion and tomatoes; piquant black olives and capers; and creamy free range egg – all bound together with a yummy red wine vinegar and lemon juice dressing. Atop homemade bread was a choice of radish with salted butter or a decadent fig, goat cheese and walnut option.

Susie’s offerings included gigantic platters of roasted root veg (including carrots, parsnips beetroot and apple). This was accompanied by a luxurious and creamy goats cheese mousse and was a popular addition to the table – only a few smears of beetroot and mousse were left! Susie also adapted the croque madame muffin recipe, making mini little bites of loveliness from quail eggs.

Rachel Khoo Inspired Afternoon Tea

She’s sweet, she’s twee and we’re hosting an afternoon tea in honour of Rachel Khoo. Like us, she runs a restaurant from home and has learnt to make things work in a domestic kitchen.

We’ve trawled her Little Paris Kitchen cookbook for some French treats to cook up in September  Whilst this is a private event, we wanted to share the menu with you!

The Manor is available for private parties for a minimum of 8 guests – get in touch to discuss your requirements!