Dunno if I mentioned this (I may have, as I ‘ve been shouting it from the rooftops) but my love, Manolis, arrived in London this Saturday. So, I prepared a celebratory meal.
However, just because we’re in love it doesn’t mean I should have cooked quails with roses and the like. Cooking with love means – among other things – that you know who you are cooking for. I mean, cooking so that people will love the food rather than just to impress them. There is a difference.
I digress. Here goes the meal.
Obviously the main meal was Hünkar Begendi – Manolis just loves this dish. Don’t be surprised. Half of the Greek and Turkish dishes (at least) are extremely similar and in Greece we have a very Turkish palate. Or vice versa. You know what I mean.
If you’ve read the Digital Scullery story you’ll also know that this was the first ever recipe I did on video – it all started with Manolis teasing me that I couldn’t cook it.
Even though, when I told him how much nutmeg I had put in there he started telling me how he could see pink winged elephants. That’s my guy you know.
This excellent food with the lovely sauce, obviously requires a hearty bread.
This was the first time I actually kneaded bread on my own and thank the kitchen gods it was goooooooood. In the past I have made some excellent little beer breads but that was three of us so it doesn’t count.
The recipe for this excellent bread is by Paul Hollywood and you can find it on the beeb – along with a 4 minute video which explains the technique. FOOL PROOF I tell you.
Finally I really needed to serve some desert but this was a bit of a challenge. Manolis dislikes desserts which are too chocolatey (I couldn’t disagree more there) so I just teased him a bit with a Sachertorte. It looks like death by chocolate. However, the combination of ingredients and tastes is such that it doesn’t leave you with a dense chocolate after-taste.
The recipe is by Mary Berry and you can find it on BBC Food.
Truth be told we loved it but it may not have been made the right way. Neither of us has even eaten a proper Sachertorte. Barring that though we loved it. Our Elli also confirmed.
So. This is it. Celebratory and loved up 
Auntie Sofia
Like all Greek gals I started cooking when I absolutely had to (it's the reason we get Greek mothers you know) but fell absolutely in love with it. Following about 10 years of life in London I still cook Greek but with a side of the London multi-nation cuisine. | FIND ME | homepage | twitter | flickr | facebook |
Auntie Sofia and the Digital Scullery kitchen love videos, photo recipes and mashing up Greek and world food. We mainly love GRUB, of the type that puts hair on your chest. Gourmet and cuisine are two words we just don't get.
This looks like a wonderful way to celebrate the arrival of your beloved! Lucky Manolis to the recipient of such a great meal. The sacher torte slice looks heavenly, thanks for sharing the link. Great post.
Cheers Tina. He appreciated it so that’s that.
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